Recently I read about the infancy narratives in Luke in a book about John the Baptist.  This listed the extensive parallels in Luke between the birth of John the Baptist and the birth of Jesus.  But today, reading Mark’s account of the death of John the Baptist, I thought that there are strong parallels between the death of John the Baptist and the death of Jesus.  This is an exploration of those parallels.

Mark 6:14-25 King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some were saying, “John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him.” 15 But others said, “It is Elijah.” And others said, “It 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 Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her. 18 For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. 21 But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. 22 When his daughter Herodias 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.” 23 And he solemnly swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.” 24 She went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the baptizer.” 25 Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” 26 The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. 27 Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, 28 brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.

I have stuck here to the Gospel of Mark.  The parallels are evident for a person who is looking carefully at the narrative.  I believe, therefore, that Mark wrote his Gospel with the deliberate intent that the reader should see these parallels between the life of John the Baptist and the life of Jesus.  I want to suggest, then, that given the parallels between John the Baptist and Jesus, we might expect that the Gospel of Mark has given us a paradigm for the Christian life.  Let me suggest how that paradigm will play out in the Christian life:

1)      Both John the Baptist and Jesus were designated as prophet.  As such their proclamation was against the sin of individuals and the culture.  Proclaiming the gospel in its fullness will always involve speaking out against the sins of individuals and culture.  In this sense every Christian is a prophet in his or her proclamation of the gospel.

2)      The result of this prophetic ministry for both John and Jesus was that people desired to shut them up by arresting them and killing them.  For Christians in Australia who critique the culture of today and speak out against sin there will be people who desire to stop that voice.  This will lead to persecution of some kind.  This may involve vilification, possibly legal action, arrest, financial penalty etc.  In many countries arrest and execution are not uncommon for Christians who live openly as believers.

3)      Like Herod and Pilate, there will be many whose consciences make them desirous of protecting Christian people.  This, however, is a fragile protection, subject to the pressures which come upon such people from those who want to silence the Christian witness.  Eventually, that weak protection will come to an end, because the conscience of an unbeliever is not strong enough without the enabling of the Holy Spirit.

4)      As with Herod and Judas, the opportune time will come for the persecution of Christians will arise.  This may happen because those who are protecting Christians are given economic advantage or they are enticed by some other incentive which they are not strong enough to pass up.  When the opportune time comes serious persecution will come.

5)      Herod and Pilate, both men with political power wanted to satisfy the people.  Politicians are not different at heart to these men.  They desire to be liked by the masses and will therefore work against Christians if they perceive that this will gain them favour with the majority of Australians.  I doubt that Australia’s “Christian Heritage” will protect Christians when that opportune time comes.

None of this is intended to scare people, but rather to prepare people.  “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,” (2 Tim 3:12).  These biblical examples are given to us to encourage us to live godly lives in obedience to the calling of the Father.  This godly life involves both the prophetic call to proclaim repentance from sin, and a willingness to suffer persecution as a result of that proclamation.  Unlike the unbelievers who have no strength when temptation comes, Christian men and women are given the anointing of the Holy Spirit in order to stand when the day of evil comes.  The strength of the Holy Spirit will be required for us to walk in this way.  Let us, then, pray for that strength to walk in obedience regardless of the personal cost.