Mark 7:24-30  This scene is set in Tyre.. a city near the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.  Jesus went to a house there, Mark tells us. "He wanted no one to know of it; yet He could not escape notice."   

We know that Jesus went where the Father sent Him and spoke what the Father told Him.  He traveled this distance for the Father's purposes....

We see Jesus in a Gentile region, entering a  ( probably?) Gentile house.. and encountering a Gentile woman.  The woman cried out to Jesus to cast the demon out of her young daughter.  Matthew tells us that the woman continued to shout, even when Jesus would not answer her. Even the disciples were stirred up by the woman's shouting and told Jesus to send her away.  But, Jesus spoke to her words that might have discouraged anyone.. "Let the children be satisfied first, for is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." 

This woman continued to place her faith in Jesus, answering, "Yes, Lord, but even the dogs under the table feed on the children's crumbs."  A crumb.. just a morsel.. was enough for this desperate woman.  Jesus told her, " Because of this answer go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter." 

"And going back to her home, she found the child lying on the bed, the demon having departed."

With faith.. in humility.. and perseverance.. this woman received the answer to her greatest need.. deliverance for her young daughter.  She asked for a crumb.. and received so much more. Perhaps someday in heaven we will meet this Syrophoenician woman.. and her daughter and hear  the rest of the story!  

But.. meanwhile.. let us see Jesus.. and learn more of Him through this snapshot. Traveling far away from His home and family.. going to a Gentile area.. meeting the need of one desperate mother.. finding her to have faith that would not let go of the Him.. until He answered.  Is this what we do? Do we come to Him with our needs and not give up?  Do we trust Him with our children? Do we have enough faith to ask for a crumb and believe it is enough?  

Our Father.. You reign over all of heaven and earth and there is none like You. Thank You for this Savior of mercy and love.. willing to go where You send Him.. willing to meet the needs of those who will humble themselves before Him.. and willing to deliver those who cannot even ask for themselves.  How great and good You are. Lord Jesus, come and fill us with Your Spirit and lead us to know You more.. to trust You more.. to believe that You will not withhold mercy for the least of us. We need You now, Lord. May our eyes be opened to see You and our hearts receive all that You have for us Father.  In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 

 Mark 7:1-23  This scene brings the Pharisees and scribes out of Jerusalem to observe Jesus and His disciples. They must have been watching for something to accuse Jesus of.. and chose to pick on the disciples for not observing the Jewish tradition of washing their hands before eating.  The Jews were very strict about the way things should be done.. they had to cleanse themselves, their cups, their pitchers, and their copper pots in a specific way.  It was not according to the Law, but according to the "tradition of the elders". 

Jesus did not address the disciples but judged the Pharisees and scribes: " Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, 'This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.'  But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrine the precepts of men, Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men."

Jesus gives them an example to point out their sinfulness.. They knew the commandment to "honor your father and your mother..."  But, they ignored it by devising a way to keep what should have helped their parents.. saying it belonged to God.  Jesus said that they were "invalidating the word of God" by their manmade traditions.  This was just one example. 

Jesus did not want the people to be led into traditions .. but into Truth. "Listen to Me, all of you, and understand.." He explained that it is not what we eat or don't eat that makes us impure. We eat.. the food travels through our digestive systems and the waste is eliminated. Period,

"That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man."  The heart is the problem within mankind. "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man." 

Instead of examining the outside of a man.. whether he washed his hands or cleansed his cup to your liking.. Jesus says.. take a look at your own heart.  Is your heart far from God? Is your worship of God only lip-service?  Are you holding on to traditions or to the Word of God? Have you taken inventory of what is in your heart and what is coming out of you?

Father, Holy God and Lord, with trembling we come before You and ask.. "Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way." (Psalm 139:23-24)  Cleanse my heart so that I can live in purity and truth and meaningful worship.. to honor Your Name.  I ask this in the Name of Jesus, who has washed me by His blood..so that I can draw near to Your Heart. Amen. 

 Mark 6:53-56  "And when they had crossed over they came to land at Gennesaret, .. and when they had come out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him... " 

Once again, Jesus crosses the Sea of Galilee, and the people "ran about the whole country and began to carry about on their pallets those who were sick, to the place they heard He was.." 

Jesus entered villages.. cities.. and the countryside.. and everywhere He went they came to Him bringing those who were sick.. to just touch "the fringe of His cloak;".  Just like the woman who had been healed from 12 years of bleeding.. they were healed. 

Faith.. was spreading.. those who brought the needy to Jesus had faith that He would heal their loved ones.. and those who needed His healing had faith that if they could just touch His garment.. He would heal them. 

Mark gives us a picture of Jesus.. the Healer.  This time He is not reaching out to touch them.. but they are reaching out to touch Him.  These people knew their great need.. they came willingly to the One who offered hope and healing.  They came with faith and went away cured.  How simple and how beautiful!

Do we know Jesus like this?  Do we bring our loved ones to Him that they might reach out to touch Him? Do we admit that we need Jesus.. knowing we have no other hope.. no other Name by which we can be saved? Do we recognize Him?  I pray so!

Father in heaven, thank You for giving us a Mighty Savior who came to give us hope. May we know that Jesus came to save us.. to heal us.. to make us whole! Fill us Spirit of God with this kind of faith.. to reach out.. to touch Him.. and to bring others to Him too.  What a privilege to walk with Jesus.. to know Him.. to love Him.. and to obey His Word.  Help us, Father, to glorify Your Name and the Name of Jesus in all we do and say today.  It is in His wonderful Name that we pray. Amen.

