The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly

Opening

story

Hospital regulations require a wheelchair for patients being discharged. However, while working as a student nurse, I found an elderly gentleman already dressed and sitting on the bed with a suitcase at his feet-who insisted he didn’t need my help to leave the hospital.

After a chat about rules being rules, he reluctantly let me wheel him to the elevator. On the way down, I asked if his wife was meeting him.

"I don’t know," he said. "She’s still upstairs in the bathroom changing out of her hospital gown." --Reader’s Digest

intro

THE DISBELIEF—vv. 1–6

Rejection (1-3)

Place—v. 1. Christ leaves the house of Jairus and goes to the place where he grew up—Nazareth.

Problem—vv. 2–3. Christ was not accepted as the Messiah. They thought he was just a carpenter. Note also that Jesus had brothers and sisters.

Reaction (4-6)

Prophet—v. 4. “Then Jesus told them, ‘A prophet is honored everywhere except in his home town and among his relatives and by his own family’ ” (LB).

Powerless—v. 5. Jesus couldn’t do many miracles because of the people’s lack of faith. It is your faith that brings healing.

Preaching—v. 6. He was surprised at the people’s unbelief. He went about the villages teaching God’s Word.

THE DENIAL—vv. 7–13

called (7)

Those who do God’s work must be willing to deny themselves many things. This is a part of being “on God’s team.”

Call—v. 7. Sent out two by two. He gave them power over unclean spirits. They went out two by two so they could encourage each other.

Charged (8-13)

Go minimal

not to bring extra things

no bread, bag, money belts, extra tunic

If they do not accept the gospel, then leave the town. Don’t waste your time on people who refuse to listen.

They preached that man should repent. They also healed the sick and cast out demons.

THE DIFFERENCE—vv. 14–29

Mysterious (14-18)

Problem—vv. 14–16. They didn’t recognize Jesus. Some thought He was Elijah. Herod thought it was John, whom he had beheaded, coming to life.

Prison—vv. 17–18. John is placed in prison for telling Herod it was wrong to marry his brother’s wife.

Murderous (19-29)

Plan—vv. 19–20. Herod’s wife (Herodias) wanted John killed. Herod was afraid, knowing John was a holy man.

Party—vv. 21–22. Herod had a party for all his men workers. The daughter of Herodias danced before the men. This pleased Herod.

Promise—vv. 23–29. Herod promised the dancer anything she wanted. Her mother asked that John be beheaded. Herod kept his promise, and John was beheaded. All because of a sinful dance!

THE DILEMMA—vv. 30–44

Exhausted (30-32)

The disciples return, reporting the results of their ministry.

Rest is needed for the body. Vacations are good. They are necessary. Our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit—1 Corinthians 6:19. God wants us to take care of our bodies.Privacy

hey went into the desert for privacy. Sometimes we must get alone with God. Privacy is good for our bodies and spirits.

Enough (33-44)

The people follow Christ everywhere.

Though He was tired in body, still He had time to help and heal the people.

No animal is as dependent upon a shepherd as a sheep. Without the shepherd, sheep wander aimlessly and get lost. Without the shepherd to show them to the good places to graze, sheep do not eat. Without a shepherd to lead them to water, sheep die of thirst. Without the shepherd, wolves can devour the sheep. Jesus viewed the people as helpless sheep. Herod and the religious leaders could have viewed their followers like this and granted them good guidance, but they were lost themselves. Because of Jesus’ compassion, he began teaching the crowds.The people followed Him into the desert and had nothing to eat.

They had five loaves (like pancakes) and two fishes. The people sit down. Christ blesses the food, and they feed 5,000 men. Counting women and children, there were perhaps 15,000.

THE DIVINE —vv. 45–56

Privacy (45–46)

Christ always sought privacy, where He could be alone in prayer, talking to God.

Problem (47–48)

They were caught in a storm. Christ comes to them, walking upon the water.

Petrified—v. 49. They were fearful as Christ approached on the water.

Peace—v. 50. Christ tells them not to be fearful. Note: “Be of good cheer.” In other words, have courage!

Plight—vv. 51–52. They soon forget Christ’s miracle-working power. They forgot how He fed the 5,000.

Power (53-56)

Wherever Christ went, He always had a large crowd of people following Him. Man has many problems. They seek help from Christ.

They brought all who were sick. All they sought was to touch His garment. As many as touched Him were made completely whole.