The Compassion of Christ (Mark 6:30-34)

Message preached at Covenant Reformed Baptist Church 6/2/2019 - Audio: https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=62191955572
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPxNUWgalko&t=18s


5000 pt. 1

Mark / Mark 6:30–34

The Compassion of Christ on the people was driven by an Active Love for them. 


Theme of Mark in Mark 10:45


Mark 10:45 NKJV
45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”


2 by 2: True Witnesses for Christ - What Christ gave to the Apostles to do – isn’t always exclusive to them. All Christians have a responsibility to be witnesses for Christ. (Mark 6:7-13) 17-Mar-2019


Promises Promises! - A significant part of our Christian witness is how we conduct ourselves in the world – do we keep our promises, or does our witness do damage to the honor of God? (Mark 6:14-29) 3-Apr-2019


Today we will begin to look at one of only two miracles in the whole of Scripture with a fourfold witness. Jesus’ own Resurrection (Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, and John 20), arguably the greatest miracle of them all; and the feeding of the 5000. Since there are 4 distinct accounts we will be examining the miracle at least twice and possibly a third time, should the Spirit direct me.


The verses we’ll be considering are what I am calling the preamble - the first 4 verses. The Compassion of Christ on the people was driven by an active love for them. (Thesis) If I were to give our message a key verse it would be verse 34.


Dealing with the text


  Mark 6:30–34 (Matt. 14:13-14; Luke 9:10–11, John 6:1-4)


  Mark 6:30–34 NKJV
  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.


  1 Number of words in the Greek - Mark 115, John 71, Matt 61, and Luke 58! Again - against all odds Mark has the most to say!


  2 Unique information from Matthew - We are told that Johns’ death was at least one  of the reasons for Jesus desire to get away from the crowds for awhile (Matt. 14:13) We also see a distinction in Matthews’ account - Jesus alone is being spoken of -


    Matthew 14:13 NKJV
    13 When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities.


    This may appear to be a contradiction - It is not as we shall see.


  3 Unique information from Luke - He tells us in Luke 9:10-11,


  Luke 9:10–11 NKJV
  10 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing.


  Two Contradictions? Resolving the where & how...


    A) Where indeed did they go?


      The reason this is a difficulty is that in Mark 6:45 we read that,


      Mark 6:45 NKJV
      45 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.


      There were two places in Israel, not far from each other, called Bethsaida. One of these was a city of Galilee, situated on the western side of the Sea of Galilee, a short distance north of Capernaum. It was the birthplace of the Apostles Peter, Andrew. and Philip. The Saviour often visited it. (Matt. 11:21-23; Mark 6:45-53.)


      The other Bethsaida was a city in Gaulonitis, north of the same lake, and east of the Jordan. It was originally a fishing village, but was enlarged by " Philip, tetrarch of Iturasa and of the region of Trachonitis," and named Julias, in honor of Julia, the daughter of Augustus. It was "in a desert place," near this Bethsaida - probably on the hillside at the south-eastern angle of the little plain - that our Lord fed the 5000. (Luke 9:10-17.) - Ancient Geography (https://www.bible-history.com/links.php?cat=40&sub=523&cat_name=Bible+Cities&subcat_name=Bethsaida)


    B) How did they go?


      The purpose of this question is to acknowledge and deal with Matthews account and Marks account of the same event.


      The answer to this dilemma is that Jesus went to the place separately from his apostles. I especially like the way the Lexham translation words the verses 31-32:


      The Lexham English Bible Chapter 6
      31 And he said to them, “You yourselves come privately to an isolated place and rest for a short time.” For those who were coming and going were many, and they did not even have time to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to an isolated place by themselves.


      This also agrees to his practice - as we see in Mark 6:45 just referred to, Jesus didn’t always travel with his apostles.


  The crowd arrived first, it appears that Christ arrived next, and then the Apostles.


  Reasons for the getting away (4):


  1 While one reason Jesus wanted to get to a private place was to grieve John, 2 another was to get away from the people! 3 To rest awhile 4 There was no time to eat!


  • The feeding of the 5000 was the first of two great feedings, the other is known as the feeding of the 4000 and attested by Mark and Matthew. In the near future we’ll consider what the miracles tell us - but today we want to look at the Savior’s actions and motives leading up to this great miracle.


The Theology derived from Christ’s actions and instruction


  The Compassion of Christ is seen in his active love for people.


    KEY VERSE - And getting out of the boat he saw the large crowd and had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things.


Even though he was weary, grieving, and desired both food and rest, Jesus was more interested in the large crowd.


