Responses to the gospel

King Herod heard of it, for Jesus' name had become known. Some said, "John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him." But others said, "He is Elijah." And others said, "He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old." But when Herod heard of it, he said, "John, whom I beheaded, has been raised." For it was Herod who had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because he had married her. For John had been saying to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. For when Herodias's daughter 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 to you." And he vowed to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom." And she went out and said to her mother, "For what should I ask?" And she said, "The head of John the Baptist." And she came in immediately with haste to the king and asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter." And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John's head. He went and beheaded him in the prison and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb. - Mark 6:14‭-‬29 ESV

Herod's sin

Herod had married his brother's wife while his brother was still alive. This was unheard of. John the Baptist was the preacher of this day and age. John spoke out against this marriage. Herod imprisons John but doesn't kill him. Herod curiously like hearing from John, but doesn't change. Herod's family is deeply broken. His wife uses her teenage daughter to dance for the dinner guests. This is strange...a titillating dance from a princess. And then the daughter asks for the head of an innocent man. Herod could've turned her down. But he didn't. It would've been entirely reasonable. But Herod had no defense against sin since he capitulated to the desire for his brother's wife.

John's suffering

John was being oppressed. This is what it means to be oppressed; to suffer for someone else's sin. Herod did not have the moral fortitude to stand up for what is right. Consider the dinner guests who sat silently as this played out. They should have walked out when this innocent man was to be executed. They should have said something or some something.

We should respond with wisdom. We should object to oppression and systems of repression. We should speak up for those who are wrongly accused. John went to his death a victim of the conspiracy of a small group of people. 

Jesus was accused of a crime and never tried. He was lynched by the actions of a small group of conspirators. He was an innocent man. Jesus died a gruesome death and became a spectacle. But this is where things diverge. Nothing changes after John's death. Herod continues living in sin, his reign continues, and innocent people continue to suffer at the hands of the powerful. This points to Jesus, even if John never knew it. Through the suffering, John's difficult times pointed to the need for Jesus.

The suffering of Jesus

Jesus died as an oppressed man. He died at the hands of the powerful. Jesus was executed with all the official appearance of a horrible criminal. Jesus cried out in pain. This doesn't look like redemption or conquering sin. We don't dismiss the pain and suffering, but Jesus gives us meaning in suffering. Our suffering has a purpose. Our experience of loss, pain, oppression, may point to something greater because Christ has overcome.