DOWNLOAD FILES
QUESTION DOC
QUESTION PDF
MESSAGE DOC
MESSAGE PDF
POWERPOINT
JESUS SENDS OUT THE TWELVE WITH HIS AUTHORITY
(QUESTIONS)
Mark 6:1-29 (Go to the NIV Bible verses)
Key Verse: 6:7, “Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits.”
-
Where did Jesus go and what did he do there (1-2a)? Why were the people of Jesus’ hometown first amazed, and then offended by him (2b-3)?
-
How did Jesus explain their offense (4)? Why could Jesus not do many miracles there (5-6a)? Why was Jesus amazed?
-
What did Jesus do next (6b)? What new thing did Jesus begin and why (7; 3:14-15)? What instructions did Jesus give the Twelve (8-11)? What principles was Jesus teaching them and how can we apply these principles today?
-
How did the Twelve obey Jesus (12)? What was their message (1:14-15)? How was Jesus’ authority demonstrated in their ministry (13)?
-
What impact did Jesus’ ministry through the Twelve have on King Herod and others (14-16)? What does the story of John’s martyrdom tell us about the environment into which Jesus sent his disciples (17-29)? What challenges do we face in continuing Jesus’ life-giving ministry, and what should we do?
(MESSAGE)
Key Verse: 6:7, “Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits.”
In the previous passage, Jesus healed a woman from a 12-year bleeding problem when she just touched the edge of Jesus’ cloak in faith. Jesus also said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe,” and then gave new life to his pre-teen daughter. Today’s passage looks much more discouraging on the surface. We see that Jesus’ hometown people reject him. Also, we are told of the unjust murder of John the Baptist. Yet in the midst of this bad news, Jesus sends out his Twelve apostles with his power and authority. They would not be welcomed by all, just as Jesus wasn’t welcomed by all. Still, God’s kingdom was advancing in and through Jesus and his disciples. Let’s see and take heart at how God’s kingdom advances in the midst of opposition.
-
A Prophet in his hometown (1-6a)
Jesus went to his hometown, Nazareth, a small town, with his disciples. On the Sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue and many who heard him were amazed. They said, “Where did Jesus get these things: this wisdom, and these remarkable miracles we hear he is performing?” “Wait a minute! Isn’t he the carpenter? Mary’s son? Aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Judas and Simon, and his sisters here in Nazareth?” And they took offense at him.
Why did they take offense at Jesus? Because they couldn’t believe a prophet could come out of their small town Nazareth. Especially, they never expected that a prophet would be born from a carpenter dad and a mom who got pregnant before marriage! Isn’t it interesting that the world thinks you have to be born into a rich and famous family to make any difference in the world? But if you look at world history, not all great people were born into royalty, privilege and power. This is particularly true of prophets and servants of God.
Moses was born the son of slaves. David was the youngest of the eight sons of Jesse, from Bethlehem. How about the twelve apostles of Jesus? None of them were great by human standards. Four of them were ordinary, uneducated fishermen. One was a despised tax collector.
How about servants of God in our times? Billy Graham was born as a country boy who preferred baseball to religion saying, “I detested going to church.” But at age 15 he gave his life to Christ. Before dying at age 99 he preached the gospel to over 200 million people in nearly 200 nations. There were times he felt like he was dying. But he didn’t say to the Lord, “I’m a preacher, and I’ve preached to many people.” [He] said, “Oh Lord, I’m a sinner, and I still need Your forgiveness. I still need the cross.” He said, “And I asked the Lord to give me peace in my heart, and He did—a wonderful peace that hasn’t left me.”[1]
Sarah Barry was born on a cotton plantation in Mississippi. She grew up as a tomboy and had a horse named Rebel. In time she accepted Christ deeply, became a missionary to Korea and co-founded UBF ministry with Dr.Samuel Lee. In a short biography of her life, Alan Wolff wrote, “I don’t want to lionize missionary Sarah Barry to the extent that our eyes are taken off Jesus. To me, she is actually a 21st century saint. However, often when I talk to her and pray with her, she talks about what a sinner she is and how thankful she is for Jesus’ grace.”[2] Humble servants of God like Billy Graham or Sarah Barry are not necessarily impressive by worldly standards. Actually, it’s really only people who are positively influenced by them who appreciate and honor them.
So how did Jesus respond when his hometown people took offense at him? Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” Here Jesus acknowledges himself as a prophet, a servant and messenger of God. He also states that a prophet is honored except in his own family and by his own townspeople. This is also often true of those who follow and serve Jesus Christ. Servants of Christ may not make a lot of money or be respected by many people, or even by their own family members. Apostle Paul expressed the sentiment of a faithful servant of Christ well in Galatians 1:10, “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Politicians win votes by pleasing people. But the aim of a Christian is to please Christ, even if it is not popular or winsome in the eyes of the world. May we be faithful followers and servants of Jesus Christ.
Mark ends this section on a disappointing note: “[Jesus] could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.” Isn’t it surprising that even with poor results Jesus still healed a few sick people. Anyway, may we not amaze Jesus by a lack of faith, but rather by our faith and trust in him. To say it another way: If you are going to amaze Jesus, let it be for a good reason, not a bad one.
-
The Apostles participate in the life-giving work of God (6b-13)