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Introduction

       

Previous Studies :

      In the first set of studies on Mark's Gospel, we saw the start of Jesus' ministry and how he very soon attracted, the opposition of the religious groups in the country.

 

These Studies :

      In this second set of studies in Mark, we will continue to see the conflict grow between Jesus and the religious groups. Not only that, we see again those who knew him well having trouble with believing.

      With this we will clearly see Jesus teaching on the weaknesses of "religion" that is man-centred as against the Gospel that he comes to bring, revealing the possibility of a relationship through him to his Father in heaven.

 

       While this is going on we will see Jesus continuing activity revealing him as the Son of God who rules over sickness, demons and the elements as we see him miraculously dealing with every situation.

 

       Within these chapters also look out for the way that Jesus shepherds his disciples and takes care of them. Again and again we will see him thinking about his disciples and making provision for them and teaching them patiently.

 

PART 1 : Expanding Ministry

     In this chapter look out for the stark contrasts, first of unbelief in his own town and then, at the end of the chapter, massive popularity. Despite the unbelief in his own town we will see Jesus expanding his ministry by sending out his disciples, and this against the backdrop of the death of John the Baptist. Observe also Jesus in complete control of every situation. Ask the Lord to enlarge your understanding of him as you read through this chapter.

Study No.1 : Unbelief at home: Mark 6:1-6

A. Find Out:

        

1. To where did Jesus go? v.1

2. How did the people react to his teaching? v.2

3. How did they respond to him? v.3c

4. Where did Jesus say a prophet isn't accepted? v.4

5. How was Jesus limited there? v.5

6. What did Jesus feel about this? v.6

 

B. Think :

1. Why did the people have a problem with Jesus, despite the fact he was

     doing miracles?

2. What surprising fact does this reveal about Jesus' power to perform

     miracles?

3. How is it possible for us to fall into the same trap as these people in this

     passage?

 

C. Comment :

      At the start of this second part in this series on Mark's Gospel, we are presented with an amazing picture that is contrary to all that went before. Previously wherever Jesus went crowds flocked to him and hundreds came for healing. Here, now in his home town, the opposite appears to be happening.

     The people here in his home town were actually amazed at the depth of his teaching and the wisdom with which he spoke. Not only that, they acknowledged that he even performed miracles, but despite this we read "they took offence at him".

      The fact is that their unbelief actually stopped miracles happening! Are we the same? The reason for this strange response was that they thought they knew his origins. After all, they knew his mother, brothers and sisters (obviously a large family, with Mary having at least seven children). Therefore they said, why is he any different from us. We sometimes say "familiarity breeds contempt". That was certainly true here.

 

D. Application?

1. Do we, if we've known the Lord long, suffer from over familiarity

2. Do we have leaders that we take for granted and don't esteem?

  

   

Study No.2 : Disciples sent out : Mark 6:7-13

A. Find Out:    

       

1. How did Jesus send the twelve out? v.7

2. What authority did he give them? v.7

3. What were they NOT to take? v.8

4. What were they to do if not welcomed? v.11

5. What did they preach? v.12

6. What 2 other things did they do? v.13

 

B. Think :

1. Why do you think Jesus sent them out in pairs?

2. How were they to do what Jesus had been doing?

3. How was that different from a simple preaching ministry?

 

C. Comment :

      Yesterday we saw the unbelief that Jesus encountered. However, instead of being discouraged by it he moves to extend God's rule even more by sending out his 12 disciples to also do what he was doing. First of all he INSTRUCTS them what to do:

1. All to go in pairs (probably for protection and mutual encouragement),

    then

2. Not to bother with provisions (they will be looked after as they go), then

3. How to handle rejection (just leave it behind you). Can WE learn from

     these guidelines?

       Second he EQUIPS them by giving them authority. When Jesus says you can do it, you CAN do it, and here he gives them authority over evil spirits and sickness.

