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Gospel of Mark

Laws, Traditions and Misunderstandings: Mark 7:1-8

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7 The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus 2 and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. 3 (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. 4 When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.[a])

5 So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with defiled hands?” 6 He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:

“‘These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
7 They worship me in vain;
their teachings are merely human rules.’

8 You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.”

Mark 7:1-8

3rd September 2024, Horsham

The first six Chapters of Mark’s Gospel have broadly been about the things Jesus did. Places he went. People he met, and how he responded to them. Whilst that will continue, this passage brings into focus the fundamental point of difference between the beliefs of Jesus and those of the Pharisees, scribes and Jewish leaders. Rumours of Jesus’ teaching and behaviour had reached Jerusalem, and there was sufficient concern that a group of Pharisees and scribes made the 100 mile journey to Capernaum to see what was going on. These are important visitors. Their arrival in te town will have attracted attention.

To the Jewish mind, righteousness before God came from living in the strictest obedience to rules. There were the ten commandments, and there was the law of Moses, enshrined in the first five books of the Bible (sometimes called the Pentateuch or the Torah). Interpretation of the regulations was a matter of conscience, until, that is, around several hundred years before the birth of Christ. Around that time, a tradition developed which called for detailed interpretation of every command and guideline of the Law. Over several hundred years, this had developed into a collection of writings which we call the Mishnah. Developing form oral traditions, the Mishnah became a detailed and complex document which provided rabbinical guidance on how the Law was to be interpreted.

Two ‘rules’ are mentioned here. The first relates to the washing of hands. The point of issue here is not about hygiene, it’s about ceremonial washing of hands before eating. There were some rules in the Law about handwashing, but they are directed at priests and Levites, rather than all people. The Mishna had lengthy rules which all Jews had to abide by, including detailed descriptions of how the washing was to take place. The second refers to a range of regulations related to the cleaning and disposal of pots and kitchen implements. The underlying theme of both these issues is the avoidance of being or becoming ‘unclean’. The text tells us that the criticisms levelled at Jesus and his disciples relate to ‘the traditions of the elders’ rather than the Law of Moses. Those traditions raised here by the Pharisees and teachers of the Law relates to rules which are articulated in the Mishna, of whose interpretation they were the custodians.

Jesus regarded God’s Law as fundamental to having a right relationship with God, and even told his followers that the Law would be valid for all time . ‘For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. (Matthew 5:17 – 18). Jesus was obedient to God in every way, but he declined to be bound to the regulations of the Mishna. Strict adherence to these man made regulations distracted from the true meaning and undermined the purpose of Scripture. These detailed rules, Jesus was saying, are the not of God, but of man.

Jesus confronted these important Jewish visitors, calling out their hypocrisy. Jesus uses the quote from Isaiah to demonstrate that this is not a new problem. Men of old were ready to allow their own rules rather than being faithful to the Word of God. It is a perennial problem.

‘You are so busy holding on to the traditions of men that you let go the commandment of God!’ (Mark 7:8 (JB Phillips)

Those of us who call ourselves followers of Jesus would never fall into that trap. Surely?

Richard Jackson, West Sussex: LifePictureUK

Gospel of Mark

Celebrity: Mark 6:53-56

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53 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. 54 As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. 55 They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. 56 And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.

Mark 6:53-56 (NIV)

30th August 2024, Horsham

Jesus and the Disciples have just crossed the Sea of Galilee arriving at Genasaret. This probably refers to the fertile strip of land on the west side of the Sea of Galilee to the south of Capernaum. In the preceding verses, Jesus has fed the 5,000 people and been involved in some very public healings. Not surprisingly, people – lots of people – are starting to notice Jesus. We have also seen Jesus walk on the water and calm some strong winds.

In the first chapters of Mark we saw Jesus becoming known around his home town of Capernaum as a celebrity healer. His preaching and dramatic miracles have attracted attention and led to a growing movement to see him anointed as King of Israel. I think Mark’s point in these verses is that everywhere Jesus went, towns, villages and countryside, he was quickly recognised and sought out by people, especially those with sick relatives and friends. People were bringing those in need to Jesus, and all who even touched him were healed.

