Mark 5 and 6

Chapter 5

When you think about the fact that the Gospels only contain an extremely small portion of what Jesus did and taught, it is remarkable.  The Apostle John said that if all that Jesus did was written about, the world would not be able to contain the number of books it would take.  Every day must have been filled with teaching and healing far beyond what we know.  In chapter 6, it says they were so busy they didn't have time to eat so Jesus wants to take the 12 into the desert for a respite and to eat.  But the crowds of people forget about eating too and follow him even though it is late at night.  It says that Jesus had compassion on the huge crowd and so he didn't go into the desert but saw that the people were taught and fed.  It says there were 5,000 men but how many more were women and children?  There could easily have been more than 10,000 people there.

With the destruction of the pigs, Elder McConkie points out how the Savior was justified.  If it was Jews who owned the pigs, it was an illegal business.  If gentiles owned the pigs, it was an insult to the Jews in whose land they lived.

I love the story of the daughter of Jairus.  Jesus takes only Peter, James and John, the 1st presidency of the church, to Jairus' house.  The wake for the dead daughter has already started because it says there was a great tumult and much ado and weeping.  When the Savior says the daughter is only sleeping, the people laugh and ridicule him.  Isn't it interesting that he makes all of those who were mocking him leave the room and only the faithful believers are allowed to stay.  After he raises her from the dead, they are instructed to tell no one about the miracle.  This means that all of the unbelievers will think that Jesus was right, that she was only sleeping.  While the believers have had the privilege of witnessing one the greatest miracles possible.  It is an important lesson for me, because I wonder how many miracles I have failed to recognize because of my own unbelief.  (See what's next in chapter 6)

Chapter 6

When Jesus returns to home in Nazareth, the people know him and can't believe that he can be doing and teaching all that he is.  It says they're offended.  Miracles happen because of faith and obedience.  So Jesus is unable to only work a few miracles in Nazareth.  Verses 5 and 6 are important.  Notice how the Savior marvels at their lack of faith.  Verse 6 says that he only went about the area teaching.  No miracles.

It says that Herod the king feared John the Baptist, that he knew he was a just man and holy (the Greek translation is righteous and holy).  Herod even observed to do much what John taught.  What a cowardly hypocrite he was, besides being so wicked.  Remember, he had all of he male children aged 2 and under killed.  When it comes time to either keep his promise to Herodias' daughter and behead John, or spare John's life, he was afraid of what the people around him might think, so he had John beheaded.  Now, he's scared to death that Jesus is John raised from the dead and come back to torment him.

At the end of the chapter, Jesus heals multitudes of people.  It needs to be remembered that these are people who believe and are converted.  He is influencing thousands upon thousands.  It must have been an amazing thing to see  and hear.