The woman at the well had met Jesus for the first time. He had asked her for a drink of water from the well to which she had came. Jesus had offered her water that would give her everlasting life with peace and joy in the presence of God.
While Jesus was speaking with her, He told her all about her life. She had had four failed marriages, and the man with whom she was presently living was not her husband. She believed Jesus, trusted Him with her life. Her first response was to go into the city and tell as many as she could and many of them believed, because of her personal testimony, and then, we have them saying,
“Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard Him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.” John 4:42 (KJV).
They had believed her enough to go and meet the Man she told them about. When they meet Jesus they put their whole faith in Him.
Faith is not something you gain by the words of others. It is what you gain by meeting Jesus personally. There are many who believe they are “Christian” because their parents, or grandparents were. There are even some who believe they are “Christian”, because they were born in the United States of America, and because of that “Of course they are Christian”. That is not true. None of these cases makes one “Christian”.
If you were born in a garage would that make you a car? To become “Christ-like” which is the meaning of the word “Christian” requires receiving personal faith in Jesus Christ, and that is a gift He alone gives. Someone once told me, “God has no grandchildren”, and is that ever a true statement. Trust Christ for yourself. You will not know Him, nor will He know you if you are resting on the coattails of someone else.
-Tim A. Blankenship
In the world of 2009 there are many who desire “New Thought”, or I believe some are called “New Progressives” who desire new thought concerning life, life issues, religion, government, politics, news, family, law, or whatever. However, it appears to me that there is nothing that is new under the sun. I know of a man who told us that, and wrote about thousands of years ago. He is known as the wisest of men who ever walked on earth. His name was Solomon. His words were, “There is nothing new under the sun”.
As I read the prophet Jeremiah, and the other prophets I see nothing new in today’s world. People are still people; desiring their own way, turning from God’s way, and yet there are those who profess to be God’s people, even Christian, who will tell us we have to change to get people’s attention. How do we change? What do we change? Are we to change the message of God’s Word. God remains the same. His message remains the same. If we change it we become liars, and liars have no part with God, nor His kingdom.
Hear the prophet -
“Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.” Jeremiah 6:16 (KJV)
The “Old paths” of which Jeremiah speaks of of walking with God. Walking with God means being in agreement with God. The people of the prophet’s day were attempting to worship YaHWeH on the Sabbath day, and worship their way of life, or other gods the other six days of the week. They had abandoned the “old paths” by doing so, and the prophet was trying to call the people back to God; to repentance.
At first the attempt was to call them to repentance to prevent their captivity; however when the captivity became inevitable then, for repentance, that they might learn to live for God in captivity and be a witness to the foreign government to which they were going. The people needed rest for their souls due to their torment.
People in the United States of America are living tormented lives due to failing health, failing finances, unemployment, or threats of unemployment; and many family issues. People of the world need rest for their souls. Many are seeking rest through yoga, meditations, even prayer, yet rest doesn’t come. The “old paths” or “the good way” is not found in these things. The “old paths” are found only in following the dictates of God’s law. The “good way” is only in God’s way.
The prophet’s call is “Stand in the ways and see…” The “good way” is in the “old paths”, and this is found only in the Living Word of God; that is the person of His Son. Rather than accepting God’s way, the “old paths” and living “the good way” people still seek the “New thought” of helping themselves, following the paths of false religion found in yoga, meditations, and even in prayers. Understand me when I mention meditations and prayer. Meditating upon God’s Word, hearing God speak through His Word is good; and that is good meditation; anything else is devilish thought. Genuine heart prayer, seeking God’s will, understanding of His word, gaining wisdom from God, and seeking His direction and glory is expected of us. The prayer I refer to is the reading of prayer, rosary, planned recitations, which are filled with religious and pious thought, but no connection to heaven.
The sort of meditation and prayer which allows you to consort with godlessness while supposedly maintaining a relationship with God is fruitless for God and His glory. That is what the world, Jerusalem in Jeremiah’s day was doing. That is what many of today’s world is doing as well. While wanting something new they follow the paths of the old rebels, rather than the “old paths” which we should follow in Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God.