Here’s a challenge. Do you recognise who Jesus is? Do you have that kind of enthusiasm to bring people in spiritual need today to Jesus?

As in our days, there was a good side to being a celebrity or influencer, but there was also a downside. Right now, in the west, the downside of fame can be loss of privacy and online trolling. For Jesus, the price of celebrity was the watchfulness and monitoring of the Jewish establishment and the Roman occupiers.

We are drawing close to a pivotal moment in the ministry of Jesus. We start to see that the path ahead is becoming increasingly dangerous, and will lead to the cross.

Richard Jackson, West Sussex: LifePictureUK

Gospel of Mark

Walking on Water: Mark 6:47-52

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Walking on the Water

47 Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. 48 He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, 50 because they all saw him and were terrified.

Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 51 Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, 52 for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.Do you notice that little phrase ‘Later that day..’? These are fast moving events and we need to look for the context.  The phrase isn’t there by accident. It’s all too easy to talk about the story of ‘walking on the water’ which is, let’s be honest, pretty extraordinary, whilst missing the point that it’s part of a much wider sequence of supernatural events. We see Jesus walking on water and we’re immediately distracted by the question, did he really do that and if he did, how did he do it?

‘This,’ says William Barclay, ‘is a story which is shrouded in mystery and defies explanation (i)’

We have seen that after first sending the disciples back across the Lake by boat and then dismissing the crowd of more than 5,000 people, Jesus went up alone on the mountainside to pray. We are starting to see the pattern that at times of crisis, Peter (who was the source for Mark’s Gospel) noticed that Jesus made time to be with God. It seems that in the early hours of the morning, Jesus looked out across the Lake from that mountainside and saw the disciples, who should  struggling to make headway against the wind. The direction and force of the wind was such that they could not use the sails, and so they had no choice but to row. Their oars were little more than wooden poles. With the wind against them, rowing was very hard work and progress was slow. Jesus sees their predicament and doesn’t ignore their struggle. He walks down the mountain and then, as only Jesus could, he walks straight out across the lake. It seems that his intention was to pass the disciples by (v8), but of course they see this apparition of a man walking on the sea and they are terrified. Jesus speaks to reassure them, then climbs into the boat. As if all of the above was not enough, the head wind immediately drops away. We can read that and compeletely miss that for the second time, Jesus calms a storm. (I want to point out that it is only in Matthew’s account that Peter tries to walk on the water).

Here’s the wider context. Jesus calmed the storm (Mark 4:35-41). Jesus fed 5000 men (plus perhaps the same number of women and children) (Mark 6:34-44). Each of these extraordinary miracles demonstrates Christ’s ability to override and control the laws of nature. He now once more defies our understanding of the natural laws by walking on the water, and at the same moment calm a storm. This is supernatural stuff. Even these men who have lived so closely with Jesus and been witness to so many awesome events, and have even performed miracles themselves, can’t get their head around this.

I know (because I’ve been reading the Gospels) that these twelve men, chosen to be Apostles, are in awe of Jesus, but in spite of their experience, they have still not grasped who Jesus really is. I’ve noticed that we are much the same. We can read this account and be so distracted by the ‘how did he do that’ that we overlook the obvious – this is Jesus. This is Immanuel – God with us. He is God – He can just do it!

I’ve learned that, like the disciples and all the Saints of every generation, however much we might experience God’s grace, power and influence in our lives, he can still take us by surprise. The Holy Spirit can and does still act super-naturally. He is not constrained by natural laws. These verses are a great example from which we need to learn. He can always do more – much more – than we anticipate.

In this scene, the disciples were soaked through, exhausted and at the end of their tether. They must have been utterly demoralised. Jesus, in the most astonishing and unexpected way, provided them with all that they needed and more. That’s the way he works.

Lord – take us by surprise and give us the grace and humility to notice when you do!

20 God is able to do far more than we could ever ask for or imagine. He does everything by his power that is working in us.’ Ephesians 3:20

William Barclay, Daily Study Bible, Mark (Kindle Edition) Loc 3335

Richard Jackson, West Sussex: LifePictureUK

Gospel of Mark

Ambition, Temptation, and the Presence of God: Mark 6:45-46

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45 Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.

