Then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief [men] of Galilee. 22 And when Herodias’ daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, “Ask me whatever you want, and I will give [it] to you.” 23 He also swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom.” 24 So she went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist!” 25 Immediately she came in 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.” 26 And the king was exceedingly sorry; [yet], because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her. 27 Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought. And he went and beheaded him in prison, 28 brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard [of it], they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.

– Mark 6:21-29 (NKJV)

There are so many “lessons” or “moral of the story” applications that we might take away from this passage. We could say, “Don’t make rash vows” or, “don’t give in to peer pressure.” But what do you think the gospel writer Mark want us to see in this passage (including yesterday’s portion)? This was in the context of Herod hearing about Jesus. Herod had believed that Jesus was John the Baptist raised from the dead. Herod had regretted beheading John the Baptist to begin with, but he felt like he was in a no win situation and gave in.

I wonder if in imagining that John had risen from the dead, that Herod had a little bit of hope that his mistake had been undone? Or perhaps he worried about greater judgement? If he was guilty of living a sinful lifestyle, what wrath might his execution of an innocent man of God unleash?

Whatever his thoughts, John hadn’t risen from the dead, but Jesus, whom John talked about would! Like John, Jesus would die, but unlike John, Jesus would rise again from the dead. That resurrection would change everything.

Like Herod, many of us have made rash vows, given into peer presser or lived in lifestyles of sin… there are things we wish we could take back or undo. While we can’t undo the wrong that we have done, Jesus has made a way for us to be forgiven. The resurrection of Jesus amplifies everything. There is a way to find repentance and forgiveness for the things we have done, or harden our hearts even further. The question is, what will we do with the one who was able to “undo” even death?

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. We are grateful that Jesus came and lives a sinless life and rose from the dead. We have hope today because of the resurrection. Give us grace to walk in the confidence and boldness that Jesus provides for all those who follow after him. May be boast in your ability to save us to the uttermost. Please guide us in your will and direction for our lives. In Jesus Name, Amen.