Mark 6, Part 1

Scripture: Mark 6:1-29

Observation: Jesus begins His peaching work in Nazareth, where He is rejected. He then commissions His disciples to go out in pairs to spread the Gospel. As He begins His ministry, people compare Him to John the Baptist, Elijah, and the prophets. Even Herod believes Jesus to be John the Baptist whom he'd ordered beheaded at the request of his wife and stepdaughter.

Application: I noticed immediately in verses 7-9 the instructions given by Jesus to preach. The disciples were to take nothing with them. They were told to take "no bag", a beggars bag for collecting money. The Gospel was to be taken to the people for the glory of God, not the benefit of the disciples.

Prayer: Father, my human tendency tells me to seek what is best for me. But Your Word teaches me to seek the Kingdom and Your will in my life (Matthew 6:33). Teach me to focus on glorifying You rather than seeking my own pleasure and benefit, knowing that You'll take care of me if I put You first in my life. In Jesus' name, Amen.