Year 2, Week 33, Day 1 Bible Reading Observations

Year 2, Week 33, Day 1

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Mark 6.

Today’s reading records Jesus’ ministry actions and instructions that parallel the previous day’s readings from Matthew 10 and 14. Mark 6 begins with an account of Jesus’ return to Nazareth, the town He grew up in: "He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands?” (Mark 6:1-2). Many in Nazareth did not embrace Jesus: “And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went about among the villages teaching” (Mark 6:7). As the rest of Mark 6 unfolds, the focus is on Jesus sending out His disciples, and yet, the chapter ends with a note of Jesus’ popularity in the region around Galilee: “When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore. And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized him and ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well” (Mark 6:53-56). The middle section of Mark 6 records Jesus’ preparation of His disciples for their work.

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading was Jesus commissioning His disciples to go out in pairs in order to extend the very ministry that He Himself was engaged in: “And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits…So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them” (Mark 6:7,12-13). The account of the death of John the Baptist serves as something of a preview to the kind of opposition and persecution that would await Jesus and His disciples: “And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb” (Mark 6:27-29). The danger that John faced echoes the dangers that surrounded the disciples’ commission: “He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts— but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. And he said to them, “Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there. And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them” (Mark 6:8-11).

And yet, whatever dangers that Jesus’ disciples faced, Jesus wanted to strengthen their reliance upon Him: “The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while” (Mark 6:30-31a). Jesus would show His care for His disciples in the rest He provided for them; but He would also show them something even greater about Himself and their reliance upon Him. As Jesus was teaching a great crowd, the disciples were concerned that it was getting late and it was time for Jesus to send the crowds home: “And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” But he answered them, “You give them something to eat” (Mark 6:35-37a). Jesus was not unaware of either the time nor the lack of immediate resources to feed the great crowd. Jesus was using this situation to show something vital to His disciples: “And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have?…they said, “Five, and two fish.” Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups…And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves…And he divided the two fish among them all. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men” (Mark 6:38-44). No matter what circumstances that the disciples would face, Jesus would be able to supply them all they needed.

Jesus provides yet another teaching situation for His disciples that would serve to strengthen their reliance upon Him: “Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray” (Mark 6:45-46). Jesus put His disciples on a boat while He stayed ashore. As the disciples struggled to make progress in light of the heavy winds, Jesus showed up: “And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid” (Mark 6:48b-50). While Jesus gets into the boat and stills the winds, the disciples were slow in grasping what Jesus was teaching them: “And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened” (Mark 6:51-52). Jesus would send His disciples into situations that they would be unable to handle with just their own resources; however, what He would continue seeking to teach them is they would always go out enabled by Divine resources.

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe