May 13-17

He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands?  â€“ Mark 6:1-2 ESV

How Will You Respond to Jesus?
During the US Civil War, Abraham Lincoln met with a group of ministers for a prayer breakfast. Lincoln was a man of deep, if at times unorthodox, faith. At one point one of the ministers said, “Mr. President, let us pray that God is on our side”. Lincoln’s response showed far greater insight, “No, gentlemen, let us pray that we are on God’s side.” (Source Unknown).

Everyone must decide to follow or not follow Jesus. The people who heard Jesus, in Mark 6, were “astonished.” However, being “astonished” at God’s Word doesn’t mean you accept God’s Word. The teaching of Jesus always brings people to a place of decision. They immediately began to speak among themselves and talk about three areas of the Lord’s ministry that amazed them. His Words, His wisdom, and His works.

Reflection
Can you recall ever being “astonished” by God and His Word? How did you respond?

Praise/Prayer
Praise God for the power and beauty of His Word. Ask God to keep your heart sensitive to being moved to a place of faith as a result of His Word.

Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. – Mark 6:3 ESV

Some People Respond with Fear
In ancient Rome, there was terrible persecution under the Emperor Julian (Julian the apostate). At that time, a philosopher mocked a Christian, asking him “What do you think the carpenter’s son is doing now?” The Christian wisely answered, “He is building a coffin for Julian.” (Guzik)

Their designation of Jesus by His trade as a carpenter was an attempt to place Him on a level with themselves. The Nazarenes questioned not so much Jesus' authority but His qualifications to be able to speak and act as He did. They rejected any thought that He was better or different than they were. They were astonished at His teaching but their hearts were hardened by their steadfast unbelief (Mk 6:6). They “took offense.” They were shocked and horrified by Jesus' unseemly, disreputable words and actions. Perhaps they thought, "Who does He think He is? The hometown boy has gotten too big for His britches hasn't He!"

Reflection
Occasionally, people fear Christianity because they know there’s something different about it but they can’t understand it. Who do you know that is afraid to have conversations about Jesus and Christianity?

Praise/Prayer
Thank God for coming as a man so He could empathize with us and die in your place. Pray for the people you know who are afraid of Christianity. Pray God would give them a receptive heart.

And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went about among the villages teaching. – Mark 6:5-6 ESV

Some People Respond with Doubt
A defendant was on trial for murder. There was strong evidence indicating guilt, but there was no corpse. His lawyer resorted to a trick: “Within one minute, the person presumed dead in this case will walk into this courtroom.” He looked toward the courtroom door. The jurors, somewhat stunned, all looked on eagerly. A minute passed. Nothing happened. Finally, the lawyer said, “Actually, I made up the previous statement. But you all looked on with anticipation. I therefore put it to you that there is reasonable doubt in this case as to whether anyone was killed and insist that you return a verdict of not guilty.” The jury, clearly confused, retired to deliberate. A few minutes later, the jury returned and pronounced a verdict of guilty. “But how?” inquired the lawyer. “You must have had some doubt, I saw all of you stare at the door.” The jury foreman replied, “Oh, we looked, but your client didn’t.” (Source Unknown).

In Mark 6, Jesus was amazed that people still doubted after all they had seen Him do and heard Him say. A. W. Tozer said, “Every man will have to decide for himself whether or not he can afford the terrible luxury of unbelief.” Horatius Bonar said, “If faith is the capacity to receive what God wants to give, unbelief is the willful refusal to receive what God wants to give.”

Reflection
Adrian Rogers said, “The measure of your success or failure as a Christian is your faith. The Bible clearly and plainly says, "According to your faith be it unto you" (Matthew 9:29) How would you rate your faith? What makes it difficult to believe at times?

Praise/Prayer
Thank God for all the evidence He has provided to make it reasonable to believe in Jesus. Ask God to remove any doubt from your heart when life gets difficult.

And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts— but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. â€“ Mark 6:7-9 ESV

Some People Respond with Faith
A young girl, unaccustomed to traveling, was taking a train ride through the country, and it happened that in the course of the day, her train was obliged to cross two branches of a river and several wide streams. The water seen in advance always awakened doubts and fears in the child. She did not understand how it could safely be crossed. As they drew near the river, however, a bridge appeared and furnished a way over. Two or three times the experience was repeated, and finally, the child leaned back with a long breath of relief and confidence. “Somebody has put bridges for us all the way!” she said in trusting content. (Source: American Messenger)

Jesus told the disciples to travel light and to trust God to provide through others. They were setting out on a trip totally unprepared, without even food or money to buy food. They had to depend on God for their support. They had faith that Jesus had put bridges out for them all the way!

Reflection
During an especially trying time in the work of the China Inland Mission, Hudson Taylor wrote to his wife, “We have twenty-five cents—and all the promises of God! When have you felt like your resources were low but God provided?

Praise/Prayer
Praise God for the bridges He has provided for you along the way. Ask God to give you the faith you need to remember He will always provide your “daily bread.”

So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them. – Mark 6:12-13 ESV

Some People Respond with Trust
Uncle Oscar was apprehensive about his first airplane ride. His friends, eager to hear how it went, asked if he enjoyed the flight. "Well," commented Uncle Oscar, "it wasn't as bad as I thought it might be, but I'll tell you this. I never did put all my weight down!" (Source Unknown)

In Mark 6:12, the disciples put all their weight down on God. Jesus gave them a mission to go “So they went out.” They were empty-handed but their hearts were full of faith. As a result of their trust, God used them to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth and we are still benefiting from their faithfulness and trust in the church today.
 
Reflection
Have you “put all your weight down”? Are there any parts of your life that you are still not trusting God to guide and provide?

Praise/Prayer
Thank God for the saints in the past who trusted God and you have benefited from their trust and faithfulness. Ask God to show you any areas where you are still not trusting Him.