July 10-16, 2022

Compiled by Dr. "Joey" Alan Le, Ph.D.

The Rejection of Jesus at Nazareth (vv-1-6)

v2 On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.

Familiarity breeds contempt (Garland 1996, 233). The people are not astonished because of Jesus’ wisdom or miracles, but in where Jesus got all of it. To them, Jesus is just the local boy. He should be no more special than the rest of his family (France 2009, 242). They cannot imagine that God would work so dramatically through someone so familiar in their midst (Garland 1996, 231). To call Jesus the “son of Mary” is an insult, especially given the rumors of that Jesus is illegitimate (Coleman 2019, 1605).

Carpenters are not the sort of person from whom you would expect wisdom and power (France 2009, 243). Jews had a high regard for manual labor, but they expected the scribe (scholar) to be wise, since they had the leisure to study. The artisan or laborer would be too engaged in business to become wise (Garland 1996, 233). On the other hand, Greeks and Romans viewed craftsmen as uneducated and uncouth. They would be appalled that God could speak and act through someone so ill-bred (Garland 1996, 236).

The gospel is scandalous, both in its content and in who proclaims it. Either people don’t like what Jesus says, or that it is Jesus who says it.

1. People don’t want to hear the message that they need a Savior, that they must change their lifestyle, and that they are called to selfless love.

2. People might accept the message, but they want the messenger to be worthy of their respect.

How does the gospel challenge the way you think the world should run? Would you be willing to listen to the voice of God speak through someone you don’t expect or respect?

v5 And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them.

Whereas doubt has trouble believing, unbelief is a refusal to believe. Is it possible to help/heal someone who does not want to be helped/healed?

v6 And he was amazed at their unbelief. Then he went about among the villages teaching.

When people have faith (even if it is minuscule), they seek Jesus, reach out to touch him, and believe that even a brief touch will heal them. But the people in Jesus’ hometown do not want Jesus’ touch. They hold back, scorn and doubt him, and walk away. Their unbelief prevents them from going to Jesus, which in turn prevents them from being healed. Whatever illnesses or problems they had, they did not think they needed help from the likes of Jesus. Therefore, they saw no miracles, no transformation.

Which comes first: faith or miracle? Is there a more nuanced way to answer that?

The Death of John the Baptist (vv14-29)

v14 King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some were saying, “John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him.”

Herod Antipas caught wind of the disciples’ mission in Galilee (Perkins 1995, 597). The kingship of Jesus threatens Herod’s kingship (Garland 1996, 244).

v17 For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her. 18 For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not,

Herod feared John because he would have had the Jewish public’s support in denouncing a scandalas marriage with Herodias. By Jewish law, Herodias was not allowed to divorce her husband, but she took advantage of her Roman citizenship to divorce her first husband. But the issue was that Herod married his brother’s wife while his brother was still alive (France 2009, 256).

In this instance Jewish law conflicted with Roman law. However, it is often the case that people can do what is lawful in human eyes but is disapproved by God. Can you think of any modern-day examples?

v20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him.

Many well-to-do Greeks, fancying themselves patrons of intellectual pursuits, supported philosophers more for cultural and entertainment purposes than for ethical edification. Influenced by upper-class Greek ideals, Herod undoubtedly considered himself as open-minded culturally as he was brutal politically (Keener 1993, Mk 6:20). Have you noticed this dynamic within yourself, approving of what is right, but not actually doing what is right?

v22 When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.”

For a princess to dance publicly before an audience of drunken men was considered most shameful (Coleman 2019, 1606). The destructive dynamics of sexuality and power politics is a real feature of human life back then and now (Perkins 1995, 599).

v27 Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, 28 brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother.

Serving Christ’s mission to a world under the domination of the powers is filled with danger. Not only may disciples face rejection, but they may also actually face execution. Earthly rulers do not want to hear about another king, even if that king is God. They do not want to be confronted by their sins. The prospect of death for Christ’s sake is not a remote possibility. It is real (Garland 1996, 247-248). Given the high cost, what good reasons do you have for committing to Jesus?

Jesus Walks on the Water (vv45-52)

v46 After saying farewell to them, he went up on the mountain to pray.

During great success and popularity, Jesus goes off to pray (Coleman 2019, 1607). How do you handle success and popularity?

v47 When evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land.

Jesus had been praying on the mountain for some time. He descends the mountain and stands upon the shore by himself. It’s apparent that the disciples have been out at sea for much longer than they should have been. They had rowed for hours but they were still only partway, maybe halfway, there.

v48 When he saw that they were straining at the oars against an adverse wind, he came towards them early in the morning, walking on the sea. He intended to pass them by.

The disciples are struggling, “straining” and “tormented” in their rowing. They are exhausted and discouraged. Sometimes, we give everything we have, but we’re fighting against the wind, doing nowhere. Where do you find the resolve to keep going?

Standing on a flat surface with your eyes about 5 feet off the ground, the farthest edge that you can see is about 3 miles away, because of the curve of the Earth. Assuming the lake hasn’t changed much since then, it would not be humanly possible for Jesus to see his disciples struggling in the middle of the lake? They were well beyond the horizon. But somehow, Jesus supernaturally saw the disciples in their struggle. Even when God seems absent, in reality, God see us in our struggle, and is making his way to be with us. Do you ever feel like God is absent and that you’re struggling all by yourself?

What is the significance of Jesus’ intention of passing the disciples by? In the Old Testament, there are at least two instances of God passing a human person by: Moses in Ex 33:16-23, and Elijah in 1 Kgs 19:11-12. In both OT instances and in this NT miracle, God wanted to reveal the divine glory to give the people confidence that they will arrive at their destination. God’s glory encourages us with the knowledge that God is able and enough for all our needs. When have you experienced the glory of God? What effect did that have on you?

v51 Then he got into the boat with them and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded,

When Jesus gives us a task, he expects us to work for it. But he’ll be joining us as we struggle. What task(s) does God have for you at the moment? What task(s) might God be preparing you to do?

v52 for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.

Once again, the apparent “insiders” are really “outsiders.” What do the loaves have to do with hardened hearts? How does our understanding of God’s method affect our understanding of God’s activity?