Mark 6:14-29
The beheading of John the Baptist is a quite horrifying tale that gets placed smack dab in the middle of Jesus’ ministry with the disciples, so what is it doing there? John’s death story does two things for us. First, it points to Jesus and foreshadows his own betrayal and denial by Pontius Pilate later in the gospel. Second, it gives us a unique insight and view of a leader in power, King Herod. Now this Herod is not the same from Jesus’ birth story, but it is his son who has taken rule and now is placed into a strange predicament. Herod is actually portrayed as a human being with a dilemma in the gospel of Mark. You almost feel some sympathy and sorrow for what he is called to do, unlike Matthew’s depiction.
The reason it comes across this way is because Herod has a relationship with John the Baptist. He considers John to be a channel of grace in his life, a person he listens to and believes. Yet the people around King Herod and his own feelings of power got in the way. He felt trapped between a promise he made his daughter and looking weak, or doing what was just.
We’ve all been there. We make promises without knowing the whole story. We make decisions because we do not want to feel trapped. We then act out of our own lack of freedom. What happens can be devastating to ourselves and others. We exploit others out of our own feelings of shame. What combats shame is grace. John the Baptist gave King Herod the space to be human and make mistakes.
We have all experienced those people in our lives that have shown empathy and grace in the midst of our difficulties in life whether in our jobs, families, or friend groups. The light in this story is that John’s legacy was continued. John’s disciples came to bury him, his words of Jesus’ coming and ministry continued through Jesus himself. King Herod and his cronies couldn’t stop that. The channel of grace continued through others, his mission of repentance and forgiveness.
We give thanks for the many vessels of grace and relationships that provide movement in our faith. That calls us into justice instead of power and grace instead of shame. May John’s gruesome story actually be a moment to recognize the grace before us.
Questions for Reflection:
- What is one tough decision you’ve had to make between what is right and what is easy?
- What people in your life have shown you grace when you most needed it?
Prayer
God of Grace,
We come across many situations in life that are difficult and we know it can be simpler to choose the easy track. Give us wisdom to make just choices even if it goes against those in power. May we be vessels of grace to those in our midst who need it the most. Amen.
About the Author:
Works with Care Ministries and Confirmation Ministries along with her general pastoral duties (worship leadership, preaching, teaching, weddings, funerals, etc.). Married to David and are parents to a daughter, Matilda.
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