Mark 6:14-29 (NIV)
Throughout the Gospel of Mark we’ve met a Jesus who has authority like no one has seen before, and yet he is generous with his time and presence. He goes to places that powerful people don’t go, touches people that powerful people don’t touch, is touched by people who would be killed if they touched a powerful person in the way they touch Jesus. He shares his power, he does not use it for himself. He’s kinda shy about his power, healing people and then telling them not to mention it to anyone, rather than doing mighty work in a stadium for all to see.
On the other hand we have Herod, a man with power, but a very different kind of power. He’s the kind of ruler who uses his authority to stroke his own ego, and to protect himself. In today’s passage, Mark zooms out to set the story of Jesus within the larger context of Judea and juxtaposes Herod and his power-hoarding impulses with the generous and openhanded power of Jesus.
The people who first heard this Gospel read would have known of Herod. Imagine hearing this kind of story today. How does it contrast with the way of Jesus?
----------REFLECT----------
1. What moment from this passage stood out to you?
2. What does this passage teach you about the misuse of power? What drove Herod to commit such an act as ordering John's beheading?
3. Consider ways that you have seen power misused in our day. Ask the LORD to bring our leaders under his authority; ask him to establish more leaders who live and serve like Jesus.
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