Know His Mighty Works

He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, "Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. And Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household."  And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went about among the villages teaching. And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts— but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. And he said to them, "Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there.  And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them."  So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them. - Mark 6:1‭-‬13 ESV

Rev. Dwight Yoo

Danger 1: Familiarity

When Jesus arrived at home, he started teaching. This was the same as in other places. There is recognition that Jesus is doing miraculous things. But in the very next breath, they consider his background. They know his brother; they grew up with Him. So what happened is that they took offense to Him. What can this guy who we watched grow up teach us? 

So the people of Jesus' hometown had no faith in Him. They did not expect anything of Jesus. They were not expectant of anything miraculous from Jesus. So it can be with those who have been Christian for awhile or for those who grew up in the church. We can lose our awe of Jesus and God. It is not because God is not awesome, but we have become callous to the gospel and forgotten who God is. We can see this in our prayer life. Do we pray for God sized acts of power? 

Danger 2: Despising the Ordinary

Jesus was a carpenter, a blue collar worker. The people were like, who is this guy. The son of Mary was an insult. People were traditionally referred to by their father. This was probably alluding to his illegitimate birth. They did not expect Messiah to come from a poor, working family. They expected a Messiah to come like a King. 

God works extraordinary things thru very ordinary things. Could it be through these very groundhog-like days that God is seeking to do something miraculous? So we should be careful not to minimize our ordinary days. 

Encouragement: Ordinary people doing extraordinary works

The disciples had been watching Jesus perform these miracles and teach the people. And now Jesus tells them it's their turn. How does Jesus do it now? How about his modern day followers?

1. There should be a deep dependence upon God. 

Jesus sent them out with the clothes on their back. They had to depend on God to support them and not only minister, but also to survive. So it should be for us. We need to prayerfully stand on God and walk with God.

2. There will be interdependence with other believers.

Jesus sent them out two by two. We need to go with other believers as teams. We need support from one another.

3. Deep contentment

The disciples were to stay where they were welcomed. To deal with little annoyances and small, trivial troubles. Annoying neighbors, problematic roommates. We need to stay put in ministry. To be content in God's provision.

A touch of Faith

And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him, and he was beside the sea. Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet and implored him earnestly, saying, "My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live." And he went with him. And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. For she said, "If I touch even his garments, I will be made well." And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, "Who touched my garments?"  And his disciples said to him, "You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, 'Who touched me?' " And he looked around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease."  While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler's house some who said, "Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?" But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not fear, only believe."  And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. And when he had entered, he said to them, "Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping."  And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. Taking her by the hand he said to her, "Talitha cumi," which means, "Little girl, I say to you, arise."  And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat. - Mark 5:21‭-‬43 ESV

Rev. Dwight Yoo

There are three presentations of faith in the text today.

Small & simple faith

The woman was unable to go to the temple because of her bleeding. She had tried treatments unsuccessfully. She was also separated from family and friends. She had faith that just touching Jesus' clothes would heal her. She touched him and suddenly she was healed. Jesus stops and calls out that someone touched him. She has to fess up. And Jesus tells her that her faith had healed her. Why? Consider that they were in a crowd, all jostling against Jesus. But no one else was healed. Why? Because this woman, with this strange superstition about His garments, had faith in Jesus. It is not the strength of the faith, but the object of faith. Flimsy faith in a strong branch will uphold a falling person. But a strong conviction in a weak branch will end in a bad fall.

Stretched faith

Jairus was likely in a hurry. His daughter was gravely ill. And here is Jesus taking His time to talk to this woman. Then, it gets worse. He gets news that his daughter has died. It's too late. Jesus heals people, Jairus believes this much. But Jesus tells him to not fear. Jairus now needs to believe that Jesus had power over life and death. Jairus is led to follow Jesus back to his dead daughter. Jesus looks like He doesn't care about Jairus or his daughter. There's the voice from the crowd... Why bother the teacher any longer? Jesus can't help... Doubts can creep in. We can question whether God has our good in mind... The road ahead of Jairus is confusing and hurting.

Steadfast faith

So, Christian, God calls us further down this strange road. We have faith that Jesus has our good in mind. So when He calls us down a strange and pain filled road, we need to trust His plan... His timing. Jesus, Jairus, and the crowd come upon the scene. The household is in mourning with great commotion. He sends out the mourners and crowds. Jesus takes the child's hand and the child comes back to life.

Not only that, but Jesus calls for bread for this child. He commands life and death, but He is also sensitive to our needs. Jesus cares not only for the prominent church leader but also the outcast. The entire spectrum. Not only that, but God experienced the loss of a child when Jesus died upon the cross for our sins. Jesus feels compassion for us. He offers up life and restoration to everyone.

Jesus and the demon possessed man

They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones. And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before him. And crying out with a loud voice, he said, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me." For he was saying to him, "Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!"  And Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" He replied, "My name is Legion, for we are many." And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country. Now a great herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, and they begged him, saying, "Send us to the pigs; let us enter them." So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the pigs; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the sea. The herdsmen fled and told it in the city and in the country. And people came to see what it was that had happened. And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man, the one who had had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. And those who had seen it described to them what had happened to the demon-possessed man and to the pigs. And they began to beg Jesus to depart from their region. As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged him that he might be with him. And he did not permit him but said to him, "Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you."  And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled. - Mark 5:1‭-‬20 ESV

Rev. Dwight Yoo

The reality of satanic power

There are two errors that we coming fall into. 

