Reflections on Mark 6 – Beloved, there is so much to take in!
First, the people of Jesus’s hometown amaze him, but in a very bad way. They scoffed at him and dismissed him as merely a carpenter, one of Mary’s kids, :3. “And he was amazed at their unbelief.” :6 The ministry was soaring. Jesus was teaching from town to town. The disciples were sent out, telling everyone to repent and turn to God. And they cast out demons, healed many sick people, anointing them with olive oil. Yet the people in his hometown did not honor him.
Then there is a shift from Jesus’s ministry to the death of John the Baptist. Beloved, this always breaks my heart, but also reminds me that this life is short, we live in a fallen world and terrible things happen, but heaven is our part two. Before John’s head was in Herod’s presence, he was in paradise. He did incredible kingdom work on earth, and what Herodia’s meant for evil was simply promotion day for John the Baptist.
Next, Jesus feeds five thousand with five loaves of bread and two fish. After, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back in the boat and cross the lake to Bethsaida, while he sent the people home. Beloved, do you wonder if they asked questions? Like if we leave you here, how will you get to Bethsaida? Maybe they should have asked, because when Jesus came walking by on the turbulent water they thought he was a ghost! (This is one of my heavenly questions, were ghosts so common that this seemed logical to them?) Jesus sets them at ease with the words, “Don’t be afraid. Take courage! I am here!” : 50. Beloved, may these words echo in your heart anytime fear threatens your peace.
On to chapter 7!
Judy in the Sky 