Take Two: Mark 6, Proverbs 16

Mark 6:1-6 relates an encounter that Jesus had with the people who knew him best for most of his life. Jesus returned to His hometown and began to teach there. The people became offended at his teaching because it was "different" than they were accustomed. As a result, they began to question "who does He think He is? We know this guy. He was a construction worker here." Jesus taught his disciples that there is a credibility gap that occurs when we are very familiar with a person. Someone said "familiarity breeds contempt." Truthfully speaking, we live in an age where we look for and expect authenticity. Sometimes though, we become too familiar with a person and their "authenticity." As a result, we start to ask the same questions that the townspeople asked here. Why should we listen to this person? He has as many "issues" as I do. Also, sometimes we become frustrated when our own family doesn't seem to understand and respond. Well...we are in pretty good company.

On the backside of pointing out the credibility problem among those most familiar, Mark records that Jesus sent out the disciples to preach the gospel (Mark 6:7-13). Catch the correlation. Some did not respond, but Jesus simply sent them disciples elsewhere. The proclamation did not change...only the audience....only the location.

The execution of John the Baptist and the rumors about "who Jesus could be" are recorded in Mark 6:14-32. From this story, what jumps out to me is that Herod never got past the conviction/weight of his own sin. After killing John the Baptizer (Baptist), He thought about him over and over. He even thought that Jesus may be the spirit of John the baptizer. Unresolved sin never just "goes away." It must be dealt with.

The feeding of 5,000 men (...not to mention the women and children) is recorded in Mark 6:33-43. I find it interesting that Jesus' compassionate response to the people (Mark 6:34), was to teach them the things of God and His Kingdom. Their greatest need was not food, the Roman government, taxes or the economy. Their greatest need was HOPE in the midst of life. Their greatest need was PURPOSE, so that life made sense in context.

The last two miracles (walking on water, Mark 6:45-52; and multiple healings, Mark 6:53-56) finish up the chapter. When you look at the chapter as a whole, Mark does not bury us in detail, but provides an overview of Jesus' impact and influence on others. Without question, Jesus is presented to us as unique. He is not an average teacher. He is not an elite philosopher. He is someone like the world has never seen. He is, in fact, God...even if people responded differently to Him.

Proverbs 16:2 is the takeaway today. A man can justify his own actions in a hundred different ways. We can redefine "is" to mean anything we want. However, our justification is not the final authority. It is the judgment of God who weighs the intent of the heart. Whether we do something perceived as good or something inherently bad, God still looks at the intent of the heart. This is the reason that we are called to leave judgment to the Lord.

Grace,