 Mark 6:45-52  This scenario is really marvelous and fascinating.. and amazing.  Jesus had just fed a huge crowd of people from 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish.. and then He sent His disciples away.  He alone faced the crowd of people and sent them away... and they went. 

Alone, Jesus climbed a mountain to pray.  

From the "evening" until early in the morning.. "the fourth watch".. the disciples struggled with the wind in the middle of the sea. Their boat was going nowhere.. but.. Jesus saw them.  "He came to them, walking on the sea; and He intended to pass by them." That opens a lot of questions for me!  Why did He intend to pass them by? Why did He not speak to the wind and waves as He had before? Why did they not have enough faith to ask for help their own selves?  Was Jesus waiting for them to pray?  Was this a test of their faith?

"But  when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed that it was a ghost and cried out; for they all saw Him and were frightened."   They weren't looking for Him... they didn't recognize Him.. and they didn't trust Him to be there for them.. ..  verse 52 says, "for they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, but their heart was hardened."  

It took the Lord's voice to calm them.. " Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid."  It only took His Presence in the boat for the wind to stop.  

Matthew tells us more.. that Peter asked Jesus to call him to walk on the water.. and He did. But, Peter's faith was not enough yet.. the wind and waves frightened him and he began to sink. Yet, when he cried out to Jesus, he was immediately rescued. 

Jesus told His disciples to "take courage".  We need to heed this command too..  When we are in the middle of storms and trials.. we need to remember this picture.. Jesus is walking alongside us.. His Word will calm us and His Presence can give us courage to face our fears. What we need to do is recognize Him.. trust Him.. and rest in His power over the wind and the waves. 

Father in heaven, help us to remember.. help us to trust.. help us to acknowledge You and not trust in our own understanding... but in all our ways.. even in the storms of life.. . we can KNOW that You are with us and You will direct our paths.  You see us in the storms.. You see us when we are getting nowhere on our own.  Jesus is still praying for us.. He is still walking beside us.. His Word is still able to give us courage so  that we can put aside our fears.  And if we need to walk on the water with Him.. help us to know that He will not let us sink.  Come and fill us with faith and hope and love.. and courage..  for our Savior is altogether wonderful and worthy of all our praise.  We can  put our trust in Him.. Thank You for such a wonderful Savior... . Amen. 

 Mark 6:33-44  Jesus desired to take His disciples away.. to a "lonely place" to rest.  They all needed this time away from the crowds.. away from the demands.. the pain.. the sorrow.. and the stresses.  Yet, as they went.. the people followed... "and He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd;.. " 

These people had no other hope.. not from the Jewish leaders, priests, or scribes.  No hope from the Roman governors.  No hope from any other nation.  We find that we are in the same state.. if we will just admit it.  It is easy to slip into the despondency of the world.. even as the writer of Ecclesiastes wrote, "Vanity of vanities.. all is vanity" (1:2)  In a world that has slipped into darkness in so many ways.. there is only one hope.. and that Light draws us..even as the people were drawn to Jesus in this picture that Mark draws for us. 

Jesus "began to teach them many things.."   Their greatest need was the Word of God.. and Jesus fed them the Living Word.  But.. as the day began to pass and it was getting late.. the disciples were ready to send the crowd away.  Jesus had a different plan.  "You give them something to eat!" He said to them. 

They couldn't do it!  They didn't have enough food or enough money to buy food.. but Jesus was not finished with His lesson.  "How many loaves do you have? Go look!"  They did and found five loaves and two fish.  And, for Jesus, that was enough.  He took what they had, blessed it, and "broke the loaves and .. kept giving them to the disciples.. and they all ate and were satisfied..."  Not only that but the left-overs filled 12 baskets full. " And there were about five thousand men who ate the loaves." 

As I look at this event.. with searching eyes and open ears.. my desire is to know Jesus more.  I ask Him to  help me to  see Himself  more clearly through Mark's picture.  I see a precious Shepherd Who has compassion on the sheep that have a great need.. He sees them clearly and provides what they need.. Hope.  We are not told what He was teaching them there in that "lonely place".. but, we can guess that it was the Good News that God's Kingdom had come and that they could find new life.. a life of worth.. a life of joy and love and purpose. They only needed to believe in Him. He fed their souls and then He fed their bodies. Did they all go away "satisfied"?  Not just their stomachs.. but their souls as well?

Father.. Holy and Loving God.. You have given to us the Bread of Life... the Good Shepherd.. the Living Word.. Jesus Christ the Lord. We are so thankful!  You see our greatest need today.. the need for Your Presence..will You lift up Your countenance upon us.. make Your face shine upon us.. bless us and keep us in Your mighty Hand. We ask for Your grace and peace. We come to You humbly, willingly, and seek You... for You have promised that if we seek You with all our hearts we will find You.  May it be so.. in Jesus' name. Amen. 

 Mark 6:14-32   This picture.. that Mark gives us.. is more of a montage. 

First we have a picture of Herod, the king.  Herod had arrested John the baptist because John had pointed out his sin of adultery with his brother's wife.  Yet.. Herod had respect for John and "kept him safe. And when he heard him, he was very perplexed; but he used to enjoy listening to him." (v20).  It was only because of a rash vow to the daughter of Herodias that Herod ordered the death of John. 

We also have a brief glimpse into Herodias herself.. "And Herodias had a grudge against him (John) and wanted to put him to death and could not do so.."  Yet, when her daughter danced for Herod and pleased him so much that he offered her up to half of his kingdom.. Herodias told her to ask for John's head on a platter. 

We are not given the girl's name here.. but we learn a little about her.  She was probably beautiful and as she danced before the king and his guests.. she was probably very sensual. She was young enough that she didn't realize what was being offered to her. How foolish to ask for the thing that her mother wanted.. John's head.. when she could have gained so much more that would have been to her benefit the rest of her life. 

