Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. --Hebrews 13:16
There is a somewhat apocryphal story about British Prime Minister Winston Churchill delivering a very short commencement speech. The story goes that in the middle of World War II, Churchill stood up and admonished the students, "Never give up. Never give up! Never, ever give up!!" We have all had that one teacher or coach or other strong influencer in our lives who has encouraged us to keep going, to not give up, to continue striving for the goal. The Bible is full of such encouragement, as well. Revelation 3:21 says, "To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne."
In our study of Mark chapter 6 we see five separate stories of the ministry of Jesus and the disciples, wrapped around the story of John the Baptist, who was faithful to the end. Jesus was able to give encouragement to John even after he was imprisoned. Matthew 11:2-5 says, "Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to Him, 'Are You the One who is to come, or shall we look for another?' And Jesus answered them, 'Go and tell John what you hear and see; the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them'."
We have seen Jesus rejected in His hometown of Nazareth even as He was trying to preach good news to them and lay His hands on them and heal them (Mark 6:1-6). We have seen Jesus commissioning his twelve disciples, authorizing them to go out two by two and preach the good news and heal the people (Mark 6:7-13). We have seen Jesus feed the 5000, preaching good news to them and feeding them miraculously (Mark 6:30-44). And we have seen Jesus send the disciples in a boat into the storm while He spent time in prayer, culminating in Him walking on the water (Mark 6:45-52).
Today we are going to look at a fifth and final story in the sixth chapter of Mark, where Jesus and the disciples continued their ministry, continued preaching the good news, and continued to heal the sick.
When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore. And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized Him and ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard He was. And wherever He came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored Him that they might touch even the fringe of His garment. And as many as touched it were made well. --Mark 6:53-56
He did good wherever He went
Some Bible scholars wonder about His location in this passage. Tradition says that Jesus fed the 5000 near Capernaum, on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee. After that, Mark says Jesus told the disciples to get in a boat and go before Him to Bethsaida (Mark 6:45), which is east of Capernaum. However, in Mark 6:53 it says their boat ended up on Gennesaret, which is west of Capernaum. Either the storm blew them in the opposite direction of where they were going, or there is a gap in the story. Perhaps Jesus and the disciples did go to Bethsaida where they got some much needed rest, before sailing west to Gennesaret.
The point is that wherever Jesus went, "in villages, cities, or countryside," He continued his ministry of preaching the good news and healing the sick. We should take note of this, and do the same in our own lives. Wherever life takes us we should go about teaching the good news of Jesus, and meeting people's needs as we are gifted--if not healing, then giving to the poor, feeding the hungry, seeking justice for the oppressed.
His reputation preceded Him
Verse 65 says when He got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized Him and ran to bring sick people to wherever He was. They knew Jesus by His works--He consistently did the same thing, preaching the Gospel and healing the sick, so they had every expectation that He would continue to do that same ministry in their town.
Oh that we were as consistent in our lives! When I was in college, I got a reputation among the co-eds for being a kind of Casanova. Looking back, I wish that my reputation was better. Now that I am older, I hope that when people see me coming and recognize who I am, that they would expect to see my obedience to God, consistent teaching of His Word, and good works according to the gifts He has given me.
The more things change, the more they stay the same
Perhaps the people there had heard the story of the men who brought their paralyzed friend to the house where Jesus was preaching, and cut a hole in the roof so they could lower him to where Jesus was, because verse 55 says they "began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard He was." Perhaps they had heard the story of Jairus, the leader of the synagogue who begged Jesus to come and heal his daughter. They, too, implored Jesus to heal their friends and family. Perhaps they had also heard of the woman who said if she could only touch the hem of His garment she would be made whole, because they begged to be allowed to touch the fringe of His garments.
Jesus comes to us just as we are. There is nothing holy about the hem; it is the proximity of His presence that is important. The point is not repetition of religious acts, it is only in humbling ourselves and lifting Him up. "And I," Jesus said, "when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." (He said this to show by what kind of death He was going to die.)--John 32-33.
Lift up the cross, carry
The light of the gospel
Always proclaim GOD's
Holy unchangeable WORD
Weep for the lost, pray they
Will heed to the SPIRIT's call
Preach to all men, until
Every ear has heardLift up the cross, share
The good news of salvation
Multitudes long to know there
Is hope for their souls
Give of your best, fervently
Seeking the kingdom
Over all else, know CHRIST
And make HIM knownLift up the cross, high above
The clouds of deception
Doubt and confusion
Tell the world GOD so loved HE gave
Us HIS Son, HE gave us HIS SonLift up the cross, scorners
And skeptics are watching
Don't be afraid, there's
Power in JESUS' name
Stand for the faith, having
No need for apology
Speak forth the truth
Boldly and unashamedLift up the cross, high above
The clouds of deception
Doubt and confusion
Tell the world GOD so loved HE gave
Us HIS Son, HE gave us HIS Son.
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