God's kingdom is near

While Jesus was still living in the hill country of Galilee, in the desert landscape of Judea, John the Baptist called for radical conversion: "Turn to God! For the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3,2 Hope for all). Many suspected that he was the man pointed to by the prophet Isaiah centuries earlier. Knowing that he was preparing the way for the Messiah, John said: «I am not the Christ, but I am sent before him. Whoever has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, standing by and listening to him, rejoices greatly at the voice of the bridegroom. My joy is now fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3,28-30).

After John was thrown into prison, Jesus came to Galilee and preached the gospel of God. King Herod Antipas I heard of all this because at that time the name of Jesus was on everyone's lips. He was convinced: It is definitely Johannes, whom I had beheaded. Now he's back, alive. He himself had ordered John's arrest and imprisonment just to appease Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. John the Baptist publicly rebuked him for having entered into an illegal marriage with her. Herodias, who was now married to him, burned with hatred and wanted nothing more than to kill John, but she dared not because Herod had great respect for John. Eventually Herodias found one
opportunity to achieve their goal. Herod gave a great banquet on his birthday, a luxurious celebration for all the dignitaries, all the commanders of the army and all the nobles of Galilee. For this occasion, Herodias sent her daughter Salome into the ballroom to win the king's favor with her dance. Her lithe, provocative dance pleased Herod and those at the table with him, and prompted him to make a boastful and hasty promise: he would give her anything she desired - up to half his kingdom, and swore an oath to it. Salome asked her mother what to ask for. The story ends with the grisly image of the head of John the Baptist on a platter (Mark 6,14-28).

If we take a closer look at the details of this story, we can see how trapped the characters of this event were. There's Herod, he's a vassal king in the Roman Empire trying to show off to his guests. His new stepdaughter Salome danced provocatively for her and he is enchanted by the lust. He is trapped - by his own inappropriate desires, by his haughty behavior in front of his guests, and by those in power who actually control him. He couldn't give up half his kingdom even if he wanted to!

Salome is caught up in her mother's political ambitions and bloodthirsty quest for power. She is trapped in her sexual desires, which she uses as a weapon. Caught by her drunk stepfather who uses her to entertain his guests.

This short, tragic story shows the realm of the people who are burned inside in a short time with pride, power, desire and intrigue. The gruesome final spectacle of the death of John the Baptist shows the brutal fruits of this world's declining empire.

In contrast to the kingdom of this world, Jesus preached the good news of the kingdom of God: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent (turn to God) and believe in the gospel!" (Mark 1,14).

Jesus chose twelve disciples and sent them out to preach the good news to the lost sheep of the house of Israel: “The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give" (Matthew 10,7-8).

Like the twelve, Jesus sends us out to preach the gospel with joy and freedom. We share in His plan to gently introduce Jesus to our fellow human beings through the spirit of love, heeding God's Word and serving Him. The fulfillment of this task has its price. Let's be honest, there are times when we feel trapped in trouble because we're reaching for the empty illusions of this world and working against the God of love. But we are always encouraged to follow the example of John and Jesus to tirelessly preach the truth?

Whoever accepts and trusts the Son receives everything with him - a fulfilled life that knows no end. True freedom is found in submission to the true King, Jesus Christ, and not to the heralds of modern times or to the deception of self-rule and self-importance. May the Holy Spirit keep reminding you of the freedom you have in Jesus Christ.

from Greg Williams