The Miracle of the Five Loaves and Two Fish (Mark 6:30-44)

 

The Miracle of the Five Loaves and Two Fish (Mark 6:30-44)

What do we eat and drink? We become what we eat. Those who consume God’s love, joy, and peace become like Christ. Those who consume hatred and jealousy become slaves to them.

In Mark 6:30-44, Jesus gave thanks for the five loaves and two fish, fed five thousand people until they were satisfied, and twelve basketfuls of broken pieces were left over. Through this, Jesus revealed that He is the true Bread of Life descended from heaven.

The Apostles Return from Their Missionary Journey

30 The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. 31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” 32 So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. 33 But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. (Mark 6:30-33)

After successfully finishing a great task, there is a sense of accomplishment. Naturally, one thirsts for recognition and praise. At the same time, the body and mind become tired and exhausted. The disciples had gone out two by two to the villages of Judea, healing the sick, driving out demons, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom.

The disciples obeyed Jesus' word, going on their journey without money, extra clothes, or sandals. Surprisingly, they personally witnessed and experienced the authority and power as the sick were healed and demons retreated. The disciples reported the whole story to Jesus in detail.

When the seventy returned with joy from their journey and reported what they had done, Jesus said, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven" (Luke 10:17-18). The healing of the sick and the retreat of Satan are due to the authority and power of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is clearly shown in the case of the woman with the bleeding for 12 years (Mark 5:30).

However, because of the gathering crowds, the disciples had no chance to rest or even time to eat. People followed on foot by land, moving according to the direction the boat was heading to come before Jesus. They came primarily to be healed of diseases and also to hear the gospel of the kingdom.

This shows that in any era, every human being is thirsty. Of course, at that time, there was a longing for a Messiah to save them from Roman oppression. Simultaneously, there was a great desire for freedom from disease and relief from the hardships of daily life.

There is little difference between them and us living in the 21st century. Everyone wants to escape the monotony and boredom of daily life and be free from worries about living expenses.

Compassion Because They Were Like Sheep Without a Shepherd

34 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. 35 By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. 36 Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” 37 But he answered, “You give them something to eat.” They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?” (Mark 6:34-37)

Jesus saw the gathering crowds wandering like sheep without a shepherd. A sheep without a shepherd is not only lost but is also food for wild beasts. Survival is impossible for a sheep without a shepherd.

In what way were the crowds like sheep without a shepherd? Ultimately, the Shepherd is God and the Lord Jesus Christ. However, God called men like Moses and Joshua as His servants to lead the people to the Lord. In Jesus' time, the Pharisees, Sadducees, and priests held that role.

However, they fell into their own interests and greed, failing to care for widows and orphans and instead exploiting them (Isaiah 10:2; Luke 20:47). They only wanted honor and glory and did not act according to the truth (Matthew 23:6-7). They thirsted for the praise and recognition of men. Therefore, they loved to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners (Matthew 6:5; Luke 18:11-12).

The religious leaders of Jesus' day should have performed the work of leading people to God and His Son, Jesus Christ, but instead, they blocked that path and led them to hell (Matthew 23:13, 15). Likewise, the people of that time were hungry and thirsty, having lost the way to truly go to God, like sheep who had lost their shepherd.

Accordingly, Jesus taught the crowds. He explained the secrets of the kingdom of heaven in detail and taught using parables. He led them to the God of Abraham, the Lord of hosts. He revealed the love of the Lord, who sent His Son, Jesus Christ, just as God the Father had promised to Abraham.

To show that He was the Son sent by God, Jesus performed signs and wonders. Opening the eyes of the blind was something that had never happened until then (John 9:32). He opened the eyes of the heart that were trapped in darkness and could not see God. This is the evidence teaching us that Jesus came as God’s Christ.

Just as Jesus called the twelve disciples and sent them on a missionary journey, today all believers are called as instruments to witness to God's love. To manifest this is to love our neighbors as ourselves, following the example of Christ's cross (John 13:31-32).

We practice God's love as Christians in our daily lives—at work, at home, and while commuting. It is to forgive, embrace, be patient, endure, and show love. Thus, even in irritating and painful situations, we reflect the light of God's love.

You Give Them Something To Eat

The disciples suggested that the large crowd be sent home. That seemed like a practical, realistic option. Furthermore, feeding that large crowd would have required 200 denarii, a large sum of money equivalent to roughly a worker’s annual salary.

However, Jesus commanded His disciples, "You give them something to eat." The disciples must have doubted their own ears. It was physically impossible. The disciples were poor, and such a large amount of money was far beyond their reach. The Lord, of course, was fully aware of the disciples' empty pockets.

