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.

Mark 5:21-43 Jesus heals a desperate womans and saves a mans only daughter

21 Now when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side, a great multitude gathered to Him; and He was by the sea. 22 And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet 23 and begged Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live.” 24 So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him. 25 Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, 26 and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. 28 For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.” 29 Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. 30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?” 31 But His disciples said to Him, “You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’ ” 32 And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. 33 But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. 34 And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.” 35 While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” 36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.” 37 And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. 38 Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly. 39 When He came in, He said to them, “Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping.” 40 And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying. 41 Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, “Talitha, cumi,” which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” 42 Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement. 43 But He commanded them strictly that no one should know it, and said that something should be given her to eat.
 
Devotional
In this section of Mark Jesus encounters two people in great desperation. The first is a man named Jairus, one of the rulers of a synagogue, whose only little daughter was near death. The other a desperate women plagued by a flow of blood for twelve years, that made her under the Law perpetually unclean (See Lev. 15:25-27). Unable to marry and bear children (Lev. 18:19) or have fellowship in a synagogue, or within the community to any real extant (Lev. 15:19-24), she was bound to live a life of isolation and shame because of her ongoing aliment. Now this woman had not only the horrible social stigma of that flow of blood, she had as Mark declares: “…suffered many things from many physicians”, also “She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse.” Vs. 26

Two desperate people then with nowhere else to turn, turn to Jesus. One a community leader, the other a social outcast, two desperate people, one common faith. Now when Jairus came to Jesus and he saw Him the Scripture says “…he fell at His feet 23 and begged Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live.” 24 So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him. Vs. 22-24

So it will be as Jesus’ is going with Jairus and the crowds are gathering around them as the news spreads that Jesus is going to heal his daughter, that the woman with the flow of blood will also hear about Jesus. And the Scripture says: “When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. 28 For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.” Vs. 27-28 In Matthew we are told that she did this suddenly as Jesus and disciples made their way with Jairus (Matt. 9:20-22). In other words when she heard about Jesus, she moved quickly towards Him, likely with a heightened sense of urgency as the people started to close in around Jesus, and when she got close enough to Him she reached out and was able to touch just the hem or the outer edge of His garment.

And with that reach of desperation the Scripture says: 29 immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. 30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?” 31 But His disciples said to Him, “You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’ ” vs. 29-31

Notice a couple of things. When this happened Jesus immediately sensed that power went out from Him. Now the cause of the power going out from Him was not that the women merely touched Jesus which made her immediately well. It was that she believed in her heart that if she could only touched Him she would be made well. For it was her faith in Jesus’ ability to heal her that caused the release of power going out from Him. And that is the essence of Jesus Christ’s power of salvation that goes out to everyone who believes in Him. There is immediate life transforming power from God, that goes out through Him by the Holy Spirit to every soul who reaches out in faith to Him, will find life everlasting (Rom. 1:16-17).

Notice also the disciple’s response to Jesus’ question about “Who touched My clothes?” vs. 30 was interpreted by them as Jesus saying: ‘Who touched Me?’ ” vs. 31 The significance being that Jesus was asking a very specific question about who intentionally touched His clothes so as to cause power to go out from Him. While the disciples being unaware of what had just happened were bewildered by Jesus’ question, given the throng of people pressing all about Him. So it was with their response that Jesus “…looked around to see her who had done this thing. 33 But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. 34 And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.” Vs. 32-34

Now it’s not that Jesus did not know that power went out from Him and to whom it went to. It’s that Jesus wanted the women to come forth and declare what had just happened. Therefore Jesus’ response to her, as it is to all who confess to Him in faith, was not judgment as she feared, but mercy. For “…He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.” Vs. 34 And that is the Good News from God when anyone sees there need for Jesus Christ and confesses to Him in faith there is immediate forgiveness of all our sins. Now it will be in the light of that Good News that bad news will come. For the passage then say’s: 35 While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” 36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.” vs. 35-37 

Jesus Words here to Jairus are not only theologically significant in that within them contains the way of salvation but they are given to alleviate Jairus fear of the unknown. For as with the woman with the flow of blood who had a fear of judgment before Jesus in a gentle spirit of grace took it away with His Words, so here Jesus is reassuring Jairus to maintain his faith and not fold (vs. 37).

