To show the importance of preparation for service.

To teach that we should not neglect our witness to our relatives.

To show the folly of sin, especially drinking and dancing.

To impress upon the pupils that God can and will supply our every need if we walk with Him and seek Him.

INTRODUCTION: From the time Jesus called the disciples (3:14), He had been preparing them for service. He had taught the importance of prayer by praying all night before selecting the disciples. Mark 3:13; Luke 6:12,13. He had taught them to stand and defend their ministry (Mark 3:22-30). He had taught them of the eternal relationship of Christ and believers (Mark 3:31-35). He had taught them not to be discouraged if results of their service were small (Mark 4:1-20, 26-29). He had taught that they would be amply rewarded (Mark 4:21-25). He had taught that he was ever near to help in time of trouble (Mark 4:35-41). He had taught them of his power to change lives, to heal the sick, to raise the dead, to calm the storms (Mark 4:35-5:43). In the first few verses of Chapter 6, he shows them that their ministry will be more effective to those outside of their family and their native community.

I. JESUS AGAIN AT NAZARETH (MK. 6:1-6)

He had been there before - Lk. 4:16

Vs. 1 - His own country was Galilee and Nazareth the town where he was raised.

Vs. 2&3 - It was His custom to always worship at the designated place of worship, on the designated day of worship. CF. Luke 4:16.

The people to whom He spoke knew Him as Mary's son who was raised in Joseph's home and who was a carpenter by trade. They couldn't understand His great power and wisdom.

We learn here that Jesus had at least four half-brothers and two half-sisters for sisters is in the plural. "They were offended" - Instead of Christ being a foundation stone, He was a stumbling stone. CF. Matthew 11:6; I Peter 2:7,8.

Vs. 4&5 - A servant of God is more effective among people outside of his community and family. Nevertheless some here were helped and He did try to help them all and we should do likewise.

Vs. 6 - Jesus was not discouraged by His seeming failure at Nazareth, He went elsewhere doing his work and striving to help people.

II. THE PREPARED DISCIPLES SERVING - VS. 7-13

Vs. 7 - Note: He called. He determines our service. Philippians 2:12,13. He sent them forth by two. Two people working together is five times more effective than one working alone. Leviticus 26:8, Deuteronomy 32:30. When Jesus sent them forth, He gave them power. God doesn't ask us to do more than He will enable us to do.

Vs. 8&9 - They were to be wholly dependent on Him as they went forth. Matthew 6:11, 25, 26.

Vs. 10&11 - The judgement would be worse on those individuals who rejected the message from the Savior's messengers than for the people of Sodom and Gomorrah because they had more light. They saw God's hand move in a more miraculous way with sick being healed and lives changed than did the people of the two cities.

- They preached the Savior's message of repentance ( Luke 13:3) and faith, John 3:14-16.Vs. 12

Vs. 13 - They were successful. They anointed with oil, for oil is a type throughout the scriptures of the Holy Spirit (one of the persons of the God head). This was done perhaps to show that the healing was of God.

III. HEROD'S TROUBLED CONSCIENCE AND THE DEATH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST - Vs. 14-29.

Vs. 14 - This was Herod the Great's son, who ruled after his father's death over Perea and Galilee. Note the fame of Jesus.

Vs. 15&16 - Herod had a troubled conscience. He knew he had done wrong. He had stolen his brother's wife and had killed John. He did these wrongs full well knowing there would be a day of retribution. He believed in the resurrection, vs. 14 and 16. We would best govern our actions in the light of the fact that there will one day be a judgement. Romans 2:6, Hebrews 9:27

Vs. 17&18 - John was a fearless preacher. Regardless of the consequences he spoke the truth and stood against evil. Some would say, "I'd rather be a live coward than a dead hero", but not John. He'd rather stand for right and die.

Vs. 19 - Herodias hated John so intensely she would, if within her power, have him killed. Many a sinner is like that. They hate with a passion those who stand for right and expose their evil, sinful ways.

Vs. 20 - John was respected by Herod and admired. Some sinners will go on in their sin when it is exposed but will respect the one who stood for right.

Vs. 21&23 - Here we see the evil attached to drinking and dancing. Under the influence of alcohol people do things they later regret. CF. Vs. 26. This teenager's dancing led to the death of a just man and many a person has been killed, many ruined because of the dance.

Vs. 24&25 - The request is made. By and By means straightway.

Vs. 27-29 - A great man passed on to his reward. Psalm 116:15.

IV. THE RETURN OF THE DISCIPLES - Vs. 30 & 31

Vs. 30 - They reported their successes and failures and no doubt about John the Baptist's death.

Vs. 31 - The Savior's workers need rest. There would be far less heart attacks, mental and nervous breakdowns among preachers if they would, "Come apart and rest awhile". This is so hard when there's so much to do and so many who need help. Pray for your teachers, church leaders, pastor, missionaries. Even here we see Jesus, realizing the need his disciples had, yet wherever they went there was a need.

V. THE PREPARED DISCIPLES SERVING FURTHER AND BEING SERVED. Vs. 32-44

Vs. 35 -- Desert place meant an out of the way place. There was grass there. Vs. 39

Vs. 36 - The disciples, tired, would send them away. But Jesus wouldn't. Their needs hadn't been met yet. Also we can learn that the disciples had what the multitude needed in their possession all the time, yet didn't realize it.

Vs. 37&38 - The Savior's command to them and to us, for the multitude is "Give ye them to eat". They are as sheep without a shepherd. They must be fed the Bread of Life (Christ).

They had food and didn't know it was sufficient. The Word of God is sufficient to meet the need of every life. Five loaves and two fishes doesn't seem like much, but in the hand of God it can be greatly multiplied.

Vs. 39&40 - Everything was to be done orderly and systematically.

Vs. 41&42 - Jesus showed us what we are to do always before meals. Pray! Thank God for food. James 1:17. Someone has said that, due to the conditions of poverty that existed under the Roman rule, these people may never have had a full meal. But they did on this day.

Vs. 43 - One basket full was left for each disciple. The disciples served and were served. When we walk with the Lord, our needs will always be met and He will serve us well.

Vs. 44 - There may have been ten to twelve thousand people fed that day if women and children were present. This shows us that our God is a miracle working God who loves us and will see that our needs are met if we seek him. Matthew 6:33.

CONCLUSION: It is important that we prepare ourselves for the Master's service. We can do this by regular Church and Sunday School attendance, faithful study of the Bible; II Timothy 3:15; and daily walking and talking with Him (Prayer and separated life). He will use us and we will see many miracles occur just as they did.