Honored Except At Home (Mark 6)

Did Jesus do many miracles in places where He was dishonored? What was the purpose of the first short-term mission trip? Why was John the baptist killed? How did Jesus provide for the 5000? Did Jesus take time alone to pray? Were the disciples' hearts still hardened? Let’s look at Mark 6.

Why did Jesus go into the synagogue? What was the people's reaction?

He went out from there. He came into his own country, and his disciples followed him. When the Sabbath had come, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many hearing him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things?” and, “What is the wisdom that is given to this man, that such mighty works come about by his hands? (Mark 6:1-2 WEB)

Were they repulsed? Did familiarity breed contempt?

Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t he Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” They were repulsed by him and fell into sin. (Mark 6:3 CEB)

What did Jesus say about their prejudice? Are prophets honored in their own families?

But Jesus said, “Prophets are honored by everyone, except the people of their hometown and their relatives and their own family.” (Mark 6:4 CEV)

Can our attitude prevent God from wanting to do mighty works among us? Does such an attitude shock us like it did Jesus?

And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went about among the villages teaching. (Mark 6:5-6 ESV)

Did Jesus then send the disciples on a short term mission trip, sent out in pairs?

He summoned the Twelve and began to send them out in pairs and gave them authority over unclean spirits. (Mark 6:7 HCSB)

Was this also possibly a faith building exercise as much as practical experience?

He instructed them to take nothing along on the trip except a walking stick—no bread, no traveling bag, nothing in their moneybag. They could wear sandals but not take along an extra shirt. (Mark 6:8-9 ISV)

Should they stay put so that people could know where to find them?

And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place. (Mark 6:10 KJV)

What if they were rejected? Is that going to happen to us? What do we do when we are rejected?

And any place that does not receive you or listen to you, as you go out from there, shake the dust off the soles of your feet for a testimony against them.” (Mark 6:11 LSB)

What did they do? What was their message? Do churches today still preach repentance?

And they went out and preached that people are to repent. And they were casting out many demons and were anointing with oil many sick people and healing them. (Mark 6:12-13 NASB)

What was Herod’s fear? Was he worried about John the baptist or himself?

King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known. Some were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” Others said, “He is Elijah.” And still others claimed, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago.” But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!” (Mark 6:14-16 NIV)

What had Herod done? What had John said to him? Did he publicly condemn Herod’s adultery?

For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; for he had married her. Because John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” (Mark 6:17-18 NKJV)

Did John compromise the truth? Is speaking truth to power courageous?

So Herodias bore a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But without Herod’s approval she was powerless, for Herod respected John; and knowing that he was a good and holy man, he protected him. Herod was greatly disturbed whenever he talked with John, but even so, he liked to listen to him. (Mark 6:19-20 NLT)

Did Herod make a foolish promise? Do we make foolish promises?

Then a convenient day came, that Herod on his birthday made a supper for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee. When the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and those sitting with him. The king said to the young lady, “Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you.” He swore to her, “Whatever you shall ask of me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.” (Mark 6:21-23 WEB)