Though Herod is intrigued by John the Baptist and recognizes him as a holy man, he is ultimately moved to kill him, and in scandalous fashion. This section of Mark is filled with people who are blinded to what God is doing because of pressure, position, and passion. Herod Antipas wants to become a true king but as Mark has been showing us, the one true king is Jesus. And while Jesus has demonstrated his authority even over death itself, John the Baptist's execution serves as a preview that Jesus, too, will face a humiliating death. Jesus' story, the good news of the gospel, is that death is not the end for the one true king and those who follow him.

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