Tag: Mark 6

Soften My Heart (Mark 6:45-56 Devotion)

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Today is special in two ways. It See you At the Pole. God did a work in my heart 14 years ago and one of my earliest blog posts was about that event. You can find that post here. Also it is the five year anniversary since my open heart surgery. You can find a post about my thoughts and a letter I wrote to my kids here. Needless to say, I’m full of praise today and I’m excited to see what the Lord does through this next generation.

Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away. 46 And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray. 47 Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He [was] alone on the land. 48 Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by. 49 And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; 50 for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” 51 Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled. 52 For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened. 53 When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there. 54 And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, 55 ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was. 56 Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well.

– Mark 6:45-56 (NKJV)

Jesus had just fed the multitude with a few loaves and fishes. The disciples had learned about life in a busy season. The takeaway seemed to be, “when you are spent, take what little you have and put it in the hands of Jesus.” Now he makes the disciples get in a boat and he send them on while he himself goes to the mountain to spend time in prayer.

Everything seems fine, but then a storm must have arisen given the disciples trouble in rowing across the lake. The wind is against them and they should have been to shore by now. So when Jesus walks out on the water, they are scared! They don’t expect him to show up in their moment of need (but it seems like that is the lesson they just learned with the loaves… that when we can’t do something about the situation, Jesus can.)

The gospel writer Mark seems to indicate that they should have expected Jesus to do something like this and not been so afraid or marveled so much, but they did because the lesson they had just learned with the loaves didn’t sink in to their heart level yet. Their hearts had been hard! They saw Jesus multiply fish and bread. They heard him pray and tear the pieces. They felt the substance of the food as they passed it out. They smelt the food as the leftovers were being gathered. They themselves tasted and were full. They witnessed Jesus do the impossible with ALL of their senses and yet, it hadn’t sunk into their hearts just who he was and so they cried out in fear when they saw him in the dark on the lake. They didn’t know that He was doing something normal for him. The moments we feel our need for him are the moments we realize that he has been there for us all along.

Perhaps there was another message here. Jesus multiplying the bread was like God providing manna for the nation of Israel while they were traveling to the promised land. His use of the water to walk to them was similar enough to God speaking to Moses to part the Red Sea. It should have been donning on them that one greater than Moses was here! We could give the disciples a hard time, but in reality. Aren’t we just like that. Doesn’t it take a while for the grace of God to sink into our hearts. We are slow to perceive who Jesus really is and slow to fully put our trust in him.

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. Thank you for being patient with us. We are often slow learners. Thank you for grace that meets us in the middle of the storm, calms our fears, and leads us to see even greater things. Please guide us in your will and direction for us. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Giving When You Are Spent (Mark 6:30-44 Devotion)

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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.

– Mark 6:30-44 (NKJV)

Life is busy. Most weeks we run on full throttle. I’m up early and in bed late. I feel like there isn’t enough time in the day. I’m an introvert and I crave those moments of finding an alone space and resetting. But more often than not there is someone, somewhere that needs something from me. If I’m not careful, it can lead to burnout. I’ve been near burnout before and it’s not fun.

So how do you minister to needy folks around you when you have met the limits of your capacity? You trust Jesus. Honestly, some of the most fruitful times of my life have been when I’ve had little to nothing left in the tank. It’s those moments when I have little to nothing to offer those around me that I realize my own dependance on Jesus.

The disciples sized up the situation and estimated that the crowd should go home. They didn’t have enough to feed themselves, much less the crowd. But that day they learned the lesson that little is much when it’s in the hands of Jesus. He took what little they had and fed a large crowd and there were lots of leftovers. It’s Jesus who makes the difference, we simply offer what little we have and he makes much of it.

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. Help us to be faithful in the small things so that we might witness you do big things. Take the small that we have to offer and use it for your kingdom and glory. Help us to recognize that we can do nothing on our own, but when we are submitted to you we will see you do great things. Please guide us in your will and direction for us. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Regret (Mark 6:21-29 Devotion)

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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 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.

– Mark 6:21-29 (NKJV)

There are so many “lessons” or “moral of the story” applications that we might take away from this passage. We could say, “Don’t make rash vows” or, “don’t give in to peer pressure.” But what do you think the gospel writer Mark want us to see in this passage (including yesterday’s portion)? This was in the context of Herod hearing about Jesus. Herod had believed that Jesus was John the Baptist raised from the dead. Herod had regretted beheading John the Baptist to begin with, but he felt like he was in a no win situation and gave in.

I wonder if in imagining that John had risen from the dead, that Herod had a little bit of hope that his mistake had been undone? Or perhaps he worried about greater judgement? If he was guilty of living a sinful lifestyle, what wrath might his execution of an innocent man of God unleash?

Whatever his thoughts, John hadn’t risen from the dead, but Jesus, whom John talked about would! Like John, Jesus would die, but unlike John, Jesus would rise again from the dead. That resurrection would change everything.

Like Herod, many of us have made rash vows, given into peer presser or lived in lifestyles of sin… there are things we wish we could take back or undo. While we can’t undo the wrong that we have done, Jesus has made a way for us to be forgiven. The resurrection of Jesus amplifies everything. There is a way to find repentance and forgiveness for the things we have done, or harden our hearts even further. The question is, what will we do with the one who was able to “undo” even death?

