Mark 6:17-29

Mark in his Gospel tells also us about a party. In fact he tells of two parties.

We heard about the first in this weeks Reading, Mark 6:17-29 on the occasion of the birthday of Herod Antipas. It would have been a most sumptuous occasion, a grand banquet, to which only the most important people were invited. The climax of the party was a dance performed Herod’s daughter which delighted Herod and his guests. Herod was so thrilled that he rashly promised to to reward her with whatever she wanted, ‘up to half of his kingdom’. His daughter consulted her Mother, Herodias.

Herodius bore a grudge against John the Baptist, for being so openly critical of her marriage to Herod. She had been married to Herod’s brother. She had an affair with Herod when her husband was on a visit to Rome. Herod then divorced his wife and married Herodias.

When Herod offered to reward his daughter, this presented Herodias with the ideal opportunity to get even with John. She persuaded her daughter to ask Herod for for the head of John the Baptist.

In order to save face in front of all his guests Herod gave the order and John was executed and his head presented on a platter to Herod’s daughter
and she presented it to her mother.

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After relating the story of Herod’s birthday banquet, Mark tells the story of another party. This time it is not a sumptuous banquet more a picnic. The ‘Feeding of the Five Thousand’ stands in complete contrast to the

account of Herod’s birthday banquet. No exclusive guest list – everyone was welcome to attend. It wasn’t held in a magnificent palace but in the open, in the countryside. Jesus had wanted to be alone, but crowds followed him.

It was a deserted place, but it became crowded. As the day drew on, the disciples wanted to send the people away to feed themselves. Jesus said “You give them something to eat.The Disciples said “We have only five loaves and two fish”.Yet everyone was fed and the left overs filled 12 baskets.

The so called miracle of Jesus feeding 5000 people is recorded in all four Gospels. John called it a sign, a symbolic event with hidden meanings.

It points away from itself back to Old Testament, particularly to the time when they believed God had provided  bread in the wilderness after their escape from Egyptian oppression. (Exod.16:4) —in other words to God’s gracious provision for basic needs. It points forward to the Last Supper, to the death and resurrection of Jesus – to his giving of his all – as a result of which generosity we are eternally nourished.

The mighty Roman Empire was the main focus of Herod’s life. Feeding the hungry certainly wasn’t on his agenda.

The Roman Empire lasted another 76 years doomed by its expansive victories. It is extremely difficult  to maintain an empire  and feed hungry people. So often the world finds  enough money for weapons, but never enough to feed the hungry.

Into such a world, Jesus came with an alternative vision. “The kingdom of God has come near you,” he said. Over and over he taught about it, told parables about it. Jesus brought his vision of God’s kingdom to the crowds who interrupted his solitary time of prayer.

Later that day , the disciples said, “This is a deserted place…send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” Every rational voice says, “Good idea!” Send them away. We do not have sufficient resources to feed the world’s hungry.

Economists and hunger activists tell us  that we have everything  we need to end world hunger. It is a matter of priorities and will. Too many politicians, and individual citizens, advocate that national security must always take priority. But security will never be guaranteed as long as poverty exist.The resulting resentment, and instability it leaves in its wake will likely as not, lead to reprisal, even violence!

Life involves choices.  Herod had a choice. He chose power and his own prestige.  Jesus called his disciples to make a choice: “You give them something to eat.” They said there are only five loaves and two fish.

We are called to look beyond ourselves, to have faith, to see the bigger picture, to respond generously, When we do, what we are and what we bring is richly blessed and multiplied leading to a rich and lasting banquet of life for .everyone.

Revd Michael Diffey