Mark 6:53-56 Jesus Heals in Gennesaret

53 When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there. 54 And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, 55 ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was. 56 Wherever He entered into villages, cities, or in the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well.

Devotional
Having crossed safely over Jesus and the disciples now come to the land of Gennesaret and anchor there. Slightly south and west of Capernaum, Gennesaret was on the Northern shoreline of the Sea of Galilee. In fact the Sea of Galilee at different times in its history is also referred to as the Sea of Gennesaret, while the “land of Gennesaret” was a designation of the beautiful and very fertile plain that ran about a mile from east to west and five miles inland north and south off the Northwestern shoreline, where figs, olives and palm trees flourished. Apparently this area was referred to by the rabbi’s as “the garden of God”* an appellation that appears in its name, **the first syllable being the Hebrew word for garden.

Now as they came out of the boat immediately the people there recognize Him. Therefore the people are very attentive to the presence of Jesus in their midst, they may not have fully understood all about His Person, but they most certainly understand Him as the miracle worker whom has power to heal on demand no matter what a person’s circumstances. So they rush to gather as many sick as they can, to bring them to Jesus wherever He goes. In villages, in cities, in rural settings, in marketplaces, wherever word of Jesus Christ’s Person is there people bring their ailing ones to be healed by Him. You also may not understand all things about Jesus Christ’s Person, but know this that it is He and He alone who has Power to heal you, to immediately heal your broken heart and wounded soul and bring you back into a right relationship with God the Father. Notice too that those who were brought to Jesus begged that they might touch just the hem of His garment. No doubt the women who had the flow of blood and was immediately healed when she touched just the Hem of Jesus’ garment testimony had spread and now it has become a means by which God was drawing even more people to Himself, so as in her case “…as many as touched Him were made well.” Vs. 56 For as with the women who touched Jesus so here He allows the people to touch Him that He might heal them and thus touch you with His love for you. Have you than allowed God to touch you? That is with His message of His love for you? That is what the gospel reveals, our sick condition yet God’s willingness to heal us immediately when we believe in His Son Jesus Christ crucified for our sins redemption then raised from the dead so that we might be given new and everlasting life when we believe in Him. For it is by faith in Jesus Christ that we experience God's love and life everlasting.

Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

Additional Resources 
*Gleaned from Visual Bible Alive; (Internet)
**Gleaned from International Standard Bible Encyclopedia; (Internet)

Mark 6:45-52 Jesus Walks on the Sea

45 Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away. 46 And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray. 47 Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land. 48 Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by. 49 And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; 50 for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” 51 Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled. 52 For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.

Devotional
Having miraculously fed the five thousand Jesus makes haste in sending the disciples ahead of Him, to the other side to Bethsaida, while He Himself dismisses the multitudes. And with the multitudes departure Jesus’ Himself departs to the mountain to pray. Jesus’ haste in sending the disciples ahead of Him seems just for that purpose so that He might spend time in prayer alone. Now when evening came the disciples were in the middle of Sea of Galilee while Jesus was still on land (vs. 47). Yet it was from there that Jesus saw the disciples straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Though Christ was not physically present with the disciples yet His eyes were still on His disciples, as the Scriptures say:

“The eyes of the LORD are in every place,
Keeping watch on the evil and the good.” Prov. 15:3

