READING Mark 6:14-29

King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known. Some were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” Others said, “He is Elijah.” And still others claimed, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago.” But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!”

For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him. Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you.”  And he promised her with an oath, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” “The head of John the Baptist,” she answered. At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison, and brought back his head on a platter. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother. On hearing of this, John’s disciples came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

SERMON

Our Gospel this morning is all about the ministry and death of that enigmatic character – John the Baptist. As I was thinking about John the Baptist, I wondered what would life be like in our parish if the Bishop had introduced John the Baptist as priest in charge?

Can you imagine, for example inviting John the Baptist round for dinner. What would you expect? Well he certainly wouldn’t have turned up in a suit, shirt and tie. What you would have got was a rugged man with a slightly disheveled look. And if we were honest, he’d probably look more like a homeless person rather that a new priest.

And if you asked him if he had any dietary requirements he would tell you that he’s vegetarian. And he would then probably add: “Actually I only eat locusts and honey in the summer season.” That would be enough to drive any sane hostess up the wall.

John the Baptist would not have been a prime candidate for the Foreign Office. He was not diplomatic enough. He called a spade a spade – or even something euphemistically equivalent.

I wonder what his topic of conversation he would have with you over the dinner table. John the Baptist had few social graces. When the Pharisees and Sadducees came out to look at his work, did he welcome them as honourable persons of the religious establishment?

Did he smile and exchange pleasantries over breakfast? Did he try to engage them in polite conversation about their work? Did he ask them for their own perspective on the Messiah? Did he meet with them at the Churches together to further interfaith dialogue? No, but he did call them a bunch of poisonous snakes that were soon to be consumed by the flames of hell? Not the way to make friends and influence people is it? Not only did he alienate the religious leaders but we find in the Gospel this morning that he fell out with the bigwig – King Herod, himself.

John was a visionary voice calling the people back to their commitment to God. He told Herod that he was committing adultery by marrying his brother Philip’s wife Herodias and that he should stop. And that eventually cost him his head.

But John didn’t care for “the Good and the Great” in the land– He cared only for the things of God. Could you imagine his first Christmas sermon here in Kirkby with a full church? What do you think his message would have been? Would it have been a cliché about simply going on “being loving to one another?” or would he have called us to repent and seek the things of God? I tend to think the latter.

John the Baptist was not a conformer. Obviously no one had given him the book for Christmas “How to make friends and influence people”.

The world, in which we live demands conformity. It demands that we live, think and act just like everybody else. Those who have the courage to resist may face great opposition and ostracism in their life.

Henry David Thoreau, an American poet once said: “If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music that he hears, however measured and far away”.

Do you hear a different drummer? John the Baptist did. It is essential that we listen to the voice of God inside of us. We are called as St. Paul said, not to be conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, so that we may discern what is the will of God.

What was John the Baptist’s mission? Mark tells us that John’s mission was to preach “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Mk 1:4) And that would have been shocking to the religious Jews of the day.

The only time baptism was used was when a Gentile became a Jew. But here we read that John the Baptist baptised them as if they were “Gentile dogs” – to use a first century Jewish expression. But wasn’t that the message? In God’s sight their actions were beyond the pail – because God has absolute standards. God has high standards. Even your thoughts count.

So in conclusion the local people loved John the Baptist because “he walked the talk”. He practised what he preached. Jesus said this about John the Baptist: I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist. (Mt 11:11)

We might think that John the Baptist was over the top, but Jesus took John seriously and if we are Jesus’ followers we would do well to head John’s message too.

Jesus himself said that the Church’s mission is to preach repentance and forgiveness of sins in his (Jesus’) Name to all nations ….(Lk 24:45-47). It’s the same message that John the Baptist preached.

John mission can be summed up by three R’s 1. Recognising my own sin; 2. Receiving God’s forgiveness; 3. Reforming my life

If John’s mission is going to impact us – if we are going to swim against the stream, we need to heed John’s call, and to live a life totally dedicated to God.

Story: In the 13th Century, Thomas Aquinas and the pope Alexander IV were discussing the beauty and riches of the Vatican. Alluding to the passage in Acts 3 where Peter and John said to the crippled beggar “Silver and Gold have I none, but what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” (Acts 3:6) – the pope said: “ Well, Thomas, the church can no longer say: Silver and Gold have I none”. To which Thomas replied: “Nor can the church any longer say to the crippled “rise up and walk”

When I look at the problems facing the Church – I wonder if a part of the problem is that we have lost the commitment to the Will and Mission of God that John the Baptist – and indeed the Early Church – had? Amen

PRAYERS

Father we give you thanks for John the Baptist and the way he stood against an evil rule. We thank you for the gift of your kingdom to us. We rejoice in our freedom and the freedom of our Church and country. We ask that your Church may reflect your love in the way it cares for the outcast and the needy. We remember all who are persecuted for their faith or for making a stand against evil. We pray especially for Christians who are seeking to improve corrupt societies and governments.

Lord in your mercy hear our prayer

We give thanks for the work of the United Nations and its efforts to bring peace and unity to our world. We pray for all who are caught up in war and violence. We remember those who have lost loved ones and those who do not know where their loved ones are. We ask your blessing on the work of all those who risk their lives for the freedom of others.

Lord in your mercy hear our prayer

Father, may our families reflect the love and unity of your kingdom. Bless our families and friends with the joy of your presence. We ask your love to strengthen al who are in homes where there is oppression and where lives are not valued.

Lord in your mercy hear our prayer

God, we thank you for the freedom you have won for us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. We remember before you all who are slaves to sin and vice. We pray for drug addicts, alcoholics, those who gamble away their lives. We remember also those who are imprisoned by their illness or incapacity and who long for a fuller and richer life.

Lord in your mercy hear our prayer

Lord, we pray for the time when your kingdom will come on earth as it is in heaven. We long for justice and freedom for all peoples. We join our prayers with our loved ones departed and all your saints, praying that we may know your rule and enjoy your presence.

Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our saviour Jesus Christ. Amen

And so we bind our prayers together in the words that Jesus taught his disciples

Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory,
For ever and ever.

Amen

Revd Kevin.
Associate Priest
St.Wilfrid and St.Thomas