The answer of the people to the prophet in that day was; “We will not walk therein”. If we choose to walk with the world, and take on their garments, we destroy our witness, our testimony of newness of life through Jesus Christ. We must put off the old man of flesh and sin; and put on the new man of life eternal (Ephesians 4:20-25); and also put away lying. The lying is done by confessing faith in Christ while also maintaining a life which is no different from the condemned and dying in sin.
I ask again, “Is anything really new?”
-Tim A. Blankenship
The pressures of the world are rushing ever near you. You feel like you should not have made that good move that you did. Things have changed, and right now it just does not seem like it was the right move to make. Hold on. Be strong. Be strong in the Lord; or as Moses said, “Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD…”
“And Moses said unto the people, ‘Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will show you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” Exodus 14:13-14 (KJV).
The LORD had done many mighty, and marvelous things to bring the children of Israel to the edge of the Red Sea. There had been a complete destruction of the economy of Egypt, and their demon gods put to destruction as well. God the LORD had been exalted. Now they were in a tight situation. The Sea was before them, the rocks at their backs and the Egyptian army, with chariots and mighty warriors were coming with great speed, and they would be arriving soon.
When you have followed God’s plan, and you have reached the edge of decision, and it seems as though there is no place to go. That is the time to believe and trust the LORD God. It is not a time to complain, or wonder why did I leave where I was, thinking everything was fine, comfortable, and certainly did not have this problem coming at me.
It is time to see the salvation of the LORD. If He has led you out, then He will lead you through that barrier that is ahead of you. Trust Him. Believe, and you will see the salvation of the LORD.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Mark 7:1-37
“1 Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. 2 And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault. 3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. 4 And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables. 5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?” Mark 7:1-5 (KJV)
If there is fault to find the fault would be with those who seek to find fault with that which is perfect. The disciples, or followers of Jesus are not perfect, but they do follow a perfect Lord and Savior. The “Nay-sayers” and “fault finders” are simply without any evidence of truth, and so object to any one who is living out the truth; which is the life of Jesus.
In the day we live in there are good health reasons for washing of hands. To wash hands after using the restroom is certainly a means of preventing disease, illness, or sickness. Washing one’s hands after using a handrail or shaking hands with people is a good idea, to prevent colds, the Swine flu [h1n1] threat of the day, or other sickness. There is much sickness that is passed from one person to another just by the hands, so washing them often is a good idea, but let’s not be obnoxious about it.
There are a lot of people who believe the saying, “Cleanliness is next to godliness” is in the Bible. It is not. I think the religious leaders of Jesus’ day must have thought that it was. They had developed a tradition of “Handwashing” which they had elevated over Scriptures. Not only had they done that, but they had neglected to practice the practical teachings of Scripture concerning caring for parents (vv. 10-11).
Verse 3 - “except they wash”
G3538
νίπτω
niptō
nip’-to
To cleanse (especially the hands or the feet or the face); ceremonially to perform ablution: – wash. Compare G3068.
v. 4 – “except they wash”
G907
βαπτίζω
baptizō
bap-tid’-zo
From a derivative of G911; to make whelmed (that is, fully wet); used only (in the New Testament) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordinance of Christian baptism: – baptist, baptize, wash.
In verses three and four we have the word “wash” used in two different ways. The one in verse three has to do with the washing of hands before eating their meal in a ceremonial fashion.
“The ceremony involved someone pouring water out of a jar onto another’s hands; whose fingers must be pointing up. As long as the water dripped off at the wrist, the person could proceed to the next step. He then had water poured over both hands with the fingers pointing down. Then each hand was to be rubbed with the fist of the other hand.” FROM MACARTHUR STUDY BIBLE pg. 1473.
Verse four is our word for “Baptism”, and it leaves us with the idea that after these men had been to the market, around a lot of people, they were required to take a ceremonial bath [it could be only the immersing of their hands in water] before they could even eat a meal. That seems like a whole lot of trouble to eat a meal.
The disciples were eating without the ceremonial cleansing of their hands. The question was brought up by the Pharisees as to why this was so. Nit pickers is the word I would use concerning them. Eating without washing the hands defiles no one.
The Pharisees were actually accusing Jesus of teaching the disciples against the “traditions of the elders”.
For verses 1 – 13 J. C. Ryle wrote, 1)
“The first thing which demands our attention in these verses, is the low and degraded condition of Jewish religion, when our Lord was upon earth.”; 2) “The second thing, that demands our attention, is the uselessness of mere lip-service in the worship of God.”; 3) “The last thing that demands our attention in these verses, is the tendency of man’s inventions in religion to supplant God’s word.”
