Mark 6:14-56 - Jesus doesn't want to smack you.
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Big Idea:
Big Idea:
Jesus offers everyone salvation today, so don’t wait until tomorrow.
Intro:
Intro:
Good morning Church Online Family.
If you’re watching this on April 3rd, what’s been the biggest story in the media the past week? Most of you probably answered, “Will Smith smacking Chris Rock at the Oscars.”
I’m sure there were more important things that happened last week, but that seems to be the story everyone is talking about. Now, I don’t know about you, but I’m probably in this crowd: If Will Smith hadn’t smacked Chris Rock I wouldn’t have known the Oscars even happened.
Not to say - in any way - that my opinion is popular or even the correct perspective; nor am I saying that I don’t enjoy the entertainment the Oscars are celebrating… I’m just saying, I have very little interest in Hollywood culture. And honestly, when something like this happens - in my flesh - it’s very hard for me to sympathize (for various reasons) with Hollywood people. Rather, it’s much easier for me to look at them with disgust.
And today, as we continue through Mark’s gospel, we’re introduced to a man with Hollywood status. And as I read his story, I’m disgusted. For example, chapter 6, verse 17, starts off...
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.
I’ll stop here to explain some things...
The Herod in this passage is Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great. He was ruler (or king) of a fourth of his father’s kingdom, which included Galilee, the northern region of Israel where Jesus grew up.
The John spoken of is John the Baptist - Jesus’s cousin. Also, the prophet given the divine responsibility of proclaiming to the world that the Savior had come.
Now, here is where my disgust starts to come in… Herodias (imagine having that name! - that NOT the disgusting part) used to be the wife of Herod Philip, who was the brother of Herod Antipas. Gross.
But we ain’t done yet. History tells us Herodias didn’t just marry both brothers, both brothers were her biological uncles. Her dad was also their brother.
That’s only one verse about this family and I’m already disgusted...
For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”
Again, that’s why Herod had John the Baptist arrested…
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.”
Somebody say, “Eww.” Basically, at Herod’s birthday party, Herod Antipas’s niece/now-step-daughter danced (and the sense is provocatively) for her dad/uncle and he really really liked it. SO GROSS!
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.
Like I said, when I read this story, I get disgusted...
I’m disgusted by the evil.
I’m disgusted by the culture.
I’m disgusted by the actions.
In a very similar way that I can be disgusted by Hollywood or how it may influence the evil actions and culture of our day. And it’s hard for me to sympathize with Hollywood. And it’s hard for me to feel anything but disgust for Herod. But as I was studying this week, God gave me a fresh perspective on this passage… Let me explain my new thought progression...
First off, like many in Hollywood, Herod had everything. He had riches, power, and fame, but - like many in Hollywood - that wasn’t enough. Many of us think, “If I just had “this” or “that,” then my life would be good. Then, I’ll be happy!” Now, imagine having everything you ever wanted only to wake up the next morning depressed, lonely, and unsatisfied. Maybe you personally know this feeling?
How many stories do we know of wealthy and famous people being miserable? Taking their own life? Going crazy? Constantly searching for more. That’s what I see happening here with Herod.
For example, all of Herod’s money, power, and fame were legit. However, historians tell us that Rome was unwilling to give Antipas the “official” title of king. And because they wouldn’t, Herod began building a fake kingdom. People started calling him king, even though he wasn’t. He even structured his administration after the imperial court, even though it wasn’t officially part of it. Even the word “executioner” in verse 27, in the original language, was the imperial latin title for the position, reflecting Herod’s desire to mimic the Roman way. Again, Herod truly had everything, but felt he needed MORE for validation - and his fake imperial court is an example of that.
Additionally, he stole his brother’s wife. He could’ve chosen any woman as king. And it didn’t matter if it was the right thing to do. Herod was gonna do anything - even if it was unlawful - to find happiness, because he needed MORE.
That included finding temporary enjoyment by watching his niece dirty-dancing in front of him.
And his desire for MORE is further emphasized when after making a emotional promise to Herodias’s daughter, she asks for John the Baptist’s head, and he feels so backed into a corner (even as king), that he believes he must follow through with doing something he doesn’t want to do. Why? Not because he didn’t have the power to change his mind, but because he couldn’t stand the idea of disappointing his peers.
