Certainty and Freedom
Mark 2026 • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Transcript
And king Herod heard of him; (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him. Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets.
But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead. For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife: for he had married her.
For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife. Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not:
For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly. And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee;
And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee. And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom.
And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist. And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist.
And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath’s sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her. And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison,
And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother. And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.
Introduction
Introduction
Mark takes an opportunity to clarify the ending of the ministry of John in this passage. John was faithful to the commission that God gave him. This morning, we will see a challenge toward our sinful natures.
Mark was likely the first Gospel written. Under the inspiration of God, he writes with an intent to point his readers toward the Cross and the Empty Tomb. Those who read are faced with a question: who is this Jesus?
As we grow in our walk with God this year, we want to be Following in the Life of Faith. That means that we must begin with the correct Person to put our faith in. Mark gives us the message of Jesus to all people.
Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Will you commit each day to believe God and His promises? Will you confess your sins and choose to grow in relationship to Him? If you have not yet, will you believe in Him for salvation? Let’s Follow in the Life of Faith this year and see God do!
Herod and his family are not people that we would ever want to be like. Studying this week over the family of the Herod mentioned here, it was amazing the sinfulness that this family was engaged in. The truth sadly is that there are many today in positions of power that live in much the same way. We live a fallen world that continues to move toward more and more sin and greater and greater “freedom”. Freedom lived out in sin is only bondage to the enemy.
Herod Antipas is the man that is mentioned in this passage. He was a son of Herod the Great and ruled during the life of Jesus on earth over the area of Galilee. He had several siblings that are also mentioned in Scripture. Herod was a political man who was always working to gain favor with the Emperor and others in Rome. For him, the ultimate goal was more power and more prestige in the area around Palestine. This desire for authority and recognition comes to a head in our passage this morning.
Pride is a danger that we all face. We are people who want acknowledgement and appreciation. Take heed this morning of the Word of God and the story of Mark 6.
Declaration
Declaration
Our rejection of the truth of the Word of God may stick with us. Herod remembered the mistake that he had made, ultimately because he chose not to listen to the truth. Today, we are called to live in the Image of Jesus as a spouse, disciple, and believer according to His truth. We see three questions this morning answered about the certainty and freedom of Jesus.
1. Who is this Jesus?
1. Who is this Jesus?
And king Herod heard of him; (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him. Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets. But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead.
The first question answered is who is this Jesus? Herod, his friends, and the people are all asking this question in verses 14-16. Today, we are faced with this same question ourselves, who is Jesus?
Jesus has been preaching and healing throughout Galilee. We saw Him in chapter 5 travel over the Sea of Galilee to the land of Gadara. He has cast out many demons, calmed the storm on the sea, and brought back a girl to life. Herod has now heard of this Man and the questions begin about who He is.
Verse 14 tells us that Herod heard because of the spreading of Jesus’ name. People were talking about Jesus and the wonderful things that He had done. As believers, we should always be witnessing of the amazing works of Jesus in our lives. David witnesses,
I will declare thy name unto my brethren: In the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.
Three options face Herod of the identity of Jesus. The first is that John the Baptist has risen from the dead. The second is that Jesus is Elijah, the promised Forerunner of the Messiah and the impending end of the world. The third is that He is a prophet calling Israel to repentance. Herod is sure that Jesus is John come back to life as he says in verse 16.
We have this same question from the book of Mark. Who is Jesus to you today? He has done amazing things in history. We can see in the testimony of the inerrant Word of God that Jesus has brought life to the dead. Only God Himself can control and win the victory over death. Who is Jesus to you today?
To you, Jesus might be a myth or a ideal. This is what the people might have meant by “risen from the dead.” They might have thought that he was a ghost of John who had died. But the Bible is clear that Jesus is a real person. He healed real people. He died on a real cross in your place. He has removed the sin of mankind forever.
To you, Jesus might be another religious person. He speaks truth but He is just one voice among many. But the Bible is clear that Jesus claimed to be God. He cannot be a good man and be a liar. This is what the people were expecting in looking at Jesus as Elijah or one of the prophets.
To you, Jesus might be a source of guilt in your heart. Herod was reminded of what he had done in killing John the Baptist. He was sure that this was John come back to remind him what he had done. Our sin can remain with us and one day, we will be judged for it. If our sin is not under the blood, our guilt will be what sends us to eternal punishment in hell.
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Who is this Jesus? Herod could only identify Him with the guilt that he felt in his heart. Our sin guilt has put us under the justice and wrath of God. We have a debt that we cannot repay. Someone must pay that debt with their perfect life. This is who Jesus is.
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
2. Where Can He Be Seen?
2. Where Can He Be Seen?
For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife: for he had married her. For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife. Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not:
In verses 17-29, we have a flashback to what had happened before verses 14-16. John was given the task of pointing out the coming of Jesus and the kingdom of God. Jesus is seen in the marriage relationship and here, John stands for truth. Where can He be seen? Jesus is seen here in the sanctity of marriage.
John was put in prison during the beginning of the ministry of Jesus. Jesus comes into Galilee after John has already gone off of the stage. Even some of the followers of Jesus were followers recently of John
Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
The reason for the imprisoning of John was the faithful preaching of the Word of God. John was clear that what Herod had done was sin. He was willing to stand before one of the rulers of the area and tell him what he had done was against the clear Law of God.
John the Baptist was but the first of those preaching Jesus who were placed in prison.
John Bunyan, a Dissenter in 1600s England, was also imprisoned for preaching the truth. We are most familiar with his story because, while in prison, he wrote the Christian classic The Pilgrim’s Progress. Bunyan was imprisoned because the established church would not allow anyone to preach that did not have a license from the state. This was a time of persecution for those who wanted religious freedom and the rights to worship according to what they believed the Bible said. John Bunyan continued to worship and preach with his church despite the law.
