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?”

Mark 6:30-44

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?” Mark 6:37

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 6:30-44.  Excerpts from the commentary for the second (of three) division (vv33-37):

• The title of the second division per the commentary: "Like Jesus We Should Have Compassion for Others."
• The commentary emphasizes how Jesus sought to minister to all of a person's needs: physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.  Jesus does this as the Shepherd Savior.  We are referred to text in Psalm 23, Luke 15:4-6, John 10:11, 1 Peter 5:4, Hebrews 13:30 and Revelation 7:17 where Jesus is described as the Great or Chief Shepherd.
• "We desperately need a shepherd, One who is compassionate and able to provide for us and protect us. We need a Shepherd Savior."  
• The text describes how Jesus (1) had compassion on the crowd (2) saw them as "sheep without a shepherd;" and (3) in need of direction and guidance (1 Peter 5:2).  
• We too are lost without Jesus - all are lost without Jesus - we are referred to John 10:12-13, Ezekiel 34:1-24, Numbers 27:17 where Israel is depicted as "lost, helpless, without guidance, malnourished, and lacking protection - their leaders were mere 'hirelings.'"  
• Numbers 27:17 is emphasized for how "God raised up Joshua in anticipation of the greater Joshua named Jesus" and how Ezekiel describes how Jesus is the greater David.    
• Jesus meets all our needs: physical needs, emotional, and spiritual. 
• Ultimately, we are to care for others as Jesus cares.  See Matthew 25:31-46. 
• "God wants us to have compassion on those in need, and He wants us involved in their lives meeting both spiritual and physical needs. We indeed minister to the whole person. That’s what Jesus did."

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves, guides, provides, etc. You are the Great Shepherd who saves.....thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You love and save.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.   Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves.

Mark 6:30-44

The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. Mark 6:30-32

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 6:30-44.  Excerpts from introduction to the commentary for this text and for the first (of three) division (vv30-32):

• The title of this chapter of the commentary for the text is: "The Feeding of the Five Thousand;" the Main idea is: "Jesus’ mission of love and rescue is demonstrated in His feeding of the five thousand;" the title of the first division per the commentary: "Like Jesus We Should Find Rest from Ministry." 
• "John 6:15 informs us that this miracle made such an impact on the crowd that they attempted to take Jesus “by force to make Him king.” Our Lord would refuse their advance and stay the course to the cross, as was His divine destiny."  
• "When Jesus authorizes us and empowers us, we can anticipate God’s blessings in what we do. We must simply believe and go.
• "This was how our Lord mentored His men: Teach them. Send them out.  Have them return. Report and evaluate. I doubt we can improve on this model of discipleship and training."  
• "They had worked hard, putting in many long hours. Still the blessings and joys of ministry were evident."  
• Jesus calls the Twelve together and encourages them to rest. "We can glean several practical insights. (1) There is a time to work (cf. John 9:4). Laziness has no place in the Christian life. (2) We should have periods of rest because Jesus tells us to. Being a workaholic is not spiritual and actually can be sinful. Some make ministry an idol. (3) Rest is best when accompanied both by solitude and companionship. (4) Rest is for a specific period of time. It is not permanent. (5) Even while resting, be prepared for ministry if necessary. A devoted follower of Jesus is never off duty."

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and gives rest - a rest that we can find only through You....physical rest, emotional rest, and a spiritual rest.  Thank You Jesus for how You provide this rest and of course how You save.  I am not deserving of how You save nor how You bless with this rest.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

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. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.

Mark 6:30-44

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. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men. Mark 6:41-44

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 6:30-44, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary. Observations of the text based on the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: God is concerned about our well being - He designed and encourages us to rest.  God is compassionate - He seeks to care for all of those who seek care.  God is all powerful, able to take the offering of our lives and use it for something much bigger than we will ever be able to accomplish on our own.
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: People are often drawn to place their comfort above their calling - note how the disciples did not have the same compassion on the crowd as Jesus did - they sought to send them away for them to find their own food but Jesus challenged them to provide. 
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We can claim to the promises of how God provides and how He satisfies.  We should also avoid being anxious about not having what we think we need (see Matthew 6:31-33).

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are an awesome God who loves and who is full of incredible grace and compassion.  Thank You for softening my heart and saving me.  I am not deserving of my salvation.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother.

Mark 6:14-29

And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. Mark 6:26-28

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 6:14-29. Excerpts from third (of three) division (vv21-29):

• The title of the first division per the commentary: "Expect That Some Will Attempt to Destroy You." 
• Herod's oath is fulfilled to Herodias' daughter (and Herod's daughter in law and niece) as her dancing so pleases Herod and his intoxicated guests that there is no way Herod can save face and back out of the oath to give her anything (up to half his kingdom - v23) after the young woman after seeking counsel from her mother asks for John the Baptist's head. Herod is sad but lacks conviction and is fearful of John - so John is executed.   
• "Herod feared displeasing his wife and losing face with man more than he feared God. Pride took him down, just like it did Satan and Adam. Herodias feared and hated John because he was right and she knew it. John was a nuisance to her conscience and a cancer to her reputation. He had to go. His head on a platter would solve all her problems, or at least she thought so."  
• "John the Baptist was declared by Jesus to be the last and greatest prophet."  See also Matthew 14:13, Luke 13:32, and 23:8-9 for Jesus' response to hearing about John's death, His thoughts about Herod, and a description of Herod meeting after Jesus is arrested in the garden of Gethsemane.   
• "Death cannot silence a life. Murdering someone will not put an end to their testimony. Remember the saying, “Even though he is dead, he still speaks through his faith” (Hebrews 11:4)."
• "John lost his head, but Herod and Herodias lost their souls. In the end there is no question who won and who lost. Bad things do happen to good people. But great things happen to godly people who put it all on the line, even their head on a platter, for the truth of God’s Word and the glory of His name!"