  He saw them - How often do you and I miss a ministry opportunity because we are not looking?!


  Not only did he see them - He had compassion on them. This is to say he was deeply moved with pity on them.


    because - this indicates that which drove his compassion - he saw them as sheep with no shepherd.


  Do you see those around you as needy people? Jesus did.  We tend to look at those around us a nuisances, problems to be dealt with - work.


  How does this inform our interpretation of Jesus’ actions?  Only a love for them could have caused such a response. Think about it -


     When your child needs something - though you be weary, worn out and needy yourself - you respond to him or her; Love covers a multitude of sins and I tell you it helps us overlook the work involved when we are called upon.


     When a dear friend who has carried burdens for you has a need how do you respond? Even though it is inconvenient or difficult the love they once showed to you resonates and you bear for them. That’s love in action!


     When your elderly parent needs care - don’t you and your siblings seek to take action? Even though  the elderly can be irascible - this one you bear with - due to love!


  Listen to the NT speak of such things:


  1 Cor. 13:3  (Without love - all is a waste!)


  1 Corinthians 13:3 NKJV
  3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.


  Gal 5:6 (Faith working in Love)


  Galatians 5:6 NKJV
  6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.


  1 Cor 12:25 (Members should care for one another)


  1 Corinthians 12:25 NKJV
  25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.


  Phil 4:6 (Be anxious for nothing)


  Philippians 4:6 NKJV
  6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;


  In other words we need to get our eyes off ourselves and on others!


  Jesus barely had any time to grieve for John and he was back at it - looking to the needs of the sheep.


  This tells us at least 2 things - Jesus cares for you, and we should each care for one another - even if it interferes with our quiet time.


  Jesus’ particular response to their need of a shepherd - He taught them many things - specifically about the Kingdom.


    He specifically met their need of a shepherd by being a shepherd to them.


    The lesson for us is that we should not only look to the needs of others, but we should actively seek to do that which is in our power to relieve their need.


     This is so simple I hardly need to illustrate it - a child falls down and scrapes his knee - you clean the wound and bandage it.


    We see Jesus teaching on this exact point in Matt 7:9-11


    Matthew 7:9–11 NKJV
    9 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!


    It is in meeting their needs that we demonstrate love to them. Even us evil ones can do this!


   › How do we balance the needs of our loved ones with the needs we have of getting away for a revitalized walk?


  The answer to this is exactly what Jesus does! When we look to the needs of others often we are strengthened by that spiritual work.


  Consider another time when Christ set aside his earthly need for the Spiritual need of another - John 4:5-6, John 4:31–38


  John 4:5–6 NKJV
  5 So He came to a city of Samaria which is called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour.


  Then we have the familiar dialog with the Samaritan woman.


  John 4:31–38 NKJV
  31 In the meantime His disciples urged Him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” 32 But He said to them, “I have food to eat of which you do not know.” 33 Therefore the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought Him anything to eat?” 34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. 35 Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! 36 And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. 37 For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ 38 I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.”


  Do you see Christ instructing his disciples to see the people of Sychar as fields white to harvest? This is big! They were to consider these lost people as great blessings to their spiritual life.


  Have you ever explained the gospel to someone? Sometimes it is hard work - but there are times where the seed was planted by others and it is harvest time! Whether the work is breaking up hard ground or watering along the way we know that the Word of God is never empty of it’s power. Spread that seed! Water it! Look to the fields - they may be white to harvest!


Objections


    a. I’m still weak, how can I do anything to help someone else when they are in distress? Shouldn’t I wait until I have had time to prepare - or rest - or at least pray?


    This objection presumes that it is our strength which is so much necessary to the task at hand.


    Don’t get me wrong - we ought always to pray (Luke 18:1) - and our whole life should be a symphony of God working in our lives. We ought to be always ready to give an answer for the hope that lies within us (1 Pet. 3:15)


    b. What about the account of Mary & Martha? Doesn’t this prove we should be preparing more than being busy? Let’s look at it then, Luke 10:40-42,


    Luke 10:40–42 NKJV
    40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” 41 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”


    This account is not at all an objection to acting in love meeting the needs of those around you, even despite your readiness. Remember our thesis: The Compassion of Christ on people was driven by an active love for them. Martha surely loved the Lord, and Mary also did. But being busy for preparations sake is not the same as meeting a specific need someone you love has.


    When Jesus saw that crowd he did not start looking for the apostles to set them to various tasks to remedy the needs of the people. He did not himself even look around for bread or fish.


