Calm Down

MARK 6:45-56

Sometimes, stories can be glossed over -- only providing basic facts -- yet missing more intriguing elements. Such is the case in this next section of verses.

First… the writer of the gospel of MARK, matter-of-fact states 1) the disciples got in a boat headed to Bethsaida, 2) Jesus dismissed the crowd, 3) Jesus then went up on a mountainside to pray.

Uh,… why the rush by Jesus to get the disciples in a boat?

Was it because the disciples were beyond exhaustion that Jesus made them leave so they could rest? That would be odd though since he was going to go with them earlier… before they were met by the crowd upon their arrival. Why would Jesus separate himself from the disciples?

Between being fed physically and spiritually, there are some in the crowd who believe "this is the Prophet who is to come into the world." [i] A frenzy of emotion is bubbling. Sounds like it's a one-sided happy Jesus-fest.

But… is everyone in the crowd a fan of Jesus? Don't bet on it. The gospel of JOHN provides insight -- specifically 6:15 -- after the feeding of the 5,000+. "Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself." [ii]

Included in the mass of humanity were orthodox religious leaders who were against his ministry; the suspicious ruler of Galilee (Herod Antipas) had spies throughout the land with word out about this "miracle worker"; nationalists wanted a Jewish King to overthrown the Romans -- not with love, teaching, healing and miracles but by brute force.

Time for a prudent decision. Jesus decided to calm things down. "He did not want his disciples to be infected and caught up in this nationalist outburst. Galilee was the hotbed of revolution. If this movement was not checked, there might well emerge among the excitable people a rebellion which would wreck everything." [iii]

Another strategic move on Jesus' part was noted by Marc * who stated, "He wanted the disciples to leave an area ruled by the Antipas (where power was an issue) and travel across the water to Bethsaida in the territory ruled by Antipas' brother Philip. They would be safer there." So the disciples begin their journey across water while Jesus says some parting words.

I think it makes sense as well that Jesus needed to find a quiet place. When everyone is clawing at you, demanding this and that, when opposing parties want a piece of you,… no wonder he needed to get away. Jesus withdrew from the chaos to pray and get centered… to calm things down within himself before proceeding.

Time passes. It's now the fourth watch; between 3 am and 6 am. For quite some time, the disciples have struggled against the wind while doing their best to paddle to Bethsaida.

It is within verses 48-52 that I'll summarize. Maybe I'll disappoint you in not trying to logically explain the miracle of Jesus walking on the water. Maybe you're questioning how Jesus could've seen the disciples from the mountainside… in the dark. All well and good, but what really happened here, we don't know. It's a mystery. Nonetheless…

Here's what I'd like emphasize: Jesus had not lost sight of those who had lost sight of him. He chose to leave from his place of prayer to calm the fears of the disciples. To right the boat. To calm the waters. To ease their burdens. To soothe their souls. To care for his friends.

Yet, "their hearts were hardened." [iv] It's not that they didn't love Jesus; it's not that they weren't witnessing amazing things. It was just extremely difficult to fully comprehend everything that was going on. However, Jesus wasn't giving up on them, and even in the clouds within their hearts and minds, the disciples weren't giving up on Jesus.

A directional adjustment is then made in that they dock at Gennersaret, a town on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee. Even there, Jesus does not go unnoticed. People want and need to be healed.

It is here that something struck me. Everyone is so enamored by the power, the healing, the miracles of Jesus. Everyone comes to him wanting something. He gives and gives and gives.

If all we do is want something from God at all times, something seems rather askew.

As we now approach the day of Christmas, what do we give to Jesus? What do we give to God?

NEXT…

"Have you washed your hands?"; what goes "in" isn't necessarily what comes "out"

 

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[i] NIV, John 6:14b

[ii] NIV, John 6:15

[iii] The Gospel of Mark, Barclay, p. 162

[iv] NIV, Mark 6:52b

* Member of the study group

Community -- Part 2

MARK 6:37b-44

"You want us to do what?!? How?!?"

Sounds like whiny kids (or even adults) at home.

Jesus wants the disciples to feed the mass of people (an unknown number at this particular moment in the story). "Really?" is their reply. "With what? From what we can tell, it would take about eight month's wages just for bread alone!"

Money solves all problems. Right? Isn't that the gut reaction that comes forward when need arises? Jesus tells us to look past the seemingly obvious, costly solution.

"What's available?" -- besides money. The disciples find out that there are five loaves of bread and two fish. It's almost laughable.

If that weren't enough to make you shake your head, John 6:9 tells us that these were barley loaves, "and barley loaves were the food of the poorest of the poor. Barley bread was the cheapest and the coarsest of all bread. They had two fishes. They would be about the size of sardines." [i]

Jesus tells the disciples to have everyone around sit in groups on the green grass.

* "Green grass." For the grass to be green, it would be springtime -- probably mid-April. The Jewish Passover. And we already know it's late in the day, so the sun is setting.

* These groupings "of men" consisted of sections of a hundred and of fifty. Verse 44 informs us that these numbered 5,000. Well,… add to the number, because there had to have been women and children in the area (tradition required them to sit separately from the men).

