July 6th, 2013
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Sex, Power and Politics

Please see the links to our EXTRA Bible Study notes at the bottom of the page.

Opening Prayer

Holy Lord, You are the Ancient of Days who is present with me now and throughout this day. I bless Your name.

Read Mark 6:14-29

[14] King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known. Some were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” [15] Others said, “He is Elijah.” And still others claimed, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago.” [16] But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!” [17] For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. [18] For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” [19] So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, [20] because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him. [21] Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. [22] When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you.” [23] And he promised her with an oath, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.” [24] She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” “The head of John the Baptist,” she answered. [25] At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” [26] The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. [27] So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison, [28] and brought back his head on a platter. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother. [29] On hearing of this, John’s disciples came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Meditate

“In Herod, Jesus confronts evil at its worst. He knows that the same evil forces that possessed Herod will be launched against him in an effort to destroy him utterly” (David McKenna). The shadow of the cross appears.

Think Further

The account of the beheading of John the Baptist begins with a report that the disciples’ mission in yesterday’s story came to the ears of Herod Antipas. The disciples’ preaching caused speculation as to Jesus’ identity. The three possibilities suggested match those given by the disciples to Jesus’ question to them as to who people believed him to be (8:27-30). Herod’s conclusion is that Jesus is John the Baptist raised from the dead. This Herod is the son of Herod the Great (Matt. 2:1), and Mark’s account gives us a picture of a lavish and morally bankrupt court which matches contemporary accounts of the Herodian family’s immorality and, above all, their desire to stay in power. Herod had broken Jewish law by marrying his brother’s wife and his actions probably shocked most Jews, not just John. Although Herod recognized that there was something special about John (20), he put him in prison. This was not enough for Herodias, and finally her chance came. Despite later operatic and film reproductions of this story, there are no “seven veils”; we are simply told of her daughter’s dance and all that followed from that. Because he cared more for his reputation than doing the right thing, Herod had John executed.

We are reminded here of another authority figure who cared more for his reputation and career than he did about setting free an innocent man. In that sense, John’s death prefigures that of Jesus. This story reminds us that throughout the ministry of Jesus there is the shadow of the cross. It won’t be long before the disciples start to learn that lesson (8:31; 9:3). We can rejoice today as the shadow of the cross gives way to the dazzling light of the resurrection.

Apply

Pray today for those in authority. Pray that they will do what is right, and not what preserves their reputations or enhances their careers.

Closing prayer

Father, I pray for Your servants who face grave dangers. Empower them with courage and assurance as they stand faithful for You.

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