Contrasting Leadership | Mark 6:14-44
Each of us has influence. Whether it is our relatives, friends, or coworkers, we have some form of influence on those around us. The question that then comes up is, what will we do with this influence? In this week’s scripture, we see the leadership and influence of Jesus in contrast with the leadership of Harod and the impact of Herodias on Harod. When Harod hears of Jesus, he is reminded of John the Baptist, whom he had beheaded. Mark recounts the fateful night in great detail.
As we read the gory details of Hard’s birthday party, we begin to see Harod’s leadership style. He wanted power and prestige. He wasn’t concerned with those he ruled over. As the party goes on, his wife’s daughter dances provocatively, and Harod decides to give her anything she wants. She goes to her mother (Herodias) and asks for John the Baptist’s head on a platter. Now you see, Herodias didn’t like that John had told Harod and Harodias that their marriage was a sin. In this party/banquet scene, we see Harod, who is only concerned with his image, and Herodias asking for John’s death because she doesn’t like being told of her sin.
In stark contrast to this scene, we read of Jesus feeding the five thousand. At this banquet, Jesus has compassion for the people. Before he feeds them, he has compassion for them and starts teaching them even though he and the disciples are on their way to rest. As he is teaching, he realizes a need to feed them. Even if they could afford the food to feed them, the surrounding area wouldn’t have enough food to sell. Jesus shows his kingdom power in that nothing is lacking, and his focus is on those who follow him, not the power he exudes or pleasing the people. Jesus focuses on leading people to His kingdom and providing for them.
It is often easy for us to follow different leadership patterns we see given to us in the culture around us. Usually, they are focused on gaining the approval of others. It focuses on maintaining a specific image. Or even worse, when we find the pleasures in life being taken away from us because they are ultimately sins, we begin lashing out. We may not behead people, but we might cancel them. We might become harsh with them. We may even cut them out of our lives. As we look at Jesus as the true king of God’s kingdom, we should consider what his leadership teaches us about who we should look to for examples of leadership and how we should influence others with God’s kingdom in mind.
Reflection Activity
Consider reading 1 Timothy 3 and writing down how Jesus demonstrates this description of Christian leadership in Mark chapter 6.