Mark 6:14-34 | Psalm 23:1-3
There’s a lot going on in this passage. The drama of Herod, Herodias, and John the Baptist’s death (don’t underestimate the power of death). A hungry crowd with expectations. Jesus’ growing popularity. …a lot going on.
So don’t miss Jesus’ command to the disciples in the midst of it all:
“Come by yourselves to a secluded place and rest for a while.”
Mark 6:14-34
Herod the king heard about these things, because the name of Jesus had become well-known. Some were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and this is why miraculous powers are at work through him.” Others were saying, “He is Elijah.” Still others were saying, “He is a prophet like one of the ancient prophets.” But when Herod heard these rumors, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised to life.”
He said this because Herod himself had arranged to have John arrested and put in prison because of Herodias, the wife of Herod’s brother Philip. Herod had married her, but John told Herod, “It’s against the law for you to marry your brother’s wife!” So Herodias had it in for John. She wanted to kill him, but she couldn’t. This was because Herod respected John. He regarded him as a righteous and holy person, so he protected him. John’s words greatly confused Herod, yet he enjoyed listening to him.
Finally, the time was right. It was on one of Herod’s birthdays, when he had prepared a feast for his high-ranking officials and military officers and Galilee’s leading residents. Herod’s daughter Herodias came in and danced, thrilling Herod and his dinner guests. The king said to the young woman, “Ask me whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.” Then he swore to her, “Whatever you ask I will give to you, even as much as half of my kingdom.”
She left the banquet hall and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?”
“John the Baptist’s head,” Herodias replied.
Hurrying back to the ruler, she made her request: “I want you to give me John the Baptist’s head on a plate, right this minute.” Although the king was upset, because of his solemn pledge and his guests, he didn’t want to refuse her. So he ordered a guard to bring John’s head. The guard went to the prison, cut off John’s head, brought his head on a plate, and gave it to the young woman, and she gave it to her mother. When John’s disciples heard what had happened, they came and took his dead body and laid it in a tomb.
The apostles returned to Jesus and told him everything they had done and taught. Many people were coming and going, so there was no time to eat. He said to the apostles, “Come by yourselves to a secluded place and rest for a while.” They departed in a boat by themselves for a deserted place.
Many people saw them leaving and recognized them, so they ran ahead from all the cities and arrived before them. When Jesus arrived and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. Then he began to teach them many things.
Psalm 23:1-3
The Lord is my shepherd.
I lack nothing.
He lets me rest in grassy meadows;
he leads me to restful waters;
he keeps me alive.
He guides me in proper paths
for the sake of his good name.
Prayer
God,
On the seventh day, did you create rest or was it already a thing and you just did it? Doesn’t matter. Thank you for rest, establishing its place within our rhythms, and calling us to it.
Frankly, we don’t do rest well. It’s too easy to either not rest enough or to sit around in apathy, despair, or laziness more than is good. But beyond even your actions on the seventh day, we know from Christ’s words and example that rest is necessary and good.
Even right now as I pray to you, Lord, give me rest. Help me hear your voice, receive your love, and sit in your presence. Give my weary soul the spiritual nurture that only you know. Strengthen my bones, store up energy in my muscles, give my heart reinforcement.
And thank you for it.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.