***
Gospel: Mark 6: 17-29
Herod was the one who had John the Baptist arrested and bound in prison
on account of Herodias,
the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married.
John had said to Herod,
“It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”
Herodias harbored a grudge against him
and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so.
Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man,
and kept him in custody.
When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed,
yet he liked to listen to him.
She had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday,
gave a banquet for his courtiers,
his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee.
Herodias’ own daughter came in
and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests.
The king said to the girl,
“Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.”
He even swore many things to her,
“I will grant you whatever you ask of me,
even to half of my kingdom.”
She went out and said to her mother,
“What shall I ask for?”
She replied, “The head of John the Baptist.”
The girl hurried back to the king’s presence and made her request,
“I want you to give me at once
on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”
The king was deeply distressed,
but because of his oaths and the guests
he did not wish to break his word to her.
So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders
to bring back his head.
He went off and beheaded him in the prison.
He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl.
The girl in turn gave it to her mother.
When his disciples heard about it,
they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
The Gospel of the Lord.
***
***
This is a grim section of Mark’s Gospel. Why would he spend so much time describing the death of John the Baptist?
***
Primarily because John’s death foreshadows what will happen to Jesus.
Just as John is murdered for speaking the truth to authority, so Jesus will be killed for confronting people with hard truths, including our need to repent.
***
Herod’s foolish decisions also show the snowball effect of unchecked sin. Small sins can quickly snowball into larger ones – a caution to us all.
Herod’s story begins with a hardened heart. While he displays a mild religious curiosity by listening to the preaching of John, he doesn’t change his ways; he isn’t converted.
Then he invites his friends to his birthday party. What starts out as a celebration of life quickly turns into a banquet of death. Herod drinks until he’s drunk.
The snowballing begins.
Later, his stepdaughter enters and performs a highly suggestive dance. Moved by pride, Herod offers her anything she wants, even half of his kingdom. To his surprise she asks for the head of John the Baptist.
Too afraid of disappointing his guests, Herod has an innocent man – and God’s prophet – killed.
Thus, a hardened heart led to drunkenness, to pride, and ultimately to taking an innocent man’s life at a lavish birthday party.
***
While you and I can hardly identify with such severity, Herod’s life is a caution to us all.
Is there an area of my life where I need to change? Is there a particular temptation, a habit, or an emotion at risk of snowballing?
***
May John the Baptist pray for us, that his preaching of repentance would help to change us all for the better.
***
***
Image credits: (1) simplypsychology.org (2) John the Baptist Reprocing Herod, artuk.org (3) Pinterest