12th July 2024

The end of the road?

“…..give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”
Mark 6:25 (NKJV)

In the first chapter of Mark, John the Baptist’s ministry starts out full of optimism and hope as he bursts onto the scene in the spirit of Elijah – God’s anointed witness, proclaiming and baptising and preparing the way of the Lord. 

Now, here in chapter six, the road ends suddenly and tragically with his brutal beheading, the result of the vengeful wish of a scorned wife and the drunken promise of a weak debauched king. It all seems so pointless and wasteful. No wonder Jesus, when he hears the news, ‘withdrew… to a desolate place by himself.’ (Matthew 14:13 ESV).

Yet just as John’s life paved the way for Jesus’ ministry, so his death prepared Jesus for what still lay ahead – a path of suffering and an unjust execution. The news of John’s death, too, will help prepare the disciples for the death of their master.

John’s cruel execution is a junction where two roads meet and two worlds collide. The dynasty of Herod Antipas, characterised by pride and pleasure, in stark contrast to the dominion of Jesus Christ, characterised by humility and self-sacrifice. The in-breaking kingdom of heaven meets resistance from the dying, soon-to-pass-away kingdom of the world: ‘The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.’ (John 1:5 NLT).

Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for John the Baptist, who prepared the way for Jesus the Messiah, who is the way, the truth, and the life. Thank you for the King who has opened up a new living way to your kingdom. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

Study by Peter Mill

About the writer:
Peter Mill is a minister in Grace Communion International and Co-Regional Pastor for Scotland, Ireland, and Northern England.

Local congregation:
Grace Communion International Central Glasgow 

Garnethill Room
Conference Suite
St Andrews West
260 Bath Street
Glasgow
G2 4JP

Meeting time:
Sunday 11:15 am                                          

Local congregational contact:   
Peter Mill
Email: edinburgh@gracecom.church

Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church