“6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. 9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. 10 For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: 11 But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. 12 And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; 13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye. 14 And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand: 15 There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man. 16 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. 17 And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable. 18 And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him; 19 Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats? 20 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.” Mark 7:6-23 (KJV)
When the traditions of men become as important or in the case of the Pharisees more important than the clear teachings of God’s Word, then hypocrisy had crept in and the Word of God has no affect on the heart. These were, in effect, honoring God with their lips, but their heart was unclean and far from God – “Wherefore the Lord said, ‘Forasmuch as this people draw near Me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor Me, but have removed their heart far from Me, and their fear toward Me is taught by the precept of men…” (Isaiah 29:13).
The Pharisees were teaching the traditions of men as though they were “doctrine” with the same authority and inspiration of Scriptures. They were wrong. Are there ways by which we can put “traditions” above Scripture? How about some rules concerning our buildings, area of worship, music in worship, giving of offerings in worship, our dress, physical appearance, etc.? Can a born again/Christian be a hypocrite? NO! Can we be hypocritical? YES!
G5273
ὑποκριτής
hupokritēs
hoop-ok-ree-tace’
From G5271; an actor under an assumed character (stage player), that is, (figuratively) a dissembler (“hypocrite”): – hypocrite.
A “Hypocrite” is, “an actor under an assumed character”. Basically someone pretending to be something they are not. They can boast long and loud of their faith and character, but there is no fruit, proof, or evidence of it. Jesus called these men “You hypocrites…”. They were “Hypocrites” not just hypocritical. They put on a good religious front, but had nothing of the heart.
They had even taken the commandment of God which says, “Honor your father and mother” and put a tradition with it which allowed them to withhold support from their elderly parents if they had designated the support need as “a gift”. “Corban” was the phrase they used to exonerate themselves from supporting their parents. That is one of their traditions which had taken the place of Scripture. They had in affect made of “None effect” by their traditions.
The heart of man is desperately wicked. It is from the heart that man is defiled and made unclean. Nothing from without us can make us unclean. It is due to an unclean heart that we stand condemned by God, to a Christless eternity. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? Jeremiah 17:9 (KJV)”. Can we hear the words of Jesus as He tells us that He is more concerned with the depraved heart of man than He is with “sacrifice”; “And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. 1 Samuel 15:22-23 (KJV)”. Although this is Old Testament it certainly portrays the depraved heart, in thinking that an act of “sacrifice” is greater than the written Word of God.
J. C. Ryle writes for verses 14 – 23, 1)
“We see in the beginning of this passage, how slow of understanding men are in spiritual things.”; 2) “We see, in the second place, from this passage, that the heart is the chief source of defilement and impurity in God’s sight.”; 3) “We see, in the last place, from this passage, what a black catalogue of evils the human heart contains.”
“24 And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have no man know it: but he could not be hid. 25 For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet: 26 The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter. 27 But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it unto the dogs. 28 And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children’s crumbs. 29 And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter. 30 And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed.” Mark 7:24-30 (KJV)
The “dogs” to which Jesus refers is not a derogatory term of meaning “mean, vicious, or mangy”, but most likely a family pet. Jesus ministry was to be to the household of Israel, and this woman was a Gentile, “And a Canaanite woman from that region came out and began to cry out, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is cruelly demon-possessed.” Matthew 15:22 (NASB)”, and He viewed this woman and her child as part of the household, but not a prominent part of it. The “dogs” were under the table.
This was a test of the woman’s faith. How would she respond? Would she leave disappointed or would she keep on believing, and trust the Savior to do His work in her and her daughter? She would believe. The woman’s daughter was another one who was demon possessed. It does not go into any details to tell us the situation of the daughter – how this demon effected her life – it just simply tells us she “had an unclean spirit”.
Just by His Word Jesus delivers the daughter, and the mother leaves believing the saying to be true. That is a wonderful faith. Concoction of rules does not a righteous person make. Believing the Word of God and obeying is the path of righteousness.
J. C. Ryle on verses 24 – 30,
1) “In the first place, this passage is meant to encourage us to pray for others.”; 2) “In the second place, this passage is meant to teach us to persevere in praying for others.”