  

       Finally we saw them go out and do it. Jesus had obviously told them to preach what he preached, and so they go out and preach repentance, that people should turn away from sin and turn back to God. As people responded to them they delivered people from demons and healed the sick. Note: those who rejected them would have gone off unchanged!

 

D. Application?

1. Do you get discouraged by other people's criticism or does it make you

    more determined to go on?

2. Ask the Lord to extend your faith to become someone who shares God's

     love with life-changing power.

Study No.3 : Mistaken Identity : Mark 6:14-20

A. Find Out:

        

1. To whom were people likening Jesus? v.14,15

2. Why did they think that? v.14c

3. Who had caused Herod to kill John? v.17

4. What had John been saying to Herod? v.18

5. What result had this had? v.19

6. Why was Herod afraid of John? v.20

 

B. Think :

1. How did the superstitious people link Jesus to John the Baptist?

2. How had John's righteousness caused action to be taken against him?

3. How on the other hand had it protected him?

 

C. Comment :

      While the disciples are going out preaching and healing, as we saw yesterday, Mark takes us to see how other people are responding to Jesus. We saw in the previous part of the Series that Israel was in an ungodly state, and superstition which runs rife in the midst of ungodliness shows itself at this point. One group of people thought that Jesus must be John resurrected, and that's why he's got miraculous powers. Another group thought Jesus must be Elijah come back, again probably because Elijah had been a prophet who did miraculous things. Others simply said he must be one of the prophets from long ago, probably because he preached a message of repentance. There was obviously much discussion about Jesus around the country.

      Having mentioned John the Baptist, Mark now explains how John had come to be put to death. First of all John had boldly challenged king Herod over his sin and because of this Herod's so-called wife had wanted to do away with John because of what he said about her. The only thing was that Herod was afraid of John's power as a holy man, and this gave John temporary protection, sadly only for a short while though.

 

D. Application?

1. Ask the Lord to make you someone who is not afraid to fearlessly speak

     the truth about wrongs in our Society.

2. Declare afresh, today, just who Jesus really is.

     

Study No.4 : A Foolish Promises : Mark 6:19-29

A. Find Out:

           

1. How did Herod react when he listened to John? v.20

2. What event was planned? v.21

3. How was Herod pleased? v.22a

4. What silly thing did he promise? v.22b, 23

5. What did she ask for? v.24,25

6. Why did Herod not want to refuse? v.26

 

B. Think :

1. How is Herod shown to be a stupid and weak-principled king?

2. How was the daughter as bad as the mother?

3. What does this teach US for living today?

 

C. Comment :

      We come today to the second biggest injustice in this Gospel (Jesus' own death being the first!). It occurs at a great banquet for Herod's birthday. He is acting as the great host and has many leading people there. When Herodias's daughter dances so well, the silly king gets carried away, probably in his effort to impress his guests, and promises her whatever she asks for - even up to half his kingdom! She, not knowing what to ask for, refers to her mother who immediately takes the opportunity to demand John's death, which she has been wanting Herod to bring about for some time.

      At that point the king is in a quandary. He doesn't want to kill John but has made this promise before all these important people. Well, one life is nothing compared with losing face! So John is killed - just like that! We have every right to feel angry at such blatant self-centred injustice. The lesson is to never let yourself get carried away (by drinks, success, enthusiasm or whatever) so that you place yourself in such a wrong position where you have to do wrong. Confess your error rather than commit the further sin.

 

D. Application?

1. Read 2 Timothy 1:7 Ask the Lord to remind you that you have a spirit of

     self-discipline or self-control, and let it rule in you.

2. Ask the Lord to help you become someone who can confess mistakes

     before they grow bigger & bigger.