These three men being leaders amongst the twelve would later bear witness to what was about to take place. And by so doing they would become catalysts for building faith in others. Now as they came upon Jairus’ home there was a tumult of people who wept and wailed loudly (vs. 38) which must have been devastating to him, but that is the traditional mourning practices for Jewish people to publicly and often dramatically express grief over loss of life. Now it will be as Jesus’ enters the house (vs. 39) that He will say to those present: “Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping.” Vs. 40 Jesus’ Words here are not a denial of the child’s death but are likely for Jairus’ sake to keep His faith alive so that Jesus might raise his little girl from the dead. However with Jesus’ declaration that the child was not dead, but sleeping, those present ridiculed Him. Literally they derided Him (Strongs). Indicating without a question that the child was indeed dead. Though with Jesus’ Word’s His raising the child from the dead would not be spread about as if He had not spoken them, for it appears He did not intend at this time for people to be made fully aware of whom He was (vs. 43).

Therefore Jesus’ paid no attention to their deriding Him, instead after He had put them all outside of the house; He took the father and mother of the child and those with Him and went into where the child was laying (vs. 40). Then He took the little girl by the hand and said to her: … “Talitha, cumi,” which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” Vs. 41
Now the Scripture says “Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement.” Vs. 42

Notice the immediacy of the little girls being brought to life, just as the woman with the flow of blood was immediately healed, and the two demoniac’s were immediately set free (Previous devotional). So here the girl being raised from the dead was immediate at the command of Christ. For Jesus Christ is more than just a Physician who miraculously heals people, more than just a Prophet who casts out demons, Jesus Christ is Lord of both the living and the dead. 21 “For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will. 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. 24 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life." John 5:21-24
Therefore the little girl was not only brought back to life she was made fully well again. So she got up and walked, which caused those there to be overcome with great amazement. And with that Jesus strictly commanded that no one should know it, also He said that she should be given something to eat (vs. 43).

Now the reason for Jesus' not wanting His raising the little girl from the dead to become widely known is likely that He Himself had not yet been crucified and raised from the dead. Which is the forerunner to the Holy Spirit's outpouring and the power of God which transforms people from being spiritually dead to being Spiritually alive and prepared for the resurrection of dead. For if Jesus' doing miraculous healings brought people from far and wide so that He and His disciples at times could barely have time to eat, or escape being thronged by needy people, how much more if word got out that Jesus raised a man's deceased only child from the dead. He would be swamped by people and their requests for the same. And throughout the Gospel if you search it carefully you will not find a single instance where Jesus refused someone’s request for help. Jesus' healing than of Jairus only child was clearly an act of mercy on a man who came seeking Jesus to heal his than alive child, who died while he was still seeking Jesus. Therefore I believe Jesus having all knowledge of all things already knew what He was going to do even before the news reached Jesus.
Therefore Jesus did not and would not turn His back on someone who sought Him, just as He won’t turn His back on you, if you in faith seek Him. As the Scripture declares:

6 Seek the LORD while He may be found,
Call upon Him while He is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake his way,
And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
Let him return to the LORD,
And He will have mercy on him;
And to our God,
For He will abundantly pardon. Isaiah 55:6-7

Therefore news of our problems is not news to the Lord Jesus. In fact it was because of each of us and God's love for us, that Jesus Christ came into the world to not only pave the way for our restoration to a right relationship with God the Father and thus give to us new and everlasting life, but also to teach us the way of life as He said: … “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6

Have you then come to know God the Father through Jesus Christ the Son? God already knows you and loves you, but do you know Him? For that is what the gospel is, an invitation to life. Life that begins when one simply believes in Jesus Christ crucified on the cross for their sins forgiveness, then raised from the dead for their justification to new life. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Eph. 2:8-9

Begin new life today by inviting the Lord Jesus Christ into your life. For He has already accomplished everything that needs to be done to restore you to a personal relationship with God the Father, all that is now required is your receiving Him. To receive the Lord Jesus simply pray something like this: Dear Lord Jesus Christ thank you for suffering and dying in my place that I might be restored to God the Father through You. I now invite You into my heart and life to be my only Lord and Savior, amen.


