King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some were saying, ‘John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him.’ But others said, ‘It is Elijah.’ And others said, ‘It 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.’ (Mark 6: 14-16)

The complete identity of Jesus is beyond full understanding. Whether trinitarian, unitarian, intellectual, spiritual, or the follower of some other framework for understanding, Jesus remains - at least in part - a mystery.

Herod Antipas - one of the sons of Herod the Great - was further separated from Jesus by his guilt. He knew that his execution of John the Baptist was unjust. Antipas brought his deepest shame and fear to Jesus.

But instead of giving this shame and fear to Jesus, Antipas projected it on Jesus. Rather than seeking forgiveness, Antipas expected vengeance. He could not escape remaking Jesus in his own image.

Above is Mirror Image by Doug Hoppes.