The Route/Root of Unbelief - Guidelines for Ministry

The portion of Mark that we will considering today affords us some interesting insights into a time of corporate worship with those who regularly worshipped with each other. Until recently Jesus had been part of that group. That being the case, there should have been a spiritual synergy. There should been a synergy but there wasn’t.

Luke 4:16 ESV

And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read.

In Mark’s account there are some insights as to why some did not respond with the spiritual fervour that we would expect. By example, Jesus also demonstrated how to carry on ministry rather than be discouraged by the cool responses of some.

Previously, Jesus had been well received and ministered in Capernaum.

12 year old daughter of Jairus raised from the dead - Jairus was the ruler of the synagogue

woman who had an issue of blood for 12 years had been healed - touched Jesus’ as he walked through the crowd.

15 or 16 km walk by an indirect route - south and then west - west of the southern end of the Sea of Galilee - home coming.

Up to this point - with the exception of the Pharisees who were discussing with the Herodians how to destroy Jesus - - Jesus’ ministry have been well received and impacted many - Lordship over nature, demons and death.

Back home though there is misunderstanding and rejection. Rather than being amazed at submissive to Jesus’ authority there disbelief and rejection.

They should have appreciated the fact that Jesus did more than come back to visit family - family that up to this point did not really understand embrace by faith Jesus - 3:20-21, 31-34. They felt that he was out of his mind.

Nazareth is not mentioned in the OT, by Josephus or any of Rabbinical literature.

From Nathanael’s comment it was the kind of place nothing good came from.

John 1:46 ESV

Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”

Archeology

The Route/Root of Unbelief -

Unbelief can be found even among those whose worship ticks most of the right boxes - 6:1-6

The right boxes - 6:1-3

Sabbath worship in the synagogue - 6:2

Heart of this small Jewish community that probably numbered no more than 500-600

Earlier at the beginning of His ministry in the synagogue in Capernaum, they were astonished at His teaching and responded positively - 1:22

Here those who attended were also astonished, but negatively

Perhaps Jesus’ family were not alone in thinking Jesus was mad - 3:20-21

Gifted teacher and distinguished guests - 6:1

While we and some saw Jesus as a gifted teacher, it would seem that this synagogue was fairly closed minded.

Both John the Baptist and Jesus ministered outside of the norm. They quoted the Scriptures as their authority rather than what a respected Rabbi said about the Word.

Rather than celebrate how God had used Jesus, whom they knew by name, they distanced themselves from “this man”.

Wise words, mighty works - 6:2

Acknowledged wisdom of what He said and the mighty works that He did.

BUT could not accept wise words and mighty works from a carpenter the son of a carpenter. That was expected and accepted only from those in respected, trained positions.

After the day of Pentecost , the priests, the captain of the guard and the Sadduccees made similar comments about Peter & John.

Acts 4:13 ESV

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.

Before we move on, it is worth noting that expect for a very few exceptions - Zechariah, Elizabeth, Simeon, Anna and perhaps Nicodemus, Jesus entrusted the preaching of the Gospel and making disciples to those who were not part of the religious establishment. There would be some lessons for us today. I will leave it to you to draw some of those lessons for yourselves. But there is one that must be noted.

Unless it is completely renewed every 2 to 3 generations, every church and religious organization becomes and end in itself and justifies its existence by its own criteria rather than the Word of God.

Known, respected family connections - 6:3

The carpenter - Joseph not mentioned - assumed deceased - carpenter’s son - Matt 13:55

Son of Mary - brother of James, Joses, Judas & Simon - sisters there as well

Here and in other Scripture portions, it is clear that Jesus was the oldest of an extended family with four younger 1/2 brothers and at least 2 sisters. With Matthew noting the comment that the those in the synagogue regarded Jesus as the son of Joseph, the carpenter and Mary, with the other members of the family named and number afterwards, the members and make up of the family are clearly recorded.

BUT every possibility that even as family thinking him to be out of His mind negated what otherwise would have been respected and believed elsewhere.

UNBELIEF - took offense - were scandalized/stumbled - at Him - 6:3

Stumbled over Him - skandalon - skandalein - 8 times in Mark - in each time designates obstructions that hinder one from coming to faith and following Jesus.

Mark 4:17 ESV

And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away.

Mark 9:42 ESV

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.

Mark 14:27 ESV

And Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’

Mark 14:29 ESV

Peter said to him, “Even though they all fall away, I will not.”

This reference to stumbling and offence would seem to underscore that the earlier reference to being astonished is not of faith but of incredulity and opposition.

Jesus’ comment - “A prophet is honoured everywhere but at home.”

As those attending the synagogue expressed their rejection and disbelief, Jesus quoted this proverb that was common Jewish and Greco-Roman texts of that era. The double negative seems cumbersome in English but was common and added emphasis.

John 1:12 ESV

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,

In repeating and applying the parable, Jesus noted 3 increasingly smaller circles of rejection.

Home town

Relatives

Own household

The Scriptures indicate that Jesus own brothers did not believe during His ministry.

John 7:5 ESV

For not even his brothers believed in him.

Unbelief infiltrated the disciples.

Mark 3:19 ESV

and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

Unbelief previously noted in Jesus family. At home He is an outsider.

Mark 3:31–35 ESV

And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him. And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.” And he answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”

Mark’s Notes:

He could do no might works there - 6:5

We have already noted that Mark probably recorded what Peter heard or saw. Some of us probably wonder at Jesus mighty works being in any way limited, but in the next verse we read that Jesus marvelled at the unbelief of those who were offended and rejecting Him.

