The Two Step
Mark 6:14-29
Last weekend, our family was in Cleveland OH for a wedding. I officiated the marriage of this darling couple. The Groom, I have known since he was in elementary school. It was a touching and gorgeous ceremony followed by a raucous reception that included introductions, toasts, dinner and dancing with a live band. The Bride and Groom are hilarious and fun. She and her dad danced to My Girl while the Groom and his mom got their groove on, and it was totally Tik Tok worthy.
Almost everyone took to the dance floor. Allan and I danced more than we have in years! It was so much fun. Now, in the past I might have been more self-conscious about my dancing... Fearing that I looked like Elaine from Seinfeld in the famous scene kick-dancing with her thumbs in the air, jerking like she was having muscle spasms more than dance moves. But nothing is more fun than kicking your inhibitions to the curb and cutting a rug! When was the last time you danced?
[a little side to side, keeping it right here; Cha cha slide – Texas Two Step Ball room dancing? Line dancing? Square dancing?]
In today’s scripture texts, there is a lot of dancing. King David is dancing in his skivvies before the Lord and all of Israel as the Ark of the Covenant is brought into Jerusalem. He is celebrating the almighty presence of God among them.
In the Gospel story, Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great, is throwing his own birthday party where his stepdaughter dances for his guests. His guests include the chief of state, his political advisers, military commanders, county leaders; the influencers of his day. He has invited those who lend him power and popularity just by being there. He is 100% preoccupied by ambition and envy. Soon we will see that fear and compromise quickly overtake any good intentions he might have. [1]
John the Baptist and Herod have had a relationship in which Herod gave ear to John’s message and teaching. He found him compelling, interesting, passionate. John challenges all his listeners to repent. He confronts authorities, calls out the hypocritical.[2] Herod is no exception. He is not known for his good morals. Herod has been called a “petty Jewish prince under strong Roman influence”. In other words, as a “part-Jewish native in the Herodian dynasty,” he would only follow the Torah, Jewish Law, when it was “expedient and politically convenient to do so.” (Myers, 215-216)
So, when Herod takes a second wife, his brother’s ex, for political gain, John calls him out. Speaking truth to power is John’s bread and butter. Herodias, wife number 2, likes her new position in Herod’s court and wants the prophet shut down. Despite his likely affection for John, Herod puts him in jail. I’m not suggesting Herod is bullied by his wife into doing this. He relishes the opportunity to show a community getting caught up in the spiritual (but also socio-political) movement that John is leading, who is really in charge. These two --Herod and Herodias -- are of equal depravity. They are immoral, unethical, self-absorbed leaders who let nothing stand in their way – allowing their stupidity to turn deadly (Skinner).
At the banquet, Herod’s stepdaughter, the daughter of Herodias dances for Herod’s guests. The truth is Mark probably got it wrong, or a word was lost in translation, when he referred to the daughter as Herodias. Though she is unnamed in the gospel; art, legend, and other historical writings, like that of Josephus, refer to her as Salome. These portrayals also suggest undertones, more implicit than explicit that the dance was of an erotic nature. Salome is not completely innocent in the story, but assuming that from the text, labeling her a striptease categorizes a young woman in ways our culture often does, when she is more of a pawn than anything else. It seems more probable that she is exploited by her stepfather who wants to please a room full of male guests, and also later by her own mother who tells her to ask Herod to execute John.
Despite his relationship to John, he follows through on the reckless pledge he’s publicly made to reward his stepdaughter with up to half his kingdom. He said it in front of everyone that he would give her whatever she asked, so he is bound to do it because he is not a whole-enough, strong-enough SELF, to renege in front of his courtiers. He fears what they will say about him if he dismisses her request. He will lose face. Herod’s cowardice and shameless want for power and popularity cost a prophet his life – a movement, its leader. It is an ugly scene.
WHY this story, right here? In the middle of Jesus’ unfolding ministry. In the middle of the summer! On my first Sunday with you I get to talk about a senseless murder brought on by two self-serving, sorry-excuses for leaders. The previous paragraph in Mark is about the mission of the apostles. The placement of this sordid tale links the mission of the Twelve to John the Baptist. John came to prepare the way for Jesus. And he does that both in death and in life. The disciples must realize that THIS mission, following Jesus may cost them everything.
