THESIS: A significant part of our Christian witness is how
we conduct ourselves in the world – do we keep our promises, or does our witness do
damage to the honor of God?
Introduction
Good Evening!
As you turn to Mark chapter 6, I want to remind you where we have been and keep
the context continually before you. The last time we met and considered Mark we
saw Christ sending out his apostles. They went out empty handed, no food, no
money, nothing to slow them down. And their ministry was targeted. They were to
be true
witnesses for Christ.
Follow along as
I read Mark 6:14-29, “14 Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well
known. And he said, “John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore
these powers are at work in him.” 15 Others said, “It is Elijah.” And
others said, “It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets.” 16 But when Herod
heard, he said, “This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the
dead!” 17 For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and
bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; for he
had married her. 18 Because
John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”
19 Therefore
Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and
he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him
gladly.21 Then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee. 22 And when Herodias’ daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, “Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you.” 23 He also swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”
24 So she went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist!” 25 Immediately she came in 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.”
26 And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her. 27 Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought. And he went and beheaded him in prison, 28 brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard of it, they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.” (Mark 6:14-29)
I.
Exploring the text
1)
Laying the groundwork (vs. 14-16)
1. The confusion
over Jesus, and the supposition of Herod.
2. Who is this
Herod? Herod Antipas - known as Herod the Tetrarch or King Herod. The son of
Herod the Great (the baby killer). He also killed James (Acts 12:1-2.) He actually
requested of the Roman government that his title be ‘King’ but his official
title was Tetrarch.
3. Who is
Philip? (also a Tetrarch) and a son of Herod the Great, the half-brother of
Antipas.
2)
The arrest (vs. 17-20)
1. Arrested for
publically calling our Herod’s sin. Remember John’s ministry to call men to
repentance – to make straight paths for the Lord.
2. Did Herod have
respect toward John? No - it was politically expedient to hold him and not kill
him. (Luke 23:8-12 presents
Herod’s motives.)
a. Wasn’t he “exceedingly sorrowful”
(vs. 26)? Verse 27 shows this wasn’t the issue at all. The sorrow was having to
deal with a political matter.
3)
The Party (vs. 21-22a)
A routine affair
but with many guests. The dance was a part of the festivity.
4)
The oath (vs. 22b-23)
1. Made in frivolity - without due concern of the
consequences, or even ability to carry it out.
2. Herod used the
very same phrase King
Ahasuerus (Xerxes) made to Esther (Est. 5:3-6 ;7:2) yet his kingdom was
hardly one, “What
is your petition, Queen Esther? It shall
be granted you. And what is your request,
up to half the kingdom? It shall be done!”
5)
John’s death (vs. 24-28)
The execution was
swift - proving Herod did not at all struggle with ordering it. His sorrow was
to the political ramifications he may face - “All men hold John to be a
prophet” (Mark 11:32)
II.
Concerning Oaths
1)
Well known modern oaths:
US
President - I do solemnly swear,
that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States,
and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the
Constitution of the United States.
Military
- I, (name), do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution
of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will
bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely,
without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and
faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.
US
Flag - I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America,
and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
England
- I, (full name), do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, her heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Wedding
- 2 parts
The charge: David, wilt thou have this
woman to be thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy
estate of matrimony, wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in
sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so
long as you both shall live? I Will.
The Vow: I David, take you Julie, to be
my wedded wife, I do promise and
covenant before God and these witnesses, to be thy loving and faithful
husband, in plenty and in want, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in
health, according to God's holy ordinance, as long as we both shall live.
Depending upon
God for strength and wisdom, we pledge ourselves to the establishment of a
Christian home, together we will constantly seek God’s will, and honor Christ in our Marriage. This ring I give
thee, in token and pledge, of our constant faith, and abiding love. (Ruth 1:16)
2)
Well known oaths taken in the Scripture:
1.
Jephthah’s
oath - Judg. 11:30-31, 34-35.
This may be a foolish oath – or not,
but the end was not Jephthah’s plan. Notice how the reason given for his not
going back on his vow, is to whom it was made. (vs. 35)
2.
King
Saul’s oath - 1 Sam. 14:24-45.
