The Challenges of Knowing Jesus - Mark 6 and 7 - September 20, 2009

Bible Study Lesson - Knowing Jesus – The Challenges – September 20, 2009

This is lesson three (3) in our Bible study series entitled “Know Jesus.”

Our scripture is Mark 6:1-6a, 45-52; 7:8-9 and 13.

JESUS faced many challenges as HE ministered in a land steeped with many cultural notions about GOD and what GOD wanted for HIS followers. Those who became believers in JESUS were challenged by the current religious system. The purpose and plan of GOD for CHRIST came together after HIS death upon the cross, HIS resurrection from the dead, HIS forty (40) days upon earth after HIS resurrection, HIS ascension into heaven and the return of the HOLY SPIRIT to indwell all believers. Even though JESUS tried to tell HIS disciples what would be taking place, they did not fully understand until after the fact.

Believers, as well as fundamental Christian beliefs, today face challenges because they follow JESUS. Just recently, we read in the news that a young Muslim girl had to flee her home in the USA and relocate to Florida to prevent possible harm because she became a Christian. While preparing this study, a reporter was interviewing a couple who were care takers of a cross erected in 1934 on Federal land to honor those who lost their lives in World War I. The ACLU is representing a person who was offended by the cross. The cross had to be covered up until the case can be settled. Christianity in America is under attack. The journey can be very challenging. The Good News is that CHRIST walks with them each step of the way. Once people know the truth and accept the truth through the miracle of rebirth, they belong to the family of GOD and nothing can snatch them out of HIS hand or the hand of JESUS.

Let’s read Mark 6:1-6a:

Rejection at Nazareth

1 He went away from there and came to His hometown, and His disciples followed Him. 2 When the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the • synagogue, and many who heard Him were astonished. “Where did this man get these things?” they said. “What is this wisdom given to Him, and how are these miracles performed by His hands? 3 Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And aren’t His sisters here with us?” So they were offended by Him. 4 Then Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown, among his relatives, and in his household.” 5 So He was not able to do any miracles[1] Lit miracle there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. 6 And He was amazed at their unbelief.

JESUS had been busy teaching and healing in the area east of the Sea of Galilee in the area of Decapolis which is the region of ten (10) cities. He returned from that area to Capernaum. From Capernaum HE went to HIS home town of Nazareth. Nazareth was a small village and it did not have a good reputation.

On the Sabbath JESUS and HIS disciples went to the local synagogue in Nazareth. JESUS began to teach and those who heard HIM were astonished. They knew JESUS as a carpenter. They likely watched HIM grow up along with HIS brothers and sisters. They knew HE had not studied under some rabbi. Rather than continue to listen to HIM and ask questions, they made a judgment. They were repulsed by HIM rather than exploring HIS wealth of knowledge about GOD.

JESUS made the comment that “A prophet is not without honor except in his own hometown, his relatives and in his household.” This is often true of those we have known most of their lives. It is hard to get beyond their snotty noses and often awkwardness in their developing years to their mature, adult fame.

As a result of their unbelief HE could not do the miracles HE had done in other places. HE did lay HIS hands on a few who were sick and they were healed. Why didn’t that get their attention? Prejudice blinds us.

JESUS had to deal with rejection by HIS own hometown folks. It must have broken the heart of JESUS to know that HE had the message and power to heal, eternally, those HE knew and loved from eternal death but they rejected HIM. The attitude of HIS hometown folks was their loss. Prejudice and preconceived notions can rob us of blessings.

I want us to focus for a few minutes on JESUS’ family. The fact that Joseph was not mentioned by Mark, likely means he was dead.

JESUS’ family thought HE had gone off the deep end and they were concerned about HIM in Mark 3:20-21 we read - 20 Then He went home, and the crowd gathered again so that they were not even able to eat.[7] Lit eat bread, or eat a meal 21 When His family heard this, they set out to restrain Him, because they said, “He’s out of His mind.”[8] Jn 7:5

We find in John 7: 1-5: - The Unbelief of Jesus’ Brothers

1 After this, Jesus traveled in Galilee, since He did not want to travel in Judea because the • Jews were trying to kill Him. 2 The Jewish Festival of Tabernacles[1] Or Booths [2] One of 3 great Jewish religious festivals, along with Passover and Pentecost; Ex 23:14; Dt 16:16 was near, 3 so His brothers said to Him, “Leave here and go to Judea so Your disciples can see Your works that You are doing. 4 For no one does anything in secret while he’s seeking public recognition. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.” 5 (For not even His brothers believed in Him.)

Oh my, what have we uncovered - Another reason why we know that JESUS is the SON of GOD. However, we have to search farther to discover this.

