Mark 6:14-29, “Folly and Faithfulness”

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Mark recounts the death of John the Baptist at the hands of Herod after Jesus sends his disciples out on mission. The connection is clear—faithfulness to Jesus will be opposed, and in this case, John was murdered for it.

But there’s more for us to learn from this poignant scene carried out at Herod’s birthday party. We see a perplexed Herod who is attracted to John’s message but troubled by it as well. Eventually sin blinds him, and he calls for John’s death. By contrast, in John we see an incredible picture of faithfulness to Jesus.