Jesus takes the five loaves and the two fish (a total of seven items; the number "seven" symbolizes perfection [or adequacy]), looks to heaven and blesses the meal.

Anything strike a chord of familiarity for you?

"Taking… blessed… broke… gave… are reminiscent of the blessing at a Jewish Sabbath meal (based on Deut 8:7-10 and developed into the 'blessing of nourishment' ['birchat ha-mason'] used at mealtime), but they are especially close to words used in the Lord's Supper (Mark 14:22-25), thus providing a foreshadowing, while also suggesting the banquet prophesied at Isa 25:6." [ii]

Jesus gave the five loaves and two fish to the disciples to distribute to the people. And then the miracle happened. All ate and were satisfied. In fact, there were still 12 basketfuls of bread and salt-fish after everyone had finished.

Say what?!?

All right. Miracles cannot always be explained. That's why they are "miracles." The impossible made possible. Marc * stated, "This was the simultaneous meeting of the small and large universe; quantum physics in the hands of Jesus."

Breaking it down:

* Did 5,000+ people get fed? Yes.

* Did Jesus make this happen? Yes.

* Was it miraculous? Yes.

But I want to explore the miracle within the miracle. Did Jesus actually, personally, manifest and create from his own hands more than enough food to feed the masses? Doubt may arise as to whether you believe this could've happened. Regardless of what folks say, "doubt" is inevitable -- something all of us go through.

Did You Know?

"No orthodox Jew traveled without his basket (kophinos). …The very orthodox Jew carried his own food supplies in his basket, so that he would be certain of eating food that was ceremonially clean and pure." [iii]

In many instances, baskets would have enough food to provide nourishment for a few days -- since traveling along the road to reach a destination would take time (not like driving in a car or taking a plane). Many people sitting in these groups had provisions -- enough for everyone.

What I find miraculous is… Jesus had the capacity, the power, to bring together thousands of people. He took the "me" and "let's only be concerned about ourselves" and turned the focus on "we" and "let's be concerned about everyone." 

However it happened, over 5,000 agreed to sit down at the table (or in this case on the green grass) as one. To me that's even more amazing than trying to figure out how the food source came about.

"They all ate and were satisfied." This verse has double-meaning -- physically AND spiritually.

The good news was becoming reality. The voice in the wilderness was being clearly heard, fulfilled and followed. Jesus was making a significant impact on the lives of the people.  

Community. Coming together as one. In a new way.

Community. Coming together with God. In a new light.

NEXT…

Being pulled in all directions; calming the storm in our lives

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[i] The Gospel of Mark, Barclay, p. 161

[ii] Jewish Annotated New Testament, p. 73

[iii] The Gospel of Mark, Barclay, p. 159

* A member of the study group

Community -- Part 1

MARK 6:30-37a

Okay. I'm going to ask you to keep an open-mind as I work my way through this particular two-part post (being open-minded applies in part two). While I'm not going to throw the miraculous feeding of 5,000 into the Sea of Galilee, I want to explore another possible miracle within the miracle.

But first…

The apostles (disciples) have returned to see Jesus and share what happened on their journey. You know they had to have been utterly worn out by the entire experience -- completely trusting God for their needs, teaching and healing many, being rejected (if not by many more) -- so Jesus says, "Let's go to someplace quiet, so you can eat and rest."

That was the plan. "Was."

LIFE-NOTE

I think it's important to understand what Jesus has done in this section. It's almost so subtle that it can be missed. There's a rhythm of life for those who follow.

When you have been in mission (putting your whole self into being active, working, helping those in need, however you may define "mission,"…), we must rest and be restored. Being in a place to share, reflect and pray is part of that rhythm.

How many times though do we skip the part of getting enough sleep, or rest, or nourishment? How many times do we sidestep the sharing part? How many times do we actually make prayer a priority? In my own life, I'm certainly guilty of not following that rhythm -- at least on a consistent basis.

How easy it is to get caught up in the rat race, the go-go-go, "must have and do now" pace of life! The possession and consumption "to do" actually turns around and consumes us. The light of our own life candles burn out wayyyyyy too early.

Back to the plan that "was." The boat has arrived at the desired destination. Time to rest and get re-energized! But…

A crowd of people have surrounded them. And what Jesus does shows us that sometimes we have to make an adjustment for the greater good. Plans change. Jesus realizes and understands the need of these folks -- "sheep without a shepherd" -- so he begins sharing the good news.

What about the disciples in all of this? What are they doing? Who knows. They may be working alongside Jesus. Yet through it all they remain worn out and a tad irritable given the verses that follow.

As verse 35 states, it's now fast-approaching dinner time. The disciples collectively tell Jesus, "It's been a long day. You need to do something about these people. They're hungry, so tell them to go home, go somewhere other than stay here with us. Let them worry about their own needs." Emphasis is placed on the "You" (Jesus) do something.

Jesus' reply completely takes the disciples aback. "You give them something to eat. You need to worry about their needs." Emphasis now placed on "You" (disciples) do something.

