Welcome to Week 6 of our study in the gospel of Mark on the identity and mission of Jesus. Last week, Jesus cast out a host of demons that had all inhabited the same unfortunate man, cured a woman who’d been suffering for 12 years, and raised a young girl from the dead. Mighty works indeed!
It’s no less so this week, with two of his most iconic miracles described in this chapter: the feeding of the 5,000 and walking on the water. Astute readers will note that we have skipped the death of John the Baptist. That’s correct. We had more material than we could get in for one week, and that story isn’t about Jesus. But feel free to read it if you like! First we begin with a sort of downbeat story about Jesus returning to his hometown. Let’s get started!
Study notes by Mark Lautenschlager, prayer guides by Tracy Lautenschlager.
Index to Days 2 through 5
Day 1
Moved by Faith
Observe
Jesus comes to his hometown, but does not receive a warm welcome.
{Mark 6:1-6 ESV} {1} He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. {2} 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? {3} Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. {4} And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” {5} And 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. And he went about among the villages teaching.
{Matthew 8:5-13 ESV} {5} When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, {6} “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” {7} And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” {8} But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. {9} For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” {10} When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. {11} I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, {12} while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” {13} And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.
This passage tells us two things about Jesus. First, it shows that he wasn’t given the honor that a prophet should receive. In the context, it would seem that before Jesus began his public ministry he led an entirely normal life, which is unsurprising. He worked as a carpenter, likely alongside his father, and was known to be part of a large family in the town. One might even understand the skepticism, although his authoritative teaching and accompanying mighty works (casting out demons, healing the sick, feeding huge crowds despite having little food) should have been convincing. The second thing it tells us is Jesus could do no mighty work there. He healed a few sick people, marveled at the unbelief of his hometown, and left to teach elsewhere. What do we learn from this? Is God somehow prevented from doing what he wants to do? Of course he isn’t. Look back at the previous chapter. Jesus cast out the demons despite not being asked, and it makes no mention of the man’s faith prior to the demons being removed from him. However, in the case of the woman with the bleeding disorder and the synagogue ruler with the daughter who was sick, Jesus comments on their faith. To the woman he says “your faith has made you well” and to the synagogue ruler “do not fear, only believe.” For reasons known only to him, and always that he alone would receive the glory (Soli Deo Gloria), it pleases God to work among his people when and where he finds them to have faith. Argue with that as you will, but we can find examples all throughout the Bible where God does a mighty work among people who believe he will. Yes, there are examples of him acting without that, we cited one in the demoniac from the previous chapter, but still we must admit that God’s heart is stirred by the faith of his people.
- If you are someone who easily has great faith that God will move, give some reasons why you might have such faith.
- On the other hand, if you are someone who struggles to have faith that God will move, give some reasons why you think you struggle.
Dear Jesus, I come to you today, believing. I believe that you have power and authority. I believe that you are able to provide everything that I need. I believe that you have a plan for my life and that you will achieve it. I feel so clumsy and useless at times, but you are not constrained by my fears and limitations. You have always moved where believers pray with power, so I ask you to strengthen me to pray, and I ask you to raise up and strengthen many others likewise in our church to pray, believing. Amen.
Day 2
Jesus Sends the Apostles
Observe
Jesus expands the reach of his ministry by sending out his apostles.
{Mark 6:7-13 ESV} {7} And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. {8} He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff–no bread, no bag, no money in their belts– {9} but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. {10} And he said to them, “Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there. {11} 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.” {12} So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. {13} And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.
{Acts 13:14, 50-51 ESV} {14} but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. … {50} But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. {51} But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium.
In this passage, Jesus sends out his twelve apostles to increase the reach of his own ministry. There are several distinctive things: he sends them in pairs, he gives them specific authority to cast out unclean spirits, he tells them not to take any supplies with them, and he tells them to shake off the dust on their feet when leaving any village that does not receive them. Sending them in pairs was likely to satisfy Jewish requirements regarding testimony. The truth of testimony (such as what they would tell people about Jesus) is established by “two or three witnesses.” Giving them specific authority over unclean spirits reminds us again that only God commands the spirit world and unless given authority by him, we certainly do not. Telling them not to take along supplies puts them in a position of relying upon God to find hospitable people. Finally, Jews would shake the dust off their feet and clothing when reentering their nation, because they did not want to defile the Promised Land with the dust of heathen nations, it was considered unclean. For the apostles to do this when leaving a village, it would mark that village as heathen territory. So what do we learn about Jesus from this passage? We learn that he has always intended to use people to take his message to the world.
