7   And Jesus with his disciples withdrew to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed; and from Judaea,
      8   And from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and beyond the Jordan, and about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, hearing what great things he did, came unto him.
      9   And he spake to his disciples, that a little boat should wait on him because of the crowd, lest they should throng him:
      10   for he had healed many; insomuch that as many as had plagues pressed upon him that they might touch him.
      11   And the unclean spirits, whensoever they beheld him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God.
      12   And he charged them much that they should not make him known.
      Mark 6:53   And when they had crossed over, they came to the land unto Gennesaret, and moored to the shore.
      54   And when they were come out of the boat, straightway the people knew him,
      55   and ran round about that whole region, and began to carry about on their beds those that were sick, where they heard he was.
      56   And wheresoever he entered, into villages, or into cities, or into the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.

Questions and Brief Comments.

Verses 7, 8. Why did Jesus "withdraw"? (Comp. Matt. 12:14, 15). Where to? Who followed him? Did they come from far and near? (See Map) What drew them?

Verses 9, 10. What did He have to do to avoid being thronged? (Comp. Luke 5:3; Mark 4:1). Why did they so press on Him?

Verses 11, 12. How did unclean spirits act when they saw Him? (That is, those who were possessed by unclean spirits). Did they know what men did not know> Though they spoke [31] the truth, did Christ accept of their testimony?

Mark 6:53. When was this? (After the Feeding of the Five Thousand).

Verses 54-56. What great commotion took place when Jesus reached that shore? What did all the people do? Was it so in all places wherever Jesus went? Did the Lord Jesus turn any away? Were all that sought healing healed?

NOTES AND TEACHING POINTS.

CONNECTIONS OF THIS LESSON.

      The first verse of our lesson says that Jesus "withdrew" from the place where He was. The reason for this is given by Matthew (12:14, 15). It was because the Pharisees had now begun to plot against His life.

      There are two parts to this lesson. Between the first portion (Mark 3:7-12) and the latter portion (Mark 6:53-56) much happened; but the only purpose of bringing in this latter passage is to show the continued fame of Jesus.

"JESUS' GROWING FAME."

      The Cause of this Fame. The multitudes followed after Him "hearing what great things he did"--"for he had healed many." For this cause also He was much pressed upon by the afflicted all the time. But alas, we do not read that it was because of His glorious word and teaching that they followed Him around. For the most part they seemed to be interested only in His signs and in the bodily healings. (Comp. John 4:48).

      Did Jesus Seek Notoriety? No, the very opposite. He did not care for it. Matt. 12:15-21 explains this more fully. His servants also should be content and glad to stay in a humble place, and to prefer obscurity to fame. There are many snares and pitfalls connected with fame and popularity, which a wise man will be glad to avoid. The glory which is from God is far better than that which comes from men. (John 5:44).

      The Golden Text has little bearing on the subject of this lesson. It was not generally the case that the common people heard Him gladly, nor is it said that they followed Him around to hear Him. That did not account for His fame. The passage from which the Golden Text is taken had reference to Jesus keen and powerful arguments with which He confounded the Pharisees. The common people, long browbeaten by the Pharisees, enjoyed that.

QUESTIONS FOR THE CLASS.

1. What is the subject of this lesson?
2. Why did Jesus withdraw? (Notes).
3. Who followed Him?
4. Why did these crowds follow him?
5. Did Jesus seek this notoriety?
6. Read Matt. 12:15-21.
7. Were these crowds and inconvenience?
8. Did He complain or resent their presence?
9. Did the common people follow Him around for His teaching? [32]

Source: Fifth Lord's Day Lesson of January. Lesson 5. January 29, 1928. The Growing Fame of Jesus (Mark