David Bahn – Reflections

Mark 6:14-16

So [the apostles] went out and proclaimed that people should repent. ¹³ And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.

¹⁴ King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some said, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” ¹⁵ But others said, “He is Elijah.” And others said, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” ¹⁶ But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.”

Two powerful forces are at work in this reaction to the apostles’ teaching and healing. There is an obvious awareness of their success and impact. There is no doubt that Jesus’ name is associated with these extraordinary events. The power of Jesus and his impact is working in the hearts of Herod and others. There is also, however, the power of fear that is manifest in the speculation about who is responsible. There is no intent here to find out who is doing these things, or how it is that Jesus is at work in the apostles. The intent is to find out who is at work and how to stop it.

If you read on (below), you will discover that Herod’s fear was divided. And in the end it was even used against him by his own wife. For while Herod was afraid of John the Baptist, he was even more afraid of losing face and gives in to his wife. The result is death. (Herod’s and the Jews’ fears will result in the death even of Jesus.)

Over against that consider the power of Jesus and the good it brings. Jesus’ power brings freedom. His power releases people from their bondage to demons. His power heals diseases. His power raises people from the dead!

The question is not whether or not we should fear God or man. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The question is not whether self-serving and self-preserving fear is a good thing. It is almost always destructive. The question is whether our fear of God will lead us closer to him or toward a foolish attempt to circumvent him and his plans.

Before we are too quick to say that we would never try to circumvent God’s power or plans, consider John’s fate. God did not sit in heaven and wring his hands while these evil people planned John’s death. He wasn’t prevented from acting. And when the time comes for Jesus to die, God didn’t throw up his arms and say, “Oh well, I guess that didn’t work.” God’s plans include every possible contingency. God’s plans do not pretend that evil does not exist. But in the end John will stand with Jesus. Herod’s fear will not serve him well.

Our Christian faith and beliefs may take us into difficult and challenging situations. But the faithfulness of God will stand true. His kingdom will come. His miraculous powers will bring life and salvation.

If fear is staring you in the face today, consider this: You will not circumvent the will of God, nor would you want to if you see the whole picture of his plan. For the will and plans of God will result in the praise of his glorious grace. What might that look like for you today?

Mark 6:14-29

 King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some said, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” ¹⁵ But others said, “He is Elijah.” And others said, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” ¹⁶ But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” ¹⁷ For it was Herod who 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. ¹⁸ For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” ¹⁹ And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not, ²⁰ 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.

²¹ But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. ²² For when Herodias’s daughter came 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.” ²³ And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.” ²⁴ And she went out and said to her mother, “For what should I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.” ²⁵ 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.” ²⁶ And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. ²⁷ And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison ²⁸ and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. ²⁹ When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.