The Gospel of Mark

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Reflection: Mark 6: 1- 56

We discussed some of this material when it appeared in Matthew.

The story about the disciples on the sea supports the point @BetteTheRed made yesterday. They just don't seem to grasp what is going on with Jesus.

Why did Jesus intend to pass by the disciples when he walked across the sea on the water? They had been out all night and were in trouble with the strong wind. He tells them not to be afraid and gets into the boat & the wind drops.

What is the meaning of this? Was it just dawning on Jesus that he was responsible for these disciples? Did he not understand his own power to still the wind? Like curing the woman who was bleeding yesterday, taming the wind did not seem to require any conscious effort by Jesus.
 
I am also intrigued by the rejection of Jesus in Nazareth. Initially the people of his hometown are amazed by his power and wisdom but they turn against him. Here is the interpretation from The Message:

Mark 6:1-6 The Message (MSG)
Just a Carpenter
6 1-2 He left there and returned to his hometown. His disciples came along. On the Sabbath, he gave a lecture in the meeting place. He made a real hit, impressing everyone. “We had no idea he was this good!” they said. “How did he get so wise all of a sudden, get such ability?”

3 But in the next breath they were cutting him down: “He’s just a carpenter—Mary’s boy. We’ve known him since he was a kid. We know his brothers, James, Justus, Jude, and Simon, and his sisters. Who does he think he is?” They tripped over what little they knew about him and fell, sprawling. And they never got any further.

4-6 Jesus told them, “A prophet has little honor in his hometown, among his relatives, on the streets he played in as a child.” Jesus wasn’t able to do much of anything there—he laid hands on a few sick people and healed them, that’s all. He couldn’t get over their stubbornness. He left and made a circuit of the other villages, teaching.
 
Jae said:

Jesus was 100% fully human - and Jesus was 100% fully God. He had (and has) a dual nature.
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Something wonderful is happening. I do not think it is in any way supernatural. Either that or Jesus was not human as we are human.

Thus Jesus was a wry presentation of IQ ... right on "Q" ... thus that was said ... something reflected in the dark Shadow of humanity ... Hernando ... tucked away ... in humour ... for one part to find as an enigma in life ... sort of like postmodernism for those seized on modern thought at present!

Indeed queer ... perspective from one point ... as it that was all there is ... to it as wry! Rye truth? Unlikely paradigm ... look at it outlandishly ... from beyond as anon OBI experience ... de institutionalized ... omi gawd! The 'n' being silent as ETa ...
 
Luce NDs said:
Something wonderful is happening. I do not think it is in any way supernatural. Either that or Jesus was not human as we are human.

Thus Jesus was a wry presentation of IQ ... right on "Q" ... thus that was said ... something reflected in the dark Shadow of humanity ... Hernando ... tucked away ... in humour ... for one part to find as an enigma in life ... sort of like postmodernism for those seized on modern thought at present!

Indeed queer ... perspective from one point ... as it that was all there is ... to it as wry! Rye truth? Unlikely paradigm ... look at it outlandishly ... from beyond as anon OBI experience ... de institutionalized ... omi gawd! The 'n' being silent as ETa ...
Click to expand...

Thoughts on Mark 6:1-4...

Jesus left Capernaum. The city which he'd chosen as his time during his Galilean ministry had had opportunity of hearing him and of knowing him as the Savior. The people took no interest in eternal life. And so he left them, returning only after his work in the north.

He went to his hometown, Nazareth. The 12 followed Him. Their training was continuing for the time was short.

When it was Sabbath, Jesus went to the synagogue. Here the courtesy shown to a guest teacher was extended to him: he began to teach.

He wanted his hometown's people to hear the gospel; for since the beginning of his ministry he hadn't been in this neighborhood. The talk, as he gave it that morning, surprised his hearers.

The comments were many: From where did this come to this man, this ability to speak, his address' content, the power to do such wonders of which we've been told?

This eagerness for information was replaced by jealousy. Nazareth's people thought they knew his family. He's Mary's son to them. His half-siblings were known to the townspeople. They thought that these facts precluded his knowing anything worthwhile, not realizing that they were thereby passing judgment upon themselves.

Still today people take offense at the gospel. Its simplicity sets them against it and shuts them out of heaven.

Jesus reminded them of a fitting saying: A prophet has honor except in his hometown and among his kin. This is a truth which gets played out - his kin and former fellow-citizens seek to discredit him.
 
Jae said:
Thoughts on Mark 6:1-4...

Jesus left Capernaum. The city which he'd chosen as his time during his Galilean ministry had had opportunity of hearing him and of knowing him as the Savior. The people took no interest in eternal life. And so he left them, returning only after his work in the north.

