Tag Archives: Gospel

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes: Matthew 2:21-23, Luke 2:39-40, 51-52

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Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

Matthew 2:21-23

Joseph obeyed. He got up, took the child and his mother, and reentered Israel. When he heard, though, that Archelaus had succeeded his father, Herod, as king in Judea, he was afraid to go there. But then Joseph was directed in a dream to go to the hills of Galilee. On arrival, he settled in the village of Nazareth. This move was a fulfillment of the prophetic words, “He shall be called a Nazarene.” (The Message)

After this, he got up, took the child and his mother and traveled back to Israel. Also, he heard that Archelaus now ruled in Judea in the place of his father, Herod. He was afraid to go there and, because he was warned in a dream, he turned aside to the region of Galilee. When he arrived, he made his home in the town of Nazareth and, in doing so, fulfilled what was spoken through the prophets: “He will be called a Nazarene.”(PRT)

  • It became such a badge of honor to be from such a place and be such a Savior that it was how others identified Jesus. Come and see Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
  • When the blind or the lame would call out for healing, they called to Jesus the Nazarene.
  • The demons acknowledged his authority to drive them out as Jesus Christ the Nazarene.
  • When Mary and her friends came to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body, the angel assured them that the one they looked for, this Jesus the Nazarene, is not here because He is risen.
  • Peter preaches the first Acts presentation of the Good News of the Kingdom in chapter 2 and declares the this Jesus the Nazarene is the very one who conquered death.
  • Then Peter in chapter 3 reaches down to take the hand of the paralytic and declares “I don’t have a nickel to my name; but what I have I give to you: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk.
  • Paul says that even Jesus identified himself when he had the vision on the Damascus highway – “I am Jesus the Nazarene; the one you are persecuting.” (Acts 22:8)

That Jesus was from such a small, backwater village in a non-descript part of the Israel is as fitting as Jesus as a baby being born in a livestock cave.

He, as the light of the world, entered where least expected and spread throughout the world.

Joseph was warned a third time, this specific to the dangers Herod’s son Archelaus posed to their safety. That’s why Joseph took Mary and Jesus back to his home in Nazareth which was under Antipas’ rule. Interesting that Herod the Great killed off so many of his sons; but some still reign in parts of his kingdom. Archelaus proved his bloodline and refused a godly lifestyle; he was cruel and unpredictable, too.

Luke 2:39-40, 51-52

39-40 When they finished everything required by God in the Law, they returned to Galilee and their own town, Nazareth. There the child grew strong in body and wise in spirit. And the grace of God was on him. (The Message)

39-40 When they had completed all the law of the Lord required, they returned to Galilee and to their home town of Nazareth; it was there that the child grew up and became strong and filled up with wisdom, and God’s grace was on him. (PRT)

51-52 So he went back to Nazareth with them, and lived obediently with them. His mother held these things dearly, deep within herself. And Jesus matured, growing up in both body and spirit, blessed by both God and people. (The Message)

51-52 And Jesus went down from Jerusalem with them and came to Nazareth; he was obedient to them and his mother carefully kept all these things both said and done in her heart. (PRT)

Nazareth is where Jesus grew up, went to synagogue school, learned how to build things, and grew in spirit and the Holy Spirit fully within discovered how to express the Spirit’s fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Some may have difficulties with Jesus growing in wisdom and in the spirit as He is God incarnate. But the “incarnate” – in the flesh – is significant. If Jesus was born with all the wisdom and fully mature, he would not have come in the flesh; he would have come as a superman. He is not. He is God, and He is man.

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes: Matthew 2:1-12

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vv. 1-2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem village, Judah territory—this was during Herod’s kingship—a band of scholars arrived in Jerusalem from the East. They asked around, “Where can we find and pay homage to the newborn King of the Jews? We observed a star in the eastern sky that signaled his birth. We’re on pilgrimage to worship him.”

Herod was not “the Great” until after he died. He was unstable and feared by the people and personally was paranoid of losing his power. The “scholars” were likely a group of people who had studied the different books and trends and the stars confirmed what they discovered. In faith, these pagan worshipers from Persia, stepped into a long journey to find a place to worship Jesus.

King of the Jews is always Messianic. Never for the  likes of Herod.

They travel from the East, from the rising of the sun.

The language says Jesus has already been born by the time they reach Jerusalem. But it doesn’t say how long. Some say two years (based on Herod’s edict to execute all under two).