Mark 6:45-46

All was not well in Israel. People were living under occupation, and the Roman occupiers had a tight grip on society. Puppet kings were installed and taxes were a constant burden. Any visible dissent was met with crushing force. Herod Antipas, appointed by Rome, was ruling from his stronghold palace of Machaerus in modern day Jordan. Here, he imprisoned and later killed John the Baptist.

Israel was looking forward to the coming of a king who would lead a rebellion and restore Israel, expelling the army of occupation. This would match the cultural expectation even of the disciples. One of them is a man called Simon, also called the zealot. This helps to differentiate him from Simon Peter, but also suggests that he was, or at least had been, connected to the 1st Century ‘zealot’ movement, whose stated intention was to rid Israel of Roman rulers by force. We can start to see how the mustering and feeding of 5,000 men might look, especially to Simon and his friends, like an opportunity to take this dream forwards.

Jesus does three things. First, he removes the disciples from the situation, from place of potential temptation, sending them back across the Sea of Galilee. Second, he dismisses the crowd. Their dispersal reduces the risk of the crowd provoking Herod and his Roman masters by attempting rebellion. Third, at this moment of pressure and potential crisis, he retires to the mountainside to pray, and to seek the will of His Father in heaven..

What has all this to do with us?

Like you and me, the disciples were immersed in and influenced by their own culture. Like you and me, this leaves us open to temptations rooted in personal ambition. There were voices in the crowd calling for Jesus to be anointed as King (John 6:15). It’s highly likely that at least one of the disciples would have sided with the crowd. Jesus steers the disciples away from temptation. That might remind you of a familiar prayer which Jesus taught all his disciples, including you and me.

‘Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’ (Matthew 6:13)

John tells us that the crowd were ready to anoint Jesus as King. An army marches on it’s stomach, and here was a leader who has proved his ability to satisfy the hunger of 5,000 men. More than enough men with which to start an uprising. A great opportunity, one might think, to establish his place as Messiah. But this was not Christ’s plan, because it was not God’s plan. To be declared King at this point would have led to his immediate imprisonment and arrest by the Romans, and there was still work to be done. I’m not only impressed that he stepped away, but the way he steps away. There’s no confrontation. Before the matter gets out of hand, he deals with it. Jesus simply dismisses the crowd and walks away.

“All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” (Matthew 4:9)

.An army of 5,000 men would offer a great start to an uprising. defused the situation. and We are to learn from Jesus. We cannot ignore the magnitude of the moment. Jesus has just performed a powerful and very public miracle. He has managed a critical challenge which could have crushed his developing work and ministry. At this most difficult moment, Jesus seeks the undisturbed presence of God.

Jesus shows us how to respond to difficult times. Having dealt with the problem, he seeks the presence of God. He goes away from the distractions of the crowd and even the disciples to a solitary place, on the mountainside to pray. We need to find our own personal mountainside – the quiet place where we can be still before God, undisturbed by the noise of our world. The place where we can tell Him what is on our mind and seek His way forwards. It may be your own room, it might be your Church, it might be a hillside, the bench in your local park or even the local coffee shop.

 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.(Jeremiah 29:13)

Like those first disciples, we are called to step away from temptation and the powerful distraction of worldly ambition. Like Christ we are to seek God’s direction for the path we should take.

Show love to the Lord your God by walking in his ways and holding tightly to him. Deuteronomy 11:22

Richard Jackson, West Sussex: LifePictureUK

Contemplative

Small Steps can be Life Changing. James 4:8

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Horsham: 21st August 2024

In your relationship with Jesus, small steps can be life changing.

When we think about changes in our life which might bring us closer to Jesus, we tend to think big.  Paul, after all, tells us to be ‘transformed’ (Romans 12:2), and that word suggests significant change. It is, says Paul, the transformation of your mind  which enables you to understand God’s will for you. The problem is that giant steps are serious and daunting. We think of people giving up their job and making huge personal sacrifices. Of course it’s awesome when people do that. I have been inspired by so many people who have made giant steps of faith!

