June 4, 2023
Evening Service

Jesus Rejected at Nazareth

A quick summary of chapter five Sam presented last week. Jesus healed a demon possessed man that had broken many forms of containment, Jesus was recognized by the man and allowed the demon spirits to be cast into a group of swine that ran down a steep hill and drowned in the water. They traveled to the other side of the sea afterwards. Then a man named Jairus pleaded with Jesus to come and heal his daughter who was at the point of death. Jesus went with the man and the crowd was pressing in from all around. A woman with an issue of blood for twelve years touched his garments and immediately was healed by her faith. Jesus asked the disciples with him, who touched my clothes? The disciples were perplexed because of the numerous people all around him as he walked. Jesus asked this because He felt the power leave Him through the woman’s faith and actions. He spotted the woman and she fell at His feet, He told her to go in peace, your faith has made you well. While He spoke to this woman, rulers from the synagogue's house came and told Jairus not to bother the Teacher because his daughter is dead. Jesus told them to not be afraid, but only believe because the child is not dead, but sleeping. At this, some of them ridiculed Jesus and He put them out, only the parents and those with Jesus went to the place where the girl rested. Jesus took the girl by the hand and said, little girl, I say to you arise. Instantly, the girl rose and walked and they were greatly amazed. Jesus instructed them not to tell of the event and to get her something to eat.

 

Mark 6:1  Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him. 

Mark 6:2  And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, "Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! 

Mark 6:3  Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?" So they were offended at Him. 

Mark 6:4  But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house." 

Mark 6:5  Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. 

Mark 6:6  And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.

Jesus’ own compatriots tried to set the minds of people against him. They asked each other, “Is not this the carpenter, son of Mary whom his brothers and sisters are here with us?” Jesus probably worked as a carpenter with his earthly father. He therefore put honor upon manual labor and encouraged everyone who eats, to do so by the work of their hands. It is flattering for the followers of Christ to be content with the satisfaction of doing good, although the praise of it should be given to our Lord Jesus. Just think how much was lost by his own fellow citizens and relatives because of these stubborn preconceived beliefs against Jesus! Divine grace from our Lord and Savior delivers us from unbelief! Unbelief will make Christ Jesus an attraction of death, rather than life for our souls. With this in mind in the likeness of Jesus, we need to teach the unbelievers the way of salvation through repentance and be the disciples of Jesus. 

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Apostles

Mark 6:7  And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits. 

Mark 6:8  He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts— 

Mark 6:9  but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics. 

Mark 6:10  Also He said to them, "In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place. 

Mark 6:11  And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!" 

Mark 6:12  So they went out and preached that people should repent. 

Mark 6:13  And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.

These apostles were fully aware of their own abilities and cognizant of themselves having great weakness. They expected no worldly advantage, yet in obedience to their Master, and dependent upon His strength, they went out. They did not entertain people with their curiosities, but told them they must repent of their sins, and turn to God. Our hope in Christ will help us to turn many away from their dark sides and to God through the power of the Holy Spirit within us. Not of our own power, but of God’s power! 

The Death of John the Baptist

Mark 6:14  Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known. And he said, "John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him." 

Mark 6:15  Others said, "It is Elijah." And others said, "It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets." 

Mark 6:16  But when Herod heard, he said, "This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!" 

Mark 6:17  For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; for he had married her. 

Mark 6:18  Because John had said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." 

Mark 6:19  Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; 

Mark 6:20  for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly. 

Mark 6:21  Then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee. 

Mark 6:22  And when Herodias' daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, "Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you." 

Mark 6:23  He also swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom." 

Mark 6:24  So she went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?" And she said, "The head of John the Baptist!" 

Mark 6:25  Immediately she came in with haste to the king and asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter." 

Mark 6:26  And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her. 

Mark 6:27  Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought. And he went and beheaded him in prison, 

Mark 6:28  brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. 

Mark 6:29  When his disciples heard of it, they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb. 

King Herod feared John while he was alive, and feared him even more when he was dead. Herod did a lot of the things John taught him when he preached; it is just not enough to do many things, we must honor and respect all the commandments. Herod respected John, until he confronted him about his relationship with Herodias. Therefore, we can say there are many people that love good preaching, if the Word preached does not engage the sin the listener is currently doing. A commentary I read said, it is better that sinners persecute ministers now for faithfulness, than curse them eternally for unfaithfulness. A faithful minister is preaching the Word as it is given and an unfaithful minister does not only condemn himself, but also becomes a stumbling block for others and is a hypocrite. The ways of God are far above our understanding and comprehension; but we have confidence He will never be at a loss to repay his servants for what they endure or lose for His sake.