And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her.
Again, as disgusting as all this is, what I began to see is a desperate and broken man. A man desperately looking everywhere for hope. Because he had everything but nothing was working for him. King Solomon’s words probably summarized his life...
But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere.
And I saw this, I started to have compassion on Herod, especially when I read...
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.
You see, in the midst of the disgusting and evil actions of Herod, was also a stirring in his soul. An indication that something was telling him hope was real. True satisfaction was available. And something about John’s life and message was connected to finding that way.
But strangely, John’s message including things like:
Repent! Turn away from your sinful lifestyle.
He said, “He must increase (talking about Jesus), but I must decrease.” (Jn. 3:30) He preached humility, which was opposite of Herod’s life of getting MORE, yet strangely attractive.
And it was a message that hope was coming - something, I believe, Herod longed for! John likely spoke of Jesus, saying...
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’
And when Herod heard these things it pulled on his heart strings. However, that wasn’t the only thing pulling at him. Look again with me at verse 20...
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.
The word “perplexed” is defined by one Bible scholar as, “without resources, being in straits (in a difficult situation), and not knowing which way to turn.” When Herod talked with John, he was made glad because, despite John calling out on his sin, John brought truth and hope. At the same time, he felt stuck in his current situation. Do you know this battle?
What caused Herod to feel perplexed? It appears to be his wife, Herodias. Mark 6:19 says Herodias hated John, but verse 21 adds, “But an opportunity came...” and then goes onto tell the story of how Herodias’s daughter strategically got Herod to agree to kill John the Baptist, even though he didn’t want to. This tells us that Herodias was plotting this entire time, behind the scenes. Waiting and conniving for just the right moment to get what she wanted - John the Baptist dead.
That was the type of person she was. One who continued to exercise this manipulation over those in her life, getting her way even at the destruction of others. And honestly, Herodias is a picture the kind of deception still at work in our world today.
Ask yourself, have you heard the gospel - the good news of Jesus Christ - but felt perplexed? Like you want to repent and follow Jesus, to live a new life, but you feel stuck and trapped? We may not have a Herodias directly manipulating us, but the spirit at work within her is still at work today. In fact, the apostle Paul once wrote...
Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.
And Paul talked about Satan’s influence again, this way...
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—
This spirit at work within Herodias is the spirit of darkness. It’s Satan and his forces of spiritual darkness at work. It was active back then and it’s still active today. And I understand it can be weird to talk about spiritual forces of darkness, especially to our very scientific culture, but please don’t write off this very real reality.
And don’t underestimate its influence on our cultural, and how those impacted cultural voices, to blind us to the truth and hope of God! It doesn’t have to come across as a big scary red devil with a tail and pitchfork telling us to worship darkness, it can be as subtle as peer pressure.
We’ve all experienced the power of peer pressure. We know it can make us choose unwisely, even when we know the right thing to do. Herod was a king and still crumbled under the weight of peer pressure.
I want us to check out a few verses we skipped earlier...
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.”
What did King Herod hear about? All that Jesus and His disciples were doing. That the Kingdom of God was coming, the preaching of the gospel, the miracles and healings. But with that, Herod also heard what the culture was saying too…
Jesus is actually John the Baptist resurrected, which is why he now has magical powers (that was a belief back then).
Jesus is Elijah the prophet, who is back from heaven, with the ability to do miraculous things.
Or, Jesus is just like the prophets of old who God used to do many amazing things.
But look at the next verse...
But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.”
So, Herod - who has a history of being easily influenced by peer pressure - gives in to one of the popular beliefs about Jesus, but he adds something… he says, “whom I beheaded.” Don’t miss that because I think it tells us something important.
Herod isn’t just influenced by his peers, but at this point, he is burdened with unbelievable guilt and shame. Because now he believes that John - someone he respected and believed was a true prophet of God - is back with mystical powers… why?... to get his revenge.
Here’s this king, who has everything; yet, is his soul is completely empty. He’s being pulled in a million directions, but also feels stuck. He’s tried everything searching for hope. He finally finds a prophet who has answers, but then is tricked into killing him. And now, here’s Jesus, who has comes to offer forgiveness and eternal life, but Herod believes Jesus is here to judge him.