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

Mark 5:1-20 Jesus Heals a Demon Possessed Man

1 Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. 2 And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 3 who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, 4 because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. 5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones. 6 When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. 7 And he cried out with a loud voice and said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me.” 8 For He said to him, “Come out of the man, unclean spirit!” 9 Then He asked him, “What is your name?” And he answered, saying, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” 10 Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country. 11 Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains. 12 So all the demons begged Him, saying, “Send us to the swine, that we may enter them.” 13 And at once Jesus gave them permission. Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea. 14 So those who fed the swine fled, and they told it in the city and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that had happened. 15 Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. 16 And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been demon-possessed, and about the swine. 17 Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region. 18 And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. 19 However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” 20 And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.

Devotional
In this passage from the Gospel of Mark, though Jesus' Words here are few, His Works are Mighty and Compassionate. Now as Jesus and disciples arrive in the country of the Gadarenes opposite Galilee (Luke 8:26). Jesus gets out of the boat and He is immediately met by a demon possessed man (vs. 1). In Matthew’s account we are told it was two men who met Jesus; and both were exceedingly fierce so that no one could pass that way (Matt. 8:28). Mark and Luke than emphasize just one of them. All of the gospel accounts of this event concur with the fierceness of these men and what transpired when these men encountered Jesus. Mark then says of this particular one that “…no one could bind him, not even with chains, 4 because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. 5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.” Vs. 3-5 Luke likewise tells us this occurred near the shores of the city of Gardarenes which is on the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee. While Matthew calls the location Gergesenes, yet both are describing the same place, for it was "a town located six miles southeast of the Sea of Galilee, east of the Jordan on the edge of the Arabian desert", whose surrounding region was known as the country of the Gadarenes or Gergesenes.***
Now Mark paints the most vivid depiction of these events and Matthew the least. While Luke (by training being a physician) seems to emphasize this particular mans plight saying he had demons for a long time, and he did not reside in a home, but he lived naked amongst the tombs (Luke 8:27). “For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness.” Luke 8:29

All in all it’s a grizzly picture of severe demonic activity in a human life. Yet were not told how that man got into that state, which is not the point, the point is how he got out of it. Previously Jesus rebuked the forces of nature with His Word. Here Jesus will rebuke with the forces of hell. From the fierceness of the Sea of Galilee, to the fierceness of a demon possessed man, Jesus’ Word brings calm when He invokes it, not chaos. Now Marks says that when the man saw Jesus from afar he ran and worshiped Him (vs. 6). While Luke says that the demonic man fell prostrate before Jesus. Both are describing the same thing. Since the word used by Mark translated worship means to kneel or prostrate oneself before ones superior, either as an act of worship, or paying homage etc. all which verse seven indicates. So it was Christ’s initial Word to “Come out of the man, unclean spirit!” vs. 8 that precipitated the man’s falling before him, and the demon pleading that Jesus not torment him. Both Mark and Luke record the demons response as basically saying “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me.” Vs. 7