I’m reminded that transformation is a process. It takes time. Children don’t learn to walk by taking giant steps. I’m reminded of the Chinese proverb that says every journey starts with one step. The most important steps we take in our relationship with God are most often the small ones. There’s always another step you can take.

The smallest changes you make to your lifestyle or behaviour may pass unnoticed by others, yet still be profoundly significant for you.

Every step closer to Jesus is important.
Every step closer to Jesus is transformational.
The smallest step closer to Jesus is a step on the path of transformation.
Small steps can be life changing.

James 4:8  ‘Come near to God and he will come near to you.’

Richard Jackson, West Sussex: LifePictureUK

Contemplative

You are a work in progress (Psalm 143:10)

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I’ve had a really busy few days. So busy that the contemplative evangelical side of my life has been squeezed to the sidelines. Let me be honest, there have been days when it hasn’t really happened. I’ve been tired. If I sit still for too long, I will fall asleep.

This morning I went to the opticians for my regular eye test. We started with some paperwork and conversation, and then I was introduced to the young lady who would do my eyesight test. She had a great manner. She seemed knowledgeable. She was thorough. The test took slightly longer than I had expected but hey – no problem.

At the end of the test she explained her results. My eyesight had slightly deteriorated, so my prescription had changed, but hey – no problem.

Then she said, ‘I just need to get my supervisor to check my findings.’ It was only then that I realised she was in training. She had dealt with me really well. I told her so. I wanted to encourage her. The supervisor came into the room and checked a couple of details with me and made some minor changes to my notes.

A little later, I went into one of my local coffee shops where I was welcomed by a lady wearing a tee shirt which was emblazoned with the words ‘trainee barista’. She gave great eye contact and she was appropriately friendly. There was a lady at her shoulder who was obviously training her, guiding her through the till and helping her make my drink. She produced a very good skinny latte (although there was no fancy shape in the milk foam). She was a little slow, but hey – no problem.

Both the optician and the barista were doing well. They both have stuff to learn. The optician had done a pretty good job, although I think that the supervisor noticed one or two areas which needed clarification. The barista did a good job, but in a few days, she’ll be presenting my caffe latte with a fern leaf motif in the milky foam. They both have stuff to learn.

And me. The contemplative evangelical who hasn’t been very contemplative at all for several days. As I sit here drinking my coffee I’ve been asking God what he was showing me through these two encounters. I pray quietly in my corner, enjoying the sounds of conversation and the tip-tapping of keyboards all around me. I am trying, after all, to get back to being a contemplative evangelical in a busy and fast moving world.

And that’s it. In that moment of quiet God reminded me of something really important, and really encouraging.

I sense a gentle voice pointing out one or two things which need to change so that I can follow Him better. I sense a gentle voice at my shoulder saying you’re doing ok, but remember to let me lead. You can’t do this on your own. We should be doing this together. Like the optician and the barista, you’re still learning. And by the way, you always will be.

I think he’s saying “I know the things you have done well and the things you should have done better. I know that you haven’t kept to your prayer schedule recently. I know that your time with me has been under pressure.” I sense that he is saying ‘Hey – no problem.’

Let’s move on.

‘Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Let your good spirit lead me on a level path.’ Psalm 143:10 (NRSV)

Richard Jackson, West Sussex: LifePictureUK

Gospel of Mark

Five loaves and two fishes: Mark 6:35-44

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Five loaves and two fishes..

35 By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. 36 Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”
37 But he answered, “You give them something to eat.”
They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages[a]! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?”
38 “How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.”
When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.”
39 Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. 41 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. 42 They all ate and were satisfied, 43 and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. 44 The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.

Mark 6:35-44

Horsham: 1st August 2024

With the exception of the resurrection itself, the feeding of the five thousand is arguably the most dramatic and mysterious miracle associated with the life of Jesus. It appears in all four gospels in remarkably similar form, and that fact of itself speaks to the importance of this event. We need to give special attention to this one! We are told specifically that these people have no food. It is late, and they are hungry. This miracle involves Jesus taking five small flatbread loaves and two small fishes, provided (John tells us) by a boy in the crowd, and creating a sufficient quantity of bread and fish to fully satisfy 5,000 hungry men (Matthew speaks of women and children whose presence will have significantly increased that number), with twelve baskets of food left over.

