Pairs

Re:Verse passage – Mark 6:7-13 (day two)

And He summoned the twelve and began to send them out in pairs…v. 7a 

It is notable all the things the disciples are instructed not to take, but it struck me today what they did take. They were sent in pairs. This is significant in that Jesus knew the disciples would be aided by the encouragement and accountability of a partner in ministry. Ministry (the kind to which we are ALL called) can be a daunting and draining journey. Each of us will have periods in our call where we feel beat up. There were specific times in Jesus’ earthly journey where he sequestered himself to pray, but how much more did he surround himself with partners in ministry? When we are on mission together we are better. Who are you praying with? Who are you sharing your journey with? Who had Jesus sent to accompany you on your call to serve?

Re:Verse Blog – 3/3/25

Re:Verse passage – Mark 6:7-13 (day one)

Join us as Senior Pastor Chris Johnson, Associate Pastor Aaron Hufty, and Associate Pastor Bryan Richardson walk us through Mark 6:7-13 in our Winter Re:Verse Series: “reMARKable – The Journey Continues.”

Unbelief

Re:Verse passage – Mark 6:1-6 (day seven)

And He could do no miracle there except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. vs 5

Mark wanted to make it plainly clear that the unbelief of the Nazarenes was directly correlated to the lack of miracles being performed. When doubt and skepticism are present, then the full potential of the Holy Spirit will not be manifested. Many today feel that many of the gifts of the Spirit have ceased to exist in modern context. Why don’t we see miracles or mighty works of the Spirit like we do in the New Testament church? Is it possible, that it is because of the doubt and skepticism of the Church? It wasn’t the doubt of Jesus that was causing Him to not be able to perform miracles, but it was the skepticism of the people around Him that stifled the Spirit in the moment.

If we want to see the Spirit at work amongst us today, we must first cure our unbelief. Not just your own, but corporately and universally. How can you help those around you today believe in the Power of Jesus? It starts with the people in your classes and pews!

A Real Man

Re:Verse passage – Mark 6:1-6 (day six)

3 Then they scoffed, “He’s just a carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon. And his sisters live right here among us.” They were deeply offended and refused to believe in him. Mark 6:3

In Mark 6:3 (and its parallel in Matthew 13:55-56), we get a rare glimpse into Jesus’ early life—his brothers are named, his sisters are mentioned, and his trade as a carpenter is noted. Few passages in Scripture give us such personal details about his upbringing.

The people of Nazareth knew Jesus well. They had watched him grow up, play in the streets, and learn his father’s trade. Many had likely hired him for carpentry work. They were familiar with his humanity—his daily routines, his ordinary life as the son of a tradesman.

Mark seems to highlight this intentionally, drawing our attention to Jesus’ full humanity in contrast to his divinity.

Yet, this very familiarity became a stumbling block. His neighbors couldn’t reconcile the Jesus they had always known with the reality of who he truly is—Emmanuel, God with us.

But that is precisely what Mark wants us to see. Will we recognize and embrace him daily for who he is, both his humanity and his divinity?

 

Inward

Re:Verse passage – Mark 6:1-6 (day five)  They were so close- those familiar with Jesus since His childhood. They saw. They heard. They encountered. They witnessed firsthand the Son of God growing up. They even asked the right questions…Where?? What??  Yet, they missed it. They missed Him- for who He really was. The reaction was spot on- amazement/astonishment. The response was way off base. How? Why?  Let me suggest because they turned inward instead of upward. They began to answer those really good questions and observations on their own (amongst themselves)- based on their own understanding and experiences. “This is what I know and understand from my limited perspective”.  “This is what we’ve always known and seen”. What could have happened if they had asked Jesus those questions?  Those amazing words of life taught by Jesus in the synagogue fell on deaf ears (just like the soils). What if Jesus was given the opportunity to unpack the truths He was teaching instead of the slander and accusations that quickly bubbled up?  A lesson for us as read we the scriptures and listen to sermons (every time). Where is the source of our answers and responses? Our own wisdom and experience, or from the One who has “the words of eternal life”.