Jesus than had not forgotten about the disciples whom He sent ahead of Him. In fact He was watching them, and He was fully aware of their circumstances though it is highly unlikely they were aware of this, as the current crises likely consumed their thoughts just as it so often does our own. Now the Scripture says “…about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by.” vs. 48 Notice that Jesus came to them; He didn’t leave them to their own devices He came to them, not sailing in a boat, but walking on the stormy Sea of Galilee making His Presence known to them to reassure them, though not immediately going to them. Now this took place at the “fourth watch” meaning between 3:00am and sunrise. Yet however fearful the disciples were of the storm tossed Sea Jesus Christ’s walking on the water seems to have frightened them even more, for when they saw Him they cried out thinking they had seen a ghost, though clearly that was not His intention. But rather to make Himself known to them as God, the God who both saves men from their perilous circumstances, but also the God whose Person, Authority and Power supplants all forces and powers. Christ’s walking on the water here than is not some sort of explainable natural anomaly. It is a supernatural occurrence of the Presence of God coming to His own. If you remember the last incident where the disciples found themselves in similar peril it was with Jesus inside the boat with them as the tempest tossed sea caused them to fear for their lives, though Jesus Himself slept quietly until they awoke Him and cried out to Him, than He rebuked the winds and the Sea with a Word. Here though Jesus is outside of the boat walking on the water, which when the disciples exhausted and tired observe Him doing so cry out thinking they have seen a ghost. It’s a natural response to a supernatural occurrence. Therefore with their fearful cry Jesus immediately talks with them and says to them …“Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” Vs. 50 Assuring them it was He who was with them and had come to them. And with that Jesus went up into the boat with them and the wind ceased. Notice that when Jesus went up into the boat the wind ceased, for that is where Jesus caused the wind to cease before, from inside the boat with His disciples, indicating that He is personally involved with us in all our circumstances of life. And with that the disciples were greatly amazed beyond measure (vs. 51), “For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.” Vs. 52 From His position on the Sea than Jesus showed Himself Lord of it, while from His position in the boat He showed Himself Savior of them. The lesson being whether in Bodily Presence or not our God is greater than whatever forces on earth or in hell may seek to overthrow or unsettle us. He is not subject to any forces of man, nature or anything else, but all things are subject to Him. Though the winds and storms of this life may at times impede, trouble, or frighten us yet our God, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will not allow them to undermine His eternal plans and purposes for us. Jesus Christ the Lord will lead us who believe in Him safely home.

Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

Mark 6:30-44 Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

30 Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught. 31 And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. 32 So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves. 33 But the multitudes saw them departing, and many knew Him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to Him. 34 And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things. 35 When the day was now far spent, His disciples came to Him and said, “This is a deserted place, and already the hour is late. 36 “Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves bread; for they have nothing to eat.” 37 But He answered and said to 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 them something to eat?” 38 But He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they found out they said, “Five, and two fish.” 39 Then He commanded them to make them all sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in ranks, in hundreds and in fifties. 41 And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and the two fish He divided among them all. 42 So they all ate and were filled. 43 And they took up twelve baskets full of fragments and of the fish. 44 Now those who had eaten the loaves were about five thousand men.

Devotional
In this section of Mark there are two distinct events; the twelve Apostle’s retuning from their missionary endeavors (See Mark 6:7-13) and Jesus’ feeding of the five thousand. The first event speaks to Christ’s concern for His followers who labor for Him; (the need for rest or sabbatical with Him), while the second speaks to His concern for those who need to be fed by Him. Now the first event precedes the second, yet both are interwoven, just as ministry and life are rarely inseparable.
The passage begins with the twelve Apostles, now called, since Jesus Christ Himself first called them to Himself, then appointed them as such (Mark 3:13-19). These men were the ones the Lord Jesus Christ first chose to be with Himself as His elect emissaries. Though there were others who also followed Jesus of both men and women these men (there are only male Apostle’s in the N.T. Scriptures) were to be the ones He would entrust both His message, as well as His church or Body of believers too. These men than would be both eye witnesses to Christ’s crucifixion as well as His resurrection life and later ascension back to the God the Father. Now when they returned to Jesus they told Him all things; both of what they had done and taught (vs. 30) since Jesus didn’t just teach people about the Kingdom of God, He also did many mighty deeds which gave credence to His Words. Now with their returning to Jesus He said to them …“Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. 32 So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves. Vs. 31-32

