August 29 Decollation of St. John the Baptist
Thank you to Pastor Stephens for the invitation to preach at the evening festival at Emmaus Ev. Lutheran Church, South Bend, IN; and, to the good people of Emmaus for your encouragement and steadfastness.
2023 August 29 Decollation of St. John the Baptist
Jeremiah 1:17-19 17 But you, dress yourself for work;[a] arise, and say to them everything that I command you. Do not be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them.18 And I, behold, I make you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land. 19 They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the Lord, to deliver you.”
Hebrews 11:36-39 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two,[a] they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— 38 of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised,
Mark 6:17-29 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[a] 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.
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Epistle lesson is the conclusion of what is often called the “faith chapter.” While the summary statement is important for us to hear, especially as we reflect upon John’s martyrdom, we also need to hear the beginning of the chapter too. For it describes John’s life, as it describes all the people of faith before and after Christ’s death and resurrection.
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” By faith, sacrifices are offered, life plans are changed, and the faithful enter adverse and dangerous situations. With faith we are assured of God’s presence and His promise of salvation through the cross of Christ. With faith we have hope for forgiveness, peace that passes all understanding, redemption of the world. With faith we are convinced that God’s future is the future that will prevail. Faith assures us that Christ Jesus will come again. We are convinced that God is at work in this world in ways that are a mystery to us. God’s Word of Law and Gospel are at work. We are convinced of this.
John the Baptist lived a faith that is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. He received the Lord’s call to prepare the way for Jesus by calling people to repent and get ready for God’s kingdom amongst them. Faith and the assurance and conviction that it brought, empowered him to address people of every rank and status as sinners in need of repentance. He was compelled to call out the smug hypocrites for what they are. He insisted that people place their faith where it belonged. They were to place their faith in the Lord God, not in their own efforts. The faith that brings assurance and conviction led him to publicly criticize how a ruler, Herod Antipas, was conducting his personal and professional life. For John was convinced, assured, through faith in the one true God, that he was speaking God’s words to people that desperately needed it, whether they realized it or not.
What happens when the people that John speaks to are functionally outside any true awareness of the rule and reign of God? What happens when God’s institutions of Scripture, Synagogue, Temple, and Church, are simply looked upon as a political asset or detriment? Then, God’s Word is not received with appreciation and reflection. The Word of God’s Law can be a difficult word to hear when we are only living for ourselves.
All the people named in the faith chapter encountered challenges to their faith. Yet, they persisted. They persisted precisely because “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets lived and acted with faith. Rahab is also mentioned. Her decision to hide the Israelite spies led to her salvation. On account of faith, she did not perish.
John the Baptist joins a long list of people who lived with faith: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” With his faith in the one true God, he lived in the hope of the coming Christ. He prepared the people for the coming Christ. His faithfulness and prophetic ministry led John to endure suffering and a grisly death. He spoke God’s Law to Herod and Herodias. What was intended as judgment and correction, was received as insult. Mark relates to us the circumstances of John’s death so that we can see just how far afield they were from God’s reign and rule.
In Herod’s household and within his birthday celebration we see a tragically human picture: inebriation leading to bad judgments and rash words, the questionable divorce and remarriage between Herod and Herodias, lust, maybe even incestuous lust, avariciousness, Machiavellian manipulations, pride that is more concerned about his esteem in his neighbors eyes than the prevention of murder of a man who is described as holy and righteous, and the utter lack of backbone to say “no” to his daughter and wife.
Yet, in the midst of this horrid state of human affairs and grotesque display of sin, the light of faith shines forth. “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” John’s faith will be affirmed as he is martyred. While Herodias sneers, John’s faith is fulfilled in the love of Christ Jesus, who dies and rises for him. John prepared the way for the Messiah. Soon afterward, Jesus would upon the cross, prepare the way to heaven for John the Baptist and all others who live by faith.
John the Baptist did not live to see Jesus enter his own passion for the salvation of the world. He did not see Jesus on the cross with his own eyes, nor did he have the pleasure of seeing the open tomb, but he reaped the benefits. This is what God through the author of Hebrews is telling us. Those with faith in God, will receive the full benefit of Christ’s cross and resurrection. “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
We are encouraged by John the Baptist’s life and faith. Whatever our life circumstances or however we die, we shall treasure the faith the Lord has given us. We are baptized. We go forward as sinners who are given the promise of eternal life with God. We have the promise that whenever we repent, God is there to forgive us. We have the promise that Jesus goes to prepare a place for us in His Father’s house. We have a place with God forever.
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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