After the death, resurrection and ascension of JESUS, guess who was waiting for the promised HOLY SPIRIT in the upper room. Let’s look at Acts 1:13-14: 13 When they arrived, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. 14 All these were continually united in prayer,[3] Other mss add and petition along with the women, including Mary[4] Or prayer, with their wives and Mary the mother of Jesus, and His brothers.

We know that James, the brother of JESUS, was the head of the Christian church in Jerusalem and that the Book of Jude was likely written by JESUS’ brother formerly named Judas. Likely his name was changed after Judas, a disciple, betrayed JESUS so as not to confuse the two.

The Apostle Paul, after his conversion experience to CHRIST on the road to Damascus, went to Jerusalem to meet with JESUS’ brother as recorded in Galatians 1:18-19: 18 Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to get to know • Cephas,[8] Other mss read Peter (The Apostle Peter) and I stayed with him 15 days. 19 But I didn’t see any of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother.

To me the Apostle Paul was verifying the facts of the life and ministry of JESUS and who better to authenticate the facts than a brother. Paul went on from there to give his life in service for our LORD.

So we have JESUS’ brothers who went from disbelief before the death, resurrection and ascension of CHRIST to believers. These scriptures were valuable to me in pondering questions regarding the authenticity of CHRIST.

Just as JESUS faced rejection and challenges, believers will also face the same or similar situations.

Let’s read Mark 6:45-52:

Walking on the Water

45 Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He dismissed the crowd. 46 After He said good-bye to them, He went away to the mountain to pray. 47 When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and He was alone on the land. 48 He saw them being battered as they rowed,[12] Or them struggling as they rowed because the wind was against them. Around three in the morning[13] Lit Around the fourth watch of the night = 3 to 6 a.m. He came toward them walking on the sea and wanted to pass by them. 49 When they saw Him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out; 50 for they all saw Him and were terrified. Immediately He spoke with them and said, “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 51 Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. They were completely astounded,[14] Lit were astounded in themselves 52 because they had not understood about the loaves. Instead, their hearts were hardened.

JESUS and HIS disciples had been busy feeding the 5,000 people. We learn from John’s gospel that the people wanted to make JESUS their king. John 6:14-15: 14 When the people saw the sign[1] Other mss read signs He had done, they said, “This really is the Prophet[2] Dt 18:15 who was to come into the world!” 15 Therefore, when Jesus knew that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He withdrew again[3] A previous withdrawal is mentioned in Mk 6:31–32, an event that occurred just before the feeding of the 5,000. to the mountain by Himself. They likely thought that anyone who could feed over 5,000 people with so little would be a good choice for king. JESUS wanted them to make HIM the king of their hearts which would feed them for all eternity.

JESUS knew it was not HIS destiny to be an earthly king. But did HIS flesh nature consider being a king for a brief moment? We do not know but we do know that HE was tempted in every way that we as humans have been tempted. Whatever the situation, it led HIM to spend time in prayer.

HE sent HIS disciples to Bethsaida by boat, which was about four (4) miles. Mark seemed to capture the gravity of the moment when he used the word “immediately.” It seems that HE did not want HIS disciples to get caught up in the notion that HE had come to earth to be an earthly king. So HE sent them off in a boat while HE went to the mountain to pray.

After praying, it was 3 AM in the morning and the boat was in the middle of the sea. The disciples are encountering a strong wind and rowing hard but getting nowhere fast. They saw JESUS walking on the water and acting as if HE would walk past them. When I read this scripture years ago, I broke out in laughter. JESUS had a sense of humor.

I can envision the situation now. HIS disciples are trying to row the boat. JESUS was trucking along, walking on the water and waving HIS hand at HIS disciples and saying something like, “Hey, guys what is your problem. You have a boat and left a few hours ago. I caught up with you. In fact, I will get to shore quicker than you will, so I think I will walk.” They thought they were seeing a ghost. The disciples were terrified.

JESUS put their minds at ease by assuring them that HE was not a ghost. In verse 50, HE knew the disciples were terrified and HE quickly calmed their fears by saying “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” By using the phrase “It is I” in essence HE was saying it is “I AM.” “I AM” is the name GOD used to identify Himself to Moses when HE called Moses to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. HE used that phrase to enlighten HIS disciples to the fact that HE was GOD incarnate in the flesh. Just as GOD delivered the Israelites from the terror of Egyptian bondage, JESUS would deliver the disciples from the terror of the storm on the sea. Likely this was an effort to also get the disciples to focus on the fact that HE was on a different mission than being an earthly king.

As proof of HIS authority to call Himself “I AM” or GOD, when HE got into the boat the wind ceased. HIS disciples were astounded and perplexed. JESUS had fed 5,000 men plus women and children using five (5) loaves of bread and two (2) fish. The disciples had gathered twelve (12) basketsful of leftovers. The people wanted to make JESUS their king. JESUS sent the disciples away in a boat, HE walked to them on the sea and when HE got into the boat the wind ceased. WOW!!! This was overwhelming to them.