    What he did was see them as sheep without a shepherd. This is the key.


Conclusion - Truths to hold


    • In the midst of the busyness of life/ministry - we all need to come away and rest - People were coming and going and they did not even have time to eat.


    • Jesus even went aside himself - Even though he sent the Apostles off by themselves - Jesus also went to a desolate place. Grief requires a setting of oneself aside.


    • We should have quiet time with the Lord, to pray and read Scripture.


    • Even though we have probably all hear this - If the Son of God needed to get away - so do we.


Though this is true - it is only one part of the equation.


  The Compassion of Christ on people was driven by an active love for them.


  There can be a revitalizing aspect to engaging people were they are. When we take our eyes off ourselves, we are reminded that it is God who works in us to will and do his good pleasure(Phil 2:13).
We need to be ready to let go of our plans at times and meet the needs of those around us. We need to see people with Spiritual eyes.


  While you are preparing in your day by day lives - reading your Bibles, praying, and devoting time to love your Lord, do not forget those whom the Lord loves! We do not pray and read and devote time to the Lord for ourselves only. It is to glorify Him and also to do the work he sets before us - whether the time is opportune or not.


   I have had to deal with this personally over the years. I zealously guard my devotional time - sometimes to the point of making it a rule to my day. And yet if I had not looked to the harvest field of my Father or my son, I would not have had some of my most profitable discussions with them.


Finally our Lord does not leave his children without help! A precious reminder is Matthew 11:28–29


Matthew 11:28–29 NKJV
28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.


  • Who are the sheep without a shepherd in your life?


  • Who are those who need a word of encouragement?


  • Are you willing to set aside your own personal needs for the needs of those around you?


  • Do you look on those around you with love & compassion - or are they irritations to your pride filled spiritual hearts? Don’t be pharisees! Love the unlovable!


  • Realize that some of those misguided sheep only need to be reminded of the Kingdom. They may only need a good work of encouragement that God is on the throne and He does indeed care for them. He demonstrated his love for us in Christ dying for the lost.


  • Be willing to die to yourself that another may live to Christ!


The Compassion of Christ on people is driven by an active love for them. Love those in the world - that they may see Christ in you.



Exported from Logos Bible Software, 3:39 PM February 20, 2020.

Promises, promises (Mark 6:14-29)

Message preached at Covenant reformed Baptist Church   . Audio - https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=44191021500

THESIS: A significant part of our Christian witness is how we conduct ourselves in the world – do we keep our promises, or does our witness do damage to the honor of God?

Introduction

Good Evening! As you turn to Mark chapter 6, I want to remind you where we have been and keep the context continually before you. The last time we met and considered Mark we saw Christ sending out his apostles. They went out empty handed, no food, no money, nothing to slow them down. And their ministry was targeted. They were to be true witnesses for Christ.

Follow along as I read Mark 6:14-29, “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 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.
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 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 6:14-29)

I.                Exploring the text

1)       Laying the groundwork (vs. 14-16)

1. The confusion over Jesus, and the supposition of Herod.

2. Who is this Herod? Herod Antipas - known as Herod the Tetrarch or King Herod. The son of Herod the Great (the baby killer). He also killed James (Acts 12:1-2.) He actually requested of the Roman government that his title be ‘King’ but his official title was Tetrarch.

3. Who is Philip? (also a Tetrarch) and a son of Herod the Great, the half-brother of Antipas.

2)       The arrest (vs. 17-20)

1. Arrested for publically calling our Herod’s sin. Remember John’s ministry to call men to repentance – to make straight paths for the Lord.

2. Did Herod have respect toward John? No - it was politically expedient to hold him and not kill him. (Luke 23:8-12 presents Herod’s motives.)

            a. Wasn’t he “exceedingly sorrowful” (vs. 26)? Verse 27 shows this wasn’t the issue at all. The sorrow was having to deal with a political matter.

3)       The Party (vs. 21-22a)

A routine affair but with many guests. The dance was a part of the festivity.

4)       The oath (vs. 22b-23)

1. Made in frivolity - without due concern of the consequences, or even ability to carry it out.

2. Herod used the very same phrase King Ahasuerus (Xerxes) made to Esther (Est. 5:3-6 ;7:2) yet his kingdom was hardly one, “What is your petition, Queen Esther? It shall be granted you. And what is your request, up to half the kingdom? It shall be done!”

