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The Gospel of Mark Bible Studies
January 2006
February 2006
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December 2006
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The 6th Sunday after Pentecost (B)
[Pr. 10] HEROD ANTIPAS Who am I? My name is Herod - Herod Antipas, that is – the son of Herod the Great – king of the Jews. As you have heard in your gospel reading, I was the one responsible for the death of John the Baptist. I’m not particularly proud about that – because in many ways I really admired and respected him as being a righteous and holy man of God. The circumstances of his death have caused me to suffer a lot of sleepless nights. In fact, sometimes I even think that his ghost has been coming back to haunt me. But be that as it may, I think that after you hear my side of the story you will agree with me that John’s execution, although certainly unfortunate, was necessary. When you are a ruler like me, sometimes you just have to show people who is in charge. It is one of those burdens of leadership. How did this situation come about? It all started about thirty years ago when my father died in 4 B.C. Upon his death, his kingdom was divided into four parts – and I (Herod Antipas) was made tetrarch (meaning “ruler of a fourth”) of the province of Galilee. My family life was very complicated. Because my father had married ten different women, I had a number of half brothers and half sisters – and this made for some very interesting and tangled relationships in my adult life. Let me explain. At first I was married to the daughter of King Aretas IV of Nabataea. Our marriage was all right, I guess. But then one year when I went to visit Rome, I finally met the woman of my dreams! Her name was Herodias. Unfortunately, Herodias was already married to one of my half-brothers, Herod Philip. And not only that, Herodias herself was also the daughter of another one of my half-brothers, Herod Aristobulus. So Herodias was actually both my sister-in-law AND also my niece! I know that this all sounds complex, but true love knows no bounds. Herodias and I fell in love with each other, so I divorced my wife and she divorced Philip and we got married! I can’t say that our ex-spouses were happy about all this. Philip hardly ever spoke to me again. And my ex-wife’s father, King Aretas, he got so upset that he actually started a war against me – and finally the Roman army had to step in to stop the fighting and keep me in power! And if all that wasn’t enough, John the Baptist also started to complain and tell people that my marriage to Herodias was adultery and forbidden under Jewish law. John should have stuck with simply baptizing people in the Jordan River. I did not have any problem with him doing that – or even about his preaching that the Messiah would soon appear – but when he started to attack my personal life, that was going too far! And my displeasure was nothing compared to that of Herodias! She was absolutely beside herself with fury! I wasn’t even going to arrest John at first – after all, I did respect him as a prophet – but she insisted upon it. In fact, she wanted him dead. I, however, protected John from her because I knew that he was a holy man. I can’t say that I agreed with everything he said, but he certainly made me think. I liked to listen to him. Most of all, I wanted to have that kind of confidence and inner peace with God that he so obviously had. What was his secret that enabled him to face life – even life in prison – like he did? I wonder… Then one day my birthday came – and we had a party. All of the members of my court and officials of Galilee were there to honor me! We had a great time! The food was delicious, the wine was flowing (we were all feeling really good!) – And then, to top it off, Herodias’ daughter (my step-daughter) Salome gave a wonderful and incredible dance performance! She was fantastic! By the time she was finished we were all on our feet applauding and shouting “Bravo! Encore! Encore!” Finally, I told her that I would give her anything that she desired – anything at all – to express my appreciation. I wanted to show her and everyone there that I, Herod Antipas, generously reward people who deserve it – and Salome most certainly did after that dance! Salome asked for a moment to talk with her mother, and then she came back and made her request – the head of John the Baptist on a platter!! That certainly sobered me up fast – as I’ve told you before, I certainly did not want to kill him. But what was I to do? I had made a promise, and promises must be kept! A ruler like me especially must set a good example in this – that my word is my bond. If I reneged, Salome and everyone throughout the province of Galilee would never trust me again. So I gave the order to have John beheaded. It was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do in my life. A few moments later the soldier I had sent out came back with John’s head on a platter and gave it to Salome – and then Salome gave it to her mother. Needless to say, the mood in that room was completely different from what it had been just a few moments before. It was now anything but joyful – you could have heard a pin drop! It was certainly NOT how I wanted my birthday celebration to end – but as I’ve said, I did what had to be done. Promises must be kept! All this happened weeks ago, but I’m still having nightmares about it. I just can’t get that image of John’s bloodied head out of my mind – it keeps coming back to haunt me. Peace seems to be further away from me than ever before. And now, I am hearing reports that some man named Jesus is going around preaching and even doing miracles of healing. People are flocking to hear him, just like they used to do with John the Baptist. Some are saying that this Jesus is the prophet Elijah, and others are saying that he is another prophet like the prophets of old. But I know who he really is – he must be John the Baptist come back to life! He has come back to haunt me and accuse me for my crime! How I wish that I could have peace in my life. How I wish that I could trust others as much as they can obviously trust me. How I wish that I could know and feel God’s love in the same way that John the Baptist did – and how this Jesus so obviously does. But when you are in a position of leadership like I am, sometimes you have to do difficult things and then live with the consequences. Because with great power also comes great responsibility – and as the tetrarch of Galilee, I did what had to be done. My execution of John the Baptist, as unfortunate as it was, at least showed my subjects that my word can always be trusted. Yes, you should be grateful for people like me. We’re the ones whose promises you can rely upon. We’re the ones who make hard decisions so that you can have peace. Remember that, my friends. Remember that always, and be thankful! Peace be with you! Peace be with you! -------------------- You have just heard the story of Herod Antipas – a man who was tormented and wracked with guilt for ordering the execution of John the Baptist – a man who desperately wanted to know God’s peace in his life – but who could never experience it because of his pride and his continuing to justify himself rather than repenting of his wrongs and asking for forgiveness. How many of us have been like Herod in our lives? How many of us might be like Herod right now? But today, I want to remind you how much God loves us. No matter what we may have done in our past – no matter what we may be like in our present – no matter what life may ever throw at us – God loves us! And for Jesus’ sake, when we confess our sins and repent of them instead of trying to justify them, God will forgive us and give us what we need – PEACE and a new start in life. Remember that, my people – remember that always. And so now I say to you again – and this time for real – Peace be with you! Peace be with you! Amen! -------------------- George R. Karres, Pella Lutheran Church 418 W. Main Street Sidney, MT 59270
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