There is a challenge for all of us to continue to be faithful even when we suffer for the truth. The imprisonment of John Bunyan testified the Gospel to many through the book that he wrote in suffering.
The specific reason that Mark says that John was imprisoned was preaching about the sin of adultery. Herod had chosen to mar the picture of Christ in marriage. The Law was violated that showed the importance of carrying out the command of God to be fruitful and multiply. In the Garden of Eden,
And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
God creates Eve out of the rib of Adam. Adam falls asleep and wakes up to see Eve. Eve is a helper for Adam and they are equal before God in value. However, Adam is clear that man has the responsibility of authority still according to the plan of God.
And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
This is the plan of God for marriage. Yet, Herod and Herodias have violated this plan. Their evil relationship is preached against by John and he is imprisoned for it.
And if a man shall take his brother’s wife, it is an unclean thing: he hath uncovered his brother’s nakedness; they shall be childless.
Why is marriage so important? It is a picture of Jesus and the church. It is a reminder that Jesus died for us and He is the perfect example of a husband. The church is to be faithful to Jesus as a faithful wife. The sad testimony of Israel was that they were an unfaithful wife to God in the Old Testament.
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
The clear command of God and the precise Image of Jesus and the church was marred by the evil actions of Herod and Herodias. A husband and a wife are to be faithful to each other for life. John is clear that this is sin. The proper response to preaching on sin is to change your thinking and ask for forgiveness from God. Instead, we find here the cause that a man faced with the truth rejected the message of Jesus. Herod was knowledgable and powerful. But he did not allow the truth to change his heart. He could not accept the Word of God.
Jesus is seen in marriage. Yet, the disregard of Herod and Herodias has marred that image. John is clear that they must make things right and repent of their sin. How is your marriage? Does it show forth the love of Jesus for the church and the faithfulness of the church as a good wife?
3. What Does He Require?
3. What Does He Require?
For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly. And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee; And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee. And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom. And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist. And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist. And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath’s sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her. And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison, And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother. And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.
The final question about the certainty and freedom of Jesus is answered in verses 20-29. Jesus is God and He is seen in the picture of marriage. What does He require of those who follow Him? We find here the ultimate cost of discipleship is paid by John the Baptist.
Herod’s reaction to the preaching of John is to put him into prison. But, even in prison, Herod is afraid of John and he listens to his preaching. In verse 20, Herod recognized the quality of John and “observed him.” This word is connected with the protection and care that was provided by Herod despite the hatred of his wife. Herod listens and waits to change.
But the day comes where his pride will be tested and found wanting. Verse 21 tells us that the day of opportunity was Herod’s birthday. He throws a party and the leaders of society come to celebrate. In the midst of the party, Salome dances for the people. She is Herodias’ daughter and her dancing pleases her stepfather. He swears to her that she can have anything that she asks.
Herod’s oath was a calling down of divine wrath should he not keep it. We know that oaths are not to be part of the speech of a believer as Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5:33-37). By swearing, Herod is trying to impress those around him of his power and authority.
But instead of something for herself, Salome asks for something for her mother. She asks for John’s head immediately. Herod’s choice to listen and wait has now come to a climax!
What does Herod do? He kills John. He gives into the request of Salome and Herodias. The reason for the oath of Herod was to impress his friends. The reason to kill John was the fear of losing respect among his friends. The problem was only partly in the friends of Herod who stood by during this evil. The problem was primarily with Herod who would not live by conscience and truth. When we turn from the truth, we are in danger of sinning as Herod did.
The fear of man bringeth a snare: But whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.
Jesus requires all men to repent of their sin and believe in Him alone for salvation. Herod has been shown mercy through the preaching of John. But his pride has brought that to an end. Will you allow your pride to keep you from responding to the Gospel?
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Jesus requires those who follow Him to give up their lives to Him. Mark will soon record this command of Jesus to His disciples. John is the first to give his life for the truth of God’s Word in this new age of the kingdom.
And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
Jesus requires a choice to Follow in the life of faith. Faith and repentance are necessary for salvation. Herod was confused by the preaching of John and he was in bondage to sin though a king. Jesus offers certainty and freedom through Him!
Conclusion
Conclusion
Our rejection of the truth of the Word of God may stick with us. Herod remembered the mistake that he had made, ultimately because he chose not to listen to the truth. Today, we are called to live in the Image of Jesus as a spouse, disciple, and believer according to His truth.
Herod faced confusion and guilt. Jesus provides us certainty and freedom. What will you do with the truth of the Word of God? The applications this morning are based on the truth that Jesus brings freedom. Herod heard the truth and he did not respond. John preached faithfully the Word of God even to death. In a world of confusion and guilt, we can find certainty and freedom for victory today!
There is guilt because of sin. Maybe you have that guilt today. Jesus is the remedy for the guilt of sin. He has taken all our sin on the Cross. The debt is paid. Will you find your peace in Him?
Marriage is a commitment between one man and one woman for one lifetime. It is a picture of a faithful God and His people. It is a picture of Jesus and the church. Too many are willing to mar this picture. But we carry the image of Jesus and we must shine that light to the world. How is your image?
All of us face pride in our lives. We think and hope for how people see us. We want to be liked and encouraged. What Jesus requires of us is a commitment to discipleship exchanging our lives for His. Jesus calls us to,
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
There is certainty and freedom in Jesus alone. Herod faced confusion in the preaching of the truth. He could not see past his guilt and sin. Herod had every opportunity to repent of his sin and make it right. He did not. Will you? Will you reflect the imprint of Jesus today as a faithful spouse, willing disciple and commited believer? John did. Let’s join him!
