Mark 6:14-29

Open your Bibles…

Announcements:

CCML:

We are no longer moving forward with the adoption process of Community Church of Murphys landing.

As We continued to have conversations with their Elders it became clear that we were in two very different places on what the adoption process should look like.

While we wanted to work well to make sure that we would care, love, and shepherd the members of CCML into our congregation we needed to do this in a way that would allow Ascend to to be a healthy church going into the future and we do this given how the direction of the conversations were going.

So as we mentioned a few weeks ago we encouraged their leadership to take a step back and decide if they trully believe that Closing CCML and pursueing an adoption is the best thing for their congregants and ultimately the kingdom.

In that time they came back to us and shared that at this time they do not want to move forward with conversations about adoption.

In light of this a few thoughts…

First, we care way more about the exspansion of the kingdom than the building up of Ascend, in light of that We want God to build his kingdom through his people and that includes the current members and leaders of CCML. We are all on the same team.

Secondly, It is the primary responsibility of our Elders (And theirs for that matter) to Shepherd the people of God in a way that we believe is best for them, While we did not see how to do that the same we apreciate this is their primary intent, and know this was the heart behind raising our concerns with their leadership.

Lastly, while we are unclear on what are our next steps for a more permanent home for Ascend, it is at times like this we must remember that the church is so much more than a building. In the time we have been having these conversations we have seen our church grow, had impactful minsitry to the community, and plan to continue to do all of these things and so much more while we trust the Lord has a more permanent building for us out there!

If you have any questions do not hesitate to reach out to me or Pastor Jon!

Kat Huber: is interning with us this Summer (Kat Stand up) She is a part of our team helping out in all ministry areas! Kat is awesome, and if you do not already know her i am looking forward to you getting to know her better This summer!

Read/Pray

Mark 6:14–29 ESV

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.

Background:

Why is this here?

This is the only story in Marks Gospel that doesn't directly deal with Jesus.

I have sat in this story all week… and it have moved me.

How will we approach this, this morning?

Walk verse by verse.

Immerse ourself in the Story

Place our self at the scene of these events

I am going to be a story teller and a preacher this morning.

Share some concluding thoughts on why this story is important to Marks Gospel

Part 1: Herod hears the hype

Mark 6:14–15 ESV

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.”

Who is King Herod?

Son of Herod the Great (Kills all the first borns)

Tetrarch (Matthew & Luke) (ruler of a quarter) of Galilee and Perea. (Ruler of a region)

tetrarch, it meant he was: A regional ruler, Under Roman control, With limited power,

Often more interested in pleasing Rome than serving God or the people.

Luke 13:32 ESV

And he said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course.

A Fox: he is always scheming to maintain his authority and gain more

Jesus was sent to him by Pilate before His crucifixion (Luke 23:7–12).

Summery… Herod is a bad worldy dude. This will be revealed more through this story

Herod Heard of What?

The multiplicative ministry of his Christ Followers

The Name of Jesus has become known

The Ministry of Jesus, and his power on display

You know something is good when Rumors about it are starting to happen.

The Rumor weed grows and it starts t get extreme:

Is John back from the dead?

Is it the prophet Elijah

Transition: This is the setting of the scene in real time.

Part 2: Herod is Troubled

Mark 6:16 ESV

But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.”

Herod is fearful of Jon

Herod had him first arrested (mentioned in chapter 1 of Marks Gospel)

Who is Jon the Baptist:

A Prophet that points to Jesus

I heard David Platt Refer to him as a forerunner this week (This is the same title as my running watch)

A Forerunner: a person or thing that precedes the coming or development of someone or something else.

4. Luke 1:5-25, 57-80 — Angel Gabriel foretells John’s birth to Zechariah; John’s miraculous birth.

5. Jesus is baptised by John in the Jordan

Transition: As mentioned John is then arrested by King Herod. I will hold the reason why to myself because it will be revealed here in a minute. So lets continue…

Part 3: Herod has a flashback

Mark 6:17–20 ESV

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.

So Why does he have John arrested?

He Told him he could not marry his brothers wife?

Let the Soap Opera begin

Herodias (Bring up the diagram):

His brothers wife

and niece.

This is where we must introduce a small Plot Twist :

King Herod Actually liked Listening to John

Why? The Text shares He knew he was a righteous and Holy Man

This describes the tension that the most evil people even face.

He is perplexed by Johns Teaching but yet… When he listens he knows something is there. He is frustrated by him yet he knows he is right.

He just does not want him to call him out… think back to last week no one wants to be offended.

So he could kill him.. but he feels bad so he just puts him in prison…

Transition: Next scene in this Flashback/Soap Opera King Herods Party

Part 4: Herods party gets out of hand

Mark 6:21–29 ESV

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.

king Herod was known for throwing crazy parties

King Herods birthday party always includes sorts of important men. Military and Leaders.

At this years festivities the main act was a dance that was performed by his step daughter… that honestly was likely inappropriate (again think about how messed up this family is)

Yet while outside of the party we can see this event as a train wreck of immorality… Inside the party they loved it

King Herod was thrilled!

In a moment of over excitement he offers his step daughter whatever she wants…

Thinking it would be money, a prize, a reward…. and yet her imediate response…

She wants the head of John the baptist on a platter…. (likely influenced by her mother’s hatred for John trying to interrupt their marriage)

While King Herod is sorry he does not want to look bad infront of his guest and he gives it to her.

A display of people pleasing at its finish.

Transition: End Scene

What a Tragedy?

To Summarize:

An innocent prophet is killed to please some party guest.

This story is weighty

As I have sit in this all week… with each read I feel the weight of it more and more.

From Prepping in my home office, to Listening to others talk about this passage on runs, to watching The Chosen episode for this in the middle of Coffee House Five… The weight of this story becomes more and more real.

Transition: So after a week of wrestling, and us now recapping this story I want to leave us today with a few reasons why this story is here.

Why is this story here?

It underscores the rejection of Jesus as the true Messiah.

Mark is making it clear that this world denies Jesus, despises Jesus, and does not want Jesus.

Jesus John… they don’t serve Herod

They do not serve Rome.

The Jews will deny him because he doesn’t provide the power they think they need

Rome will see him as a threat

They are missing what God is doing right before their eyes

2. It exposes the corrupt and violent nature of earthly kingdoms.

Apart from Jesus we will go to all links to serve our selves.

Herod is a people pleaser

Herod struggles with fear of man

Herod will go to all links to protect himself and his authority.

Sadly at times we are more like Herod than we want to admit.

3. It foreshadows the suffering and death that will come to many who follow Jesus.

While John dies a gruesome death he is at a better place.

The Chosen… I have never been to a banquet before.

All of the Apostles are martyrs… except for John who was banished to an Island.

Feel the weight of that… your head in this world can be served up on a platter and yet you will wake up in paradise.

This is a true reality for those in Christ.

4. It points ahead to the unjust death of Jesus Himself.

He is arrested and executed by political leaders (Herod is a part of this) who knows he is innocent but gives in to pressure.

He dies for speaking the truth.

His death is unjust, tragic, at a magnitude we cannot fully understand.

Self Guided Communion:

Reflect on the blood of Jesus that was shed for you.

That with Death comes life

Self Guided Communion