Notice Jesus’ first concern upon their returning to Him was for their welfare; for He knows the energy one expends when they are actively doing His ministry as well as the elation at seeing ministry done through oneself by Him. Yet they didn’t even have time to eat, and Jesus thought that point important enough to call for a time of replenishment, a time of rest with Himself and with each other, so that they could do just that. Recharge together as it were. Now it is against that backdrop of Jesus’ desiring to nurture His own disciples that Jesus will also feed the multitudes who were soon to swamp them again. For the passage says starting in verse thirty three that the multitudes saw them departing and that they recognized Him and they started running after Him from all the cities. That is along the shoreline of the Sea of Galilee, while Jesus and the disciples made way to a section of territory that belonged to the city of Bethsaida (Luke 9:10) yet many people arrived there before them. And with that Jesus came out to them and seeing the great multitude the Scripture says He had compassion on them, “…because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things.” Vs. 34 For that is the heart of Jesus for all people, and that is to be the heart of those who shepherd people in His Name. Again look at Jesus’ heart, first towards His disciples, after they returned from their missionary endeavors, than towards the multitudes. His first concern was for their well being. Though the disciples reported all things they did and taught, Jesus doesn’t even comment on their activities, His first concern was for them. That is what precipitated their seeking rest together. Yet in seeking that rest they were soon faced with the multitudes again, and when faced with them Jesus doesn’t neglect them, He has compassion on them and begins to teach them many things. For those seeking knowledge of God and or the Kingdom of God, Jesus Christ does not turn away from anyone. And so it will be that Jesus will spend the day (or that portion of it) teaching the crowds many things. Now as the day closes the disciples will tell Jesus to send the multitudes away, so that the crowds can go and buy themselves bread, since they had nothing to eat and the hour was late (vs. 35-36). Whether or not the disciples were concerned for the multitudes well being, or they simply wanted Jesus to send them away is up to speculation, what is not though is Jesus response to them. For instead of sending the multitudes away as they said He should. Jesus says to His disciples …“You give them something to eat.” Vs. 37
For that is what Jesus has been doing, feeding the people spiritually. But now He wants the disciples to feed the people physically. In essence to show genuine concern for their person’s. For that is what Jesus has been doing all day, both towards His disciples as well as those who sought Him. The disciples respond though by saying: …“Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?” vs. 38 Now a denarii was about a days wages for a laborer, therefore it is highly unlikely that the disciples had that much money on hand (See John 6:7). Therefore the disciples response was natural, a natural response to a seemingly impossible situation. Nonetheless Jesus is not deterred, instead He simply asks them: …“How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they found out they said, “Five, and two fish.” vs. 38

Now Jesus already knew what they had. I believe He asked them the question so that they would go and see what they already had with His prompting them to do so. Now what they actually had was seemingly of little significance in of itself, just five loves and two small fish, but in Christ’s hands what seems like little has exceedingly great potential as we will see. Therefore Jesus has the disciples organize the people into ranks of fifties and hundreds having them sit down on the green grass (vs. 39-40). Now from that position the people are not only more comfortable and relaxed, but the people will be able to see all that transpires next. So with that Jesus takes up the five loaves (these are more like flat bread than the loves of bread that we westerners are accustomed too) and the two small fish in His hands and looking up to heaven Jesus blessed and broke the loaves than gave them to His disciples. Notice that Jesus looked up into heaven for God is the source of every good thing and Jesus' doing so was acknowledging that fact. Than Jesus blessed the loaves and broke them into serving size portions in His own hands. The New Living Translation renders it that Jesus kept giving the disciples the bread and the fish and thus the miracle kept being multiplied in His hands, over and over again till all ate and were filled (vs. 41-42). Now when they all ate and were filled the disciples took up twelve baskets full of fragments and of the fish (vs. 43). The abundance being such that not only were the five thousand fed but the disciples as well. Now there are a couple of things to note about the feeding of five thousand.
First as Jesus breaks the bread and gives it to the disciples, the miracle is being multiplied until all the need is met. Christ sent no one away hungry. In one sense what occurred there is a picture of the miracle of new life which everyone will have who eats of Jesus Christ, as Jesus said: ...“I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst." John 6:35
Second the miracle itself is only multiplied in Christ’s hands. It's not the disciples who multiply the bread and fish, it's Christ. Now as the disciples gave what little they had to Jesus, He then multiplies it and gives it back to them to feed the multitudes. In some ways that is a picture of one’s faith in Jesus Christ which may start out small at the beginning but in Christ’s hands it is so multiplied that soon it is feeding others as well. Therefore put your faith in Jesus Christ and let Him work out all the things that you can’t and He will make your faith fruitful and multiply it.
Third where our resources run out Christ’s does not. Now in this a distinction must be made. For in living by faith I believe God does not give us Christian’s, whether as individual believers or collective assembly’s resources to hoard up, or foolishly or frivolously squander. Sound discipleship by faith in Jesus Christ is always Biblically linked with sound stewardship for Him. Notice too that Jesus does not to point the disciples to money as the solution to feeding the five thousand, as they initially thought it was, but to Himself. For that is where fruitful ministry begins, not with how many resources one has, rather how much of Jesus Christ and obedience to His will does one have (Consider John 15:1-8). For resources are never expounded as a priority pursuit by the Lord Jesus Christ for His followers. Rather seeking the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness than all these things shall be added to you is what the Lord Jesus said (Matt. 6:33). Now I have experienced in my own life when I ask Jesus Christ in faith, I find His strength and His understanding sufficient for my need at that moment and that is what Jesus is showing the disciples here. So don’t be handcuffed by your own limitations, or the limitations others set on you, rather be set free by Christ’s unlimited resources to both provide and empower you when you seek to do His will.


Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

Mark 6:14-29 The Death of John the Baptist

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!” 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 For John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 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. 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 of my kingdom.” 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.” 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.

Devotional
The Lord Jesus’ fame having spread far and wide reaches even to the hearing of king Herod. Now king Herod had already put John the Baptist to death. Thus his speculating about Jesus's Person here is against that backdrop of a man who had heard John preach about righteousness, and the judgment to come, and likely the resurrection from the dead as well. Yet with the news of Jesus’ mighty works coming to the hearing of Herod, he does not attribute the works of Jesus Christ’s Works as coming from God, but rather from John the Baptist, In fact he insists that Jesus is John the Baptist whom he beheaded, saying John has risen from the dead (vs. 16). Now this he said while others were also speculating about Jesus's Person, saying “It is Elijah” or “It is the Prophet, or Jesus is like one of the prophets” (vs. 15). Yet Jesus is more than just “the Prophet” sent from God. For if you stop there with your understanding of Jesus’ Person you will have not fully understood Him as God Himself.

Now Herod himself came from a family steeped in both the "religious culture" of the Jews, as well as the political life of Rome, which then subjugated Israel. And so Herod knew the Jews expectation of their Messiah coming to them. Whether or not he understood any of the Scriptures that pertain to Christ's coming is highly unlikely given his response here. For he like those around him fail to make that critical connection with Christ.  Now the Herod’s were a family whose legacy (as this pertains to Biblical history) begin with his grandfather. For it was Herod’s grandfather who began their legacy after being installed as procurator of Judea by Julius Caesar. Whose eldest son Herod “the great” later became governor of Galilee, and whose loyalty to Rome was such that they rewarded him at the death of his father, his father’s jurisdiction and then later the title “king” of Judea. Later this same Herod began the massive Temple reconstruction which by the time of Jesus Christ’s ministry was almost 46 years in the making (John 2:20). And it was that same Herod who at news of the birth Christ, the true King of the Jews, put to death all the first born males in Israel, in order to prevent any possible heirs rising up from the descendants of David, thus fulfilling Scripture (Matt. 2:16-18). At his death his territory was divided into three regions amongst his three sons of which the Herod in question in the above passage was assigned to rule in Galilee. And so it is against that complex political, and highly charged religious astrosphere, which saw the Herod's trying to both placate the Jews, as well as authenticate their own "conversion to Judaism" (being Edomites by ancestry) with such things as their Temple reconstruction project, which would've given them the backing of the Levitical priests. While also forwarding their own political ambitions with Rome, who were also using them to keep the Jews subjugated, and "in check" as it were, by their own tyrannical natures and brutal rule, which quickly quelled any and all potential rival's or uprisings which threatened their own rule. And so the Herods' were for all intense purposes Rome's "henchmen" which kept Rome itself at arms length from the Jews. And so it is against that backdrop of political and religious craft and intrigue that Jesus stepped into the world and became a Man amongst God’s covenant people, Israel. To not only redeem Israel, but more importantly to suffer and die on a Roman cross according to the will of God, for the salvation of all who believe in Him, of both Jews and Gentiles.