Therefore whatever manner of demon spirits that were in that man, they literally had such control of him so as to cause him to fall before, and speak out in great fear at being in the Lord Jesus Christ’s Presence. Now the response of the demons here is very similar to the response when Jesus cast out a demon in the man He encountered in the Synagogue, when He first came up into Galilee (See Mark 1:21-28). In both instances they were immediately aware of Christ’s Presence and both fearfully acknowledged His Power to send them out of the ones they possessed. Therefore their fearful response to Jesus’ Presence in their midst, whether it was meant to or not, gave immediate testimony to Jesus Christ’s Person, Power, and Authority to do so. Something Matthew, Mark and Luke all record. And in all of Jesus’ casting out of demons in the Gospel, Jesus’ asking a demon it’s name is unique to this encounter (vs. 10). The significance being not for Christ’s sake, but clearly for ours, so that we could understand the severity of that man's oppression. Now their response to Jesus' question was that their name was legion, “for we are many”. Indicates the great number of demons in that poor man. For the word Legion refers to a Roman unit of combined infantry consisting of both foot soldiers and often horsemen, equivalent in numbers to roughly the modern military brigade, about 4000-6000+. Though literalness is not being stressed in the passage, just that the man was oppressed by many demons. And as we will see when Jesus lets them enter the swine there was enough of them to overtake and overpower over two thousand swine! What a frightening scene that must have been. That they earnestly begged Jesus not to cast them out of that country indicates, again Jesus' Authority to do so, and maybe indicating that they themselves had found a refuge amongst the people of that region, as the people there will later request Jesus leave them. And so it is not the nation, but the individual that Jesus Christ first seeks to save, set free, and change. People’s reception or rejection of Jesus Christ as Lord then will ultimately determine their fate, and the fate of the nations in which they dwell (Psalm 2; 9:17-20; 22:27-28; 33:10-22; 46:10; 47; 72; 82:8; 110; Rev. 11:15-18 etc.).
Now Luke records that the demons requested that Jesus not cast them out into the abysses (Luke 8:31). In essence the same thing, since all three declare that the demons requested that Jesus allow them to enter the herd of swine that was there. Matthew also notes that the swine were a good way off (Matt. 8:30). Now we must not lose sight of both the intensity of the moment, and the immediacy of this man’s healing, as the demons immediately leave him at Jesus' command and overtake the swine. For just as Jesus immediately calmed the Sea, so here He will immediately calm an otherwise untamable man. Something that the Gospel always does when the Presence of Christ is received He brings inner peace into everyone who believes. Now verse thirteen declares that Jesus gave them permission to enter the swine, and so when they did the entire herd ran violently down the steep place where they were and into the sea. The swine then acted just as the man did when the Legion of demons entered him, causing him to run hysterically with self destructive force. Now when the herdsmen who were watching over the swine saw this they themselves fled and went and told it in the city and country (vs. 14). Now as the people of that region came out to see what had happened to the swine, they saw the man who had been demon possessed now sitting and clothed and in his right mind. Now the Scripture says when the people of that region saw the man who was formerly demon possessed sitting peaceably and his right mind they were afraid (vs. 15). It was then that those who observed all these things told them how it all happened to that man who was once demon possessed (vs. 16). In essence they gave an eyewitness testimony to Jesus Christ and His Mighty Works to their own countrymen who came to see what had happened. And with that verse seventeen declares; "Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region.” Vs. 17

Now the people’s response seems to me utterly bizarre given the gracious work of Jesus in healing that man of his horrible affliction. For they neither marvelled at Jesus who had power to do such things, nor did they glorify God for it, nor did they rejoice at the man’s healing, (all which often happened when Jesus healed others of their afflictions, see Matt 9:8, 32-33, 15:29-31). Instead they were only afraid. Yet in their fear they didn’t turn to God in reverence acknowledging Jesus as a Man sent from God who had the Authority of God to do such things. Instead they only pleaded with His Son to leave their country, and thus them. Therefore whatever faith beliefs and practices they had in that region they did not have, or want to have faith in Jesus Christ. Even though they both heard and saw His mighty works to transform that demon possessed man’s life, whom they had previously chained and exiled to live in the tombs (lit. necropolis, a burial site meaning, "city of the dead"). For not one of them pleaded, (or even asked) Jesus to stay or be with them, either to heal themselves, a sick relative, or a loved one, as the people of Galilee often did. Nor did anyone ask Jesus to come and stay for dinner, as even the Pharisees would. Only the man who had been previously demon possessed when he saw Jesus get into the boat to depart from that region by the way He came, pleaded with Jesus to be with Him, ironically using the same word that they used to plead with Jesus to leave them. It’s an incredible contrast of hungering faith and willful unbelief (vs. 17-18). Notice too, that Jesus never spoke a Word to the people there (something that only occurs here in the Gospel). Only their own countrymen who gave an eyewitness accounting of what transpired did. And so even though all the evidence was there for them to believe. Yet more than that the Lord Jesus Christ Himself was there in their midst and He who could have and would've saved and healed all those people just as immediately as He healed that demon possessed man. But they didn't want anything to do with Jesus when they heard what He did, and could do. Instead they only pleaded with Jesus to leave them, so that is what Jesus did, and still does where He is rejected, He left them alone...

