Jr High Mark 6:1-29

So this weekend, we are going to continue in our study of the gospel of Mark. We just studied in chapter 5 the amazing healings that Christ had done. W e saw that as He was walking through the crowd of people to go help save Jairus’ daughter. And the woman who can’t stop bleeding touches the hem of Christ’s clothing. And she is healed. This shows that Christ knows each one of us, even down to the little details of who we are, and he sees even the smallest of things. After this, He shows up at Jairus’ house, and Jairus’ daughter is already dead, and we see that Jesus asks for faith. And it is because of that faith that the daughter was brought back to life. Both of these instances called for faith. They are a faith that even through hardship, Christ will still be there. And that theme is going to run true as we continue this weekend in chapter 6. It is a theme of what our faith should look like. We are going to see some examples in the text this weekend that can show what will happen with a lack of faith. This is such a good chapter to study because it looks at how there can be different areas in our lives where we choose not to trust in Jesus. We are going to see those who knew Jesus growing up, and then we are going to see what the unbelief of His enemies looks like. Next week, the second half of the chapter looks at what happens with those who are following Him. The thing that I want you to take from what we are going to look at this weekend, is that in all of these situations, every person has every reason to trust in Christ, and there are going to be those who do not trust in Him, but we are able to choose that we can trust in Him and that gives us hope. So let’s pray and we will get into the word.

Pray

1 “Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him.

Jesus here has done all of this work in Capernum, and He is now going to venture into territory that He knows. He is going to go home. Can anyone tell me where home is for Him? Nazareth. We have seen Jesus teach all over the region, and He has yet to come over to the area where He grew up. He is bringing the disciples with Him, and this is an area that He knows. So I want to take a minute and think about this. We can all be pretty comfortable in the areas that we know well. So tell me, most of you have lived here your whole life, and if you have not, you will still have memories of where you came from. So what are some areas that you know really well right here in your own hometown? So we all have these places that we can all have in our minds that remind us of what home is. Well imagine what Jesus has as He is coming back to His old stomping grounds. He knows the area really well.

2 And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! 3 Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him.

Jesus still has the reputation of a teacher as He is allowed into the synagogue to teach, but the reaction of the people here is the one that we have to pay attention to. Jesus, the Lord, is teaching and they are questioning who He is. They were offended at Him. This word offended, in the Greek it translates to skan-da-lon, and it means to trip up, occasion to fall. The people there hearing Jesus teach were struck with a heart of unbelief. They are tripped up because of who they see teaching. They question who Christ is. They relate to what they know about His family and His upbringing, essentially there is a lack of faith of who Christ is. They look at the man and think that there is no way that He is God. This is the carpenter, the one who could not possibly be sharing the Word of God. Have you ever been there before? A moment where you walk into a situation and you think that you are going to be well known, and then you seemingly get judged for no reason? Has that happened at school, on a sports team, with a group of friends? Christ knows. He knows what that is like and He lives it out here. He shows us that there are going to be those who reject Him. That there are going to be those who reject us for believing in Him. We continue to see how Jesus reacts to what they have just said to Him.

4 But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” 5 Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. 6 And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.

Jesus is sitting there, watching this heart of unbelief, and he marvels at it. He explains that prophets are often rejected by those who know them best. Jesus makes this claim to his hometown crowd, and they reject Him. This is not a reflection on Christ, it is a reflection on the heart of the people. And it is because of this heart of unbelief the of the people that Jesus did not do a mighty work there. He is Jesus Christ, He could have easily performed any miracles at any time that He wanted to, but the reason that He did not was because of the heart of the people here. It is not showing us here that there are limits to God’s power, but it gives us an example. It gives us an example of how we need to put our faith in our Lord and Savior. Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” See what this is showing here, is that without our faith, it is impossible to please God. We can take the time and look all the other miracles that Jesus performs throughout His work, and each one of them go back to what that ailing person had, which was faith. We already mentioned them here, but the woman who was bleeding, and simply touched the clothing of Jesus, her faith made her well. Jairus had his daughter die, and because of his faith, she was brought back. Lazarus, the lepers, the lame man, the man who was dropped in through a cieling! All of these were because of the faith that they had in Christ. In order for Christ to truly work on us, in order for us to change, we have to first have faith, a knowledge of who He is and the recognition that He died on the cross for our sins. And Jesus here in recognition that the people there had this heart of unbelief, is going to continue the work that the Father sent Him to do. He continues to teach and continues to go from village to village to share the Gospel.

