Mark
6:1-13 – Unbelief of Jesus Friends February
10, 2018
Introduction
The
Servant rejected; opposition develops. Will anyone trust God’s Servant? The unbelief of Jesus friends, enemies and
disciples.
Hebrews 3:12 See to it, my
brothers, that no evil, unbelieving heart is found in any of you, as shown by
your turning away from the living God.
God takes unbelief seriously. So should we. We should be on our guard.
Structural 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 Rejected at Nazareth, His Last Visit to Nazareth,
we will cover today the Unbelief of His Friends.
Mark 6:1
Jesus left that place and went back to his hometown, and his disciples
followed him.
Here Jesus returns to His
hometown of Nazareth were where Jesus was raised. Most people do not realize that Jesus boyhood
days were not happy days.
Let’s look at the Early Years of Jesus as this is important to
explains these next few verses.
We find that Psalm 69 has
many hints about the silent years of Jesus unhappy childhood and the young
manhood of which the Gospels tell us practically nothing.
We read in the Gospel of
Luke tells us about an incident in Jesus life when He was twelve years old,
(about the Temple) but really, we learn nothing else about Him until He is
about thirty years old.
Psalm 69 gives us some
hints and fills in some of the details of those early years.
*Psalms 69:8 I am a stranger to my brothers, a foreigner to my mother's sons.
What a strange expression
to use until we realize the family Jesus was in. Jesus brothers do not know who His father
is. The children in the family, (just
from hints in the Scriptures) were not converted until after His resurrection.
We know Mary had other
children. It probably was a very unhappy
home for Jesus and the other children as they were growing up. This verse also
teaches the virgin birth of Christ.
Jesus became a stranger to
My mother’s children, not His father’s children because we know Joseph was not
His father. They were half-brothers and
half-sisters as we would look at it.
This verse tells a lot we
would not know otherwise. Can you imagine living in this small town and
everyone in town knows Mary was having a child before marriage. Possibly her boys, James, Judas and Joses,
said to her, “Mother, we heard somebody say that Jesus is not really our
brother. They said that nobody knows who His father is.” It must have been
interesting when they later discover who He really is! Because of this tension in the home, it was
probably a unhappy home.
*Psalms 69:9 Zeal for your house consumes me, and the mockeries of those who
insult you fall on me.
Remember,
at the Temple, Jesus drove all out.
*John 2:16-17 Then he told those who
were selling the doves, "Take these things out of here! Stop making my
Father's house a marketplace!" (17) His disciples remembered that it was
written, "Zeal for your house will consume me."
*Psalms
69:10-11 I
weep and fast, and I am mocked for it. (11) When I dressed in sackcloth, I
became an object of gossip among them.
Jesus was object of gossip, He
cried and fast and was mocked.
*Psalms 69:12 Those who sit in the gate speak against me, And I
am the song of the drunkards.
Remember, those who sit in the
gate are the rulers (like Mayors, etc).
Remember
what John wrote.
*John 8:41 You do the deeds of your father."
Then they said to Him, "We were not
born of fornication; we have one Father--God."
Can we imagine hearing
this as we grow up every day in school and your brothers also hear it. Not a happy home.
This one bothers me: The drunkards at the local bar made up dirty
little stories about Him and His mother. Jesus was the subject of this.
We often think of Jesus as
suffering on the cross, which He did. We
often overlook the 30 years of suffering.
We have no idea what Jesus
really endured for 30 years in order that we will be changed at His return to
the earth.
Mark 6:2 When the Sabbath came, he began to
teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were utterly amazed. "Where
did this man get all these things?" they asked. "What is this wisdom
that has been given to him? What great
miracles are being done by his hands!
*Matthew
13:54 He
went to his hometown and began teaching
the people in their synagogue in such a way that they were amazed and
asked, "Where did this man get this wisdom and these miracles?
Think about it, Jesus grew
up here and they know all the gossip and stories.
These were people who
(thought they) knew Him well; they were from His “home town.” They had been
neighbors for 30 years!
Mark 6:3 This is the builder (or carpenter), the Son of Mary, and the brother of James,
Joseph, Judas, and Simon, isn't it? His sisters are here with us, aren't
they?" And they were offended by
him.
The fact that
Joseph is not mentioned here may indicate that he had died.
*Matthew
13:55-57
This is the builder's son, isn't it?
His mother is named Mary, isn't she? His brothers are James, Joseph, Simon, and
Judas, aren't they? (56) And his sisters are all with us, aren't they? So where
did this man get all these things?" (57) And they were offended by him. But Jesus told them, "A prophet is
without honor only in his hometown and in his own home."
Jesus (first born of the
family) replaced Joseph who apparently had died. Every Jew, even the rabbis,
learned a manual trade; Paul was a tentmaker.