John is mentioned here briefly.. in prison.. unexpectedly beheaded.. buried by his disciples. This picture is blurry.. eclipsed by the drama in the palace.. but more precious to the One who knew him deeply. 

But, the main picture is always the greatest one.. Jesus.  Some people thought that Jesus was a reincarnated or resurrected  John.. or that He was a prophet like those of old.  But, here we see Jesus.. totally Himself.. a "Man of sorrows"..  needing rest.. needing solitude.   His disciples returned from their missions and reported all that they had "done and taught... And Jesus said to them, 'Come away by yourselves to a lonely place and rest a while.' " 

Jesus, blessed Savior, you show us Your love and compassion.. You show us what grief and sorrow You endured.  You show us that even when others misunderstood who You were.. it did not change Your focus.  Help us to see You more clearly and know You more through this Word that we have read today. Father, draw us nearer and open our eyes and hearts .. filling us with deep love for our Savior and King. Amen. 

 Mark 6:7-13  Mark shifts his focus in this snapshot.. to Jesus sending out His twelve disciples.  

We see that first Jesus equips them for the job: "He was giving them authority over the unclean spirits." 

Then He instructs them to take no other equipment.. no bread, no bag, no money, and no extra clothing.  They could take a staff and sandals, and one tunic.  

Next, Jesus tells them what to do.. "Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave town."  If they weren't received or the people would not listen.. they were to "shake off the dust from the soles of your feet for a testimony against them." 

Verses 12-13 tell us that the disciples did what Jesus told them to do. They preached repentance and cast out demons and healed the sick. 

Jesus shows us more of Himself in this.. He shows us that He chooses individuals for the work of the Kingdom.   Jesus shows us that He will be all that we need to accomplish His work. He shows us that we may not always be received but we can still tell others about the Kingdom.  There was a simplicity in this mission.. simply go.. tell others about the Kingdom and the need for repentance.. and meet the needs that Jesus equips us to meet.  He says nothing about having money to give or special words to speak.. He sends and we go.. and His work is done and the Father's will is accomplished. 

Father in heaven, whatever work You have for us to do.. in Christ Jesus.. may You will be done. May Your Kingdom come.  May Your Name be praised. Amen. 

 Mark 6:1-6  Mark gives us a look at Nazareth.. the place where Jesus grew up, along with His mother, Mary and His brothers and sisters.  These people "knew" Jesus as the carpenter.. as a son to Mary and a sibling to 4 brothers and some sisters.  But.. they did not believe that Jesus was anything more than that. 

"He began to teach in the synagogue; and the many listeners were astonished.. "  Astonished.. but also offended. He felt their disrespect and unbelief deeply.. " A prophet is not without honor except in his home town and among his own relatives and in his own household."   Because of their unbelief Jesus did not do many miracles in Nazareth.  He healed "a few sick people".. those who had faith... but left without doing anything more. 

Jesus continued to teach in villages around Galilee, but sadly Nazareth lost out on the greatest blessings that could have been theirs.. the Messiah was within reach and they missed Him. 

This picture.. that Mark and the other gospels paint for us.. makes me sad. 4 brothers.. James, Joses, Judas, and Simon.. and who knows how many sisters.. rejected their own Brother.  We know that it is only after His death and resurrection that His brothers come into His Kingdom. Acts 1:14 "These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus and with His brothers."  We know that James became a leader of the church after Pentecost.  We can read his book and also the book called "Jude" which is believed to be written by the brother whom Mark calls Judas.  I wonder what happened to Joses ( or Joseph) and Simon?  And what about their sisters?  Did they also come to believe?  I hope so.. I would love to hear their stories.. 

How does this help us to know Jesus more and more?  I had 6 brothers and 2 sisters.  They mean the world to me.. yet not all were believers. One I never knew for he died when he was a baby.. the first born for my parents.  3 others have passed away since then.. and only 1 of those believed in Jesus.. as far as I know.  The other 2.. I do not know.. but I prayed that they would come to Christ before they died and my hope is in Christ that He met them and brought them to Himself before it was too late.  I know that Jesus loved His siblings and that He knows how much I love mine.  I love this passage because it reminds me of how precious family is to Jesus.. and that gives me hope for my own. 

Father in heaven, it is pure joy when we see our families walking in the Truth.. loving Jesus and serving Him with their words and deeds. I plead with You to bring all of my family into Your Kingdom.. open their eyes and stir their hearts Holy Spirit, I pray.. in Jesus' name . Amen. 

 Mark 5:21-43   Jesus and His disciples returned across the sea and were standing by the shore when Jairus came up and fell at His feet.  That in itself is a snapshot that we need to look at carefully.  Jairus was a "synagogue official" Mark tells us.  He did not turn to the synagogue.. to the priests or levites.. to the Pharisees or scribes.. but fell at the feet of Jesus.. to bring his great need.... . his precious daughter.. on the brink of death..  

Jesus agreed to go to Jairus' house.. to answer the earnest plea of this man who humbled himself in the midst of al the people.  But... on the way.. as the crowd pressed in... another desperate person brought everything to a stop. The woman had been bleeding for 12 years.. she had found no help from doctors.. but she believed that if she could just touch the hem of Jesus' robe -she would be healed.  And she was!

Jesus took the time to see her.. to speak to her.. to assure her of His acceptance of her.. calling her "daughter".   But.. just then the message came to Jairus that his daughter had died.  They wanted Jairus to give up hope.. but Jesus told him, "Do not be afraid any longer, only believe." 

