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Ministry at Gennesaret

Text: Mark 6:53-56, Matthew 14:34-36
23 March 2014

DESTINATION

1. Original destination

Bethsaida            Mark 6:45

(North-Eastern shore)

2. Landed at Gennesaret instead

North-Western Shore            Mark 6:53

MINISTRY AT GENNESARET

1. People recognised Jesus            Mark 6:54

2. Response of the people

a) They spread the word
b) They brought their sick

3. Ministry

a) Villages
b) Cities
c) Country
d) Market places

4. Special plea

a) Just to be able to touch His garment
b) Healing was given to all who touched Him (by faith)

SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS MENTION OF THE MINISTRY OF JESUS

1. For the sake of the disciples

a) To deepen their faith
b) To be further impacted
c) To train them further
d) To address the problem of unbelief
e) To deal with the problem of hardness of the heart

2. The multitudes

a) They were healed (the grace and mercy of the Lord)
b) But much did their faith benefit?

POEMS – Charles Tan

#5 HE TAUGHT THEM AS ONE HAVING AUTHORITY

The prophets of old spoke with power and great authority,
Their opening words “Thus says the LORD” gave them authenticity.
But the voice of the prophets had been silent a long time ago,
Israel had fallen on hard times and God’s will no one seemed to know.

When Jesus came preaching and teaching about the Kingdom of God,
Everyone noticed that He spoke with power that no one else had from the Lord.
There was no mistaking the sense of authority that issued from His lips,
Every word that He spoke brought illumination and freedom from Satan’s grip.

This authority was not just with reference to the teaching of God’s word,
Those who were under the power of dark powers were freed from demonic quirks.
The disciples who were privileged to follow Jesus were constantly surprised,
They noted that His power and authority came from God to help meet many heartfelt cries.

His authority was not obtained from long hours poring over books,
There was a freshness and originality about Jesus that no one mistook.
He spoke as if God Himself had just revealed great truths to Him,
Those who understood Him found that their understanding was no longer dim.

Inspiration: Mark 1:22

#37 HE DEPARTED TO THE MOUNTAIN TO PRAY

The multitudes had been fed and they were gently sent away,
Jesus desired time to be alone for He wanted to be in solitude to pray.
The disciples were also sent away to go to Bethsaida, on the other side of the Sea,
Jesus was all alone, to commune with His Father, just as He wanted it to be.

It was late at night when He had finished praying to His Father and seeking His blessing,
Prayer after a long day at ministry is most important for it brings to the soul a special nourishing.
From afar He saw His disciples straining at rowing their boat, they were battling another storm,
How would they cope this time? Would they be brave or would they be gripped by fear anon?

Jesus decided that He would walk across the Sea of Galilee amidst the contrary winds,
It would be a surprise to His disciples but this feat ought to teach them more about Him.
The disciples were frightened when their hearts should have been so greatly cheered.
They could not imagine anyone walking on the Sea and thus they cried out because they feared.

“Be of good cheer; It is I; Do not be afraid”- those words cut through the gloom and fear,
He then walked into the boat and the wind ceased immediately for it recognized His authority clear.
The disciples had just seen how with great power Jesus had fed the multitude,
But their hearts had remained hardened, there was no change in their attitude.

Was this one of the reasons Jesus spent much time in prayer with His Father-God?
He knew that His disciples were not making great progress in their faith in the Lord.
They had heard Him speak and minister to the multitudes with power supreme,
Yet their hearts continued to be hardened and their spiritual sight remained dimmed.

Inspiration: Mark 6:46