Hello, I’m Daniel Westfall on the channel “Pray With Me”.
In Mark 6, Jesus sent his 12 disciples on a ministry tour. There was no fundraising–Jesus told them to travel without food or money or extra clothes, and to enjoy whatever hospitality was offered along the way. They preached, drove out demons, and healed the sick.
I find it surprising that the disciples were ready for this ministry. Until now, the only thing we’ve heard about their spiritual development is Jesus’ comment on a stormy night, “Have you no faith?”
But here they are, embarking on an amazingly successful experience of faith and ministry.
Perhaps our spiritual development is like that of the disciples–slow and faltering, until one day Jesus trusts us with ministry.
Meanwhile, King Herod heard stories about Jesus and wondered. “Who is this man?” Someone suggested Elijah, someone else a prophet, and some said “It’s John the Baptist raised from the dead” (Mark 6:14-16).
Mark explains why Herod adopted the John the Baptist theory.
It started with Herod’s complicated love life. He got a divorce and his step brother got a divorce, and Herod married his step brother’s ex. John the Baptist stepped forward and told Herod that this violated Old Testament marriage laws. Time for John to be cautious . . . Herod’s wife, Herodias, did not like a prophet interfering in her love life. She convinced Herod to throw John into prison.
Then at Herod’s birthday party, Herodias’ daughter danced for the guests, pleasing Herod, who offered her any gift she wanted–up to half his kingdom. She consulted her mother who said, “Ask for John the Baptist’s head on a platter.” Not your average mother, I think.
So Herod beheaded John to please his wife and stepdaughter. But he didn’t feel good about it. When he heard about Jesus, he thought John the Baptist had come back from the dead to remind him of his sin.
After this brutal story, Mark resumes the disciples’ ministry story. They reported to Jesus everything they did and taught, and then left with him to get some rest.
Two comments on this string of events.
1. John’s ministry ended in martyrdom, but the disciples’ ministry so far has been full of miracles and exorcisms. Hard to predict where following Jesus might lead you.
2. We don’t learn much from Mark about how the disciples grew and matured as they followed Jesus. We know that early in the story, Jesus criticized the disciples for lack of faith. Near the end, Peter denied Jesus three times. Between these bookends, Mark tells us almost nothing about their spiritual formation.
Let’s pray.
Our father, we feel the horror of Herod beheading John the Baptist. But brutal violence continues in our world. School shootings in America, genocide in Sudan, unrestricted warfare in Gaza and Ukraine.
But your mission on earth continues. As when John was in prison and the disciples preached and healed and drove out demons. Jesus too was teaching and healing.
Make us disciples of Jesus. Help us grow spiritually, like the disciples did. Teach us to see and follow your heart, to hear and obey your voice, to love you all our life, to be faithful to you in death.
Amen.
I’m Daniel, on the channel “Pray with Me”.
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