The Dance to Life        The Sixth Sunday After Pentecost    July 16, 2006

If made for T.V. movies were around in the first century, the story in Mark 6 would have been a ready made script. All the juicy elements are there, violence, adultery, jealousy, intrigue, and manipulation. Lord knows we are familiar with these sins in today’s culture. There are people in power that have no moral compass nor value of human life. That was true back then, and it’s true today.

King Herod was like that. He killed people just to show that he was boss and to establish his power. In his mind, anyone who threatened his power was a threat to his nation. He actually believed that his own security was so important, he would kill anyone who challenged his character or reputation. Thank God he didn’t have access to modern weapons.

His lust for power was eclipsed only by his sexual desire and lust. Of course the biblical teaching has always been that anyone who has sex outside of marriage, or even lusts for it has already committed adultery in their heart. Of his many sins, one that left him most vulnerable was adultery. Apparently, King Herod thought adultery was it was his privilege as king.

As Mark tells it, the story opens with King Herod hearing rumors about someone named Jesus. He's been talking about a new kingdom that is coming by the power of God. He's not quite sure what to make of him. Some say he's one of the Jewish prophets, like Elijah. Others say he is like another John the Baptist.

That bothers King Herod, because he had just had John's head cut off. It's something he wishes never happened. Truth is, King Herod liked listening to John. John was telling people to repent, that the reign of God was about to begin. Herod didn't always agree with him, but he knew he was a good man, even a holy man. The text says "When he heard John, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he like to listen to him."

Why did he did he murder the John the Baptist, you ask? Now Mark’s story tells us by giving us a flashback, like we see in many movies. The story goes back to an earlier time to explain what is happening when John had criticized Herod for marrying Herodias. She was his brother's wife, and king Herod’s own niece. John the Baptist publicly exposed and condemned Herod’s adultery to the crowds of people that regularly came to listen to him. And everyone who ever heard the book of Leviticus knew what Herod did was wrong.

Herod might have silenced John, however, he also knew that John was very popular with people, and was a good man. So he did not press the issue. As much as Herod was angry at John, his wife Herodias despised him for exposing the scandal of her sexual exploits. So she plotted her revenge, and as the text says, "an opportunity came," even though she didn't plan it that way.

One night, Herod held a big birthday party for himself, and all the big shots and leaders were there. Herodias had a young daughter from her previous marriage, Solome. No doubt she noticed how Herod looked at her daughter, especially when she danced. The band was playing and Solome began to dance, and dance and dance.

I know that dance, and so do you. Many years ago as a musician, I played music in bars and clubs. I know what makes people dance, and the kind of moves involved. The alcohol and the music and the dancing all set the stage for people to entertain their own desires. Between the music, the alcohol, and the people at the party, Herod could hardly resist the opportunity to make a pass at his step daughter. So he said, "Ask me whatever you wish and I will give it to you."

What would a young girl, who lived in the first century want from a rich and all powerful king? Now I suppose Herod expected to her to ask for something expenisive that he would give her, beautiful dresses or sparkling jewels. That's not what she did. Instead, she went over to her mother, Herodias and had a private conversation. All Herod's buddies were waiting, while Solome and her mother Herodias spoke in whispers.

After all the whispering was over, Solome made her request. "I want the head of John the Baptist on a silver platter." Notice she didn’t ask for a quiet execution, but one that was so gruesome, it would send a message to anyone who critisized the queen.

"Now Herod was deeply grieved," says our text. Grieved because he was between a rock and a hard place. He didn't want to go back on his promise to the young girl in front of his friends. And he also knew people would be upset if he killed the popular prophet. Perhaps even at some level, he liked John because John was speaking the truth, and was giving a message that was the only way to a lasting hope and peace. But then there was the young dancing Solome, and her maniplating mother. Then there were his friends who gave him power and prestige. What to do? Herod has reason to be grieved.

I think this is dilemma we face daily. We can hear the Word of God, and we know it is true, and know what is good and right, but we have trouble doing it. We enjoy listening to the Word, even though we are often preplexed by it. Many people, even those who don't go to worship, appreciate a good prophetic message when they hear it, even when it is against them.

I also know there is the seductive powers that come with life, power and presitige, pride and vanity. We know those, too. These seductive powers continually dance around and arouse our desires and at least for the moement, they make us feel like we are on top of the world. Even though we know what is right, we can appreciate the seductive power of Solome's dance. The mark of true character is one who will not let lustful desires cloud their reponsibility.

I can also understand Herodias’ problem. Who has not felt the disdain for someone who criticizes us, especially when the critic smears our name and our personal business in public like John was doing? While we may not call for their execution, we can find ways of cutting off our critics, even if their is some truth to what they are speaking.

"The gospel is bad news before it is good news." Writes Fredricck Buechner, in his book Telling the Truth."It is the news that we are sinners, to use the old word, that we are evil in the immagination of our hearts. We are seduced again by the dancing of power and prestigue.

Remember the story of Snow White and The seven Dwarfs. - Like the wicked queen in the story, we would like to somehow get rid, or put down our rivals. But when we look in the mirror and ask, who is the fairst one of all, the mirror tells the us the truth about ourselves. The truth that Jesus brought, the gospel, is like a mirror. The gospel shows us for what we are. We are not as good and beautiful as we would like to be. The ugliness of sin is still in the reflection. Herod and Heroditas could not stop God's word or change God's will by killing John the Baptist.

Herod had already heard about another man named Jesus, who also was calling people to repent, but now he was saying that God's Kingdom was beginning. Jesus, like John, was also attracting large crowds. Like John, Jesus was also arrested. But when Jesus stood before Herod, he sent him back to the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate. Perhaps Herd learned something from the way he handled John’s execution, and he let Pilate do the dirty work of executing him on a cross. Also like John, Jesus body was sealed in a tomb.

However, Jesus death was different from John’s death. God's raised Jesus from the dead. So the final message is this. In spite of the whole bloody mess, the power of good, the righteousness of God will prevail in God’s kingdom. With his resurrection, the kingdom of God has begun and has been opened for us.

As for us, we are sinners who are subject to the seductive power of sin, false pride, jealousy, greed, lust and all the rest. But to those who repent, Jesus offers us forgiveness. By following Christ, we can live in his the grace of his resurrection. And that leads to a life of hope and joy. We will not only do the right things, but we will protect the rights of our neighbor. We will work for justice in the hope of God’s peace in Christ. We are a new creation in Christ. This is not a future promise, but an eternal promise. It begins now and continues for all time.

Let us dance to a different tune. Not the tune of lust and gluttony, envy and greed, but the song of love and forgiveness. Not the tune of injustice and violence, but of justice and righteousness. Let us sing the songs that praise God’s mercy, righteousness and love. Let God call the tune, and we will dance in joy and peace, now and forever. Amen!