He went to his hometown, Nazareth. The 12 followed Him. Their training was continuing for the time was short.

When it was Sabbath, Jesus went to the synagogue. Here the courtesy shown to a guest teacher was extended to him: he began to teach.

He wanted his hometown's people to hear the gospel; for since the beginning of his ministry he hadn't been in this neighborhood. The talk, as he gave it that morning, surprised his hearers.

The comments were many: From where did this come to this man, this ability to speak, his address' content, the power to do such wonders of which we've been told?

This eagerness for information was replaced by jealousy. Nazareth's people thought they knew his family. He's Mary's son to them. His half-siblings were known to the townspeople. They thought that these facts precluded his knowing anything worthwhile, not realizing that they were thereby passing judgment upon themselves.

Still today people take offense at the gospel. Its simplicity sets them against it and shuts them out of heaven.

Jesus reminded them of a fitting saying: A prophet has honor except in his hometown and among his kin. This is a truth which gets played out - his kin and former fellow-citizens seek to discredit him.
Click to expand...

Thoughts on Mark 6:5-6...

Jesus had come to bless his hometown but the people's unbelief hindered Jesus' power.

Unbelief always stops God when God wants to bless humanity. Unbelief's shameful since it rejects what God's willing to give.

Jesus did just a few miracles in healing a few sick people. The community received no blessing.

That some people reject Jesus shouldn't cause missionaries to lose heart.
 
Jae said:
Thoughts on Mark 6:1-4...

Jesus left Capernaum. The city which he'd chosen as his time during his Galilean ministry had had opportunity of hearing him and of knowing him as the Savior. The people took no interest in eternal life. And so he left them, returning only after his work in the north.

He went to his hometown, Nazareth. The 12 followed Him. Their training was continuing for the time was short.

When it was Sabbath, Jesus went to the synagogue. Here the courtesy shown to a guest teacher was extended to him: he began to teach.

He wanted his hometown's people to hear the gospel; for since the beginning of his ministry he hadn't been in this neighborhood. The talk, as he gave it that morning, surprised his hearers.

The comments were many: From where did this come to this man, this ability to speak, his address' content, the power to do such wonders of which we've been told?

This eagerness for information was replaced by jealousy. Nazareth's people thought they knew his family. He's Mary's son to them. His half-siblings were known to the townspeople. They thought that these facts precluded his knowing anything worthwhile, not realizing that they were thereby passing judgment upon themselves.

Still today people take offense at the gospel. Its simplicity sets them against it and shuts them out of heaven.

Jesus reminded them of a fitting saying: A prophet has honor except in his hometown and among his kin. This is a truth which gets played out - his kin and former fellow-citizens seek to discredit him.
Click to expand...
Where do you get the people of Capenaum having no interest in eternal life?

Agreed that the disciples might be in training at the time of the visit to Nazareth. This is not something I have ever considered before but it seems plausible. After their time in Nazareth, they are sent out two by two and given the authority over unclean spirits.

At the time of the appointment of the twelve (Mark 3) we were told they would be sent out to proclaim the message & have authority to cast out demons. The writer must have been talking here about the near future.

As for the people of Nazareth, it is possible they are jealous but this is only speculation. Their change of heart is certainly curious.
 
Jae said:
Thoughts on Mark 6:5-6...

Jesus had come to bless his hometown but the people's unbelief hindered Jesus' power.

Unbelief always stops God when God wants to bless humanity. Unbelief's shameful since it rejects what God's willing to give.

Jesus did just a few miracles in healing a few sick people. The community received no blessing.

That some people reject Jesus shouldn't cause missionaries to lose heart.
Click to expand...
Jesus is amazed at their unbelief.
 
paradox3 said:
Where do you get the people of Capenaum having no interest in eternal life?
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They seem to show no interest in it. Did you pick up something to the contrary? To me they seem interested in Jesus out of curiosity and because of the wonders he can immediately do for them.
 
Thoughts on Mark 6:47-52...

The missionaries had to battle contrary winds.

Jesus alone was on the land. He did nothing to help them.

It's often good for missionaries to be buffeted by life's winds. It's only by overcoming difficulties that Christlike character's formed.

Until the night's fourth watch, between 3 a.m. and sunrise, Jesus prayed, although his omniscience was with them.

Now he came walking on the water, he, God, that can make all things serve him.

He was about to pass by the boat, when the missionaries saw him. And then came panic. Superstition was still living in them.

He calmed the panic and brought confidence into them. He then climbed into the boat, whereupon the wind stopped.

