Faithful Witness in Challenging Times
Notes
Transcript
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.”
But others said, “He is Elijah.” And others said, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.”
But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.”
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.
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. 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.
But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee.
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.”
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 orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison
and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother.
When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
Today, we turn our attention to a passage that challenges us to consider the cost and calling of true discipleship.
In Mark 6:14-29, we encounter the story of John the Baptist's martyrdom—a tale that exemplifies what it means to be a faithful witness in challenging times.
As we explore this powerful narrative, we'll focus on what I call the 5 C's of faithful witness: Courage, Cost, Conflict, Conscience, and Church.
These five elements are crucial to understanding not only John's ministry but also our own calling as followers of Christ in today's world.
Before we jump in, you’ll recall that John the Baptist was a voice crying in the wilderness, preparing the way for the Lord (Isaiah 40:3, Mark 1:3).
He was the forerunner of Jesus, the one who would decrease so that Christ might increase (John 3:30).
Yet, his story doesn't end with the baptism of Jesus.
Instead, we find him embroiled in a conflict with the powerful Herod Antipas, a conflict that would ultimately cost John his life.
Let's examine each of these 5 C's in turn, and see how they apply to our lives as members of the Global Methodist Church.
I. Courage
I. Courage
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.
For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”
Herod Antipas was the son of Herod the Great and ruled as tetrarch of Galilee and Perea.
He had divorced his first wife to marry Herodias, who was not only his brother Philip's wife but also his own niece.
This marriage was a clear violation of Jewish law (Leviticus 18:16, 20:21).
John exemplified extraordinary courage in confronting Herod's sin. He didn't mince words or shy away from speaking truth to power.
This boldness is a hallmark of the prophetic tradition, and we see striking parallels in the Old Testament:
Nathan confronting King David (2 Samuel 12):
Like John, Nathan faced a powerful king who had committed adultery and arranged a murder to cover it up.
Nathan cleverly used a parable to help David see his sin, then boldly declared, "You are the man!" (2 Samuel 12:7).
Just as John condemned Herod's unlawful marriage, Nathan condemned David's actions, leading to David's repentance.
Elijah standing against Ahab and Jezebel (1 Kings 18-19):
Elijah's situation perhaps most closely mirrors John's.
King Ahab had married Jezebel, a foreign princess who promoted Baal worship.
Like Herodias, Jezebel was powerful and manipulative and she opposed God's prophet.
Elijah confronted Ahab, saying:
And he answered, “I have not troubled Israel, but you have, and your father’s house, because you have abandoned the commandments of the Lord and followed the Baals.
This confrontation, like John's, put Elijah's life in danger, forcing him to flee from Jezebel's wrath.
Standing Alone
Standing Alone
In each case, we see God's prophet standing alone against corrupt power structures, risking everything to speak God's truth.
John, like his predecessors, understood that his calling was not to curry favor with the powerful, but to be a voice for God's righteousness, regardless of the consequences.
It leads us to ask though, why must we be firm in our witness?
Because the ravages of sin are relentless.
Why must we speak boldly?
Because sin shouts across the rooftops of culture, and only a bold voice can return the hearts of people to a holy God.
Why must we tell truth?
Because sin unblushingly lies and truth reconciles souls to our Heavenly Father.
Where in our lives—our workplaces, our communities, our families—is God calling us to speak truth in love?
It may not be comfortable, and the stakes may be high, but it is our calling as followers of Christ to be salt and light in this world (Matthew 5:13-16).
II. Cost: The Price of Discipleship
II. Cost: The Price of Discipleship
And Herodias had a grudge against him 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.
But then as a party favor, we read…
And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison
and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother.
John's faithfulness to God's call came at a great cost—his very life.
This foreshadows Jesus' own teachings about the cost of discipleship.
And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
Nowhere in the Gospel are we promised worldly approval.
Nowhere are we told that the mark of faithful Christian witness is that people will like what we say.
Rather, we are told that our faithful witness is a witness to the eternal truth of God.
We are promised that God will be pleased when we stand for truth, even if the entire world stands against us.
Jesus himself said, in John 15:18
“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.
Our calling is not to win the world's approval, but to stand firm in God's truth, regardless of the cost.
Throughout Christian history, countless believers have paid dearly for their faith.
From the early Christian martyrs like Polycarp and Perpetua to modern-day persecuted Christians in various parts of the world, the story of the church is often written in the blood of the faithful.