The Gospel truly is a message for the poor, the despised, the rejected, the demon possessed, and anyone else, from any circumstance of life who finds themselves for whatever reasons, alienated from God and all that is life. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life for everyone who receives Him into their lives (John 14:6). For Jesus sets captives of sin and Satan free. Yet it is only that man of all the people there in that country who wanted to be with Jesus. For he profoundly experienced the healing power of Christ in his life and was truly grateful beyond words for what God through Jesus Christ His Son did for him, in setting him free from that horrible demonic bondage. And having set him free Jesus said to him …“Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” 20 And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled. Vs. 19-20

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

 ***Word in Life Study Bible . electronic ed. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1997, c1996, S. Mk 5:21

Mark 4:35-41 Jesus Calms the Sea

35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” 39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

Devotional
After Jesus had taught the multitudes from Capernaum, and the surrounding regions, many things in parables pertaining to the Kingdom of God, while He was sitting in a boat off the shores of the Sea of Galilee. When evening arrived, He and His disciples set out according to the Lord’s Words “Let us cross over to the other side.” Vs. 35
And so when they multitudes departed, the disciples with Jesus in the boat with them, set out for the other side. The disciple’s itinerary was likely to make haste across the Sea of Galilee before the sun fully set. Given the unpredictability of the Sea of Galilee, as cool dry air is often drawn down from the hills which surround it, into the hot tropical like shoreline making for sudden high winds which can suddenly and without warning whip up the Sea of Galilee’s relatively shallow waters, making late evening crossings particularly unnerving.

Now as Jesus and the disciples departed from there several small boats also went with them. And it was while they were crossing that a great windstorm suddenly arose, and the waves were beating violently into the boats, so that they were already filling, threatening to sink them. Now as these terrifying events unfolded the Scripture says that the Lord Jesus was sound asleep in the stern of the boat on a pillow. So it was then, as they realized this sudden storm quell was threatening to sink them, “…they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” vs. 38

Now a couple things to take note of, first Jesus was in the boat with them. They were not going through this alone. Yet Jesus’ demeanor was not like the disciples. Jesus was not panicking; Jesus was sleeping, as sound as baby in its mother’s arms, as the sea was being tossed by the winds. The disciples though were fixated on the Sea’s conditions, and their circumstances within it, not on the Lord who was also going through this storm with them. Therefore their circumstances were dictating the level of peace and security they were experiencing in their lives during that time. Now while they were panicking, and Jesus was sleeping soundly in the stern of the vessel, do you think Jesus was unaware of the storm? Do you think Jesus is unaware of the storm surges that suddenly swell up in our lives? Do you not realize He is aware of all these things? How then do we respond to those difficult things God allows in our lives? Do we remain calm and secure in the knowledge that if God is for us who can be against us? Or do we like the disciples quickly forget who’s in our vessel with us as we sail through life’s stormy seas? Now it will be as the disciples cry out to Jesus, that He arises, rebukes the wind, and says to the sea: “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm (vs. 39). And with that Jesus looks to His disciples and says: …“Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!” Vs. 40-41

Are you looking to Jesus to calm the storm inside you or are you looking to trying to calm the storm yourself? Maybe by allowing these things Jesus wants us to learn to lean on Him more and ourselves and our “survival” tactics less? For many of life’s circumstances which make us anxious or fearful or upset etc. we simply cannot change; therefore rather than be discouraged or defeated by them we should look to God as our shelter when we are faced with those things. It doesn’t come easily, especially when you’re in the midst of it; but it does come as we learn to trust the Lord Jesus and lean on Him as our Eternal Refuge and Hope, and ourselves and our abilites to "control"  our circumstances less (Deut. 33:27; 2 Sam. 22:3-4; Ps. 9:9-10; 14:6; 28:7-9; 46:1; 57:1; 59:16-17; 62:7-8; 91; 141:8-10; 142:4-6).

