Pent 6 09

July 12, 2009

Amos 7:7-15; Psalm 85; Ephesians 1:3-14; Mark 6:14-29

Today’s Gospel centers on one man’s answer to one question.

The man is Herod, the King.

The question: Who is Jesus?

A few chapters from this point, Jesus will ask his disciples pretty much the same question: Who do people say I am?

It is a question worth coming up with our own answer. Who is Jesus? An idea? The basis for words we say (or sing) every Sunday in the Creed? An individual who lived a long time ago?

What do you base your answer on?

Is it through quiet times of prayer? Moments of revelation during worship? Reading Scripture? Experiencing his presence?

Who do you say Jesus is? And why?

Herod had a very certain answer to the question of Jesus. His answer grew not out of faith or hope or good will. His knowledge was grounded in guilt and fear.

And then we hear exactly where that guilt and fear came from in a horrific story.

It was at his birthday party. It had been a marvelous affair – lots of people came to his party. They feasted on rich food and abundant drink. There was music. And then, there was dancing. His wife’s daughter came in and danced.

It was ecstatic. Herod was overwhelmed. He wanted to show his appreciation. And steps right into the trap.

“I’ll give you anything!” “Wow, what an offer, I’ll let you know in a minute” and a consultation with her mother who despised the man known as the baptist....

A final course to the meal – one more platter, but with John’s head on it.

Herod stepped in -- allowing one’s actions/decision to be determined by another person.

He would rather brutally murder an innocent man than define himself.

What would it have taken? What might he have said? How about:

“I know I promised anything, but there are some things -- like the request for an innocent man’s head – that are simply out of bounds. I do not deem it a legitimate request, because I would not kill an innocent man to satisfy the whims of one who does not like / feels judged by that man.

But Herod was living the world’s way . There, power must be carefully guarded – as must one’s reputation. What other people think becomes paramount.

The action he committed out of concern for what others would think was barbaric – an act of terrorism. He was deeply grieved about it. But, not deeply enough to say no.

Herod’s way: injustice, cruelty, revenge

Christ’s way: justice, mercy, and faith

He gives redemption, forgiveness – not because of what we do to convince God to give it, but “out of the riches of his grace”.

Eli Stone – “Was this (the vision of the plane crash) a test?” His father squinches up his face and rolls his eyes: “Everything’s a test.”

Everything’s a test. We all make decisions every day.

Every day, we must decide: will I live the world’s way (base my actions on what other people think) or Christ’s way?

Will I live for the praise of others OR I live for the praise of his glory


- Josephus tells us that both Herod and Herodias eventually committed suicide .

Jesus, following God’s way, opened the door to life unending.

Today’s Gospel centers on one man’s answer to one question. Begins there. But it leads us to come up with our own answer. And that question leads to more – each day: today, what will I do?

We who are baptized have been marked. God says who we are: his children.

We have been claimed for a different Way (w/ capital W).

This means people who follow Jesus are called to be different. Freed to be different.

That cross might not be revealed by ultraviolet light – but the choices we make, the things we choose to guide our life: they show it forth brighter than you could imagine.

amen