Matthew’s story about Herod, John the Baptist and Herodias is the only story in this gospel which does not involve Jesus. And Hauerwas is alert to the political realities of power in his reading of a petty tyrant’s cruelties and insecurities. The connection between political power and popular approval is dangerous – for tyrant and oppressed.
"Matthew has described the insecurity of those in power who depend on the presumption of those around them; that is, they must act in a manner that assures those they rule as well as themselves that they possess the power they pretend to possess. The powerful lack the power to be powerful, which means that they live lives of destructive desperation. That desperation, moreover, often results in others paying the price of their insecurity". (page 138).
Intended or not (and knowing Hauerwas, I think it is) that is an incisive comment on the recent history of Britain and America, our leadership and their policies. Leaders trying to "assure those they rule that they possess the power they pretend to possess".
The next story, the feeding of the crowds, has the same political critique. Jesus feeds the hungry out of compassion, and because they are hungry. Herod feeds those who are not hungry as a way of showing his power and buying their favour. Jesus’ feeding of the hungry is an alternative politics to that of envy, greed and purchased popularity. How exactly the story fits the current news, eh?
"Those who would be Jesus’ disciples need to learn how to feed the hungry in a manner that charity does not become a way to gain power over those who are fed. There is a violent and nonviolent way to feed the hungry". (Page 139)
It is interesting, and spiritually astringent, to read a commentary on the gospel which is so outspokenly frank in its commentary on the kind of world Jesus calls us to confront, subvert, love and feed…. a world of Herodian banquets and hungry crowds.
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