Mark 6:35-56 Unbelief of Jesus Disciples

Mark 6:35-56  Unbelief of Jesus Disciples         April 14, 2018

God takes unbelief seriously. So should we.  Chapter 6 Outline.  This is what is covered in Chapter 6

•      The Unbelief of His Friends           Mark 6:1-13

•      The Unbelief of His Enemies         Mark 6:14-34

•         The Unbelief of His Disciples     Mark 6:35-56

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

Mark 6:34 When he got out of the boat, he saw a large crowd. He had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things.

This happen around the Passover time – March/April.

Mark 6:35  When it was quite late, his disciples came to him and said, "This is a deserted place, and it's already late.

*Luke 9:12 As the day was drawing to a close, the Twelve came to him and said, "Send the crowd away to the neighboring villages and farms so they can rest and get some food, because we are here in a deserted place."

Mark 6:36 Send the crowds away so that they can go to the neighboring farms and villages and buy themselves something to eat."

The day is almost gone. It is drawing near night.

So they are out in the boondocks and a large crowd at the end of the day. 

*John 6:5-6 When Jesus looked up and saw that a large crowd was coming toward him, he asked Philip, "Where can we buy bread for these people to eat?" (6) Jesus said this to test him, because he himself knew what he was going to do.  (Notice, to test Philip)

Mark 6:37  But he answered them, "You give them something to eat. "They asked him, "Should we go and buy 200 denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?"  (they have a crowd and no one has a budget)

*Luke 9:13 But he told them, "You give them something to eat. "They replied, "We have nothing more than five loaves of bread and two fish--unless we go and buy food for all these people."

The amount required to purchase that much bread equates to about a 2/3 to a year’s wages.

Denarii: the Roman penny is the daily pay of a Roman soldier in the time of Christ. 

*John 6:7 Philip answered him, "Two hundred denarii worth of bread isn't enough for each of them to have a little."

Mark 6:38 He asked them, "How many loaves of bread do you have? Go and see. "They found out and told him, "Five loaves and two fish."

Someone little boy brought their lunch.  Did it take faith of the person who had the fish and bread to give to Jesus.

It was the disciple Andrew who discovered a lad who apparently had brought his lunch.

*John 6:8-9 One of his disciples, Andrew, who was Simon Peter's brother, told him, (9) "There's a little boy here who has five barley loaves and two small fish. But what are these among so many people?"

Is this another test of the disciples faith yet again.

Mark 6:39 Then he ordered them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass.

Green grass:  is inserted by Mark alone, in his usual graphic way.  Green grass: Only Mark includes this scenic detail.  Why green grass, a deeper meaning. What does it tell us - Time of year, not desert, etc? 

*John 6:4 Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. (this happen before Passover – March or April)

*John 6:10 Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." Now there was plenty of grass in that area, so they sat down, numbering about 5,000 men.

*Matthew 14:21 Now those who had eaten were about 5,000 men, besides women and children.

Mark 6:40 So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties.

So many different guess on how they sat down:  fifty or 100 in rank or depth, and a hundred or 50 in file or front?  They had to serve them.

*Luke 9:14 Now there were about 5,000 men. So he told his disciples, "Have them sit down in groups of about 50."

*Luke 9:15 They did this and got all of them seated.

Mark 6:41 Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and blessed them. Then he broke the loaves in pieces and kept giving them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all.

*Matthew 14:19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and blessed them. Then he broke the loaves in pieces and gave them to his disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.

*John 6:11 Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were seated. He also distributed as much fish as they wanted.

*Luke 9:16 Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and blessed them. Then he broke the loaves in pieces and kept giving them to the disciples to pass on to the crowd.

Multiplication of the loaves took place in Jesus' hands as He continued or kept on giving the bread and fish to the disciples.  Did they had the basket then.

Mark 6:42  All of them ate and were filled.  

*Luke 9:17 All of them ate and were filled. When they collected the leftover pieces, there were twelve baskets.

Mark 6:43  Then the disciples picked up twelve baskets full of leftover bread and fish.  (why 12 baskets - left-over basket for each disciple)

Twelve baskets - These were either the baskets belonging to the disciples which they carried their provisions, or baskets belonging to some of the multitude, who might have brought some with them to carry provisions, or other things necessary for the sick, whom they brought to Christ to be healed.

*Matthew 14:20 All of them ate and were filled. Then the disciples picked up what was left of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full.

*John 6:12 When they were completely satisfied, Jesus told his disciples, "Collect the pieces that are left over so that nothing is wasted."  (Why nothing wasted?)

*Luke 9:17 All of them ate and were filled. When they collected the leftover pieces, there were twelve baskets.

The lesson in faith for the disciples is that Jesus is the source of their sustenance.

Mark 6:44  There were 5,000 men who had eaten the loaves.

It was Jewish practice to number a crowd by the number of men.

Besides women and children: Assuming at least an equal number of women and children—having used one of their lunches!—the total was twice what is commonly taught: 5,000 + 5,000 = 10,000? And

—the total was twice what is commonly taught: 5,000 + 5,000 = 10,000+? 

Jesus Walks on the Water, on the Lake

*John 6:14-15 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they kept saying, "Truly this is the Prophet who was to come into the world!" (15) Then Jesus, realizing that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, withdrew again to the hillside by himself.  (a miracle, Jesus sent them away, both disciples and people)

Truly this is the Prophet:

*Deuteronomy 18:15 "The LORD your God will raise up a prophet like me for you from among your relatives. You must listen to him.

