Gospel of Mark Series: Section 4 Part 2: the death of John the Baptist.

Welcome to my Gospel of Mark Series. During 2012-13, each week, I will write a post about the Gospel of Mark as I review and explore each of the 16 chapters and how it may be applied in our daily lives. My goal is to understand and pray the Gospel of Mark.  I hope you will join me on this journey as we travel through the liturgical season of Year B.  In today's post, we explore chapter 6:14-29 which is the death of John the Baptist.

Between the departure of the twelve on their mission and their return, Mark provides us with the account of the death of John the Baptist,which, in Mark’s Gospel is the only story which is not about Jesus.

This story is important because it points to:

1. the death of Jesus at the hands of the authorities.  
2. a meaning since the placing of this story is the only time Jesus is separated from his disciples.
3. the meaning of discipleship.  During the suffering and death of Jesus, the disciples were separated from Him by unfaithfulness and cowardice, not by being sent on a mission.  
4. similar betrayal.  John is betrayed by Herodias just as Jesus is betrayed by Judas.
5. similar deaths in that John died in loneliness whereas Jesus is deserted by the twelve.
6. the foretelling of the death of Jesus in the way John rebuked Herod with such forthrightness for his unlawful behaviour.  Jesus also proclaimed the gospel in Jerusalem and confronted the powerful leaders there.  
   
   

Let us now our attention to Herod.  Herod in this story was Herod Antipas, a son of Herod the Great in the story of Jesus’ birth, who was the tetrarch of Galilee and Perea from 4BC until 39 AD.  His fear appears to a superstitious dread that John the Baptist whom he had killed was alive again.

Those around Herod offer him misinformation telling him that Jesus was not John, but Elijah or another of the old prophets.

In our journal and/or our discussion group we may wish to reflect on this passage as follows:

• Name the key points that you have learnt about the person of Jesus in this passage of scripture?
• Reflect on the keywords in this passage for they contain the substance and purpose of all the things Jesus said and did-
• Consider my relationship with Jesus as a disciple  in the light of this Gospel passage.
• Reflect on Herod and his confusion and consider my own behaviour in the light of it.
• Consider the role of Herodias. Try to enter into something of her feelings. Is there a Herodias in my behaviour?
• Ponder on the effect of both Herod and Herodias behaviour on the daughter.   
• Reflect on the behaviour of Herod, Herodias and the daughter on the guests. Is social protocol more important than speaking up when an unlawful action is to occur? Do I have the courage to speak out?
• How do I relate to this story of the death of John the Baptist.  Make a list of areas in my life that need a change of heart and develop an action plan on how this change of heart might occur. (eg name an area and name one/two changes that you will implement with God's help.
• What impact does Jesus’ teaching have on you (6:14-29).
• How has this passage spoken to you- what does it say to you personally?