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MARK: WORKING MESSIAH THIRD DIVISION: WHERE DOES THE MESSIAH WANT TO ESTABLISH HIS KINGDOM? 4:31-7:23 SECOND SECTION: IN SOCIETY? 6:1-29
(Corresponding PowerPoint® presentation: Mark 3rd Division 2nd Section SOCIETY or click on Mark Third Division Society PP on the 'home page' for the Mark studies.)
The Outline:
I. Jesus Visits Nazareth 6:1-6
II. The Twelve Disciples Are Sent Out To Preach 6:7-13
III. John Has Risen From The Dead! 6:14-29
Questions To Aid In The Study Of This Section: Mark 6:1-29
Jesus’ Power Over The Universe We have seen already how Jesus showed his great power over the elements calming the wind and the sea. We saw also how he was able with a few words to deliver a man controlled by ‘Legion’. He showed his power over an incurable illness in a woman, unsuccessfully treated by doctors, and over death, raising a young girl from the dead.
Jesus And His People In Society Now John Mark takes us to 3 more scenes that deal with 3 areas of society, which are: 1. One's home town 2. Cities in general 3. The royal court The town is that of Jesus, where he grew up, the town of Nazareth. The cities were those to which Jesus sent his 12 disciples to preach. The court was that of King Herod, the supposed king of Israel. If Only God Would Sort Things Out! Sometimes I hear people say, "I wish God would bring some justice to this world and put things in order around here!" They complain of the terrible state of society. In these three scenes that we will look at now, we will see how Jesus, the 12 disciples and John the Baptist are treated by society. After demonstrating what they say and do is exactly what society needs, they are rejected in the hometown, the cities and the royal court. If They Have Done So Much Good Why Are They Rejected? A question immediately arises. Having done so much on behalf of their society why do the people of their society reject them? This makes no sense. But will God change the society or the individual hearts of those who make up that society? The third section of this part of the gospel will answer that basic question. Meanwhile let us look at what occurs in the three stories, found in 6:1-29.
I. Jesus Visits Nazareth 6:1-6
Jesus Is Rejected In His Hometown, Amongst His Relatives And Neighbors Jesus traveled throughout Galilee preaching and he finally comes to the town where he grew up, the town of Nazareth. He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, as usual, and taught the people. The text gives the impression he was in Nazareth several days before the day of rest arrived. Those who heard him were amazed, and asked where he had gotten the things he did, the wisdom with which he spoke and the miracles that he performed. He had spent years growing up amongst them and they had never heard him say the things he said in the synagogue nor seen him perform such miracles! Now he speaks with great wisdom and does wonderful signs. Some may have noticed that Jesus disappeared from Nazareth for a time. He had gone to the Jordan to be baptized by John. Then he went into the desert for 40 days. He returned to Galilee and not much later began to preach. Compared to the years he spent in Nazareth he had spent just a short time away in the last months. As the people in Nazareth had not seen Jesus do the things he was presently doing, they wondered why he was able to suddenly speak with so much wisdom and perform such miracles. Where Did He Get All This From? Jesus had never studied in Jerusalem. He had not obtained the things he did from the doctors of the law nor from the religious leaders of Israel. John the Baptist would have been able to have taught him something, but John did not do miracles. Maybe he lived with an isolated religious community that lived in the desert? But were those communities known for doing great miracles? They did not know of any contact that Jesus might have had with the pagan mystery religions. Where did Jesus get these things? Offended, But Why? The Nazarenes went still further, not only were they amazed, they were offended! They knew all Jesus' family and even named them. They would have thought that ‘this man’ has received everything he knows and does from us. He has lived here for years. But it was obvious that Jesus had received incredible things, not from them, but from someone or some where else. They could not accept the stark reality that Jesus had not received all the greatest things he had, from them, so they rejected him. Now, this story does not explain where Jesus got his wisdom and power, but we know, having read the first part of the gospel, that he received those things that he did from the Father in heaven, and through the person of the Holy Spirit. Later Peter explained it all to the centurion Cornelius, at his home with his whole family gathered around him. Peter preached that Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit and power and went about all the land of the Jews preaching and healing the people oppressed by the devil, because God was with him. (Acts 10:37, 38) The people of Nazareth were offended, so Jesus could not do any great miracles amongst them. He only healed a few sick people. He might have done so much more for them! Jesus used a saying about prophets in their own country, that they were not accepted. The same things can occur today with the person who wants to preach in his own town and his own family. Even when you offer proof of a great change in your life, and you share the good news about Jesus and his salvation, it is possible that the people who know us the best may reject us. However, do not give up. This may last for a time but good changes may come in the future. A Few Respond But before leaving this scene let's think about those few that were healed. As in all cases there are exceptions, here there were as well. The majority of the people of Nazaret were offended, but a few received the blessing. It is possible that in your town and in your family the same may happen. Keep this in mind so that you don't get too discouraged about your family and their response to the Good News. What Might God Do In Your City Or Town? There is something else. The Lord teaches us to pray and to ask for good things from our Father in heaven, according to Matthew 7:7-11, 7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. AV/KJV Have you ever stopped to think of what the Lord might be able to do in your town, amongst your family and through your church? Could people commit their lives to the Lord every week? Could there be baptisms every month? We can pray for this to happen but yet ultimately leave it all in the hands of the Lord. The Lord can do such a thing but we don't know if and when he might do it. If we pray maybe he will do it in our children's lifetime. But, what if he doesn't do it? As we pray for growth the Lord can bring much blessing to our area. You pray for what God puts on your heart.
