John's Death

Gospel according to Mark, chapter six. Gospel according to Mark, chapter six. And you'll know. And if you don't, you'll know now that in year B, which is the second of three years, we are primarily in the Gospel of Mark, which is one of my favorite gospels. To be honest.

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If you've never studied Mark, you really should give it a real go. It's the shortest of the gospels, but maybe the most powerfully crafted one in the sense that it's like a punch. He really, he gives us several times in his gospel, more detail, but then other times less detail. So the way he's writing here is obviously led by the Holy Spirit, but also very maximally impactful is the way I would say it. And so once you find Mark six, go ahead and stand with me as we read these words and really quite shocking words this morning.

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Notice here in mark, chapter six, and then we'll pick up with where we left off last week. Really, almost the whole chapter is going to be read with verse 14. Notice these words. This is the word of God. King Herod heard of Jesus his disciples, for Jesus name had become known.

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Some were saying, John the baptizer has been raised from the dead, and for this reason these powers are at work in him. But others said, it is Elijah. And others said, it is a prophet like one of the prophets of old. But when Herod heard of it, he said, john, whom I beheaded has been raised. For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because Herod had married her.

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For John had been telling Herod, it is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife. And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to kill him. But she could not. For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he liked to listen to him.

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But an opportunity came when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. When his daughter Herodias 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. And he solemnly swore to her, whatever you ask me, I will give you even half of my kingdom. She went out and said to her mother, what should I ask for?

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She replied, the head of John the baptizer. Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter. The king was deeply grieved, yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately, the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John's head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl.

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Then the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb. Jesus, thank you for your holy word. We pray now that as you have placed this story in the scriptures for a purpose, that you would reveal that purpose this morning and that you would speak to our hearts, and that not only would we listen, but we would obey. We pray in your name.

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Amen. You can be seated.

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One of the things that I love about preaching through the lectionary is that it forces you to preach on verses or pericles sections of scripture that you normally wouldn't. And I must admit, this is one that I would not have chosen myself to preach from. In fact, I've never preached from this passage of scripture before. And it's quite intimidating, really, to look at, and especially in light of the events of even yesterday, where someone was. Where former President Trump was almost assassinated, to quiet his voice, one would assume.

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And in this same way, certainly,