The missionaries were astonished. For they were still far from being able to comprehend Jesus' miracles.

Similarly, Jesus' works don't impress us as they should; but Jesus has patience with us, renewing his teaching until we understand.
 
Jae said:
They seem to show no interest in it. Did you pick up something to the contrary? To me they seem interested in Jesus out of curiosity and because of the wonders he can immediately do for them.
Click to expand...
I am not even sure Jesus was preaching about eternal life in Capernaum. He said the kingdom of God was at hand and called for repentance which seems to be more of an end times prophecy. I would say the concept of eternal life comes later.

Agreed that the crowds are attracted by the miraculous healing powers of Jesus more than by his message.

But teaching has already been mentioned several times in this gospel.
 
It's interesting to consider the almost insurmountable gap between disease then and now.

No concept of bodily 'systems', like blood/lymph/oxygen. No concept of pathogens, or the necessity for cleanliness. No surgical procedures. No drugs, except possibly for rudimentary cannabinoids and opioids. No antibiotics. No concept of mental illness, except as caused by "demons".

What I'm trying to say is that our entire body of knowledge around medicine would be viewed as nothing short of miraculous.
 
Jae said:
Thoughts on Mark 6:5-6...

Jesus had come to bless his hometown but the people's unbelief hindered Jesus' power.

Unbelief always stops God when God wants to bless humanity. Unbelief's shameful since it rejects what God's willing to give.

Jesus did just a few miracles in healing a few sick people. The community received no blessing.

That some people reject Jesus shouldn't cause missionaries to lose heart.
Click to expand...
Maybe they found out that Jesus was a fraud. Maybe his so call miracles were not miracles at all. This would explain their unbelief. No wonder he moved on from there.
 
Jae said:
Thoughts on Mark 6:47-52...

The missionaries had to battle contrary winds.

Jesus alone was on the land. He did nothing to help them.

It's often good for missionaries to be buffeted by life's winds. It's only by overcoming difficulties that Christlike character's formed.

Until the night's fourth watch, between 3 a.m. and sunrise, Jesus prayed, although his omniscience was with them.

Now he came walking on the water, he, God, that can make all things serve him.

He was about to pass by the boat, when the missionaries saw him. And then came panic. Superstition was still living in them.

He calmed the panic and brought confidence into them. He then climbed into the boat, whereupon the wind stopped.

The missionaries were astonished. For they were still far from being able to comprehend Jesus' miracles.

Similarly, Jesus' works don't impress us as they should; but Jesus has patience with us, renewing his teaching until we understand.
Click to expand...
Jesus saw them straining their oars against the wind in the evening and did not set out across the water until early morning. Even then, he intended to walk on by. If this was to demonstrate the disciples could handle being buffeted by life's winds, Jesus was one tough leader!
 
Jae said:
Thoughts on Mark 6:47-52...

The missionaries had to battle contrary winds.

Jesus alone was on the land. He did nothing to help them.

It's often good for missionaries to be buffeted by life's winds. It's only by overcoming difficulties that Christlike character's formed.

Until the night's fourth watch, between 3 a.m. and sunrise, Jesus prayed, although his omniscience was with them.

Now he came walking on the water, he, God, that can make all things serve him.

He was about to pass by the boat, when the missionaries saw him. And then came panic. Superstition was still living in them.

He calmed the panic and brought confidence into them. He then climbed into the boat, whereupon the wind stopped.

The missionaries were astonished. For they were still far from being able to comprehend Jesus' miracles.

Similarly, Jesus' works don't impress us as they should; but Jesus has patience with us, renewing his teaching until we understand.
Click to expand...
Why do you keep using the word missionaries Jae? Are you trying to put a more positive spin on the word? Calling the disciples of Jesus missionaries seems like you are trying to do that.
 
paradox3 said:
Jesus saw them straining their oars against the wind in the evening and did not set out across the water until early morning. Even then, he intended to walk on by. If this was to demonstrate the disciples could handle being buffeted by life's winds, Jesus was one tough leader!
Click to expand...

From where do you get that he intended to walk on by?
 
dreamerman said:
Why do you keep using the word missionaries Jae? Are you trying to put a more positive spin on the word? Calling the disciples of Jesus missionaries seems like you are trying to do that.
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All followers of Jesus are missionaries imho dreamerman. We are all called to be about God's great redemptive mission - the missio Dei.
 
Jae said:
All followers of Jesus are missionaries imho dreamerman. We are all called to be about God's great redemptive mission - the missio Dei.
Click to expand...
Really? Do you call people who attend the church you go to missionaries? What do you call the people who go over seas on missions?
 
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