14 King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some said, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” 15 But others said, “He is Elijah.” And others said, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” 16 But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” 17 For it was Herod who had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because he had married her. 18 For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not, 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly.
21 But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. 22 For when Herodias’s daughter 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 to you.” 23 And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.” 24 And she went out and said to her mother, “For what should I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.” 25 And she came in immediately with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” 26 And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. 27 And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison 28 and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
It just did not seem fair. She had been a stalwart member of my parish for years, one of the pillars whom I could always depend upon. She had adult developmentally disabled children, who needed their mom. She was a good and faithful servant of God. How could she now, suddenly, be dying of cancer?
John the Baptist died because a pretty girl danced. Can you imagine anything less fair and sensible? I can only compare it to sitting in a hospital room with my dying friend and holding her hand, helpless to ease her pain. The king did not want to kill John. His wife was not so fond of the Baptizer because he asked very uncomfortable questions about her current marriage, but the king had not taken his life. Then the pretty girl danced, and he made a foolish promise, and John was killed.
This world sometimes does not make sense. This account of John’s demise falls immediately between the account of Jesus sending out his disciples two by two and their return. It is not an accident that Mark tells this story here. We too are sent out into this world to bear witness to Jesus. We meet apathy, indifference, opposition, even persecution. Much of it does not make sense. Do not be surprised at that. God’s kingdom, the forgiveness of sins, the love of God for you and the rest of the world in Christ, does not make sense to the world. These two kingdoms operate on diametrically opposed logical bases. They do not understand each other. God’s kingdom, however, does prevail in its time. John shall rise to new life and the banality of his death shall be overshadowed by the outpouring of God’s gracious kingdom and no one shall oppose it.