Therefore if you have come to a personal faith in Jesus Christ then Jesus’ promise to us is not that we will not have tribulations and trials in this life, but He will be our peace and Security continually through them. For salvation is not just a single act of God to redeem us from sin and death it is an ongoing committed to our eternal well being. Therefore all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ have His Promise of peace as He said: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27

Now Jesus Christ’s peace comes to all who lay hold of it by faith in His Person. Trusting His death on the cross and resurrection from the dead for their sins forgiveness. For it is only by the Lord Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for our sins on the cross and our faith in Him that we have peace with God, as well as experience the peace of God in our lives. Therefore all of God’s promises in the Holy Scriptures are for everyone who lays hold of His Son’s promises for them.

13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, 14 saying, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.” 15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. 16 For men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute. 17 Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, 18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. 19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, 20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. Heb. 6:13-19

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

Mark 4:30-34 Jesus' Parable of the Mustard Seed

30 Then He said, “To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it? 31 “It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth; 32 “but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade.” 33 And with many such parables He spoke the word to them as they were able to hear it. 34 But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples.

Devotional
Jesus’ parable here though the shortest of His parables is one of the most revealing. In it Jesus makes an analogy with the Kingdom to that of a mustard seed. Which as the Lord reveals is smaller than all seeds on earth. Now the word translated earth here means earth as a whole, land as in arable land, country as in national territory with fixed borders etc. Thus Jesus is making analogy through seeds that were commonly known by people in and around Israel. His reference to the mustard seed would then resonated right away with them. For it is indeed the smallest of all seeds known to Middle Eastern peoples being about 3mm (Wikipedia). Now Jesus likens the Kingdom's beginnings on earth to it, for He says: “…when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth; 32 “but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade.” Vs. 31-32

The Kingdoms analogies then are this
1) It’s beginnings are extremely small,
2) It is planted in a field, lit. the entire earth.
3) When it is sown, it grows and becomes greater than all things relative to it.
4) It reaches out way beyond what one might naturally expect, and thus its influence is exceedingly far reaching as Jesus says it “shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade.” Now birds of the air don’t naturally find shade in a mustard seed plant. Thus the analogy of birds finding shade in it may be indicating the influence of evil on the external elements of the Kingdom because of it's massive growth (See Mark 4:4, 4:15). ***

Verse thirty three and four than conclude this passage by saying: 33 And with many such parables He spoke the word to them as they were able to hear it. 34 But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples. Vs. 33-34

Now the word translated hear in the phrase: “as they were able to hear it” has several shades of meaning beyond just literally hearing with the ear. It also entails perception, that is the literary devices and analogies Jesus used in explaining the Kingdom of God were not beyond their comprehension. He used analogies that they could easily recognize. But when Jesus was alone with His disciples He explained all things to them. That is the deeper truths within those literary devices which they were pointing too. And that is the key to understanding the Scriptures. First knowing the Lord Jesus Christ personally by repenting of ones sins and believing in Him, then by spending time with Him in His Word, so that the Holy Spirit of God, according to the promise of God, will lead you into all truth (John 14:26; 1 John 2:27). That is why God has given us this revelation and manifestation of Himself through His Son the Lord Jesus Christ, so that we all might know Him, and ultimately obey Him. For in knowing Jesus one will find not only remission of all their sins, but also eternal life (John 3:16; 17:3). And obeying Jesus and keeping His commandments there is not only safety from the many moral and Spiritual pitfalls in this world, there is also great reward both here and now and eternally (Psalm 19:11).

