The true king
by Pauline Simonsen
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King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known … he said, ‘John, whom I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!’ (Mark 6:14a,16b).
Read Mark 6:14–29
King Jesus has come, bringing his kingdom of healing and peace. Of shalom! In Mark 5, we watch as the king speaks his powerful word and frees a man from a hell of demon possession and a woman from a hell of physical infirmity and social exclusion. He raises a child from death. Then, King Jesus sends his disciple ambassadors out to the common people to spread the shalom. These ambassadors are penniless and homeless, but they carry the king’s word of authority and power that brings life. People are healed and released into this kingdom of shalom!
And then we see King Herod.
What contrasting kings!
What contrasting kingdoms!
The false King Herod brings only death. His kingdom is one of greed, lust and selfish corruption. His ambassadors are wined and dined in the palace and entertained with dancing girls. The false king’s words are foolish, and his drunken oath leads to a man’s death – the same man who spoke words of truth to Herod that strangely stirred him. Still, Herod has him killed, his will in service to a dancing girl and a vengeful wife.
Even as Herod presents to the girl the ‘fruit’ of his actions – John the Baptist’s head on a platter – Jesus’ disciples in the next verses present to King Jesus the fruit of their actions: repentant people, healed people, freed people.
Two kings – one false, one true.
Two kingdoms – one of death, one of life.
What a stark contrast the evangelist Mark makes in these chapters! He asks an urgent question: whose kingdom do you belong to? Who is your king?
Thank God, the true king has come to us and claimed us. He spoke his powerful word that calls us to repentance. He gave his life so we can have life. He joined us to himself in baptism. He empowered us with his Spirit. He feeds us with his living bread. And he gives us his rest (Mark 6:31).
Long live King Jesus!
Open our eyes, Lord Jesus, to you as our true king and to the work of your kingdom in us and through us. Take your rightful place as Lord of our lives, and make us bearers of your shalom to those around us. Amen.
Pauline Simonsen is the dean of Emmaus, a Christian training provider for adults in Palmerston North, New Zealand. Pauline is also a spiritual director and enjoys leading retreats or guest speaking for the wider Christian church. She is married to Roger, and they live with two much-loved cats in the beautiful Manawatu region of New Zealand.
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