“31 And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis. 32 And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him. 33 And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue; 34 And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened. 35 And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain. 36 And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it; 37 And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.” Mark 7:31-37 (KJV)
Someone has said, “We have two ears and one mouth, so that means we are to do twice as much listening as we do speaking”. That is really good advice. It is with that that it seems Jesus may have thought the same thing, because He opened up his hearing first. Part of that would be because most people who do not hear cannot speak, or cannot speak well also.
It is important that we listen; especially to the Word of the Lord; so that we might faithfully and powerfully proclaim it to a world that is lost and condemned by sin. Hear the Word of God then proclaim it. Jesus said above, “If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.” (v.16). All that Jesus said and taught is worth our hearing and doing.
The Lord opened the ears so me might hear the Gospel of Christ and be saved, and He gave us speech so that we might praise Him, and sound forth the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. Do you have redeemed ears, and a redeemed mouth? If you are in Jesus Christ you have.
Ryle wrote,
1)”The first thing that demands our notice in these verses, is the mighty miracle that is here recorded.”; 2) “The second thing which demands our notice in these verses, is the peculiar manner in which our Lord thought good to work the miracle here recorded.”; 3) “But there is one simple lesson to be learned from our Lord’s conduct on this occasion. That lesson is, that Christ was not tied to the use of any one means in doing His works among men.”; 4) “We see the same thing going on still in the Church of Christ. We see continual proof that the Lord is not tied to the use of any one means exclusively in conveying grace to the soul.”; 5) “The last thing which demands our notice in these verses, is the remarkable testimony which was borne by those who saw the miracle here recorded.”
If we do not do what we hear we are hypocrites and do not glorify the Lord of life. The miracle of your changed life is what others will see.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Most Christians have heard of a day called, “the day of the LORD”, and know that it is a day of reckoning for those who are out of His will, rebelling against Him, and just living a life of debauchery. There was a time in the Nation of Judah, that a prophet by the name of Joel warned the people of the “day of the LORD”. He has asked them the question, “…Who can abide it?” Joel 2:11 (KJV)
There are days we hear of as followers of Jesus which we long for. One of those days is the day of the rapture of the Church. It will not be a good day for those who remain behind; it will in fact be a day of chaos. We as Christians need to be sure that our lives are right with Him, and not put on false pretenses of repentance, and sorrow over sin.
Hear the Word of the LORD:
“Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness, and repenteth Him of the evil.” Joel 2:12-13 (KJV).
False repentance is just as bad, if not worse than no repentance. False repentance is just what is seen in the above verses. The religious Jew sometimes to show sorrow, grief, and/or a repentant attitude tore a portion of their outer garment. This they did for show in these days. As followers of Jesus, and just as then, God knows our hearts, our attitude of mind. We cannot fool God, the One who knows all things. False repentance is an act to show others how religious, and how badly we seem to feel concerning sin.
There is a word for that which Jesus used for many of the religious leaders of His day. That word is “Hypocrite”. That is ‘A pretender’, an actor. Another term for that could be, “a wolf in sheeps clothing”. Why is it that too many times Christians are sheep in wolves clothing? Let’s be true, and show forth a true repentance.
-Tim A. Blankenship
“And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him. 2 And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. 4 But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. 5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. 6 And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.” Mark 6:1-6 (KJV)
We look at the life of Jesus in red, white and black and can believe and know that He is a great man, a great teacher, a great prophet – even greater than John the Baptist, a great preacher, but even so much more. We learn from these letters that He is the very Son of God, and in fact is the very God incarnate – God come to us in flesh. He is the Savior of the world.
Those who grew up around Him and those who saw Him growing up put no stock in Him. They were witnesses of His life, but it was not important to them that He had never done anything wrong, had never sinned, never spoken back to his “parents”. He in fact had never caused those who were raising Him any grief whatsoever, unless it was the things which Mary “pondered in her heart”. To the people of Nazareth Jesus was nothing more than a carpenter, and did not deserve any credit as a teacher.
