Thursday, July 27, 2023

Today’s Scripture Reading
Mark 6:14–29

King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some were saying, “John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him.” But others said, “It is Elijah.” And others said, “It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.”

For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her. For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.” And he solemnly swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the baptizer.” Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb. (NRSV)

Reflection
The Bible is cool on rulers, almost from the beginning, and stories like this one show clearly why. With very few exceptions, biblical rulers are shortsighted, proud, and paranoid; even the good ones do terrible things (just ask Bathsheba). From the very first moment, God’s people demand a king (1 Kings 8). God warns them that they don’t know what they’re asking for, because a king will take advantage of them and steal from them and make them feel grateful for the privilege.

And these are Israel’s own kings. It’s even worse to be subject to the king of a foreign nation, an occupying power like Babylon or Rome. This is the situation in Jesus’ and John’s day. The Jews live as occupied subjects, vulnerable to the whims of rulers and the things rulers care about, and it is no small disagreement among their own leaders as to how they ought to comport themselves toward their Roman rulers, whether as collaborators or rebels. We know where this story leads for Jesus. He will resist violent rebellion to the end. His cousin’s end contains a warning about collaboration.

Herod is the king and has all the power a king has to do what he wishes with whomever he wishes. Yet he doesn’t wish to do anything with John, the wild-eyed Jewish prophet, but listen to him; Herod likes John, though he doesn’t understand him. He has John in jail because John criticized him for marrying his brother’s wife. The arrangement seems stable and not in urgent need of resolution.

That is until Herod does a kind of stupid thing reserved for biblical rulers and makes a showy promise he won’t want to keep. But keep it he will, and John will die as a result. Because Herod must impress his guests. Like King Ahasuerus in the Esther story, Herod is under pressure to save face, and on such petty pressures as this hang the fates of his subjects. It’s a bloody tragedy.

And it’s why people of faith can never fully entrust ourselves or the people we are called to serve — widows, orphans, the poor, strangers — to any ruler or elected official.

Prayer
For those who languish in jails; for those exiled and banished; for those tired masses loaded on buses; for the faithful persecuted; for those persecuted by the faithful — for these and all who are subject to the whims of the rulers of this world we pray, O God. Keep and protect them as the ultimate ruler of all that is, and come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Written by Rocky Supinger, Associate Pastor for Youth Ministry and Worship

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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