5)       John’s death (vs. 24-28)

The execution was swift - proving Herod did not at all struggle with ordering it. His sorrow was to the political ramifications he may face - “All men hold John to be a prophet” (Mark 11:32)

II.              Concerning Oaths

1)       Well known modern oaths:

US President - I do solemnly swear, that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.

Military - I, (name), do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.

US Flag - I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

England - I, (full name), do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, her heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.

Wedding - 2 parts

The charge: David, wilt thou have this woman to be thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony, wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as you both shall live?    I Will.

The Vow: I David, take you Julie, to be my wedded wife, I do promise and covenant before God and these witnesses, to be thy loving and faithful husband, in plenty and in want, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, according to God's holy ordinance, as long as we both shall live.

Depending upon God for strength and wisdom, we pledge ourselves to the establishment of a Christian home, together we will constantly seek God’s will, and honor Christ in our Marriage. This ring I give thee, in token and pledge, of our constant faith, and abiding love. (Ruth 1:16)

2)       Well known oaths taken in the Scripture:

1.               Jephthah’s oath - Judg. 11:30-31, 34-35.

This may be a foolish oath – or not, but the end was not Jephthah’s plan. Notice how the reason given for his not going back on his vow, is to whom it was made. (vs. 35)

2.               King Saul’s oath - 1 Sam. 14:24-45.

King Saul was a rash man, and ultimately rejected by God. This oath plainly demonstrates it. “Cursed is the man who eats any food until evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies...Saul answered, “God do so and more also; for you shall surely die, Jonathan…So the people rescued Jonathan, and he did not die.  Here we have an example of a man more interested in the people, than the Lord. He broke his vow to the Lord, and let the people deliver Jonathan.  Whatever we may say of Jephthah – he at least kept the vow.

3.               Paul in his letters - 2 Cor. 1:23; Gal. 1:20.

Paul calls God as his witness – even against his own soul – to make his argument. To call God as witness, is a certain an oath as one can have!

4.               The high Priest to Jesus - Matt. 26:63-65.

Here we have the high priest calling Christ under oath! A very interesting example, for after Jesus’ statement – the high priest betrays himself, calling Christ the blasphemer! For it was he who did not take the word of Christ at face value!

3)       Scriptural teaching on Oaths

1.               Jesus in Matt 5:33-37                          Don’t take them!!

2.               James in Jam. 5:12                              Judgment awaits those who do!

3.               The 3rd commandment, Ex. 20:7       God’s name is on the line when you take an oath.

III.            What’s the point?

1)       Tie in to the character of John the baptizer and Herod Antipas.

Let’s consider the differences between our 2 chief examples in today’s text – John and Herod. As for John, his role in the account is small, but don’t confuse that to mean his role is unimportant. We can glean some important things from his testimony.

So what did John do to get himself thrown into prison? He spoke the truth to Herod that his marriage was not right. He was plain about this. Both Herod and Herodias knew exactly what he was saying. It is not lawful for you to have her. Nevertheless, he told them. He told them knowing what they would likely do. He did not back down. Might you or I back down? What if we are presented with some unlawful marriage situation…which is a very likely matter these days? Will we back down or stand firm?

John was a true witness before Herod. He made sure his Yes, was yes; his No was no. And for this he was arrested by order of Herod himself (the text declares). We know that Herod would have killed him on the spot, if he thought he could have with political immunity. But he feared the people.

And Herod was not simply motivated by Herodias. He was a man of grandiose ideas, but little to measure up to them. This so called king was only a tetrarch, which is a fancy way of saying he was the governor of the provinces of Galilee and Perea; An area roughly the size of the six counties, McHenry, Lake, Kane, DuPage, Cook, and DeKalb. He had requested the title King but was never granted it.

He was quick to kill for political expediency – remember how he was the ruler who had James the brother of John, put to death, and would have done the same for Peter, but for the prayers of the church for him. (Acts 12) The only reason John was not killed as quickly as James was the notoriety of his name. All held him to be a prophet. Remember how the Roman soldiers even came to him to request what they should do?

2)       Remember how it is we are to be true witnesses for Christ.

We are to be so honest, so driven, to hold Christ up before the world, that even those not under our personal influence ask us, “What should we do?” And we should be willing to take it on the chin when necessary. Do we get mistreated at times? Yes. Should we fight for our rights?

Think about that question in light of the political climate today. We live in a time where it is expected that we will simply get behind any politician who is conservative – without any other considerations. Is that really right? I realize we have the privilege to vote. But I speak of other matters, such as posts on Facebook, or Instagram. I speak of bumper sticker politics. Do you tie yourself in to politics so much that people aren’t really sure whether you are a Christian first, or a conservative? And what kind of Christian is it who posts about his politics more often than his Christ? What message does that send?

