July 14, 2024 Text: Mark 6:14-29
Dear Friends in Christ,
Herod the King was enjoying himself greatly. His belly was stuffed, the drinks were flowing, the hall was hot and smoky. Then a young woman, beautiful in his eyes danced for him. That it was his stepdaughter and niece disturbs us, but not him. This tells you a lot about him. He was so pleased that he made this ridiculous offer: “I’ll give you whatever you ask for, up to half of my kingdom.” The room probably became still and silent. The king was probably drunk, and they could gain a favor. She had the power.
She takes this promise from Herod seriously. She goes to her mother who says, “I want the head of John the Baptist.” But it gets even more vile, “I want it on a platter.” This King who had broken promises his whole life, kept his worthless word this time. He waved his hand and made it so. They could’ve have asked for half the kingdom, but they chose something more valuable, at least to them, life without guilt.
Herod’s wife was smart, savvy, and evil. While all through the palace party people were losing their heads, she had kept hers, clear and cunning. She was playing a game you might know, the one where you win or you die, and she craved more influence, and this prophet, bearded and ugly and dirty, had stood in her way.
“STANDING IN THE WAY”
John had long been in prison because of Herod. But for whatever reason, in moments of clarity, the king occasionally brought John into his throne room to hear him speak. And that makes sense. Thousands upon thousands had come to the wilderness to hear John preach. They were baptized by Him in the Jordan River, just as Jesus himself was. John’s message had not changed. He was always taking repentance. Now standing before this fool king, he still talked of repentance. He didn’t ask for his release or butter up the sloppy king, but said rather, “How you are living right now, it ain’t right.” John’s message was standing in the way.
What had Herod done that wasn’t right? Taken his brother’s wife to be his wife. The problem – his brother hadn’t died. He simply took her because he could. That is what happens with power. John told him clearly that this wasn’t the way to live. And the queen didn’t like it. She felt the words of John kept her influence over the king in check. She felt trapped by the words of this man in prison. He was standing in the way. So, the moment presents itself and she gets the head of John the Baptist. That head on a platter threw her guilt away. Herod and his wife would not have to hear his incisive sermons again.
Is that a desire we can relate to? Not participating in this cruel spectacle, not ending the life of another, but to live without guilt. John brought a message to Herod about God’s Law, and how Herod’s life needed changing. Instead of changing heart and life, it was easier to put his head on a platter. Our lives might be filled with less obvious darkness than was evident at that party in Herod’s palace. Do we occasionally have a similar reaction . . . easier to kill the messenger than hear the message?
No matter who you are, no matter what you are, there are times when the word of God stands in our way, interrupts our lives and says, “stop, turn, and hear righteousness and holiness from God.” And the hard truth is we would rather turn our backs on God, than hear his words. People leave the church because they don’t want to live with the guilt. God’s Word is standing in the way of their lifestyle. So, they adopt a new world view that doesn’t conflict with their behavior.
This misunderstands guilt. When we are faced with guilt, when we bump into God’s Word that says, “this ain’t right,” we are not offered only two choices – either turning our back on it or trying to work are way out of it.
The message of today, the invitation from Jesus is rather that you bring your guilt to him. Watch as God nails your guilt to the cross. Watch as He turns to you and changes you, and then, in the freedom of forgiveness, turns you toward righteousness and holiness. You see, righteousness and holiness, they don’t gain God’s favor. They are gifts that come with God’s favor.
So, for those struggling to believe or behave or to keep the faith, or to turn your backs…to all of us…comes this encouragement from God’s Word today. You are welcomed into the feast the King provides. You leave with no regret or shame. Those things were washed away when Jesus showed His mighty power of love, when on the cross he purchased your seat at the table. He stands in the way of your guilt. His bloodied body shows that for all to see.
We can live without guilt as we live under the power of the cross. Listen to John preach. It may not always be easy . . . but in the end, it will be worth it.
Amen.