The news of John’s death must have hit the disciples and Jesus like a gut punch. We don’t know how Jesus reacted other than he immediately continued teaching and preaching, healing, confronting power structures in order to continue the movement John started. In vs. 16, Herod believes that Jesus is actually John’s ghost come back to haunt him. He is not entirely wrong. John was executed because he preached repentance (specifically to Herod!); and Jesus indeed took up John’s mantle and message upon his arrest. He assumes full leadership of the movement now. He is the one calling for repentance of those who lord over the least of these.
The political destiny of those who proclaim repentance those who want to upend power structures is always the same… Now we understand why this story has been inserted into the narrative of the apostle’s mission. The script has been written for Jesus and those who will follow him. They inherit this mission. They inherit its destiny.[3]
What I want us to hear today is the good news of this story in its very last verse. When the disciples heard about John’s death, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.
Unwavering.
Refusing to be intimidated.
They show up and claim him as one of their own.
Turning their mourning into dancing, they demonstrate two characteristics I think we should pay attention to: faithful resistance partnered with courageous hope (Skinner).
This is not Jesus, from whom we expect an ability to channel the divine courage he needs. These are regular human beings. No doubt fearful in the wake of John’s murder. Faulty followers who find in themselves enough personal fortitude to give John a proper burial; and then to live out their mission despite what it may, what it will, cost them.
John believed a different world was about to emerge. God was ushering in a whole new way of understanding success and significance. Money, power, and position were not rewards for true discipleship. Service to the least of these; hospitality to the disenfranchised; table fellowship with outsiders — This is faithful resistance. The reward comes in the community that is built when we do these things.
There will always be a Tango between those who bear God’s message of love and acceptance for all and the Powers that Be. The Gospel of Mark does not promise or nourish any hopes for easy discipleship.
Practicing radical hospitality,
Neighboring as a church here in this community,
Lending a hand to those who need it
Caring for the down and out
Encouraging someone through a difficult life-stage
THIS is the mission to which we are called as people of the good news. This is the way Weatherly dances in this community… practicing faithful resistance.
The second part of this two-step is Courageous Hope. So many divine messages begin with “Be not afraid.” “Do not fear.” (Moses, Elijah, Mary, Shepherds…) God’s call began in each of them with the words, Do not be afraid. Fear leads to the dark side (Yoda). Fear leads to death. It was Herod’s fear that cost John his life. Courage, on the other hand - or more literally, openheartedness – leads to life (McEntyre). Courageous hope recognizes the risks and believes that what we do makes a difference. Where have you witnessed courageous hope?
Back in March, mourners arrived at an orthodox church in Moscow to pay respects to Russian opposition leader, Alexei Navalny. Navalny was imprisoned for speaking out against the policies of V. Putin, against Russia’s aggression toward Ukraine. He died mysteriously in a remote arctic prison. Crowds gathered outside the church in support of Navalny and in spite of the Kremlin’s heavy hand against any opposition. They were photographed by people dressed in all black who had their faces covered. Those who came brought their identification papers and a change of clothes in case they were detained just for attending. Even knowing the risks, they came.[4]
Courageous hope is showing up with compassion and love and conviction even when it is risky; even when it may cost you dearly.
As we serve and minister in this community, I want us to be brave! like the disciples. There will always be Herods who want to exploit our kindness; or kill our spirits; or shut down what we believe God has called us to do! But WE must hold on to truth. Speaking truth to power. Refusing to be intimidated by the meanness in this world.
May God give us the Courage to dance like wedding guests at the end of a long reception – without inhibition! Amen.
[1] Skinner, Matt. https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/ordinary-15-2/commentary-on-mark-614-29-6
[2] McEntyre, Marilyn https://www.christiancentury.org/lectionary/july-14-ordinary-15b-mark-6-14-29
[3] Myers, Ched. Binding the Strong Man, a political reading of Mark’s Story of Jesus
[4] https://www.npr.org/2024/03/02/1235517928/alexei-navalnys-funeral-shows-his-legacy-will-live-on-in-russian-politics