Jesus Shares His Ministry

GOLDEN TEXT: “And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.” —Mark 6:34

MARK 6:6-13

IN JOHN 1:9 Jesus is described as “that … true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said to his followers, “Ye are the light of the world.” (Matt. 5:14) The thought is that Jesus’ disciples represent him in the world, and serve as his ambassadors. (II Cor. 5:18-20) Jesus set the pattern for this arrangement when he sent into the ministry, first his twelve apostles, and later “the seventy,” who are often referred to as evangelists.—Luke 10:1

Essentially the same instructions were given to the seventy as were given to the twelve. Both groups were to go out wholly on the basis of faith, taking with them no extra clothing or money. One of the first lessons they were to learn was to depend upon the Lord. Besides, this arrangement helped to highlight the fact that the servants of God during the age then beginning, the Gospel age, were to be a sacrificing class. Their treasures were to be laid up in heaven, not on the earth.—Matt. 6:19,20; 19:21

In the “upper room” the night before Jesus was crucified he said to his apostles, “When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye anything? The apostles replied that they had lacked nothing. (Luke 22:35) Then Jesus said to them, “But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.” Learning that the group already possessed two swords, Jesus said that this was sufficient. As for the other possessions, these later instructions would indicate that the original restrictions were not to be continued. We know that after Pentecost they were not observed.

In sending out his representatives Jesus equipped them to conduct an impressive ministry. They were to heal the sick, and cast out devils, even as he was doing. Yet Jesus knew that in many places they would not be favorably received. Concerning those who rejected the message, Jesus said, “It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city.”—Mark 6:11

This is a remarkable statement. Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed by the Lord because of their wickedness, and yet Jesus told his apostles that it would be “tolerable,” favorable, that is, for them in the day of judgment—more so than for the cities of Israel that rejected his message. The scriptural principle involved here is that the people of Sodom and Gomorrah lacked the needed information to make them responsible before God so far as their opportunity to gain eternal life was concerned. The people who rejected the ministry of Jesus and his followers would be sinning against greater light, hence would be more blameworthy.

However, the fact that it would be “more” tolerable for one group than the other implies that tolerance would be shown to both groups, in the sense that they would then be given an opportunity to repent and to reform. Truly, “There’s a wideness in God’s mercy, like the wideness of the sea.”

Obviously Jesus as well as his apostles needed rest, and they attempted to get it. They embarked on a “ship privately” with the view of crossing the lake to a desert place on the other side. But their attempt failed, “for the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him.” (vs. 33) The thought is that this multitude reached the landing place of the “ship” before it arrived, and were waiting for Jesus.

It is at this point that our Golden Text applies. Finding “much people” waiting for him, what did Jesus do? He had gone there to rest. Did he direct that the people be sent away so he could rest? No, he “was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.”

But this was not all. As evening drew near, Jesus’ disciples said to him, “Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat.” (vs. 36) Jesus did not consent to this. Although weary to start with, and having taught them “many things,” he continued to serve. This was the feeding of the five thousand. (vss. 37-44) What a wonderful example!

QUESTIONS

How many did Jesus send into the ministry?

Why did he instruct them not to take extra money or clothing?

Why will it be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for those who rejected the Gospel in Jesus’ day?

Relate the circumstances associated with our Golden Text.

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