Charlie Kirk said he wanted to be remembered for the courage of his faith and indeed he will be, among many of his other Godly attributes. Lifting up Charlie's family in prayer. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that saves - regardless of what the world does to us and our earthly bodies, we know that You are saving a place for us in Heaven.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out daily for me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly.

Mark 6:14-29

Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly. Mark 6:20

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 6:14-29. Excerpts from second (of three) division (vv17-20):

• The title of the first division per the commentary: "Expect That Some Will Try to Stop You." 
• John spoke truth to Herod about the sinful marriage he had with Herodias - the commentary refers us to Leviticus 18:16 and 20:21.  This drove Herodias to seek John's death. 
• The commentary contrasts John's boldness in telling the truth about sin vs Herod's fear.  Note also, Herod's weakness in the face of his ruthless wife's desire to kill John. Herod knew in his heart John was correct about the sin but would not stand firm against his wife nor obey John to repent. 
• Note below an excerpt from the commentary comparing John to Herod. 

 

• Herodias needed the right moment to seize to put John to death thereby eliminating opposition to her marriage. This moment is about to arrive in the next division vv21-29.

Once again, as posted a couple of days ago, John stood firm in speaking truth to anyone, including those in power such as Herod.  I am drawn to the assassination of Charlie Kirk - another faithful man who spoke truth to power. We should all pray that we would submit to God to such an extent that we would speak  boldly - even to power - about Jesus and the Gospel.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me.  Thank You Jesus! Thank You for Your Word that allows the Holy Spirit to work in my life.  I am not deserving of my salvation nor how You work in my life.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some said, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” But others said, “He is Elijah.” And others said, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.”

Mark 6:14-29

King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some said, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” But others said, “He is Elijah.” And others said, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” Mark 6:14-16

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 6:14-29. Excerpts from the commentary's introduction for this text and for the first (of three) division (vv14-16):

• The main idea per the commentary for the entirety of the text vv14-29 is "[f]aithful service to God may cause the kings of this world to oppose you, even kill you, but it will bring great pleasure to the true King, Jesus."  
• The title of first division per the commentary: "Expect That Some Will Fear You." 
• Pointing to Mark 10:29-30, the commentary shares: "sometimes the rewards and spiritual benefits include persecution....Yes, you may lose your life for faithfully serving King Jesus. You may actually lose your head, as John the Baptist found out." 
• "This tragedy in many ways foreshadowed the miscarriage of justice when our Savior was put to death on the cross. In both cases cowardly men capitulated to pressure and executed God’s man. A servant is not greater than his master. If they treated Jesus with cruelty, they will do the same to His followers. The life of John the Baptist perfectly illustrates what we might expect as we faithfully serve our God."  
• "This wicked, henpecked politician [Herod] did not know what to do with a man like John. He feared John (v16) and was “very disturbed” by him."  
• While Herod wondered what to make of John the Baptist (and by extension Jesus), the commentary urges us to see how (and we should) our "good works should honor Jesus name and haunt others." 
• "John was a man of great courage and moral fiber. Herod was not. John loved God and boldly proclaimed His Word. Herod did not. John denounced sin and called people to repentance and a radical change in life. Herod murdered an innocent man, a prophet of God. It haunted him, and rightly so. John’s blood was on his hands."
• "We need not defend ourselves if we walk with God. We need never employ methods of violence and coercion as we represent King Jesus and extend His kingdom. Our good works will honor us before men, and our good works will haunt those who oppose us, now or in eternity."

Scripture calls believers to be "set apart" from the world and to be holy because He is holy.  We are to follow Christ's example both in life and in death - and this is a high bar indeed because few of us will ever be in a position of death based persecution because of our faith.  Even if we don't lose our physical body, believers still stand to lose much in world that rejects God, sometimes violently.  We must be unafraid to stand firmly on our faith and proclaim the gospel, which again is to repent and see how God is good and saves.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are an awesome God that loves me and who saved me - thank You Jesus!  I know what You have done and You are not finished with me - thank You for Your amazing grace.  I am not deserving.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me and help me turn from and overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly.

Mark 6:14-29

Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly. Mark 6:20

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 6:14-29, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary. Observations of the text based on the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: God allows evil and sin in the world - albeit temporarily.  God will defeat Satan, evil and sin during the final days as written in the book of Revelation - no one knows the day or hour but we can take comfort that the victory is already assured. In the same way, we see people "carried away" by their sin as God allows sin to overcome and condemn them (see James 1:14-15).  Only God hardens - preventing salvation - and softens hearts - enabling salvation.  We see that God was softening the heart of Herod.  Although Herod ultimately has John the Baptist killed, Herod did fear God and God is worthy of our fear - reverent fear. 
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: People's passions and temptations for sin, as driven by Satan are strong and we must be able to recognize them before "giving way" to them as Herod allowed the influence of Herodias and her grudge against John the Baptist to play a role in his death (see v26 where Herod was exceedingly sorry but nonetheless at least somewhat beholden to someone else's sin).  Beware of these kinds of influences on your own life!  Satan is on the prowl - 1 Peter 5:8.    
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We should avoid sinful influences and becoming comfortable around such influences - as previously indicated they can drag us away into sin and eternal condemnation.  We should follow John's the Baptist's obedience to continue to share the Word and to repent - although of course this means death or some other harsh earthly consequence.  We can rest in how God saves.      

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are an awesome God who loves and who is full of incredible grace and compassion.  Thank You for softening my heart and saving me.  I am not deserving of my salvation.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.