Now John the Baptist being a faithful preacher did not turn a blind eye to king Herod’s adulterous relationship with his brother’s wife Herodias. Instead John rebuked Herod for it, which ultimately cost him his life. In Matthew’s gospel we read that Herod initially arrested John the Baptist for Herodias, his brother’s wife sake. And though Herod wanted to put John the Baptist to death at that time, he feared the people, who highly regarded John (Matt. 14:3-5). Instead Herod had John bound and thrown into prison where he remained until his death, which came by the scheming of Herodias. For Mark states that Herodias held it against John that he condemned her adulterous relationship, and that she also wanted to kill John at that time but she could not, “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.” Vs. 20 Therefore Herod’s initially wanting to put John to death was likely more reactionary on his part, than a deeply held grudge or resentment. While Herodias, held onto hers. And so when an opportune time presented itself for her to take her vengeance, she seized it. And so Herod had both a fear of John (for John was fearless preacher of righteousness), as well the Scripture says Herod had an admiration for him. Thus Herod was not averse to hearing John, for the passage says he heard John gladly, and did many things according to John’s word. And so on some level Herod wanted to be obedient to the faith as it were. Yet Herod himself did not live a Godly lifestyle as a rule of life. It's strange then how men (and women) can quite willingly listen to a preacher of righteousness, even be an admirer of such men, and do some of the good things they command, yet themselves never come to their own repentance and faith.
And so that is where John the Baptist is, imprisoned. While Herod is celebrating his birthday in all manner of extravagance and excess. Having gathered all his nobles, and the high officials of Galilee together to indulge with him in much wine and feasting. And so it is during this time that Herodias saw an opportunity to eliminate John. For Mark states “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.” Vs. 21
Now the opportunity for Herodias to execute her desire on John would come through her own daughter, whose dancing before Herod and the assembled dignitaries so delighted Herod and the men with him that he made a rash vow to her saying: …“Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.” Vs. 23 And with that the young woman went out and asked Herodias her mother what she should ask for, and Herodias said: …“The head of John the Baptist!” vs. 24
Therefore she immediately returned with haste to the king and said, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” And with that John’s fate was sealed, as the rest of the passage reveals. And though Herod was exceedingly sorry at the girl’s request “…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.” Vs. 27-29

Now with John's decease at the hands of Herod, the Old Covenant and its prophets regarding the foretelling of the Christ comes to a close, as the Lord Jesus Christ said. For the Law and prophets were until John (Matt. 11:13; Luke 16:16). “Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it.” Luke 16:16 For John the Baptist heralded the coming of the King so that everyone, everywhere, should repent in anticipation of His, that is the Lord Jesus Christ’s arrival and Rule. And so before John all the other Old Testament prophets only foretold of Christ. John however declared His having arrived. For that was John’s God given purpose to declare the Lord Jesus Christ as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Therefore John preached repentance in anticipation of the King, but Jesus being the King declared repentance because He brought within Himself the Kingdom of God. And that is why Jesus preached immediately after John's death, “repent and believe for the Kingdom of God is at hand” Mark 1:15 Thus Jesus' miracles and His miraculously healing of all kinds of incurable diseases, aliments, and maladies, casting out demon spirits etc., all gave an undeniable witness to the fact that Kingdom of God has indeed come down to mankind. Yet Herod having heard of things, along with His nobles and officials, did not believe in Jesus. Instead they attributed these powers to either one of ancient prophets, or as in Herod's case, as coming from John the Baptist. And so Herod would never gone to see Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Instead, in the end Herod would align himself with Pontius Pilate in condemning Jesus to death. The question then is who is Jesus to you? For if He is not Lord and Savior, your Lord and Savior then your faith is not in God. For Jesus did not preach John the Baptist, or the prophets, or even the Law of Moses, all which were until John, Jesus preached Himself and the Kingdom of God, and ones entrance into the Kingdom of God by faith in His Person (John 3:16-21). Spiritual re-birth then is the requirement for ones entrance into the Kingdom of God (John 3:3-5) and this only comes by ones own faith in Jesus Christ’s Person crucified and Risen from the dead for ones sins remissions. Therefore if you believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior then invite Him into your heart and life to your Redeemer, Lord and Savior, by praying something like this: “Dear Lord Jesus I know that I am a sinner, yet I believe that you were crucified for my sins, and that you rose again on the third day to bring remission of all my sins and give me new and everlasting life with Yourself. Therefore I now invite you into my heart and life to be my Lord, my Savior, I ask this in Your Precious Name, Lord Jesus Christ amen.