Our familiarity with this story can easily breed contempt, and it’s really important that we don’t under estimate this size of this miracle. For this story to be true, we need to make the step of faith and accept that Jesus, in the power and authority of Almighty God, actually created food which did not pre-exist. Bread that had never been baked by human hands. Fish which had never been in the water. Five loaves and two fishes feed 5000 people? For men, this is impossible. But of course for God, all things are possible!

I want to take a moment to focus on the extraordinary contrast building at this point in the Gospel between the very understandable world view of the disciples and the eternal perspective of Jesus.

‘The wonderful thing about this story is that all through it runs an implicit contrast between the attitude of Jesus and the attitude of the disciples.’(i) 

If we take this story out of its context we can overlook the fact that only a few days earlier, the disciples had seen and experienced the extraordinary power of God flowing through them as, sent out in pairs by Jesus, they visited the villages and towns of Galilee, healing the sick and casting out demons. Their teaching had been effective and miracles had been happening at their hands. They must have been buzzing! Yet now, a few hours after their return to Jesus, faced with a much larger challenge, their default is to look for the ‘human’ solution. Mark has already shown us several times the lack of faith amongst these young men contrasted with the confidence, power and authority of Jesus. Yet hot on the heels of their roller coaster experiences, they struggle to apply what they have learned to this new challenge.

There’s something really important here for us. I’ve come to believe that there are many people in our congregations (perhaps you are one of them) who have, in some way, experienced God and the power of His Holy Spirit, yet living life as if they have forgotten that buzz of excitement. When faced with temptation or with the challenges of life they completely overlook His grace and set off in search of the human solution.

I’m interested that it is the disciples who see the problem. These people are hungry and need food. Without food, many will grow faint on their journey home. Yet it is Jesus, filled with compassion for the crowd, who sees the moment. He sees the potential of the situation and the people, and he seizes the opportunity for the Kingdom of God to break through.

‘To them, the crowds were a problem, perhaps even a nuisance. But to Jesus, they were as sheep without a shepherd.’ (ii)

The disciples offer the human solution in this moment of crisis – send them away (it’s not a problem which we can solve – let them feed themselves). Jesus offers the divine solution – you give them something to eat. The human response – Do you seriously want us to spend a year’s wages buying food to feed this many people?  The divine response – ‘Show me what resource you have.’ The human perspective – this isn’t going to feed one adult, let alone 5,000. The divine perspective – the breaking and blessing and then the sharing of the bread and the fish.

It’s difficult to grasp the enormity of what happens on that hillside close to Lake Galilee, but let’s grab the simple lesson. Like the disciples, we might feel overwhelmed with the enormity of the task God has given us. We may feel that we have so little to offer in terms of our resources and abilities. That can push us to look for our own solutions to the problems we’re facing. In the hands of Jesus, those gifts and resources are multiplied exponentially. In the hands of Jesus, that which to us seems so little, can have eternal consequences.

The first step is not to measure our resources, but to determine God’s will and trust him to meet the need.’ (iii)

No matter our experience of Jesus, if we practice His presence and walk in his ways, he is able to take the little we might think we have to offer and to use it, to use us, to do so much more than we expect or deserve.

(i) Tom Wright, Gospel of Mark, Kindle Edition (Loc 5298)
(ii) Warren Wiersbe, ‘Be Diligent’ p80
(iii) Wiersbe, ibid, p80

Richard Jackson, West Sussex: LifePictureUK

Gospel of Mark

Come with Me to a Quiet Place: Mark 6: 30-34

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“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

30 The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. 31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

32 So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. 33 But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

Mark 6: 30-34 (NIV)

Horsham: 17th July 2024

You’ll remember that Jesus had sent out the twelve with his authority and power, in pairs, with a mission to ‘tell everyone about the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick’ (Luke 9: 2). We read a few verses ago that on their journey ‘they cast out many demons and healed many sick people, anointing them with olive oil.’ they cast out many demons and healed many sick people, anointing them with olive oil.’ (Mark 6:1)

Verses 30 – 34 speak of the time when they returned to Jesus and told him everything that had happened on their journey. You get a real sense of activity from these verses. Life around Jesus was busy. In the absence of the disciples, people were still seeking him out and making demands. The crowds are getting bigger and bigger. Whereas before they probably numbered hundreds, we know that by now they are in the thousands.