As we contiune to read through this chapter, we are going to see the shift here in the work that is being done. Jesus is going to continue the circuit of teaching, but He is going to send the disciples to do the work as well

7 And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits. 8 He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts— 9 but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.

This is a pretty powerful sending out.They are to go out two by two, which has numerous reasons for importance. One it shows how the Lord wants us to work together to further His kingdom. Ecclesiastes 4:9 “Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor.” It also shows that when there are two, there is someone to give account to what has happened. Deuteronomy 19:15 ““One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established.” Lastly, it would attest to the fellowship that happens. While they would be spending that time together, they also would be there to help one another as well as the ability to learn from one another. Jesus has given the disciples the ability to have power over demons. Mark 3:17:614–15 “Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons:” The break down of the word apostle is a messenger, or he that is sent. The twelve apostles that Jesus appointed were designed to be sent out, to the work, to preach, to heal, to cast out demons. And we see that happen here. They are to go out not packing for everything, but they are to go out in faith, trusting that God will provide for their needs. In a chapter where we are going to see the lack of faith, one from those who watched Jesus grow up, and then from the enemies that are scared of the power of Christ, we see a moment where the disciples show faith that God is directing each one of their steps. He is providing for them, and they are working to share the power of the gospel with others.

10 Also He said to them, “In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place. 11 And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!”

He does not tell them that everything is going to be sunshine and rainbows, not everything is going to go perfectly. He tells them to take what people are willing to give, but to not sweat it when things go badly and they are rejected. Shake of the dust and move on. To me, this is something that we can apply to our lives today. How many times have you had something not go your way? Something that you hoped was going to go well and it just didn’t? Christ here gives the instruction to the apostles. He says to shake off the bad things and accept those who are wiling to take you in. When we put all of our focus and attention on the bad things, it can be hard. We can let ourselves become anxious, and we start thinking about what we might have been able to do differently, and what we might have been able to say that would not have made something end badly. We could spend hours on the what ifs, we could lose sleep over it, we could not eat over it. OR we could shake the dust off and use it as a testimony to how our faith and prevail. Romans 5:1–5 “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” When we face trials and tribulations, we can stand boldly in our hope of the glory of God. Because our hope in Him, does not disappoint. When things don’t go our way, we can lean on our faith, and know that God is going to get us through. That is what Jesus is telling the apostles here as He sends them out. We can have hope and faith in our Lord who will protect and provide. That helps produce a character that builds in us so we can use it as a testimony against them.

12 So they went out and preached that people should repent. 13 And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.

The apostles hear this and they obey. They do as Jesus has told them, and we see that they are doing the work not to their ability, but to the one that God gives them. They do it in confidence. In what I have been talking about, we see here what faith can do. They are given a command by Jesus and they execute in faith and hope of Christ and they are healing and casting out demons.

14 Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known. And he said, “John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.” 15 Others said, “It is Elijah.” And others said, “It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets.” 16 But when Herod heard, he said, “This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!”

The news of the work of Jesus is starting to spread all over the area. It even reaches the ears of King Herod, who killed John the Baptist. Herod misunderstands who Jesus is. He thinks that this Jesus guy who keeps preaching the word is the resurrected form of John the Baptist. Others are making guesses as to who Jesus is, but Herod is scared. As we are about to look at what happened between Herod and John, Herod was nervous about what John was preaching. As most of the influential leaders were during that time, they did not understand the power of Christ, and instead of seeking to understand, they felt threatened. But Herod had other reasons as well. John called Herod out for his actions. He called him out for his sin. And Herod actually liked John at one point, but he instead listened to his wife and had John beheaded. So Herod, in hearing about Jesus, thought that it was John instead.

