Mark 6:21-23 Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. 22 When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want, and I'll give it to you.” 23 And he promised her with an oath, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”
 
HEROD is so captivated with Herodias’ daughter, who is his niece, that he is willing to give her half his kingdom. What kind of foolish, lustful man is this? Herod’s kind is a much too common kind of man. Sins of the flesh captivate the world and cause us to run after quick pleasure. Do sins of the flesh captivate you?
   Before you answer, consider this: What are sins of the flesh? Could they be your desire for the newest car, latest technology tool or extravagant clothes? Could sins of the flesh be too much time watching TV or endless useless chatter in social networks?
   Herod’s sin was obvious. Drunk with wine and temptation, he claimed he was willing to give away half his very substantial kingdom. And his lust for the flesh did not end that day because nothing will ever satisfy the desire for “more”. Sin captivated his soul until it destroyed him. History’s evidence tells us he died in absolute poverty in miserable exile.
   Now think about the things that captivate you. Are they the worldly things that will destroy you, exile you from friends and from God? Or are they things that will capture your soul to more deeply love God and love others? How does this love guard and guide your soul?
   One way is to listen to the Spirit’s commands to reject the bonds of tradition and false teaching. The apostle Paul writes in Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. Paul well knew deceptive philosophies and traditions kept people from God. He was a Pharisee, and he had promoted such traditions. The Pharisees had added 600 laws to God’s law. They taught the Jews that obeying all of these laws was necessary to be righteous in God’s sight. These laws became tradition that ruled over God’s laws. This clouded the Jews’ view of God just as much as Herod’s lust blinded him.
   When Paul began to minister the gospel, he saw new tradition binding and blinding the church. False teachers created empty works-based philosophies in an attempt to form salvation in their own image. “Tradition worship” was Satan’s method to blind the Jews to God’s promises of life in his gracious love. The same has happened in the church. We have allowed human-formed traditions to capture our hearts. The result is we can find it difficult to trust God’s rich, lavish grace he promises to all who call on Jesus as Lord and Savior.
   The account of John’s battle with Herod is the story of God’s war with Satan. We find it easy to condemn Herod. But we must be careful to discern if anything we desire lessens or even blocks our relationship with God.        

Mark 6:19-20 So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, 20 because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him.
 
IN this classic battle of evil against good, evil is working very hard to remove the good. Herodias, Herod’s unlawful wife, is intent to kill John the Baptist. Telling the truth is John’s crime. John had condemned her adultery with her brother-in-law, Herod Antipas. Everything the Evil One does in this world is to kill God’s people. That’s why we need the Lord of Life to defend us.  
   Herod Antipas was a ruler over Galilee and the area of the Decapolis. Remember this is the same Herod to whom Pilate sent Jesus. History tells us Herod had great power to create beautiful gardens. He built cities and transformed ordinary villages into extraordinary visual splendor. He moved men and earth, but he couldn’t move his heart to the right, even though he knew John to be a righteous and holy man. 
   We know, too, Herod thought about what John told him. He was greatly puzzled at John’s words. And it seems something good was happening in Herod’s mind because he liked to listen to him. Why, then, did Herod keep his corrupt life?  
   Perhaps we can see Herod as we would cultural “Christians” today. These are the people who like to go to a church or a Christian rally because they want to hear the preacher. His words are good, and they discern he speaks the truth. They believe he is a righteous man of God.
   But gospel truth does not reach these listeners’ hearts. They find God’s words fascinating and interesting, even inspiring. But they also are afraid of the truth. To listen to, submit to and live in  the truth will change their lives. Instead of keeping God’s Word in their hearts, they keep their desires above all things. Even if they like to hear God’s Word spoken, they like their own way of life much more.
   Herod and Herodias should have been honored God’s prophet had come to teach them the way to life. But they objected because God’s way began with casting away their fleshly desires. They couldn’t take that first step because they wanted to keep the pleasures they enjoyed. Their minds did not grasp their self-centered lives would lead to their destruction in this life. (See next lesson.) And worse, it led to their eternal destruction.
   Regardless of how good life is for you now, there’s nothing worth keeping if it keeps you from God’s salvation.         