 

Study No.5 : A Need of Rest : Mark 6:30-34

A. Find Out:

          

1. From where had the disciples returned? v.12 & 30

2. Why hadn't they time to eat? v.31a

3. Why did Jesus suggest they find a quiet place? v.31b

4. How did they get there? v.32

5. But what did the people do? v.33

6. What did Jesus feel about them? v.34

 

B. Think :

1. How do these verses show Jesus as a shepherd with his disciples?

2. How, quite differently, was he like a shepherd to the crowd?

3. What does this passage teach us about Christian ministry?

 

C. Comment :

     The disciples are tired after their first excursion into ministry. They need a time to sit with Jesus, to feed and to be refreshed. Unfortunately the large numbers of people who are constantly coming to Jesus stop that happening, and so Jesus decides to take them away to get rest, across the lake by boat. There are times when we too need to draw aside and be refreshed just by being with Jesus alone.

     Unfortunately, the people again watch where they are going and follow on foot, and by the time they land the crowd is beginning to arrive again. Perhaps the disciples have had some time to be refreshed in some measure, as they sailed along the shore of the lake. When Jesus saw the crowd, therefore, he found his heart going out to them again and so to meet their need he stopped and taught them.

      We see Jesus here as a shepherd, first of all providing for his own disciples. He knows they're in need of refreshing, but then when the crowd appear, lost and needy, he reaches out to them also, to bring them into a possible place of security and rest. Through his teaching. Jesus cares for all - disciples and mere questioners.

 

D. Application?

1. Do we know that Jesus cares about OUR needs?

2. Do we find our hearts going out to the needs around us?

3. Have we learnt that we sometimes NEED to withdraw to be with Jesus

    and be refreshed?

  

Study No.6 : Feeding 5000  : Mark 6:35-44

A. Find Out:

          

1. Who pointed out that it was getting late? v.35

2. What did they suggest? v.36

3. What did Jesus reply? v.37a

4. What was their problem? v.37b

5. What did they have in fact? v.38

6. How much did each person get? v.42

 

B. Think :

1. How were the disciples limited in their thinking?

2. How does Jesus act like a teacher in the situation?

3. What does this episode teach us?

 

C. Comment :

      The crowds who have come to Jesus have been receiving spiritual food through Jesus' teaching, and now the disciples recognise they need natural food. What they don't yet realise is that Jesus can meet that need as well! Many of us need to see that Jesus is concerned both for our spiritual well-being AND our physical well-being.

      The disciples suggest to Jesus the natural way out - send the people away to get food, but Jesus uses the situation as a teaching time for the disciples by suggesting that they feed the crowd themselves. They of course, are still thinking with human reasoning - which excludes divine potential - and reason that it would be too expensive to feed this crowd, i.e. they focus on the MAGNITUDE OF THE PROBLEM. Jesus asks what resources they have already?

      Their brief answer indicates they turn the focus to the LIMITATION OF RESOURCES available. Jesus now steps in and shows them what can be done, with the DIVINE ABILITY, and simply feeds the five thousand with the bread and fish they already had. The lesson that is seen is that Jesus can take limited resources and use them to fully meet the need that is there, AND he also wants to involve us in that!

 

D. Application?

1. Can Jesus use the resources that He has already given us, to minister to

     those around us?

2. Do we limit the Lord by our limited thinking?

    

Study No.7 : Jesus Walks on Water : Mark 6:45-52

A. Find Out:

        

1. Who sent the disciples off in the boat? v.45

2. Where did Jesus go to pray? v.46

3. Why were the disciples having difficulty? v.48a

4. What did Jesus do about it? v.48b

5. What did the disciples feel? v.49,50

6. What happened when Jesus climbed aboard? v.51

7. Why had they not understood? v.52

 

B. Think :

1. Why do you think Jesus had left the disciples to go on their own?

2. What does this incident tell us about Jesus and what He can do?

3. What does the comment of v.52 tell us about our ability to understand

     who Jesus really is?