While they were still back home “in the east” they saw the star that announced the birth.

vv. 3-4 When word of their inquiry got to Herod, he was terrified—and not Herod alone, but most of Jerusalem as well. Herod lost no time. He gathered all the high priests and religion scholars in the city together and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”

Herod knew that, though he wasn’t learned in the prophecies, the priestly leaders and the legal experts were. He called the Sanhedrin together.

Jerusalem was afraid as were the priests and legal experts. Herod was unhinged. He was nearing the end of a terminal illness. He had killed everyone around him who might try to claim the throne. Now, there is born a baby who is the Messiah. Oh yeah, fear was needed. I wonder though if the city, in their fear to upset the “status quo,” might fear what was said. Please don’t upset the balance of powers we’ve worked so hard to attain. Please don’t bring a Messiah into this mix and cause us to leave our “comfort zone.”

vv. 5-6 They told him, “Bethlehem, Judah territory. The prophet Micah wrote it plainly: It’s you, Bethlehem, in Judah’s land, no longer bringing up the rear. From you will come the leader who will shepherd-rule my people, my Israel.”

They knew the truth but they were afraid. The Messiah would come out of Bethlehem. The Sanhedrin never got this right as, right before going to the Cross, Jesus was explained away as from Nazareth.  How could he be the Messiah if he’s from there – it’s Bethlehem that was needed.

The shepherd of God’s people. That infers that God is pulling together a people for his own; and Jesus will be that very Shepherd. (Heb. 13:20)

vv. 7-8 Herod then arranged a secret meeting with the scholars from the East. Pretending to be as devout as they were, he got them to tell him exactly when the birth-announcement star appeared. Then he told them the prophecy about Bethlehem, and said, “Go find this child. Leave no stone unturned. As soon as you find him, send word and I’ll join you at once in your worship.”

Herod schemed to secretly tell them he was devout, too. He examined closely what they had dreamed. He sought insight from both sources to combine this knowledge into an insipid plan to do away with the baby.

vv. 9-10 Instructed by the king, they set off. Then the star appeared again, the same star they had seen in the eastern skies. It led them on until it hovered over the place of the child. They could hardly contain themselves: They were in the right place! They had arrived at the right time!

They recognized God’s guiding star. The worship was all the more powerful with this revelation. The sign and the book combine to guide them.

The translation “hovered over the place of the child” could mean that there was a guiding light that directed them to the very inn, the very stable.  The word is “fixed” as it, it was fixed in place above what they needed to know to find Jesus. What a miracle!

The phrase rejoiced with rejoicing emphasizes the magnitude of the joy they experienced. Joy-mega-joy.

v. 11 They entered the house and saw the child in the arms of Mary, his mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped him. Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh.

How long after the initial appearing did this happen? Some say they were two years out from the birth; but the age of the star’s appearing could have placed the scholars at the time or soon after Jesus’ birth.

v. 12 In a dream, they were warned not to report back to Herod. So they worked out another route, left the territory without being seen, and returned to their own country.

Once again the Father intervened to direct their path. They had the “not-good” feeling from Herod confirmed by dreams from the Father.

Pastor Rick’s Notes on John 7:37-43

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Pastor Rick’s Notes and Translation:

v. 37 Now during the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood up and, in a loud voice said, “If anyone is thirsty, let them come to me and drink.”

This is the last day as in the day after a seven-day Feast of Booths – representing the temporary housing in the desert as they moved toward the Land of Promise. It’s the Sabbath following the week-long feast of harvest and worship and this is significant. This celebration is noted for joy, abundance, relationship, future. And it was a reminder of God’s plan: He has a mission for His people.

Illustration: Have you gotten so caught up in the moment that you missed the mission? “One Job – that’s all I had to do.”

In the midst of the celebrations, and keeping of the laws and the feast, and checking off the boxes, the mission had somehow gotten lost. And here was the last day of the Feast.

  • First of all, everyone hung out for the eighth day since traveling distances was not permitted on the Sabbath. This made for a day to both recover and refresh on the eight day.
  • Second, there were special sacrifices and celebrations on this “afterglow” day. This was “celebration” without all the pomp. No trumpets accompanying the special promenades. No pouring out of the waters.
  • Third, this is the day that the prophecies of the “ingathering” culminate and are read when the Father will raise a banner over those who are lost and displaced and call them home. The redemptive time has come. The unveiling of God’s characteristics of joy and hope are unveiled. The Kingdom will be visible to the world. That’s the day Jesus stood in front of this throng and said – Come and drink! And our response is seen in the meal of the day: the plainness of matzah and the blended beauty of the wine. We respond with humility and joy. Redemption is here and God’s fulness is being spilled out on the world through His people.

