Text: Mark 6:14-29

The death of John the Baptist is a difficult story to read. It is violent, it is tragic, and it feels like the entire thing could have been avoided had a certain birthday party not gotten wildly out of control. Where is the good news in a story like this? Why did the early Christians want to include it in their memory of Jesus’ life and ministry? As we consider this text together this Sunday, we will reflect on the relationship between suffering and sharing the good news of the gospel and how this relationship shapes our own lives and communities.