Two Kings. Two Kingdoms.
Text: Mark 6:14–29
Other Lessons: Amos 7:7–15; Psalm 85:1–7 (8–13); Ephesians 1:3–14
Sermon Theme: We are called to reject the path of the kingdoms of this age and follow King Jesus under the reign of God, even if it means our own rejection by the powers of this present evil age.
Sermon Goal: That you would follow the way of the kingdom of God, the way of the cross. Based on a sermon outline in Concordia Pulpit Resources by Rev. Randall L. Pekari,
Sermon: Even when a text doesn’t seem to be about Jesus, it’s still all about Jesus. Mark teaches us to distinguish between the kingdoms of this world and the reign of God.
Two kingdoms. Herod, a worldly ruler, lives in opposition to the reign of God. Jesus, the true King, brings the reign of God near. And We Are Called to Reject the Path of the Kingdoms of This Age and Follow King Jesus under the Reign of God, Even If It Means Our Own Rejection by the Powers of This Present Evil Age.
To which kingdom do we most conform? What values most shape and influence us? Herod displays the values of this present evil age. Herod knows but defies the clear law of God by committing adultery, marrying his living brother’s wife (vv 17–18). He serves the desires of his own flesh and is quite unconcerned with the will of God.
Herod built his palace, even his whole capital city, Tiberius, to imitate the imperial glory and splendor of Rome. He is deeply concerned with fitting in, with conforming to the culture he admires.
Herod throws a wretched party for himself and surrounds himself with “his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee” (v 21). He is deeply concerned with power and prestige.
Herod caves to the pressure of his stepdaughter, wife, and noble guests (vv 22–26). He is deeply concerned with his own honor and pride. Herod orders the execution of John the Baptist (v 27). He wields his power for his own ends, for all his own concerns.
Jesus embodies the values of the reign of God. Jesus lives in perfect obedience to the whole will and law of God. Jesus lives humbly, not in splendor. Jesus associates with sinners and outcasts. He is moved by compassion.. Jesus submits to the will of his Father, enduring scorn and humiliation. Jesus gives his life for those who opposed and rejected him. He does not use his immense power but submits to death so that all sinners, even you and me, might be bought out of this present evil age and made heirs of his kingdom.
We are called to follow King Jesus, conforming to the values of the reign of God. But, To follow the way of the reign of God is to follow the way of the cross. Before all else, to follow the way of the cross is to heed the call to repentance.
This is the persistent message of the kingdom: Repent! John the Baptist came on the scene, “proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (1:4).
After John came Jesus. “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (1:15). Jesus sent out his disciples to preach this same message (6:12). The text for today is set in the middle of this mission.
The call to repentance is not merely a general call to all of humanity. It is a specific call to particular people: Repent. John confronted the specific sin of the adultery of Herod and Herodias (vv 18–19).
The Word of God is calling to you. How can you not respond to John’s and Jesus’ call to repentance? To reject the clear, revealed Word and will of God is to stand with Herod. To reject the clear, revealed Word and will of God is to stand against the reign and rule of God himself and to forfeit a place in that blessed kingdom.
The One who calls you to repent is the same One who gave his life as a ransom to buy you out of sin and death, out of this present evil age. Jesus, moved by compassion for you, endured the humiliation of the cross, the taunts and rejection of his people, all for you. Repentance is always met with forgiveness!
Repent and believe this good news! But be aware that to follow the reign of God, the way of the cross, is to face rejection by the world. The arrest, execution, and burial of John the Baptist foreshadows the arrest, execution, and burial of Jesus.
Therefore, those who follow Jesus will also face the way of the cross. Our text follows immediately after Jesus sends out his disciples to carry out his own mission (6:7–13) and comes immediately before they return to report on their work (6:30). Interrupting the account of the disciples’ mission with this story of John’s execution highlights the reality of the world’s resistance and opposition to God’s message and messengers. John the Baptist, like the disciples, carried the message of the kingdom: Repent!
Mark emphasizes that all who preach this same word and who live in the pattern of the reign of heaven will be in danger. Jesus himself warns of this reality: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (8:34).
This, though, is exactly what we are called to do. This seems like foolishness to the world. Why be a John the Baptist and lose one’s head, when you could be a Herod and enjoy the comforts of Rome?
But Jesus says that the opposite is true in his kingdom. The one who wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for him and the Gospel will save it (8:35). The pleasures of Herod and his kingdom are temporary. The gifts of forgiveness and the kingdom of God are eternal. Those who follow the way of the cross, repenting of sin and trusting in Jesus, will be vindicated in the end of days with their Master and will share in eternal life under the fullness of his kingdom. Amen.