Bystander Part 2

Mark 6

“For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her. For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he liked to listen to him. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests, and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.” And he swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the baptizer.” Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” The king was deeply grieved, yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her.  Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl.”

This whole event was shocking to those of us in attendance.

Well, actually, maybe it shouldn’t have been quite so shocking. Not if you knew Herod. Not if you knew how he operated. Not if you knew the ego that drove him. Not if you knew how erratic he could be.

In any case, none of us arrived at the birthday banquet with any idea that, before it was over, we’d see the head of John the Baptist displayed on a platter. Speaking for myself, the vulgar showing of the head, in front of the guests at the banquet, seemed as if it was a trophy from a hunting party.

You are no doubt familiar with John. I certainly was. Even though I was important enough to be invited to the banquet, as one of Herod’s officers, I was also secretly a follower of John. And I knew of the conflict between Herod and John, and why Herod kept John locked up.

You see, John spoke out publicly against Herod, accusing him of sinful behavior against his brother Philip. Herod had married Herodias while she was still married to Philip, and only after Herod had divorced his first wife.

I’m sure you know that John was outspoken about God’s law. He could never be accused of compromising or giving in when face-to-face with a powerful opponent. And so, he would not relent in his criticism of Herod. Backing down to power was not in John’s makeup, and I am certain that he was willing to pay any price for his faithfulness to our YHWH God.

The guests at the banquet included all of the top supporters of Herod, at the highest level. And you should understand that Herod could throw a great party. Actually, it was part of the image that he sought to project: the generous benefactor, rewarding the loyalty of those who were willing to serve him without question.

And loyalty was all-important to Herod. He even employed spies, tasked with uncovering any enemy who might conceivably oppose him. And he could be ruthless in punishing any hint of disloyalty. Those of us in his service lived in the unsteady grace of a leader who could turn on us at a moment’s notice.

For Herod, even his generosity was self-serving. So, the birthday banquet was aimed at keeping those closest to him in line with his wishes. We were certainly expected to profusely praise and thank him for his largesse. And we did.

You should also understand that dancing girls were not only unusual at such an event, but more, they were seen as outside of our strict Jewish faith. Personally, I was shocked to see the young girl brought out to perform for us. But again, as with the divorce and marriage to Herodias, Herod saw the law as nothing more than a slight inconvenience. So, he was always ready to show himself as superior to any conformity to it.

And then, there were the oaths. In our day, a “big man” makes many oaths to demonstrate his power and his position. I hope that in your day, men of power display more prudent judgment.

Herod’s oath to give her “even half” of his kingdom was, we all understood, an exaggeration. We knew that, and likely, so did she. But her response, after consulting with her mother, genuinely surprised everyone. Herod himself was backed into a corner by her response, and his ego could not admit any error or sign of remorse.

And so, the deed was done. The festivity of the party was quickly broken as we realized the gravity of what should have been a light-hearted exchange between the girl and Herod. Suddenly, the party had become deadly serious.

Salome With the Head of John the Baptist

Caravaggio, 1607

Almost a year has now passed from last year’s infamous banquet. After the party, John’s body was quickly taken and buried by some of his followers. His voice of judgment against Herod was silenced forever. But the memories of John still linger, and his truths continue to echo, but only in secret, outside the palace.

I’m wondering if we will celebrate Herod’s birthday with a big party again this year.

And what’s more, a new name is now on the lips of many in our land. The name of Jesus of Nazareth has spread, as amazing stories of his healings and teachings have reached far into the countryside.

Thanks to his spies, the name of Jesus has also reached Herod. I must wonder about that.

As for me, I want to learn more about this Jesus. The stories I hear about him amaze me. And if even half of them are true, I fear for Jesus. Like John, he does not seem to be one who will bow to the authority of the powerful of our day. Including Herod.

I still wonder, too, about last year’s banquet. Like the other guests, I sat and listened to Herod as he piled praise after praise upon himself. I watched as he brought out the girl, the daughter of Herodias, his illicit wife. I said nothing as she danced for the party, violating social norms that were shocking to most of the guests. And I winced as Herod boasted about his oath to her and as she came back with the request for John’s head.

Could I have spoken out? Could I have tried to inject some sense of integrity into the proceedings? It would have been a bold move on my part, but perhaps I could have made a difference. Perhaps I could have saved John from the cruel whim of Herodias and the acquiescence of Herod.

And what about the rest? What about the bigger picture? The total corruption of Herod? His abuses of power? His persecution of perceived enemies? Could I have spoken or done anything to curb his worst impulses? Could I do so even now?

What if? What if I had stopped being a bystander to the excesses that I saw? What if I had shown just a fraction of the courage of John? And what about now? His abuses of power have certainly not abated, and the death of John has removed the only person willing to oppose him.

I wonder. If I had spoken out, and if I do so now, what price would I pay for my boldness? Would I be willing to pay with imprisonment, or even with my life, as John did? I have much to lose.

What would my voice and my actions be worth? Can I decide to no longer be a bystander to such evil?

What would you do?