The eight day, because it was a Sabbath, became the “mega-day of the Feast.” Literally. It was the feast of pouring out redemption, the second rain.

Jesus cried out in a loud voice. He was speaking to each person, to the nation, and down through the centuries, his cry is relevant. God’s Spirit is poured out as living water to the thirsty.

What does it mean to be thirsty for the Lord?

  • John 4:14 Life here. Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
  • Revelation 21:6 Life eternal. 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death, or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

5He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

6He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.

  • Revelation 22:17 Life Offered. 17The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes, take the free gift of the water of life.

v. 38 “Whoever puts their faith in me, streams of living water will flow from deep within them, just like the Scriptures have said.”

All week long, for seven days, the crowd has watched as the water flowed to wash away the blood and grime of the offerings. But more importantly, the high part of the celebration happened when water was brought up from the Pool of Siloam to pour to the blast of trumpets and shouts the water over the altar.. But on the seventh day, this wasn’t the practice. The week of Booths, the offering is complete. Jesus stood in the place of the abundant water and offer clear, pure, living water, not to wash, not to pour, but to fill.

Joel writes in chapter two that “in those days, the father will pour out his Spirit on all flesh.”

It is more plenteous than we can hold, more powerful than we can stand against. Refreshing to all who get wet and drink.

Rivers plural.

The follower of Jesus can’t help but spill over onto others. The river doesn’t strain to spill water over the river rocks. It flows. Jesus does the same through His Spirit. We can choose to impede it or release it.

Ezekiel 47 Water ankle deep, knee deep, waist deep, flowed like a river. But where it came from and where it went is important. It flowed from the place of worship and it flowed toward the desert and the dead sea.

v. 39 Now, he said this about the Spirit whom those who placed their faith in him were soon to be given. But the Spirit had not been given to them yet because Jesus had not yet been glorified.

This aside is John’s perspective from the moment he heard the Savior cry out in these verses to the point where the Holy Spirit was poured out. In the Temple, the promise; in the Pentecost, the outpouring. Remember that he is writing His Gospel account later than the Synoptics, near the end of the century, and He has the most accurate perspective. He remembers what not being filled with the Spirit was; and he remembers Pentecost.

The Spirit comes in power when Jesus ascends to heaven. That’s the time line. Could he have done it differently? Sure. But while the Son is with the disciples, the Spirit awaited the time when he could be fully in them. Jesus to glory; the Spirit to fill, lead, and empower.

The order is essential, though. Jesus had to be rejected, arrested, tried, sentenced, and killed at the lowest point of any man; then the Father pointed toward His Son who has suffered such demeaning actions, and said “He is worthy, he is glory, and he is who will send the Holy Spirit.”

The Spirit is the source of living water; our willingness to drink is the source of water for thirsty people. Both sustenance and salvation included and intertwined.

v. 40 Out of all the crowd who heard him say these words, some said, “Surely this is the Prophet.”

Some were repeating what they’d heard before, “it’s the Prophet who will be forerunner to the Messiah.” Or perhaps the “prophet like Moses that was promised to come

v. 41 Others declared, “This is the Messiah, the Savior!”  Still other, however, claimed, “There is no way for the Messiah to come from Galilee.”

And others were opening their eyes to this incontrovertible evidence that Jesus brought when he demonstrated the kingdom. He is the Savior.

And others repeated the misunderstanding that Jesus was from Galilee. Not so; he was Bethlehem of Judah by birth. This was ignorance on the part of the Pharisees and the throng; but not on John’s part. He knew the story.

v. 42 “Hasn’t Scripture said the Messiah comes from the descendants of David and from David’s village of Bethlehem?”

This apparently is from the “narrative” the Pharisees are putting before the people according to the verses just after our passage. They were stuck with a Galilean messiah which, according to scripture, was not possible. And they were right. Again, Bethlehem.

v. 43 And a division, therefore, occurred within the crowd because of Him.

The word schism comes from this Greek work. They were passionately divided over who Jesus was.

