The Old Testament reading was about King David bringing the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem and enthusiastically dancing almost naked in the streets. I suspect if he tried it today, he would be arrested for public indecency!
And then we have this story of Herod ordering the assassination of John the Baptiser. It’s hardly an edifying story, gory in detail and demonstrates an abuse of power. I resisted preaching on it, just like I resist watching the 24-hour tv news cycle. It too, is often too full of gory detail, and abuse of power. I want good news, not this negative, depressing stuff. When it comes to the news I carefully sensor what comes in, reading headlines to fence off stories of despair and pain.
However, here it is, the gospel of Mark with a story that cannot be dismissed as just a headline.
It begins with Herod betraying himself with guilt. He seems tormented by what he has done, as though the ghost of John the Baptist has come back to haunt him. “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.”
Or maybe he is thinking that there is hope in John’s return, as though it somehow undoes what he, Herod, has done.
This story shows a world of corruption and power where those without power become momentary playthings to amuse those who’ve lost a sense of life’s value, if they ever had one.
In this telling I feel enraged but also powerless, just as I often do when watching the tv news bulletins.
Enraged, but powerless.
In this story I want Herod to be tortured by ghosts of the past, and to languish in guilt and remorse.
But this is not the Jesus’ way.
In Mark’s story, Jesus is becoming known. He is noticed for his holy work. He is becoming popular as one who speaks for justice, one who welcomes those pushed out, one who feeds the hungry, heals the sick, and releases the captive. It seems that Jesus is everything that Herod is not.
Herod hears of Jesus and is fearful and tormented – because it is too close. The headline cannot be dismissed for the story is too real, one that exposes his fragile ego and his need to please others.
These few verses expose what human vulnerability and ultimate power can do.
We see it demonstrated round the world. Leaders justify their inhumane acts by lying to themselves – and expecting the world to believe them.
In this story, we see darkness that can strike fear into innocent hearts. What happens here is almost a preview of Jesus’ fate at the hands of powerful corruption and injustice.
In this we also see a world of contrasts.
As John’s head is demanded, Herod is hosting a feast: a banquet for courtiers, officers and leaders. The dancing is entertainment to please this gathering of powerful men. Herod trips over his vanity and pride in order to please and to be seen as being generous. This party is the ultimate in darkness – where a good man is beheaded and produced as part of the entertainment.
I think Mark is trying to paint a picture which is the opposite of Jesus.
- Jesus -light
- Herod – dark
- Jesus – honest
- Herod – refusing to admit even to himself what evil he has done, and is still doing
- Jesus – kind and generous to all – especially to the downtrodden and oppressed
- Herod – generous only to those who recognise his power and authority – and who seek to win his favour
As I mentioned earlier, by this time in Mark’s gospel, Jesus was becoming known because of his good deeds – because of the light he was shining into the darkness.
- He fed the 5000 and then the 4000, feasts of hope.
- He was not stopped by death threats. Instead, he walked with purpose towards Jerusalem where power and injustice would ultimately crucify him.
- On the way he fed, healed, welcomed and invited all – especially those excluded from banquets of privilege, especially those seen as nothing by the powers that be.
As Jesus shone the light for which he was becoming known, that light even makes its way into Herod’s world, as Herod hears the stories.
As light shines, with it comes hope.
- John could not be stopped speaking truth and justice.
- Jesus could not be stopped sharing the love of God with us all.
The early disciples shouted the message, ‘Christ is risen’
We, too, need to shout that same message, and, just like that, we join with all who know that the way of Christ cannot be stopped by dark banquets or abusive powers.
As Herod feared what the light exposed, so we claim that even death does not stop the light of Christ from shining through the darkness.
And that light shines through us to our world – the blessings that Paul wrote about in our Ephesians reading are there for us as well – and we are to spread Jesus’ light, love and blessings to the broken world around us.
As the news cycle continues to bring us grim and gory stories of exploitative power and injustice, lets think about what is not being reported.
Anywhere in our world wherever powers are challenged by those who would seek justice for the oppressed – there is the risen Jesus!
Anyone working for peace and healing in our world where it seems everything is doomed to despair – there is the risen Jesus!
The risen Jesus spreading like in the darkness.
This is my hope: Jesus light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it.
Reflection – Based on a message from the Rev. Arnie Wierenga
Written by Jen Flanagan
Jen is a lay preacher in training at TUC. Jen is a member of the Thursday Community Fellowship ministry team. Jen is Treasurer of the Church Council.
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