Lesson for May 26, 2021
The Life of Christ
The Second Rejection of Jesus at Nazareth
(Matthew 13:54-58; Mark 6:1-56; Luke 9:1-17)
Jesus once again visited His hometown of Nazareth, only to be rejected for the second time. There was a great deal of negative volition in the people of Nazareth who rejected Jesus as Messiah. Mark 6:2, says that they were astonished at His teaching. This astonishment can be either be positive of negative. From the context we learn that it was a violent negative reaction (mental violence). Even though they liked Jesus as a person, they hated His message. We know that they liked Him because Luke says in a parallel passage that Jesus grew in favor with God and man. Mark 6:3, says that they were offended in Him. The Greek word for offend is “skandalizo,” which means to stumble or to be snared. These people with negative volition and unbelief stumbled (failed to believe) because they would not accept the fact that Jesus was the Son of God, the Messiah. Mark records the fact that Jesus did very few miracles and healed only a few because of their unbelief, which caused even Jesus to marvel according to Mark 7:6.
It is interesting to note the reason that these people in Jesus’ hometown, who had known Him from childhood, refused to accept Him as Messiah. The phrase in Mark 6:2, “and what wisdom is this which is given unto him,” when translated properly shows that these people rejected Jesus for a very petty reason. The Greek phrase is “tis he sophia he dothesia touto.” The passive voice of “douthesia” (given) indicates that they did not believe Christ had that source of wisdom. They actually were denying that Jesus had much to do with wisdom at all. Wisdom is applied truth and no one in the history of the world had as much applied truth as Jesus Christ. Of course, in His deity He is the source of all truth. Their conclusion was that a mere carpenter’s son could not possibly have wisdom from God; and He certainly could not be the Messiah. (Mark 6:3) Remember, the Jews were expecting a ruler, a king, someone who would lead them in victory over their Roman oppressors. As always, they knew little of the truth of the Old Testament Scriptures and what little they did know they had misinterpreted.
They ultimately concluded that this man from the local carpenter’s family, all of whom they had known, would not be allowed to be the Messiah. Their remarks and conclusions were all meant to be demeaning. No one from His background could have this kind of wisdom or have such miraculous powers. Of course, we know that they were completely wrong in their conclusion.
After leaving Nazareth, Jesus began to teach in the surrounding villages. As was His custom, He would enter into the synagogue and teach. There is a distinct difference in Greek between teaching and preaching. Jesus used both methods in His ministry. When in the synagogue He taught “as one having authority,” the Scriptures record. When on a hillside or in the countryside, He would preach. Teaching is the Greek word “didaskon.” Preaching is the Greek word “kerusson.” Both are effective ways of communication. Teaching communicates principles and doctrines, leaving the motivation to the hearers. Preaching exhorts and inspires, while still teaching principles and doctrines. As Jesus continued to teach and preach, He authenticated His message with miracles of healing and casting out demons. Jesus then sent out His disciples two by two and gave them this same power to heal and have power over demons so that they too could authenticate their message. The result was that many were healed and evangelized.
Jesus said in John 15:1-8, “I am the True Vine and my Father is the husbandman. Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit He cuts away. And He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit. You are cleansed and pruned already because of the Word, which I have given to you (my teachings). Abide in me and I will abide in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me. I am the Vine you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him bears much fruit. However, apart from Me you can do nothing. Herein is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; so shall you be my disciples.”
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
(Matthew 14:15-31; Mark 6:30-56; Luke 9:12-17; John 6:3-21)
After the murder of John the Baptist by Herod, the apostles came to Jesus and told Him all that they had been doing and what they had been teaching. This is the first time we see the disciples of Christ called apostles. This can only be an indication of the new power and authority, which was given to them when Jesus sent them out in pairs to preach the Gospel.
Jesus recognized the disciples’ need for rest after all their travel and hard work. Jesus, therefore, attempted to get them away from the crowds by getting them into a boat and going to a secluded place across the Sea of Galilee. What Jesus did not count on was the crowd following them by land to the other side of the water. When Jesus and His disciples arrived on the other side the crowd had already began to gather. When Jesus saw them, instead of getting upset, He had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. The crowd grew to over 5,000 people. Jesus recognized and took advantage of the opportunity to once again teach the people about the Kingdom of Heaven and to share the Gospel message. As night began to fall the disciples were seemingly ready for the people to leave, perhaps so that they could get some rest.
In Mark 6:35-36, the disciples asked Jesus to send the crowds away so that the people could go buy themselves something to eat. Jesus, as was normal, used the opportunity to teach His disciples a valuable lesson about the real need of this crowd, which was “the Bread of Life, Jesus Christ Himself.” Apparently, none of the disciples saw the same opportunity. Instead of dismissing the crowd, Jesus told His disciples to feed them. Now, the disciples did have a “purse” with what would be equivalent to about $1,000 today with which they could have gone and bought food. However, there were more than 5,000 people to feed and even by today’s standards, you can’t feed people for $.20 a person.
In order to teach His lesson, Jesus performed a miracle. He sent the disciples into the crowd to gather what food was among them. They returned with five loaves of bread and two fish. When Jesus had commanded the people to sit down in organized groups, He took the food and blessed it and there was enough to fill the entire crowd. When the disciples returned, they still had twelve baskets of broken pieces of bread and fish. So, what was the lesson that Jesus was teaching? The lesson was that the spiritual need of a person is much greater than the need for physical sustenance. Jesus had been feeding the crowd spiritually and they could have gone another day without food or shelter, but in His grace, God provided the necessary logistical grace blessing of food. At the same time, Jesus was establishing His authority by performing a miracle.
Jesus continually used the doctrine that He had learned to sustain Himself throughout the trials and tribulations of life. When attacked by others, He used the doctrine and principles of the Word of God to endure this adversity. He also used the doctrine He had learned to combat the test from Satan. And He used the doctrine in His soul to teach others. (Matthew 4:1-11; John 5:16-39; 6:59-60; 7:16-24)
Even during the six illegal trials of Christ and while He was on the Cross, He quoted Scripture. The very last thing that was recorded that Jesus said was a quote from Psalms 31:5. (Matthew 26:64; 27:46; Mark 14:62; Luke 23:46; John 19:28-30) Since Jesus used Bible doctrine throughout His life, His ministry and even His death, shouldn’t we follow His example? To follow the example of Christ, you must study the Word of God and apply it to every facet of your life. God’s Word has the potential to sustain you, strengthen you and stabilize you, if you choose to allow it to do so. (Matthew 4:4; Hebrews 4:12; Isaiah 33:6)