I don’t know where you are at today. But I hope that something here has encouraged you, or strengthened you, or maybe even enlightened you to believe in Jesus and thus pursue a greater knowledge of God through Him alone. For I know I learn from doing this, so I hope you do to. Feel free to share any questions or comments but please don’t use the comment box to promote a blog without my first knowing who or what it is your promoting. This is a Christian forum therefore I hope that Christ will be honored by my blogs and any questions and comments made.

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

*** I think the Believers Bible Commentary is where I gleaned that thought from. I don’t currently have a copy of it, but I’m fairly certain I read that in their commentary.

Mark 4:26-29 Jesus' Parable of the Kingdom's Growth

26 And He said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, 27 “and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. 28 “For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. 29 “But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”
 

Devotional
Jesus now follows up His parable of the Sower with specific parables about the nature of the Kingdom of God. The first was the parable of the lampstand (Mark 4:26-29). In this parable Jesus likens the Kingdom of God’s growth to that of a man who scatters seed on the ground, “and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how.” Vs. 27

In the first half of Jesus’ parable He makes analogy to the Kingdom of God’s growth like that of seeds scattered on the ground. There is a mystery to how the Kingdom grows, and thus Jesus compares its growth to that of seeds which a man has sown. Which likewise have a mystery about their growth that we cannot fully explain, though we observe the growth process. “For the earth yields crops by itself…” vs. 28

Similarly the Kingdom of God’s growth is independent of us. We do not dictate when and how the Kingdom of God grows. In many ways if we try to formulate what makes for successful growth we only deceive ourselves since that belongs to God alone. We merely scatter seeds of faith; that is a believer’s responsibility; for ultimately all growth comes by God, both in the Kingdom of God as well as a believer’s life. Now in this growth process of the seeds, and thus the Kingdom of God, Jesus describes four distinct Phases:
“First the blade.” The first phase of the Kingdom is like the first signs of a plants growth. Immediately one thinks of Jesus Christ who first preached and taught the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:15) and how He did many miracles and healings and such as He brought the gospel first to His own people Israel, while discipling His chosen twelve. The first phase then would be from Jesus Christ’s Incarnation to His crucifixion, resurrection and ascension for those early events are foundational to the Kingdom of God becoming accessible to mankind on earth.

“Then the head.” The second Phase could be thought of as the “church age” which began with the Holy Spirit’s outpouring at Pentecost forty days after the Lord Jesus Christ’s ascension back to the Father (Read Acts 1-3). This being pivotal to mankind’s redemption from sin and death, for with the Holy Spirit’s arrival all of Jesus Christ’s promises of eternal life come to fruition in those who believe. For it is the Holy Spirit who brings repentant sinners to life and thus into union with God and Jesus Christ by God’s Spirit dwelling inside us (Eph. 1:13-14), that is how one becomes a member of the Body of Christ. Thus God is no longer said to dwell in Temples (Acts 7:48-50), but in His creation who repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 3:18-26). Though believing Jews are predominate at the early stages of this phase of growth. The Kingdom will increasingly come to the Gentiles with Israel’s growing opposition of the followers of the Risen Lord Jesus Christ. Rejecting faith in Jesus Christ as the only means into a relationship with God and turning back to Moses and circumcision as the means of salvation (Acts 15; 28:17-29). And thus with that their fate is sealed for a season as the “pillars” of their faith will be removed from them, both their Temple and their nation will suffer ruin at the hands of the Romans according to the will of God. Something which Jesus foretold would happen, even before His crucifixion (Matt. 23:37-39; 24:1-2).