17 For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; for he had married her. 18 Because John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”

What is happening here is that we are going back to the explanation of why Herod would be scared that it was John raised from the dead and coming back to speak to him. Herod’s conscience has taken over and he is feeling guilty for executing John in the first place. But the reason for John’s imprisonment is here: John told Herod that it was wrong that he took his brother’s wife Herodias as his wife. Herodias, as we are about to see, did not like this news very much. She is now the queen and has lots of wealth and power, so she is not happy that someone is telling her now husband that this should have never happened.

19 Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.

We see here that Herodias is certainly not happy, so much so that she wants to kill John, but she cannot. See Herod was not completely blind to everything, and he saw that John was a man of integrity. He knew that John spoke the word of God, and that built up a fear of John. So Herod did what he thought was right, and while he didn’t immediately kill John, he put him in prison and protected him. Herod listened to what John had to say, but he never acted on it. He only did what he thought was right in the eyes of himself, not in the eyes of the Lord.

21 Then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee. 22 And when Herodias’ daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, “Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you.” 23 He also swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”

Herod has his birthday party where everyone is there to eat his food, drink his wine, and live up the party life with the king. And during this party, Herodias’ daughter is dancing for the party. Real quick, who here has listened to the Adventures in Odyssey on this? It’s a good one. Anyway, after she is done dancing, he tells her that she can have whatever she wants, even up to half of his kingdom. I’m sure she is sitting there like making her list in her head right? OK, I want an iphone17, new air pods, a car, a new e-bike…. Verse 24

24 So she went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist!” 25 Immediately she came in with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”

She instead goes to her mom and asks her mom what she should ask for. BUZZER wrong person to ask… She already has it out for John, so she takes advantage of the situation. She says she wants his head on a platter. A little dramatic if you ask me. Couldn’t just be ok with the killing of him, but she had to make a show out of it.

26 And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her. 27 Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought. And he went and beheaded him in prison, 28 brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard of it, they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.”

You can tell here that Herod does not want to do this, he was exceedingly sorry, but he made a promise so he honors her wish and they behead John and present it to Herodias and her daughter. Pretty brutal. Imagine being Herodias’ daughter, she acted in haste and now she has to get presented with this, not realizing the brevity of what she is asking for. But aside from the daughter, we get a glimpse into Herod here as well, and that is really the reason that this is here in scripture. Herod is convicted. He is warped in guilt. He does not know what is happening with Jesus, but he is scared. Romans 1:18–19 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.” In Herod’s lack of faith, in his fear of the guilt, he has to know that the wrath of God is revealed. The mention of someone who is like John, someone who speaks the truth, someone who stands to bring others to a relationship with God, it is scary for him. Herod would actually meet Jesus later as it is told to us in the gospel of Luke. After Pilate sends Him to Herod, they come face to face and Jesus will not entertain for Herod who clearly does not understand who he is talking to. Herod would come to a very brutal death later on in the book of Acts where he is struck down by an angel of the Lord and was then eaten by worms.

There is a reason that this is an important chapter to study. That reason can go back to the importance and need for faith. It is so important that we put our trust and our faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We just looked at the first half of chapter six, and we see multiple examples of how important that faith is. We see those who watched Jesus grow up and they continued to doubt. We see those who spent so much time with Him, and they went out in faith and performed miracles. We see those who are seemingly unbeatable in their power, cower at the name of Jesus all because they chose not to have faith in Christ. I want to close this weekend with a challenge to each one of you. How is your faith? You may be in a place like the disciples where we know who Christ is and we depend Him for everything in our lives. You may be at a place where you think you might know who Christ is, but you are struggling with putting all of your faith in Him. You may be here this weekend knowing that Jesus is there, and never fulling giving your heart to Him. Wherever you are, I want to encourage you, that our Lord is going to meet you right where you are at. He is going to be there with arms wide open and a smile on His face. In any of these situations that we studied today, none of those situations is God calling on us to be perfect for Him. All He is calling on is faith in Him. John 3:17 “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” Christ is here to meet us right where we are at. He is there to love on us. He is there to encourage us to not focus on the bad when things go wrong. He is there to remind us that we can shake the dust off our feet and we can continue to move forward in faith. Things will not always go well, but our faith can always be constant. I want to close with one of my favorites verses. James 1:2–4 “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” You do not have to have everything figured out, you don’t have to have it all together, but you can have faith.

Pray