Mark 6:16-18 But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, the man I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!” 17 For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. 18 For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.” 
 
TELLING, preaching and teaching the truth is a very difficult and heavy burden. John, the Herald of the Christ, is dead because he told the truth to Herod. Herod’s sin mocked God’s law, and it seems sin won that battle.
   When you read Israel’s history does it appear the devil has won too many battles against God’s prophets? Jesus accused the Jews’ tragic history: Matthew 23:29 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. 30 And you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our forefathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ 31 So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets.” And then they killed Jesus. They couldn’t submit to his truth.
    Evil seems to winning the race for mankind’s soul. Do you wonder, “Why would God permit sinners to kill salvation messengers?” This causes us to hesitate to be Jesus’ messenger, doesn’t it? We know people will want to “kill” us with their mockery, ostracism, indifference and hatred. Some of you may know physical threats because you tell the gospel’s truth. John was doing God’s will. Why did John, and why do so many other faithful witnesses have to die?
   It’s good to know that many “Why God?” questions points to this answer: God does everything for your good and for his glory.
    No, John didn’t end up “good” from our perspective, but he ended up “good” in Jesus’ view. Matthew 11:11a “I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist…14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.”
   With high praise and complete affirmation, Jesus testified that John fulfilled God’s plan for his life and for God’s kingdom. That means John was a vital point in your salvation! John told the truth, and today he’s in heaven’s glory. John is certainly “good” in the Lord.
   In contrast, Herod isn’t “good”. He won the battle, but he has lost the war for his soul. Tragically, Herod is in hell. It is to God’s glory that sin is eternally punished and the salvation messenger is eternally saved.
   Do you need help to be a gospel prophet? Then remember this: the truth is God’s gift for your eternal life. God’s will is that you offer the gift to others. When many reject the gift, you may think you’re losing the war. But you’re not. God has given you a kingdom purpose. You will aid in winning the war. Know you will be good in God’s goodness forever.     

Mark 6:12-14 They went out and preached that people should repent. 13 They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them. 14 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.” 
 
THE disciples followed Jesus’ evangelism principles (See prior lesson.) They preached repentance. Remove sin from your heart and receive the Spirit’s anointed healing. The apostles could suddenly do the magnificent work Jesus was doing.
   Then what happened? From Galilee’s farms to King Herod’s throne, Jesus’ name was glorified – it was lifted up among all people. But they still did not know who he is.
   They had their mind on John the Baptist. They thought Jesus could be John returned to life. Herod had killed John. (See next lesson.) During his ministry John repeatedly insisted, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’” (John 1:15b) Many wondered if Jesus wee Elijah or another resurrected prophet. Did anyone consider he is God’s Son? We can be very blind to God even when he walks into our home.
   King Herod is not Herod the Great, who reigned in Jerusalem at Jesus’ birth (Matthew 2). The Herod in Galilee is Herod Antipas. He was not truly a king but a tetrarch because he ruled a fourth of Israel. Rome allowed their provinces to have their own “kings”. This Herod is the one who killed John the Baptist, and he is the one to whom Pilate sent Jesus for trial. (Luke 23:7)
   We make this point to note Jesus is doing more than saving lives. He was re-igniting a collision between the kingdoms of this world with the kingdom of God.
   This is God’s universal battle with sin. Genesis informs us many nations rose to oppose God in the first centuries. Israel in the Promised Land was to be God’s kingdom standing against worldly kingdoms. But Israel allowed earthly kings to overcome the King’s rule. Judges is an account of the devastating hold pagan kingdoms and godless men had on Israel.
   When Jesus becomes well-known in a community or a country, leaders have two options: reject Jesus or embrace him. In all the good God was doing, wasn’t it easy, even joyful for Israel to embrace him, to know who he is? Certainly they would want to replace, “I wonder who he is.” with “I know he is the Son of God come to save us.” But they did not. Even though he told and showed him, they still refused to understand.
     Are you taking time in some way each day to know Jesus more? May Jesus be truly known in your heart, your home, your church and your community. 

Mark 6:10-11 (Jesus instructed) “Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. 11 “And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them.”
 