PRT (Pastor Rick’s Translation)

v. 37 Now during the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood up and, in a loud voice said, “If anyone is thirsty, let them come to me and drink.”

v. 38 “Whoever puts their faith in me, streams of living water will flow from deep within them, just like the Scriptures have said.”

v. 39 Now, he said this about the Spirit whom those who placed their faith in him were soon to be given. But the Spirit had not been given to them yet because Jesus had not yet been glorified.

v. 40 Out of all the crowd who heard him say these words, some said, “Surely this is the Prophet.”

v. 41 Others declared, “This is the Messiah, the Savior!”  Still other, however, claimed, “There is no way for the Messiah to come from Galilee.”

v. 42 “Hasn’t Scripture said the Messiah comes from the descendants of David and from David’s village of Bethlehem?”

v. 43 And a division, therefore, occurred within the crowd because of Him.

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes Mark 8:27-9:1

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Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

First Impressions:

Don’t miss that this passage is preceded by three miracles that extend grace to the nations and the Gentiles. Mark was subtle in positioning this here. Keep in mind that the Gospels aren’t designed to be a perfect chronology. They each crafted their unique Gospel accounts to their main audience: Matthew to the Jews, Mark to the Jews and the Roman world, Luke to the cosmopolitan nations, and John to the educated, to the Greek philosophical mind, and to the churches.

The scope of the Good News of the Kingdom is global in all ways. Jesus is Lord over every parcel, every place under the sun, every nook and cranny in the darkness.

Pastor Rick’s Translation (PRT):

8:27 And Jesus, along with his disciples, went from there into the villages near Caesarea Philippi; and along the way, he quizzed his followers, and said “Who do the people say I am?” 28 “Some,” they responded, “say, John the Baptizer and others say Elijah and still others say one of the prophets.” 29 And he asked them, “Then, who do you say I am?” Peter responded, “You are the Christ.” 30 Then he warned them to tell no one about these things. 31 And Jesus started to teach them that it is crucial that the Son of Man suffers many things, be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and religious legal experts and be killed; then, after three days, rise again.  32 And he spoke these words openly and clearly to them. But Peter took Jesus aside and started to lay into him.  33 But Jesus turned and looked at the rest of his disciples and rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan, for your thoughts are not on what matters to God but what matters to people.  34 Then, he gathered the crowd alongside his disciples and said to them all, “If anyone chooses to follow me, let him deny his own interests and lift up his own cross; then let him follow me. 35 In fact, whoever chooses to preserve his own life will lose it; but whoever loses his life on account of me and the Good News will save it.  36-38 For what benefit does someone get from having everything in the world and yet forfeit’s his soul.  Truly, if someone is ashamed of me in these adulterous and sinful times, then the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes back in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.

9:1 Then Jesus said to them, “Certainly, I tell you that some among you who are standing right here will not die until they have seen the Kingdom of God arrive with great power.

Verse-by-verse:

8:27 And Jesus, along with his disciples, went from there into the villages near Caesarea Philippi; and along the way, he quizzed his followers, and said “Who do the people say I am?”

The along the way is a thirty-mile journey along a remote section of the shoreline of the Jordan River. In the solitude, Jesus hoped to give his followers full attention. They would need it! Luke records that the disciples interrupted Jesus praying. He is discovered praying before key events; certainly, the point that the disciples declare Jesus the Messiah and Son of God would be one such event. The word for people is Anthropos as in men; but can be people. “Who are the guys on the street saying I am?”

This location is important since it’s out of reach of the Pharisees, well beyond Judea proper. Even though some of the crowd follow him this 30-40 miles along the Jordan, he has the disciples to himself. It’s the most important verses in Mark and the turning point in the story of the Gospel. Now the Savior is plainly and clearly revealed.

Interesting here, too, is the contrasting of what others have rumored and what Jesus taught and revealed. We are all products of those sources that inform our lives. Best to recognize that we are not immune to the influence of spurious voices, even in our best intentions to listen only to the Father’s.

v. 28 “Some,” they responded, “say, John the Baptizer and others say Elijah and still others say one of the prophets.”

These were the rumored roles Jesus was given. Jeremiah or one of the ancient prophets was one; another was John come back from the grave with his head intact; the other was Elijah who was prophesied to return one day. They must not have heard Messiah mentioned.

v. 29 And he asked them, “Then, who do you say I am?” Peter responded, “You are the Christ.”

