Mark 6:38-39 “How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.” When they found out, they said, “Five – and two fish.” 39 Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass.
 
DO you think the Christian life requires you to be busy with many tasks? After all, Jesus taught us to be active kingdom citizens, even to the point of sacrificing our lives. We also have the direct admonition from James 2:20 faith without deeds is useless. James even reminds us that Abraham, the spiritual founder of our faith, was rewarded for his supremely faithful response to God’s command: James 2:21 Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. As we learn, God stopped Abraham from slaying his son. But Abraham’s actions revealed his complete faith, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” (Genesis 22:8)
   To obey Jesus’ command to be salt and light (from Matthew 5) requires we do things that make a difference in your own and others’ lives. When you belong to a church, you are asked, “How will you use your gifts?” And yet, we must know within the work there are good times to go and sit down.
   Jesus had just finished speaking to thousands of people. “Church” was done. Jesus and his leadership team had a quick meeting. The disciples essentially said, “There’s neither food nor money.” Jesus said, “You give them something to eat.” What were they to do?
   Instead of sending the crowd home Jesus committed the work to the Father. He told his leaders to distribute the fish and loaves. The Son blessed the meal. The Father provided. The disciples faithfully did the work. The crowd received the blessing.
   The point here is to be mindful the church is a community of believers formed to bless and receive blessing. One of the Bible’s oldest and most used blessings is Numbers 6:24-26 The LORD bless you and keep you; 25 the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; 26 the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace. The fundamental meaning to this is that God’s people are to recognize God’s blessings when they are faithful to his commands. It’s easy to keep striving for more and believing we have more “salt and light” work to do. But the people on the plain that day would not have received God’s benevolent care and personal attention if they had stood up to search for food. Jesus taught them much about kingdom living that day, even to sit and await the Lord’s blessings.
   There are occasions when you diligent workers are to sit down. Your Father wants to bless your work. He wants you to see his face shining on you because he is pleased with you. Sometimes you are the leader to direct the doing. Sometimes you are the worker. Sometimes you go sit down, and you receive blessings of others’ work. That’s a good balance for a good Christian life.  

Mark 6:35-37 By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it's already very late. 36 Send the people away, so they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” 37 But he answered, “You give them something to eat.” They said to him, “That would take eight months of a man’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?” 
 
DOES God’s word feed you? Sometimes people gather in small groups or certain Sunday school classes for years to study the Bible and other Christian resources. They like being “fed” in God’s truth this way, and they should.
   But too often the group members resist taking what has nourished them into new places to feed others. We can be very uncomfortable going from eating to serving. “What will I feed them? Who will come to eat?” And the banquet hall remains empty.
   Jesus was the disciples’ small group leader. The Living Word had been feeding the scriptures to them. Words of life were filling their minds and nourishing their hearts. Then Jesus determined it was time to send them out to feed others.
   When the Teacher said to the disciples, “You give them something to eat.”  It was time to do what they had learned. Jesus wanted them to learn God’s power was available to them if they faithfully followed what Jesus had taught and done.
   But they responded as each of us would have, “That would take eight months of a man’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?” So Jesus helped them understand. He is the good mentor who taught with illustrations and by example. As the story continues, we see how the Lord helped them understand one essential lesson: Learning God’s Word must lead to doing God’s Word.
   One day as the Risen Son of God, Jesus would commission the disciples to serve a banquet that was set to feed the world. To prepare them for their God-sized work, Jesus gave them God-sized tasks. He wanted them to fill them, so they could abundantly fill others.
   As God’s Word feeds you, are you preparing a banquet?  

Mark 6:34 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.
 
WHEN you think of the most influential people in your life who is on that list? Would you include someone who has taught you or mentored you? Likely you would. Very few of us have become who we are without the aid of a good teacher. In addition to expanding our knowledge, one of the many things good teachers do is to correct our errors and misunderstandings.
   Jesus wants you to know correction is a good thing. It’s necessary for your sanctification. One of the sin nature’s many afflictions on our minds is a desire to always be right. We don’t want to hear, “You’re wrong.” But the Bible has numerous teachings to correct the many things that have kept and still keep people from hearing, believing and knowing the true God.
   If you confess Christ and belong to his church, are you willing to hear correction? Or would you rather be a sheep without a shepherd, going your own way?
   And consider this. Are you willing to be a compassionate shepherd? Yes, it’s often difficult. But there are times you see people living in obvious sin. Or they have the wrong understanding of God and the way to heaven. Are you willing to help people see their errors? In Matthew 18:15-17 our Lord teaches a way to correct one who sins against us. He knows sin divides his people. Have compassion to help people know when they are wrong. And likewise, be willing to submit to others who are compassionate to correct you. Good teaching requires the truth.
   We can be absolutely certain Jesus was on the disciples’ list as the most influential person in their lives. I pray that this is true for you. As you may want to know more of God and his plan for your life, please know you have the same transforming, life-shaping teacher as the disciples.
   Think of that: You are as precious to Jesus as the first 12. He does not want you to be without a shepherd, lost and unsure of what to do. No, he is your compassionate Shepherd, who sent the Counselor to help you grow toward his perfect Father. Find joy in your learning. Helps others do the same.  