*John 6:16-17 When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, (17) got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. Darkness had already fallen, and Jesus had not yet come to them.

Mark 6:45 Jesus immediately had his disciples get into a boat and cross to Bethsaida ahead of him, while he sent the crowd away.  (by themselves)

*Matthew 14:22 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.  

Notice the disciples were made to get into the boat.  They did not want to go without Him.  Wonder how He did it.  People wanted to make Him king.

Mark 6:46 After saying goodbye to them, he went upon a mountain to pray.

*Matthew 14:23 After dismissing the crowds, he went up on a hillside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.

He retired to the mountain alone - Having ordered his disciples to cross over the lake.  He said goodbye?

In the previous storm, He was with them. This time He was on the mountain praying for them. He was teaching them to live by faith. He sent them in the ship alone.  We know Jesus is in Heaven praying and interceding for each of us.

Mark 6:47 When evening had come, the boat was in the middle of the sea, while he was alone on the land. (It was now dark, and Jesus has not gone to them)

*John 6:16-17 When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, (17) got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. Darkness had already fallen, and Jesus had not yet come to them.

*Matthew 14:24-25 By this time the boat was in the middle of the sea and was being battered by the waves, because the wind was against them. (25) Shortly before dawn Jesus came to them, walking on the sea.

Mark 6:48  He (Jesus) saw that his disciples were straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by.   (only walking – another test to the disciple faith)

These professional fishermen were concerned that they might be swamped and working hard with the oars.  Jesus observed the distress the disciples were in. Did Jesus walk fast or normal to the boat.  Probably tired after 3 miles.  Fourth watch: 3 - 6 AM.

*John 6:18-19 A strong wind was blowing, and the sea was getting rough. (19) After they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea toward their boat. They became terrified.

Mark 6:49  but when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and began to scream.

*Matthew 14:26 When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified and cried out, "It's a ghost!" And they screamed in terror.

Did you realize the disciples believe in ghost?  Did Jesus confirm it?

*Luke 24:37-39 They were startled and terrified, thinking they were seeing a ghost. (38) But Jesus told them, "What's frightening you? And why are you doubting? (39) Look at my hands and my feet, because it's really me. Touch me and look at me, because a ghost doesn't have flesh and bones as you see that I have."

Walking upon the sea: Interesting side, this event is not recorded.   Mark (wrote for Peter, really is Peter Gospel) omits the story of Peter attempting to join Jesus.  To embarrassing Peter?  Only Matthew has it.

*Matthew 14:28-32  Peter answered him, "Lord, if it's you, order me to come to you on the water." (29) Jesus said, "Come on!" So Peter got down out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came to Jesus. (30) But when he noticed the strong wind, he was frightened. As he began to sink, he shouted, "Lord, save me!" (31) At once Jesus reached out his hand, caught him, and asked him, "You who have so little faith, why did you doubt?" (32) As they got into the boat, the wind stopped blowing. 

Mark 6:50  All of them saw him and were terrified. Immediately he told them, "Have courage! It is I. Stop being afraid!"

*John 6:20 But he told them, "It is I. Stop being afraid!"

Mark 6:51 Then he got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped blowing. The disciples were utterly astounded,

*John 6:21 So they were glad to take him on board, and immediately the boat reached the land toward which they were going.

*Matthew 14:32-33 As they got into the boat, the wind stopped blowing. (33) Then the men in the boat began to worship Jesus, saying, "You certainly are the Son of God!"

Interesting, we just had 3 miracles done.

(1) In the darkness Jesus saw the disciples out in the storm miles away.

(2) Jesus walked on the water.

(3) Jesus showed complete control over His creation when the wind

stopped.

Mark 6:52 because they didn't understand the significance of the loaves. Instead, their hearts were hardened.

This is most disturbing to me. Feeding the 5000 plus, did they just forgot this miracle and lost their faith so fast.  But aren’t we also guilty? 

Even a disciple of Jesus can be slow to understand His power and fail to respond to the spiritual lessons that must be learned in the course of  our walk in the Christian life. 

If we really understand who He is, none of these narratives are surprising. A lot of time, I do not think we really understand who Jesus really is by our actions.

Jesus Heals the Sick in Gennesaret

Mark 6:53  When they had crossed over, they came ashore at Gennesaret and anchored the boat.

*Matthew 14:34 They crossed over and came ashore at Gennesaret.

This land was on the west side of the Sea of Galilee.  Use anchors, must be fairly large ship or tied to the land with rope.

Mark 6:54 As soon as they got out of the boat, the people recognized Jesus.

*Matthew 14:35 When the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word throughout that region and brought him everyone who was sick.

The people knew who Jesus was, having seen and heard him before.

Mark 6:55  They ran all over the countryside and began carrying the sick on their mats to any place where they heard he was.

Words gets around and every place Jesus goes is healing individuals.

Mark 6:56  Wherever he went, whether into villages, towns, or farms, people would place their sick in the marketplaces and beg him to let them touch even the tassel of his garment, and everyone who touched it was healed.

*Matthew 14:36 They kept begging him to let them touch just the tassel of his garment, and everyone who touched it was completely healed.

Again, the borders of the garments were a target.

When people say, “Have faith!” That is an empty suggestion unless it is faith in Jesus!

Faith Does Not Save Us, we are saved not by our faith, but by the One in whom we trust. It is Jesus who saves us.

*Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance that what we hope for will come about and the certainty that what we cannot see exists.