Two Feasts

Mark 6:14-29; Mark 6:30-44 (read footnote q)

The story of the Feeding of the 5000 made such an impression on people that it is the only miracle story that appears in all four gospels.  And isn’t it strange that one of the most wonderful stories in the Bible is preceded by one of the most horrible – the beheading of the one who prepared the way for Jesus, John the Baptist.  That gruesome story, in turn, was immediately preceded by the story of Jesus sending out his Twelve Disciples into the world.  So among other things I guess poor John’s story is a “somber reminder of the cost of discipleship” (Hope Morgan Ward, Pulpit Resource, July 16, 2006).

But basically, what happens here in Mark 6 is “a collision” between these two feasts, which are set side by side (Barbara Lundblad, Lecture at 2006 Festival of Homiletics).  First, there’s the terrible story of Herod’s feast.  This is Herod Antipas, whose father Herod the Great ruled during the time of Jesus’ birth.  After Herod the Great died, his kingdom was divided among his three sons: Archelaus (ruled Judea, Samaria, and Idumea [south of Judea] (4 BC – 6 AD)); Philip (ruled the region northeast of the Sea of Galilee (4 BC – 33/34 AD)); and Herod Antipas (ruled Galilee and Perea [east of Samaria, northeast of Dead Sea] (4 BC – 39 AD)).

On his birthday, Herod Antipas gives a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee.  At this time, John’s in prison because he had dared to confront Herod about his unlawful relationship with Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife.  Herodias wanted John killed, but Herod feared John, for he knew that John was a righteous and holy man.  When he heard John, Herod was very perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him. 

And so at the party, Herodias’ daughter dances (her name was Salome, according to Josephus), and her dancing pleases Herod so much that he says to her, “I will give you anything you ask, even half of my kingdom.” 

So she goes to her mother, “What shall I ask?” 

“Ask for the head of John the Baptizer.” 

Barbara Lundblad notes, “And Herod was very grieved, grieved because he didn’t want to kill John, grieved because he had spoken this oath in front of these honored guests, some of whom were probably representatives of Rome, and so he gave the command, and the head of John the Baptist was brought on a platter.  It is a terrible leftover at the feast of Herod – John’s head, on a platter.” (Barbara Lundblad, Lecture at 2006 Festival of Homiletics).

Can you see the two feasts?  The next feast is so different: not in a palace but in the wilderness; not a distinguished group of invited guests, but a crowd of common people who weren’t invited by anybody at all; not a horrible story centered on death but a foreshadowing of God’s feast to come; not a royal banquet with tables overflowing with food and drink but a deserted place that becomes an abundant place, a place without food that somehow feeds 5000 (and in Matthew 5000 men plus women and children).  Two feasts, side by side.  Mark wants us to see them side by side and to notice the contrasts between the two.

“Herod’s feast is shaped by the rubrics of the empire.” (Lundblad)  His allegiance is to Rome, not to God.  His priorities were defined by the empire, not by the motley, hungry crew out in the deserted place with Jesus.   He would have agreed with the disciples - “Send them away.” 

But Jesus says, “They need not go away, you give them something to eat.”  Those words ring in our ears today just as they rang in the disciples’ ears. 

And I hear myself responding, “But Jesus, we can’t.  The needs are too immense, too overwhelming.  I don’t know where to start.  I don’t have the time or the wisdom to figure out what to do, and even if I did, would it even make any difference?  After all, I’m only one person.” 

The problem is, I don’t think those excuses are any better than the one given by the disciples.  Jesus calls on us to use our energy, intelligence, imagination, and love to find creative, Spirit-filled solutions to the problem of poverty and hunger, so that our world comes closer to resembling Jesus’ feast, not Herod’s.

Studies have shown that we have everything we need to end hunger.  “The United Nations Development Program estimates that the basic health and nutrition needs of the world's poorest people could be met for an additional $13 billion a year.  Animal lovers in the United States and Europe spend more than that on pet food each year” (Bread for the World website.)

In October, 1972, one pastor down on the lower east side of New York had an idea.  His name was the Rev. Arthur Simon.  He said, “I know that our church can do a lot.  We can have a food pantry, we can have a lunch program, we can do a lot of things, we can give money to the world hunger appeal, but with a stroke of a pen, the government can release billions of dollars.” 

So he started Bread for the World, an advocacy group for which you cannot claim a tax deduction, because they lobby in Washington.  Here’s one creative vision of another way of being and doing in the world.  Rev. Simon once said, “Each of us helps to decide how our nation should use its power and wealth in a hungry world.  If we choose not to get involved, we are helping to make the kind of decisions that lock people in hunger.  Put another way, saying nothing to political leaders is saying something to them.  We usually get the kind of leadership we ask, and if we ask for none on hunger, that is what we can expect.” (story told by Barbara Lundblad at 2006 Festival of Homiletics).

Bread for the World.  Heifer Project.  Habitat for Humanity.  CROP Walk for Hunger.  Yes, we face the collision of two worlds signified by the two feasts in Mark 6.  But we can choose to lift up the alternative vision of God’s kingdom by responding in creative ways to Jesus’ words, “You give them something to eat.” 

On this first Sunday of Advent, when we begin the anticipation of God being with us, these are good words for us to hear.  On this Communion Sunday, when we are treated to a foretaste of the great banquet in God’s eternal kingdom, these are welcome words for us to hear.  In a world in which power-hungry Herods still seek to silence the voices of God’s prophets, these are essential words for us to hear.  Come, Lord Jesus.  Amen.