Read Mark 6:1-29.
This chapter has the three foremost elements that sell newspapers: royalty, sex, and religion. It begins with the latter. When Jesus went back to His home region His religious teachings became the center of attraction. But instead of welcoming Him, people took offense at Him (vv. 1-6). Why?
Jesus sends out His twelve disciples in pairs. What is significant about the instructions He gives them (vv. 7-10)?
How are they to respond to being unwanted and why (v.11)?
The kingdom of God is at hand. In the context of Jesus’ mission, there was a great sense of urgency. Therefore, woe to those who have missed their chance. Today, what demands this same urgency and how does patience play its part?
When the king (here is the royalty news) hears about Jesus and what He is doing, some think it is Elijah based on the words of the prophet Malachi (4:5). Why would Herod think Jesus is John the Baptist raised from the dead (vv. 14-16)?
Herod had arrested John previously because John opposed Herod’s marriage to his brother’s wife. (Here’s the sex news) Why did John oppose this act (vv. 17-18)?
Then we read of Herod’s scandalous birthday bash. Even though Herod feared and listened to John, why does he order John’s beheading (vv. 22-28)?
When does pressure to please people override our desire to obey God?
Why do you think Mark places this story about John right after the episode of Jesus sending out the Twelve?
What are the costs or potential costs for us as we play our part as agents of God’s kingdom?
Trent Dean
dean008@gmail.com