And when I look at Herod thru this filter, in many ways, I see a man just like us. In his story, I see our story. Like us, he’s a “like a sheep without a shepherd.” Lost and in need of help. And how did Jesus respond to people like this? Mark 6:34 says, “…He had compassion on them.” But Herod thinks he’s not good enough to receive rescue from Jesus.
Response:
Response:
And as we close, I want to ask, what do you know about Jesus?
I believe many of us think Holy Jesus (and He is holy!) is just waiting for the opportunity to stomp you out with His golden boots of fire. Like, He’s mad because you keep messing up. Your sin is disgusting and you can’t come to Him until you fix yourself. Or, maybe like Herod, you’re beyond help and all that awaits you is judgment.
If you’ve ever thought that, “Don’t believe it!” God already knows everything about your life and He loves you. Your sins are not a surprise to him, even if they are a secret to everyone else.
He knows you’re broken and dirty...
For he knows our frame;
he remembers that we are dust.
And God already knows we can’t fix ourselves. That in many ways we are perplexed - stuck in our sins… But that’s why He says...
And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
And why the Scriptures promise...
He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.
He knows we are sinners like Herod, doing gross things. And He still says, “I love you. And, if you ask Me, I will rescue you. I will heal and restore whatever broken situation you are in.”
Because God’s not seeking to judge us, He wants to save us. We all know this verse...
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
We’ve heard God loves us and wants to save us. But... have you ever read the next verse?
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
The mission of Jesus - which is now the mission of the church (the followers of Jesus) - is not to execute judgement on the sinful world around us, it’s to point to the Savior and give people hope - whether they deserve it or not! To declare (in the words of John the Baptist) - “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world [our sin]!”
This morning, Jesus is inviting you into this great love. He’s saying...
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
If you will turn from your sinful lives (no matter how bad) and put your faith in Jesus and what He did on the Cross for you, He will save you. He will forgive you for your sins and make you new. Do you need to do that today?
Because if you do, don’t wait. Because what usually happens is the longer we wait, the more likely we believe the spirit of darkness, instead of the Spirit of God.
Unfortunately, the story of King Herod doesn’t end well. You see, what started off as a broken man open to hope, became a man stuck and afraid, which soon turned into an angry man wanting to kill Jesus, and finished with seeing Jesus as a joke.
And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.
The longer Herod waited, the more he loved the darkness. Don’t let that happen to you. If God is stirring in your heart today, if you’re open to it today, respond today. Turn from your sin and find hope in Jesus.
And if you’ve already done that, if you’re already a follower of Jesus, I have two suggested responses to today’s sermon:
I encourage you to consider an alternative perspective when viewing the broken world around us. Instead of disgust, instead of going around and smacking people with our Christianity, let’s have compassion. People are lost, broken, and looking for hope. And they are doing anything, even things that don’t make sense, to find it.
There are A LOT of hurting and lost people. Therefore, maybe it’s time for YOU to go tell someone about the hope of Jesus.
Think of someone in your life who needs hope.
Then, pray for them. And pray for God to give you wisdom, courage, and the right words.
Finally, go say whatever God puts on your heart.
Invite them to coffee and show them the love of God by spending time with them.
Or, tell them about what God is doing in your life. That’s more powerful than you think. And people are drawn to these stories because it pulls at their heart-strings.
Or, consider inviting them to church! Easter is in a couple of weeks. And even in our very secular culture, we still have two days when people are very open to God: Christmas and Easter. And studies show that more than 60% of people say they’d go to church on Easter if a friend or family member personally invited them.
Today, Jesus is offering salvation to everyone. He’s offering it to those of us who personally need it. And He’s also wanting to use our lives to offer to others as well.
Let’s pray...
Father, I am a sinner. Like Herod, I make poor choices. I think I need more than what You give me. I care more about what people say instead of what You say. Please forgive me. And I thank you that You love me, with a love I don’t understand or deserve. That love is ultimately shown thru Jesus, who died on a Cross for my sin. Today, I put my faith in Jesus. To save me from my sins. To save me from my situation. To save me from myself. Help to live according to this eternal hope. And please use my life to help others find this hope too. In Jesus name, amen.
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