Following Jesus: Just How Far?
- davidwperk
- Jul 28
- 8 min read
Devotional Reflection, Monday, July 28, 2025
Proper 12, the week of the seventh Sunday after Pentecost
The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.
Key phrase for reflection from today’s reading:
26The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. 27Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, 28brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. 29When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.
(You will find the full text of today’s Gospel reading at the end of this reflection.)
Daily Office Lectionary readings (BCP, 976)
AM Psalm 56, 57, [58]; PM Psalm 64, 65
2 Samuel 2:1-11; Acts 15:36-16:5; Mark 6:14-29
Today we celebrate the Feast of Johann Sebastian Bach. (See below.)
David's Reflections
One of the favorite questions with which professors tormented doctoral students in my seminary was, "Tell us about the family of Herod." At least six Herods are mentioned in the New Testament, and the relationships are quite convoluted. This particular member of that dynasty was Antipas, one of the three sons of Herod the Great (who was ruler of Palestine at the birth of Jesus). Upon The Great's death in 4 BCE, Rome divided his territory among his three sons. Antipas governed Galilee and Perea until several years after Jesus' death. Galilee was Jesus' home territory. Perea was the scene of John the Baptist's ministry as reported in the Gospel narratives.
Josephus, a Jewish historian writing at the end of the First Century, says that Antipas executed John because he feared John's popularity would threaten his political rule.+ Yet, here we learn of another motive. Herod allowed himself to be manipulated into making an exaggerated, open-ended promise, not knowing what the young woman would demand.
John's death is not told at the point in the narrative when it occurs. Rather, this is a flashback to something that had happened prior to this point in Jesus' ministry. (See Mark 1:14 for the first reference to John’s imprisonment.) That makes its location in the time sequence serve the narrative itself. Jesus had just been rejected in his hometown synagogue in Nazareth. Immediately following that, Mark relates the death of the Baptist. The conclusion is obvious. If John is the forerunner for Jesus’ ministry, and if John met with death, what would be the fate of the one whose way he came to prepare?
Mark thus alerts us that we must be prepared to share Jesus' rejection in the world. If we are the bearers of the message of his love, and if we embody his love in our words and actions, those who want nothing to do with that message will treat us as the world treated the original bearer and embodier of that love. As Terry Eagleton put it in his Terry Lectures at Yale, "If you don't love you're dead, and if you do love, they'll kill you. . . . the New Testament is a brutal destroyer of human illusions. If you follow Jesus and don't end up dead, it appears you have some explaining to do.”*
We could look at this from multiple perspectives. If Christ lives in us, the way others treat us is the way they treat the Christ within us. Not only is our fate linked to his; his is linked to ours. He loves us so profoundly that he shares our every experience of rejection and loneliness and being misunderstood. He experiences them with us. John died. But, so did Jesus. Nothing happened to John that did not happen to Jesus. Nothing happens to us that does not happen to him as well to happen to Jesus. Nothing happens to us that does not happen to him as well.
Mark challenges us to steel ourselves against the threat of rejection, to live with a rugged, tough-minded perspective while preserving the tender-hearted compassion of Jesus. We must push forward and live true to our faith convictions, risking rejection and misunderstanding and not being deterred by those possibilities.
©2025. David W. Perkins
+Josephus, Antiquities 18.5.2.116-119.
Now some of the Jews thought that the destruction of Herod's army came from God, and was a very just punishment for what he did against John called the baptist [the dipper]. For Herod had him killed, although he was a good man and had urged the Jews to exert themselves to virtue, both as to justice toward one another and reverence towards God, and having done so join together in washing. For immersion in water, it was clear to him, could not be used for the forgiveness of sins, but as a sanctification of the body, and only if the soul was already thoroughly purified by right actions. And when others massed about him, for they were very greatly moved by his words, Herod, who feared that such strong influence over the people might carry to a revolt -- for they seemed ready to do any thing he should advise -- believed it much better to move now than later have it raise a rebellion and engage him in actions he would regret.
And so John, out of Herod's suspiciousness, was sent in chains to Machaerus, the fort previously mentioned, and there put to death; but it was the opinion of the Jews that out of retribution for John God willed the destruction of the army so as to afflict Herod.
*Terry Eagleton, Reason, Faith, and Revolution (New Haven, CT: Yale UP, 2010), pp. 22, 27.
The Collect of the Day, Proper 12, the seventh Sunday after Pentecost
O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 231)
Today we celebrate the Feast of Johann Sebastian Bach, composer (died 28 July 1750 CE).
Collect of the Feast of Johann Sebastian Bach
Sound out your majesty, O God, and call us to your work; that, like thy servant Johann Sebastian Bach, we might present our lives and our works to your glory alone; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
A Collect for the Renewal of Life
O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness while it was day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 99)
For Local Government
Almighty God our heavenly Father, send down upon those who hold office in this State (Commonwealth, City, County, Town, __________ ) the spirit of wisdom, charity, and justice; that with steadfast purpose they may faithfully serve in their
offices to promote the well being of all people; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 822)
In the Order of Worship for Evening
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, creator of the changes of day and night, giving rest to the weary, renewing the strength of those who are spent, bestowing upon us occasions of song in the evening. As you have protected us in the day that is past, so be with us in the coming night; keep us from every sin, every evil, and every fear; for you are our light and salvation, and the strength of
our life. To you be glory for endless ages. Amen. (BCP, 113)
A Collect for Mission
O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 100)
Daily Office Gospel, Mark 6:14-29
14 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.’ 15But others said, ‘It is Elijah.’ And others said, ‘It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.’ 16But when Herod heard of it, he said, ‘John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.’
17 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. 18For John had been telling Herod, ‘It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.’ 19And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, 20for 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. 21But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. 22When 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.’ 23And he solemnly swore to her, ‘Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.’ 24She went out and said to her mother, ‘What should I ask for?’ She replied, ‘The head of John the baptizer.’ 25Immediately 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.’ 26The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. 27Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, 28brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. 29When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb. bestowing upon us occasions of song in the evening. As you have protected us in the day that is past, so be with us in the coming night; keep us from every sin, every evil, and every fear; for you are our light and salvation, and the strength of our life. To you be glory for endless ages. Amen. (BCP, 113)
Daily Prayer Offices in The Book of Common Prayer
Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, Book of Common Prayer
Noonday Prayer, p. 103, Book of Common Prayer
Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p. 109, Book of Common Prayer
Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer
Compline (Night Prayer), Page 127, Book of Common Prayer
Daily Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer
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