Mark 6:33 But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them.
 
ARE you running to Jesus? The people of Galilee ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of Jesus and his disciples. They ran to Jesus’ next preaching and healing place. They were excited! They had heard his preaching and had seen his healing. They wanted more! Many likely invited friends and family. God’s power was raining over the land. A dry and thirsty people were drinking in his reviving, renewing love.
   We thank God this was just the beginning of a great desire for God’s Word in many places since that day. Remember, his Spirit is over the earth today, just as he was at creation. He indwells all who believe, and his power quickens millions of hearts to know God’s Word. There are countless times when God has stirred thousands of people to fill streets, auditoriums, stadiums and hillsides, so his people hear and live God’s Word.
   The Spirit has also done a mighty work of revival in many places. For example, in the early 1800’s a revival began in the U.S. on a college campus with one small Bible study. This faithful work exploded into thousands of students on many campuses confessing Christ. Again in New York City in 1857, the great Fulton Street revival broke out from one small prayer group. It grew to be an expansive noon-time prayer gathering throughout the city as people filled churches and auditoriums. Some even stood in the street because the rooms were full. In 1904 a great revival swept through Wales, changing the culture to the point the police and courts had no criminals to prosecute!
   Throughout the world today people are running to Jesus. In our limited view of Jesus’ church, we might see the church becoming smaller. But it’s not. Our Lord continues to build his church on the rock of the gospel. And Hades will not overcome it. (Matthew 16:18)
    How do you run to Jesus today? You utilize his means of grace, don’t you? The Bible is God’s map to guide you into a true relationship with him. The Holy Spirit helps you understand the Bible. A regular time of praying, listening to God’s Word taught and reading good books are some ways you can go to Jesus, ready to learn and grow in faith.
   This running to Jesus is called sanctification.. As Father, Spirit and Son, God has shown us through his Word that he is an active God, continually moving forward. He calls you the follow him, so you can be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:48)
   Jesus warned there are many who want to draw you into their philosophies or self-proclaimed truth. In his magnificent love, Jesus preached that you must pursue only God’s perfection. He has given you the means to know the right way. May the Spirit guide your running to the Son.

Mark 16:12-20 Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. 13 These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either. 14 Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. 15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” 19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. 20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.
 
THE disciples were not ready to be apostles. Their first responses to news of Jesus’ resurrection was doubt and even ridicule of the messengers. Although Jesus had twice (Matthew 16 and 17) told them he would suffer, die and rise, they did not believe. They disobeyed God’s Word just as Israel had for centuries. In response, Jesus rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.
   And then what did he do? He commissioned and commanded them to make disciples. He sent these men who were weak of faith to do the work that required extraordinary faith. He used them to do what he had done – to heal and perform life-changing signs. Jesus’ messengers were commissioned to demonstrate God’s salvation had come into the world.   
   Jesus, the Good Shepherd, sent help: John 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever – the Spirit of Truth. Through his Spirit the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus transformed these doubting, disobedient men into the foundation of his church. Ephesians 2:19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.  
   We can look at the 12 apostles (Matthias was added in Acts 1:26) and ask, “Can we do these things now? Are we able to wage war against demons, disease and doubt as the Spirit-empowered apostles?” The truth is, we must. The world is still needs salvation.
   We have the same power to do God’s work as the apostles. God is the same. The Spirit is still active, indwelling all who believe, helping all who obey Jesus’ commands. We must have the faith to know and trust that in the Spirit’s power, Jesus’ commands are fulfilled. God’s will is done on earth. 

Mark 15:8-11 Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid. 9 When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. 11 When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it.
 