The disciples are eager and excited to tell Jesus what has been happening, and he wants to encourage them, but there is this constant stream of people coming and going. It’s difficult to find space to talk to Jesus. There isn’t even the opportunity to eat.

Jesus has a solution. Let’s all go away to somewhere quiet so we can all get some rest. So, they went back into the boat and crossed the lake, this time towards Bethsaida. This is a short hop across the north end of the Lake. The boat will hardly be out of sight of land, so perhaps not surprisingly the growing crowd have a good idea where Jesus is going. The word goes around and people start spontaneously running or walking around the lake to meet the boat when it lands.

Sailing boats don’t often travel in a straight line. They have to respond to the changing currents and the direction of the wind. That means that they tack, zig zagging towards their destination. This all makes the journey take longer and means that by the time they arrive near Bethsaida, lots of people have already trekked the 8 miles or so by land and are already there, picking up extra people in the towns and villages along the way.

By the time the boat reaches the shore, there is a large and growing crowd of people waiting for Jesus. He looks on them with compassion because they are like sheep without a shepherd. Jesus  immediately engages with them and starts teaching them.

So, that’s the story. But what am I taking away from these few verses?

I’m noticing that Jesus sent his disciples out into the world to do his work, and brought them back to himself so that they could tell him everything that happened. We need to learn from that example. There’s a section in John’s Gospel where Jesus prays for you and me. Part of that prayer says 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world (John 17:18). Jesus has sent us, you and me, out into this crazy and challenging world to be his ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20).

William Barclay describes what he calls the ‘rhythm of the Christian life’.

‘The Christian life is a continuous going into the presence of God from the presence of men and women  and coming out into the presence of men and women from the presence of God.’ (i)

This points us towards the risk of spending our whole life out there in the world and never returning to Jesus. Like the disciples, we need to come back into his presence to prayerfully unload, to rest, and to listen. Just as great a risk is spending all of our time with Jesus, and never venturing into the world to be his ambassador. Relationship with Jesus is key, but if we don’t get round to ‘Going into all the world..’ we’ve sort of missed the point.

What does it mean for you and me to be coming back to Jesus. Look at your own lifestyle and find some way of meeting with Christ during your day. You need to make time to prayerfully talk about what’s going on, to unload about what’s on your mind, and to listen for his voice. Some of my friends don’t get out of bed until they’ve had their ‘quiet time’ and some others won’t go to sleep without reading and praying first. Both those options are great, but neither works for me.

A friend of mine feels that Jesus let the disciples down because they never had the downtime and rest he had offered. I disagree. Most people walk at 2-3 miles per hour. It seems to me that for the crowd to walk the 8 miles across open country around the lake would take about 4 hours (don’t forget that they weren’t wearing walking boots!). That would mean that after a wonderful and exciting time, the disciples had about 4 hours rest in the presence of Jesus. What wouldn’t I give for that! Sounds like success to me.

The disciples joined Jesus as he taught the massive crowd near Bethsaida. By now this crowd had grown exponentially with thousands of men, plus women and children. After 4 hours spent with Jesus, they were ready to take part in the greatest miracle of all.

The message is simple. Spend time with Jesus. Go and do what he wants you to do. Return to Jesus, get some rest. Be ready to do it all over again!

(i) Wm Barclay: New Daily Study Bible, Kindle Edition, Loc 3242

Richard Jackson, West Sussex: LifePictureUK

 

 

Gospel of Mark

Death of John the Baptist: Mark 6: 14-29

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These verses record the fact that Jesus and the disciples have attracted the attention of Herod Antipas, the Tetrarch, who becomes anxious because of his role in the death of John the Baptist.