EVANGELISM is telling the gospel to people who have not yet confessed Jesus as Lord and Savior of their lives. Evangelism is necessary to grow God’s kingdom. “Evangel” means gospel. Evangelism is “gospelism” – it is the Spirit-powered task to teach people the way of salvation for their souls. Evangelism is the most important thing we do. Some evangelism methods include gospel preaching in churches, gospel telling in private conversations, gospel living, and gospel mission trips to local and faraway neighbors. And the Spirit has unveiled many more methods since Jesus’ commanded, “Go and make disciples of the nations.” (Matthew 28:19a) If you’re a Christian, you can daily thank God someone has brought the evangel to you.
   In Mark 6:8-11 Jesus commands the first evangelism effort for his first disciples. His instructions teach us four basic evangelism principles.
   The first is this: Do not correlate the gospel with material wealth. As we read in Mark 6:8-9, Jesus sent the 12 with only a staff. The Savior did not come to offer material wealth. Too often it seems the message to unbelievers is a false promise that all their problems, including poverty, will disappear when they confess Jesus. Jesus is the most precious gift. This is illustrated in Peter’s and John’s early ministry. As they approached the crippled beggar in the temple, Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” (Acts 3:6) The man walked away with the riches of God’s salvation for eternal life.
   The second principle ties to the first. Wherever we go we rely only on the Spirit’s power. The disciples went only with a staff. So did Moses and Aaron. God wants all to know he is the power and the glory to free us from our sins.
   Evangelism’s third principle is to develop relationships with those to whom you evangelize. When people welcomed the disciples into their homes, they would become more personally engaged in the disciples’ lives. The gospel is easier to tell to a friend than one who opposes you. Jesus accomplished much in people’s homes.
   A fourth principle is to leave behind the unbeliever. Jesus instructed the disciples, “Shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them.” Jesus did this figuratively when he moved away from those who continually argued with him. The “shaking dust” illustration refers to some Jews’ practice to clean their sandals when they returned from a Gentile nation. They were symbolically removing any spiritual impurities from their minds. We must strive for Christ. But too much time farming unfertile ground will starve you.
   Evangelism is being God’s partner to build his church. Look at it as a wondrous adventure that grows your love for God. Faithfully doing God’s will allows us to experience God personally working in you. Speaking of Jesus is good for others, and it’s good for you.
   
“Anything of spiritual significance that happens in your life will be a result of God's activity in you. He is infinitely more concerned with your life and your relationship with Him than you or I could possibly be.” ― Henry T. Blackaby Experiencing God

Mark 6:8-9 These were his instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff – no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. 9 Wear sandals but not an extra tunic.
 
IF you ask, “How do I know God’s will for my life?” the Spirit is stirring your heart. In your mind’s eye you sees Jesus beckoning, “Come, follow me.” Perhaps you know what Jesus wants you to do. Is your real question, “How can I possibly follow Jesus into God’s will for my life? Am I ready? Am I qualified?”
    When God calls you into the unknown, there’s often a distracting voice in your natural mind that wants to stop you. “Be sure you have all you need before you go. Build your faith. Be sure your friends and church are behind you. Know what you will do if things don’t “work out” as planned. Be comfortable with going! Carefully review all the possibilities. You don’t want surprises.”
   Do you think the apostles had those thoughts when Jesus gave them no bread, no bag, no money in your belts? Was one walking stick enough? Their life support for food, water and shelter was faith that it would come from people they would meet along the way. They had absolutely no assurance that things would “work out” beyond the Savior’s commands.
   And that’s the thing, isn’t it? Do you need anything beyond God’s Word? The apostle Paul wrote an impassioned letter to the Corinth church, exhorting them to more faithfully follow Jessus. He instructed them on ways to correct their errors. And then he comes to the only way the church will become Jesus’ true disciples. 1 Corinthians 13:13-14a And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts.
   God loves you. He has gifted you to know him as your Savior. He has told you what he wants you to do. Do you have faith, hope and love to do his will?
   Why did Jesus send his disciples to preach the gospel and defeat Satan with only a walking stick? He wanted them to know it was their faith, hope and love in their fundamental relationship with him that would give them success. When the 12 delivered the message, they began to know what God-centered faith, hope and love will do.      