Mark 6:7-13 Jesus' Sends out the Twelve

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. 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!” 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.

Devotional
Jesus sending out the twelve Apostle’s two by two is wise since the twelve Apostles had not yet been preaching the Kingdom they had only observed Jesus preach it. It appears the early church followed this pattern (i.e. Paul and Barnabas; Paul and Silas etc.). For the benefits of a twofold cord are self evident (Ecclesiastes 4:12). That Jesus commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff and sandals means the disciples would be dependent on those they preached too to provide sustenance for them. People’s reception or rejection of their words would also mean their reception or rejection of them. For if they accepted them as messengers from God than they would open their homes to them, but if they did not than they would not. And thus Jesus’ restricting the disciples to just a staff and sandals will reveal who was really willing to receive Him (Matt. 10:40-42). Jesus than commands the disciples, when they depart from a place that would not receive them or hear them, to shake the dust off their feet indicating that they (and thus Christ) has been rejected, therefore those people will bear their own judgment (vs. 11). Now Jesus gave the Apostle’s power over unclean spirits as well as power to heal those who were sick, something unique to the Biblical Apostles, prior to the Holy Spirit’s outpouring and afterwards. The purpose for their being supernaturally imparted with these abilities was then, as it was after the Holy Spirit’s outpouring, to bear witness to Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God (Acts 14:3; Rom. 15:18-19; 2 Cor. 12:12). While Holy Spirit Gifts of healing are also listed later as something He choose to endow certain believers with according to His own will (1 Cor. 12:9, 28, 30).

Now their message was that the people should repent. When Jesus first preached He began by saying “Repent and believe for the Kingdom of God is at hand” (Mark 1:15). And when Jesus was criticized by the Pharisees for eating with Tax collectors and sinners He said to them … “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 “But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” Matt. 9:12-13

Therefore calling sinners to repentance is preaching the Kingdom of God. Not that we as sinful people can in any way change ourselves or make ourselves acceptable in the sight of God; that is the essential difference between mere “religion” by which mankind tries to make themselves acceptable to God; (i.e. sacrifice) and the gospel which makes all men, women and children acceptable to God by what Jesus Christ does for us all. Suffering in our place, paying the penalty of our sins, which has separated us from God; thereby making the way, the only way, that we can be justified (or declared righteous before God) and thus brought into a personal relationship with God the Father when we believe in Him (Rom. 5:1-8). Therefore it is God’s Righteousness (not mans) in providing atonement for our sins; through Jesus Christ’s shed blood on the cross even while we were still sinners and enemies of God that saves us when we believe in Jesus Christ the Lord (Rom. 3:19-28; 5:8). Repentance then is the catalyst by which we draw near to God, for only those who see their need for Jesus Christ and His righteousness will have it (Luke 18:9-14). For we cannot save ourselves; either by our own obedience to the Law (Gal. 2:16, 19-21) or by our own works (Gal. 3:2-3), we can only be saved by God’s grace, freely given to everyone who believes in Jesus Christ the Lord (Eph. 2:8-9). Therefore for those who repent; that is turn away from their sins and turn to God looking to Jesus Christ crucified to appease the wrath of God against their sins there is abounding mercy (John 3:15-16). In fact more than just mercy there is new and everlasting life, which begins the moment anyone believes in Jesus. God’s Spirit comes and lives in us the moment we believe. For that is what Jesus promises in John 3:16, not just remission of sins, but everlasting life. A life which begins the moment we believe in Him, we are as He said born again, that is born of God’s Spirit, the Holy Spirit (John 3:3-5) and thus we are transferred from being spiritually dead, to be being Spiritually alive, united with Christ and sealed with the Holy Spirit for the day of Redemption (Eph. 1:13-14). For it is God’s Spirit who both sanctifies us and progressively transforms us into Christ’s image. Thus there is said washing and renewal and regeneration in everyone who believes in Jesus Christ the Lord by God’s Spirit transforming their person (Titus 3:4-7).