14 King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known. Some were saying,[a] “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” 15 Others said, “He is Elijah.” And still others claimed, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago.” 16 But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!”

Mark 6: 14-29

Horsham, 15th July 2024

These verses tell the dreadful story of the execution of John the Baptist. It is significant to note that the story of the John is really the only detailed story of anyone in any of the Gospels, in which Jesus is not directly involved in the action. This emphasises the status and importance in the Gospels of John the Baptist, the first prophet in Israel for over 400 years, and in heralding the imminence of the coming Messiah, perhaps the greatest prophet of all time.

Take a moment to remind yourself of the close relationship between Jesus and John the Baptist. They were cousins, and the public ministry of Jesus begins with an encounter with John in the desert ( (Mark 1:9-11). It seems that shortly afterwards, Mark was imprisoned by Herod Antipas (Mark 1:14). He is referred to here as ‘King’ Herod, although he was not really entitled to use this title. Herod Antipas was son of Herod the Great (who was King when Jesus was born, and ordered the massacre of all the small boys under 2 years old – see Matthew 2: 16-18). The father had asked that on his death, the Romans divide his kingdom into four sections, allowing each of his male children to inherit one portion. As the master of a quarter of a kingdom, Herod Antipas was a tetrarch, rather than a king. Antipas was given the area of Galilee and Perea, to the east of the Jordan. He ruled this area from 4 – 39 CE, when he displeased the Emperor Caligula and was sent into exile in Gaul.

For all that, within his domain, Herod was extremely powerful. He fell in love with the wife of his brother, Philip, called Herodias. He decided to marry Herodias after first divorcing his own wife. This was regarded as an unlawful marriage in Israel, firstly because Herod had no cause for divorce, and secondly because his brother was still living. meaning that the relationship with Herodias was adulterous. John the Baptist was openly critical of Herod, and his second marriage, and this caused the greatest offense to Herodias.  Such was her anger that to appease her, Herod imprisoned John, keeping him in the prison at his fortress of Machaerus.

17 For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. 18 For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, 20 because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled[b]; yet he liked to listen to him.

It seems that whilst Herodias despised John, Herod himself was fascinated by him knowing him to be a righteous and holy man  v20, and sometimes liked to listen to him (v21).

So, after a period of detention, during which John’s disciples were permitted to visit him (See Matthew 11:2), the dreadful scene described in this passage arose. 

21 Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. 22 When the daughter of[c] Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you.” 23 And he promised her with an oath, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”

24 She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” “The head of John the Baptist,” she answered. 25 At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”

26 The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. 27 So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison, 28 and brought back his head on a platter. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother. 29 On hearing of this, John’s disciples came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

Let’s go back to the introduction of the section in verses 14-16. It seems possible that either Herod had not heard about Jesus, or more likely, took no great interest in him. Until, that is, Jesus sends out the twelve disciples. Now, rather than one Galilean Rabbi creating a bit of a scene, touring the area, performing miracles, there are six groups of two men all doing the same. This, then, creates enough publicity and excitement to  bring them to the attention of the Tetrarch in a way he can no longer ignore. The disciples point to Jesus as the source of their power and authority, and so Jesus’ name became even more well known.

With tis surge in publicity, some said that Jesus could be Elijah (a prophet who had died about 850 years previously). There was a belief, still held by Jews today, that Elijah will return before the Messiah appears (Malachi 4:5). If John the Baptist were in any sense a reincarnation of Elijah, this would mean that even the Jews would have to accept that Jesus was the Messiah.

Others, however, said that Jesus was John the Baptist, resurrected.  Herod panics. The superstition of the day meant that the return of a person from the dead meant that they were seeking revenge, and it was Herod who had ordered the killing of John the Baptist.

I’m impacted by the fact that this whole situation came about because of the integrity of John the Baptist. His ministry was a call to repentance. Repentance means firstly the acknowledgment of sin, and secondly the willingness to change lifestyle to avoid the repetition of sin. He was faithful to his calling, even when it put him in conflict with those who had power over his life or death. Herod Antipas and Herodias took offence at John for his allegation of their sinfulness and rejected out of hand his call to repentance. Rather than bending to their will, John was steadfast. He was faithful to God. Even unto death.

