Jesus' Continuing Ministry

Jesus visits his hometown
Mark chapter six begins with Jesus returning to Nazareth and while he was there he taught in the synagogue. The people there were skeptical, and unbelieving. The last time they saw him he was just a carpenter, but now he was a rabbi with disciples. Because of their doubt and distrust, Jesus could not do a mighty work there except heal some people of sickness so he left amazed at their lack of faith.

Jesus sends out his disciples
The next segment of scripture talks about Jesus sending out his disciples two by two to minister to others. Jesus gave them power to do mighty works. He also gave them a few specifics on how to go. He commanded them to go with only a staff and just the clothes on their backs. I have always been intrigued by his words about those who do not receive the word. He tells his disciples that whoever will not listen to what they are teaching to just leave them and “shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them.” Shaking the dust off the sandals was something the Jewish would do after leaving a Gentile city to show their separation. Jesus wanted his disciples to understand that if the people, Jewish or not, did not receive the truth that they should move on without feeling guilty or waisting anymore time. I always think of this when I begin to feel overwhelmed with someone not receiving the truth. It is scary and sad that some will not accept Jesus. Sometimes we want to shove it down their throat trying to save their life. The reality is that each person is responsible for what they do with the gospel after hearing it.

The worst birthday party ever
King Herod was thinking back on his recent birthday party when in a moment of impaired judgement he promised a young dancer, the daughter of Herodias, anything she wished. Herodias, Herod’s current wife, who he took from his own brother, wanted John the Baptist dead so he would no longer tell of her sinful relationship with Herod. She had her daughter ask for John’s head on a platter. Herod didn’t want to do it but felt pressured and regretted his action so much that when he began to hear about Jesus he thought it was John raised from the dead.

Jesus feeds thousands
The people were always looking for Jesus. Multitudes gathered anywhere Jesus was. I love how Jesus had compassion on the crowd of people following him, “because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So he began to teach them many things.” I can so relate to the disciples thinking to send them away so we can rest and eat. I am so glad I have a savior who loves me anyway. I want to be more like him. Here are thousands of people wanting to be with Jesus but it is time to eat so he says, “give them something to eat.” Why did the disciples have any question after their awesome mission trips to cities driving out demons and healing the sick? They found five loaves of bread and two fish. Jesus told the disciples to start passing it out. Everyone had plenty to eat and there were twelve baskets full of leftovers.

Jesus walks on water
After Jesus was finished teaching the multitude he sent his disciples on to the next stop while he went to pray alone. As the disciples were trying to row their boat in the stormy water Jesus made himself seen walking on the water. When the disciples saw him they were afraid but Jesus calmed them and the storm. As soon as they docked the boat people were already running to Jesus. He healed all who touched him.

It is what comes out of your mouth that counts
The Pharisees were constantly being critical and looking for reasons to bring Jesus down and any who followed him. They even watched the disciples eat and made comments about them not washing their hands properly before eating. Jesus made an example of them by stating that they want to hold to tradition rather than just follow the commandments of God. The Jewish had created so many rules and traditions intending to keep them from breaking the law but in doing this they only made it more difficult to keep the most important law - love the Lord your God with all your heart… Jesus wanted to make it clear that it is not what we eat or put in our body that ruins us but that which we say or do.

Jesus drives out a demon from a girl and heals a deaf-mute
Jesus moved on to the region of Tyre and Sidon where he met a Gentile woman who asked him to cast the demon from her daughter. He tests her with words that would reveal her intentions. She replied revealing that she believed who he was and that she only wanted her daughter to be healed. Then Jesus moved on to the region of Decapolis. A deaf-mute man was brought to Jesus and he healed him. I like to think of the many different ways Jesus healed people. I try to relate it how God answers our prayers. We should never assume how he will answer. He will choose how and when. One of many questions I have is why Jesus commanded people not to tell about his healing.