Keep in mind that Mark wrote with Peter as his main source. Interesting that the confession and the honor Peter gives and receives are not included here. “You and the Messiah.” Simple. No keys to heaven. No gates of hell mentioned.

Note that this isn’t the first time Jesus as the Messiah has come into the confession of one or more of the disciples. This one is key because Peter’s confession starkly stands against all other confessions. No wondering aloud. No question marks at the end. Jesus is Christ, God’s Son. Period. Jury is in. They were not swayed by the temperature of the culture; they believed and were in.

v. 30 Then he warned them to tell no one about these things.

Still, Jesus warned them not to broadcast it about yet. The time will come when all nations are to hear the truth about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of the living God. In just a few months, the message surrounding the name of Jesus following His brutal death and the powerful demonstration of his Kingdom through this and the resurrection – Jesus is Messiah.

v. 31 And Jesus started to teach them that it is crucial that the Son of Man suffers many things, be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and religious legal experts and be killed; then, after three days, rise again.

And this opened up the point when Jesus began to unveil what Messiah, Son of Man, Son of God, Savior, etc. all entailed. He is all these things; yet for our benefit, he has to go to the cross.

It may be good to note here that the previous miracles pointed to the global aspect of this work.

After three full days? Or does Mark agree with Matthew, on the third day? The chronos view is three days as in Friday (partial), Saturday (all), and Sunday (brief and partial.) Jesus conquered death on the third day.

v. 32 And he spoke these words openly and clearly to them. But Peter took Jesus aside and started to lay into him.

Jesus began plainly to lay out to those who loved and knew him best what had to happen. He held nothing back. And it was too much for Peter. And the painful truth is, none wanted Jesus to suffer, die, leave them. But that was their interests, not God’s interests. So Peter pulls him aside and pleads with Jesus.

Here, Jesus is clearly explaining what John the Baptizer said about Jesus being the lamb that takes away the sins of the world, or that Jesus himself prophetically said “destroy this temple and I will rebuilt it in three days” or “I will be lifted up and draw all people to myself.”

v. 33 But Jesus turned and looked at the rest of his disciples and rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan, for your thoughts are not on what matters to God but what matters to people.

Peter took the heat for his overzealous rebuke of Jesus. And Jesus uses the same rebuke he gave to the Prince of Darkness – get behind me, leave me, Tempter. And rightfully so, as the Tempter used the same argument – save yourself.

Peter was looking out for his own interests with no thought of the Savior’s purpose.

v. 34 Then, he gathered the crowd alongside his disciples and said to them all, “If anyone chooses to follow me, let him deny his own interests and lift up his own cross; then let him follow me.

Interesting that, even in the remote places, people followed from a distance. They seemed to never leave, and Jesus was drawn to teach them. And he called them in close just like his disciples. And he calls each of us in close.

The word for will is choice, desire, resolve. Strong word; not for the namby-pamby. And here, Jesus foreshadows the way he will be “lifted up” or become the lamb of God.

Deny himself, as in “say no” to self and “yes” to the life Jesus created us for.

v. 35 In fact, whoever chooses to preserve his own life will lose it; but whoever loses his life on account of me and the Good News will save it.

This is important in Jesus’ teaching. When we build a life that is safe and preserves us, we run the risk of losing all Jesus wants to do in and through us. Our innate desire to insulate ourselves from risk and pain leaves us loveless and ineffective.

vv. 36-38 For what benefit does someone get from having everything in the world and yet forfeit’s his soul.  Truly, if someone is ashamed of me in these adulterous and sinful times, then the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes back in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.

This juxtaposition of all things and nothing, every pleasure to gain but without life and soul, is the picture of the emptiest person alive. Hollow and shadowy, without substance.

Is ashamed as in “your current declaration” is your present attitude.

This passage leads directly into 9:1 and forms one progression of things to come.

Here, Jesus is clear in his eschatological declaration for his Parousia. The Big One.

9:1 Then Jesus said to them, “Certainly, I tell you that some among you who are standing right here will not die until they have seen the Kingdom of God arrive with great power.

The words “Verily, verily, I say unto you” was the KJV way of saying Head’s Up, listen with all your heart. This is important. We hear such transitions today that we don’t even mind them. Even Certainly doesn’t capture it.

When did the Kingdom come in great power? Some consider this the Second Coming or the ultimate Parousia. But God’s Kingdom comes in power at the Transfiguration (just a few days away), the resurrection, and the ascension. His Kingdom broke in with power at the Cross, especially considering dead people were made alive and appeared around Jerusalem.