Here is what J. C. Ryle had to say of this matter. 1) “We see, in the first place, how apt men are to undervalue things with which they are familiar.” 2) “We see, in the second place, how humble was the rank of life which our Lord condescended to occupy before He began His public ministry.” 3) “We see, in the last place, how exceedingly sinful is the sin of unbelief.” Unbelief is still sin. It is actually the very first sin that was committed. Eve did not believe God when He had said “The day you eat of this tree you will surely die”, and she believed a lie. It is because of the sin of “unbelief” that Jesus could do no mighty work in Nazareth. Even Jesus was surprised “amazed” by their unbelief.
“And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; 8 And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse: 9 But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats. 10 And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place. 11 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. 12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent. 13 And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.” Mark 6:7-13 (KJV)
Mark notes that Jesus sent them out “two and two”. It is important that we remember that, because their is strength in twos. When one is discouraged the other can be a source of encouragement. They can learn from one another. They sharpen one another, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. Prov 27:17 (KJV)”. One is there to keep the other from falling, and if one does fall the other can pick him up.
Jesus told them they were to take nothing with them, except their staff, and the clothing on their backs. It was to be a journey and ministry of faith. (The word “scrip” could be seen as what we would call a “backpack”.) When people heard their words, and saw their works they would support and care for their needs. When they entered a city or village they were to stay in one home, and not be moving from home to home. If they were not received they were to leave shaking the dust from their feet, “as a testimony against them”. They would have rejected God’s messengers, thus God’s message, so judgment could be coming their way. The shaking of the dust from the feet is almost as to say, “Since you will not listen and hear the Word of God you have no hope”, thus it is time to move on to other people and places.
“And king Herod heard of him; (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him. 15 Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets. 16 But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead. 17 For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife: for he had married her. 18 For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife. 19 Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not: 20 For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly. 21 And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee; 22 And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee. 23 And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom. 24 And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist. 25 And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist. 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. 27 And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison, 28 And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother. 29 And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.” Mark 6:14-29 (KJV)
“For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. Luke 7:28 (KJV)”
Herod hears of the great and mighty works of Jesus, and begins questioning the identity of Jesus. “Who is this Jesus?” “Is he John the Baptist come back from the dead?”; “…John reincarnated?”. You can tell by this that Herod was a troubled man. He had been troubled in his heart by the preaching of the prophet.
Mark goes into some details to tell us why he is troubled about John. The Baptist had warned Herod that “It Is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” Herodias was her name. Herod’s brother was Philip known as “Herod Philip II”. Herodias was a nephew to Herod Antipas (the Herod of our text). John the Baptist, prophet of God hated to see sin even in a Gentile ruler, and he told him so. John got thrown into the dungeon for it, but yet Herod would not harm him, because the words rang true.
One of the main things a minister of God ought to do is rebuke sin wherever he sees it. When it is seen in the ungodly it should be rebuked. When it is seen in the redeemed it should be rebuked. Sin is the problem that infects and causes problems in every society. For a man to take his brother’s wife is adultery, and that is the charge that John brought against Herod. It matters not if it is a king, or the man in the gutter, sin must be rebuked.
What was the charge leveled against John? It was for proclaiming the Word of God and rebuking the sin of the lands governor.
We see in Herod, “The amazing power of truth over the conscience”. He has heard the words John preached and he is haunted by them, even after he has killed the man. We can also see “How far people may go in religion, and yet miss salvation by yielding to one master – sin”. In John we see, “How boldly a faithful minister of God ought to rebuke sin. We see finally, “How bitterly people hate a reprover, when they are determined to keep their sins”.
When the Word of God is proclaimed it will accomplish that which God pleases. It caused Herod to be very troubled. For someone to even think that Jesus was John the Baptist risen from the dead, or “reincarnated” is on the border of lunacy.
“And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught. 31 And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. 32 And they departed into a desert place by ship privately. 33 And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him. 34 And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things. 35 And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed: 36 Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat. 37 He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat? 38 He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes. 39 And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass. 40 And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties. 41 And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all. 42 And they did all eat, and were filled. 43 And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes. 44 And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men.” Mark 6:30-44 (KJV)
Jesus knowing the disciples needed some rest and food led them to leave to go to a deserted place, and get some rest. There was so much ministry activity that they had not even had time to eat.