There are those who do not acknowledge Satan or spiritual forces. Or if we acknowledge them, we don't take them seriously. If we do not acknowledge that we have an enemy, then we will not attempt to resist him. 

For some there is an unhealthy emphasis on Satan and demonic forces. They may be obsessed with Satan and his power.

Satanic and demonic forces are real. The passage here depicts it. The demon possessed man had super human strength. He could not be bound. The possessed man injured himself and likely terrorized his neighbors. Demonic forces are here to destroy what God loves. They are beyond human power to restrain. 

We are called to be watchful. To pray and be watchful for the enemy. Satan is prowling and looking to attack. Soldiers on guard keep watch for potential weakness. 

This current time during the covid 19 pandemic is one opportunity. We can slow down and spend sweet times with family and quality time with God. But these times can also be an opportunity for Satan. We are isolated and accountability is harder to find. Satan will fan the temptations in our lives. 

The reality of Jesus power

The demon possessed man came out to meet Jesus and acknowledged Jesus as the son of God. They spoke of Jesus coming to torment them. They were afraid that Jesus was coming to cast them into hell. But it was not time yet. The demon called themselves legion. This is a large army of demons. But Jesus is not fighting them. The demons within this man are fearful of the power of Jesus. They ask Jesus for permission... The demons are on a leash and God holds the leash. 

What does this mean? The devil and these temptations have no real power over the Christian. The devil whispers that we cannot overcome this sin. He says... Why even try? But this is Satan's scheme. Jesus can and will win over sin in our lives. We can find progressive victory over sin in our lives. And even when we stumble, the grace of God covers it all. We are worthy because God has made us so.

The right response to Jesus' power

When the townspeople saw this demon possessed man sitting quietly in their right mind, they were afraid. They knew that they were not in the presence of any ordinary man. The disciples had a similar reaction to Jesus calming the storm. But that's where the similarity ends. The disciples followed Jesus. The townspeople wanted Jesus to leave. Why? Perhaps the herd of pigs was more important to them than this man's life & restoration. 

There is a cost to following Jesus. Jesus is God and to acknowledge Him rightly requires us to submit our entire lives to Him. Knowing Jesus brings a healthy fear that drives out other fears.

Jesus and the Storm

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side."  And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?"  And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" - Mark 4:35‭-‬41 ESV

Rev. Dan Whang

Storms on the sea of Galilee were sudden, unpredictable, and violent. The mountains nearby caused cold air to rush down to the sea and brought rough storms. This storm was large and violent enough to cause fear and anxiety in these rugged, experienced fishermen.

Anxiety in the storm

These rough waters are gigantic and severe enough to make these men fear for their lives. It was unexpected enough that one moment Jesus was napping and the next the boat was in danger. They even asked Jesus if he cared about them.

So it is with us. When we find ourselves in difficult times, we often wonder if God knows what we are going through... And then often, we wonder if God even cares.

God and the storm

Jesus speaks and suddenly, it is completely calm. Just as quickly as it came, it left. Jesus did not need to repeat himself. God wants to restore everything back completely. This miracle, like all of Jesus' miracles, point to future restoration. Not only that, but they show the authority and power of God in Jesus.

The disciples go from fear to fear. They were first fearing the storm and now they are fearing the one who commands the wind and waters. Jesus loves us, the storm does not. The storm has power, Jesus is greater.

Application: We should tell our storms about how strong our Jesus is. Gaze at Jesus rather than the storm.

1. Admit that you have very little control over your life

2. Abandon our hope in other things

3. Place our faith & hope in Jesus

Jesus' parables on the kingdom of heaven

And he said to them, "Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand?  For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light.  If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear."  And he said to them, "Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you.  For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away."  And he said, "The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground.  He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how.  The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.  But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come."  And he said, "With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it?  It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth,  yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade."  With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it. He did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything. - Mark 4:21‭-‬34 ESV

Rev. Ryan Egli

The gospels are historical narratives of the good news of Jesus. In today's passage, Jesus is just starting his ministry. He is teaching using parables. 

There are three parables. They are not interpreted for us. Jesus privately explained to his disciples, but not to us. Parables are explained in some places in the Bible. So that's fine. Jesus is a king of a kingdom, but not of this world. It is a strange thing to think about, this kingdom of heaven. It is an upside down kingdom. The poor are lifted up, but the rich struggle there. The humble are lifted up, the proud humbled.

Jesus is a king who reveals truth

Jesus talks about understanding parables. Why is more taken from those with little? This isn't in regards to the  poor, but rather how much we understand of the parables. Those who know more will be given more. His parables contain truth and reveals how this works truly works.

