“Better Than Any Soap”

July 14, 2024

Mark 6:14–29

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.” But others said, “It is Elijah.” And others said, “It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.”

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. For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, 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. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. 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.” And he solemnly swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the baptizer.” 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.” The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.

*****

In the early years of television, daytime dramas were a programming staple. The nickname “soap opera” was coined for them because soap companies were primary advertisers. Over time, soap operas became associated with improbable, but enticing story lines involving long-lost relatives, secret affairs, amnesia, and family estrangements.

In 1964 the genre arrived in primetime with “Peyton Place.” By the 70’s primetime soap operas were all the rage and became some of the longest running shows in the history of TV drama. “Dallas” ran for 13 seasons and managed to hook male viewers with two dominant characters working in the Texas oil business, the scheming J.R. Ewing and his do-gooder brother, Bobby.

“Dynasty” set in Denver, copied the oil scion theme. The women of “Dynasty” set the fashion standards for 1980s and their catfights were legendary. Joan Collins, who was the leading star, said those fights, “were probably a little over the top, but that’s what made it ‘Dynasty.”

In more recent years, primetime soap operas included Downton Abbey, The Sopranos, Desperate Housewives and many more.

Romance is the cornerstone of all soap operas and the aim is to tap into viewer’s emotions. But there are three crucial elements that occur in them that are central to all storylines. They are births, weddings and deaths.

This reading about the death of John the Baptist is one of the more dramatic stories of the Bible. It really could encapsulate an episode of a prime time soap opera. The story includes a royal birthday party which is filled with political intrigue, seduction, and death — with enough behind-the-scenes plotting to satisfy the most avid mystery fan.

The story begins with king Herod. He has heard of Jesus’ deeds of power and holds more than a casual interest in the good things about Jesus. Herod is the one who would play a big part in the execution of Jesus

Herod’s wife is Herodias — who becomes one of the Bible’s most famous villainesses. She was a Jewish princess and a ruler of Galilee. She had married Herod’s brother and given birth to a daughter. It is not long before Herod and Herodias fall in love while they were still married.

If you are guessing the plot, you are correct. Herod and Herodias divorce their spouses and promptly get married. This caused outrage among the people, who saw it as a violation of the Jewish law because it was forbidden for a man to marry his brother’s divorced wife.

Another central character in this story is John the Baptist. We know him from the stories of his work preparing the way for Jesus to appear on the scene fort he start of his three-year ministry.

In this soap-opera story, John has been speaking publicly about this sordid affair and marriage — so much so that Herod had John thrown in jail.

But what happens next is ironic. Herod visits John in jail because he silently admires John. He comes to appreciate his honesty and integrity.

However, Herod’s wife didn’t hold the same affinity for John. She loathed him and wanted to kill John. But Herod, even though he admired John, also feared him for the power he held. So, Herodias is stymied in her desire for murder. We are told: “But she could kill John, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man.” Herod soon will become stuck his admiration for John and his wife’s death wish for him.

But soon the plot thickens. An opportunity for Herodias to act arises when Herod throws himself a birthday party and invites the important and powerful people of the region.

As the party begins, Herodias’ daughter arrives and seems to have been taken up by the festivity, so she begins to dance. This thrilled Herod and his guests — so he decides to reward his stepdaughter for her dancing. He calls to her and says, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it — even half of my kingdom.”

The girl runs over to her mother for help in deciding what she should ask for. Herodias tells her daughter, “Ask for head of John the baptizer.” Curiously, the girl isn’t aghast at this request, and quickly rushes back to Herod and said; “I want you to give me the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”

Herod’s stomach must have flipped! But, afraid to break a promise to the girl made before all the important guests, Herod consents. Before the birthday party is over, the girl receives John’s head on a platter.

This would be a season cliffhanger if it was a primetime soap opera. But this is the Bible. So where is the good news in this story? What is our takeaway?

I wonder if Mark writes this story not to reveal good news, but to show us what is at stake when the good news is rejected. Maybe Herod has something to teach us by way of negative example. Maybe this is the story of what happens when we treat truth of GOD’s ways too casually. Or neutrally. When we approach this good news of Jesus with curiosity, perplexity, and maybe even fascination — but then get stuck, never crossing over from spectatorship to discipleship. After all, Jesus does not want audience members; he wants followers.

In between the plot lines of this sordid story, Marks tells us that Herod “enjoys listening” to John. This is an interesting tidbit. Herod enjoys listening to a man who has called him out as an adulterer. Why? I think it is because the truth, which often hurts, compels us.

We live in a world overrun with blatant lies, exaggerated claims, and misleading headlines, and I want to hold to the fact that truth is still precious to us. I believe something in us hungers for the truth. We fear it and need it, all at once.

The Bible story does not tell us about what Herod liked in listening to John while he sat in jail. But I imagine Herod realized the predicament of his life, breaking marital boundaries, lusting for power and yet unhappy with what power and his choice has made of him.

But from John, Herod heard good news about Jesus. About God, forgiveness, loving neighbor, salvation. I want to believe that Herod left those jailhouse chats comparing the integrity of John, his words and his mission of following Jesus to his own pathetic, compromised life. Maybe Herod was beginning to want a life that was better — one that was marked with some integrity and honesty. Even truth that hurt.

But then comes the birthday party and like the soap opera cliffhanger, Herod is presented with the time to decide. Right over wrong. Humility over power. Integrity over compromise. Truth over lies. The time comes to test his character. To care more about saving a life than saving face.

The outcome of the story could have been so different if Herod had passed the test. But we know that when push came to shove, his casual fascination with the truth he heard from John in the jailhouse was not enough to transform him. He remains a hearer of the good news — not a doer.

I know it is natural for us to look for the moral of the story. But when that is tried with biblical accounts, it usually comes up short. The Bible was not compiled to set forth a parenting manual for teaching kids good behavioral skills. It was not written as a guide for getting ahead in life. It is a book that tells the truth about this life, about the human condition full of goodness and shame. But ultimately, the Bible tells the greater truth of God’s love for humanity and unending commitment to redeem us and save us from ourselves.

But if you are still looking for moral to this story, as in the TV soap operas, it is that the rich and powerful are used to getting what they want; they are willing to do most anything to keep or advance their power; and those who stand up to them, advocating for truth and integrity usually get trampled. That is what happens to John. And, as we will see again — when Jesus faces Herod at the end of his days.

Alas, that is not much of a moral, I realize. But it is true. And you and I continue to live in a world where truth and honesty are challenged — and our integrity in standing up for truth — for the ways of Jesus are still important — and still hold the potential for making our living of these days filled with purposeful meaning and goodness.