- Do you feel personally called to share the message about Jesus with others?
- What can get in the way of responding to that call?
Dear Lord, Thank you for the community of believers you’ve built here. Thank you that, kind of like the sending of your apostles, you have sent me into my world with friends and fellow believers to labor together, to pray together and to rejoice together. When I am weary or discouraged, these friends lift me up, and I do likewise for them. I have nothing for the work of your kingdom except what you give me, and it is more than enough. Thank you Jesus. Amen.
Day 3
Feeding the 5,000
Observe
Jesus performs one of his most iconic miracles.
{Mark 6:30-44 ESV} {30} The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. {31} And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. {32} And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. {33} Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. {34} When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. {35} And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. {36} Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” {37} But he answered 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 it to them to eat?” {38} And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” {39} Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. {40} So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. {41} And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. {42} And they all ate and were satisfied. {43} And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. {44} And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.
{1 Kings 22:17 ESV} {17} And he said, “I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. And the LORD said, ‘These have no master; let each return to his home in peace.'”
{Ezekiel 34:5 ESV} {5} So they were scattered, because there was no shepherd, and they became food for all the wild beasts. My sheep were scattered;
{Zechariah 10:2 ESV} {2} For the household gods utter nonsense, and the diviners see lies; they tell false dreams and give empty consolation. Therefore the people wander like sheep; they are afflicted for lack of a shepherd.
There are many things worthy of note in this passage. We see the compassion Jesus has for the needs of people. He saw the apostles were exhausted, so he took them away to a remote place to rest. When he saw the crowd gathered there, it said he was moved with compassion. The Greek word there is splagchnizomai and refers to being moved at a very deep level (literally “in his bowels,” as people of that time thought the seat of your emotions was in your lower digestive tract). He saw the multitude as “sheep without a shepherd” (1 Kings 22:17; Ezekiel 34:5; Zechariah 10:2). When his disciples grew concerned that the crowd would become hungry, they suggested he dismiss the crowd so they could go find something to eat. Jesus did not concur with this suggestion that the crowd find their own food, and gave his disciples a personal command (“You feed them”). They were startled at this and could only think of the staggering amount of money it would take to feed the crowd. But Jesus was not concerned with what they did not have and instead asked them what they did have. The miracle was that he took what they had and made it enough for what he asked. That’s what we learn about Jesus in this passage.
- When you sense God urging you to do something, how do you react? Do you, as the disciples did, start counting the cost and let that scare you into inaction? Or do you set out, believing that God will multiply what you have and make it enough?
- When the crowd was satisfied and the leftovers were collected, they had more food than when they began. Twelve baskets, in fact, of a kind that Jewish men used to pack their lunch in when they left home so they didn’t eat food that was defiled. What do you think is significant about the number of baskets?
Heavenly Father, I confess that I often look at this world, full of people in need, and I wonder where the resources will be found to care for them. They are lost and do not know you, and I wonder who will be able to reach them. I don’t feel like I have much to offer, but I know that you are able to magnify all good things. You are able, so I pray today that you will do it, and begin with me. These small gifts you have given me are yours to use. Take and use them, and I will give you all the glory. Amen.
Day 4
Jesus Walks on Water
Observe
Another of the most iconic miracles performed by Jesus is described here, as he walks on water.
{Mark 6:45-52 ESV} {45} Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. {46} And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. {47} And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. {48} And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, {49} but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, {50} 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.” {51} And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, {52} for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.
{John 6:14-15 ESV} {14} When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!” {15} Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
{Deuteronomy 18:15-19 ESV} {15} “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers–it is to him you shall listen– {16} just as you desired of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, when you said, ‘Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God or see this great fire any more, lest I die.’ {17} And the LORD said to me, ‘They are right in what they have spoken. {18} I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. {19} And whoever will not listen to my words that he shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of him.
