John, the Forerunner of the Christ in Death

Rev. Matt Wietfeldt, Director of Admissions and the Christ Academy program at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 6:14-29. The spread of Jesus’ name throughout Israel provides St. Mark the opportunity to recount the martyrdom of St. John the Baptist. Thoughts about who Jesus is swirl among the people, though these ideas are incorrect or incomplete. Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee, falls into the camp that believes Jesus is John raised from the dead. Such a thought likely haunts Herod, as he was responsible for John’s death in the first place. He had arrested the Baptist due to the prophet’s preaching against the adultery of Herod and Herodias. Herodias had heard the Law in anger, and Herod had heard the Law in fearful interest, yet neither heard it in faith. That unbelief, combined with the tragic circumstances of a rash vow at Herod’s birthday party, led to John’s beheading. Though the world looks at such a death in mockery and derision, the Lord’s promise to raise His people from the grave makes the account of John’s martyrdom a source of comfort and strength for Christians. “The Gospel in Action” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Mark. The Evangelist hits the ground running with the very first verse of his Gospel account, and he never lets up the pace. As one deed of Jesus comes right after another, always paired with His authoritative Word, St. Mark proclaims the good news that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, revealed conclusively by His death on the cross.