Mark highlights the fact that they did not understand about the miracle of the loaves. They were still pondering the feeding of over 5,000 people with so little and even having food left over. It is interesting, rather than HIS disciples relating these events as confirmation that JESUS was the promised Messiah, they hardened their hearts. They could not explain all they had witnessed. Often we question what we cannot explain. But do we explore further or do we throw up our hands and close our minds when this happens? This did not mean they stopped following JESUS. Were they intimidated to be in the presence of such a powerful person? Often when we are in the presence of someone so intelligent, powerful or that we hold in high esteem, we unable to communicate. Is this what Mark was attempting to say? Again, we can only speculate.

However, from another perspective, Matthew 13:33 sheds more light on this event - 33 Then those in the boat worshiped Him and said, “Truly You are the Son of God!” In this account, Matthew reported that they worshipped HIM and did not harden their hearts. Were the disciples hoping that JESUS would become an earthly king but HE had refused, which led them to harden their hearts? They did not understand HIS mission and may have been confused about HIS true mission since they had witnessed these miracles. This is all speculation. The disciples did not fully understand HIS mission until after HIS death, resurrection, ascension and the filling of the HOLY SPIRIT.

This is true of would be believers today. I wanted to have the assurance of salvation and the knowledge of the truth before I accepted CHRIST as my SAVIOR. Sorry, salvation does not work that way. All must take the step of faith first by asking CHRIST to forgive them of their sins, believe that HE died for their sins and ask HIM to come into their life. It is only after that step of faith that assurance of salvation and the HOLY SPIRIT indwells your life to give you that assurance. Don’t let the lack of understanding JESUS harden your heart. Take a step of faith by accepting CHRIST as your SAVIOR and experience the joy of HIS salvation.


Let’s read Mark 7:8-9, 13:

8 Disregarding the command of God, you keep the tradition of men.”[4] Other mss add The washing of jugs, and cups, and many other similar things you practice. 9 He also said to them, “You completely invalidate God’s command in order to maintain[5] Other mss read to establish your tradition!

13 You revoke God’s word by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many other similar things.”

JESUS was speaking to scribes and Pharisees in Galilee. They had come to Galilee on an earlier visit and attributed the miracles of JESUS to Beelzebub. Beelzebub was the ruler of demons. They had returned and again observed JESUS and HIS disciples. The disciples had eaten some bread with unclean hands. Now this did not mean the disciples were nasty. Before the scribes and Pharisees would eat they would go through a ceremonial washing of their hands by washing all the way to their elbows. The disciples had washed their hands but not all the way to their elbows. Therefore, they had not performed the ceremonial cleansing of their hands and were accused of eating bread with unclean hands.

JESUS used their indignation regarding this issue to teach the scribes and Pharisees. In essence, HE was saying “Men don’t you see that you disregard what GOD wants you to do to follow the traditions of men. You are so intent on being seen as holy that you miss the mark of being made Holy by being obedient to GOD.”

JESUS used three (3) bold statements in HIS conversation with the scribes and Pharisees in an effort to provoke them to think about what they were doing to maintain tradition – Disregard (To abandon) GOD’S Law as HE gave it to Moses – Invalidate (Reject) GOD’S Law as HE gave it to Moses – Revoke (To make void or nullify) GOD’S Word period. Each word has a progressively stronger meaning.
JESUS was trying to get them to open their minds and look at what they were practicing had nothing to do with being obedient to GOD. They were following manmade rules and laws. In fact, the Pharisees had added 600 traditions. They followed the traditions of men. JESUS wanted them to see and follow the truth.
Even today, believers find it easier to follow traditions than to follow the leadership of the HOLY SPIRIT. We get caught up in the observance of the traditions because we can check off what we have done and consider that we have worshiped or served GOD. We feel comfortable because we have met the requirements of the church creed.

I know some people like the ritual and ceremony of certain church services. This is fine but do not let ritual and ceremony take the place of knowing that you have an intimate, loving relationship with GOD through CHRIST. What GOD wants is for believers to say, “LORD here I am use me for YOUR service.” Then let HIM lead you to what HE wants you to do. Do not depend upon a personal relationship with your church to get you to heaven but depend upon a personal relationship with CHRIST. CHRIST in you makes you a Christian.

JESUS faced challenges in HIS ministry. We have studied several – Rejection by HIS hometown and HIS family – Getting the big head because of people praising you and appealing to your ego – Knowing that you see truth and see others wallowing in tradition and following error. Believers will face challenges as they obediently serve GOD. Look to the LORD for guidance. HE wants others to see truth more than believers do. Wait upon HIM and let HIM guide you as you serve HIM.