MARK 6 REJECTION + SENDING + DEATH OF JOHN

Bible Background: In Mark, Jesus’ popular appeal hits a roadblock. People in his home town can’t believe he’s a prophet. They can’t grasp the change and challenge and opportunity Jesus brings. Mark (who is usually brief on details) goes into gory detail on the death of John the Baptist. This is a ‘flashback’ story, as Herod and others try to figure out who this Jesus really is and what he is up to!

Digging Deeper: 1. Human nature (and sin) is apparent in the rejection at Nazareth and in the death of John. People cannot see God doing a new thing. They think they ‘know’ Jesus, because he grew up with them. Herod, both likes and fears John, but is more concerned for his image and his position than anything else. Bad things happen when we rely on prejudice and fear. Even more, the new things God is up to are not allowed in!

2. “Familiarity breeds contempt” can be a true saying. There’s something about human nature that likes newness; or likes the public figure or candidate or leader who is not like us. What if we took time to appreciate the gifts and talents of the people we are close to and familiar with? What if we saw ourselves as agents of God’s grace and healing?

3. Sandwiched between two hard stories, is the scene of Jesus sending out the 12. What is reassuring about this scene? In spite of rejection, the work of God’s kingdom must and will go on? We see fairly ordinary people doing the work of Jesus? In the face of human obstacles, God is persistent? Notice what the 12 accomplish!

4. Herod is both a ruthless and pitiable figure. He likes John. At first, he protects John. Then, he makes a foolish (drunken?) oath. If he goes back on his word, he’ll look weak. (Someone will call him a “waffle-er”!) The willingness to sacrifice others to maintain power or privilege is one of the great temptations (and sins) of human nature. Pray for those in power today, and those who want to be. Pray for those who are ‘thrown under the bus’ in one way or another.

5. A basic question that arises in Mark 6 is “who is this Jesus?” That’s still an important question! Who would you say Jesus is and is not? How as your understanding of Jesus grown and changed over time? What is the most important truth to convey about Jesus?