Heaven is like growing plants

When we think of heaven, we often consider large armies, opulent palaces, and glorious kings. But what does Jesus say about the kingdom of heaven? He talks about a farmer and maybe not even a very sophisticated one at that. It is very close and near.. Very intimate. The kingdom is self automating. We don't need to worry or be anxious about bringing about the kingdom of God. The farmer sleeps and the seeds are doing their thing. Christians cannot force people to have faith and believe. We can only sow seeds and pray. This parable is about how we should act during the quiet and seeming inaction of God. We may not see God moving or growth, but we should be assured that the kingdom is growing and there will be a harvest.

The kingdom of heaven is like a small mustard seed.

The kingdom grows slowly, but becomes a very large tree. So it is with the kingdom of heaven. It seems small, feeble, and weak. It started with a small people called the Israelites. It's first adherents were poor, uneducated, and marginalized. It calls people to reject the ways of the world. 

So what of a Christian now between Jesus Resurrection and His eventual return? We are not to hope in an earthly utopia. We cannot science our way beyond the reach of sin and brokenness in our lives. We are not to be overly optimistic that heaven is here in our lives now. There is still brokenness. But we are not to be completely pessimistic either, we are not called to huddle in our churches waiting for Jesus to come back. This is not what Jesus tells us. We are to create an outpost pointing to heaven. We are to preserve and restore relationships with God, neighbors, family, and friends. We are to restore peace and wholeness where we can as we can knowing it is not heaven, but just a taste of heaven. 

Easter Sunday: The Peace that Jesus gives

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you."  When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you."  And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.  If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld."  Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe." Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you."  Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe."  Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."  Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. - John 20:19‭-‬31 ESV

Rev. Dwight Yoo

It is a present and future peace

This first Easter Sunday was behind locked doors. Why? Those who had crucified Jesus were looking for his accomplices. The Pharisees were hunting the disciples. Jesus appears along them, shows then His wounds, and then wishes them peace. This was a normal greeting, but in this context, it took on a new meaning. Shalom meant wholeness. Restoration of broken relationships, the broken world. Jesus' return meant that Shalom was coming back. He is bringing back that perfect world. Not only for the future, but knowing Jesus gives us present peace. After Jesus met the disciples, they went out. Did the world change? No, in many ways the world was even more dangerous for Jesus' followers. What changed them from cowering in a locked house to boldly going out? Death changed from an end to a new beginning. Jesus showed that things did not end at death. Not only that, but Jesus promises to be with them to the very end. We don't know what the future holds for us, to but our eternity is secure and Jesus will be with us for now and always.

It is a peace that is pursued

Thomas was not there when Jesus first appeared to the disciples. He wasn't there. He express his doubts, and Jesus comes again to find Thomas. Jesus invites Thomas to put touch the wounds. We demean Thomas with a nickname, Doubting Thomas. But Jesus does not scoff or mock. Jesus invites him to examine the evidence. Faith is not in opposition to reason, but we need more than just reason to have faith. We can come to faith by examining the evidence. The biblical accounts have historical reliability. We invite you to consider the evidence. 

Not only would we look over the evidence for faith, but consider that Jesus seeks us out. Thomas expresses doubts to the other disciples, but Jesus heard. Jesus came to Thomas and confronted those fears. So it is with us, Jesus is seeking us as we seek to examine the evidence.

It is a peace to be shared.

During times like this, do we not need the peace of Christ? The fear of death and loss has an answer. Jesus offers peace and a treasure that cannot be taken or lost. This peace is not for us alone, but we are to share it with the world during this difficult time.

The Hope that Jesus gives

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. - 1 Peter 1:3‭-‬9 ESV

Rev. Dwight Yoo

Peter is a first hand witness to Jesus' life and ministry. He is writing a letter to Christians who were being persecuted. They were losing property and some, even their lives. Peter was writing to them to hold onto the hope they had in Christ.

Human beings can live for 40 days without food, 3 days without water, 8 minutes without air... But only a second without hope.

Christians have been reborn to a living hope (v.3). It is not what a Christian has done. It is what God has done. Babies cannot take credit for a birth. They are recipients of the gift of life and so it is with us. We are given a hope that is not from our strivings or our control of the situation. 

God has prepared an inheritance for us that cannot be lost or diminished. It is a new city, so similar yet so different. It will be without sin, pain, suffering, & death. But most importantly, the presence of Jesus will be there. The greatest source of joy is Jesus. The satisfaction we get from completing work, an enjoyable hobby, or anything on this side of eternity point to the source of true and unending joy that is in God & Jesus.

So in times of trouble and trial, we can still rejoice. This doesn't discount grieving. We can still grieve over a loved one who has faith in Jesus & died. We will have sorrow, but still have a joy that we will see them again. There's still rejoicing even in the pain. So in our lives, God uses tough times to refine our faith. Our faith has much wrong thinking and assumptions. So God refines it like refining gold through the furnace removing the impurities. Trials expose what we truly believe and what we truly trust in. It reveals what we truly hope in.

This crisis has shaken all foundations. All rival foundations that we depend on. Government, family, friends, money, self sufficiency,.... They will all fail us in some way. There is only one foundation that can handle this crisis without failure. That is one based on Jesus.