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

Mark 6:30  Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught. 

Mark 6:31  And He said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. 

Mark 6:32  So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves. 

Mark 6:33  But the multitudes saw them departing, and many knew Him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to Him. 

Mark 6:34  And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things. 

Mark 6:35  When the day was now far spent, His disciples came to Him and said, "This is a deserted place, and already the hour is late. 

Mark 6:36  Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves bread; for they have nothing to eat." 

Mark 6:37  But He answered and said to them, "You give them something to eat." And they said to Him, "Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?" 

Mark 6:38  But He said to them, "How many loaves do you have? Go and see." And when they found out they said, "Five, and two fish." 

Mark 6:39  Then He commanded them to make them all sit down in groups on the green grass. 

Mark 6:40  So they sat down in ranks, in hundreds and in fifties. 

Mark 6:41  And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and the two fish He divided among them all. 

Mark 6:42  So they all ate and were filled. 

Mark 6:43  And they took up twelve baskets full of fragments and of the fish. 

Mark 6:44  Now those who had eaten the loaves were about five thousand men.

We must not let ministers do anything or preach anything that are not in line with the Lord and what He has for us believers. Ministers are essentially teachers and shepherds to the flock or body of Christ, because of this, they will be held to a higher degree of accountability, to not mislead believers and cause deception. Jesus noticed the fears of some and the struggles of other disciples; and provided rest for those that are weary, and solace for those that are afraid. The people who followed Jesus and His disciples were hungry for the spiritual food of Christ's word, and then He made Divine provisions for them that they should not want food for the body. If Christ and his disciples provided with average things, this can be an example for us to use what we have for God’ glory. This miracle of feeding the 5,000 men (and who knows the total with women and children present also), shows that Christ came into the world, not only to restore spiritual life, but also to preserve and nourish it fully; in Him there is always enough for all who believe. The only people that are sent away empty from Christ, are those who come to Him full of themselves and having no room for Him. Jesus was thankful to the Father in Heaven and He blessed the loaves and fish to be plentiful for the need, but He also teaches not to waste God’s bounty, because many people are still in want. We may just find ourselves in a future time, wishing that we had the scraps of food that we now toss away when times are plentiful. I thought of how Joseph made use of the years of plenty when he was in power in Egypt, to be prepared for the years of lacking that was to come in the future. 

Jesus Walks on the Water

Mark 6:45  Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away. 

Mark 6:46  And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray. 

Mark 6:47  Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land. 

Mark 6:48  Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by. 

Mark 6:49  And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; 

Mark 6:50  for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." 

Mark 6:51  Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled. 

Mark 6:52  For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened. 

Jesus Heals the Sick in Gennesaret

Mark 6:53  When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there. 

Mark 6:54  And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, 

Mark 6:55  ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was. 

Mark 6:56  Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well.

The church body of believers is at times, like a ship on the sea, tossed about with turbulence, disturbances, and not feeling comforted. We know and believe we have Christ for us, yet the storms of life are against us and seem to consume us. However, our true comfort comes from Christ Jesus as our Lord and Redeemer is in Heaven and interceding for his followers. There are no struggles or complication that can inhibit Christ's appearance for his people, when our circumstances seem to best us, we can call on Him and He is always there. He recognizes us as his own and He will silence our fears, by making Himself known to us. When the disciples were on the boat and saw Jesus but was not aware of it being Him, instead thought it was a ghost, they cried out and Jesus said, It is I; do not be afraid. Then Jesus walked up to the boat, the wind stopped, and the disciples were amazed beyond measure and marveled at the sight of their Master! Jesus has the power to soothe our fears and pacify are weaknesses, if the mistakes we make are set right, we are satisfied, especially our mistakes as they pertain to Christ. Our lack of faith, our fears, our inadequacies, all become are strength when we trust in the Lord for our deliverance from them. Notice in the scriptures, when the disciples have their Master with them, all is well and fear is gone. Sometimes we fail in thinking of the miracles Jesus performed and granted power to His apostles to perform, that in our present time this is not occurring. To the contrary, Jesus is still in the miracle performing business and through rightly trusting and praying to Him for deliverance, we can see these today! It is most important to give Him the praise for these answered prayers and miracles of deliverance. We truly know that the power of man will only go so far, but the power of our Lord Jesus is not limited by anything. Today, if Jesus’ ministers could cure people's bodily diseases as He granted power to the apostles to do, think of how many people would flock to them for bodily healing! We live in a world today that people tend to value their bodies, more than their souls. This is an extremely heart-breaking reality that people value the temporal more than the eternal! Our bodies we reside in today are a temporal residence for our souls; we must have faith in Jesus as our Savior to have eternal life!