Mk 6:14-29

A Prophet and a King (Mk 6:14-29)

Context: The people had begun to wonder if Jesus was a prophet in the tradition of the Old Testament prophets. However, the prophet was God’s mouthpiece. Jesus was and is God. (Heb1: 1-3). The prophets said, “Thus says the Lord” thus referring to a higher authority. Jesus said, “I say to you” demonstrating that he was/is the highest authority.

John, an Introduction: What the people of Jesus’ day did not realize was that the last and the greatest of the OT prophets had just passed through their midst – John the Baptist (Lk16: 16). According to Jesus, John was the greatest human being who ever lived (Lk 7:26-28). That commendation makes h a worthwhile model for us to emulate.

John lived in the desert and shunned regular “worldly” matters. His sole aim was to point to the Christ. His aim was that Jesus must increase and he must decrease (Jn3: 30). He freely confessed that he was not the Christ (Jn1: 20).

Despite his popularity, John found his identity in Christ and in preparing the way for him. Only one who is secure about his identity can truly promote another (Jn1: 19-28).

A Prophet and a King – An interplay.

John – A lamp on a lamp stand: John spoke God’s mind irrespective of the consequences: John was obligated to one higher than the king-God himself. So John declared God’s verdict upon the king’s adultery.

In Hebrew thought, the prophet is greater than the king, because the prophet brings God’s insights and perspectives into a situation (1 Sam 12:7). God himself is the invisible ruler above all kings and the prophetic tradition ensured that his word was supreme over popular culture and tradition –even that the risk of their lives eg. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Elijah,

The prophet is greater than the king, even today. The church is God’s prophetic community and we are carriers of God’s voice to our politically correct times in the church and outside. The church reports to God himself and hence when faced with a conflict with Divine standards by any lesser authority whether ideological, cultural, social, professional or political – we are expected to speak up.

However, we are often silenced by the cultural virtues of niceness, non-interference, personal rights, relativism, pluralism, consumerism and materialism There is also the historical danger of the church playing into the arms of the establishment.

Herod: A lamp under a bushel: Herod suppressed God’s voice fearful of the consequences: Herod was a Jewish king – a puppet of Rome. He had authority and the power of the Roman Empire behind him and yet struggled with his conscience as he came face to face with John (also see Acts 24:24-27). While he was intrigued by John’s teaching and acknowledged him as a righteous man, he was also afraid of him. But he was also afraid of the people, and probably his wife and of the dinner guests.

A man who fears too many things will paralyze his conscience and will become a puppet in the hands of others. Herod was powerful but afraid to do what he knew was right. He was afraid to face the consequences – the possible loss of an illegitimate relationship, the displeasure of his guests, the prospect of confessing that he had made a huge mistake of making an unconditional promise. He was so paranoid about his execution of John and so when he heard about Jesus’ miracles, he thought that John had come back from the dead!

When God’s voice comes to us, do we speak up or remain silent? Who or what are we afraid of losing? Family? Strangers? Church? Authority? Power? Possessions? Prestige? Reputation? Comfort?

That which you fear will define you, whether it’s God or something else.

The difference between a prophet and a king: John was in prison but he was free. Herod was free and a ruler but he was in prison. John spoke his heart and lost his head. Herod kept his head but lost his heart, his soul. John was powerless but could not be manipulated. Herod was powerful but could be easily manipulated. John was dead, but Herod was afraid that he was alive. Herod was alive, but afraid that he would die. John died but lived forever. Herod lived but had already begun to die forever. John was a lamp on a lamp stand. Herod was a lamp under a bushel.

Question: If you were put on trial today for being a Christian, would there be evidence to convict you?