Lesson 10

Compassion and Faith

Mark 6:30–56

Son of Man, Son of God

Studies in Mark’s Gospel

LAST WEEK IN REVIEW

The first half of Mark 6 showed us much about the heart of unbelief and compromise.  Jesus’ own family and others He had grown up with rejected Him.  Rather than letting this harsh rejection derail His ministry in Galilee, Jesus instead multiplied it!  He sent out the twelve disciples in pairs to be able to cover more ground there.  This mission gave the disciples training in how to serve and live by faith, and it is the final push being made by Jesus into the Galilee area, for He was now transitioning away from ministry there.  Sadly we read of the execution of John the Baptist under Herod.  Herod’s evil wife Herodias (whom he shouldn’t even have married) was the force behind this plot to murder John.  She used everyone to accomplish her purposes, even her own daughter who danced provocatively in front of Herod and his guests!  It accomplished what Herodias wanted: the silencing of the voice that had repeatedly rebuked Herod and herself for their sin.  Yet the chapter continued on from there, and that is where we will pick up this week.  This is a chapter from which we can learn a lot about having a true heart of compassion, but also in which we see faith tested and many ministered to despite the enemy’s efforts to stop His work in its tracks.  Let’s turn to it now and learn what we can apply to our lives today from these things.  We look this week at a heart of faith and compassion.

DAY ONE:  Return and Rest

Please carefully read Mark 6:30-32 and answer the following questions.

1.  What happened when the apostles returned from their mission (v. 30)?

2.  What did Jesus prescribe for His men, and why (v. 31, 32)?

3.  These men as well as Jesus Himself needed rest in view of the stress of all that had been going on.  The Greek word for rest is in the middle voice, literally meaning refresh yourselves, rest up; a deserted place (or desert in the kjv) isn’t a desert in the sense we use the word, but a deserted place, solitary, lonely, uninhabited,[i] the kind of place for an “over-wrought, exhausted Christian worker. How solicitous Jesus was for His tired servants. He Himself was careful to take His needed rest. It is the duty of His servants to do so also. The Devil would wear us out before our time, if he could.”[ii]

This helps us see that Jesus is concerned for His followers’ physical well-being, taking into account our physical limitations. Jesus never encouraged His disciples to pamper themselves, nor did He encourage laziness![iii]  There was a saying many years back about being “burned out for Christ,” letting Him completely exhaust us in service.  While that sounds spiritual, rest is important to successful service and Christian living.  The Old Testament law commanded one day in seven to rest, and also the observance of several holidays set aside on which to rest and regain strength.  What did Isaiah record about this rest and renewal we all need (Isaiah 40:28-31)?

4.  What are some further important things that we read from the following passages about times of rest and renewal in our lives?

Psalm 37:7; Jeremiah 6:16

Matthew 11:28-30

Hebrews 4:9-11

Scripture Memory:  This week we will be memorizing Mark 6:34.  Review the passage several times throughout the day each day this week, and by the end of the week, you should have it memorized completely.

And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things.   Mark 6:34, nkjv