A Tale of Two Cities

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way - in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being recieved, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.”

And so begins Charles Dickens’ classic, “A Tale of Two Cities”, where his fictional characters endure the adventures of the French Revolution from Paris, France to London, England in the year 1775.

Tonight we will read a much different Tale of Two Cities…certainly much different in most every respect, but also with several striking similarities to the description we just read.

The biblical author, John-Mark, will tell his own account of the time that Jesus Christ walked upon the earth and we will see that it was indeed both the best and the worst of times:

It was The Best of Times: The very Son of God stepped down from heaven to earth as a man, bone and flesh, Incarnate, to walk upon the soil and breath the air that He spoke into existence. The Creator was now among the creation. He was Immanuel, God with us…It was The Best of Times!

But it was also The Worst of Times: This Messiah was not recognized by those who should have known him best, and while many believed, Israel as a nation rejected Him. The religious leaders, experts in the Scriptures though they were, remained blinded by their jealous rage and had Jesus Christ, sinless and innocent, put to death. They murdered God!…It was The Worst of Times!

And so we pick up Mark’s account in Mark chapter six....not about 18th century Europe, but about 1st century Israel…not located in busy, bustling capital cities, but in backwater towns and obscure hovels that were disregarded and largely ignored.

It was to these places that Jesus went to teach and to heal and to love.

Nazareth and Gennesaret- not the well-to-do destinations were you might expect a King enter, but it was to these places Jesus did go, and that is where the similarities cease.

Tonight is a study in contrast between these two cities, as we ask the most important question in the universe: What did they do with Jesus?

And then we will turn the question inward: What have we done with Jesus?

I. The Worst of Times

Mark 6:1–2 NKJV

1 Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him. 2 And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands!

I. The Worst of Times

A. Astonished at Jesus (v.1-2)

Jesus’ teaching always brings astonishment, but this is not a response of belief…it is a response of intrigue or interest but not of faith.

Matthew 7:28 NKJV

28 And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching,

Luke 4:32 NKJV

32 And they were astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority.

There was a way that Jesus taught that distinguished Him from all other teachers.

Even still today, many continue to be astonished by Jesus’ words.

“Jesus, to me, is a great world teacher among others.”

“I love the idea of the teachings of Jesus Christ and the beautiful stories about it, which I loved in Sunday school and I collected all the little stickers and put them in my book.”

“I am a Jew, but I am enthralled by the luminous figure of the Nazarene. Jesus is too colossal for the pen of phrase-mongers, however artful!”

But what DID Jesus teach that stirred such interest, both positive and negative?

“I did not come to bring peace but a sword...” - Matthew 10:34b

“Whosoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life...” - John 6:54a

“If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off...” - Matthew 5:30a

Jesus becomes a thought-provoking sidelight and a person of interest, but not the Son of God and certainly not a Savior.

Their astonishment was not an awe-struck amazement of belief, but that of provocation and even shock.

I. The Worst of Times

A. Astonished at Jesus (v.1-2)

B. Apostate from Jesus (v.3-4)

Mark 6:3–4 NKJV

3 Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him. 4 But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.”

The word “offended” means to be led into sin by being repelled away from Jesus…notice they refer to Him as “this man”…a term of disrespect and contempt

Remember these are all Nazarenes, and what was the reputation of Nazareth?

John 1:46a (NKJV)

And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”...

Nazareth had a terrible reputation…anyone from there was looked down upon.

Nathanael’s question was not without warrant and as far as he was concerned, Messiah and Nazareth hardly belonged in the same sentence, much less the same town.

Perhaps these Nazarenes had started to believe the rhetoric surrounding their town…COULD anything good come out of Nazareth?…Maybe all the haters were right!

“He’s one of us!…How dare He assume anything more, and if someone from Nazareth is going to be a great teacher and healer, it certainly won’t be this Carpenter…the son of Mary!”

In 1st century culture, the son was always referred to with his father’s name (see the genealogies), but here they reference Mary, Jesus’ mother - no doubt trying to recast the shadow of scandal that surrounded Mary’s conception and Jesus’ birth. (this could also refer to the fact that Joseph had died, but the father’s name should have been used)

But why this response from Jesus’ hometown?…He gives us the reason in v.4:

Mark 6:4 NKJV

4 But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.”

Notice the progression: country, relatives, house (immediate family)

You see, the Nazarenes were too familiar with Jesus…He was common to them…ordinary and everyday…nothing special.

Familiarity breeds contempt

This brings up a soul-searching question: “Has Jesus become too familiar to us?”

For those of us that grew up in church, we’ve heard all the accounts and the narratives…the miracles and the parables…we can quote Jesus’ words in John 3:16 and many other verses…we know Jesus…don’t we???

The warning here is against COMPLACENCY…against forgetting that Jesus is an everlasting source of strength, wisdom, light, life, and love…He never gets old, never changes, He is the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last!

Hebrews 12:2 NKJV

2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

THIS is the Jesus we need to run to, to strive for, to embrace and endeavor to know.