Most of Nazareth was unwilling to believe.

We need to remember that Jesus who raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead, because Jairus did not fear but believed, did not force unbelievers to believe.

Jesus then understand the heart of those of us who have unbelieving family.

It is one thing to be reminded that He too was tired enough to be asleep in the storm - 4:38 - and like us did not know when heaven and earth would pass but left that to the Father - 13:32 - and was even sorrowful unto death - 14:34 - more than that He knew firsthand what it was to be rejected by love ones because they rejected the Gospel.

Unbelief stifles the power of the Gospel

BUT some believed. Jesus laid hands on a few sick people and healed them.

Jesus marvelled at their unbelief - 6:6

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark Prophet without Honor (6:1–6a)

What amazes God about humanity is not its sinfulness and propensity for evil but its hardness of heart and unwillingness to believe in him. That is the greatest problem in the world, and herein lies the divine judgment on humanity. Humanity wants a spectacular sign of God, or, like the devil, a great display of divine power (Matt 4:1–11; Luke 4:1–13). But it does not want God to become a human being like one of us (John 1:11).

They would not accept and believe that Jesus and only Jesus , the Son of Man forgives sin.

Mark 2:10 ESV

But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic—

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark Prophet without Honor (6:1–6a)

Humanity wants something other than what God gives. The greatest obstacle to faith is not the failure of God to act but the unwillingness of the human heart to accept the God who condescends to us in only a carpenter, the son of Mary.

Like us, Jesus marvelled at this unbelief.

2. Partial Guidelines for Ministry - 6:7-13

The general unbelief in Nazareth did not dissuade Jesus from teaching in other villages and sending the twelve out on ministry assignments.

Luke also noted the rejection in Nazareth.

Luke 4:29 ESV

And they rose up and drove him out of the town and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw him down the cliff.

This led to Jesus 3rd preaching tour in Galilee - 1:14, 39 - In this tour Jesus shifted responsibility to the disciples.

This will their last extended ministry time in Galilee.

Some have rightly noted that the next 2 segments remind us the cost of discipleship. Mark’s narrative seems to indicate that the 12’s ministry tour took place shortly after John the Baptist was beheaded.

Before we note the partial list of guidelines for ministry, we need to remember that while might have been attracted by the Jesus’ compassion and healing, for Jesus the emphasis was always on teaching. The reason being, acts of compassion did not always lead to a saving faith commitment. Even some who showed continued interest sometimes did not understand the significance of what had happened.

Mark 3:22 ESV

And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “by the prince of demons he casts out the demons.”

Called. commissioned & given authority - 6:7

Called - proskalein - to Himself not the Torah or the synagogue

Sent - commissioned - apostellein

Calling and sending - apostolic commission

Mark 3:13–14 ESV

And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach

Authority - exousia

This mights seem premature. They had not been fully taught or discipled. There was much that they did not understand .But

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark The Cost of Discipleship (6:6b–30)

The sending of these particular individuals—and at this stage of their understanding of Jesus—testifies to the beleaguered believers in Mark’s church, indeed to believers of every age, that the fulfillment of the word of God depends not on the perfection or merit of the missionaries but on the authoritative call and equipping of Jesus.

2 X 2 - Jewish custom

Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 ESV

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!

Eccl 4:

The authority that Jesus had demonstrated - 1:27 - now given to the 12

Sent to to unnamed villages.

What to take - staff, sandals, one tunic - 6:8-9

Staff - walking stick - protection

Sandals

One tunic - preferable to needing two

TRUST GOD TO PROVIDE THROUGH THOSE MINISTERED TO

What not to take - bread, money, extra tunic - 6:8-9

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark The Cost of Discipleship (6:6b–30)

The most startling particular in the mission of the Twelve is the instruction on what not to take. The journey on which Jesus sends them is unlike any other, for it must be made without an elaborate support apparatus and with only the barest provisions. The Twelve are not angels, so they need cloak, sandals, belt, and staff. The barest of essentials, however, ensures that they place their trust not in their supplies and training but rather than in the one who sends them. It would be like laying out on your bed everything you planned to take on a trip and then leaving everything but your coat and toothbrush behind. True service of Jesus is characterized by dependence on Jesus, and dependence on Jesus is signified by going where Jesus sends despite material shortfalls and unanswered questions. Like the Israelites fleeing Egypt (Exod 12:11), the Twelve must travel light lest worldly cares blunt the urgency of the message.

Where to stay & how long - 6:10

Stay with those who responded to ministry as long as there was response.

Best ministry practices when you and your message is not received - 6:11

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark The Cost of Discipleship (6:6b–30)

The Twelve are to be grateful guests by staying put where they are received. Trust in the Jesus who sends them into mission includes trust in those whom he has designated to meet their needs. Moving from house to house dishonors their hosts and creates invidiousness among them. If the disciples are rebuffed they are instructed to “ ‘shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them.’ ” This is a searing indictment since Jews traveling outside Palestine were required to shake themselves free of dust when returning home lest they pollute the holy land. This commandment is tantamount to declaring a Jewish village heathen.

Ministry summary - 6:12 -13, 30

Message preached

Cast out demon, the sick anointed with oil & healed

Ministry Best Practices to Remember:

Ticking some of the right boxes does not always equal belief.

Even for Jesus, ministry to those near to Him did not begin well.

We should always presume people will believe.

Effective, fruitful ministry is primarily about trusting God to provide and open hearts and homes.

Lack of fruit here, should dissuade us from stepping out in faith there. Lack of faith/fruit then, should not dissuade us from stepping out in faith now.

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