1. Mark 6:14-29

2. 14 King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known
14 King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known. Some were saying,[b] “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”
15 Others said, “He is Elijah.”
And still others claimed, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago.”
16 But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!”
Authority over:
People (1:16-20, call of disciples)
Spirits (1:21-28)
Sickness
Sin
Uncleanness
Law
Sabbath
Truth
Nature
Death
Honour

3. (The Great) Magi, Slaughter in Bethlehem
HEROD
(The Great) Magi, Slaughter in Bethlehem
Mariamne I
Malthace
Mariamne II
Cleopatra
Aristobulus
Herod Archelaus
Herod II (Philip)
Philip the Tetrarch
Bernice
Herodias
Herod Antipas
Herod Antipas
Phasaelis
Herodias
17 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. 
Salome is Herod (the Great)’s
Granddaughter
Great Granddaughter
Daughter in Law
Great Granddaughter in Law
Herod Agrippa
Salome
Herodias
Herodias
Herod of Chalcis

4. John the Baptist Reproving Herod. John Rogers Herbert.
Herod feared John, knowing him to be righteous and holy. Knew there was something Godly here – something worth fearing.
Herod listened to John (liked to, was greatly puzzled – get the feeling it was intellectual titillation??)
Simple question. Why did Herod kill John:
John the Baptist Reproving Herod. John Rogers Herbert.

5. Herod’s Birthday Feast. Edward Armitage
Simple question. Why did Herod kill John:
Because Herodias tricked him?
Because of his oaths and dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her.
He didn’t want to back down in front of his mates (peer pressure)
Where his honour was coming from. He certainly had honour in his “home” town. And it bound him.
Choices. We all make them all the time. The most human thing (the gift of free will – Adam/Eve, the outrageous risk that God ran – and the price he paid). Think of any story, tragedy or hero – it all hinges on choices made.
And we see ourselves in them all. (Situation – Human reaction – choice)
Herodias – bore a grudge. The power of forgiveness.
Salome – seems gleeful. A chance to be the centre. Fancy tickled.
Herod – loss of face. What others think.
Fruit of the spirit includes self control!! Break link between reaction and choice.
Herod’s Birthday Feast. Edward Armitage

6. Herod was greatly distressed. He knew what was going on
Herod was greatly distressed. He knew what was going on. Saddest verse in the Bible, Mark 10:22.
Knowing what is at stake and not being able to make the right decision. Day by day, moment by moment.
Saw, but didn’t explore. Thought but didn’t act. Played with the truth but didn’t weigh it.
Serious enough to consider the possibility of resurrection!
Tragic tale, people trapped in their own stories, no redeeming features. What’s missing? Jesus (only story Mark relates that doesn’t have Jesus).
Next week Jesus is back and Herod’s feast, where a few gorge and ogle and deception plays and vanity is tickled and murder results is replaced by green grass and thousands of people, not enough to go around and yet somehow everyone has more than enough – Jesus is back and the chance of being in a new story with him.
The Executioner Presents the Head of St John the Baptist to King Herod Giambattista Langetti