II. The Twelve Disciples Are Sent Out To Preach 6:7-13
Jesus Warns Them Of The Rejection They May Face In Certain Places Jesus sent his disciples out two by two. He gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He also gave them instructions about what they should take on the journey. They were not to carry anything. Aside from being a relatively short trip he gave them instructions to stay in the homes that extended them a welcome. In those homes they would feed them and give them lodging. They did not have to carry either bags, or blankets, or an extra coat, or money. They should go wearing sandals. And if in some place they did not receive them, they were to shake the dust of their feet off as a witness against them. Oh, How Very Worthwhile! That is to say, they were to travel from city in city, not depending on what they carried, but on what the population gave them. How can anyone compare a little room and board given, with the great blessings that the twelve brought with them to the people? The twelve preached repentance; they cast out demons; and they anointed with oil those who were sick and healed them. It would be entirely worth while to the villagers of Israel to exchange a little lodging for this physical and spiritual bounty! Crazy? The surprising thing is to hear Jesus warn them, that, in one or another city, they would be rejected! How could people reject blessings so obvious and so great? Were these people crazy? Crazy they were not, but were they not acting like they were crazy? There is something in man that rejects the good things that God offers. In the last scenes of this part of the gospel the Lord will speak about those things in man that cause him to react as if he were a lunatic. Could it be possible that the message of repentance had created problems for the disciples? To be free of demons, yes, people wanted that! To be healed of illnesses, yes, that too! But to examine people's motives, thoughts, attitudes and works, would be ‘meddling’, and not acceptable! Well they did cast out many demons and they healed many people. Wow! Praise God! At the same time the twelve were also representatives of Jesus. Everyone knew they were Jesus’ disciples! To this day anyone following and representing Jesus runs a risks. Rejected “Z____ was shot dead on Monday, February 17, 2002, at 8:30 in the morning. Born into the majority religion of his land he became a Christian seven years ago, and was openly talking about his faith. He left behind a widow and five children. “Z___ was very committed to his Christian faith. Twice he had been arrested but never charged. Several times his family and other had threatened him. To his friends he affirmed his devotion, ‘With Jesus on my side I have nothing to fear!’ “Z____ was a taxi driver by profession. On that Monday he was at the taxi rank when a man started to talk with him trying to persuade him to recant. When Z____ refused the man pulled an automatic rifle and sprayed Z____ with bullets. The assassin tried to run away. However other taxi drivers reportedly chased him, caught him, and he was placed in police custody. He told police that a prophet appeared to him in a dream and told him to kill Z____. “Z____’s city is under a particular regional administration in his country. Most people in the region follow a tolerant form of their religion. However, there are minority groups who take a more hard line view. At the time authorities were investigating whether the attacker acted alone or had links to armed groups." Well Received! Apparently in some cities the disciples would be well received. Wonderful! It has happened time after time until today millions of people throughout the world claim to be followers of Jesus, especially more recently, in Africa, Asia and Latin America! Let's go now to the court of King Herod. Surely a man so elevated in position would understand how important it is to walk before the Lord with great care, to repent of his wrongs, and receive all the blessing God might pour down on him and his kingdom. We shall soon see!
