Note for 20250114 - The Gospel of Jesus Christ - Part 44 - Mark 6 - Different Kinds of People
The Gospel of Jesus Christ
According to Mark
Read Through The Bible
“As it Happened” Bible Reading Plan
Day 059
Numbers 11 to 13
Part 44 - Mark 6 - Different Kinds of People
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The Audio Version of today’s note
Mark 6:1-29 KJV
[1] 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. [7] 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. [14] 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.
https://bible.com/bible/1/mrk.6.1-29.KJV
Note for 20250114
Different Kinds of People
As I have mentioned to you before, I am not an educated person. What I have learned of the Word came from the inner room, and of this world, by observation, in relation to the Word. I would not say that I am an expert in anything, but I do consider that I have some life experience. Today, we are going to look a bit at different kinds of people. This is not of all kinds, but that which we can see in this section of the scripture. This is not to condemn, but once again to ask the question; "Am I like that?"
Familiar People
Look what happens in the home country of Jesus, did those believe in Him? They recognised Jesus as the carpenter that grew up amongst them, and knew His family. Not much was done for them, right; because of unbelief. And yet, we read here of His brother James (or Ya'akov in Hebrew) from which we later get the very significant epistle of James. Yes, it is he that wrote, "faith without works is dead." A prophet is not honoured among his own people, and by the lack of faith, very little was done amongst them.
Messengers of Christ
Look at the disciples, to them Christ gave the power to heal and drive out devils. They were sent with precise instruction and did the works of Christ where they went. Look at the judgment that is spoken out over those that would not receive them. These were those with faith in Christ Jesus, who continued the works of Christ among the people.
Entertainers
Look at the daughter of Heroidias, how she entertained Herod and His guests. Of course, one could ask how well did she dance to please Herod that he made the offer that he did. Who offers half his kingdom to a damsel, or delivers the head of a man to her in a charger? And do not miss, that she did not know what to ask of him, but went to her mother for her opinion.
Prophets
Who was John the Baptist? Christ said of him, that he was the prophet Elijah that has come. He brought people to repent of their sin, and to be baptised in water, preparing the way for the Lord. And why was he in prison, because he warned Herod that it was not lawful for him to take his brother's wife for himself.
Sinners
Which brings us to sinners, those that sin against the Lord and others. People like you and me, who do things of sin for all kinds of reasons. Did you read how Herod was sorry? He regretted his offer to this entertaining stepdaughter of his. He had regret, but regardless, he went ahead and delivered as he had promised.
People of Their Word
Which brings us to people of their word. The Lord Jesus said, let your yes be yes and your no be no. Now, Herod did not want to kill John the Baptist. But, he gave his word. It is sort of a warning that we should not live by our word, but GOD'S. I ask again, just how well did this damsel dance to please him. How was it worth half his kingdom or the head of John the Baptist? People of their word, are led and kept captive by their own words. They cannot go back on their word, not even for the sake of righteousness. We see this today too, when someone agrees to do something or to remain silent on a matter, when their obsession with their own person exceeds that which is righteous.
Godless Murderers
This brings us to Heroidias, the try villain in this reading. A murderer in heart, in contemplation and even up to execution. Not once did she take her mind off ending the life of the prophet that spoke out against that which she wanted. Instead of repent, she went in the way of Cain, and by it, demanded murder. Her daughter might have received half of the Kingdom of Herod, but she was fixated on murder.
No Action People
Then, there are those on, what may be considered, the "sidelines." These are those that witnessed both the dancing and the head of John the Baptist being delivered to Herodias' daughter. These are those of no objection. They are also those who Herod considered with regard to his word that was given. They did nothing, yet, they have a power over Herod, they themselves probably did not even know of. This speaks to the thing, "what shall people think and say?" The same are seen in taking no action of faith, not in hearing Christ or His Disciples.
There are many "kinds" of people if you had to break it down like this. And, of course, most are a little bit of each of these, depending on the situation. But, what is a singleness of mind and heart, when it does not stand for Jesus Christ or GOD, or for the law, or the instruction from GOD above? The answer... It stands for sin. It is corrupted, seeking self profit in all things. Whether it be for half the kingdom, or the head of a man; and even for something as silly as "what people might think." When we stand by our own words, then we are in trouble, because we did not know the cost when they were spoken. By our word we can accept or reject, just as we read of those to whom the disciples went.
Now surely, there are far more depravities in man than these that were shown here. The question that brings us to reflection is this, "am I like that?" And yet, it is not a question asked within man by himself in the natural progression of things. No, we are so often like these no action people. We see a crime, and respond without action. We see the defamation of a character and do nothing. We read from the Word of GOD; no action. Until, we reach the point that we realise, that our inaction was an action too. We chose to remain uninvolved, permitting all kinds of erroneous things. Is there judgment due for that?
This brings me again to the powerful words spoken by Christ in Matthew 25. That comes to a highlight in verse 40. "Whatsoever ye have done unto the least of these, my brethren, ye have done unto me." Also then later in the text, regarding omission of action, "whatsoever ye have not done unto the least of these, my brethren, ye have not done unto me."
Are we sheep or goats? By their fruit shall you know them. And if then known, who can be helped back on the right road? Do we remain silent forever on all things? Do we forget to judge for the widow and the orphan? Shall murder be justified, just because a man gave his word? A man, like any other man, that is dressed up in self-importance?
What manner of a man am I? Do I stand in the same error, thinking higher of myself than I ought to? Without self-reflection, measured against a high standard, like the Word of GOD, how will man come to repentance, and believe in Jesus Christ? What is Salvation then, but faith in Him?
Text Insert on 2025-01-16
1 Timothy 4:11-16 KJV
[11] These things command and teach. [12] Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. [13] Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. [14] Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. [15] Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. [16] Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
https://bible.com/bible/1/1ti.4.11-16.KJV
Selah, Shalom.
Verse of The Day
From the YouVersion Bible App (Expanded from verse 13)
Isaiah 41:10-14 KJV
[10] Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. [11] Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish. [12] Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought. [13] For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. [14] Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
https://bible.com/bible/1/isa.41.10-14.KJV
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