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. We are grateful that Jesus came and lives a sinless life and rose from the dead. We have hope today because of the resurrection. Give us grace to walk in the confidence and boldness that Jesus provides for all those who follow after him. May be boast in your ability to save us to the uttermost. Please guide us in your will and direction for our lives. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Straddling the fence (Mark 6:14-20)

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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 Because 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.

– Mark 6:14-20 (NKJV)

When John preached it brought a reverential fear to Herod but hate to Herodias. The same message landed different ways. Herodias’ heart was stone cold and the message didn’t effect her other than to generate a hatred in her heart for John. Herod on the other hand was in fear of John. Herod had a foot in both worlds. He tried to please his wife, but he also kept John alive despite her.

As we’ve been going through the Gospel of Mark, we are noting the ways that the words of Jesus and the call to repentance generate different responses. Here we see in Herod a man who is torn because he is living in sin yet, also has some respect for the word of God. He tried to straddle the fence between the word of God and his sinful lifestyle with Herodias.

As we see in tomorrow’s reading, there is no way that this set up could last. Speaking of the lust for wealth and a full commitment to God Jesus shares that, “No one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24). We may fool ourselves into thinking that we can compromise with wicked habits or lifestyles, but the truth is there is no room for compromise. The questions of application that we might ask ourselves today is this, “Have I fully committed to following Jesus? Is there something or someone holding me back from a full commitment? In order to not only hear the call of repentance, but to actually repent, what actions or steps do I need to take?”

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. Search our hearts and see if there is any thing in us that does not please or honor you. Give us grace to let go of anything in our hearts that would compete with you. Please guide us in your will and direction for us. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Hospitality (Mark 6:7-13 Devotion)

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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].

– Mark 6:7-13 (NKJV)

Jesus sent out the disciples two by two. Whenever we go into the world to share our faith there is great strength in numbers. There is accountability and encouragement. When we go at a task alone we might be tempted to back down or be timid in our approach. Or we might be too loud and get in our own way of ushing in the kingdom. There is significant value in having someone go with you.

The significant theme of this passage seems to be the acceptance or rejection of the disciples and the announcement of the kingdom. There is a heavy judgement laid on those who won’t receive the good news of Jesus. The disciples are to shake the dust off there feet as a sign of impending judgement of God on those places. But there is the blessing on the places where the disciples are able to minister, people are healed and demons are cast out. The kingdom of God spreads in the midst of the people.

This causes us to reflect on our own hearts and lives. If we picture ourselves as modern day disciples we see it could be good and encouraging to be linked to one another in sharing our faith. Also, I think we should examine our own hearts. Are we those who welcome and honor those who who share the good word about Jesus in our midst?

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. Thank you for commissioning the disciples to go out and proclaim your kingdom. Thank you that you still commission people to go today. We ask for your favor especially on those you have called to go to hard and unwelcoming places. Please guide us in your will and direction for us. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Surprised by Unbelief (Mark 6:1-6 Devotion)

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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?” So 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.

– Mark 6:1-6 (NKJV)

Mark 6 begins with the account of Jesus teaching in his home town. The people there recognize him and are amazed at his teaching. They knew that he had no real formal education and chose to reject him. They marveled at his works, but must have assumed that it was some sort of trick. They knew him too well. They knew his family. They knew that Joseph was a carpenter. They thought they had him all figured out, but they didn’t.

They missed the message, they missed the miracles, but most importantly the missed the Messiah because they were focused on familiar. They couldn’t see the forest for the trees. They threw the baby out with the bathwater. They were indignant because they thought they knew him. They thought he was a common man trying to be uncommon it never entered their minds that he could be the uncommon reaching out to the common.

Do we miss seeing what He would do in our lives because we have treated Him as common? The culture and sub-culture in which I live is in danger of missing Jesus because he has become common. We treat him like a genie or Santa Clause, we relegate him to the world of mystical cultural phenomenon, but really pay him little attention. Have we forgotten that He is God? have we forgotten that He is the only path to peace with God? Have we forgotten that it’s His kingdom?

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. Help us to never dismiss your work as common. Let us be aware of your work in our lives and in the people around us. Remove every excuse from us. Please guide us in your will and direction. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Mark 6: An uncommon man in common clothes

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Mark 6 begins with the account of Jesus teaching in his home town. The people there recognize him and are amazed at his teaching. They knew that he had no real formal education and chose to reject him. They marveled at his works, but must have assumed that it was some sort of trick. They knew him too well. They knew his family. They knew that Joseph was a carpenter. They thought they had him all figured out, but they didn’t.

They missed the message, they missed the miracles, but most importantly the missed the Messiah because they were focused on familiar. They couldn’t see the forest for the trees. They threw the baby out with the bathwater. They were indignant because they thought they knew him. They thought he was a common man trying to be uncommon it never entered their minds that he could be the uncommon reaching out to the common.

Do we miss seeing what He would do in our lives because we have treated Him as common? The culture and sub-culture in which I live is in danger of missing Jesus because he has become common. We treat him like a genie or Santa Clause, we relegate him to the world of mystical cultural phenomenon, but really pay him little attention. Have we forgotten that He is God? have we forgotten that He is the only path to peace with God? Have we forgotten that its His kingdom?