This verse ties in with the proclamation of the Messiah, the call to follow Him, and the need to see the Kingdom come in power.

8:38 and 9:1 Juxtapose the Second Coming (the Great Parousia) of the King of Kings with the coming of God’s Kingdom into our lives in power – the Transfiguration, the Cross, the Resurrection, the Filling of the Holy Spirit, and when the power comes and the Kingdom is displayed in Parousia experiences (see Ephesians) through Scripture and into our own lives.

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes: Mark 6:30-56

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Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

First Reflections:

Jesus moved from crowd to solitary place throughout Mark. Both were essential to his strategy to bring the Kingdom. In the “One Boy” narrative, these two strategies collide. Jesus takes his disciples away to pour into them and the crowds run after him. The five loaves and two fish become a link between the small and insignificant and the big and grand, the simple and behind-the-scenes and the bigger than life.

How many excuses can the disciples make: too late, too remote, too little, too many, too expensive, too far for the markets, too tired, and my favorite. Not my responsibility; not my job?

The young boy’s response. Here’s what I’ve got!

(PRT) Pastor Rick’s Translation:

6:30 Then the apostles drew in tightly to Jesus and they reported all they had done and the things they had taught. 31 And he said to them, “Come away with me to a quiet place and rest yourselves a little.” For many were coming and going so that the disciples had no opportunity to even eat. 33 But many in the crowd saw them leaving and, taking the trails from each town and village, they converged at that spot before the disciples arrived. 34 Then Jesus stepped out of the boat and saw the throng; and compassion welled up inside him for this great gathering because they were like a flock of sheep without the care of a shepherd. So, he began to teach them many things. 35-36 But by then, the hour was late, so the disciples came to him to remind him, “This place is desolate and it’s late in the day. Send them away so they might buy something to eat somewhere in the vicinity or villages.”

37 He answered them, “You give them something to eat.” But they said, “We could go to the market with several month’s wages and barely give this crowd any food.” 38 “See how many loaves you have,” He asks. And figuring it out, they said “Five, along with two fish.”

39-40 Then he directed them to have everyone sit down on the fields of green grass, group-by-group. And they sat down in bunches of fifties and hundreds. 41 And taking the five loaves and two fish and looking up to heaven, Jesus blessed it. He then broke the loaves into pieces and portioned out the fish and gave them to the disciples so they could set it before all the people. 42 And all ate and were satisfied. 43-44 Then they collected the leftovers, filling a dozen hand baskets with bread and fish. And the total who ate was five thousand men.

45-46 And right afterwards, he urged his disciples to get in the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side towards Bethsaida while he wrapped things up with the crowd. And after sending them off, he turned aside toward the mountainside to pray. 47-48 When evening came and the boat was in the middle of the sea and he was alone and ashore, he saw them struggling at the oars because the treacherous wind was against them. And in the early pre-dawn hours, Jesus came near them walking on the sea intending to arrive close to them. 49-50 Then, seeing him walking on the sea, they feared he was a ghost and screamed aloud; for what they saw terrified them. And at that moment, Jesus reassured them and said, “Be brave. Don’t be afraid. It’s really me.” 51-52 And he climbed up into the boat with them, and the treacherous headwind stopped; and more than ever the disciples were extraordinarily perplexed; for they had not even processed the loaves-miracle with their dulled emotions.

53-54 And the sailed over to the shore and arrived at Gennesaret and set anchor. As soon as they climbed out of the boat the people recognized Jesus. 55-56 Word travelled throughout the region that Jesus was back, and wherever they heard he was, they carried the sick on pallets.  And no matter where he went – the villages, the cities, the fields or the marketplaces – they laid the feeble and sick prostrate before him and pleaded only to touch the edge of his clothes; and whoever touched him was healed.

v. 30 Then the apostles drew in tightly to Jesus and they reported all they had done and the things they had taught.

The disciples had a brief mission trip around the region and they came back to report. This was the next level of training Jesus insisted on; the disciples are Plan A.

The tone is present and together they themselves jockey for position around Jesus to tell their stories.

v. 31 And he said to them, “Come away with me to a quiet place and rest yourselves a little.” For many were coming and going so that the disciples had no opportunity to even eat.

The plan was to rest, hear the stories, refresh for the mission ahead, get ready for the Passover. And the crowds showed up.

v. 32 So they pulled away by boat to a secluded place to be by themselves.