Bonhoeffer
Bonhoeffer
Many of you know of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German theologian who stood against the Nazi regime.
Bonhoeffer, like John the Baptist, felt compelled by his faith to speak out against the evils of his time.
In the face of the Nazi party's increasing power and the complicity of many German churches, Bonhoeffer chose to resist.
He helped form the Confessing Church, a movement within German Protestantism that opposed the Nazi-supported "German Christian" movement.
Bonhoeffer spoke out against the persecution of Jews and called the church to stand with the oppressed.
He famously declared, "Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act."
Bonhoeffer's commitment to truth led him to join a conspiracy to overthrow Hitler.
This decision ultimately led to his arrest in 1943 and his execution by hanging on April 9, 1945, just two weeks before Allied forces liberated the concentration camp where he was held.
In his book The Cost of Discipleship, Bonhoeffer wrote words that echo the example of John the Baptist:
When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.
This statement reminds us that following Christ and speaking His truth may come at great cost, but it is a cost that true disciples must be willing to pay.
In the Methodist tradition, we remember the sacrificial service of missionaries like Melville Cox, who went to Liberia knowing the dangers.
Cox famously said, Let a thousand fall before Africa be given up.
Arriving in Liberia in March 1833, Cox quickly organized the first Methodist Episcopal church among the immigrants, many of whom were freed slaves from the United States and already Christians.
Despite his short time there, his impact was significant.
He established a mission at Grand Bassa and another along the Niger with a school of agriculture and art and a vigorous Sunday school program.
Tragically, just a month after his arrival, Cox fell ill with malaria.
Yet, even in the face of this deadly disease, he refused to return to America, choosing instead to continue his ministry.
He died within 4 months of his arrival in Africa, having given his life for the Gospel and the people of Liberia.
When news of Cox's death reached the United States, it didn't discourage the missionary effort.
Instead, many others volunteered their services to carry on his brief but effective ministry.
The impact of Cox's faithful witness, despite its brevity, lives on in the exceptionally vibrant expressions of Methodism in Liberia today.
The Liberian Methodist Church is now one of the most vibrant expressions of Christianity in Africa, all building on the foundation laid by Cox and those who followed him.
This remarkable legacy reminds us that when we're willing to pay the cost of discipleship, God can use our faithfulness in ways that far exceed our imagination or lifespan.
While we may not face martyrdom like John the Baptist, or die on the mission field like Melville Cox, following Christ faithfully often comes at a cost.
It might mean lost opportunities, strained relationships, or personal sacrifices.
Bonhoeffer's example challenges us to consider: What might it cost you to follow Christ more faithfully today?
What truths are we called to speak in our own time, even at great personal risk?
And like Cox, how might our faithfulness today impact generations to come?
III. Conflict: The Clash of Worldly and Godly Values
III. Conflict: The Clash of Worldly and Godly Values
But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee.
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.”
Herod's rash oath, made in a moment of pleasure and pride, led to a tragic decision.
His concern for saving face before his guests outweighed his fear of God and his respect for John.
This vividly illustrates the conflict between worldly values (pride, pleasure, power) and godly values (righteousness, truth, humility).
We see similar conflicts throughout Scripture: Pontius Pilate choosing political expediency over justice (John 19:12-16), or Demas forsaking Paul's ministry because he loved this world (2 Timothy 4:10).
One of my mentors, Dr. Justus Hunter, shared a story in which he once prepared a paper for an academic conference.
In his desire to be well-received, he crafted the paper to be kind and inoffensive, avoiding controversial points.
Before the conference, he showed the paper to his mentor, the renowned theologian Billy Abraham.
After reading it, Abraham offered this pointed advice: "Justus, if you submit this paper, you will be immediately loved but quickly forgotten."
This story highlights a crucial truth about our Christian witness:
Often in life, our legacy as Christians becomes functionally meaningless because we refuse to speak to difficult points and themes.
We shy away from conflict, preferring to be loved rather than to make a lasting impact.
To be clear, this doesn't mean we should seek reasons to be confrontational.
However, we exercise our witness most fully when we accept that conflict is the simple reality when we stand for truth.
Like John the Baptist, we must be willing to speak God's truth, even when it puts us at odds with the prevailing culture or those in power.
The Apostle Paul understood this well. He wrote to Timothy:
For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,
When it came time to choose, Herod chose to murder the one who had brought about a conflict of conscience for Herod and his family.
John the Baptist never changed his message, and he was willing to endure conflict with HErod because he knew what he was saying was true.