When Jesus becomes too familiar, He becomes small.

And when Jesus becomes small, we look elsewhere for our object of worship…and we become like an apostate in our practice.

I. The Worst of Times

A. Astonished at Jesus (v.1-2)

B. Apostate from Jesus (v.3-4)

C. Apathy towards Jesus (v.5-6)

Mark 6:5–6 NKJV

5 Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. 6 And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.

It’s important from the start to deal with this phrase, “He could do no mighty work there...”

First of all, this does not in any way mean that Jesus’ power was somehow diminished at this point, as if His deity was lessened.

His healing of a few sick people dispels that notion

The fact is that the majority of those living in Nazareth closed their doors to Him that day…they simply refused His offer to heal them…their apathy became their downfall.

Verse 6 completes the picture: “He marveled because of their unbelief.”

It’s faith that Jesus is looking for. He offers the grace, the free gift of eternal life, but He requires faith - that passive choice to believe for oneself that Jesus alone saves.

And THAT is what these Nazarenes were missing.

Their apathetic familiarity with Jesus led them to a lack of faith.

It was the worst of times!

II. The Best of Times

Mark 6:53–54 NKJV

53 When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there. 54 And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him,

I. The Worst of Times (Mk.6:1-6)

II. The Best of Times (Mk. 6:53-56)

A. Recognized Jesus (v.53-54)

Already we can sense something is different here in Gennesaret!

There’s a thrill in the air, an excitement brewing, anticipation is growing!

Unlike the Nazarenes, these people RECOGNIZE Jesus!

Mark 6:54 NKJV

54 And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him,

It’s like they saw Him and said, “It’s Him!”

John 10:27 NKJV

27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

Are you listening for Jesus’ voice?…Do you know Him?…Are you following Him?

The greatest source we have for hearing the voice of Jesus is that Bible your holding…and the only way to hear His voice is to read it.

Jesus also said that another Person would come to teach us…a Person that we need to learn to recognize:

John 16:12–15 NKJV

12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

We must learn to recognize the Holy Spirit’s voice…His leadership in our lives

We must be Spirit-led and Spirit-controlled…so we must recognize His leading.

II. The Best of Times (Mk. 6:53-56)

A. Recognized Jesus (v.53-54)

B. Ran Towards Jesus (v.55)

Mark 6:55 NKJV

55 ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was.

Notice that first they ran away into the “whole surrounding region” but then they come toward Jesus, bringing the sick “to wherever He was”.

This was an unstoppable kind of running…nothing was going to stand in their way!

[example: military homecoming videos]

What is your greatest need right now?…What is the most pressing need in your life?

So to where or to whom are you running?

Could I suggest that Jesus is the answer to whatever that need is?

Are you RUNNING to Jesus when life becomes difficult?

We sing that song, “I Run to Christ”, but do we really do that?…or are we running towards ourselves, our wisdom, our resources?

Matthew 11:28–30 NKJV

28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Notice the prerequisites for running to Jesus:

all who labor (weariness from being beaten; or from work, exertion, or heat)

all who are heavy laden (over-burdened by a crushing weight or load)

(By the way, these verses are at the end of Matthew 11, and if you continue into Matthew 12, you read of Jesus freeing people from all kinds of burdens despite opposition from the Pharisees.)

Do either of those describe you right now?

Mark 6:55 NKJV

55 ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was.

As we look again at our text, we see people coming to Jesus, and also bringing others with them to Jesus.

This starts with those we are closest to…right in our own homes and families.

As a dad, it is my responsibility to bring my family to Jesus. (I am not always good at doing this…it’s an ongoing process that I hope and pray that I can fully accomplish one day)

Moms, you also have this responsibility. Are you bringing your children to Jesus?

Grandparents, you have a unique role and position to bring your grandchildren to Jesus

And the process just continues outward from there, like ripples on a surface of water, ever-expanding and reaching to more and more people that God allows into our circle of influence…we must run to Jesus bring them with us.

Notice that they didn’t SEND people to Jesus, rather they BROUGHT them!

We can’t bring people to Jesus unless we are also going to Him.

II. The Best of Times (Mk. 6:53-56)

A. Recognized Jesus (v.53-54)

B. Ran Towards Jesus (v.55)

C. Reached For Jesus (v. 56)

Mark 6:56 NKJV

56 Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well.

The hem of the garment holds special significance, as we remember that Jesus was an obedient and righteous Jewish man.

Part of the Mosaic Law required the Israelites to make tassels on their clothing:

Numbers 15:37–41 NKJV

37 Again the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 38 “Speak to the children of Israel: Tell them to make tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and to put a blue thread in the tassels of the corners. 39 And you shall have the tassel, that you may look upon it and remember all the commandments of the Lord and do them, and that you may not follow the harlotry to which your own heart and your own eyes are inclined, 40 and that you may remember and do all My commandments, and be holy for your God. 41 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am the Lord your God.”

