August 29, 2026 Today's Reading: Mark 6:14-29 Daily Lectionary: 1 Kings 11:42-12:19; 2 Corinthians 7:1-16 “King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some said, ‘John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.’ But others said, ‘He is Elijah.’ And others said, ‘He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.’ But when Herod heard of it, he said, ‘John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.’ For it was Herod who had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because he had married her. For John had been saying to Herod, ‘It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.’ And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly.” (Mark 6:14–29) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. John the Baptist was the last of the prophets of old. He was the forerunner of Christ with the command of making straight the way of the Lord. John was the new Elijah, and John was not afraid to speak truth to power. John told Herod that it was unlawful for him to have his brother’s wife, and this speaking of Law was what made Herod imprison him. But John was a righteous and holy man, which made Herod fear him. Herod was perplexed by John, but still heard what he said gladly. John continued preaching God’s word and preparing His way until the day he died. His death shows that even the greatest born of women (Matthew 11:11) is not enough to save himself. He died like every other prophet who came before him. It was going to take someone outside of himself to save him from his sins. John knew this, which is why he proclaimed that he must decrease so that He may increase. He knew his cousin was the Son of God who had been foretold from the beginning. This horse-hair-covered, locust and honey-eating wilderness man was the second greatest prophet. He is the second greatest, behind our Lord, the one who lives and reigns for all eternity. John knows that he is not the Christ, and the faith he carried to his death by beheading is the same faith that we hold to this very day. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Almighty God, You gave Your servant John the Baptist to be the forerunner of Your Son, Jesus Christ, in both his preaching of repentance and his innocent death. Grant that we, who have died and risen with Christ in Holy Baptism, may daily repent of our sins, patiently suffer for the sake of the truth, and fearlessly bear witness to His victory over death; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Jonah Clausen, seminary student at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne.