The same message as if I had rejected Carmen’s eggs or my Nicaraguan lady’s meal. My rights are more important. My comfort – but this is not the way of Christ! Mark’s gospel speaks to the matter of Jesus being a servant to all.

If ever there were a man to claim rights upon you or I it was the very Lord of the universe, and yet consistently his message is authenticity, truth, righteousness at all costs. Have you fallen down? Get back up. Have you been hurt? Remember he’s been hurt far worse, and by you and I; even for you and I – It was for the cross and our sin that he came to live among us!

Making Apostles out of Disciples (Mark 6:7-13)

Message preached at Covenant Reformed Baptist Church 3/17/2019. Audio - https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=317191641230

THESIS: What Christ gave to the Apostles to do – isn’t always exclusive to them. All Christians have a responsibility to be witnesses for Christ.

Introduction

Good Afternoon! As you turn to Mark chapter 6 I want to remind you where we have been and keep the context before you. In Mark 6:1-6 we see he Lord returning to his hometown and the people rejecting him a second time. Remember how I showed you the reference to their being offended is their being scandalized by him? Isn’t this the son of Mary? Aren’t his brothers and sisters with us? Where did he get such teaching/training? It is in this rejection our account follows and has connection with. Before we read the passage I also want to remind you of Marks overall theme and audience. The theme is found in Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” The audience is to Romans – the pagan people of Mark’s day. Follow along as I read Mark 6:7-13:

Scripture reading: “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)
Back in August of 2017 we looked at the calling of these men. I’d like to read Mark 3:13-14 also, “And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. ¹⁴ Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach.”
So what we see here in Mark 3 – in the calling is beginning to be fulfilled in our passage today. The Lord has been grooming these men for at least a year – possibly up to 2 years at this time, and now they are given their marching orders and sent out. Notice how Mark explains this – we are told that Jesus called the 12. Who are these men? The twelve. Mark doesn’t say twelve disciples, nor does he say twelve apostles. Mark’s usual term for the men is the 12 with no other identifier.

I.                Commissioning Instructions (Mark 6:8-11)

A.  Sending them: And began to send them out: ἀποστέλλειν

Here Mark uses the word ‘send’ which has as its underlying Greek the word apostellein. This is the same root as the Greek word for apostle. What you see here is Jesus commissioning the 12 to go – which is apostleship. To be an apostle is to be a sent one. In a very real sense I can ask you to go to the grocery store and you become the sent one. That’s the very ordinariness of this word. Theologically an apostle is much, much more. And here is the theological development. The sent ones are those who go out with a particular message, from a particular Master, and do their work in a particular way.

B.  Two by two: true legal witnesses (Deu. 19:15) and traveling companionship

Christ sends them out in pairs. There are at least two reasons for this; They can have a true witness. In Deuteronomy 19:15 we are given specific instruction that it is by the mouth of two or three witnesses a matter may be established. This is a legal statement. So that we can say – whatever their message is – it will have weight. Secondly, they will be traveling with someone. This task may not be an easy one, you will need another to help in the work. This is a common Jewish practice when traveling – never travel alone! But it is also a matter of wisdom – you never know what may befall you!

C.  Three categories:

1.               What to leave and what to take,

He specifically charged them “take nothing for their journey…no bread, no bag, no money in their belts.” Positively they were to take a staff, sandals, and one tunic. We hear tunic and have this vague idea of some sort of clothing. A tunic is a loose fitting shirt that goes from your shoulders to the knees generally. What these things speak to is the trust these apostles were to commit themselves to. They were not to trust in their preparations – what they brought with them. No bread. Think about this – when you go hiking for example, don’t we pack light? But we don’t overlook staking at least a bit of trail mix or a beefstick – something for the trip, just in case. The men were not going hiking. No bag! Talk about traveling light! You don’t need that extra stuff – leave it all behind! No money! This is getting out of hand? I can’t even take my ATM card? What if I have needs? We are not going on a pleasure trip or a hiking trip. We are on a mission. And that’s the point. Christ tells them exactly how to prepare – and it will leave them vulnerable. This reminds me of Matthew 6:19-34 where we are told not to lay up treasure here where moth and rust destroy. We’re told not to trust in money. We’re reminded that God provides for the lilies of the field and he will provide for you! It is in God we trust so we say – but do we?

