MARK 6 - Jesus sends 12; feeding 5000

NOTES BY VERSE

Note: each ** comment in this document is listed in numerical order according to the verse(s) from this chapter

** Those who know us best are more likely to scoff when we talk of our faith in Jesus

• Even Jesus went unrecognized and resented by the people in His hometown

• All of Galilee was talking excitedly about Jesus except the folks at home, thinking He was putting on airs and getting above Himself

• Don’t be surprised if you find the same thing – just remember who you will answer to in the end of days

• We may be misunderstood and rejected by those closest to us, but as long as we maintain an intimate relationship with God, we have a source of unfailing strength  <R1795>

Mark 6:1-4 NIV

[1] Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. [2] When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What's this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? [3] Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. [4] Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.”

** People are amazed at Jesus' wisdom and power

• His hometown crowd began to recognize Jesus as 'one of their own'

• Because they were familiar with Jesus, they began to despise Him because He taught with authority and was obviously different than the rest

• Jesus knew the people would reject any evidence given to them which would only end up increasing their damnation

Mark 6:2-3 NIV

[2] When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? [3] Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.

Mark 6:4-6 NIV

[4] Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” [5] He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. [6] He was amazed at their lack of faith. Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village.

** Jesus sent the twelve, two by two, to spread the Gospel after having given them authority over impure spirits

• Jesus’ power is so great that it can be expressed through others

• We can minister to others, not because of some spiritual gift, but because Christ has chosen to work in and through those who believe in Him

• The power to serve involves being His feet, hands, and mouth when we surrender to Him  <R1795>

Mark 6:7 NIV

[7] Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits.

Mark 6:12-13 NIV

[12] They went out and preached that people should repent. [13] They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.

** There comes a time when the Christian needs to stop 'playing nice', especially when they are compromising their witness

• Living in Jesus’ kingdom calls for us to be decisive about moral issues; determine what is right and do it!  <R1795>

• Christians often look to find the 'least offensive way' of communicating God's truth instead of helping others process via critical reasoning  <D40>

• Many believe that 'playing nice' is the least offensive approach even though it placates and ends up supporting those opposing God's law

• God's commands do not come with 'extenuating circumstance clauses' -- such as "do this in case you..." which gives people an out from obeying God

• God's commands should be considered red lines that define the behavior of His followers

• In this light, It's never acceptable to compromise God's law for ANY reason!

• Nothing wrong with discussing opposing views  but, all too often, people refuse to listen and don't know how to reason through an issue or debate their views

• Too many people simply expect others to automatically compromise their view so they can feel comfortable having more people in their camp

• If others don't automatically join their view, the offended party oftentimes look for justification -- perhaps finding a negative label to identify the other to add pressure on them to concede, or fabricated reason to explain their non-compliance, all in an effort so they feel ok 'unfriending them'

• There comes a point in time when reasoning with another becomes ineffective and futile

• Be prepared to 'shake the dust from your feet' and move on when this happens  <E58>

• In time, any love that is constantly rejected must ultimately fail  <R1795>

• It’s best to know when to ‘let go’ and use our energies toward more-successful ways

Mark 6:11 NIV [Jesus said]

[11] And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.

Luke 9:5 NIV [Jesus said]

[5] If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.

Luke 21:16-19 NIV

[16] You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. [17] Everyone will hate you because of me. [18] But not a hair of your head will perish. [19] Stand firm, and you will win life.

** There is this notion that 'God loves us as we are' -- but that is not the end of the story

• Indeed, God will MEET US where we are but then we are to repent and actively turn from our sinful ways

• The act of repentance involves recognizing our sin (rebellion against God), understanding how it hurts God, and then begging God for His mercy and forgiveness

• The awesome news is that God will make all things new, including forgiving and forgetting sin and then using it for His glory, whether in this life or His new kingdom  <B312>

Mark 6:12 NIV

[12] They went out and preached that people should repent.

Isaiah 65:17-18 NIV

[17] “See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. [18] But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy.

** John had called out Herod on his sin. John was fearless. He didn’t care who people were or what their positions were. And Herod put up with this because he admired the great prophet.

What was the sin that Herod was involved in? The Bible simply says that he was married to Herodias, his brother’s wife. And history tells us that, indeed, Herod married his brother Philip’s wife. But it gets even worse because Herodias was the daughter of Philips’s half brother, which also made her Herod’s niece.

What’s more, Herodias had a daughter named Salome, whom Herod looked at lustfully. So, he not only married his brother’s wife, who happened to be his niece, but he also had a lustful eye for the daughter of Herodias.  <L120>

Mark 6:17-18 NIV

[17] For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, whom he had married. [18] For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.”

** Even though some do not like hearing the truth or its source, they might find it comforting and wise to understand the boundaries regarding their choices and behavior

Mark 6:17-20 NIV

[17] For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. [18] For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” [19] So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, [20] because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him.

** The grudge of Herodias (Herod’s wife) is finally realized when her daughter asks for John's head; Herod was uneasy because he knew John was a holy man and spoke truth

Mark 6:21-24 NIV

[21] Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. [22] When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you.” [23] And he promised her with an oath, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.” [24] She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” “The head of John the Baptist,” she answered.

** It will help us greatly in our Christian life, if we will train ourselves to the habit of reporting to Christ continually, all that we do and say. We may come every evening to His feet, and tell Him all about the work and the life of our day.

Each day is a miniature life. Each morning we are sent out by our Master, commissioned by Him to do certain tasks, to touch certain lives, to leave certain blessings in the world, to endure certain temptations, to suffer or rejoice, as the case may be. At the close of the day — we come back to make report in our evening prayer, of all that we have done, not only the good and beautiful things including the obedience, the kindnesses, the victories over temptation, the things which have been helpful to others; but also the foolish things, the disobediences, the defeats, the neglects of duty.