“After that the full grain in the head” The third phase then is the precursor to the finial, before the Lord Jesus Christ’s return. The Kingdom having been preached to the entire world; with both believing Jews and Gentiles sealed by the Holy Spirit for the day of redemption (Eph. 4:30). All that awaits is the Lord’s return, the rapture of the church, and the final judgment which is the final phase, “But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.” Vs. 29

The harvest being the separation of the just souls of men, women and children made right with God by their faith in Jesus Christ from those who rejected God’s offer to pardon their sins through His Son’s death on a cross. Now there is a lot one could try to say about God first gathering the Gentiles to Himself, then Israel into a nation, their returning to Him, the tribulation period and such. Pages could spent on looking into those events foretold in the Prophetic Scriptures. Yet those things are not the issue. The issue is have you made a personal decision to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ crucified and raised from the dead for your sins forgiveness and getting right with God? For only those who see their need and thus repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ will be forgiven their sins and saved from the judgment to come. Listen God does indeed love you and wants to you to experience abundant life with Him through His Son. For God’s will is not that anyone should perish but that all should come to repentance, (2 Peter 3:9), that is a saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. For you cannot change yourself, nor can you atone for your past wrongs, but God has and can if you will open your heart to Him through His Son, who suffered and died for us all so that we might be set free from sin and saved from God’s judgment against it. That is why the Lord Jesus Christ says to all: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” Rev. 3:20

To begin a relationship with God begins by simply:
Accepting that you are a sinner in need of God’s forgiveness
Believing that God loves you and has provided everything you need to be forgiven. 16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:16-17
Trusting that God has forgiven you when you repent and turn to Him and put your personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord who was crucified and raised from the dead so that you and I could be forgiven.
Confessing Jesus Christ as Lord (Rom. 10:9, 10, 13). Usually this takes place with initiation into a church community by water baptism. Though public confession of Jesus Christ as Lord and ones faith in Him is not restricted to that, and in no way does that alone define Christ's followers. It does give opportunity to make a public declaration of ones faith in God through the Lord Jesus Christ and get connected with Him through a local body of believers. I hope what I have written inspires faith in you, if you have any questions feel free to correspond in comment box I'd be glad to try to answer any questions you may have.

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

Mark 4:21-25 Jesus' Parable of the Lamp

21 Also He said to them, “Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand? 22 “For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light. 23 “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” 24 Then He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given. 25 “For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”

Devotional
In the first part of Jesus’ exhortation He is comparing His gospel with that of a lamp, which is not brought out to be put under a basket, or placed under a bed, but on a lampstand (vs. 21). Now in Jesus' sermon on Mount, Jesus says something very similar when people are in relationship with Him “Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matt. 5:15-16

In the sermon of the Mount Jesus is talking about believers good works which bring glory to God. Here in this parable though Jesus is referring to the Kingdom of God and its declaration, in essence evangelism (vs. 21-23). For the Gospel is not to be hidden from people. It is to be shared openly and without partiality. For what the Lord Jesus Christ said and did, He did publically. He never tried to conceal His purposes. He came forth from God as the Light of the World and His Word is not hidden from those who accept it and obey it.
“But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.” 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Cor. 4:3-6

Therefore Jesus’ Words in verse twenty two “For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light." May be construed as meaning all of Scriptures mysteries will be revealed in their time. Jesus then concludes His exhortation by saying “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” Vs. 23

Now in verse twenty four and five Jesus says: “Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given. 25 “For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”

These verses are linked to God’s revelation that He brings forth through Christ. Jesus Christ is not only God Incarnate in the flesh as a Man. He is the Living Word of God who not only declares it, but also brings to life by God’s Spirit all who repent and believe in Him through it. The importance then of how ones hears Him through His Word cannot be overstated! That is what the Lord Jesus is emphasizing in verse twenty four and five. Those then who hear the Lord Jesus Christ and do not harden their hearts to Him, and thus measure Him according to what God says of Him, will likewise be measured appropriately as belonging to Him, and thus more revelation of God in Christ will be given them. But those who do not, who do not believe, or ascribe to the Lord Jesus Christ something less than who He is will likewise be measured by that same judgment, and with that they cannot be said to belong to Him. For you cannot lesson the Person of God’s Son and declare yourself as having faith in God! The Lord Jesus concludes by saying: “…to you who hear, more will be given” 25 “For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”

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