Mark 6:30-52; New Leadership

Sermon in a sentence: Jesus established a new kind of leadership.

Jesus Is The Better Prophet (vs. 30-44)

He is God’s provision (Isaiah 55:1-2, John 6:35)

Isaiah 55:1–2 ESV

1 “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.

John 6:35 ESV

35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.

2. He provides food in the wilderness (Exodus 16:3)

3. He is the shepherd that provides rest for his people (Numbers 27:15-17, Psalm 23)

Numbers 27:15–17 ESV

15 Moses spoke to the Lord, saying, 16 “Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation 17 who shall go out before them and come in before them, who shall lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the Lord may not be as sheep that have no shepherd.”

4. He is the better Elijah/Elisha prophet. (1 Kings 17, 2 Kings 4:1-7; 4:42-44)

1 Kings 17 - Elijah, the widow, and her son

2 Kings 4:1-7 - Elisha, the widow, and her oil

2 Kings 4:42–44 ESV

42 A man came from Baal-shalishah, bringing the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack. And Elisha said, “Give to the men, that they may eat.” 43 But his servant said, “How can I set this before a hundred men?” So he repeated, “Give them to the men, that they may eat, for thus says the Lord, ‘They shall eat and have some left.’ ” 44 So he set it before them. And they ate and had some left, according to the word of the Lord.

5. He prophesies the Last Supper (6:41)

What was Jesus teaching his disciples?

How to depend on God. Remember he told them not to take extra money, clothes, or food with them.

How to have compassion. We are to love until it hurts.

Jesus Is The Better King (vs. 45-52)

The crowd had to be dispersed by Jesus. (John 6:15)

John 6:15 ESV

15 Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

Jesus sent his apostles into the storm that beat upon them.

Kings and leaders of military campaigns have to often send men into the deadliest parts of the battle!

As messengers of Jesus, we should expect to face storms.

We should not harden our hearts like the disciples.

If you aren’t facing storms then this should be a wake up call. (This is something Joyce said to me the other day)

Jesus was passing by his disciples on the water.

As the King of Heaven passed before Moses in the cleft of the rock, Jesus passed before his disciples in the boat.

Notice the use of εγο ειμι

One day, we all will have to walk before the Lord. What will be your response?