Jesus went to Jairus' house.. took him and his wife and 3 disciples into the room and raised the 12 year old daughter back to life.  He took her hand.. he spoke to her.. and she "rose and began to walk".  

"And immediately they were astounded."

II think that it is interesting  that the child was 12 years old and the woman had suffered this awful hemorrhaging for 12 years.  Jairus had found no help from the religious leaders he worked with.. the woman had found no help from the many physicians that she spent all her money on. But.. both of these desperate people.. found help.. amazing.. astounding.. miraculous healing from Jesus.  Suffering is something we all experience at some time or another in our lives. Whether it is physical, emotional, or any other kind of suffering.. we need to know this Jesus.. who sees us.. who tells us to stop being afraid.. to "only believe".  May we reach out to Him today.. with every need.. trusting Him no matter what we are facing today. 

Father in heaven,.. You are the God who sees!  You have given to us the Lord Jesus Christ.. our Savior and Healer.. our Life and our Hope.  Take us by the hand today, Lord Jesus and speak those wonderful words.. "Arise"!  "Be healed".." Only Believe!" Thank You for letting us see You more clearly and know You more and more as You open our eyes to see and our hearts to receive Your Word. Amen

 Mark 5:1-20  Having crossed the sea,   Jesus and His disciples came to Gerasenes.  "Immediately".. Mark takes us right to the action.. "a man from the tombs with an unclean spirit met Him..."   Mark takes a little time to help us see the whole picture;

The man lives among the tombs.. had a legion of demons in him.. was so strong that he broke shackles and chains to pieces.. and was in such anguish that he cried out and cut himself with stones..  This is a picture of someone who was frightening.. a man with no hope.. an outcast.. violent and desperate.. until Jesus came.. 

"And seeing Jesus from a distance, he ran up and bowed down before Him;"  He ran to Jesus.. even as the demons inside him screamed.. "What do I have to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?" 

Jesus spoke first to the demons.. telling them to come out of the man. He asked "What is your name?" and it was the demons that answered.. "My name is Legion; for we are many."   This "Legion" pleaded for Jesus to send them into the swine.  They "entreated" Jesus.. they earnestly sought for mercy from the One they knew was God's Son.  Jesus granted their request and they rushed into the swine.. and the swine rushed into the sea. 

The man.. set free.. was given clothes.. and now was "in his right mind." Meanwhile, the herdsmen ran to the city.. the city people came to see things for themselves.. and they all became "frightened".  Seems they were more frightened of Jesus than they had been of the Legion of demons that He had just sent away. They pleaded for Jesus to leave.. even while the healed man pleaded to go with Him!  

Jesus answered the plea of those who sent Him away.. but gave a different answer to the one who would have followed Him.. "Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you and how He had mercy on you."  This  formerly demonized, destructive, and hopeless man became an evangelist who proclaimed "in Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him and everyone marveled." 

We come to these scriptures with a desire to know Jesus more and more.. and this passage reveals so much about Him.. Jesus crossed the sea in a severe storm..calmed the wind and sea... and then stayed only long enough  to help one desperate, violent, demon-possessed man in a cemetery.  What love and kindness!  What power and authority!  Jesus caused the demons to flee.. and brought the man back to sanity and peace.. He restored his soul and gave him a purpose and mission.  Oh what grace our Savior pours out on those who will come to Him.   We see the power of Christ.. over the "legion".. but we see also His love for one man in great need.  We also see that Jesus left those who refused Him.  He will not force us to believe.. but He will bless us so much when we do! 

Father in heaven, we are so thankful for such a Savior as this! You see us in our greatest need, in our most desperate situations.. and You deliver us from the evil one.  We exalt Your Name!  Praise be to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit!  Amen! 

  Mark 4:35-41  After a long day of teaching and ministering  Jesus asks His disciples to take Him across to the other side of the sea of Galilee.  Verse 36 says.. "...And leaving the multitude, they took Him along with them, just as He was..."   Those words.. "just as He was".. strike me today.. He was sitting in a boat as He spoke, so is that what Mark means?  Or does it mean something more?  We know that Jesus fell asleep in the stern of the boat and didn't even notice when the "fierce gale of wind"  and the breaking waves started filling up the boat... was it that Jesus was so exhausted?   Is this "just as He was"?  

Either way, Mark gives us a new picture of our Lord.  Sound asleep in the middle of the storm! When they woke Him up saying, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?"  Jesus reveals something more to His followers.  "He rebuked the wind and said to the sea, 'Hush, be still.'  And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm." 

Stop and think on this.. picture the swamped boat, the frightened disciples, the sleepy Jesus.. then.. absolute calm.  He spoke to the wind and the sea.  And.. they obeyed!  Stand still.. or as Psalm 46:10 says it "Be still and know that I am God, I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."  Be still and contemplate our great Savior who commands the wind and sea.. something that no man could ever do.. or even think of doing!  

Jesus says to His disciples, "Why are you so timid? How is it that you have no faith?"  Even with all they had seen and experienced in His presence.. they did not know Him as God.  Their question exposes their lack of understanding, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?" 

Jesus wanted them.. and us.. to have the kind of faith that goes deeper.. to know that Jesus is more than a man.. that He is God, the Son. He wants us to have such faith that we know He will be exalted in every nation and in all the earth.  He has all authority over creation.. because He is the Creator. "All things came into being by Him.. " John 1:3 tells us, "He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him." (v10)  He came to His own but they didn't accept Him.. but if we do accept Him.. receive Him.. then the Word says He gives us "the right to become children of God." 

Do we know Jesus.. really know Him?  How I want to know Him more!  What kind of storm will it take for us to recognize His absolute authority over ALL the earth.. and over ALL of us?

