This is chapter 6 of Mark:
Jesus returns to His hometown where He teaches in the synagogue. His teaching amazed those who heard Him. They also began to ask questions of this authority and background. When one asked, "Isn't this the carpenter?" and another, "Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon?" The people realized Jesus was a hometown boy and resented Him. It is indeed sad for one's hometown to be known as amazing for its lack of faith! This lack of faith prevented Jesus from doing any miracles other than healing a few sick people.
Jesus leaves His town and preached in surrounding villages. He also sends out the Twelve, two by two, with authority over demons, to preach and teach. He also instructs them to travel with just the bare essentials, ready for movement, ever urgent with the gospel message. He wanted them to know about how some will respond with love and hospitality and some will not even welcome you; these are the ones whose homes they would shake the dust off their feet, as a symbol of that lack. The disciples did as sent, and drove out many evil spirits and healed many sick people with oil.
The news of Jesus and His itinerant apostles reaches the ears of Herod who believed this to be John the Baptist back from the dead. Other believed it to be the return of Elijah, and still others who believed these to be prophets of old also back from the dead.
Marks shares the tragic story of the death of John the Baptist; the result of a favor owed for a dance; all motivated by Herodias, who was living with Herod and such relationship was denounced by John the Baptist. Herod had not wanted to kill John for he both feared and was amused by him. Herodias saw Herod's birthday as the perfect time to get what she wanted.
Mark then shares the account of the feeding of the five thousand. Sought by the crowds, and taught until evening, the disciples worry about feeding them. They estimate the cost to feed such a crowd as 8 months wages. Jesus asks what is available and they find five loaves of bread, and two fish. From this, five thousand men are fed. Jesus sends the 12 to cross the lake while He can spend some time in prayer. From the mountainside where He is praying, He sees the disciples struggling with the wind as they try to row across. Jesus walks on the water to them, which terrifies them believing Jesus to be a ghost. The account says their hearts were hardened by all they had seen that day.
They reach Gennesaret where more crowds await the healing of their loved ones. So great was their faith they believed and begged just to have the sick touch the hem of Jesus' garment. Mark says, "and all who touched Him were healed."
MARK MY WORDS PRAYER: LORD, be with me when I feel out of place or even unwelcome. Help me to have faith in all settings. Send me with authority to places where I can bless others. Help me to be a part of feedings for the hungry; help me to share the miracle of sharing with others. Let not my heat be hardened but let me have faith to present You in a way that people will want to touch You. This I pray in You, dear Jesus, my Lord and my Savior, amen.