Then, what does this mean? It means to have compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and to lead them to draw closer to God. In other words, He ordered them to fulfill the role of guiding people to Jesus. The Kingdom of God is filled with love, joy, and peace, and is full of grace and truth (John 1:14). Standing right before them was Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who is the door leading to the Kingdom of Heaven.

We have been called by the one-sided grace of God. Through the gift of faith, which God gave freely, we confessed our sins and came to the Lord. Since we received it freely, it is only right that we share it freely. Sharing God’s love and grace is the way to lead others to the Lord. Forgiving and loving one another is what those who have received grace must do.

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand (Matthew 14:13–21; Luke 9:10–17; John 6:1–14)

38 "How many loaves do you have?" he asked. "Go and see." When they found out, they said, "Five—and two fish." 39 Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. 41 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. 42 They all ate and were satisfied, 43 and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. 44 The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand. (Mark 6:38–44)

Jesus’ disciple Andrew, brother of Peter, brought the five loaves and two fish, doubting how such an insignificant amount could feed them (John 6:9). Jesus received the five loaves and two fish and gave thanks to God the Father in heaven.

Then, Jesus broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to distribute, and He did the same with the two fish. Through Jesus' hands, the bread and fish were continuously supplied. The crowd of five thousand gathered there ate and were satisfied, and twelve basketfuls were gathered up. The twelve baskets signify the twelve tribes of Israel.

God does not desire the 200 denarii; He desires what the disciples already have. Whatever it may be, He gladly receives the five loaves and two fish. In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul said that he planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God the Father made it grow (1 Corinthians 3:6).

There is no one who does not possess their own "five loaves and two fish." God has poured out gifts upon each person to build up His church. In the Parable of the Talents, Jesus gave some servants ten talents, others five, and another one, and commanded them to trade, that is, to make a profit (Matthew 25:14–30).

Every believer reborn in Christ has received the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of truth, and has also received various gifts such as teaching, serving, ministering, and administration (Romans 12:6–8). The fact that Jesus sent His disciples on a mission trip shows that they were working together in the work of God the Father.

The work of God is done only by the Lord’s power and authority. It cannot be done by human experience, education, or status. Jesus gave His disciples the authority and power to heal the sick and drive out demons. Using the power Jesus gave them, the disciples actually did so (Mark 6:13).

So, how do we offer our five loaves and two fish? For example, when someone asks about the gospel of Jesus Christ, we kindly share our faith together. Also, looking toward the Kingdom of Heaven that God has given us as our hope, we endure today’s pain and difficulties with gratitude and joy.

When conflict arises in a relationship with others, we yield and step back. This may seem like defeat, but it is not. Jesus, though He had no sin, bore our burden of sin in our place and was even forsaken by God the Father (Matthew 27:46).

God fed them with manna from heaven for forty years in the wilderness. Jesus feeding the five thousand in a solitary place reminds us of Israel being fed manna in the wilderness after the Exodus (Exodus 16:35). This teaches us that God the Father personally feeds, clothes, and protects us.

After the miracle of the five loaves and two fish, Jesus declared that He is the bread of life who came down from heaven (John 6:35, 48). Because Jesus is the bread of life, anyone who believes in Him will not die but live (John 6:50).

"I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." (John 6:51)

Eating Jesus’ flesh and drinking His blood is the way to gain eternal life (John 6:53–57). This refers to believing in and obeying Jesus Christ, His Son, whom God sent from heaven. To eat His flesh and drink His blood is to believe that our Lord Jesus Christ was sacrificed on the cross. Amen!

"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)

March 15, 2026

Buffalo Livingstone Church ©2026, David Lee Ministries ©2026 – All Rights Reserved.

Scripture quotes are from the NIV.

 

The Death of John the Baptist (Mark 6:14-29)

 

The Death of John the Baptist (Mark 6:14-29)

How we live and how we die are both important questions. Death is a scary thing, but it is not the end. This world is not everything; the kingdom of heaven is the essence. Jesus comforted His disciples by saying, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).

In Mark 6:14-29, John the Baptist was beheaded by King Herod for no justifiable reason. Herod was immoral and violent, constantly showing off and boasting, and in the midst of his inner turmoil, he killed the righteous John.

John the Baptist Has Risen from the Dead

14 King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known. Some were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” 15 Others said, “He is Elijah.” And still others claimed, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago.” 16 But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!” (Mark 6:14-16)

The name of Jesus became known throughout Judea and Galilee. Wherever Jesus went, large crowds came to Him seeking healing. Jesus saw that the crowds were like sheep without a shepherd and had compassion on them (Mark 6:34).

