The Feast of Herod

The Feast of Herod, by Louis Cranach the Elder

*Mark 6:14-19 – See text below

Cranach brushes a blend of color on canvas. His composition startles us: sounding an alarm, calling us to attention, raising questions.

What's with the severed head? Who are these fashionable party guests, lining the table in a gilded hall? The gruesome head floats on a silver platter, blood oozing. A sullen faced attendant lifts the head high for all to see. What are their thoughts? Am I next? Pretend this isn't happening? And what about that gorgeous plate of fruit bringing up the rear. Dessert?

I can think of a dozen good openings for a blog on Christian leadership. I'm launching mine with The Feast of Herod.

This may seem a strange start. What's next – a portrait of Jack the Ripper in a clerical collar?

But wait. Let me build a case.

It was Christ himself who set the link between Herod and Christian leadership. Listen to this cryptic word of caution, recorded in the Gospel of Mark:

And he cautioned them, saying, "Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and the leaven of Herod." (Mark 8:15)

This warning, and the larger drama surrounding it, has haunted me, inspired me, and shaped my thinking for a decade.

So, yes, Herod's dark shadow will set the stage. But soon enough, the way of Christ will shine.

*The Feast of Herod – Mark 6:14-29

King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some said, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” But others said, “He is Elijah.” And others said, “He 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 it was Herod who had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because he had married her. For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. For when Herodias’s daughter 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 to you.” And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.” And she went out and said to her mother, “For what should I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.” And she came in immediately with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

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