The disciples had seen and experienced so much . . . miracles, healings, exorcisms, the dead being raised, etc. In fact, as we read this passage we realize that they had just finished participating in the feeding of the 5,000, and yet they still found themselves unable to fully trust Christ. They once again resort to fear over faith, and Mark labels this response as hardness of heart. Lest we think we’re any better, we would do well to stop and consider the many times when we doubt and worry in spite of all we’ve had revealed to us!
8/29/10: "GOOD FOOD . . . GOOD SHEPHERD" Dustin Hall Mark 6:30-44
In this passage Jesus does a lot more than just feed a crowd of people. His actions demonstrate that He alone is the long awaited “good shepherd” of Israel. He feeds the people spiritually and physically . . . and does so in abundance. Jesus is good. Jesus is gracious. Jesus is greater than any who had come before. He is Lord, and Mark intends that we see this even more clearly through the miracle of the multiplying of the bread and fish.
8/22/10: "PARTNERS - PART 2" Dustin Hall Mark 6:6-30
As we continue in this passage involving the disciples and John the Baptist we realize that Mark has strategically placed these narratives back-to-back in order to give us a fuller and more appropriate picture of what it means to follow Christ and be His partner in ministry. Following the Kingdom isn’t always easy. Sometimes it hurts. Sometimes it’s painful. Sometimes it’s the hard road. But it’s always worth it.
8/15/10: "REMEMBER" Dustin Hall
As we celebrate the 60th anniversary of Kennewick Baptist Church, it's good for us to take some time and truly seek to remember what God has said about us and what He has called us to do and to be.
8/08/10: "PARTNERS" Dustin Hall Mark 6:6-30
At this point in the Gospel of Mark, a key paradigm shift takes place in Jesus approach to ministry and the spread of the Good News. Up to this point He had been doing it all . . and the disciples had just been spectators. Now He invites them join Him as partners. He entrusts His power, authority, and name to a bunch of flawed followers. Not much has changed!
8/01/10: "FAMILIAR" Dustin Hall Mark 6:1-6
Jesus has clearly demonstrated His authority and identity thus far in the Gospel of Mark. He is the Son of God, the long-awaited Messiah, the bringer of the Kingdom. In previous passages we have seen individuals respond to this truth with amazing faith. However, rejection of Christ is also a real possibility in the hearts of some. We see this in these verses as Jesus’ hometown is so familiar with Him that they refuse to believe.
7/25/10: "ULTIMATE PROOF" Rick Rosser 1 Peter 3:15
God commands His follower to be prepared to share why they believe what they believe . . . and to be willing to share with anyone who might ask. This is a tall order, but we have been equipped by the truth of God's Word. We have good reason for the faith we claim!
9/05/10: "DUH..."