If we remember as we go through the day that everything we do or say, and everything we fail to do or say must be reported to our Master, it would make us more careful as the moments pass, of what we do and what we fail to do. We would not do the things which would shame us to look into Christ's face, and tell Him what we did. We would learn to do only what would give us pleasure to report to Him.  <M136>

Mark 6:30 NIV

[30] The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught.

** Paul went away from all human contact for several years to spend time alone with God in the Arabian wilderness.

The newborn soul needs SOLITUDE, that, apart from the strife of tongues and the din of the world, it may meditate on those marvelous things which God has done for it. That it may frame a larger, deeper, more adequate conception of what salvation really is. That its gratitude may become more precise and more profound. That, with nothing and no one to distract, it may dedicate itself quietly and fully to its Lord.

The Bible teacher needs solitude, that he may apprehend the breadth and length and depth and height of that great, majestic, illimitable Book he is to proclaim. That he may seize hold of the truth of God — and that the truth of God may seize hold of him! That the truths of Scripture may become more than ever, his own possession and exceeding joy. And then, out of the abundance of his heart, his mouth will speak.

Every saint needs solitude, that he may shake off the dust and grime of worldliness and sin. That, waiting on the Lord, he may renew his strength. That a fresh unction from the Holy One may make him spiritually wise and strong.

• In Arabia, as he came forth from the cloud, the face of Moses shone.

• In Arabia, the soul of Paul duly took and strongly kept the print of Heaven.

• None of us should dispense with our Arabian wilderness!  <S182>

Galatians 1:15-17 NIV

[15] But when God, who set me apart from my mother's womb and called me by his grace, was pleased [16] to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being. [17] I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus.

Mark 6:31 NIV

[31] Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

** Even though He was exhausted, Jesus did not turn away those in need because He looked into their hearts and souls; likewise, we should put our compassion for others into action regardless of our comfort level

Mark 6:33-34 NIV

But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. [34] When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

** Our solutions to a problem often don't come close to what God has in mind

Mark 6:35-36 NIV

By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. [36] Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”

** God often tests our faith by asking what we should do, as He did with Philip wondering whether he would turn to Jesus for the answer?

• Andrew focused on how few resources were available; he brought the boy's few loaves and fish to Jesus' attention

• Likewise, Philip had a logical mind; he saw the enormity of the problem and asked "where shall we buy bread for the people?", not considering Jesus help or ability to solve the problem

• Even though both disciples saw Jesus turn water into wine and heal the invalid, they still thought Jesus could not meet this problem

• The boy should be commended for giving all he had to Jesus; nothing is too small for Jesus, like the woman who have of her few coins

• Often Jesus lets us evaluate the problem from our limited perspective to later appreciate the supernatural work of God

John 6:5-6 NIV

[5] When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” [6] He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.

Mark 6:37 NIV

But he answered, “You give them something to eat.” They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages ! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?”

** Jesus performed the miracle of feeding 5000 to show His power of meeting more than just the physical need

• Actually, it was more like 10-20 000 with women and children

• Jesus abundantly (not just minimally) met people's needs

• God continues to show us His unlimited ability and our faith is expanded

Mark 6:41-44 NIV

[41] Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. [42] They all ate and were satisfied, [43] and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. [44] The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.

** After spending time in the crowd performing miracles, Jesus went to a solitary place to spend time with His Father in prayer

Mark 6:46 NIV

[46] After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.

** Sometimes Jesus places us in the storm, as the storm that hit the Sea of Galilee while the disciples were in the boat battling to the point of reaching their limits of physical endurance; no storm is a surprise to Jesus nor are we ever out of His sight, just like Jesus put the disciples in the storm yet kept His eye on them

John 6:18-19 NIV

[18] A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. [19] When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened.

Mark 6:47-48 NIV

[47] Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. [48] He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them

** Jesus did not come immediately when He saw the disciples struggling in the boat in the storm; indeed, it was almost morning when He came, and the disciples had been struggling all night in the storm.

Yet He had not been indifferent to them meanwhile. From the mountainside where He was praying, He kept His eye upon them. "He saw that they were in serious trouble." All that dark night, He kept a watch upon that little boat that bore His disciples in the midst of the waves.

There is something very suggestive in the narrative. This 'boat in the storm', is a picture of 'Christ's friends in this world, in the storms of life'. Sometimes we think we are forgotten — but from His place in glory, Christ's eye is always on us! He sees us struggling, battling with the waves, beaten, and distressed. He has full sympathy with us in all our struggles. It ought to be a great strength and comfort to us in trial, to know this. Jesus intercedes for us in our distresses!

It may not be best always to deliver us immediately but His prayer continually ascends, that our faith may not fail in the struggle. This also should encourage us. Then, He always comes in time. He may delay long, but it is never too long. If we call upon Him in trouble, we may be sure that He hears and sees us, and knows just how hard it is for us to endure; that He prays for us that we may not fail, and that He will come at the right time for our deliverance!  <M136>

Mark 6:45-48 NIV

[45] Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. [46] After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray. [47] Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. [48] He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them

** Jesus walked on water to greet the disciples, defying the physical norms, caring and encouraging them with His words, and demonstrating His power over all things by calming the water when He got into the boat

Mark 6:48-51 NIV

[48] He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, [49] but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, [50] because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” [51] Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed,

** Jesus wanted those healed to remain quiet so He could continue to preach and move around freely; He knew when word got out, that people would swarm Him for self-centered reasons

Mark 1:43-45 NIV

[43] Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: [44] “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” [45] Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.

Mark 6:54-56 NIV

[54] As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. [55] They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. [56] And wherever he went---into villages, towns or countryside---they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.