PENTECOST 7 – July 11, 2021 – Mark 6:14-29
“THE GREATEST NATURAL BORN MAN”
Introduction: Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father, and from our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Our text is the Gospel Lesson just read, from Mark 6. We begin with prayer.
Dear fellow disciples of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ:
- There is a song that was popular a few years ago that contained the line: “Strange what desires make foolish people do.” This principle is forcefully exhibited in our text for this morning. Of course, also amply illustrated is the intense hatred created in sinful human beings when there is a prophetic calling out of their sin. That hatred and animosity, by the way, is not only created in the hearts of the unregenerate unbelievers, but can also be inflamed in our own sinful hearts as well. Also, by the way, such hatred can be expressed in a variety of different ways, even rather passive ways. This account serves as a serious warning to all of us!
- Prophets do not conform to people’s expectations. They cannot and do not seek to “please” people, that is, to just “get along” with everyone. While they would like to be able to do this, and they don’t go out of their way to antagonize others, their calling and task is to identify evils and to preach against it, regardless of who may be “offended” and upset. Even kings and others in authority are not exempt from prophetic ministry. Not even those who are wealthy or who think that they should have priority and prerogative are spared. Neither are the proud and arrogant spared. The goal, of course, is to bring about repentance so that God’s grace and mercy and forgiveness can be proclaimed!
- John the Baptist was all about this. It was he who proclaimed in regard to Jesus: “Behold, the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world.” [John 1:29] And when we are talking about John the Baptist we are talking about the one of whom Jesus Himself said: “Among those born of women there has arisen none greater than John the Baptist. . . . and if you are willing to accept it he is Elijah who is to come. He who ears to hear, let him hear.” [Matt. 11:11,15]
- So, he is the greatest of natural born men, surpassed only by Jesus, the God-man. And yet consider what befell him – as he carried out his ministry faithfully: arrest, imprisonment, and ultimately death. This is a poignant example of the hateful and murderous rage that the sinful nature of mankind has toward God, His ways, and His people, especially the servants of His Word. So we consider that:
I. John Was Fearless In Preaching God’s Word
Text: “Herod had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because he had married her. For John had been saying to Herod, ‘It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.’ And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death.”
Statement: John was smart enough to know these people. Yet in spite of this murderous threat he did his duty in calling Herod to repentance. How could he not speak up when there was this scurrilous and evil behavior going on in the palace of one who claimed to be religious, a true knower of God? Perhaps John was hopeful that this rich and corrupt ruler might possibly be saved from his sinful condition and come to repentance and the beauty of knowing God’s great love. That would have been quite an accomplishment on God’s part! And we know this is God’s will, even for Herod, Herodias, and the daughter, identified by Josephus as Salome.
Application: When we are called to repentance, and to acknowledge evil, our sinful nature reacts the same way. So it is that we must be genuine in our repentance and confession, and become quite accustomed to it, every Sunday for sure, in corporate worship, but also several times each week when we recognize our sin. Otherwise, we may grow slothful and allow the pleasant things of this world to dull our understanding, and we may allow our pride and arrogance to grow, so that we would rather murder than repent. This is our true human nature – but the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin, and if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive our sins. And we see that:
II. John Was Also Faithful And Fearless In His Ministry Even In His False Imprisonment
Text: “Herodias had a grudge against John and wanted to put him to death. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly.”
Statement: So we know that John not only preached condemnation of Herod’s sinful union with Herodias, but also the wisdom of God’s Word and even the gospel of God’s gracious forgiveness and love. How Herod heard John is a matter of debate. He was perplexed. He never did truly grasp law and gospel, and what God requires of us, that we be humble and contrite in heart and mind, and rely upon His great love and salvation. He heard John gladly, but what was his gladness about – that he was holy enough to sit and hear a truly “righteous and holy man,” that he might be gaining points with God, or with the common people who loved John? Obviously, his joy was not the regenerative joy of one who truly believed God, for such a one would not have put John to death regardless of his lust and his braggadocios vow!
Application: Again, all of this is serious warning to us to continue faithfully, humbly, and piously in a life of genuine repentance and faith in Jesus. When we hear the Word of God it should genuinely warn us, effectively bring us to real repentance, and reassure us of God’s gracious love. And for this love of God that we receive by faith, we should daily be growing also in our love for God! This is the antidote to “banqueting, boozing, partying, reveling in lust and sins of the flesh and living for them, and doing foolish things. It is also the antidote to hating the messengers of God! And we must consider seriously that:
III. John Suffered The Ultimate Sacrifice For God – Martyrdom For Christ’s Sake
A. He Suffered Demented Hatefulness
Text: “Herodias had a grudge against John and wanted to put him to death.”
B. He Suffered Death At The Hands Of A Weak, Pathetic King
1. One who was so lustful that he allowed his weakness to rule
2. One who was so weak in his lustfulness that he made a stupid and foolish vow
3. One who was so weak in his drunken lustfulness and ignorant pride that he fulfilled his wicked vow – even though he was “exceedingly sorry,” knowing how wrong and evil this act was
Text: “Herod, on his birthday gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. When Herodias’s daughter cam 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 to you.’ And he vowed to her, ‘Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.’ And she went out and said to her mother, ‘For what should I ask?’ And she said, ‘The head of John the Baptist.’ And she came in immediately with haste to the king and asked, saying, ‘I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.’ And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. And immediately the king sent an executioner with order to bring Johns’s head.”
Statement: It is difficult to imagine such foolishness, stupidity, and how much evil it brought about. There is a saying in the movie “The Godfather,” that “women can be careless, but men can never afford to be careless.” This is a perfect illustration of that wisdom. Herod’s carelessness in indulging his sinful flesh, and then his weakness of character, brought about this hideous and bloody result – against God, His kingdom, His prophet, and His Word. Josephus also reports the final outcome of life for this Herod, Herodias, and the daughter Salome. It was not pleasant at all. He was defeated, lost his kingdom and all possessions, and was exiled to the uncivilized border of the empire.
Application: Now, it is unlikely that any of us will rise to such power, wealth, and privilege, that we will face temptations of such magnitude. However, that does not mean we will not face similar temptations on a smaller scale, especially if we become lax in our repentance and faith in Jesus. We still have a sinful flesh, which is subject to its own perverse desires, which can compel evil behaviors. And we still have pride, and arrogance, and stubbornness when experiencing the rebuke of God’s Word. Yes, even rebelliousness against the servants of God’s Word. So let us beware.
Conclusion: The worst outcome for these miserable people was that the message of John and of Jesus was lost upon them. There is no evidence that any of them ever repented and embraced God’s mercy. Herod went on to worse and more destructive behaviors – and destroyed himself. The same for Herodias and Salome. How sad, when God assures us that He does not desire the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his ways and live.
This is His good and gracious will for us as well – that we not get confused and lost in the pollution of our sinful hearts, and fall from repentance and faith.
He has begun this good work in us, and He will continue it. And it will have optimal growth within us as we continue faithfully in contrite repentance, and humble trust and rejoicing in God’s salvation! May He grant such blessedness to each of us, and may He also protect us from the evil plots and desires others may have against us. Amen.
Votum: And the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in the true faith, which is in Christ Jesus, even unto life everlasting, Amen.