Jesus moved from crowd to secluded throughout Mark. He knew his main impact was helping the disciples grow, gain skills, process what they were experiencing.

v. 33 But many in the crowd saw them leaving and, taking the trails from each town and village, they converged at that spot before the disciples arrived.

The verb could be “they out-went the disciples and Jesus.” Surprise. There they were sitting on the shore waiting on Jesus.

v. 34 Then Jesus stepped out of the boat and saw the throng; and compassion welled up inside him for this great gathering because they were like a flock of sheep without the care of a shepherd. So, he began to teach them many things.

This is the pattern, too. Jesus is moved by the hurts and lostness of people. He teaches; he heals.

vv. 35-36 But by then, the hour was late, so the disciples came to him to remind him, “This place is desolate and it’s late in the day. Send them away so they might buy something to eat somewhere in the vicinity or villages.”

The day was spent, the hour was inclining. Idiom.

v. 37 He answered them, “You give them something to eat.” But they said, “We could go to the market with several month’s wages and barely give this crowd any food.”

v. 38 “See how many loaves you have,” He asks. And figuring it out, they said “Five, along with two fish.”

John stresses they were barley loaves, not the fine stuff of upper class, and notes that mom packed it for the little boy.

vv. 39-40 Then he directed them to have everyone sit down on the fields of green grass, group-by-group. And they sat down in bunches of fifties and hundreds.

The imagery Mark uses here is that of a patchwork of flower beds. The colors of Middle East were out in full. They were in parties or bunches of 50’s and 100’s. Translation: garden beds, garden beds.

v. 41 And taking the five loaves and two fish and looking up to heaven, Jesus blessed it. He then broke the loaves into pieces and portioned out the fish and gave them to the disciples so they could set it before all the people.

Like the father at the table with his children, he looked to heaven, said the blessing that a father would be accustomed to say, and God did the rest.

Jesus broke the bread in a verb that is instantaneous, and then continuously gave it to the disciples in a steady stream to give to 5000 men (and their family members.)

v. 42 And all ate and were satisfied.

There was a common belief that the Messiah would replicate in some way the miracles from heaven that Moses performed. The manna from heaven and the miracle of bread and fish parallel.

vv. 43-44 Then they collected the leftovers, filling a dozen hand baskets with bread and fish. And the total who ate was five thousand men.

The wicker baskets were normal food carriers like we might have for a picnic. It was designed to keep the food separate from the people pushing and bouncing around the crowds.

vv. 45-46 And right afterwards, he urged his disciples to get in the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side towards Bethsaida while he wrapped things up with the crowd. And after sending them off, he turned aside toward the mountainside to pray.

Some think that Jesus needed to be directly involved in helping the disciples get out of the crowd and get the crowd out of there because they were in a “messianic fervor” and would make Jesus, king.

vv. 47-48 When evening came and the boat was in the middle of the sea and he was alone and ashore, he saw them struggling at the oars because the treacherous wind was against them. And in the early pre-dawn hours, Jesus came near them walking on the sea intending to arrive close to them.

Jesus spent time with the Father on the hillside and then on the beach as he watched over the disciples’ progress.

vv. 49-50 Then, seeing him walking on the sea, they feared he was a ghost and screamed aloud; for what they saw terrified them. And at that moment, Jesus reassured them and said, “Be brave. Don’t be afraid. It’s really me.”

They weren’t sure who it was, but they didn’t think someone would be strolling by on the water. Sailors have all kinds of “myths” about phantasms on the water.

vv. 51-52 And he climbed up into the boat with them, and the treacherous headwind stopped; and more than ever the disciples were extraordinarily perplexed; for they had not even processed the loaves-miracle with their dulled emotions.

This is what happens when they don’t get time with Jesus in private conversations and a chance to process what was happening. They hadn’t even gotten a grip on the fish and loaves; and now Jesus walks on water, stills the waves.

vv. 53-54 And the sailed over to the shore and arrived at Gennesaret and set anchor. As soon as they climbed out of the boat the people recognized Jesus.

v. 55-56 Word travelled throughout the region that Jesus was back, and wherever they heard he was, they carried the sick on pallets.  And no matter where he went – the villages, the cities, the fields or the marketplaces – they laid the feeble and sick prostrate before him and pleaded only to touch the edge of his clothes; and whoever touched him was healed.