Herod is ‘perplexed’ by the reports he hears about Jesus. It’s not just that Jesus is another prophet who, like John the Baptist before him, is preaching a disturbing message that threatens to upset the power structures in society (including Herod himself); no, it’s the fact that Jesus isn’t playing by the rules!
For Herod has already used the tried-and-true strategy for dealing with an unwanted person like John: violent expulsion or even, in this case, execution. It’s a brutally effective method, and it has always worked before. So, it really isn’t fair that Jesus should be popping up, preaching a similar but even more radical message than John’s—so much so, that some people are saying that John has risen from the dead!
This obscure little gospel passage is, in fact, a rehearsal for the Resurrection, showing us how that great event overturns all our expectations and understandings about power. Violence and death are no longer a solution—indeed, they are rendered ultimately powerless. If we now continue to use them, even in less extreme ways (isolating or avoiding people, victimising by any means) then we are aligning with the world and against the Kingdom.
To Herod’s credit, he was at least anxious to see Jesus, even if his heart remained unconverted in the end. What about us? When we are tempted to victimise, do we still turn to the tools of exclusion and violence—death-dealing instruments leading to mutual destruction—or do we stand with the victim, willing to risk sharing their shame and trusting in the power of the risen Christ?
by Chad Hargrave