THE devoted women became suddenly afraid. The stone is rolled away, but Jesus is gone! Had they put themselves in danger as they attempted to care for Jesus’ body? What’s more a man spoke a very strange message, “He is risen! You’ll see him in Galilee.” The words were abrupt. The women received the life-changing announcement with fear. Why were they afraid?
   If it were true everything would change, wouldn’t it? Their understanding of Jesus would change. Their belief in God would change. Jesus’ resurrection is a life-altering event. Life-altering is fearful. Who knows what will happen?
   What was your first reaction to, “Jesus is risen. The grave is empty!” Were you afraid to consider the Living Lord will change your life? To believe and live the Good News, “He has risen! He is not here.” means you must confront your life. Is the risen Lord your foe or your friend?
   Even the disciples weren’t sure. Mary told the mourning and weeping disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” (John 20:18) But they did not believe it. It was only when Jesus appeared to them, talked and ate with them did they believe Mary’s good news.
   But what do you do with the doubt? The women and the disciples had real evidence. Do you?
   We could say, “Just believe.” but you must know Jesus is the object of your faith. One way to strengthen your faith is to know these three facts that confirm Jesus’ resurrection.
   The first is salvation. True salvation changes lives. No mere idea or dead god could transform anyone. Those who confess Jesus are new in him because he is alive.
   The second evidence is the Old Testament scriptures. Hundreds of prophecies refer to Jesus’ birth, death and resurrection. Jesus fulfilled each of those prophecies. No dead rabbi could do that.
   The third evidence is the eyewitnesses. The gospels and epistles were written when Paul, Peter and John were under great persecution. Paul and Peter died for their work. John was exiled. All suffered terribly. False witnesses do not suffer and die for a false teacher.
   Still each of us must come to the point when we put aside fear and doubt to receive Jesus’ transforming salvation. Be diligent to listen to His Word. Know he has lived, suffered, died, risen and ascended for your eternal life.

Mark 16:1-4 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3 and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away.
 
WE continue to observe the devoted women (See prior lesson.) tend to their Lord. Their mission was simple: anoint Jesus’ body. Complete the work delayed because of the Sabbath. Perhaps as we would say, they were purposeful to bring some closure to the awful suffering their beloved Jesus had endured. Their aching hearts needed some relief.
   But there was this doubt: who would roll away the large stone? An immovable obstacle would block their work. Should they continue to their task? In the morning’s darkness and the pale of death that hung in their minds, it might have been easier to stay at home.
   But it’s never truly easy to stay at home when the Holy Spirit is moving you to God’s purpose. You can fight it and say, “Not me, Lord.” But the Spirit moves the faithful heart past the fear into action. Surely the Spirit was on the women. How else would they have the faith to walk into an unknown circumstance?
   Faith stirred their mission and set aside their fear. Yes, fear and doubt were in their minds, but these restrictions did not control them. A faithful focus on their work strengthened their steps to go to the tomb and to care for Jesus’ body.
   Their determination is rewarded. How relieved they were to see the stone rolled away! Then they discovered their true mission:
 
Mark 16:5-7 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. 6 “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”
 God had formed the women for a very special purpose. No other people in the world’s history would have the task set before them that day. He had grown them into life and chosen them out of the crowds to be the first to know the tomb is empty!
   They could have easily missed their calling. Fear could have overcome their faith – “Who will roll away the stone? Is it safe to go?” But faith replaced their questions. They had obeyed. Then God rewarded. They become Jesus’ first missionaries to proclaim, “He is risen!”
   When we are faithful to obey him, God’s rewards are beyond our expectations, even into eternal life: Revelation 22:12 “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.”

Mark 15:40-47 Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41 In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there. 42 It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached, 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. 44 Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. 45 When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. 46 So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.
 
