The Kingdom of God Wedged Between Worldly Powers

Let’s kick things off with a fun question: What’s your favourite kind of sandwich? I used to make Korean-style sandwiches for my kids’ lunchboxes with crispy baguettes and tasty potato salad. What made them special was the rich filling between the bread. Interestingly, the Gospel of Mark is structured a bit like a sandwich!

Mark uses a storytelling technique called ‘the Markan Sandwich.’ his story telling involves one story inside another, much like a sandwich with a filling between two other slices of bread. In today’s story about John the Baptist’s death, this technique is used to highlight the contrast between the sending out of the disciples and the miracle of feeding the five thousand.

Mark arranges these stories to highlight two differences: First, the confusion surrounding Jesus’ identity. People did not know exactly who Jesus was. Some said He was Elijah, and others said he was one of the old prophets. Even Herod, haunted by guilt, imagined John the Baptist had returned from the dead.

Second, is the stark contrast between the kingdom of God and the power of the world. In his commissioning of the disciples and feeding of the crowds, Jesus embodies a realm of equity, justice, and love. On the other hand, the story of John’s execution reveals the moral corruption and abuse of power by those in power who are neither just nor fair. This distinction underscores the significance of our faith and commitment to God’s kingdom in a world often ruled by injustice and inequity.

This bizarre and terrifying story has inspired artists’ imaginations for centuries. From the Middle Ages to the modern era, it has been expressed in various art forms. Medieval and Renaissance painters captured this dramatic scene on canvas. In the works of great artists like Caravaggio and Rubens, we see the moment of John’s execution or his head on a platter. These paintings carry a message, warning against human cruelty.

In Mark 6:1-6, the text of last Sunday, the people of Nazareth in the hometown of Jesus, were astounded to see Jesus’ teaching in the synagogue, to them. Jesus was just an ordinary son of a Mary and a carpenter, Joseph. And they didn’t welcome Jesus. The appearance of Jesus aroused many people’s curiosity; The people of Nazareth all arrived at one question, who was this man? People were curious: who is this Jesus whose teaching surpasses that of all Jewish teachers. People wondered that his words could heal the sick people, his command to calm the storms, cast out evil spirits, and raise the dead Lazarus.

This question, “Who is this Jesus?” is, in fact, a question that penetrates the heart of the Christian faith. This seems like a very simple question, but the answer to “who Jesus is” is not so simple. In other words, our faith is the process of constantly answering this very question throughout our lives. It is a question we should keep in mind and continuously ask ourselves. Who is Jesus to you?

At the time of Jesus, people did not understand Him well. So, when the name of Jesus and his ministry became widely known, people tried to decide who Jesus was based on their understanding and their own experiences. Some people called Jesus Elijah because of the idea that Elijah (in the Old Testament) would come back someday because he had ascended to heaven without seeing death. So, looking at the wondrous works of Jesus, such as his miracles and teachings, it seemed like the miracles that the prophet Elijah performed. So the people believed that Elijah had come again and from their point of view, who had a prophetic traditional upbringing on the Old Testament, this was a reasonable answer.

John the Baptist was born six months earlier than Jesus. John’s life begins with a miracle, born to a woman thought too old to have children. He is given a name by God. His first recorded action is celebrating the coming of the Messiah, leaping with joy in his mother’s womb while Jesus was still in Mary’s womb. This extraordinary start sets the stage for John’s unique and pivotal role in preparing the way for Jesus. He challenges – a curious, skeptical, and hostile crowd to repent. He stands up to authority, rejects polite customs, shames hypocrites, and perhaps most offensively, makes a spectacle of himself. Still, his message rings true even to Herod. After killing John, Herod is troubled by guilt and by a nervous suspicion that Jesus is John returned from the dead.

John’s brave actions show how truth can touch even the most influential people. They remind us that doing what’s right, even when it’s hard, can have a significant impact. Sometimes, the effects of our actions reach further than we can see. This should inspire and motivate us in our faith journey, knowing that our actions, no matter how small, can make a difference.

John’s story is not just for the powerful or politically entangled, but for anyone who finds repentance uncomfortable or shameful and lets that shame lead to self-betrayal. Today, more than ever, we need voices like John’s that cry out in the wilderness. We need prophetic voices that refuse to remain silent and live out the truth. Each of us is called to be a prophet in the world, embracing this ministry.