For Jesus Christ the Son of God was crucified so that we through His death and resurrection, than ascension back to the Father could be brought to everlasting life, restored to God, lit. bought back and brought out of our being spiritually dead in our sins and trespasses, separated from God, to being made spiritually alive, Risen with Christ and eternally united with Him by His Spirit and thus at peace with God, now able to live freed from a life that was once ruled by Law and or by sin (Rom. 6:1-14). Jesus Christ’s resurrection than as the firstborn amongst many brethren becomes the means by which we too will rise from the dead on the Last Day (John 6:40). Therefore having been reconciled to God by His Son’s death we shall also be saved by His life (Rom. 5:10). Therefore the Holy Spirit not only brings us into everlasting life but is a guarantee of that future promise (Eph. 4:30), who also imparts in us what are called the fruits of the Spirit. Now “… the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Gal. 5:22-24
These fruits of the Spirit then are to govern a believer’s new life in Christ, not the Law (that is the Old Covenant Law which is called the ministry of death in the New Testament; since it cannot bring life to those dead in their trespasses and sins; only the Spirit of God can), nor the sinful passions of their flesh (since the wages of sin is death, Rom. 6:23), but God’s Spirit (2 Cor. 3:5-6, 9, 17) who brings to life everyone who believes in Jesus Christ the Lord crucified for their sins punishment and raised from the dead for their justification.

All Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

Mark 6:1-6 Jesus Returns to Nazerath

1 Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him. 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?” And they were offended at 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.

Devotional
In this section of Mark's gospel, Mark here tells us of Jesus' return to his hometown of Nazareth. A place where Jesus having been baptized by John in the Jordan River, and being filled with the Holy Spirit by God the Father, Jesus after enduring His temptation in the wilderness, began His public ministry teaching in the synagogues and was glorified by all (Luke 4:14-15). That is until Jesus returned too Nazareth. For though they heard the words of the Scripture he read to them from Isaiah on the Sabbath, which He declared to be fulfilled in their hearing, they rejected Jesus’ Person as being the fulfillment of those Scriptures. Instead relegating Him to the standing of being merely Joesph's son. And with that, Jesus knowing their unbelief, also declared to them from the Scriptures two Gentiles as true people of God, because they believed the prophets message spoken to them, which the people of Nazareth didn't. And so when they heard Jesus say that to them, they tried to kill Him by throwing Him off a cliff. But Jesus walked away from them unscathed (See Luke 4:16-30). And with that Jesus “…went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and was teaching them on the Sabbaths. 32 And they were astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority. Luke 4:31-32

And so Jesus leaves Nazareth, and goes out and teaches many people. Performing many miracles and healings in and around Capernaum, (a densely populated area), before He again returns to Nazareth. And so Jesus having returned begins again, by teaching on the Sabbath, in their synagogue. Now when Jesus did so the Scripture says: “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?” And they were offended at Him. Vs. 2-3

This then is the second time that Jesus reveals Himself as the Christ to the people of Nazareth. In the first instance, already briefly reviewed. Jesus did not teach, He simply read from Isaiah the prophet and declared to them that "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." which they rejected by relegating Jesus to being merely the son of Joseph (Luke 4:21-22). And so here Jesus is not said to be reading from the Scriptures on the Sabbath to declare to them as His coming as the fulfilment of the Messiah. Instead Jesus is teaching them directly, as the Messiah. And so when they hear Jesus speaking to them they are amazed at the Wisdom of Jesus Words, as well as the mighty works performed by His hands. Yet they remain incredulous about Him, and instead of believing in Him, they again relegate Jesus to just the “carpenter”, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon who lives amongst them (vs. 3). And so the Scripture says they were offended at Him. Now the word translated offended here is indicating that by both Jesus Words and deeds; though some would've marveled at Him; the majority just took great offense at Him. I imagine some of them were saying things like this: "How dare this carpenters son come into our synagogue and make such assertions about the "Kingdom of heaven", and do such things. Who does he think he is!" And so once again the people of Nazareth, whom Jesus had grown up with and lived amongst, did not see Jesus for who He really is. Though they were astonished by His teaching, and taken back by His mighty works amongst them, yet they remained incredulous towards Him. Not willing to believe that God's Son had come and had lived His early mortal life amongst them; not only in fulfillment of the Scriptures; but also for the rising, and fall of many in Israel (consider Luke 2:34-35).  Therefore with their again relegating Jesus, to being just a carpenter, Jesus says to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” Vs. 4 Now see the progression that Jesus uses in His declaration. First his own country, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country…” Believers too, will share in Jesus Christ’s humiliation and too lessor and greater degrees His suffering (as it is all appointed to us from God) before we share in His inheritance. Consider Jesus was born a Jew, and was faithful to all of God's law. Yet He was largely rejected by His own countrymen, as it says in the Gospel of John of Him: 11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name. John 1:11-12

