Some Preliminary Thoughts on Proper 8b Gospel Text: Mark 6:1-13

While Jesus demonstrated an authority over nature and demonic beings, the healing narratives all share this common factor: the healing is requested. Sometimes it is requested by the individual seeking the healing, such as the leper (Mark 1:40). Sometimes it is at someone else’s intercession, such as with Jairus, for his daughter (Mark 5:22-23). Someone can even claim the healing without asking for it, such as the woman who had the issue of blood (Mark 5:27-29).

In his hometown of Nazareth the unbelief was so great that only a few people had faith enough to approach Jesus (Mark 6:5). Jesus was, perhaps, as amazed at their unbelief that others had been at the great things he had done (Mark 6:6).

The sense of rejection and failure is magnified by the story that immediately follows this one: the death of John the Baptist at the hand of Herod.

Jesus did not see physical healing as the main focus of his ministry. He would tell people to be quiet about their healing and whenever the word got out and the crowds pressed on him he would move on (Mark 3:9-10). While Jesus was often moved with compassion to heal people (e.g., Mark 1:41) his real mission was the proclamation of the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:14-15). By this, Jesus did not mean some “pie in the sky, by and by” but the experience of that life now. The Kingdom of God is available to you now! It takes root and grows in you (Mark 4:30-32)

Jesus instructs his disciples to go out in pairs to share the good news, relying on the hospitality and generosity of their hosts (Mark 6:7-10). They were give the authority to loose people from their bondage and invite them into the new life of the Kingdom of God. If they were rejected, they were to shake the dust off of their feet and move on (Mark 6:11). Most of the commentaries point out that the common practice for Jews upon returning from a foreign country was to shake the dust of the foreign country from their clothes. Perhaps the shaking of the dust from the feet serves as a sign to the village that in rejecting the messengers they are rejecting the Kingdom of God.

There is one message of hope in that one of the brothers who had Jesus — James — would come to faith at a later date and serve as a leader of the church in Jerusalem. We also know that Mary experienced this new life and would be with her son late in his life and remain with the disciples waiting for the day of Pentecost.