Mark 6: Unlike Herod, ☧ the 12's King-Shepherd of Resurrection

Rev. Thomas Eckstein, pastor of Concordia Lutheran Church in Jamestown, North Dakota, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study Mark 6.

“They did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.” Mark 6 continues the narrative of Jesus ☧’s gospel proclamation, a real-life story laden with symbolism. What is the connection between Herod’s execution of John, the Feeding of the Five Thousand, and ☧ walking on the water?

Herod shows himself to be no shepherd of God’s people. Whenever he’s placed in an awkward situation, he bends for his own selfish benefit. ☧ however acts selflessly even in impossible situations, to feed and teach His “sheep without a shepherd.” The mystery of the loaves and baskets points to the resurrection—not of John the Baptist—but of Jesus ☧ on the third day, the true King of the Twelve Tribes. He would not abandon His disciples, but before His ascension He came to feed and teach them even amidst fear and doubt.