I decided to study the book of Mark in the bible, I will blog my thoughts in a chapter by chapter day by day blogpost on the gospel. If anyone reading wants to study thru the book with me please feel free to do so and submit your thoughts! Jake
I meditated a lot on ch3, there is a lot to this chapter and many lessons to be learned. Jesus heals a man's crippled hand even though it was the day on the Sabbath. This was obviously a questionable act to do on a day of rest, we know this because Jesus addresses the issue. Since it is the Sabbath, does that relieve us of our duties as humans to help those in need? We see Jesus get angry at the Pharisees and their lack of concern for the man. Due to the sinning in the garden, man is cursed and is told he will scratch at the land to produce his living (Genesis 3:17-19). So a man has to produce his living and provide by using his hands, therefore a man with lame hands cannot do either of the two. He is told to put his hand out and in doing this his hand was completely healed. This gives the man a future to work and provide and to help himself. Its a reoccurring theme for Jesus to help those less fortunate and help those who cannot help themselves, this is a great example and instruction on how to be more Christ-like. Reach for Christ!
Jesus later calls on his twelve disciples, he meets with them and immediately upon naming the twelve, gives them the power to heal, and to cast out demons, upon following Christ they were given authority over the enemy! We see, verses later, a way to cut off the power of the Holy Spirit inside of us, DON'T BLASPHEME THE HOLY SPIRIT, we need all of him that we can get! I love the very end of ch3, Jesus proclaims that the people that follow and love him, are closer to his heart than his earthly family. Our family is huge and so powerful once we band together, tear down some walls, and pursue Him together.
Ch4, I remember the first time I heard the story of the different kinds of soil, I was a sophomore in high school and sitting in a house church that met on Tuesday nights. Lee Fruh began a message based around these four soils and it spoke a great deal to me. I could relate to every type of soil mentioned in the chapter, not exactly something to brag about, but it was the first time I felt like the Holy Bible was relevant in my life as a 15 year-old. The thorny soil is something that really spoke to me. The soil in which a seed is planted in very fertile soil but before it reaches its potential it is killed by thorny plants that grow right along-side of it. This has happened to me plenty of times, something great sparked a flame, but it was immediately extinguished. The enemy is so afraid of the power we are given upon accepting Christ. So afraid that he sends his strong forces to attack us, many times putting us out of the fight for a while. Our enemy knows when something huge is happening in our hearts and just like Jesus was tempted upon being baptized (born again) we will be too. Good news though, He is stronger than any force that has ever stepped foot on the battlefield. I was meeting with a really great guy and a huge inspiration to me, and he was telling me of a conversation he had with a Brazilian man who was describing the country of Brazil, the man said ,"We are a very fertile people in the sense of; if something bad is planted much bad will grow, but just as easily if something great is planted, so much good will grow". I feel like that so well describes our generation. So lets have our roots deep in Him and lets reap our harvest!
PS: v.39-41 The forces of nature obey the Lord, when He says, "Quiet down" they quiet down. C'mon lets have a little faith here.
I know a woman that when hearing about Jesus, talking about Him, she lights up like she is madly in love. When I say in love, I mean it. Its like her wedding day everyday. Its remarkable. Absolutely. And I desire that so much. When I started reading through the gospels, I told myself I would look at these as descriptions of Christ's character and not just His actions. And in Chapter 3, for the first time I'll admit, I read and became a smitten.
ReplyDeleteIn verse 5, I saw Christ's heart clearly and it was a pow moment when I felt my love for Him. When he grieves for the hardness of the hearts, I was stunned. I picture the Pharisees as the enemy in most of these chapters. But here Christ grieves for them, just like he grieves for me. The people that will eventually put Him to death. What powerful love.
Chapter 4 has so much wisdom packed into it. I could write a book about how it pertains to my life. Before I left for California, I was the seeds on the rocky ground. In my days of weakness now I'm the seeds on the path. Seeds are planted every day and we have to be so diligent to keep them on the right path.
In 35-41, I relate to the doubt. I think about times of extreme trials, Satan has tempted me into thinking "God do you not care that I am perishing?!" But God is always there, and His power is bigger than all storms.