When the term, Son of Mary, is actually an insult, in
the Jewish culture you identified a man by his father. So, calling Jesus the son of Mary is like
pouring gas on a fire.
The problem with gossip
and rumors when you hear for the last 30 years it changes your thinking about
someone these individuals could not accept and believe Jesus as who He is. They were far too familiar with Jesus. Think
about it.
Mark 6:4
Jesus was telling them, "A prophet is without honor only in his hometown, among his relatives, and in his own
home."
We notice that Mark said Jesus did not honor among his
relatives.
He
reminded them of what He had told them at that first visit! If you remember, they wanted to kill Jesus
the first time He was there. This is the
2nd time Jesus was rejected in His home town.
*Luke 4:24
He added, "I tell all of you with certainty, a prophet is not accepted in
his hometown. (then they wanted to kill
him)
*Luke 4:29
They got up, forced Jesus out of the city, and led him to the edge of the hill
on which their city was built, intending to throw him off.
“Familiarity breeds
contempt”, saying from Publius, the Syrian, 2 B.C.
Our own land, our own
country is “familiar” with Jesus; we, too, have become a “gospel hardened”
people. We hears so much about Jesus, we
become harden to the gospel.
We sort of dismiss it, the
impact. Just look at individuals lives,
how they live them and the fruits of their lives, which looks more like the
works of the flesh. The American people as a whole does not believe what Jesus
says.
Mark 6:5 He
couldn't perform a miracle there except to lay his hands on a few sick people
and heal them.
Jesus couldn't perform a
miracle: Why again, Matthew states
*Matthew
13:58 He did not perform many miracles there because of their
unbelief. (the deep-seated unbelief,
growing up with gossip about Jesus)
Christ had all power, but
He would not force His blessings on those who did not wish to receive them. He
will not violate our sovereignty or Free Moral agency.
Mark 6:6 He was amazed
(marveled) at their unbelief.
Then he went around to the villages
and continued teaching.
There are only 2 places
does the Scripture say that Jesus “marveled or amazed.” Here, it is at the
unbelief of the Jews. The other case was concerning the faith of the centurion
(Matthew 8:10; Luke 7:9)
*Luke 7:9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him. Turning to the
crowd that was following him, he said, "I tell you, not even in Israel
have I found this kind of faith!"
Interesting,
one was for their unbelief and the other was for their belief.
Faith is more than just
believe (we know the demons also believe and tremble). It is belief plus a total commitment or a
total reliance with faith in our Lord, Jesus.
*James 2:19 You believe that there is
one God. That's fine! Even the demons believe that and tremble with fear.
What is faith?
*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.
Jesus did not let this
rejection by His home town to slow Him down. Jesus got on with the business of
teaching the Word and going around to the villages.
*Matthew 9:35 Then Jesus began traveling
throughout all the cities and villages, teaching
in their synagogues, proclaiming the
gospel of the kingdom, and healing
every disease and every illness.
*Matthew 9:36-38 When he saw the crowds, he was deeply moved with compassion for them, because they were troubled and helpless, like
sheep without a shepherd. (37) Then he told his disciples, "The harvest is vast, but the workers are few.
(38) So ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest."
Jesus Sends Out the
Twelve Apostles. This is the start of the 3rd tour of
Galilee after instructing the 12 and sending them forth by 2’s.
Mark 6:7 He called the
Twelve and began to send them out
two by two, giving them authority over unclean spirits.
The
twelve: is a specific group within the 70.
Judas was among the 12.
*Luke 9:1-2 Jesus called the Twelve
together and gave them power and
authority over all the demons and to
heal diseases. (2) Then he sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
*Matthew 10:1 Then Jesus called his twelve
disciples to him and gave them authority
over unclean spirits, so that they could drive them out and heal every disease and every illness.
What was
their Mission
1. Authority over all the demons , unclean spirits
2. To heal diseases
3. Proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom
4. To heal the sick, every illness
Two by
two: In pairs, always in pairs. Why
*Ecclesiastes 4:9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their
labor.
The law
always required at least two witnesses (Deut 17:6; 19:15; 2 Cor 13:1).
*Deuteronomy
19:15 "The testimony of one person alone is not to suffice to convict
anyone of any iniquity, sin, or guilt. But the matter will stand on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
With the disciples going out two by two in
different directions provides
fellowship, support, encouragement, safety. accountability, and adequate witness. This
principle is still a good one to follow in our lives.
If we
look through the lists of disciples, it seems to be given in pairs.
As a
side: Someone had to organize who went
where. My guess, this was Jesus himself. Wonder who went with Judas.
Mark 6:8 He
instructed them to take nothing along
on the trip except a walking stick--no
bread, no traveling bag, nothing in their moneybag.