“I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity.” (1 Chronicles 29:17a)

Richard Jackson, West Sussex: LifePictureUK

Gospel of Mark

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve: Mark 6:6-13

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Jesus Sends Out the Twelve

Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. 7 Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits. 8 These were his instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. 9 Wear sandals but not an extra shirt. 10 Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. 11 And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” 12 They went out and preached that people should repent. 13 They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.

Mark 6: 6-13

Horsham, 12th July 2024

This Scripture marks a major turning point in the life and training of the twelve disciples. Notice that in the first verse of this section,  we read that ‘Jesus went around teaching from village to village.’ (verse 6). To this point, all of the teaching and the healing has been done by Jesus. The disciples have watched and been part of the work, but it has been Jesus who actually does it. Alistair Begg has said that prior to this moment, the disciples were rather like extras in a film where Jesus was the lead actor. From this moment forwards, it is the turn of the disciples to step up a gear.

If you are offered a challenging role, you should expect to receive a period of training. However there comes a moment when it is time for you to get out and do the job.

A ‘disciple’ is, by definition, someone who follows a teacher in order to learn from them. This extraordinary group of fishermen, tax collectors, and at least one zealot have been witness to the most dramatic miracles and teaching about the Kingdom of God. They had spent nearly two years in training, and now, for the first time, they are encouraged to put their learning into practice, with the power and authority given to them by the Messiah. They are elevated from the role of ‘disciple’, as one who learns from their teacher, to the role of ‘apostle’, which means one that is sent out with the delegated authority of the one who sends.

In the Gospel of Luke, the purpose of the mission of he twelve is made crystal clear.  ‘He gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the Kingdom of God.’ (Luke 9:1-2).

Two people, says Scripture are better than one (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). The witness of a second person is benficial to support the testimony of the first (John 8:17). Travelling in pairs, they are to take nothing with them. No bag. No extra clothes. No bread. No money. No bag (you will be tempted to put things in your bag if you have it with you(i)). The message is go, just as you are. Depend on me. Trust in me.

Travelling light conveys a sense of urgency to this commission. This is not a delegation of powers for convenience, as much as a vital step towards his objective and purpose. For Jesus, time is short, and it’s important to get his team match fit to cope with the first steps of building His Church when, in a short while,  he is taken from them. Encouraging them to explore their own gifts, potential and the power of the Holy Spirit is the essential next step in their development.

We should feel a sense of urgency when God places a call on our life. NT Wright makes the point that the instructions given to the disciples were appropriate for that specific moment in time, for that culture, and for those specific people (Mark for Everyone, p..69). Christ does not call most of us to head out into the unknown with nothing, so that will probably not be the right route for you today, especially if that means abandoning responsibilities which are important to you or others. Having said that, we are called to ‘Go’, not to stand still. I can’t help noticing how we are burdened by our possessions, and how that can sometimes make us prevaricate rather than following His call.

For me, this teaching speaks to our tendency to load ourselves down with unnecessary baggage. It’s all too easy to find reasons not to follow Jesus. The urgency of the Kingdom is such that it may not be right to wait until you are in what feels like the perfect place to step out. If God is sending you, it’s not always right to wait until you fell that you have the right experience, the right degree, the right bank balance, the right suit of clothes. There comes a time when, like those first disciples, we have to take that step. We have to go.

Relying on the power and authority of Jesus, 12 They went out and preached that people should repent. 13 They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.

Some time later, Jesus reminded his disciples of this moment.

35 Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” “Nothing,” they answered. (Luke 22:35)

In the same way that you will never learn to swim unless you lift your feet from the floor of the pool, you will never learn to follow Jesus unless you take that first step of faith, trusting that he will provide everything you need.

The disciples took that step. Day by day, hour by hour, we need to be listening, and ready to step out in faith as a follower of Jesus.

A prayer using words from Psalm 25:

In you, Lord my God, I put my trust.  Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths.  Guide me in your truth and teach me,  for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

(i) The bag, carried by a priest, was used to solicit gifts of food or money.

Richard Jackson, West Sussex: LifePictureUK