Mark 6:12-20: a reflection

12They went out and preached that people should repent. 13They cast out many demons, and anointed many with oil who were sick and healed them. 14King Herod heard this, for his name had become known, and he said, “John the Baptizer has risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.” 15But others said, “He is Elijah.” Others said, “He is a prophet, or like one of the prophets.” 16But Herod, when he heard this, said, “This is John, whom I beheaded. He has risen from the dead.” 17For Herod himself had sent out and arrested John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, for he had married her. 18For John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19Herodias set herself against him and desired to kill him, but she couldn’t, 20for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he did many things, and he heard him gladly.

In the account of John the Baptist and King Herod, we see a sobering picture of a man drawn to the truth who would not obey it. Herod had imprisoned John for rebuking his marriage; yet the account tells us that Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he did many things, and he heard him gladly. Herod was drawn to John, recognized his righteousness, even liked to listen to him; and yet he would not obey the truth John spoke, holding John prisoner rather than repenting. He was attracted to the truth without submitting to it, hearing it gladly without doing it. This is a tragic and dangerous position: to be drawn to the truth, to recognize it, even to enjoy hearing it, and yet not to obey it. To hear the truth gladly is not the same as obeying it; and Herod's gladness at hearing John did not save him from refusing to do what John said.

Notice Herod's tragic position: drawn to the truth, yet not obeying it. He recognized John as righteous and holy, feared him, protected him, even heard him gladly; there was a real attraction to the truth in Herod. But it stopped short of obedience. He would not do what the truth required, would not repent, held John prisoner rather than change. To be drawn to the truth, to recognize it, even to enjoy hearing it, is not the same as obeying it; and Herod's case shows how one can have the first without the second. Hearing gladly can be a substitute for obeying, a way of feeling close to the truth while refusing what it asks. But the truth is not honored by being admired; it is honored by being obeyed. To hear gladly and not do is to deceive ourselves, mistaking attraction for obedience. The gladness that does not lead to doing leaves us, like Herod, still in our disobedience.

That is worth taking to heart, for we can be drawn to the truth, even hear it gladly, without obeying it, and that is a dangerous place. We can recognize the truth, be attracted to it, enjoy hearing it, and yet not obey it, holding it at arm's length while feeling close to it, as Herod heard John gladly yet would not repent. But hearing gladly is not obeying; the truth is honored by being done, not merely admired. To hear and not do is to deceive ourselves. Do not be content to be drawn to the truth and hear it gladly while refusing to obey it; the truth is honored by obedience, not admiration. Do not rest in being drawn to the truth or hearing it gladly without obeying it, as Herod recognized John as righteous and heard him gladly yet would not repent; for hearing the truth gladly is not the same as obeying it, and the truth is honored by being done rather than merely admired, so that to be attracted to the truth while refusing what it asks is to deceive ourselves and remain, like Herod, in our disobedience.

Lord, in the account of John the Baptist and King Herod, we see a sobering picture of a man drawn to the truth who would not obey it. Herod had imprisoned John for rebuking his marriage; yet the account tells us that Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he did many things, and he heard him gladly. Herod was drawn to John, recognized his righteousness, even liked to listen to him; and yet he would not obey the truth John spoke, holding John prisoner rather than repenting. He was attracted to the truth without submitting to it, hearing it gladly without doing it. Show me Herod's tragic position: drawn to the truth, yet not obeying it. He recognized John as righteous and holy, feared him, protected him, even heard him gladly; there was a real attraction to the truth in Herod. But it stopped short of obedience. He would not do what the truth required, would not repent. To be drawn to the truth, even to enjoy hearing it, is not the same as obeying it. Hearing gladly can be a substitute for obeying, a way of feeling close to the truth while refusing what it asks. But the truth is honored by being obeyed, not merely admired. Take that to my heart, for I can be drawn to the truth, even hear it gladly, without obeying it, and that is a dangerous place. I can recognize the truth, be attracted to it, enjoy hearing it, and yet not obey it, as Herod heard John gladly yet would not repent. But hearing gladly is not obeying. Keep me from resting in being drawn to the truth or hearing it gladly without obeying it, Lord, as Herod heard John gladly yet would not repent; help me honor the truth by doing it rather than merely admiring it, that I may not deceive myself and remain in disobedience.