Mark 6:7 Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits.
 
HERE’S the first time Jesus anointed his disciples with his power. Jesus can keep doing his saving work among his people, and much more will be done when he empowers his disciples to go and do what he does. A key word here is sent. It means “to send someone with a special commission to represent another and to accomplish his work.” Out of this meaning comes the word apostle. When Jesus says, “Go.” you can be certain he is sending you to stand before the world to represent him.
   Jesus also gave them specific directives to complete their work. Too often we see Jesus’ teachings as suggestions or ideas for good living. But we must understand Jesus is the Commander of the LORD’s army. That means his words are your commands.
   Think of this. We may often speak of the Ten Commandments as definitive law to obey. They are not optional if we want live right with God and all people. The same is true of Jesus’ words. He is the Word of God. He instructs you to a holy life, so you will become more as God.
   Your purpose then is to inform the world God has saved you and has sent you. You can only accomplish that when we understand his words command you to action. To put your hesitations and disobedience above Jesus’ commands diverts your mission to represent Jesus to the world.
    Remember, as Jesus’ disciple you are engaged in a war. Wars require skirmishes and battles. Commander Jesus trained and equipped his disciples with the Spirit’s power and directed them to the battleground. He gave them the right strategies to win the war. This would be their lifelong mission.
   That must be our response to our Lord. Disciples “go out” and battle for the human soul. We do this through preaching, correcting, helping, teaching, giving, forgiving, serving, loving, praying and healing – and even commanding the demons to be gone. Is that something you and your church are doing? Are you a Christian soldier on active duty for your Commander?
   A disciple lives in Jesus’ discipline. Be willing to go where he commands you to go. Understand what he wants you to do and know how to do what he says. Trust his authority on your life to do so.  
   Do you feel unqualified? Jesus commanded 12 “newcomers” to take his authority into Judea to teach and heal. He required no prior experience, only love for the Lord and others.  
 

Mark 6:4-6 Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor.” 5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 And he was amazed at their lack of faith. Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. 
 
ARE you looking for God to do a power move in your life? Do you want him to change something about you, your family, your community or your church? What do you need to “do” to make that happen? Is the answer, “Have faith. Just believe.”
   That’s Jesus’ message. He had spent time in Capernaum and around the Sea of Galilee preaching and healing. Great crowds came to him in anticipation of his power. But returning to his hometown, Jesus found the crowds had come to minimize and criticize him. Instead of proclaiming, “He is the Son of God.” They could only say, “He’s Mary’s son.” (verse 3). A man was always identified as his father’s son. Perhaps these doubters considered Jesus was Mary’s illegitimate son and deserved no recognition as a man, much less as the Messiah. They rejected Jesus because they rejected God’s prophetic word regarding his Savior. Their restrained view of Jesus limited Jesus’ work. He could heal very few people in Nazareth. Is God’s power limited by our opinion of him?
   Yet, history reveals God has done mighty works when Israel had little or no knowledge of him. In fact, one of the reasons for the Exodus miracles was to reveal his power to his people. They needed to know the God who had formed them is the God of the heavens and earth.
   Jesus also did mighty works when none expected him to do so. For example, he calmed the storms, he raised the dead, he fed thousands with a few loaves and some fish. What blocked his healing power in Nazareth, his hometown?
   It is the people’s continuing doubt. Remember, ideas have consequences. And their idea is that Jesus, the local carpenter, is not worthy of their faith. Even though Jesus has told them who he is. He has gone to other towns and villages to show his people. And he returned with the power stories preceding him. Still, the hometown crowd denied Jesus’ authority as the Christ. His response is to deny them his redeeming power.
   How has Jesus presented himself to you? Have you heard his truth, yet questioned, even rejected the truth? Do you doubt Jesus is alive for you right now? Do you doubt his forgiveness and think, perhaps, you’re not worthy of his restorative work in your life? The Bible is one resource to know God’s gracious work. There are also countless testimonies found in many resources to tell of God’s power affecting people’s lives for their good and his glory.
   What’s your response to the evidence of Jesus’ authority to heal, to transform and to give life? Have faith to believe his will is for your good.