2.               How to conduct yourselves, and

In verse 10 we read, “In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place.” What this is about is actually fairly simple. These men were to go to various cities and preach the gospel. So, without regard for where they would stay they go to the prominent place for preaching and teaching – and preach! As they do people begin to stand listening until a crowd has formed. Inevitably someone will invite them to stay at their place. So this is God’s appointment. Some worthy person inquires of them, “Stay with us. We’ll provide food and shelter for you.” Good enough. Yet one day’s message is not enough. Not all heard the message the 1^st day – so on the 2^nd and third day they continued to preach and each day people will ask them – Stay with us. They were not to go from house to house -  as though looking for the best accommodations. I have traveled in a musical group and on a mission trip as a student at Moody. On the music tour and the mission trip we have a whole variety of accommodations. Some guys got private rooms, others maybe not. On the mission trip it was even more dramatic. Mr. Hanna strictly charged us to eat whatever was put before us and with a smile, so to speak. This became an issue one time in México. I roomed with Danny. One morning for breakfast Carmen our host made for us poached eggs. However, they were made a little too ‘soupy’ for Danny! But we had the instruction. Earlier in our trip in Nicaragua Mr. Hanna had given us the warning. And I recall one meal in particular which was not so good. Some sort of cubed vegetable which seemed to be overcooked and hard to eat. Terrible flavor – no salt! I toughed it down but it was no picnic! I won’t forget however when Mr. Hanna told us how much these people sacrificed for us to eat as well as we had… So here was Danny – not able to eat a soupy poached egg. When Carmen wasn’t looking we swapped glasses. I was hungry. Imagine however if I had complained about the meal in Nicaragua? What kind of witness would I be? Or what if Carmen had discovered Danny’s indiscretion? How might she have felt? What would our ‘ministry’ have communicated to her?

3.               What to preach.

We’re told in verse 12, “So they went out and preached that people should repent.” That’s a simple and straight forward message. Turn from your sins! The Kingdom is at hand!

II.              Marks Point in this account?

A.  The apostles are to be true witnesses.

What kind of message is preached when the preacher steps out of the pulpit? This is what the Lord is concerned with as he gives them such instructions. Do they truly trust in the Lord? Do you see how it is that not only the message preached communicates, but so does the life? What if every night they stayed in another home, based upon previous accommodations? Or worse, they favored one over another! Even James warns us against this (Jam. 2:1-4). Our message is not to be delivered in a light manner. People’s lives are at stake! When Christ gave such instructions as for what to take and how to conduct themselves – it spoke not only to their personal mannerisms – but also to God. This message is not their message. It is given by the Lord himself and they are sent ones – ambassadors for Christ. As ambassadors they represent the sending party, Christ himself. It is His message. 

B.  We are to be true witnesses.

Just as these apostles were sent out with a message of repentance so are we. Our message is the same. The One sending us is the same. We are sent out to bring a message of repentance to a dying world. We are sent to bring a message of healing – not physical but spiritual healing for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

This season we live in is eschatologically called the last days. From Peter in Acts 2 and II Peter 3:3, Paul in II Timothy 3:1, Hebrews 1:2, James 5:3 we read it IS the last days. Yet from the time of John the Baptizer we read that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand! How much closer are we to that final day?! Is the world ready to receive Him? Are you! Our witness must be a true witness – as much as the apostolic witness was to be true. Do you take seriously the mandate to take the gospel into all the world and make disciples? What about the world you live in – even here in Greenwood Wonder Lake, Woodstock, Lake in the Hills, Crystal Lake, Harvard – even in these places people are dying every day. Do you take seriously the ambassadorship he’s given you?

III.            Final review and Mark 6:30

A.  Literary Intercalation – review and illustration with Mark 5:21-43 Jairus’ daughter and the woman with the issue of blood. (Story A – Story B – Story A)

Earlier in January this year we looked at the accounts of Jairus’ daughter and the woman with the issue of blood. And at the time I mentioned a literary device I called intercalation or more simply, insertion. This is where Mark weaves one account into another account and though the accounts are woven into each other historically – there was a tremendous amount of providentiality involved in the matter. What I mean to say is that this is not simply a literary device, but through it we are instructed further on our Lord’s divine hand. For example, how long did the woman have the issue of blood? 12 years. How old was Jairus’ daughter when she died? Again 12 years. Though it appears that these to women never meet, their lives are inextricably linked through this intercalation. And in this account it is the faith of Jairus and the faith of the woman which is compared. Jairus with his amazingly sure faith, and this woman, with her terribly deficient faith.

