Mark 6:1-31

We have looked at the struggle going on in the minds of the disciples and others about who Jesus was. We notice the different reactions of friends and foes to the actions and words of Jesus.

Now in chapter 6 we find Jesus back among those who feel they know Jesus only too well. In fact they think they know so much about him that they can dismiss him as nothing special. Jesus is in Nazareth from where his family have originated. Here his father worked as a carpenter and it is believed that Jesus himself may have carried out that same trade before he began his ministry.

He stands up to preach in the Synagogue and many are amazed at his ability to present the message of God but immediately he is dismissed by his hearers. 'Where does he get all this wisdom?' they ask. He's the carpenter, his brothers are named. They start to insult him. In middle eastern culture it was an insult to be named the son of a woman (i.e the son of Mary). Some believe that the reference is to his illegitimacy. Mary was pregnant before marriage and that stigma may have endured.

Being dismissed by his own people Jesus is moved to say 'a prophet is not without honour except in their home town'. We hear that he could do little there except curing a few sick people. He was amazed at their unbelief.

Jesus is not deterred however. He is intent on sending out his disciples to spread the message of who he is. He has equipped them to heal the sick. In a sense this is the ramping up of the mission. This is now about growth and spreading the message even wider. Thirteen people actively involved in this will bring a growing response. The disciples are to live off the charity and kindness of others. This proves to be sufficient to their needs.

The death of John the Baptist now takes central stage. Herod of Galilee had imprisoned him for his utterances about the King. Herod had taken as his wife the wife of Philip his brother. Philip was still alive and so he is involved in adultery and bigamy with this woman. Such comments by John the Baptist concerning the king would have brought the death penalty but Herod has not done this. One might ask why. Perhaps Herod recognised his own guilt perhaps or he was conflicted by the view that John was a prophet and worthy of respect. In his indecision John languishes in prison.

Salome, Herod's step child dances at a feast before Herod and his guests. Herod is enthralled he wants to reward the girl and offers her anything she wants up to half his kingdom. Overwhelmed by this offer the girl runs to her mother for advice. Her mother senses an opportunity to deal with the oe who troubles her and whom her indecisive husband will not execute. The girl returns and requests the head of John the Baptist on a platter dish. Thus ends the life of John who showed the way to Jesus. He was a heroic figure but he is struck down on a whim of a drunken king and his plotting wife.

It's important to recognise some things about this story. First of all Herod was never a king. References to him as such in the Bible are viewed as sarcasm. The Roman authorities alone could declare someone a king within their territories and this Herod was never proclaimed king. Perhaps his insecurity can be seen in two ways. He is threatened by the teachings of John and his direct criticism of his lifestyle. He is also insecure as a result of not gaining recognition as king of Galilee.

Perhaps his Roman overlords could overthrow him at any time and end his 'reign'. Herod has heard about Jesus. Rumours have it that Jesus is one of the prophets of long ago. Yet the message seems so similar to John's. Could it be that this is John the Baptist back from the dead? He is beside himself with worry.

The death of John also brings to an end the time of preparation in the Jesus story. Now Jesus is the only one proclaiming the message of his Messiahship. It is truly the ending and beginning of an era.