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At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus and said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him." For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. Because John had said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her." And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. But when Herod's birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod. Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, "Give me John the Baptist's head here on a platter." And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it be given to her. So he sent and had John beheaded in prison. And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus.
- Matthew 14:1-12
Yesterday, we read that after Jesus finished teaching many parables, He departed from there. When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, "Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is this not the carpenter's son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?" So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house." Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus and said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him." The first thing we notice about Herod in today's passage is his fear. He is a fearful man, a ruler of great power -- but one who fears the power of the holy.
For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. Because John had said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her." And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. Again, we note the element of fear. He wanted to use his own power to put John to death for criticizing his marriage, but he dared not because he feared the people. It is once again John's holiness at work, and the power of holiness that Herod fears. Elsewhere, in other Gospels, we read that Herod delighted to ask John questions, and was very curious about him -- another testimony to Herod's viewpoint on the power of holiness.
But when Herod's birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod. Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, "Give me John the Baptist's head here on a platter." And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it be given to her. It's another form of fear, and it has to do with power and the place of a king. Herod has sworn oaths in front of all those who sat with him, the nobility and other important people of his kingdom. Although he is sorry, it is his "place" before men that matters.
So he sent and had John beheaded in prison. And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus. Of the entire passage in today's reading, my study bible says, "The beheading of John the Baptist is permitted by God. In a world of shameful wickedness, the righteous are afflicted and suffer death, though they are great in the eyes of God. Through John's martyrdom the coming of the Savior is announced to souls in Hades, for John is considered to be a forerunner of Jesus there as well as on earth." We contrast the actions of mother and daughter with the actions of the prophet John the Baptist, who nurtures even souls who have passed with the good news of the Christ.
Yesterday's reading gave us an understanding of Jesus' place in the world. His neighbors in Nazareth deride His origins, His family, in saying that He's gotten above Himself and His place by acquiring the wisdom and the power to do His holy works in the world. Here in today's reading, the power of "place" is at work again. Herod can't understand holy power; it is something quite different from the power of the king. The power of holiness is at work regardless of worldly status. The power of God finds a way to express itself in the world regardless of material obstacles and oppression -- but the material is the power of a king, and status gives the king identity. Jesus' authority is within Himself. We notice the fear Herod feels. Swearing an oath and making a promise before others, he can't back down -- while Jesus accepts the choices of those in His hometown, and because of their lack of faith, He can do no great work there. He doesn't offer proofs, we remember. He will not give signs on demand. God does not force anyone to love Him. Holiness is an entirely different work in the world than what we associate with political or material force, and it works in different ways. It finds its way through obstacles, and it works voluntarily in the hearts and minds of people. It is connected to love, and it is perfect love that casts out fear, wrote John the Evangelist in an epistle. If we contrast the humility of Jesus with the pride of Herod, we notice one very striking difference: Jesus' place in life is not made by the opinions of men, but Herod's sense of himself very much comes from this. It all depends on what we love, what we treasure. John the Evangelist once again enlightens us, as he wrote of others in high position who would not openly avow their truth, "they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God." We live in a time when media of all types dominates our lives. Images come at us from everywhere. It might be from a national or local media, or even friends on social media, but we must consider how much our own image in the eyes of others impacts how we think of ourselves. It seems to me that the understanding of the difference in importance between the praise of men and the praise of God becomes a very significant factor in determining the true worth and identity of a human being. Bullying comes to mind as a way of using the "praise of men" (or rather, condemnation in this case, and lack of praise) in order to destroy. The faith that gives relationship and teaches true identity is an antidote for our over-emphasis on image. Christ's humility, in that sense, stands out as a guiding image for us to understand. Who are we really, and where do we truly live in the sense of that which gives us life and identity? The holy power of grace at work denies the obstacles that material power and manipulation puts in its way (and that would include manipulation of images, lies, slander, false accusation, scapegoating, exclusion, etc.); these are the tools of the "ruler of this world." Grace finds a way -- even to save through a Cross. Let us put our faith in what will give us the truth, especially in the times when seemingly nothing else does.
