SCRIPTURE: MARK 6
A PROPHET WITHOUT HONOR (vs. 1-6)
Jesus went to his hometown with his disciples. When Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue and many who heard him were amazed. They were wondering why Jesus had wisdom and could do miracles when he was just the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon. Jesus said: “Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor.” (v. 4). He did not want to do miracles there except healing few sick people.
JESUS SENDS OUT THE TWELVE (vs. 7-13)
Jesus called the twelve disciples and sent them out two by two giving them authority over evil spirits.
Instructions of Jesus:
- Take nothing for the journey except a staff – no bread, no bag, no money in your belts.
- Wear sandals but not an extra tunic.
- Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town.
- If any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them.
JOHN THE BAPTIST BEHEADED (vs. 14-29)
The name of Jesus had become well known. Some thought that he was John the Baptist who has been raised from the dead. Others said that he is Elijah. And still others claimed that He is a prophet. Herod said, “John, the man I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!” (v. 16)
Herod had given orders to have John arrested, bounded and put in prison. He did this because he had married Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. For John had told him that it is not lawful for him to have his brother’s wife. So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to do it without any valid reason.
During Herod’s birthday, he gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and leading men of Galilee. The daughter of Herodias came in and danced. This pleased the king and he promised her with an oath to give her whatever she asked. The daughter went to ask her mother and her mother hold her : “The head of John the Baptist” (v. 24). The girl returned and told the king: “I want you to give me the head of John the Baptist on a platter now.” (v. 25) The king was greatly distressed, but he must honor his oath. So he sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison, and brought back his head on a platter. He presented it to the girl and she gave it to her mother. Upon hearing this, John’s disciples came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
JESUS FEEDS THE FIVE THOUSAND (vs. 30-44)
Jesus and his disciples went to a quiet place through a boat to get some rest. Many saw them leaving followed and got ahead of them. When Jesus saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. When it was late, the disciples wanted to send the people away so that they could buy themselves something to eat. But Jesus told the disciples to give them something to eat. The disciples replied: “That would take eight months of a man’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?” (v. 37) So, he asked his disciples to go and see. They were able to bring him five loaves of bread and two fish. Then Jesus directed all the people to sit down on the green grass. Jesus took the bread and two fish, looked up to heaven, gave thanks and broke the bread. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute. All ate and were satisfied. There were leftovers of twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.
JESUS WALKS ON THE WATER (vs. 45-56)
Jesus dismissed the crowd ant told the disciples to get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida. Then he went up on a mountainside to pray. When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and Jesus was alone on land. About the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went out, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him, they thought he was a ghost. Jesus immediately spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid” (v. 50). Then he climbed into the boat with them and the wind died down.
When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. When the people saw Jesus, the whole region carried the sick to Him. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.
THOUGHTS:
Jesus was teaching and healing the people but the people in his hometown saw him as only a carpenter. They rejected his authority and did not accept his message because he was one of their peers. Prejudice can blind us to real truth. Friends, family or neighbors may not respect your Christian work but don’t let their rejection hinder you from serving God.
Jesus sent his disciples by pairs so that they could encourage and strengthen each other. Teamwork is very important in accomplishing God’s work.
Jesus’ instruction to his disciple was to leave at once without extensive preparation. This is to teach them to trust in God’s care rather than in their own resources.
Jesus told his disciple to shake the dust from their feet after leaving a Jewish town. It was a sign that they wished to remain separate from people who had rejected Jesus and his message. People who heard the gospel were responsible to themselves. The disciples were not to be blamed if the message was rejected as long as they had faithfully and carefully presented it. We are also not responsible when others reject Christ’s message of salvation, but we have the responsibility to share the Gospel clearly and faithfully.
King Herod thought that Jesus was John the Baptist came back to life. Others thought that he was Elijah. Still others believed that Jesus was a teaching prophet. How about you? Who do you think Jesus is?
Herodias was the wife of Philip, brother of King Herod. She left Philip to marry Herod Antipas. When John confronted them for committing adultery, Herodias was furious and wanted to get rid of him. She used the opportunity when her daughter danced during Herod’s party and was promised by Herod to give her whatever she asked. Due to pressure and to honor his word, Herod had John killed. This teaches us two lessons. First, do not promise anything under oath without seriously thinking about it. Second, be able to stand firm to what is right even if you are under pressure.
When Jesus asked the disciples to provide food for over 5,000 people, they were amazed and said it would take a small fortune to feed such a crowd. How do you react when you are given an impossible task? When facing an impossible task, do what you can and ask God to do the rest.
The disciples were surprised to see someone walking on the water. Jesus went there because there was a strong wind and they needed help. His presence had calm them down. Remember that when you are in “deep water”, Christ knows your struggle and He cares for you. He is always with you. His presence is the antidote for fear.