III. John Has Risen From The Dead! 6:14-29
Herod Asked Who Jesus Was King Herod had a problem. He was not sure who Jesus was. Everyone talked about him and mentioned his name. Some said that Jesus was John the Baptist raised from the dead. Others said that he was Elijah, the one that was to come. Herod agreed with those who said that he was John. Maybe this was because his conscience bothered him. Not knowing who Jesus is was embarrassing! After all Herod was the king and should know these things! His ‘FBI’, or as in the UK, his ‘CID’, was not up to standard! Herod Sat On The Fence John had told Herod that it was not lawful to have the wife of his brother Phillip, whose name was Herodias. Herod felt confused and uncertain about the matter. He did not know that to do with John. Herodias held a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. Herod, on the other hand feared him, knowing that he was a holy and just man, and he liked to listen to him. So He protected John, holding him in prison. But his brother's wife would force him to make a decision about John. Herod's birthday arrived. During the banquet he threw, the daughter of Herodias danced before all Herod's lords, and Herod was so impressed that offered her up to half of his kingdom. The girl left to confer with her mother and her mother demanded the head of John on a platter. Herod was very sad to hear this request but he did what she asked. And we need not be surprised at this. The kings of that time would do worse things without thinking twice. Herod beheaded John, and delivered his head to the girl. She gave it to her mother. Fables We had the opportunity of taking a tour of a cathedral in one of the countries where we were ministering. The guide took us from room to room. In one of them we noticed a head severed from the body lying on a shelf. When we asked what it was, the guide said that it was the head of John the Baptist, the real head of John the Baptist. He surprised us still more when he added that in his country, in four other locations, they had more authentic heads of John the Baptist! So, of course, we asked the guide about the case of John the Baptist. How did John get his head cut off? Well, he began to tell us the story. He said that 2000 years ago, in the times of Jesus, there was a king, by the name of Herod, and a prophet, by the name of John the Baptist. The king and the prophet both fell in love with the same maiden. And because the king wielded more influence and was more powerful, he killed the prophet, and took the woman. For many people it's all the same whether the guide knew the true story or not. For those who know the Bible, they know that guide's story is not correct. In fact, sometimes you hear fantastic things from people, when it has to do with biblical events. It is evident that the Word of God is not taught to people, or that people do not listen to the preachers. Those, so called Christian leaders, who do not teach the Bible are laying aside the word they supposedly represent. Hanging Horrors In recent years pastors have been assassinated for the testimony of Christ. One pastor was hung by the neck, from a tree near a particular city. The authorities said it was a suicide, but it was reported that anyone could see from the wounds on his body that he had been mistreated, tortured, and killed. He experienced the rejection John suffered.
If I am a pastor, or preacher, or evangelist, how will I escape blame if I don't preach the gospel truthfully? The Apostle Peter said that he and the apostles did not follow cunningly devised fables! For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty (2 Peter 1:16 NAS95). Are you taking time to pray for your pastor; the pastors of other churches of your city, if there are any; and for evangelists and preachers to be filled with the Holy Spirit and faithful to the gospel?
Questions To Aid In The Study Of This Section: Mark 6:1-29 1. Have you considered the possibility of following Jesus? Read the Bible for yourself and think it through. Ask God to help you understand as you read it. Look for a spiritual mentor who might read the Bible with you and talk it over with you. 2. Have you been rejected because you shared the gospel about Jesus with another person? When were you afraid you might be rejected for sharing the gospel? Have you learned to share the gospel so that if people reject it they reject the gospel and not you because you did not share it wisely? Does your ‘walk’ back up what you say? 3. If you were rejected for sharing Jesus with others what would you suffer? Mocking? Loss of your job? Threats? Ostracism? Loss of family? Loss of property? Death? 4. What exactly did Jesus suffer in Nazareth? 6:1-6 5. What were the disciples warned about as they went two by two through the cities? What might they expect in many cities? 6:7-13 6. What did John suffer? What did he do that led to his suffering? 6:14-29 7. Have you found instances of rejection in the newsletters or reports you receive from Christian workers? 8. Is there any support in this section for a ‘persecution complex’ or for hankering after ‘suffering for the gospel’?
©Copyright 2006-2046 John (Jack) W Rendel. All rights reserved. |
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