Jesus healed a man with a shriveled hand, paralytics, the blind, the deaf, lepers, the demon-possessed, and a woman with a bleeding disorder; He even raised the dead. He performed signs and wonders, calming the wind and waves and walking on water.

Naturally, rumors about Jesus of Nazareth spread throughout the whole country. When King Herod heard about Him, he said that John the Baptist, whom he had beheaded, had risen from the dead. Other people said Jesus was Elijah or one of the prophets of old. They did not know exactly who Jesus Christ was.

John the Baptist, the Forerunner of Jesus

At that time, Zechariah, one of the priests, had no children even though he was old. However, while he was performing his priestly duties in the temple according to his division, he received a sudden visit from an angel. The angel announced that his wife, Elizabeth, would give birth to a son (Luke 1:13). The son born from this was John the Baptist.

14 "He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord" (Luke 1:14-17).

John the Baptist carried out his ministry in the wilderness. This signifies that the hearts of the people were dry and thirsty like a desert. He preached a powerful message of repentance to all the people. It was a message that was uncomfortable and bothersome for the people to hear—calling them to confess their sins and urging repentance (Mark 1:4).

7 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham" (Luke 3:7-8).

John the Baptist’s voice calling out in the wilderness shook people's hearts. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him, confessed their sins, and were baptized by him in the Jordan River (Mark 1:5). As the prophet Isaiah predicted, he was the forerunner preparing the way for the coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Mark 1:2).

Salvation from sin comes only through faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It does not come through blood or flesh (John 1:12). Even being a descendant of Abraham or being born into a believing family cannot do it. Salvation is solely accepting Jesus Christ—who died by shedding His blood on the cross, was buried, and rose again—as Lord.

This is because human sin cannot be forgiven by anything else; only the blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, can break the power of sin and death and save us. The blood of Jesus Christ is a gift of God’s holy love, mercy, and grace, shed to forgive the sins of this world.

John the Baptist’s preaching of a baptism for repentance was a voice inviting people to the salvation that comes from heaven. Tax collectors also came to him, confessed their sins, and were baptized; soldiers also came to him and confessed their sins (Luke 3:12, 14). The people even began to wonder in their hearts if he might possibly be the Messiah (Luke 3:15).

However, John the Baptist said he was the voice of one calling in the wilderness, just as the prophet Isaiah had predicted (Luke 3:4; Isaiah 40:3). As the forerunner of Jesus Christ, he prepared people's hearts to welcome the Lord who comes as the Son of God. Confessing sins is the way to welcome Christ into the heart.

Why do we confess our sins? It is because this world is under sin. To be under sin means that the relationship with God is severed, preventing one from entering into His love and grace. Ultimately, one faces God's judgment and eternal punishment.

Confessing sins is painful and stinging because it is an admission of shame and disgrace. No one wants to do it. However, because of this very shame and sin, our Lord Jesus Christ hung on the cross and received the shame, disgrace, and pain we were supposed to receive (Hebrews 12:2). Now, following the example of Jesus Christ, we walk the way of the cross, acknowledging the disgrace and shame of our sins.

Even though confessing the sins of shame and humiliation may seem harder than dying, God opens the gates of heaven and pours out blessings on those who confess their sins. God does not rebuke anyone who confesses their sins and comes to the Lord; He forgives their sins and purifies them from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Therefore, we come to stand boldly before the throne of God's grace (Romans 5:1-2).

John the Baptist Rebukes Herod’s Sin of Immorality

17 For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. 18 For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, 20 because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him (Mark 6:17-20).

Herod was a king, but he was trapped in a swamp of darkness and ignorance. He committed the immoral and violent act of taking his brother’s wife. John the Baptist rebuked his unrighteousness. Instead of repenting, Herod arrested John and put him in prison. Herodias, who had become Herod’s wife, watched for every opportunity to kill John.

However, Herod regarded John as a righteous and holy man and was greatly troubled when he heard his words. Yet, he did not listen to the voice of his conscience and did not repent of his violent and immoral deeds. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil (Romans 2:9). On the other hand, there will be glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does good (Romans 2:10).

In this world, it seems that those who boast, show off, and rule with their own ability and power succeed (Psalm 73:3-4). It seems that those who ignore others and seek only their own benefit gain the wealth of this world and advance (Psalm 73:8-9, 13). That is not the case. Their path is a shortcut that falls suddenly into ruin and destruction (Psalm 73:18-19). They are caught in a great delusion and fantasy (Psalm 73:20).