Father, grant us this kind of faith I pray.. in the Name of Jesus Christ who commands the wind and the sea.. and Who is the great Savior and Lord .. Amen. 

 Mark 4:26-29  Jesus gave us a second parable using the example of sowing seeds. 

 "The kingdom of God is like a man who casts seed upon the soil; and goes to bed at night and gets up by day, and the seed sprouts up and grows - how, he himself does not know. The soil produces crops by itself; first the blade, then the head, then the mature grain in the head. But when the crop permits, he immediately puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come." 

Jesus has already told us that the "seed" is the Word of God.. He has told us that the Word has to be received and accepted in order to produce fruit.  He has told us to listen carefully to the Word so that we can perceive and understand His message.  Here, He is teaching that although "man" can sow the seed.. we can't understand how it actually grows and produces the fruit.. or grain.  

This reminds me of what Paul wrote to the Corinthians ( 3:6-7) "I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but  God who cause the growth."  

In verses 30-34 Jesus taught one more kingdom parable using a "seed".. this time a "mustard seed".. a very tiny seed that when sowed produces a large tree.. "larger than all the garden plants and forms large branches; so that the birds of the air can nest under its shade."  This, Jesus tells us, is how we can picture the "kingdom of God".  

The Word of God is powerful, the writer of Hebrews tells us, "For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." ( Hebrews 4:12) 

When we speak or write or sing.. the Word of God.. however it is that God leads us to sow His seed.. His Word into the lives of others... we are using a powerful sword of the Spirit.  Sometimes that Word will fall on hard, rocky, or thorny ground.. but sometimes it will fall on good soil.. hearts that He has prepared to receive it.. accept it.. and heed it.  That Word.. ever so small as it may be.. will grow as He makes it grow.  

Paul asked the Thessalonians to pray this, " Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you... " ( II Thes. 3:1)   And we pray.. AMEN! 

Father send out the Light.. the blessed gospel Light.. The Word of God.. to all the world. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 

 Mark 4;1-25  "And He began to teach again by the sea."  Mark gives us a close-up picture of Jesus.. the Teacher.  Jesus begins to use parables in His messages to the multitudes.. explaining to His disciples and followers that the "mystery of the kingdom of God" was being given to them.. They were the ones who had "ears to hear".  Others would hear but not understand... they would see but not perceive.. they would not repent nor be forgiven. 

The parable of the sower (v3-8) and the explanation in verses 13-20 are foundational.  Jesus said, "Do you not understand this parable?  And how will you understand all the parables?"   Jesus explains that the seed that is sown represents the Word of God.  

Sometimes the Word is spoken but it lands on hard hearts.  They don't care for it and it is snatched away quickly. Satan does not want the Word to take root in man's heart.  If we don't care.. we will never notice. 

Sometimes the Word starts to touch someone's heart.. but it is only temporary.. maybe it makes you feel good.. but it doesn't change your life. Are there too many rocks in your life? Whatever keeps us from going deeper with God is like rocky soil. 

Sometimes the Word has been heard and even embraced.. but things in life are hard.. there is much to worry about.. and that "chokes out" whatever faith may have started to grow. 

But, sometimes.. the Word takes root in our lives.. sometimes it flourishes in our hearts.. and when it does it produces "much fruit". 

This parable shows us the truth.  "If any man has ears to hear, let him hear"  Jesus repeats.  We have a choice.. the Light is not hidden, Jesus says.. but we need to open our eyes.. we need to listen carefully.. we need to seek in order to find. We must be intentional about listening to  God's Word.. "Take care what you listen to. By your standard of measure it shall be measured to you; and more be given you besides." (v24)

Father in heaven, we pray that Your Word will fill our hearts and minds; that as we seek to hear Your voice we will draw closer to Your Heart. We pray that You would remove the rocks and the thorns.. the things of this world that keep us from going deeper with You.  May Jesus Christ our Teacher..  be our All in all.. leading us in the Truth and filling us with His glorious Light.  Oh Jesus, we thank You for being the Bread of Life.. the Living Word. Fill us today with Your Spirit we pray. Amen. 

 Mark 3:7-33 Mark gives us 4 snapshots in the rest of this chapter:

Verses 7-12 are a picture of the crowds, " a great multitude from Galilee.. Judea.. Jerusalem.. Idumea.. beyond the Jordan.. the vicinity of Tyre and Sidon.. a great multitude heard all that He was doing and came to Him."  The people crowded around Jesus.. they "pressed about Him in order to touch Him."  The unclean spirits cried out at Him and Jesus told the disciples to get a boat ready so that He could get out of the middle of the crowd.  

Verses 13-19 give a picture of Jesus who "went up to the mountain and summoned those whom He Himself wanted."  What a contrast.. the crowd who wanted something from Jesus.. and Jesus who wanted the twelve who would be His disciples.  Peter, James, John, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddeus and Simon the Zealot.. and Judas Iscariot.  Chosen by Jesus.. "appointed ...to preach and to have authority to cast out the demons." 

Verses 20-30 give us another picture of Jesus back home again in the middle of the crowd.. but this time the focus is on the scribes who said, "He is possessed by Beelzebul".  This time Jesus calls these scribes "to Himself".  Jesus warned these religious scholars about the words that they were speaking.. for "whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin.." (v29) They didn't give credit to the Holy Spirit for casting out the demons.. instead giving the credit to Satan! They couldn't have been more wrong or more blasphemous!   Jesus carefully tears apart their argument.. Satan cannot cast himself out.. He can't and wouldn't rise up against himself. This would cause a divided house and kingdom.  Only One who is stronger and bind the "strong man".. Only One with more authority and power would cast out the evil one.  To say other wise.. was evil and dangerous. 