They were to go forth with their staff as they had
it at the time, but they were not to seek or “purchase one.
*Matthew
10:9-10
Don't take any gold, silver, or copper in your moneybags, (10) or a traveling
bag for the trip, or an extra shirt, or sandals, or a walking stick, because a worker deserves his food.
*Luke 9:3 He told them, "Don't take anything along on your
trip--no walking stick, traveling bag, bread, money, or even an extra shirt.
It seems like, every day,
God seems to ask each of us the same question: Do you trust Me? We are still to plan for the future, but
Jesus wants to rely on Him. Every day
God will test us, do I really trust him.
The disciples was given
specific instructions not to go to the gentiles or Samaritans.
*Matthew 10:5 These were the Twelve whom
Jesus sent out after he had given them these instructions: "Don't turn on to the road that leads to the
gentiles, and don't enter Samaritan
towns.
Walking
Stick: to help over the rough and rugged
mountains and for protection?
Have No bag, no bread,
no copper in their money belts: As well, travelling light kept
them dependent upon God. They had to trust the Lord for everything if they
didn’t take much with them. If the preacher doesn’t trust God, how can he tell
others to trust Him. Jesus was checking their faith?
Where were they to go?
*Matthew 10:6-8 Instead, go to the lost sheep of the nation of Israel. (7) As you go, make this
announcement: 'The kingdom from heaven is near!' (8) Heal the sick, raise the
dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. You have received without payment, so
give without payment.
Mark 6:9 They could wear
sandals but not take along an extra shirt.
They
could wear Sandals which consisted
only of a sole or slipper,
fastened about the foot and ankle with straps
The disciples were allowed
to wear sandals according to Mark, such as the common people wore. They should
go with simply their ordinary wear. They were required to dress as the people.
Mark 6:10 He told them repeatedly, "Whenever you
go into a home, stay there until you leave that place.
Notice Jesus continue to
give orders and directions to the disciples.
They were not to “pick and choose.” They were to be profitable servants,
not pampered guests. There was to be no ground for the suspicion that they were
seeking personal comfort or special recognition. Pick a house, stay there until you
leave. Kind of strange.
*Luke 9:4 When you visit a home and stay there, and go out from
there,
Matthew gives us a little
more information
*Matthew
10:11
"Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire
who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out. (to examine by questions)
*Matthew
10:12-13
As you enter the house, greet its occupants. (13) If the household is
receptive, let your blessing of peace
come on it. But if it isn't receptive, let
your blessing of peace return to you.
*Matthew 10:14-15 If no one welcomes you
or listens to your words, as you leave that house or town, shake its dust off
your feet. (15) I tell you with certainty, it will be more bearable for the
region of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town!"
Mark 6:11 If
any place will not welcome you and the people refuse to listen to you, when you
leave, shake its dust off your feet as a testimony against them." Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and
Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city.
*Luke 9:5 if people don't welcome you, when you leave that
city, shake its dust off your feet as a testimony against them."
I just said, ouch, that is
a strong and scary statement. But should
be a comfort to Jesus servants. This
shows that Jesus severely avenges evil done to His servants. Strong words what will happen. A day of
judgment is coming and is fixed.
*2 Peter 2:9 then the Lord knows how to
rescue godly people from their
trials and to hold unrighteous people
for punishment on the day of judgment,
Jesus
just told them, pick a house, if they do not treat you well, leave and do this,
there many more cities out there.
Their job as preachers wasn’t to change people’s minds. They were
to present the message; but if their
audience didn’t receive it, they didn’t receive it - and they could leave, and shake
the very dust from your feet as they left.
As a side, why did this relate with the Jewish
people:
In that day, if Jewish person had to go in or
through a Gentile city, as they left they would shake the dust off their feet.
It was a gesture that said, “we
don’t want to take anything from this Gentile city with us.” Essentially, Jesus
is telling them to regard a Jewish city that rejects their message as if it
were a Gentile city.
Mark 6:12 So they
went and preached that people should repent.
*Matthew 10:7 And as you go, preach,
saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is (near) or at hand.'
The disciples were not to simply,
preached repentance, but preached in order that men might be lead to
repentance; Repentance was necessary
to change their way of life.
Mark 6:13 They also kept driving out many demons and anointing with oil many who were sick,
and healing them. (example: why we anoint with oil)
Why we Anointed with oil,
because we know Oil is a type of the Holy Spirit.
*James 5:14 Is anyone among you sick?
He should call for the elders of the church, and they should pray for him and anoint him with oil in the name of the
Lord.
And finally
*Luke 9:6 So they left and went from
village to village, spreading the good news and healing diseases everywhere.
*Matthew 11:1 When Jesus had finished
instructing his twelve disciples, he left there to teach and preach in their
home towns.