The disciples and Jesus leave by “boat” to go someplace quiet but then are overwhelmed by a great multitude of people. The disciples have not yet learned what Jesus can do. Evening ["the day was now far spent"] was coming on them quickly now, and there was no food, and there were thousands and thousands of people to feed. It must have been going through the disciples minds, “There is no way these people can be fed; we need to send them home”. Jesus had another idea, though. He with the Shepherd’s heart had compassion on them and taught them. When evening had come and the disciples were doubting and scheming on how to get rid of these people Jesus just said, “Let’s feed them”.
According to the Gospel of John there was a boy who had his “lunch” with him. Would he share it with the multitude? Here is what John says,
“One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said* to Him, 9 “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many people?” John 6:8-9 (NASB)”.
Stand back and see what Jesus can do. When it seems like the chips are down, and there are too many people to feed, and the world is against you, just let Jesus move in and take over.
Jesus as the Shepherd that He was and is commands the people to sit down in the “green grass”. In the twenty third Psalm it says, “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures”, an assurance of plenty for “sheep” to eat. It would not surprise me to find out that there was a still, calm body of water near by also. Mark’s Gospel is the only one of the gospels which tell us that Jesus “With compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd” (v. 34). That is Mark’s way of declaring Jesus as the Shepherd of God’s sheep and He will tend and care for those who are His.
The number of men is all that is given. The word “men” in verse 44 is not a generic term for all humanity; it is specifically refering to the male gender. If these men came with their wives and children which most probably did with a few exceptions, then this number could range from 15,000 to 20,000 or more. This was of Divine origin. If anyone doubts the origin of the earth and all created things, then they will doubt the miracles of Jesus. If God can create from nothing, then He can easily perform a “miracle” – that is what we call it – because during “miracle” the laws of nature are suspended; God overrules. He has the power to take the molecules, atoms, protons, neutrons, etc. – all those unseen elements which He created, and turn them into more bread, and more fish, and He did it to feed thousands of people.
WOW! Do not doubt, but be believing what God can do, and what He has done, and what He is going to do.
There are some who profess Christ as Savior who want to dismiss all the miracles with human understanding, by saying things like, “Jesus already had the food hidden away in a nearby cave”, or “The little boys generosity inspired all the others to bring out what they had, and so all were fed”. None of that explains the “twelve basketfuls” that were left over. Now, you talk about the Lord providing for His disciples. Now they each had a basket of bread and fish to take home with them. Remember they had not eaten, so they must have been hungry.
There did not have to be five loaves and two fish, there could have been nothing, or stones. Remember when Jesus was being tempted by the devil in the wilderness for forty days. The first temptation was to fill His need for sustenance. “If you are the Son of God, turn these stones into bread”, but Jesus did not yield to the temptation. He said instead, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word which proceeds from the mouth of God”. For Jesus to turn the stones to bread would have been to yield to the devil, and now, as then, He is yielding to the leadership of the Father. He is acting as a Shepherd toward His caring for the sheep.
JESUS CARES FOR YOU.
“And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people. 46 And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. 47 And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. 48 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. 49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: 50 For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. 51 And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. 52 For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened. 53 And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore. 54 And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him, 55 And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was. 56 And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.” Mark 6:45-56 (KJV)
Jesus sent the disciples away by boat while He sent the people on their way. After that had been accomplished he departed to a “Mountain to pray”. There is a lesson here for all of us who are His; there is a time to be alone with God and Him alone. Jesus, in human flesh, needed to recoup and spend time with His Father. So do we. Where Jesus could communicate with the Father face to face we must rely on the written Word, so it is wise to communicate with God while you have His Word at hand, and open before you.
As the disciples were rowing across the Sea of Galilee a boisterous wind came up, and it was a head wind which caused them to fight against it and evidently not gain much if anything in distance. Jesus saw them rowing and struggling against the wind and went out to help them, and what a way He travelled to help. It was sometime after midnight when Jesus came to them walking on the water.
This passage of Scripture even tells us that He “Would have passed by them”. He came “Along side” of them to check their faith. Would they recognize Him in His supernatural power and walking on the water? They thought He was a ghost. They still were dealing with a lot of personal superstition, if they were believing in ghosts.
Jesus recognizes their fear and assures them it is Himself, and He went up into the boat and it tells us that the wind ceased.
Jesus comes to us in the midst of our storms, but do we recognize Him or do we depend on our own methods and strength? How would we react, even this day and age, if we were on the water in a boat and someone came walking in the midst of the night on the surface of the water, across a deep hole?
