Sermon Tone Analysis

History Repeats Itself

If you don’t learn from history it surely can repeat itself, can’t it?

In our passage today, it may seem like a random story that Mark interweaves into the gospel, but it has a point.

So let us look at history and see how this plays out in the scripture and how we can learn from history so as not to keep us from our future.

No doubt that the ministry of Jesus was going to attract attention.

Some through the training and the work of the apostles.

The word of Jesus and His miracles (Mk6:14-16) spread and even reached the palace of Herod Antipas (Lk9:7)

The spreading word put the king (as Mark addresses Him) at odd’s with Godly message and his own sinful nature (Mk6:17-29)

Mark in our passage shows us the weakness of seat of power, the grievousness of sin and a picture of a godly man.

Mark, the recorder of Peter’s thoughts as many believe is not random here, after the rejection in Nazareth, the sending in Galilee, now a recalling of John the Baptist.

Jesus had told them what they were going to be facing, now looks at history to prove it in the beheading of John the Baptist.

There are a few ways to look at this passage.

Historically

Characteristically

Or how about morally?

How about a little history about the character’s then get to the moral of the story and the application for us?

First we need the passage.

Mk6:26-27

What do you see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you?

The Characters

In looking at the passage can you pick out the characters?

People play a important part in history and the in the furthering, or not furthering the kingdom.

In our story, who are the characters?

King Herod (Mk6:14)

Herod Antipas was not really a king, but a Tetrarch; a godless man; godless for he

Divorced his wife to marry his niece (Herodias) wife of Herod Philip

Historically known for killing his own children it was even said of Herod “It is better to be Herod’s pig than Herod’s son.

A pig has a chance to live longer.”

One commentator said “Herod deserves a niche in the pantheon of history’s villains along with Caligula, Nero, Genghis Khan and Adolph Hitler.”

Godless for he was easily influenced by Herodias and worry about what others thought about him, then standing up and being God fearing.

People (Mk6:14)

John the Baptist (Mk6:14)

We know the message, we know the method, we know the thoughts that Jesus had about John the Baptist

Herodias (Mk6:19)

Was the wife of Herod’s half brother, Herod Philip II, who was Tetrarch of Iturea and Trachonitus.

Daughter of Herodias aka: Salome (MK6:22)

Executioner (MK6:27)

John’s disciples (Mk6:29)

The History

He was Tetrarch from 4BC to 39AD; over Galilee and Perea

He was credited with building cities of Sepphoris, and Tiberias.

He is the one who imprisoned John, because he was incensed (Mk6:14-29)

He only had one other dealing with Jesus, at his trial (Lk23:7-12)

He is the son of Malthace, a Samaritan, 4th of Herod the Great’s 10 wives

Brothers Archelaus, Philip II, Lysanias

Sinful History: Herod a moral look

I think we need to look at the life of Herod morally now.

Having a respect for John, enjoying listening to him still did not lead him to morally stand with and for the truth that has been revealed through John and now by Jesus.

The arrogance of sin.

(Lev18:16, Lev18:21)

Sinners may be kings or peasants; In Herod he had it all, power, wealth, privilege, wives and women, but it was not enough, he had to have his brothers wife, Herodias.

While not a Jew but being the Tetrarch over Jewish area, he is in violation of Mosaic law (Lev18:16, 20:21)

Lev

We know sin is missing the mark.

Herod exercises power and privilege and disregards the standard of decency and morality.

So what can we learn about the arrogance of sin?

Those in power need to be careful and now use power, privilege, or wealth to take advantage of their God given power (Dan2:37-38)

He is not alone in this moral issue of defying what is given

David broke trust in his sexual, immoral behavior with Bathsheba and orchestrating the murder of her husband Uriah.

Solomon allows his desires to take in 600 hundred wives and 300 concubines which lead to idolatry returning to the promised land

Balaam was a prophet for hire who tried to manipulate God for his own material gain.

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Other examples of moral shortcomings

David with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah

Solomon with his 600 wives, 300 concubines, allowing idolatry

Balaam, prophet for hire

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The arrest of sin (Jn16:8; 2Sam12:1-7; Mk6:17; Mt14:3-4; Psm51:1; 51:4, 51:7)

God uses the Holy Spirit to convict the world of sin (Jn16:8); sometimes it is the voice of man (a prophet) that He uses (2Sam12:1-7)

Quickly summarize 2Sam12:1-7; Nathan the voice God used to convict David

Sin could have been arrested if Herod listened to John; but instead John was arrested (Mk6:17 and Mt14:3-4); listened to his wife instead of the prophet of God

Herod even knew John was a holy man, but did not respond (Mk6:20) unlike David (Psm51:1, 4, 7)

Psm51:1

May we remember when sin was arrested for us and when our life began.

Don’t compromise with sin, it is like a spider web and will entangle us.

That brings us to:

Alignment of Sin (MK6:19, 22, 25-27; Rom7:18-20)

Rationalization is a part of sinning, especially when we compromise morally knowing what is right and still doing what is wrong (Rom7:18-20)

Rom

Philip in pursing Herodias must have thought he was above the law (Jewish law) and God’s moral law.

Today people compromise saying “everyone else is doing it” or “why not, I deserve it.”

Be careful to not get in the web of compromise and align yourself with the world and sin.

It is apparent that Herod was in a tangled web right along with his wife Herodias and even the step daughter Salome, his problem was he knew John was a prophet a man of God, Herodias was arrogant and vengeful and that desire for vengeance entangled the daughter to end John’s life.

May we be aware that when we make sinful choices they do not just impact us, they can entangle those who are around us too.

Herod in his choices had political complications too.

If he backed down at the request from Salome he will lose political power and influence.

Herod’s sin has now come full circle.

It was enticing at first, looked harmless and pleasing to others too and in the end enslaved him for he had no way out where he could save face.

The agony of sin (Mk6:14-16; 2Cor7:10; Mk11:27-33; Mk8:36)

Herod haunted by his memories of the beheading of John.

He thought that Jesus was John resurrected.

Sin is contagious and can infect the body physically and emotionally (psychologically) too.

All the political and even financial power and influence Herod had it did him nothing being haunted by the past.

Herod’s sin is before him, acknowledging he knew John was a man of God and he was responsible for beheading him.

Sin’s of the past, can they come back to haunt us today?

Herod because of the sin of pride was not courageous enough to heed to John’s word, but had to heed to his own, even when he was greatly distressed.

Other versions say he was “sorry” or “greatly sorrowful.”

I think you can get the idea, sorry is not enough is it?

If sorry is not enough, what is needed?

We need Godly sorrow that leads to repentance (2Cor7:10)

Now Herod was not alone in not responding to John’s message either, the religious leaders did not heed either.

Mk