I love this! Jesus' focus is on community. Their needs are our needs; their concerns are our concerns; their worries are our worries; their hunger is our hunger.

As Mike Slaughter writes in his book, Christmas Is Not Your Birthday, "Jesus made the meaning of discipleship perfectly clear: you can't separate your relationship with God from your responsibility for God's people."

You and I need to worry about those in need. And collectively, we must do something about it.

NEXT…

"Are you kidding me, Jesus? Feed 5,000?!?"; pulling off the miraculous; symbolism and foreshadowing 

Sex and Politics

MARK 6:14-29

These verses contain a story that Primetime TV would love -- involving Herod Antipas, Herodias, Salome, John the Baptist, and a few other players beyond the telling. It all seems to come out of nowhere since the focus of the gospel thus far has been on Jesus and his ministry. Yet… there has to be a reason why the writer Mark included this story. Right?

With the disciples of Jesus spreading the good news, along with what has happened previously, word travels fast. Plus how can the miracles and ministry of Jesus be kept entirely under wraps? These are seasons of change. And as all of us know, not everybody likes change.

When discussing this particular story with the study group, we read verses 17-29 first, then verses 14-16. It set the tone to gain a sense of the paranoia and fear building within the man who wanted to be king -- Herod Antipas.

To provide more insight to the "Herod" family, the inter-relations are quite something; resembling a day-time soap opera -- a true story even Hollywood might find unbelievable. As Patrick * stated, "It's like a Jerry Springer show!"

Herod the Great, who was responsible for the massacre of the children in Bethlehem when Jesus was born (Matthew 2:16-18), had 15 children by 10 wives. [i] In this convoluted family mix, look how just a portion plays out (with Herod the Great married to several wives at once):

* Herod the Great had married Mariamne the Hasmonean who gave birth to Aristobulus;

* Aristobulus' wife gave birth to Herodias;

* Herod the Great had married Mariamne the Boethusian who gave birth to Herod Philip;

* Herod Philip married Herodias who gave birth to Salome;

* Herod the Great had married Malthake who gave birth to Herod Antipas;

* Herodias became the mistress of Herod Antipas and eventually his wife.

In this family portrait of just a select few,… Herod Antipas married Herodias (both his niece AND his sister-in-law)!

Even though this "She's my niece; no, she's my sister-in-law; no, she's my mistress; no, she's my wife" may not have turned heads completely around, John the Baptist stuck his head out when he told Herod Antipas that he had crossed a line in another way. He was "violating Jewish law (Lev 18:16) by marrying his brother's wife (in a situation where the levirate law (Deut 25:5-6) did not apply, because Herod's brother did not die childless.)" [ii] Herodias was infuriated and wanted the Baptist's head on a platter. Literally.

Sex… meet Politics. Politics… meet Sex.

Then comes the dirty dance by Salome at the royal court with jaws dropping, eyes popping and hearts pounding. Caught in an exaggeration of generosity since he had no actual kingdom to give to Salome -- but under an oath stated publically at the party -- Herod Antipas was forced to honor Herodias' carefully orchestrated, calculated move. "Off with his head!"

Now you might wonder what was the time-line between John the Baptist's death and Herod Antipas' paranoia about his resurrection -- "That's why that man can work miracles!" Although the four gospels state the same -- that John the Baptist died before Jesus -- there is nothing definitive about the exact dates.

Regardless of timing, news about the "Miracle Man" who spreads Good News made its way to the house of Herod Antipas, and he was quite afraid. Why? Could it have been guilt? Could it have been fear of retribution? Could it have been concern that the people would turn against him? Could it have been…? The could've and would've scenarios are endless.

Did You Know…?

Years after all of this, Herod Antipas actually sought the title of King. He journeyed to Rome and pleaded for it. Instead of receiving the title, he received something else -- banishment to Lyon in Gaul. The Emperor was outraged by the insolence and insubordination of Herod Antipas to ask for such a title. [iii]

So why the inclusion of the beheading of John the Baptist? I believe the writer of the gospel felt it important to share the Baptist's story, as his band of disciples soon splintered. Also, I think it gained sympathy from those who listened to the reading of the gospel -- as they had heard of John the Baptist at the very outset in Chapter 1.

I believe the writer wanted the listeners to hear about someone like Herod Antipas (who ruled the land causing fear, who worked for Rome and did the Emperor's bidding but wanted so much more, whose desire for power included committing adultery with his brother's wife and refusing to repent) taken down several notches. Show the depth of cowardice past the veneer of a royal front. A "King" who caused fear now showed fear.

And I believe the gospel writer wanted the listeners to know that a "King" and others of power were wrong in who they believed this Jesus fellow was. Jesus was not the resurrected John the Baptist; not Elijah; and not a prophet like Moses, Jeremiah or Isaiah.

This Jesus was the Messiah.

NEXT…

For real… 5,000 were fed?

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[i] Jewish New Testament Commentary, p. 51

[ii] Jewish Annotated New Testament, pp. 71-72

[iii] The Gospel of Mark, Barclay, p. 155

* Member of the study group