Verses 31-35 is the final picture that Mark gives us in this chapter.  Jesus is still in the middle of the crowd when His mother and brothers come for Him.  They tried to summon Him.. but He did not submit to their calling. He had a greater calling.. Calling for those willing to follow Him.. "Behold ,My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is My brother and sister and mother." 

We serve a Master who calls us.. not One whom we summon to ourselves. When He calls us.. it is for His purposes.. to serve Him. He calls us to the Truth.  He calls us to belong to Him.  He wants us for Himself. Yes, Jesus meets the needs of those who call to Him for help.. but He won't be used for our selfish desires. When Jesus calls us to Himself.. and we come willingly, humbly, and without our own agendas.. He calls us His own! We become His family for we want to do what He does.. "the will of God." 

Father, keep our eyes on Jesus.. let our ears hear His voice and follow Him, like a sheep follows the voice of the Shepherd.  Forgive us for making our own demands and pressing in where we don't belong.  May we come to Jesus as He calls us.. with the faith You give us.. and with hearts full of love and devotion to the One who died for us.  May Your Name be honored, may Your Kingdom come and may Your will be done.. on earth. in us.. as it is in heaven.  We pray in Jesus' Name, Amen. 

 Mark 2:23- 3:6   This snapshot of Jesus reveals another aspect of His ministry.. Jesus is showing His followers and the religious leaders the True meaning of the Sabbath. 

It starts out with the disciples "picking the heads of grain"  as they walked through a field. The Pharisees accused Jesus for allowing His disciples to break the Law.  Jesus answered their accusation with a completely different situation.. "have you never read what David did the he was in need and became hungry.. "  David and his followers ate bread from the house of the Lord which was reserved for the priests.. and it was the high priest Abiathar who gave it to them.  

So.. what was His point?  Perhaps Jesus was showing them that if Abiathar, a high priest, had the authority to give David and his men holy bread.. then, why would He, the Son of God and Great High Priest..  not have the authority to allow His disciples food when they were hungry... even on the Sabbath?  After all, Jesus points out, "The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath. Consequently, the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath." 

The Sabbath rest was established by God for His people as we read in Leviticus. He called His people to put aside work.. and to trust Him for provision for the day.  They first began learning to keep the Sabbath rest in the wilderness.. as God provided extra manna on the 6th day and none on the 7th. God established this day of rest for His people.  The Pharisees had made it a day of dread instead of joy.  Jesus took it back... to the true purpose.. a day to remember the God who provides all that we need.. a day of thanksgiving and rejoicing in the goodness of God.  He claimed that day for Himself! He is "Lord.. of the Sabbath".

The scene moves to the synagogue.. and focuses on a "man.. with a withered hand".  The Pharisees were "watching Him".. they wanted to accuse Him.. not rejoice with Him.  Jesus acted with compassion.. healing the man's hand miraculously.. wonderfully.. powerfully!   His words should have stirred their hearts.. " Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save a life or to kill?"   They were bent on doing harm and killing.. that they might "destroy Him".   Jesus "looking around at them with anger, grieved a their hardness of heart.."  turned back to the man in need.. and simply said, "Stretch out your hand."  And it was made new. 

Let us know Jesus as Lord of the Sabbath.. as the True authority over all that God has established.. all that God our Father desires for His people.. for us.  Jesus cares for us.. for what we need.. whether that is food when we are hungry.. or healing when we are sick.. and He is the One who we can trust every day for His compassion never fails.. His mercies are new every morning.  Let us know Jesus who is angered by those who do not care for the needy and do not show mercy to those who are hurting... who only want to destroy what they don't agree with.  This is the Lord who we serve. 

Father in heaven, blessed is the Name of Jesus our Savior and Lord.  Teach us to know Him more.. fill our hearts with Your Spirit that we might become more like Him. Thank You for caring for us with Your gracious Hand. Be glorified in our lives today we pray. Amen. 

 Mark 2: 18-22   Mark is taking us through a series of discussions that Jesus had with the scribes/Pharisees.  The next question that they brought to Jesus was about fasting.. " And John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting; and they came to Him saying, ' Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisee's fast, but Your disciples do not fast?' " 

Jesus and His disciples were feasting.. with Matthew and his friends.. while others who followed the Jewish leaders were fasting.  This is quite a contrast.  The Jewish fast was not one that was commanded as it would be on the Day of Atonement.  It was a volunteer fast to show their piety. (According to the Bible Knowledge Commentary.)  A fast like this should have expressed sorrow and mourning over sin.. a time of repentance and calling on the Lord.   Jesus told them that this was not a time for fasting.. because "the bridegroom is with them.. "  It was a time of joy and celebration!  Therefore they "cannot fast." 

Later, Jesus tells them, when He is "taken away".. they will fast.  It will be a time of sorrow and seeking. 

Jesus explains that something new is happening in the spiritual realm.. He came to bring  new life.. new "wine".. a new way.. and the old way could not contain it all. "No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment.. no one puts new wine into old wineskins.."  

In Mark's snapshot we see Jesus as a Bridegroom. He was defining a new relationship between God and mankind. It would be marked with joy and celebration.. and with sorrow and sacrifice.  His relationship with His people would be new and living.. no longer depending on the Law.. nor on traditions or habits or man-made practices.  

Jesus is with us in this same way.  The Bridegroom is coming back again to claim His bride for ever.  The church will rejoice forever in His Presence.  Meanwhile, we may experience some sorrow along with our great joys.. but He has not forgotten us and will never forsake us.  Hallelujah what a Savior!