 

C. Comment :

     Jesus, with the infinite wisdom of God, knows what will happen and how he can best use the situation. Here he sends the disciples off alone in the boat while he remains, dismisses the crowd and prays alone. The disciples get into difficulty with the head wind and so Jesus goes to them, calmly walking on the water, and brings peace to their stressful situation

      First we see Jesus taking his disciples away from a potentially harmful situation. John 6:15 tells us the crowd wanted to make Jesus king and because the disciples are impressionable, Jesus wants to get them away from the crowd quickly

      Next we see Jesus pushing the disciples into a situation where they cannot cope but where they will encounter Jesus in a new way. At the end of this, Matthew 14:33 shows them acclaiming Jesus as the Son of God. Quite often Jesus will take us from areas of apparent blessing that we think are good, into situations of difficulty (that we think are bad) to ensure we are kept from wrong thinking and to lead us into a deeper experience of him.

 

D. Application?

1. How do we react when Jesus tests us out?

2. Do we have a big enough vision of who He is?

 

Study No.8 : Jesus' Popularity : Mark 6:53-56

A. Find Out:

        

1. Where did the boat land? v.53

2. What happened as soon as they got out? v.54

3. What did the people then do? v.55

4. Where did Jesus meet with people? v.56a

5. What did they beg to do? v.56b

6. What happened to all who did this? v.56c

 

B. Think :

1. How well was Jesus now known by the people?

2. What was it that drew crowds to him?

3. To what extent was the power of God revealed through him?

 

C. Comment :

      In these few verses we see Jesus' popularity at this stage of his ministry. As soon as the boat arrives at shore somebody sees them and recognises Jesus and then the word spreads like wildfire. Before they know where they are, there are crowds pouring to them from every direction bringing the sick to be healed.

      Indeed wherever they went, it seems, they almost had a meeting laid on for them in the local market square where the sick were brought for Jesus. Such was the faith of the people that they merely wanted to touch Jesus, and when they did, they were healed!

  What a contrast the end of this chapter is from the beginning! At the beginning of the chapter, in his own town, he could hardly do anything because so few came to be healed, through lack of faith.

      Here now, in other towns, they flocked to him, all wanting to be healed. It is interesting to note that Jesus frequently seemed to heal people without any great preaching going beforehand. It is a demonstration of God's love, power and authority that He constantly sought to restore and free people from sickness, sometimes without preaching, sometimes after the good news had been preached.

 

D. Application?

1. Is the presence of Jesus so great with us that people want to know us?

2. Ask the Lord to draw you so close to Him that it will be like that.

  

RECAP No.1  "Expanding Ministry"  Mark 6

SUMMARY :  

       

In these first 8 studies we have seen:

  - the unbelief in Jesus' home town

  - Jesus sending the 12 disciples out to preach

  - the arrest and death of John the Baptist

  - the apostles return in need of rest

  - Jesus feeding the five thousand

  - Jesus walking on the lake at night

  - Jesus' popularity wherever he went

 

COMMENT :

      This chapter is a mixed bag. It starts with Jesus' rejection in his home town and it ends with his acceptance by thousands who came to him wherever he was.

      It reveals Jesus extending his work by sending out his 12 closest followers for the first time. It records the end of the ministry of John the Baptist while showing the ongoing miraculous nature of Jesus' ministry, showing him as one who has power over the material world to change it or use it as he wills.

 

LESSONS :

1. We need to avoid becoming over familiar with Jesus

2. We need to overcome discouragement with a determination to go on

3. We should not be afraid to fearlessly speak out for Jesus and for righteousness

4. We should learn to confess mistakes quickly

5. We sometimes need to withdraw to rest and spend time with Jesus

 

PRAY :

1. Thank and praise Him for what you have seen of Him.

2. Ask Him to help you learn the above lessons

 

PART 2 : "Further Dispute"

     This next chapter reveals the heart of man-centred religion. Watch for it. Also watch the gentle way Jesus deals with those who are needy, both Gentile and Jew who come before him.