Seeing the Ministering Gospel’s Faith despite obstruction Mark 6:1-56

080616 Seeing the Ministering Gospel’s Faith despite obstruction

Week 6

Being despised by men,

Mark 6:1–6 ESV

1 He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. 2 And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. 4 And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” 5 And 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. And he went about among the villages teaching.

Outline: Their hostility (6:1–3) & His helplessness (6:4–6)

Coming from Capernaum Jesus traveled 20 miles to his hometown of ____________.

Jesus began to __________ & how did people react to Him?

How did people react to Him?

Why say Mary’s son instead of the proper Joseph’s son (cf. John 8:41)?

B. His helplessness (6:4–6)

So then why did they not accept Him?

How can we package Jesus and thereby remove his power?

Did He lose His power?

What is our responsibility to our unbelieving family?

Sending the disciples,

Mark 6:7–13 ESV

7 And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8 He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts— 9 but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. 10 And he said to them, “Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there. 11 And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” 12 So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. 13 And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.

The outline:

A. Their assignments To cast out demons (6:6b–7); To take no food, money, or extra clothes (6:8–10); To condemn unbelieving cities (6:11)

B. Their accomplishments They cast out demons (6:13a); They preach the gospel (6:12); They heal the sick (6:13b).

Jesus regularly sent his disciples out like this (. , ). What should we learn from this? Then what?

What did Jesus have the disciples do in this passage? Is this at the end of their 3 year training period? Why did He wait to send them out until they knew more?

What is the benefits of sending (apostellō) out 2 x 2? (see also :11’s witness)

The point is not what they could and could not take, but that they would depend on God and on _________________________. Mt. & Lk. forbid the staff. Mt. forbids sandals ( and ). How can we apply this principle today?

Brooks, J. A. (1991). Mark (Vol. 23, p. 101). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.).

Why did He tell them NOT to take these things (verse 8-9)? How can we apply this principle today?

:10 Why stay in the 1st house and not move later?

:11 How patient should we be when teaching an unbeliever or atheist? How much time and resources do we have?

The martyrdom of the forerunner,

Mark 6:14–29 ESV

14 King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some said, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” 15 But others said, “He is Elijah.” And others said, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” 16 But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” 17 For it was Herod who had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because he had married her. 18 For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not, 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly. 21 But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. 22 For when Herodias’s daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. And the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.” 23 And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.” 24 And she went out and said to her mother, “For what should I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.” 25 And she came in immediately 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.” 26 And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. 27 And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison 28 and 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 his body and laid it in a tomb.

The outline:

A. John is mistreated by Herod Antipas (6:17–20). What Herod does (6:17); Why Herod does it (6:18–20)

What Herod does (6:17); Why Herod does it (6:18–20)

B. John is murdered by Herod Antipas (6:21–29). The party (6:21); The performance (6:22a); The promise (6:22b–23); The plot (6:24–29).

The party (6:21); The performance (6:22a); The promise (6:22b–23); The plot (6:24–29).

C. Jesus is misunderstood by Herod Antipas (6:14–16)

How was the region reacting to Jesus? Who did they think Jesus was?

What was the reaction of the region at large to Jesus? What was Herod’s conclusion? Why might he have thought this?

Read verse 17. Whose wife is Herodias? Using BCV, what is the two exceptions, given in Scripture, that would permit a man from marrying a previously married woman?

Read verse 18. Was John stupid to clarify the reality of Herod’s actual marital status?

How had John incurred Herod’s wrath?

Why did John say that to such a powerful leader? What does this show us about John’s character?

What lesson can you learn from this?

Why did Herod make sure a vow? Are vows dangerous?

What should Herod have done after hearing her request?

Why did Herod offer to give Herodias’ daughter whatever she asked? Why he make such a vow?

How powerful is “peer pressure”?

Would he have really given her half the kingdom?

What did the girl request? Why?

Did John the Baptist bring this suffering and persecution on himself?

Is there any lesson here about peer pressure?

What lessons can we learn from the John the Baptist about suffering and persecution?

Feeding the five thousand,

Mark 6:30–44 ESV

30 The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. 33 Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. 35 And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. 36 Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” 37 But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” 38 And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” 39 Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. 41 And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. 42 And they all ate and were satisfied. 43 And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. 44 And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.

The Outline:

1. Events preceding this miracle (6:30–38)

The consideration of Jesus (6:30–31); The compassion of Jesus (6:32–34); The command of Jesus (6:35–38) – The disciples’ despair (6:35–36) & The Savior’s directive (6:37–38)

2. Events accompanying this miracle (6:39–42)

a. The arrangement (6:39–40); The acknowledgment (6:41) The abundance (6:42)

3. Events following this miracle (6:43–44) The meals (6:43) The men (6:44)

Jesus is aware of the need for rest. Do you take advantage of “down-time”? Or do you feel too guilty to “switch off”?

What did Jesus plan for them? Why did they especially need a rest this time?

Did they get rest? How do you handle people that, when you give them an inch they …?

What caused Jesus heart to allow himself to be “taken advantage of”?

Do you feel compassion when looking at the masses of Cinci/NKY?

Why did Jesus ask the 12 to feed the 5000 when he knew they could not with 5 & 2?

What note worthy observation do you have about this miracle?

Is there any significance to the numbers five and two (just that they were very small numbers!)

Why do we do with our leftovers?

Why do you think there were 12 baskets of food leftover?

Walking on the sea,

Mark 6:45–52 ESV

45 Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. 47 And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. 48 And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, 50 for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” 51 And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, 52 for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.

Outline: The awareness (6:45–48a); The approach (6:48b); The alarm (6:49–50a); The assurance (6:50b–51a); The amazement (6:51b–52)

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 6

Matt 14:22–33; Mark 6:45–52; John 6:16–21

What was the time when Jesus finished praying?

What was the time when Jesus finished praying?

What was the time when Jesus finished praying?

How faithful is your prayer life? (great; okay; could be better; pathetic)

4th watch was 3-6 am.

Did Jesus intend to help them? What insight do you gain from this?

Assess Jesus power then and now from this event.

What was their reaction to seeing Jesus walking on the water?

What happened when Jesus got on the boat? Why were they so surprised when Jesus did so many miracles?

Healing everywhere,

Mark 6:53–56 ESV

53 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore. 54 And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized him 55 and ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard he was. 56 And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.

Gennesaret is on the North-West shore of the Sea of Galilee. It was a paradise. 2 x 4 miles — fertile and populous.

Application

Does Jesus know our needs?

Does he have the resources to take care of our needs?

Did the questions and commands to take care of these needs always make sense?

Is it important that we obey?

We have a responsibility to obey His commands even when we don’t know why and trust that He has a good reason for them.