August 29, 2025 

Today's Reading: Mark 6:14-29

Daily Lectionary: 1 Kings 11:42-12:19; 2 Corinthians 7:1-16

“Some said, ‘John the Baptist has been raised from the dead.’”  (Mark 6:14)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

Jesus has a “creepy” cousin. You know the one: the “wild man.” He hung out in the wilderness, ate bugs, and went off on the sins of Herod, knowing full well that it could get him arrested and imprisoned – or worse. But like St. Bartholomew, he also held nothing back and spoke the truth. 

The most infamous truth he preached was against the sham of a marriage that Herod had with his brother’s ex-wife. He called Herod and his “wife” out on their adultery, and she was livid. She ended up forcing Herod’s hand in having John thrown into prison. Then, in one of the cringiest moments in Scripture, Mrs. Herod’s daughter (Herod’s niece-turned-stepdaughter) dances seductively, and he promises her whatever she wants. Her mother manipulates her to ask for the head of John the Baptist on a platter. (The Herods are textbook examples of dysfunction and cruel behavior.)

These events haunted Herod. He felt guilty and was superstitious that John might come back and torment him, or that God might punish him for this. Not only this unbelieving king, but the local people thought about all this, too. They were mesmerized by John and wondered if he was a prophet or even the Christ. And in the midst of the arrest, disappearance, and now beheading of John, “Some said, ‘John the Baptist has been raised from the dead.’”

Earlier, some were confused that John was the Christ. Now, some were confused that the Christ was John. People tend to misunderstand and become confused about a great many things when they try to understand God apart from His Word.

Not so with you. The Lord delivers His Word to you. He has called you to faith in the true Christ, supported by the preaching and preparation of St. John the Baptist. He witnesses the truth of the Gospel through the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus, along with His many martyrs, including “Creepy John” – St. John the Baptist.

John the Baptist has been raised from the dead? Soon. He has fallen asleep in Jesus, and is safe and blessed with the Lord, until the day when Christ Jesus will call him from his grave, join his head to his body, and glorify and resurrect John (and you and me) to live with him forever.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Almighty God, You gave Your servant John the Baptist to be the forerunner of Your Son, Jesus Christ, in both his preaching of repentance and his innocent death. Grant that we, who have died and risen with Christ in Holy Baptism, may daily repent of our sins, patiently suffer for the sake of the truth, and fearlessly bear witness to His victory over death; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church, Lowell, IN.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

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