Many times, we as human beings, fear what we do not understand. Seeing Jesus, and not knowing who it was is only a thing which is innate in every human being – fear of the unseen, unknown beyond. Which is only evidence that God put in each of us the desire for that which is eternal.
In verse 52 Mark reminds us of the miracle of the loaves and fish, “For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened. Mark 6:52 (KJV)”. Had they really understood about the miracle of the loaves and the fish they would not have been “amazed” about Jesus’ ability to walk on water. Both actually show His power and authority over nature [as we call it], and that He was and is the Creator of all that is.
When Jesus and the disciples arrive at Gennesaret [the other side] the people there knew who Jesus was and they began to bring the sick, and they thinking, “I only need to touch the hem of His garment”, and all who touched Him were healed. This faith they showed was very similar the lady in chapter 5 who had had the bleeding for 12 years. Jesus and the disciples minister to them, and great things are done
-Tim A. Blankenship
Shame is a word that has almost fallen by the way. Who uses the word “shame” anymore? You don’t hear it much. “You ought to be ashamed” a mother would say to a child who had just kicked a sibling, or a neighbor, or a friend. “Shame on you” some Dad would say to his son when he argued and disobeyed his mother, and then would get a whipping.
Shame? What does it mean? Well, now that you’ve asked let me answer. Shame, according to the Merriam/Webster Dictionary means, “a painful sense of having done something wrong, improper, or immodest 2. DISGRACE, DISHONOR, shameful”.
It seems that in the culture of the day that it is “wrong” to cause someone to feel ashamed. According to some called “experts”, “You ought to be ashamed to make someone aware of their shame.” In the day when you ought to be ashamed of shame, God’s Word still uses the word, and speaks the truth of how people should be ashamed of their actions.
Jeremiah the prophet writes,
“Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the LORD.” Jeremiah 6:15 (KJV)
Of course the prophet is writing of how the people have rebelled against the LORD, turned their backs on Him, rejected His Word and His prophets, and because of this are going to experience cutting off from their land. Were they ashamed? It appears not according to the prophet.
It would seem that as a society gets more affluent, fat, lazy and complacent; they also get the knowledge of Eve when she ate the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden; and think God is only known in knowing self. However, even Adam and Eve were ashamed when they heard the LORD walking in the garden. That appears to be disappearing from the culture of our day (2009).
Several who profess to have once known God through His Son Jesus Christ, turning their backs on God, His Word, His truth, and His prophets and people have no shame of turning from God.
O, people of God, Christian; when we sin against our God and Savior, let us be ashamed of our sin, confess it and forsake it. Let us be sure to maintain a proper fellowship with our LORD and God. Be ashamed when sin is in your life. Rejoice when it has been cleansed, forgiven and forgotten by our Father through His Son Jesus Christ.
There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1), and it seems that shame is our condemnation when we are not walking in Him. Walking in Him is that blessed fellowship we have with Him in obedience which comes from our love for Him.
-Tim A. Blankenship
“For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, ‘The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek Him; but His power and His wrath is against all them that forsake Him” Ezra 8:22 (KJV).
Ezra, a priest and scribe of Israel, was much burdened for the return of God’s people back to their homeland, and for the restoration of the worship of the LORD God. They had been in captivity in Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar, and now Cyrus.
Ezra had made a big boast to the king about the greatness of God. He would not require a band of soldiers for their protection. He believed that in asking it would be a shame to the Lord, and show a lack of faith on his part. The way to Jerusalem was dangerous; filled with thieves and murderous hearted culprits who hated all things good.
We can never do wrong in boasting of the greatness or our LORD God. Boast of Him daily. Boast of Him many times during the day, and during every hour and minute of the day. You cannot begin to over boast of His greatness.
The LORD God is Almighty, full of grace and mercy, He holds the world in His hands, He holds the Universe in His hands, He smiles in the smile of a child and one of His saints. There is no other god. He is the only one. He has made a way that all may come to Him, and that is provided only one way; that is His way through the cross of His Son Jesus Christ, the Creator of all that is.
Boast of Him today, all day long. You will grow to love Him much more than you do right now. Then put your boast of Him to work by faith.
-Tim A. Blankenship