However, those who fear God and act according to His Word may suffer in this world, but they inherit the kingdom of heaven (Romans 8:17). Though they are not recognized by the world and face persecution, they do not become slaves to complaints and dissatisfaction; rather, they conquer and rule because of the hope of the kingdom of heaven.

John the Baptist Beheaded (Matt. 14:1-12; Luke 9:7-9)

21 Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. 22 When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests. The king said to the girl, "Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you." 23 And he promised her with an oath, "Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom." 24 She went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask for?" "The head of John the Baptist," she answered. 25 At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: "I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter."

26 The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. 27 So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison, 28 and brought back his head on a platter. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother. 29 On hearing of this, John’s disciples came and took his body and laid it in a tomb. (Mark 6:21-29).

Herod, who had a prick of conscience but did not repent, eventually followed the way of Cain (Gen. 4:8). While indulging in self-display and boasting, he fell into his own trap and beheaded John the Baptist. He killed a righteous man for no reason.

On the surface, it seems Herod wore royal robes and enjoyed wealth and glory, but he cannot escape the judgment of God's wrath. It appears that John the Baptist died and Herod is alive, but in reality, it is the opposite. Herod is still breathing, but because he rejects God’s holy love, he cannot escape the agony of death—ceaseless anguish and distress.

Death is not the end. Jesus died and was buried, but rose again after three days. Death is not the end of everything, but rather the beginning. However, for those who fear and obey God, He gives eternal life, but for those who do not, God’s wrath remains on them (John 3:36).

Everyone will be resurrected. However, there is a difference as vast as heaven and earth between those who welcome God's love and keep their faith through repentance within His grace, and those who reject and refuse the Lord's love.

"Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned" (John 5:28-29).

The death of John the Baptist seems like a tragedy, but it is not. Jesus referred to John the Baptist as the greatest among those born of women (Matt. 11:11). Yet, Jesus said that the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Therefore, the important thing is to live by faith. To fear God and, amidst that awe, to look toward the hope of heaven and follow the way of the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ is truly the way of life. That way is to love and forgive one another, and to forgive and love again. Loving the unlovable and forgiving the unforgivable is the love of Christ, the Son of God.

Amen!

March 8, 2026

Buffalo Livingstone Church ©2026, David Lee Ministries ©2026 – All Rights Reserved.

Scripture quotes are from the NIV.

 

Calling the Twelve and Sending Them Out Two by Two (Mark 6:7-13)

 

Calling the Twelve and Sending Them Out Two by Two (Mark 6:7-13)

No one welcomes sickness or weakness. No one wants to be trapped under the bondage of demons. On the contrary, people want to be healthy, active, and not deceived. This is the image of subduing and ruling over all creation that God intended from the beginning.

In Mark 6:7-13, Jesus sent the disciples on a missionary journey, giving them authority to drive out impure spirits and the power to heal diseases and weaknesses. The disciples preached the gospel of repentance, drove out many demons, and healed the sick.

Calling the Twelve Disciples

7 Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits. 8 These were his instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. 9 Wear sandals but not an extra tunic.” (Mark 6:7-9)

In the beginning, God created man as male and female and commanded them to rule over and subdue all creation. God created man in his own image and in his likeness (Genesis 1:26). God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living being (Genesis 2:7).

From the start, God clothed man with the authority and power to rule and subdue. Therefore, because man is above all things, it is not only wrong to worship creation as an idol, but it is something God detests. Among these things, money easily becomes a temptation and an idol to people above all else.

Called to Be With Him

The reason Jesus called the disciples was to have them be with him and also to send them out to preach (Mark 3:14). The work of Jesus and the work of the disciples are not separate; they are the same. This is also the work that God does. Jesus was perfectly united as one with God and accomplished the Father’s work from beginning to end (John 5:19).

Just as Jesus became one with God the Father, those who believe in and follow Christ are united as one with the Lord (John 17:21). Just as Jesus Christ, who came as the Son of God, perfectly fulfilled the Father's will, the disciple of Christ fulfills the Lord's will.

Furthermore, just as Jesus is always with God the Father, the disciple of Christ is also always with the Lord (Matthew 28:20). This is because, through the blood of the Lord, they have been set free from sin and evil and have been united as one with the Lord.

Called to Preach

Additionally, Jesus called the disciples to also preach. Preaching is delivering the gospel of salvation to those who do not believe. Those who do not believe face eternal judgment and destruction. This work of salvation is what God has been doing from the beginning. God first sought out Adam, who was hiding from the Lord’s face, and led him to the way of salvation (Genesis 3:9).

