Weakness in High Places

The real danger of power is not brute force, but cowardice disguised as strength.

Let’s reflect on the striking contrast between the individuals in today’s passage.

John the Baptist’s ministry is marked by boldness and urgency. His entire life - his appearance, his voice, his message - is one of disruption. “Change your lives,” he cries, “the axe is already at the root of the tree.” For some, John’s voice cuts deep, prompting genuine repentance and transformation. But for many others, he is a curiosity. They are drawn to his wildness, intrigued by his challenge, but ultimately unwilling to yield to the call for real change.

Herod is a man with great power and almost no integrity. His fascination with John reveals a kind of shallow admiration for holiness, as if truth were a spectacle to enjoy rather than a summons to obey. He is not violently opposed to John—until he is backed into a corner. Then, out of fear of embarrassment and the pressure of public image, he orders John's death. This is not strength. It is cowardice. Herod is a vivid example of what happens when leadership lacks moral courage: those with real conviction are silenced, and injustice prevails under the guise of keeping peace or saving face.

(It’s really hard to read the gospels and come away with any conclusion other than this: no single human should be given so much power over others. We just can’t handle it. We can’t. And yet so many of us continue to put so much stock, hope, and authority into a single person, whether it be a CEO, a POTUS, or a pastor. Time and time again, we’re surprised and devastated when they fall so very short.)

So then there is Jesus. While he plays a minor role in this particular scene, Matthew’s purpose is clear: Jesus stands at the center. If John is the forerunner and Herod is the example of failed, worldly power, Jesus is the model of righteous authority. His way is not built on fear or spectacle, but on faithfulness, humility, and truth. He may look weak within our human systems, assumptions, and preferences, but he refuses to bend to public opinion or use power for self-preservation. The contrast between Herod and Jesus isn’t just historical. It’s a warning and a calling.

Whose example do we follow when we are given influence, authority, or a public voice? The way of Jesus invites us to stand in truth, even when it costs us, and to resist the cowardice that masquerades as leadership.

Matthew 14:1-13a

At that time Herod the ruler heard the news about Jesus. He said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist. He’s been raised from the dead. This is why these miraculous powers are at work through him.” Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison because of Herodias, the wife of Herod’s brother Philip.

That’s because John told Herod, “It’s against the law for you to marry her.”

Although Herod wanted to kill him, he feared the crowd because they thought John was a prophet. But at Herod’s birthday party Herodias’ daughter danced in front of the guests and thrilled Herod. Then he swore to give her anything she asked.

At her mother’s urging, the girl said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a plate.” Although the king was upset, because of his solemn pledge and his guests he commanded that they give it to her. Then he had John beheaded in prison. They brought his head on a plate and gave it to the young woman, and she brought it to her mother. But John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus what had happened.

When Jesus heard about John, he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself.

Psalm 10:2–4, 12–15

Meanwhile, the wicked are proudly in hot pursuit of those who suffer. Let them get caught in the very same schemes they’ve thought up!

The wicked brag about their body’s cravings; the greedy reject the Lord, cursing. At the peak of their wrath, the wicked don’t seek God: There’s no God—that’s what they are always thinking.

Get up, Lord! Get your fist ready, God! Don’t forget the ones who suffer! Why do the wicked reject God? Why do they think to themselves that you won’t find out? But you do see! You do see troublemaking and grief, and you do something about it! The helpless leave it all to you. You are the orphan’s helper.

Break the arms of those who are wicked and evil. Seek out their wickedness until there’s no more to find.

Prayer¹

God,

Foolish we are, believing that we rule ourselves well simply by selecting this or that person to lead us. We keep doing it. And then we decry the individual when they fall or fail.

Help us not to think such systems more significant than they are. So also give us and those who lead us enough wisdom to acknowledge our follies.

We desire to dominate and thus are dominated.

Free us, dear Lord, for otherwise we perish. This then, is a prayer for your son, the Lord Jesus, the Christ-King, the suffering servant, the crucified lamb, to take his place as our sovereign head.

By your Spirit & in his name,
Amen.

1. Some of the spirit of this prayer is drawn from Stanley Hauerwas in Prayers Plainly Spoken.