Father in heaven, we do rejoice in the goodness You have shown to us, giving us such a Savior.  We praise You ... Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Prepare us.. complete Your work in us.. that we will be ready for that great day when our Bridegroom comes to claim His bride!  We ask this in the name of the Lord Jesus. Amen. 

 Mark 2:14-17   Mark gives us a series of events.. not unlike a power point.. highlighting  Jesus' interactions with the religious leaders.. scribes and Pharisees. 

In verses 14-17  we see Jesus call Matthew/Levi  a tax collector to follow Him.  Matthew takes Jesus and His disciples home and provides dinner. He also invites other tax-collectors and "sinners" to dine with them.  This, in itself, is a beautiful picture..  Jesus.. opening His arms to welcome the lost.. 

 Then.. along came the scribes.. watching this dinner gathering.  They question the disciples "Why is He eating and drinking with tax-gatherers and sinners?" Jesus is quick to answer, "It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners." (v17)   

Do we know this Jesus ?  He calls those who need Him most.. to come into His Presence.. to share with Him a conversation.. a meal.. a message of hope.  Verse 15 tells us that "they were following Him."   Those who had been shunned by the "church".. left out of the community.. cast aside by the leaders of the Jews.. were welcomed by Jesus.  They recognized their need for the Great Physician and they came to Him willingly and found grace.  Oh may we see the Lord working in sick, broken, hopeless hearts... to bring to true healing those who will follow Him.  This is the good news that is ours to share in our world today!

Father in heaven, we praise the Name of Jesus, the eternal Son who came to call sinners.. to heal our sickness.. to mend our hearts.. to restore our souls.. Thank You for the gift of eternal life which comes through the Life, Death, and Resurrection of our Blessed Savior.  Praise God from Whom all blessings flow! Amen. 

 Mark 2:1-13  Jesus returned to Capernaum and "it was heard that He was at home."  Jesus came back "home".. perhaps Simon's house? .. someone's house... where people gathered to hear Him speak "the word". 

 "And they came, bringing to Him a paralytic, carried by four men." (v3) 

We don't know who "they" were.. but, we know they had faith that Jesus could heal their paralyzed friend. They were so sure that Jesus would help him that they would not stop at anything to bring him to Jesus.  Since they couldn't get in the door.. they dug a hole in the roof!  What a picture Mark gives us here! But, that is just the beginning of what happens in this "snapshot"... 

Jesus looks at the faith of those who brought him.. and then to the paralyzed boy/man.  Then He spoke, "My son, your sins are forgiven." (v5)  We are never told who this young man was.  We don't know if he also had faith in Jesus. We do know that when Jesus told him to get up, take his pallet, and go home.. he did! All the crowd glorified God in their amazement. 

Except.. the scribes. They grumbled that Jesus said that the boy's sins were forgiven. They accused Jesus of "blaspheming".  They had no faith that Jesus could heal, let alone forgive sins.  Jesus spoke directly to their unbelief.. "Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven' or to say, 'Arise, and take up your pallet and walk?'  But in order that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.."  He told the boy to get up and walk... and he did. 

This was a new revelation of the authority of Jesus to those who were there in Capernaum that day.  Maybe it is a new revelation to us too...  

Jesus saw the faith of those who brought the boy to Jesus.  He saw the boy's need to be forgiven of sin.  He saw the unbelief of the scribes.  He acted with compassion and authority and power.  This is our Savior who never changes and never fails.  He sees our faith... to bring those who need forgiveness and healing to Jesus.. even if we have to dig a hole in the roof!  And.. He sees when we don't have enough faith to believe He will do anything.. "reasoning" in our own hearts about the Words He speaks.  He also sees us when we obey His voice.. take up our own pallets and walk away.. whole and glorifying God!

Father in heaven, teach us more about Jesus.. so that we can know Him and believe with the kind of faith that these 4 men had.. faith to remove any obstacle that keeps us or others..  from Him!  Thank You for this revelation of our Lord who has authority on earth to forgive sins!  Forgive us every trespass, Lord , as we forgive any who trespass against us. In the Name of Jesus we pray. Amen. 

 Mark 1:29-45   Mark gives us a series of snapshots in the rest of this chapter, showing the compassion and power of Jesus.. healing many "who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; .. " 

Leaving the synagogue, Jesus and his disciples went to Simon and Andrew's house.  Simon's mother-in-law was very sick with a fever. When they spoke to Jesus about her He went to her and raised her up, "taking her by the hand, and the fever left her.."  By nightfall the word had spread and everyone began to come "bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed."  

Can we see ourselves in this snapshot of Jesus.. coming to Him on behalf of our loved ones?  Pulling them along into His presence.. that He might take them by the hand and raise them up?  There is no disease that Jesus cannot heal.  There is no demon that He cannot cast out! Hallelujah!  Lord, forgive us for not bringing them to You.. forgetting or not believing that You have compassion enough for our own family.. or power enough to conquer their demons. 

After a long night of ministering to the crowds.. Jesus rose up early in the morning "while it was still dark.. and went out and departed to a lonely place, and was praying there." (v35)   Picture this.. Jesus, alone, in the dark.. in prayer.  There is no more precious, wonderful, blessed picture than this!  And.. what is more is that He is still praying.. our Mediator, making intercession for us at the right hand of the Father!

Jesus was interrupted in His solitary prayer time by His disciples.. they hunted for Him and found Him.. anxious because the crowds were back again.. looking for Him.  But.. Jesus told them that it was time to go.." to the towns nearby, in order that I may preach there also; for that is what I came out for." (v38)  He came to preach the Good News.   He went to many towns, going into the synagogues and preaching "and casting out the demons."   The preaching of the Gospel.. was His priority..  the good news that the Kingdom of God was near.. caused the demons to be in an uproar... even in the synagogues.. or maybe especially in the synagogues.. and Jesus cast them out.  As I think about this.. I wonder how many of today's churches.. those who have stopped preaching the Gospel, who have stopped teaching about the true Kingdom of God... are now filled with those same demons?  Oh may the gospel of Jesus Christ be preached and the demons made to flee!