Jesus incarnated to fulfill the will of God the Father—namely, to save this world—and offered his body as a sacrificial offering on the cross. Jesus told his disciples to deny themselves daily, take up their cross, and follow him (Mark 8:34). This is the Father's will that the Lord has given to us.

Jesus gave the disciples authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness (Matthew 10:1). The power by which Jesus healed the sick and drove out demons on this earth was manifested by the Heavenly Father through His Son (John 5:19).

The disciples do not possess the authority and power to control demons or heal diseases in themselves. However, Jesus delegated the power and authority of God the Father to them. Since witnessing the gospel is God’s work, it is done not by human experience or education, but only by the power of the Lord.

Witnessing the gospel corrects what is wrong and leads to salvation. What is wrong here is sin. All people have fallen into sin in Adam and are trapped in the bondage of darkness and death. God’s gospel is the power and authority that saves people who are fallen in sin.

Therefore, Jesus commanded the disciples to take nothing with them, to wear only sandals, and not to take an extra tunic. What the disciples needed was to believe in the power Jesus gave them to control demons and heal the sick.

And as they went out to all the towns of Israel to do the work the Lord Jesus performed, they were to give it freely because that power and authority were not theirs (Matthew 10:5, 8). God’s grace of salvation is given without cost to those who believe (Isaiah 55:1).

The Meaning of Driving Out Demons and Healing the Sick

From the beginning, God created man as a being to subdue and rule over the earth and all creation. However, because of sin, man came to be ruled instead. A clear example of this is the constant suffering from anxiety, worry, nervousness, and dissatisfaction. Compare the disciples, who were suffering in agony as if they were drowning, with Jesus, who was sleeping inside the boat while the storm raged violently.

Demons deceive craftily. Sickness and weakness sever daily life. The devil tempted Jesus so that he would not take up the cross. Similarly, Satan incites us so that we cannot love one another, but rather hate and fight. Sickness brings pain and suffering. Thus, it triggers complaints and blaming others. This is the state of being under sin, unable to dominate and rule over all things.

Then, what does it mean to control the devil? We cannot cut out Satan's temptation and seduction by the roots ourselves. This continues until the day God judges the devil with eternal punishment on the Day of the Lord. Jesus was also tempted by the devil, but he drove him away with the Word of God.

Though we may receive trials and temptations, ruling over them means repelling them with God’s Word of truth and driving them away without being deceived by the devil’s crafty lies. It is not falling for the lie that loving your neighbor makes you a loser or brings humiliation; rather, it is repelling that lie and following the way of the cross that the Lord Jesus Christ carried.

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you." (Matthew 5:38-42)

What Heals Sickness and Weakness?

The fact that the disciples received the power to heal the sick does not mean they would never get sick again. According to the Second Law of Thermodynamics, everyone grows old and becomes frail. No one is free from illness.

Yes, we are weak, we get sick, and eventually, we die. However, God’s holy love is hidden within this process. Through this reality, God reminds us that this visible world is not everything, and our true hope lies in the kingdom of heaven. Christ in you, the hope of glory!

Even while we are in pain and suffering due to illness or weakness, we can avoid falling into the pit of complaints and resentment because of the hope for His kingdom that God has promised us. This is what it looks like to rule and conquer life.

18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22 This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” (Romans 4:18-22)

Shake the Dust Off Your Feet as a Testimony

10 Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. 11 And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” 12 They went out and preached that people should repent. 13 They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them. (Mark 6:10-13)

Stay in any place where people welcome the disciples and provide food and lodging, but if they neither welcome nor listen, it is entirely their responsibility. That is what shaking the dust off one's feet means.

The disciples were sent out to preach. There is no responsibility on those who deliver the message if the Gospel of God's salvation is rejected and not welcomed. This is because they are rejecting God and His Son, Jesus Christ.

God wants to save those fallen under sin. To fulfill His holy will, He sacrificed Christ Jesus as the Passover Lamb. God loved us so much that He gave up His Son (Romans 5:8). And to anyone who believes, receives, and obeys Jesus Christ, He gives the gift of eternal life (John 3:16).

However, God does not force or coerce faith. Instead, He demonstrated His great love—not even sparing His own Son but giving Him up as a ransom sacrifice—through the cross. This is because God wants those under sin to repent, turn back, and reach salvation.

The disciples were sent out, preached the gospel of repentance, cast out many demons, and healed the sick. They deeply experienced the power of obedience. This is the blessing of conquering and ruling, the reward stored in heaven, and the fruit that God the Father gives to those who believe in Christ Jesus.

Amen!

March 1, 2026

Buffalo Livingstone Church ©2026, David Lee Ministries ©2026 – All Rights Reserved.

Scripture quotes are from the NIV.