Central Truth

Our world is hungering to the point of death for truth.  Starvation is often accompanied by delusion, preventing one from knowing what is or isn't good for them.  Concentrate on the one in your sphere of influence; together we'll change the masses.  Discipleship requires time and investment. 

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Reflections

The sixth chapter of Mark is packed with events.  Let's list them:  Jesus returns to Nazareth; Apostles sent out by pairs to communities to preach repentance and heal the sick; beheading of John the Baptist; feeding of the 5000; and Jesus walks on water.  When looking at this chapter one is able to draw a correlation to two things--message and miracles.  We'll take a look at two of these events.  

In verse seven we see Jesus dispatching his 12 in pairs to villages.  Their message was repentance, a turning of one's ways to the ways of God.  The report the Apostles brought back was undoubtedly filled with spectacular details because they were eager to tell Jesus of all they had done and taught. 

Shortly following the Apostles return, a large crowd is following Jesus.  Jesus takes a moment and surveys the crowd; He is moved with compassion because the people are without truth.  Jesus takes time to not only teach this crowd but to also feed them with five loaves of bread and two fish, a miracle unnoticed by Jesus' closest followers but I often wonder how many in the group of 5000 did notice.  I would wager that if you were person 4,998 in the last group you would be concerned watching the basket being passed around, wondering if you'll get any dinner.  However, as the basket moves around the circle you rub your eyes thinking to yourself "am I seeing what I think I'm seeing, the food is not disappearing from the basket?"

The Gospel that we present is severely diminished when devoid of miracles.  In some ways our verbal only message can get lost in this media age of ours being challenged by the latest guru or managerial principle.  When Gospel is brought together with miracles the combination as displayed by Christ has remarkable implications to first the individual and then the world! 

One caution seen in verse one is not to be a Nazarene, calling Jesus..."just a carpenter."  This attitude allows pride, jealousy, and prejudice thereby preventing the working of miracles by unbelief.     

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Discussion Questions

1.  When someone says "miracles," what's the first thought that comes to mind?  

2.  Do you believe miracles add credence to today's Gospel message?

3.  Is it fair to ask God to be above and beyond the statistical averages of healings/remissions within a church sample as compared to a non-church sample?

4.  What would you consider to be a miracle for you?
 
5.  Have you prayed about your miracle?

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