TO be devoted to Jesus is to have a consistent, loving response to Jesus’ grace. The four people in this scripture are good examples of such a devoted life. Mary Magdalene, Luke tells us, was healed from seven demons. Mary is the mother of James the younger (the smaller or younger disciple James) and Joses, apparently a man well-known in the early church. Salome is the apostles James’ and John’s mother. Joseph of Arimathea was a wealthy man of the Ruling Council. He opposed Jesus’ crucifixion. And John partners him with Nicodemus in Jesus’ burial. Joseph gave his new family tomb for Jesus’ body.
   The three women were consistently with Jesus during his ministry. They loved Jesus because of his tender care on their own lives. And they saw his mercy extend to Israel’s suffering people. They watched his magnificent healings and marveled at his authoritative teachings.   They also knew that as fully man, the Lord needed their faithful support to care for his physical needs.
   One day their devotion took them farther than they could have imagined. There they were at the cross, still with Jesus, witnessing the bitter, brutal end of their beloved Master’s life.
   Devoted to  him in life, they remained courageously committed to stay with him even into his death. They wept for him at the cross. They followed his body to the tomb. They needed to know where he is buried, so they could anoint his body with spices for the Lord’s proper burial.
   Joseph could not help Jesus in life, so he honored Jesus in his death with the very valuable new family tomb. Then he affirmed Jesus’ body was secure as he rolled the stone over the entrance to the tomb. (This refers to Joseph overseeing this work; he would not have been able to move the massive stone on his own.)
   How can you express devotion to Jesus? You can’t physically care for Jesus as the women did, but you can care for and love others as he instructs us. You can also stand in his truth even when others abandon or minimize him. Devotion to God is to love him with all your heart. Devotion to God is to love others as yourself.
     What do you say, then, are you devoted to Jesus? 

Mark 15:22-26 They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). 23 Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. 24 And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get. 25 It was the third hour when they crucified him. 26 The written notice of the charge against him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS.
 
ONE simple sentence: And they crucified him. defines sin’s great cost. Here is the moment God promised to mankind when he confirmed his victory plan over Satan: Genesis 3:15 “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” Satan has struck Jesus heel, a metaphor for the most horrible affliction of pain and humiliation. Do you wonder, “Why did Jesus need to suffer? Why did his affliction need to be so terrible?” You can find an answer when you discover many Bible verses that reveal God deeply hated sin.
   Remember, God is life. He created a world of life in all forms of creatures to fill the world and dwell in harmony. But the first thing sin caused in the world was bloodshed. God killed animals to clothe the suddenly naked and shamed Adam and Eve. Sin was also a death penalty to humanity. “You will surely die.” (Genesis 2:17) was God’s solemn warning to Adam. Death and bloodshed is sin’s price. To redeem the bloodshed and to overcome death, someone needed to pay with blood and his life. The only one who could do this for all humanity is the Son of God. In love and grace, the Father chose the Son to pour out his blood to overturn sin’s death penalty.
   That’s why you praise God for the second part of the Genesis promise: “He will crush your head.” Jesus died to destroy Satan’s authority over our souls. Through Jesus’ resurrection, death no longer reigns. Jesus’ resurrection from the grave and his ascension to heaven’s throne defeated Satan’s headship over mankind. Today from his throne, Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to crush the Evil One’s control over mankind’s soul. The Spirit has resurrected countless hearts to Jesus’ salvation. These confessions crush sin’s death and raise hearts to Jesus’ life.
   Behold the victory promise! Revelation 21:7-9 “He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son. 8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars – their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
   Praise God! “And they crucified him.” is the Father’s evidence he has fulfilled his promise to redeem the sins of all who believe.  

Mark 14:22-25 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” 23 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. 25 “I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God.”
 
MAY this scripture help you to more fully understand God’s deep love for your soul. Note carefully Jesus’ words to begin this Last Supper as recorded in Luke 22:15 I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. He is eager – enthusiastic, impatient, passionate – to eat with his disciples. He knows this is the beginning of the new covenant of blood for the salvation of all who believe. His words and his actions reveal the Way to Life. Through the Son, the Father is opening the door for mankind to receive eternal life.
   That’s why the Last Supper is called communion. When Jesus broke the bread he said, “This is my body.” His body was broken on the cross for his disciples with him that night. His body was also broken for all his disciples until his second coming. Then with the cup of wine in hand he promised, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.”  Note this promise isn’t for all people. It is for many. The many, again, are those who are his disciples who confess and believe, “Jesus is my Lord and Savior, risen from the dead.” Jesus’ very personal sacrifice is a promise only to those who promise to follow him in faith.
   Jesus’ words and actions that night were very similar to a Jewish engagement ceremony. The groom to be would raise his glass of wine to his bride and commit his life to hers.
   Jesus broke the bread, and he raised the cup. Then he said, “This is for you.” Will you grasp the promise to receive his great payment for your sin? Receive Jesus and live in joy! The Lord Jesus is offering to commune with you in the unity of your faith in God: Ephesians 4:4 There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to one hope when you were called – 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
   The God of creation has offered his very essence to you, so you will commune with him forever.