Well – I didn’t tell you earlier, but our account this day also has a brief intercalation. For our story has not yet completed. Look at Mark 6:30-31 below –

B.  Mark 6:30-31, “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.”

This conclusion seems innocuous enough, but consider how the intercalation changes the intensity of everything. Look at story number 2, the death of John the baptizer (Mark 6:14-29). How does it inform us? What do we know of Johns’ ministry? Mark 1:1-8 tells us all about it and we know the message – Repent! For the Kingdom of heaven is at hand! This wild preacher of a man took the message to a degree I doubt you or I ever will! He ate grasshoppers and wore some pretty rough clothing! There was no denying his ambassadorship. One wonders about the authority of the message we give when we hardly sacrifice at all in our testifying. We have a message which is the same as Johns – The kingdom of Heaven is at hand! How much more urgent is it since time has passed! We know not the day nor the hour He will return! Might he return this evening?

IV.           Conclusion & Challenge

Remember the idea of our being true witnesses - undistracted, undeterred. Let’s set ourselves to the task at hand and preach the truth. To preach repentance means the message will not be popular. If we tell them they need to turn that implicitly says they are turning from something – you have to identify it! It’s sin. We must preach against sin! There is no other way to get to the gospel but to go by the way of sin. There is no good news for a man who does not see his sin.

By the way – if you think today in this room – that you are not such a bad guy, or gal, whether you believe you are a Christian or not – you don’t know the gospel! There is none righteous – not even one! If you have even the smallest of sins, you are damned forever. The only answer is to take Christ. It is He that is the gospel. Christ is the power of God for salvation. For it is in Him we have our sins forgiven, but if you don’t see your sin you have no hope.

Yet if you see your sin – the blackness of it – the wickedness of it, now you are ready for the gospel. Just as a jeweler places the diamond ring on black velvet, so you are ready for the gospel when you see the darkness of the stain of sin in your life. And this is the message we bring. Christ died for sinners!

But consider that message. If the sinner does not see his sin – he’s offended. He is scandalized. He rejects this offer of forgiveness and may even become hostile to the messenger. If the teacher is persecuted, so will be the student. And speaking of the word witness - the Greek word which means witness is actually μάρτυς from which we get the English word martyr. The very meaning of martyr comes out of the witness of Christianity where every one of the apostles suffered. All but John died for the witness. And John himself was boiled in oil. He was supposed to die. But since he survived, double jeopardy in Roman law prevented him from being tried again and he was eventually set free.

Yet in story 2 we have not a passing reference to John the baptizer – but the very accounting of his death as a martyr! This is the point! If we are true witnesses for Christ – we may indeed suffer and some of us will die! Are you prepared to suffer for your Lord? Look at the church in China – particularly Early Rain Covenant Church. This is the church where Chinese official have arrested over 100 members – not only the Pastors and staff. To my knowledge only a few have been set free. Their building locked up, they now meet in homes or outside.

Would you open your home to meetings – what if it meant possible police activity inside? Are you ready to suffer for this message? By the way – religious freedom is actually enshrined in the constitution in China. This is according to Bob Fu, whose book, “God’s Double Agent” I recently read. He has a ministry here in the States called China Aid to help some escape such persecution.

There is nothing wrong with wanting a peaceful life – but what our passage is about is a message which will not be received well by many. Yet it is our message – and lives are at stake! Repent! For the kingdom of heaven is at hand!!!

The Scandal of Belief (Mark 6:1-6)

Message preached at Covenant Reformed Baptist Church 2/20/2019 - Audio: https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=22119549470

Thesis: Christ is the Rock of our belief, yet at the same time is the stone which makes all men stumble.

Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him. 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! 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.

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.” Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.

A little background

Christ's 2nd rejection in Nazareth

Though this is an exposition of Mark, I have referenced the 1st rejection in Nazareth at least four times before! (Luke 4:23-30) This is due to the first rejection being a prophetical event referenced in Isaiah 61:1-2. This 2nd rejection is over a year later...

Familiarity Breeds Contempt

An...example of a shared axiomatic truth within rabbinic and New Testament literature is “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country” (Exod. Rab. 4:18; Matt 13:57; Mark 6:4; Luke 4:24; John 4:44). Mk 6:4. (also Matt. 13:57) (Lexham Bible Dictionary)

A Prophet without honor?

Jeremiah 11:18–21 records the account of the Men of Anathoth plotting against Jeremiah.