“…among his own relatives…” Than one’s own cousins, aunts, uncles etc. some or all may very well reject a person’s testimony of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ's Person. Believers then should not be surprised when they having declared their loyalty to Jesus Christ, find themselves alienated from some of or all their own relatives. Even Jesus’ relatives in Nazareth after they began hearing of Jesus’ mighty works after He left Nazareth, started saying He was out of His mind, and sought to stop Him (Mark 3:21). Which then precipitated the scribes who came up from Jerusalem to seize on that, and then go on to say to the people, that Jesus was casting out demons by the ruler of demons; to even further undermine Jesus' reputation, and thus people following Him. Nonetheless the Lord Jesus immediately and thoroughly rebuked them for their blasphemous words about Him with His parable. Saying that those who say such things about Him are subject to eternal condemnation (See Mark 3:22-30). For as the Scripture says: 22 “For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, 23 “that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. John 5:22-23 Therefore those who presume upon knowing Jesus, or being in a relationship with God, but are incorrigible towards either Him or His own, can truly be said to not know neither God nor Him (consider 1 John 3:15; 4:20).

“…and in his own house…” That is those most closely related to them. The Lord Jesus said when one believes in Him a man’s enemies will be those of His own household, (See Matt. 10:34-36). Even at this point Jesus’ brothers did not yet believe in Him (John 7:1-5). Only Marry Jesus’ mother did; though James and Jude would later. James being chosen by the Lord Jesus Christ to be the first eyewitness Apostle to His resurrection (1 Cor. 15:7), and thus the Apostle James became a prominent Apostle in the early church in Jerusalem (Acts 15). Notice too Jesus is no longer being referred to as Joseph’s son, but Mary’s, which may be indicating that Joseph had died by this time (See Luke 4:22). As well notice that the people of Nazareth mentioned Jesus as having genealogical brothers by name, two are to be noted. The James previously mentioned is the Apostle James who wrote the Epistle (or letter in the N.T.) that bears His name; and Judas (or Jude) is the author of the N.T. Epistle that bears his name. Also there is the mention of some sisters; clearly indicating that Mary did not remain a “perpetual virgin” as  the Catholics try to deify her being. None of which affects Jesus Christ’s Person as the Son of God. But it does affect Mary’s status, if one is holding to her as having a place before Jesus Christ the Lord as a means to God the Father. For the New Testament is clear, it is only the eternal Father Son relationship that is paramount (John 14:6). For there is neither a mother or queen in heaven. Now Marks Gospel concludes this section by saying that Jesus could do no mighty work there in Nazareth, 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.” Vs. 5-6

That Jesus could do no mighty work there is not that He Himself did not want too, rather He Himself has made faith in His Person the means or agency by which He comes into and works in people’s lives. Therefore the unbelief of the people of Nazareth assured that Jesus could do not mighty work there amongst them, or in them, or even through them. For that principal is inseparably linked to the gospel and ones reception or rejection of the Lord Jesus Christ as testified too in it. The passage then concludes that Jesus marveled at their unbelief. And how could He not. For if they won't believe God's Son and Word living and speaking amongst them, then what will they believe? And so with that the Scripture says Jesus went about the villages in a circuit, teaching. Notice Jesus never stayed long in a place where faith was absent. Though He always gives time for its seeds to be sown and too mature. Yet if He returns only to see nothing has taken root, He leaves. As should you and me.

All Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.