We are called to ask ourselves, how can we cultivate godly values in a world that often opposes them?
It starts with regular engagement with Scripture, prayer, and Christian community.
As Paul writes, in Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
IV. Conscience: The Power of Integrity
IV. Conscience: The Power of Integrity
But now let’s go back to the beginning for a moment, because an interesting thing happens on the front end of the text
The beginning reminds us that John is already dead.
We read…
But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.”
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.
We read early in the passage that even after John's death, his integrity haunted Herod.
The power of a clear conscience is evident in John's bold witness and in Herod's guilty fear.
John's righteousness was recognized even by his enemy.
This echoes Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 1:12:
For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you.
In the Methodist tradition, we emphasize both personal and social holiness—the idea that our inner transformation should lead to outward change in our living, our witness, and in our churches.
John’s witness in this scenario calls us to ask how can we cultivate a clear conscience before God and others.
It requires regular self-examination, repentance, and a commitment to living out our faith with integrity in all areas of life.
V. Church: Our Spiritual Home and Eternal Family
V. Church: Our Spiritual Home and Eternal Family
While our passage doesn't explicitly mention the church, we can't overlook its importance in the context of faithful witness.
The necessity of the church is that it gives Christian people a home.
It can be difficult to live with courage…
To experience the cost of faithful discipleship.
To experience conflict both within ourselves and in the world.
To live with our conscience intact even as it may come at a price.
Where do we go?
We go to the place where God’s people are.
We foster relationships that will encourage us, feed us, fill us up, and remind us that we are God’s adopted children.
The Church is the place where God's people can find rest, knowing that they have respite from a world that often stands in opposition to God and His way.
We see a beautiful picture of the early church in Acts 2:42-47
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.
And all who believed were together and had all things in common.
And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.
And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,
praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
This passage illustrates the church as a place of teaching, fellowship, worship, and mutual support.
It's in Christ's church, and among His people, that we are part of God's eternal family. The church provides us with:
First and foremost is Worship: Corporate worship reminds us of God's greatness and our place in His grand narrative.
Community: We're not meant to face the challenges of faith alone. In the church, we find brothers and sisters who can encourage us, pray for us, and stand with us.
Accountability: The church helps us stay true to our faith, providing loving correction when we stray and celebrating with us when we grow.
Equipping: Through teaching and discipleship, the church prepares us to be faithful witnesses in the world.
Mission: The church joins the mission of God in the world.
Where God is, and where God goes, we go.
For too long people have imagined mission as what the church does. That’s incorrect.
Mission is what God is doing and we join in Him in that way, and in those places.
As God sends us out as witnesses, He supports and empowers our efforts to share God's love with the world.
How can we more fully engage with our church community?
Are we taking advantage of the support, accountability, and opportunities for growth that the church offers?
HOW CAN WE JOIN GOD IN HIS WORK WITHIN OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES?
How can we contribute to making our church a true spiritual home for others?
VI. Conclusion
VI. Conclusion
As we reflect on John the Baptist's faithful witness and these 5 C's - Courage, Cost, Conflict, Conscience, and Church - we're challenged to consider our own lives.
Will we have the courage to speak truth, even when it's costly?
Will we choose God's values over the world's, even when it leads to conflict?
Will we strive to maintain a clear conscience in all our dealings?
And will we fully embrace our place in the church, God's family?
Remember, we don't do this in our own strength.
The same grace that empowered John is available to us.
This week, I challenge each of us to identify one area where we can stand more boldly for Christ.
It might be speaking up against injustice at work, making a decision for integrity even when it costs us, or simply being more open about our faith with those around us.
And let's commit to engaging more deeply with our church family, both receiving and offering support in our journey of faith.
May God grant us the grace to be faithful witnesses in our generation, just as John was in his.
Let us embrace these 5 C's of faithful witness: Courage, Cost, Conflict, Conscience, and Church.
As we do so, may we become the salt and light our world so desperately needs, always remembering that we have a spiritual home and an eternal family in Christ's church.
Let us pray:
Lord God, we thank you for the example of John the Baptist and all those who have stood firm in their faith throughout history. Grant us the courage to speak Your truth, the willingness to bear the cost of discipleship, the strength to face conflict for Your sake, and the grace to maintain a clear conscience. We thank you for the gift of your church, our spiritual home and family. Help us to be faithful witnesses in our time, for Your glory and the advancement of Your kingdom. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
Hymn of Response: There is a Balm in Gilead