Jesus Becomes Famous

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.