Reflection on Mark 6:14-29

 

Mark 6:14-29 (NRSV)      

14 King Herod heard of [the disciples’ preaching,] for Jesus’ name had become known. Some were saying, “John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him.” 15 But others said, “It is Elijah.” And others said, “It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” 16 But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.”

 17 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. 18 For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, 20 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. 21 But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. 22 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.” 23 And he solemnly swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.” 24 She went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the baptizer.” 25 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.” 26 The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. 27 Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, 28 brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.

Reflection

The words of Matthew 6:24 have been ringing in my head all week, working on me, moving me, and getting my attention again and again.  All week, my mind has imagined Jesus’ lips teaching that “No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other” (Matthew 6:24).

“No one can serve two masters,” Jesus teaches.  And, though Jesus was very explicitly teaching about wealth when he said this, “You cannot serve God and wealth,” I cannot help but think about how there are so many other influences, alongside money, that compete for our devotion in daily life. 

My mind wanders to the gunman who chose violence over peace yesterday, choosing to shoot at former President Trump, as the pressures of national politics filled his mind.  He chose violence over the ways of God.  “No one can serve two masters.”

My mind wanders to King Herod who respected the man of God, John the Baptist, even after John called him out publically for sinning against God’s ways by marrying his brother’s wife.  Maybe, King Herod even respected (with fear) the man of God who would stand up to him and who obviously stood by God’s principles in the face of possible retaliation from the powerful king.  Because of that respectful fear, the Bible says that King Herod “protected” John the Baptist. 

Unfortunately, King Herod ultimately chose to act in violence against John at the request of his wife in a gruesome act that involved his daughter carrying in the head of John the Baptist on a platter.  “No one can serve two masters.”

What Jesus says is true, despite the fact that most of us believe to our core that we actually can serve two masters.  “There is enough time in the day to serve two masters,” we fool ourselves into believing.  “I have enough talent in multiple areas to get it all done,” we convince ourselves as we try to be all to all people and do all for all people.

However, it always seems to come to a head where we have to choose who our real master is.  When working two jobs at the same time, the moment inevitably happens when both employers expect something important to be done at the same time.  “I need the proposal typed and emailed by 7pm.  You have one hour” one boss says.  “I need you to drive our honored guest to the airport by 7pm,” the other boss demands.  And, then you have to decide.  Which task is the one you will do?  Which master is more important to follow?  How do you decide?  Is it the job that pays more?  Is it the job that impacts most your reputation in the community?  Serving two masters never, and I mean never, ends up going well.

“No one can serve two masters.”

Herod had a choice, he could show respect to God and God’s prophet by continuing to protect the prophet and listen to his words of admonishment, or he could appease his wife and save face in front of his guests. 

You see, Herod promised his daughter Herodias that she could have whatever she asked after she danced beautifully for him and his honored and highly respected guests at a banquet.  After her young body finished twirling and spinning rhythmically, the guests looked on as the promise rang through the hall.  “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom” (Mark 6:22).  All heard the king’s promise.  They also all heard daughter’s request, who after consulting with her mother, asked for John’s head on a platter. 

When pressed with two competing masters, which one prevails?  God or wife?  God or honor in front of the guests? 

“No one can serve two masters.”

As the young girl walked gingerly toward her mother, the head still dripping with blood pooling on the ornate serving tray, all of us can see who Herod’s true master is.

“No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other” (Matthew 6:24).  Violence often follows when the wrong master is chosen.

The gunman yesterday had a choice, trust in Jesus’ ways of peace and trust in the democratic process, or use violence to force what he thought was right. 

He is not the only one to be trapped between two masters.  Whenever peace is fractured and people are harmed, just before the violence there is always a choice that was made between two masters.

And, that is why this terrible story of John’s beheading is smack dab in the middle of the story of Jesus sending out the apostles to heal people and save them from demons.  That story begins with Jesus telling the disciples to go and minister to the people carrying nothing with them but a staff; no food, no overcoat, and no bag.  They have one singular job, to be reflections of Jesus’ healing and grace.  No other masters are allowed to be on the journey with them, only the good news of Jesus.  Jesus is their only master.  Jesus is their only influence.

“Take this food over to the neighboring tribe,” the pastor in Africa asked two of his brothers in Christ.

“But, they are evil.  They will kill us,” the two church members retorted.  “They hate us.  Why take them food at all?  Just let them die and we will finally live in peace.  At least allow us to take a sword for protection.”

“Take only the food,” the pastor said again.  “Those who are hungry will not harm the ones who bring a gift.  Jesus gave us a gift of salvation as the Bible says, ‘While we were still sinners;’ while we were still enemies of Jesus.  Grace always comes first.  Jesus is our teacher.  Jesus is our master.  We will do the same.  We will care for them.  We will help them.”

They did as they were told.  They were allowed only one master: Jesus.  All others had to be abandoned. 

The woman from Africa, a classmate of mine who told this story, said that the gift of food to her people was the beginning of a long friendship with their former enemy.  In coming years, they helped each other direct water to their crops during a drought.  They cared for one another as brothers and sisters.  And, it was all because two men were only allowed to have one master: Jesus. 

Allowing only Jesus to be your master is not oppressive, divine overreach.  Rather, it is a gift that allows peace and grace to flourish.

When the disciples return from the mission, on the back side of the interruption of the Herod story where he chooses the wrong master, the disciples come back rejoicing because people were healed with their oil and evil spirits were cast out in Jesus’ name.  They come back rejoicing because goodness flourishes when we Jesus is our only master.

“No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other” (Matthew 6:24).

Praise be to God that we have been given the gift of a master who is the embodiment of grace and peace with hands and feet.  Praise be to God that the one who laid down his life for us is our master, even if we are still sinners.  Praise be to God that Jesus is our one and only master. 

Be at peace as you drop all others masters and follow the one who saves: Jesus Christ our Lord.