Mark 6:1-3 Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him that he even does miracles! 3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.
 
OF all the centuries the world has existed, it has only been the last 650 years mankind has known the earth is round. When scientists before that said the earth was flat, it was not a lie. It was the truth of the age based on limited knowledge. When sea voyagers and others began to learn the truth, did they keep the fact to themselves? Of course not. They told the truth. But the educated community’s first reaction was an aggressive attempt to silence them. How dare they confront the common understanding? Even when the evidence is plainly visible, we often find it extremely difficult to admit what we know is not correct. The “flat earth” theory has greatly limited exploration and development for most of human history.
   Whether true or false, ideas and perceptions have consequences. We must be passionate about the truth. Only the truth leads to true achievement.
   With their false ideas in mind, the ruling Jews in Nazareth, Jesus’ hometown, didn’t accept this wisdom that has been given him. Luke 4 records his first preaching in Nazareth. Jesus had announced his ministry and proclaimed he fulfilled  the prophets’ promises to bring God’s favor to his people. But they rejected him, even tried to kill him. And now once more, they rejected the he even does miracles when the visible evidence was plain.  What was set so firmly in their minds caused them to reject the Son of God ministering his mercy to them.
   They couldn’t get past what they knew of him. He’s a carpenter. Carpenters build houses. They do not preach, teach and heal. He’s one of us, “Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon.” And, “Aren’t his sisters here with us?” Their idea of the Messiah was certainly different than Jesus. The consequence of their ideas blinded them to the Lord’s glory in their synagogue. Jesus spoke into the misinformation, but they said, “You are not qualified.” They dismissed the Way to Life. Consequently, they missed Jesus’ salvation.
   As you know, the world is full of ideas. We must be very careful to examine what we hear and learn. God has given us his Word to be our safeguard against false ideas with consequences that distort his church, confuse our minds and isolate our souls. Listen to the Bible. Meet with others to learn together. Know God’s truth, so you can know the consequences of his profound love for you.  

Mark 5:37-43 Jesus did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. 38 When they came to the home of the synagogue ruler, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. 39 Jesus went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” 40 But they laughed at him. After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). 42 Immediately the girl stood up and walked around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. 43 He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.
 
RESURRECTION is Jesus’ message to the world. The little girl is the first of three people the gospels record Jesus raised to life before his own resurrection. If this is Jesus’ purpose, why, then, did only Peter, James and John go with him? And why did Jesus put them all out of the house?
   We can accept Jesus’ methods when we remember the Bible teaches us God works in his time. For the gospel’s purpose, Peter, James and John became Jesus’ inner circle. From John 1 and Mark 1, we learn they were among the first disciples Jesus’ called. As Jesus does for all of us, he had a special purpose for their work.
   And there are two possible reasons Jesus did not reveal his resurrection power to the crowd in Capernaum that day. First, Jesus’ teachings and healings were causing both great joy and great controversy throughout Israel. The pressing crowds were a threat to his physical safety. Hundreds of people wanted Jesus’ healing. In contrast, many of Jairus’ friends wanted to stop Jesus. Some ruling Jews claimed Jesus was of the devil. From very early in his ministry they were looking for a reason to kill him. A public resurrection could have stirred a riot in Capernaum. This would have given the Romans and the Jewish rulers reason to arrest Jesus before his time. We know later that the public resurrection of Lazarus (John 11) stirred the Pharisees toward their final plans to crucify Jesus.
   The second reason is unbelief. The people in the home mocked Jesus’ claim, “The child is not dead but asleep.”  He had left Nazareth, his hometown, because of their unbelief. (Luke 4:23-30 & Mark 6:1-6) There is no room for unbelief if you want the Lord to do his work.
   The three disciples, Jairus and his wife became the witnesses to tell this story at the appropriate time. Peter wrote in 1 Peter 5:1 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed.
   On that day Jesus revealed his glory in Capernaum. Jesus’ life and work is prophecy fulfilled. Isaiah 40:5 “And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”
   Yes, on that day the Glory of the Lord came into a family home. He spoke to the mockers and said, “Be gone!” He spoke life, “Give her something to eat.” The Glory of the Lord had come. It’s time to know faith leads to life.