King Saul was a rash man, and
ultimately rejected by God. This oath plainly demonstrates it. “Cursed is the man who eats any food until evening, before I have
taken vengeance on my enemies...Saul answered, “God do so and more also; for
you shall surely die, Jonathan…So the people rescued Jonathan, and he did not
die. Here we have an example of a
man more interested in the people, than the Lord. He broke his vow to the Lord,
and let the people deliver Jonathan.
Whatever we may say of Jephthah – he at least kept the vow.
3.
Paul
in his letters - 2 Cor. 1:23; Gal. 1:20.
Paul calls God as his witness –
even against his own soul – to make his argument. To call God as witness, is a
certain an oath as one can have!
4.
The
high Priest to Jesus - Matt. 26:63-65.
Here we have the high priest
calling Christ under oath! A very interesting example, for after Jesus’
statement – the high priest betrays himself, calling Christ the blasphemer! For
it was he who did not take the word of Christ at face value!
3)
Scriptural teaching on Oaths
1.
Jesus
in Matt 5:33-37
Don’t take them!!
2.
James
in Jam. 5:12 Judgment
awaits those who do!
3.
The
3rd commandment, Ex. 20:7 God’s name
is on the line when you take an oath.
III.
What’s the point?
1)
Tie in to the character of John the baptizer and
Herod Antipas.
Let’s consider the differences between our 2 chief examples
in today’s text – John and Herod. As for John, his role in the account is
small, but don’t confuse that to mean his role is unimportant. We can glean
some important things from his testimony.
So what did John do to get himself thrown into prison? He
spoke the truth to Herod that his marriage was not right. He was plain about
this. Both Herod and Herodias knew exactly what he was saying. It is not lawful for you to have her. Nevertheless, he told them. He told
them knowing what they would likely do. He did not back down. Might you or I
back down? What if we are presented with some unlawful marriage situation…which
is a very likely matter these days? Will we back down or stand firm?
John was a
true witness before Herod. He made sure his Yes, was yes; his No was no. And
for this he was arrested by order of Herod himself (the text declares). We know
that Herod would have killed him on the spot, if he thought he could have with
political immunity. But he feared the people.
And Herod was
not simply motivated by Herodias. He was a man of grandiose ideas, but little
to measure up to them. This so called king was only a tetrarch, which is a
fancy way of saying he was the governor of the provinces of Galilee and Perea;
An area roughly the size of the six counties, McHenry, Lake, Kane, DuPage,
Cook, and DeKalb. He had requested the title King but was never granted it.
He was quick
to kill for political expediency – remember how he was the ruler who had James the
brother of John, put to death, and would have done the same for Peter, but for
the prayers of the church for him. (Acts 12) The only reason John was not
killed as quickly as James was the notoriety of his name. All held him to be a
prophet. Remember how the Roman soldiers even came to him to request what they
should do?
2)
Remember how it is we are to be true witnesses
for Christ.
We are to be so honest, so driven, to
hold Christ up before the world, that even those not under our personal
influence ask us, “What should we do?” And we should be willing to take it on
the chin when necessary. Do we get mistreated at times? Yes. Should we fight
for our rights?
Think about that question in light of
the political climate today. We live in a time where it is expected that we
will simply get behind any politician who is conservative – without any other
considerations. Is that really right? I realize we have the privilege to vote.
But I speak of other matters, such as posts on Facebook, or Instagram. I speak
of bumper sticker politics. Do you tie yourself in to politics so much that
people aren’t really sure whether you are a Christian first, or a conservative?
And what kind of Christian is it who posts about his politics more often than
his Christ? What message does that send?
The same message as if I had rejected
Carmen’s eggs or my Nicaraguan lady’s meal. My rights are more important. My
comfort – but this is not the way of Christ! Mark’s gospel speaks to the matter
of Jesus being a servant to all.
If ever there were a man to claim
rights upon you or I it was the very Lord of the universe, and yet consistently
his message is authenticity, truth, righteousness at all costs. Have you fallen
down? Get back up. Have you been hurt? Remember he’s been hurt far worse, and
by you and I; even for you and I – It was for the cross and our sin that he
came to live among us!
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