{Acts 3:19-23 ESV} {19} Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, {20} that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, {21} whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. {22} Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. {23} And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’
Mark’s account of this story is missing a couple details that John includes when he records it in chapter 6 of his gospel. There we see that after Jesus fed the people, they began to talk among themselves and decided that Jesus was the “prophet like Moses” that God promised to send them (Deuteronomy 18:15-19). Their response to this decision was to try and grab Jesus, forcing him to become king. Being aware of this, Jesus had already evacuated the disciples in a boat and got away by himself to pray. Ironically, Jesus is indeed that prophet, as Luke makes clear in his book of Acts (Acts 3:22), but now was not the time for that to be revealed. Jesus sets out walking on the water and when the disciples see him, they mistake him for a ghost and are terrified. Jesus reassures them by identifying himself and getting into the boat, which immediately stops the headwind they had been struggling against. Disappointingly, this amazes the disciples, who had also missed what had happened with the loaves. Despite all they had seen him do, they still lacked faith that he was truly God in the flesh and could do anything. That’s what Mark is telling us about Jesus here, and has been telling us about him, and using the disciples as a negative example in this case (“hey, don’t be like these guys—believe!”).
- In the Bible, large amounts of water (especially deep, dark water) symbolize death and judgment. In that context, what meaning might there be to Jesus walking on the water without sinking?
- The headwind they were struggling against ceased as soon as Jesus was in the boat with them. What does that suggest to you?
Father God, I love this story. My storms have not been literal, physical storms, but I have felt lost and overwhelmed many times. You have not come to me physically, but your presence has guided and strengthened me many times. Remind me, Lord, when the next storm comes, that you are with me and that you are in control of the outcome. When I see someone caught in their own storm, use me to comfort and strengthen them with examples of your faithfulness. Amen.
Day 5
To Touch the Master’s Garment
Observe
The chapter concludes with a narrative of Jesus once again healing the sick, with just one small difference.
{Mark 6:53-56 ESV} {53} When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore. {54} And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized him {55} and ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard he was. {56} 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.
{Numbers 15:37-39 ESV} {37} The LORD said to Moses, {38} “Speak to the people of Israel, and tell them to make tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and to put a cord of blue on the tassel of each corner. {39} And it shall be a tassel for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the LORD, to do them, not to follow after your own heart and your own eyes, which you are inclined to whore after.
{Deuteronomy 22:12 ESV} {12} “You shall make yourself tassels on the four corners of the garment with which you cover yourself.
It may be easy to see this closing story in the chapter almost like one of those scenes at the end of a movie where you see what happens with the hero and the people after the film’s climactic scene. But you would be missing some important symbols. As would be the case with any observant Jew, the outer garment Jesus wore would have the fringes and tassels commanded by God (Numbers 15:37-39, Deuteronomy 22:12). The tassels on the corners would be made with a blue cord to remind them to keep the commandments of God. It would be these fringes and tassels the people touched as Jesus passed them by, not simply the hem of a robe as we think of it today. While it does not specifically say this, the act of bringing the sick to the marketplaces Jesus would pass through was an act of faith. Those fringes and tassels that represented the commandments of God were more meaningful on the robe of Jesus than on anyone else, for it was Jesus who perfectly kept all the commandments of God while he lived among us. Mark is showing us that reaching out in faith to touch the robe of the sinless man was enough to bring healing.
- Can you even conceive of a sinless man? What would such a person be like? How would you approach them?
- How do you think the world would embrace a truly sinless man among us today? Would he be exalted and admired? Or would there be a very different reaction? Why?
Dear Lord, What a wonder that you would come, take on our frail human form, and walk among us. It is a wonder that you, entitled to all power and glory and honor, would care enough for suffering people to heal so many. Your mission, your path to the cross, was ordained. The events were in motion that would lead you to that cross, but still you paused and touched so many and changed lives and healed. Lord, make my heart tender, like yours, toward those who suffer. Amen.