Disappointment and persecution, feast and famine.
by French painter and Bible illustrator James Tissot,
Chapter six of Mark is a chapter of highs and lows as Jesus’ (and
John the Baptist’s) followers contemplate what it means to be disciples through challenges
and difficulties. When thinking about your walk with Christ of late what
typically comes to mind, the trials and struggles or the joys and celebrations?
Read 6:7-12. What do the disciples actually do?
How do you think the disciples may have been feeling after
Jesus sent them out with his requirements and instructions? Compare this to how
they have felt afterwards.
Next Mark outlines the response to Jesus’ work in Galilee.
Read 6:14-16.
What do these responses tell us people recognise in Jesus,
and the work of his disciples?
Read 6:17-29
John points out that what Herod is doing is not lawful. Read
the law in Leviticus 18:16. Who do you see dishonoured in this passage? Who
remains honourable?
What battles does Herod face in this passage? Why do you
think he struggles so much to walk the ‘narrow path’?
In this account John is left decapitated. His followers
quietly burying his body (28-29). What may have helped them to continue walking
the narrow path at this stage?
Herod’s banquet is followed by a feast, except in this case
it is Jesus who leads. It. Read 6:30-44.
In what ways is this feast different, in terms of hosts,
motivation, guests, organisation, its results, and anything else you can think
of? Compare the pair!
What may the disciples have learned from this feast that
would help them walk the ‘narrow path,’ from that time on? What might the crowd
have learned – the same things or something else?
Reflecting on the banquet and the feast at once, what should
we be prepared for in our Christian walk? How can we conduct ourselves through
discouragement and persecution so that God is honoured?
Prayer prompt: give thanks for the provision of God, both
that which sustains us and that which grows our character – good and bad.