CONFUSED ABOUT THE SERVANT OF GOD

Mark 6

Victor M. Eskew

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   We have been engaged in a chapter-by-chapter study of the book of Mark.

1.     Mark 1:  Introduction of the Servant of God

2.     Mark 2:  Initial Conflict with the Servant of God

3.     Mark 3:  People Surrounding the Servant of God

4.     Mark 4:  The Instruction of the Servant of God

5.     Mark 5:  The Servant of Men, Women, and Children

 

B.    Tonight, we will look at Mark 6.  We have entitled this chapter:  “Confused about the Servant of God.”

 

I.           IS NOT THIS THE CARPENTER?

 

A.   Jesus had been away from Galilee for a period of time.  In this chapter He comes “into his own country” (Mark 6:1).

 

B.    On the Sabbath day, He taught in the synagogue (Mark 6:2).

1.     There were two reactions:

a.     …and many hearing were astonished (Mark 6:2).

b.    …And they were offended at him (Mark 6:3).

2.     They could not perceive of Jesus as a prophet of God.  They could only see him as the carpenter and the son of Mary (Mark 6:3).

Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Judah, and Simon?  And are not his sister here with us?

C.   Jesus’ reaction.

1.     His words (Mark 6:4)

…A prophet is not without honor, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.

2.     His works (Mark 6:5)

3.     His wonder (Mark 6:6)

And he marveled because of their unbelief.

II.         JOHN THE BAPTIST WHO WAS RAISED FROM THE DEAD

 

A.   During the course of Jesus’ ministry king Herod heard of him; (for his name was spread abroad;) (Mark 6:14).

B.    Herod’s superstitious mind immediately assumed that this was John the Baptist that was risen from the dead (Mark 6:14, 16).

 

C.   Herod’s conscience was what caused him to fail to see Jesus.

1.     Herod had been married to his brother Philip’s wife (Mark 6:17).

2.     John denounced this adulterous marriage (Mark 6:18).

For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife.

3.     This enraged Herodias.  When opportunity arose, she requested the head of John the Baptist (Mark 6:21-25).

4.     The reaction of Herod is very sad and disappointing (Mark 6:26).

And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath’s sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her.

a.     He was sorry.

b.    He did not have the courage and righteous fortitude to do the right thing.

 

D.   Now when he heard of the works of Jesus, he immediately assumed this was John the Baptist who was risen from the dead.

 

III.       THEY SUPPOSED IT HAD BEEN A SPIRIT

 

A.   Much transpires in the chapter before the next confusion is manifested.

1.     Jesus fed the multitudes with five loaves and two fish (Mark 6:33-44).

2.     Jesus sent his apostles to Bethsaida while He remained behind to pray (Mark 6:45-46).

3.     The apostles got caught in a storm on the Sea of Galilee (Mark 6:48).

 

B.    When Jesus saw their struggles, he went toward them, walking on the water (Mark 6:48-49).

And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them:  and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.  But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out.

1.     Their minds could not conceive of a man walking on the sea.

2.     Thus, they believed that they had seen a spirit.

 

C.   When Jesus enters the ship, we get more insight into the hearts of the disciples.

1.     He comforted them:  Be of good cheer:  it is I, be not afraid (Mark 6:50).

2.     He calmed the storm (Mark 6:51a).

3.     The reaction:  …and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered (Mark 6:51b).  The cause of this reaction:  For they considered not the miracle of the loaves:  for their heart was hardened (Mark 6:52).

 

IV.        APPLICATION

 

A.   There are many individuals who are still confused about the identity of Jesus.

1.     A few believe that He was a mythical figure.

2.     Some see Him as a mere man.

3.     Some teach that He was a prophet of God.

4.     Some say that He is a created being, a god, or a being of a higher order than man.

5.     Still others say that Jesus is the Father.  They are one and the same being.

 

B.    There were many causes for the confusion about Jesus in the first century, and there are many causes for confusion about Him today.

1.     An inability to conceive of anything supernatural and divine.

a.     He’s just a man.  He’s just a carpenter.  He comes from an earthly family like we do.

b.    Those today who cannot perceive of the supernatural are modernists.  They only believe in those things that can be proven through the five senses.

c.    I Corinthians 2:14

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God:  for they are foolishness unto him:  neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

2.     Sometimes our sins and iniquities keep us from seeing Jesus as we ought.

a.     We are so sinful that Jesus cannot save us.

b.    We are so full of sin that we do not want Jesus to save us.

c.    John 8:24

I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins:  for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

3.     The last reason some fail to see Jesus properly is because of the hardness of their hearts.

a.     Hearts can be hardened in many ways.  False teaching is the primary way that hearts are hardened to truth.

b.    I Timothy 4:1-2

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.

CONCLUSION

A.   Sometimes I wonder if Christians really believe Jesus to be who He actually says He is.

1.     Is He our Savior who should be loved and adored?

2.     Is He our King whose laws are to be obeyed?

3.     Is He our Lord who is to rule and govern all the affairs of our life?

4.     Is He our Judge who will return to hold us accountable?

 

B.    Knowing who Jesus is and believing in Him as the Son of God is absolutely essential to one’s salvation (Acts 4:12).

 

Neither is there salvation in any other:  for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.