One more picture in this chapter.  A leper came to Jesus and "falling on his knees before Him, and saying to Him, 'If you are willing, You can make me clean." (v40)  Jesus was willing and He was "moved with compassion".  He reached out and touched this "unclean" man and he was immediately "cleansed".  This is also a precious snapshot of Jesus.. who touches the untouchable.. who cleanses those who will come to Him.. who is "willing" to cleanse any who will come to Him and ask.  Picture His hand reaching out to touch you... O Jesus, Jesus.. precious Jesus.. touch me too!

Father in heaven, thank You. All praise to You.. Holy, holy, holy.. our Lord God Almighty! Fill us with the love of Christ and help us to love You more!  Our desire is to know You more, Jesus.. to know You as our Healer.. as our Mediator.. and as our  Sanctifier who cleanses us through and through!  We come to You, Father..  and ask for Your Kingdom to come.. that the demons will flee.. and that we will  know the touch of Your hand..  In the Name of Jesus we come.. Amen. 

 Mark 1:14-28   Jesus began preaching in Galilee, Mark tells us,  and His message was this: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." 

This is good news indeed!  Hundreds of years passed by.. with the promises that God would set up His kingdom.. and now Jesus makes the proclamation.. It was near.. "at hand".. and the people needed to get ready!  First, they needed to repent.  The same message that John had been preaching was repeated by Jesus.  It is vital.. if we want to enter God's kingdom.. that we turn away from all sin.. leave all the rebellion, all the lies, all the hatred... everything that is unclean or impure.. must be behind us completely.  We must come to Him with "clean hands and pure hearts".   The second thing that Jesus tells us to do is "believe"!   We must trust that the message is TRUE!  We need to be persuaded that the Good News is just as Jesus said.. the Kingdom of God has come.  The King Himself was bringing it to earth!

Mark then, gives us a snapshot of the King as He begins to reveal Himself and His Kingdom. 

Jesus calls people to follow Him:  He calls Simon and Andrew; James and John.  He calls them as they were working on their fishing boats. He calls them out from family and friends and their livelihood... and they follow Him.   Jesus called them by name.. just as He calls each of us.  It is a personal invitation and we either follow Him or we are left behind.  Ever think of Zebedee?  The father of James and John was left behind. (v20)

After this, Jesus went to the synagogue on the Sabbath.  "He entered the synagogue and began to preach." He preached with authority.  He taught them in a way unlike anything they had heard before.. amazing them. He taught them about the Kingdom of God and it was so powerful that the demons cried out. "What do we have to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are - the Holy One of God!"

Jesus silenced the demon and sent him out of the man that had been oppressed by it.  The message of the Gospel and the demonstration of God's power over the demons.. brought about a new interest and excitement about this man called Jesus! 

This is the same Jesus that we call Lord and Master.. we want to know Him more.. to see Him through the lens of Mark's writing.... To know Him as the King who has brought the Kingdom of God "near".. Who has in fact.. brought the Kingdom of God here.. in us... who repent and believe this Good News!  We want to know Him as the One who speaks with all the authority of Heaven.. and Who overcomes every scheme and power of Hell. 

Father in heaven, we rejoice in the Savior who calls us to follow Him, Who stands even now at Your throne interceding for us.. who knows our names and our hearts.. for our names are written on His hands.. Praise the Lord ! We thank You for such a great salvation and ask that You accomplish all of Your purposes for us today.  In the Name of Jesus we pray. Amen. 

 Mark 1 

Lord, open our eyes to see and our hearts to receive Your Word.. that  we might know You more. 

 V12-13  Jesus was "immediately... impelled.. to go our into the wilderness."  The Spirit of God came "like a dove" upon Jesus as He came up out of the waters of baptism... and swept Him away to a solitary place in the wilderness. This place had no food.. so He went without for 40 days.  This place had wild animals and worse than that it was where Satan came to tempt Him.  Mark skips over the details of those temptations and goes straight to the end.. "and the angels were ministering to Him." 

Hebrews 2:14 tells us that "Because God's children are human beings- made of flesh and blood - the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death." (NLT) 

Jesus suffered there in the wilderness. He suffered from hunger and thirst. He suffered from the heat of the day and the chill of the night.  He suffered from being alone with only wild beasts for his company.  He was flesh and blood.. just like us.. so He was not exempt from the physical suffering of these 40 days.  Could any of us spend 40 days in such a place?  I know I couldn't.  Yet, Jesus began His ministry with this time of isolation.. no doubt.. communing with His Father for the things that were about to happen during the next 3 years. 

Can we know Jesus more in this "snapshot" that Mark provides for us?  We see that He was "impelled" by the Spirit and sent to a place that was quite desolate.  He was willing to go.. willing to suffer.. even from the beginning of His ministry.. indeed from the beginning of His life.. when He took off His Royal Robes of heaven and became "flesh and blood" so that He could die for our sins.  He overcame the suffering.. so that He could overcome the temptations of the devil.. and overcome death and the grave.  Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Father in heaven, may we become more and more like Your Beloved Son as You fill us with Your Spirit and lead us.. whether into a wilderness.. or some other place.  May we find the strength in Jesus to overcome temptations.. and to overcome fear and uncertainty.  Jesus, we need You.. every hour we need You.. be with us today as we draw near and rejoice that we are with You always. Amen.