¹⁸ Now the Lord gave me knowledge of it, and I know it; for You showed me their doings. ¹⁹ But I was like a docile lamb brought to the slaughter; and I did not know that they had devised schemes against me, saying, “Let us destroy the tree with its fruit, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be remembered no more.” ²⁰ But, O Lord of hosts, You who judge righteously, Testing the mind and the heart, Let me see Your vengeance on them, For to You I have revealed my cause. ²¹ “Therefore thus says the Lord concerning the men of Anathoth who seek your life, saying, ‘Do not prophesy in the name of the Lord, lest you die by our hand’

 You might wonder why this is relevant - Read Je 1:1, “The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests who were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin”

Consider the case of Moses in Exodus 4:18, So Moses went and returned to Jethro his father-in-law, and said to him, “Please let me go and return to my brethren who are in Egypt, and see whether they are still alive.” And Jethro said to Moses, “Go in peace.”

Listen to Jesus giving his Woes in Matthew 23:29-36.

²⁹ “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, ³⁰ and say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.’ ³¹ “Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. ³² Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers’ guilt. ³³ Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell? ³⁴ Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city, ³⁵ that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. ³⁶ Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.

The Stone of Stumbling

The word offended in our passage is σκανδαλίζω in the Greek. It can mean cause to sin, or cause for stumbling depending on its context. If it sounds familiar - our word Scandal is derived from it. In the case of this reference it was a refusal to believe in Christ because they were offended.

The theme of a rock that causes men to stumble is replete throughout Scripture.

Let’s do a survey of passages:

Isaiah 8:14–15

¹⁴ He will be as a sanctuary, But a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense To both the houses of Israel, As a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. ¹⁵ And many among them shall stumble; They shall fall and be broken, Be snared and taken.”

Matthew 15:12 Then His disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?”

Matthew 21:42–44

⁴² Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes’? ⁴³ “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. ⁴⁴ And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.”

Luke 2:34–35

³⁴ Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against ³⁵ (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

John 6:61–66

⁶¹ When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, “Does this offend you? ⁶² What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? ⁶³ It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. ⁶⁴ But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. ⁶⁵ And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.” ⁶⁶ From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.

Romans 9:32–33

³² Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone. ³³ As it is written: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”

1 Corinthians 1:22–25

²² For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; ²³ but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, ²⁴ but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. ²⁵ Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

1 Peter 2:7–9

⁷ Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone,” ⁸ and “A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense.” They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed. ⁹ But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

A Promise to Hold

While this stone causes all men to stumble - those who get back up again are given blessings. Consider the following verses:

Proverbs 24:16 For a righteous man may fall seven times And rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity.

A sheep may fall into a ditch, but it is the swine who wallows in it. - William Gurnall

Matthew 11:6 & Luke 7:23 “And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”

1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

Think of some of the great men and women of the faith - We might think of Noah, or Abraham & Sarah, Isaac, Jacob (the schemer), Moses, Samson, Eli, Samuel, David, Solomon, Peter - Which of them did not fall? 

Compare these with Cain, or Saul, or Judas? How is it that we are really no different than men such as this? Faith.

The Difference? Faith.

Review the previous messages.

Remember the imperfect faith of the anonymous woman with the issue of blood? Remember the crowds pressing in upon him?

Remember how he bears with these people? This is our God! Doesn’t it encourage you that we have a God who loves us so much that he went to the point of condescending to our low estate to show us this love. Paul puts it this way in Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Recall with me once again the theme of Mark - to present Christ, the suffering servant. Now - this suffering servant is not some masochist - God has his plan. It’s God’s purpose to teach us by way of example but also by way of trial. James tells us -

James 1:3–4 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. ⁴ But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Trials come - but woe to those who don’t look for, in the trial, what God is teaching. It could be that you are being sifted by the adversary, even like Peter. Are you treating Christ with contempt?

Do you get back up when you fall  - or do you use your fall as an excuse to accuse the Lord of Glory?

Do you see the difference?

Close with Scandalon:

The seers and the prophets had foretold it long ago,

That the long awaited one would make men stumble.

But they were looking for a king to conquer and to kill,

Who'd have ever thought He'd be so weak and humble.

Along the path of life there lies a stubborn Scandalon,

And all who come this way must be offended.

To some He is a barrier, To others He's the way,

For all should know the scandal of believing.

It seems today the Scandalon offends no one at all.

The image we present can be stepped over.

Could it be that we are like the others long ago,

Will we ever learn that all who come must stumble.

He will be the truth that will offend them one and all,

A stone that makes men stumble,

And a rock that makes them fall.

Many will be broken so that He can make them whole,

And many will be crushed and lose their own soul.