Mark 6:17-20

Passage

Herod (Herod Antipas, to be clear) had seized John the Baptizer and put him in prison.  John the Baptizer had been critical of Herod’s marriage.  After all, Herod had married Heriodias, who was his brother’s wife.  Therefore, Herodias had a grudge against John the Baptizer and sought to kill him.  However, Herod feared John the Baptizer because he knew that John the Baptizer was a righteous and holy man.  Herod had kept him safe and even listened to him – although he was perplexed by John the Baptizer.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

It was Heriodias who bore the grudge.  Herod may not have appreciated the messages against his marriage, but it was Herodias who bore the grudge.  We must be careful in our relationships with other people that we do not become slaves to the agendas and grudges that other people bear – even those agendas and grudges of spouses.

Why is it easy to get sucked into the agenda or grudge of a spouse or another person that we love?  What troubles and problems are brought about by such a reality?

Second Thought:

Herod had taken his brother’s wife for his own.  This is not particularly offensive under the Jewish Law if done for the correct spiritual and legal reasons.  However, this particular arrangement was done for neither legal nor spiritual reasons.  This arrangement was achieved because Herod divorced his first wife, Phasaelis, in order to be able to marry his brother’s wife.  John the Baptizer saw in Herod Antipas the worldly approach to marriage and divorce and rightfully condemned it.

What traits does Herod display by divorcing his first wife in order to marry his brother’s wife?  Do you think the majority of the world struggles with any of the traits displayed in this action?

Third Thought:

In spite of the condemnation of John the Baptizer, Herod still was fascinated by John.  John lived by a different agenda.  John’s priorities in life were different by default.  John’s followers followed John for reasons different than a normal celebrity.  There was something fascinating about John the Baptizer – fascinating enough to evoke a certain level of protection around John in spite of his condemnation of Herod’s marriage to Herodias.  Yet, although Herod was fascinated by John’s teachings he was perplexed by them.  Herod was not willing to give himself over to what John the Baptizer taught.

What does it take to give oneself over to teachings that evoke change or even perplexity?  Why do you think Herod enjoyed listening to John in spite of being perplexed and even attacked by John?  Why do you think Herod never gave himself up to John’s teachings and embraced the truth of John’s teaching?

Passage for Tomorrow: Mark 6:21-23