30 The apostles *gathered together with Jesus; and they reported to Him all that they had done and taught. 31 And He *said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.) 32 They went away in the boat to a secluded place by themselves.
33 The people saw them going, and many recognized them and ran there together on foot from all the cities, and got there ahead of them. 34 When Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things.
Message: Sheep Without A Shepherd
Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.
What the Lord is Saying:
Preface - Jesus is now in Nazareth, his hometown, but he doesn't get the reception that we would think. Instead of welcoming him, people question him. But he continues with his message of repent and believe. Jesus is becoming more and more well known and his message is reaching further and further. With that sometimes comes misunderstanding. Herod Antipas, one of 4 rulers of Rome now, wonders if Jesus is a resurrected John. At this, Mark diverts a little to tell us about John and his relationship with Herod and then his untimely death at the hands of Herod because his new wife Herodias felt shame over John's words about her marrying Herod and leaving her 1st husband in order to move up the social ladder.
Jesus has previously sent out his apostles. Multiplying the gospel message is key and Jesus commissions these men to do the work of the gospel, giving them the authority as well to heal people and exercise demons. The apostles gathered together with Jesus; and they reported to Him all that they had done and taught. The apostles were returning to Jesus to tell him all that they had done and taught. Notice, done precedes taught as if, even with the apostles, there was something more electrifying about the miracles that had been performed than the message that had gone out.
Jesus' response to the apostles is Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while. Jesus knows that they are probably exhausted from their work, perhaps even defaulting to healing people rather than focusing more squarely on the message. They have a need to retreat and rest. We all have this need. I have this need as I am taking 2 days off from work right now in order to take a rest before my new boss starts on Monday. I need a break as well. Jesus, upon creation, gave us a Sabbath day to rest.
But, this doesn't mean the people will let people rest: They went away in the boat to a secluded place by themselves. The people saw them going, and many recognized them and ran there together on foot from all the cities, and got there ahead of them. It is not clear what the people's motivation was at this time. Was it the radical message or was it the miracles? I'm noticed thus far that Mark is not yet communicating in much detail the message of what Jesus is bringing but he is honed in more on the responses of people. In some ways there is a somewhat hidden message of belief and repentance that is going on in these passages.
- Jesus performs miracles mostly related to healing and casting out of demons 1:21-2:12
- Controversy is seen in Jesus' friendship with sinners, over Sabbath-work, over Sabbath-healing, Opposition by his Friends 2:13-3:35
- Jesus provides parables that speak to the mission of his disciples but also the various responses that can be anticipated 4:1-34
- Jesus performs miracles more focused on his dominion over the sea, death and dying 4:35-5:43
- Even as the message goes out, there is sometimes misunderstanding of who Jesus is and what he is doing 5:44-6:34
Perhaps this is what Mark is trying to convey - there is importance in Jesus teaching as he is showing that Jesus keeps coming back to the message. Yet, why is he being so descriptive about the miracles as this is leading up now to the feeding of 5,000 and Jesus walking on the Water. Is this an attempt to build a crowd first and then provide them the message? Is this often what our churches are doing today? Are they providing something fun to bring people into the church? Often, I see this. Whether it is a carnival instead of Halloween or an event at a park, there are these opportunities to bring people in the door. However, the message of the Gospel, of sin, of repentance and believing must be central. We don't do all of those things to then give them a self-help seminar.
Summary - The apostles have arrived, back from there journey of teaching and doing. Jesus sees that they need a rest, but the masses are still running after them. Jesus remarks that these people are still wondering like sheep without a shepherd. He responds then by teaching them. What they need is to learn and be taught.
Promise: We need to sit under the solid teaching of God's word. The message is what changes lives, permanently. People will be enamored and flock to Him because of miracles, but the crux is the gospel to believe and surrender, turn from our sin and go continually toward God.
Prayer: Thank you for Mark Lord and the message that I read from him. At times, I am not sure what I am to learn. I want to know you, through Mark's lens which I know mostly comes from Peter, but I want to know you as these men did in the time you walked the earth. Help me to rediscover you and know you in the way you wanted to be known. Help me to understand your message. Thank you for Godly men and women you have commissioned throughout the ages to teach us. Thank you for equipping and inspiring many. I pray that I too can rest when I need to. Thank you for being my Shepherd and showing me the way.
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