David Bahn – Reflections

Mark 6:27-29

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.

Perhaps John could have backed away from his confrontation of Herod. Maybe he could have soft-pedaled his call to repentance. Herod had done wrong. John had confronted King Herod(!) about his immoral behavior. Now he is in jail. Maybe he could have sent a message to Herod – offered a bargain. He could promise to go easy on Herod if Herod would free him from prison. Alas he does not.

Meanwhile there is a party. Herod drinks too much – so do the guests. Herodias’ daughter dances for the men in such a manner that Herod makes a foolish promise: “Anything you want – up to half my kingdom…” The request comes back: I want the head of John the Baptist. Herod is publicly stuck. The terrible deed of having John beheaded or the ignominy of backing down from his public promise. John is beheaded.

Note, however, the one unscathed thing in this whole story: truth stands. John will give his blood – though not by his own will – for the sake of truth. John’s disciples will take his headless body and bury it without moving away from the truth. It is a foreshadow of an even more perfect sacrifice, more horrible death, and sad act of burial when Jesus was crucified.

Because of sin, truth exacts a price. While it cost John is life, Jesus’ death pays the ultimate price of truth – a price we could never pay. According to the group Voice of the Martyrs, many who stand for the truth of Christ are being put to death or tortured each day. We may never have to put our life on the line for the sake of truth. But whatever loss we may have to suffer in service to the truth of God will not be forgotten. There is a greater gain that John experienced and to which we look forward as followers of the Truth incarnate: Jesus Christ.

Mark 6:21-29

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.