Sadly, the Pharisees had taken this small token of holiness before God and made it into a symbol of piety before men:

Matthew 23:5 NKJV

5 But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments.

In their minds, the broader and more prominent the tassel, the more holy they appeared to other people.

And the Pharisees certainly would not have allowed any sick person to touch their precious tassels.

But in Jesus’ case, the same hem that was commanded to remind the Jewish people of God, His Laws and His deliverance was now a physical, visual, tactile source of healing and health!

It was now more than a reminder of what God had done…it is a tangible evidence of what God IS doing!

This is not the first time that a touch of the hem of Jesus’ garment produced a healing effect.

[ Mark 5:25-34 ] - read text

It is likely that news of this happening had reached far and wide…it was done in a large crowd, and news like that travels fast.

Mark 6:56 NKJV

It’s amazing that “AS MANY AS TOUCHED HIM were made well”…Jesus made no distinction, no prejudice, no favoritism…just love for ALL!

There was no sickness, paralyzation, or possession that was too much for Jesus.

Perhaps you have counted yourself as unworthy of Jesus.

You might be giving in to the Devil’s lies that you are too far gone…too sinful…too damaged for Him to heal.

Perhaps you have come to Jesus for healing before, only to fall back into the sin He helped you with last time…and maybe that’s happened more than once…maybe it’s happened over and over again. And now you wonder of it’s too much for Him to heal…too far for Him come…to broken for Him to fix.

But that’s not the case with Jesus…that’s not how He sees it…He is “full of grace and truth”…and there is never a person that is out of the reach of His marvelous grace! Grace extends far beyond our finite capacity to comprehend.

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us...” (Eph. 1:7-8)

You are never too far gone…AS MANY AS TOUCHED HIM were made well.

The sick were to too weak to stand, much less walk or run…so they reached.

Maybe that describes you today…overwhelmed, crushed, and buried under a load of stress, physical needs, or a failing relationship. And all you can do is “reach”. Well, that’s all that is required.

How will YOU respond to Jesus?

As we conclude, I want to address those of us who are believers:

Certainly there is a great application for bringing unsaved people to Jesus…after all, that’s exactly what we see the people doing in the text.

However, I would like us all to consider our OWN hearts in light of this text…consider the landscape of your heart:

Instead of sick, paralyzed, oppressed people, think about the problems, issues, struggles, sins, and difficulties you are currently facing.

And ask yourself, “What is my solution?”…is it Jesus?…or someone or something else?

I would submit to you that Jesus is the solution to every problem we face.

When Jesus came to Gennesaret, and stepped up onto the shore and the people saw Him, they said, “He’s here!…He’s come!”… “Quick, bring all our problems to Him…all our hurts, all our sickness, all our paralyzation, all our oppressed and possessed…the solution to all our problems is here!”

And that’s exactly what WE need to do with Jesus…bring everything to Him…and the way we do that is one word:

SURRENDER

In order for healing to take place, the people at Gennesaret had to SURRENDER

they had to bring the problems to Jesus and lay them down. They had to trust that He would take care of them because they knew that they couldn’t fix the problems…they needed Jesus.

I am going to say something that might sound radically untrue and that goes against the grain of our traditional way of talking and thinking about Jesus: Jesus doesn’t meet all our needs....sometimes Jesus changes what we need. [ex.: Paul’s thorn in the flesh]

2 Corinthians 12:7–9 NKJV

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Jesus didn’t meet Paul’s need…He changed Paul’s need.

And Paul was SURRENDERED to that truth.

SURRENDER

As you examine your own heart, which city does it most reflect?…we could have titled this message “A Tale of Two Hearts”, because that’s what God is most concerned about.

Do you have a Nazareth heart?...has Jesus become too familiar, commonplace, ordinary, and everyday?…Have you become apathetic towards Jesus?...Have you closed some doors that He is knocking on?…Have you been seeking solutions to your problems somewhere else?

Or would God say that you have a Gennesaret heart?…does He see you recognizing Jesus? Running to Jesus? Reaching for Jesus?

What changes need to take place, dear saints, in order to surrender to Jesus?

What do you need to surrender?

Lastly, you might be a person that can honestly say that you have never personally placed all your faith for salvation in Jesus…you know about Him, you acknowledge some of the Bible even, but you can’t say that you are truly a believer....you’ve never considered Jesus as the solution to your greatest need: Where will you spend eternity?…this life is fleeting…but the next life is forever.

Eternal life is only offered by God and on God’s terms: Perfection

God’s only requirement is faith in Jesus…there’s nothing left to do that God would be satisfied with…Jesus already did every good work there was to do that could satisfy God..the final work being His work on the cross for us.

Maybe tonight you realize that, just like those sick people in Gennesaret, you also have a sickness called sin…and the wages for that is, death and hell.

But Jesus came down to earth and died in our place.

God’s requirement for eternal life, since He knows we can’t be perfect, is to place our faith in the perfect son of God, Jesus Christ - His death, burial, and resurrection - It was for you!