Marveled

Re:Verse passage – Mark 6:1-6 (day four)

There are two stories in the gospels that tell us Jesus “marveled” at something. Your translation might say “wondered” –  either way, this phrase is meant to portray amazement over something. In our text in Mark, Jesus marvels at the unbelief of the people who “knew him when.” He is amazed at their lack of faith, and that these of all people would sit in the seat of scoffers.

The other story where we see this phrase is with the centurion in Matthew 8 and Luke 7. Though he’s an unlikely candidate for following Jesus, the centurion shows such great confidence of faith that Jesus marvels at him. He marvels over the lack of faith in places where it should be plentiful, and over the greatness of faith in places where it is uncommon.

The idea that Jesus, who is fully man but also fully God, would marvel at anything is amazing. He marvels over that which is important to him. These stories give us two options for how we can respond to Jesus. Will we join the prideful row of scoffers? Or will we give him the full confidence of our faith?

Insult

Re:Verse passage – Mark 6:1-6 (day three)

“Is not this the carpenter…?”

There’s an exotic allure in someone strange from somewhere else promising something new. But Jesus presented as just Jesus from the other end of the village. The people wanted Messiah to come as a conquering hero wielding a sword. What they got was a Nazarene wielding a try square. To this crowd, it felt like an insult. Everyone in the town had lived close to him and his family since they’d returned from Egypt years ago. How could the people not already know everything he knew? Yet the folks couldn’t quite catch on to what he was saying, which they found all the more annoying. Was he talking down to them? Was he disrespecting his roots? Was he rabble rousing? Whenever God has acted in the world, it’s always been difficult to take in. It still is.

As Was His Custom

Re:Verse passage – Mark 6:1-6 (day two) 

When the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue… v. 2a

I love this picture of Jesus. It’s one that we don’t often see portrayed. If you think a scene with Jesus, you are likely picturing him at the seashore, in a boat, feeding thousands, or performing a miracle. I don’t want us to miss this picture of Jesus in worship. Most of Jesus’ life, like ours, is spent outside the walls of the church. Much of what Jesus was here to do was to seek and save that which was last. Our call is the same. Living on mission is what we want for every believer. Jesus also made a priority of regular worship on the Sabbath. He gathered with others who wrestled with scripture, and share wisdom to help others understand the mysteries of faith. Gathered worship is a privilege and responsibility for every believer. We gather, first, to honor God. In so doing, we build and edify the church. We are better believers when we faithfully and actively attend worship. By honoring the Lord, and strengthening the body we become better equipped to be on mission outside the walls of the church. See you Sunday.

Re:Verse Blog – 2/24/25

Re:Verse passage – Mark 6:1-6 (day one)

Join us as Senior Pastor Chris Johnson, Associate Pastor Aaron Hufty, and Associate Pastor Bryan Richardson walk us through Mark 6:1-6 in our Winter Re:Verse Series: “reMARKable – The Journey Continues.”

By Law and By Grace

Re:Verse passage – Mark 5:21-34 (day seven)

I am reading through the Bible in one year. As I trudge through this season (currently in Numbers) reading laws upon laws, what stands out to me is that God is taking care of His people. Many of the laws that God inspired in ancient Israel, especially concerning medical practices, were to protect the people from spreading sickness and disease amongst the camp. God was teaching Israel how to take care of themselves with a knowledge far beyond scientific understanding of its time!

However, an unfortunate outcome of these laws came to light in the passage this week. By these laws, this woman was outcast from society. By law, she had lost her home, her family, her finances, and even her community. By law, whoever she touched would be unclean… including Jesus…

“But God, being rich in mercy” continues to protect His people using power that supersedes medical practices.The touch that was supposed to make Him unclean is the very touch that Jesus used to restore this woman. Same God and same power, but instead of the power being instituted by law, it is brought into action by grace through faith. By grace this woman was saved through her faith. By grace Jesus can make you clean too. Will you bring His power to action through your faith?