Hello everyone. So we've done two straight biblical works by the apostle John. Over the next few days we will be looking at the Gospel of Mark. Mark's gospel account can only be credited to John Mark, who was a very close confidant to Peter, in which he no doubt got his information. It is believed that Mark could have wrote his gospel as early as 45 A.D. but no later than 60 A.D. Mark is among the company of Matthew and Luke in being one of the three Synoptic Gospels. They are called thus because they were all written at about the same period of time and contain much of the same material of recorded events. It has been theorized that Matthew and Luke used Mark in the writing of their gospels. This has never been proven.
Mark is unique of the three because it is the shortest gospel composed of only 16 chapters. In being short, it gives us some advantages. Mark's gospel is to the point leaving out what some would call unnecessary details. Mark's gospel is also action packed with Jesus always on the move. The word "immediately" is repeated. Mark is the only gospel writer to call his work a gospel (Mark 1:1).
Let's skip ahead to Mark 5:21-6:6. This is an interesting and inspiring passage. Jesus says two significant things, one to the woman and the other to the synagogue ruler.
“Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”
“Don’t be afraid; just believe.”
For those who were at church on Sunday, this might seem to be a repeat. But I want to communicate the significance of the miraculous healings done by Jesus. Jesus healed the woman upon her belief that if she could only touch His cloak. He told the synagogue ruler to not be afraid and just believe. Again, healing comes as a result of faith. Notice what happens when Jesus goes to His hometown.
6:4 Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor.” 5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 And he was amazed at their lack of faith.
Is Jesus limited by our lack of faith? I think not! Why could He not do many miracles in His hometown? It's not that He couldn't, but we have to remember that the physical healings of Jesus are visual aids to the real healing that takes place in our very souls. When we have faith in Christ, our souls are healed. If we refuse to have faith we don't get healed. Faith is the beginning of the process. When we choose to have faith, we choose to obey God's commands. When we choose to obey, we get baptized and receive the Holy Spirit. Thus, completing the regenerative process. When we refuse to have faith, we refuse God. God will not force His Spirit upon someone who doesn't want Him.
We're going to skip ahead again, but not at the expense of what we're skipping over. Over the course of the next few chapters, Jesus feed the five thousand, walks on water, drives a demon out of the daughter of the Syrophoenician woman, heals a deaf and mute man and feed the four thousand. Keep this in mind for the following.
8:11 The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test him, they asked him for a sign from heaven. 12 He sighed deeply and said, “Why does this generation ask for a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, no sign will be given to it.” 13 Then he left them, got back into the boat and crossed to the other side.
Does Jesus refuse the Pharisees a sign because He doesn't like them? They are testing Him here after all. If we keep in mind what we have read over the past few chapters we see the reason. Jesus has just performed numerous miracles and signs from heaven. Jesus has already proved Himself. Now these wise guys are asking for more. "Give us a sign on command." They still don't get it. They don't believe and their hearts are stone. The Pharisees viewed themselves as being the authority in the land. They believed they had more authority than Jesus and that they had authority over Jesus.
Who has authority over God? No one and certainly not the Pharisees. They come to Jesus with a belittling attitude; we can't come to God like that. Who are we to do that to God? He proves Himself everyday by giving us another breath. Look around you and see the glory of God, the proof He is!!! Now I ask you, who are we to come to Him and ask for a sign?
If only we would believe. How often do we think we know better? How often do we not believe someone, or God even, because we believe we know better? That attitude always puts a block on our ability to build relationships. That attitude always drives a wedge. It always separates and never reconciles.
The Pharisees were bad enough. Jesus own disciples, though they get infinitely better, are almost as bad.
8:15 “Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.”
16 They discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no bread.”
17 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18 Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember?
Jesus is frustrated with them for two reasons. First, they totally missed the point of what He said. They heard the word "yeast" and immediately thought He was talking about their lack of food. Second, why are they worried about not having bread and why do they think Jesus would be worried about it? He replies to them by calling their attention to the feeding of the five thousand and the four thousand. "Do you not remember that I fed those people by miraculously multiplying just a few small loaves and a few small fish?" The read between the lines meaning is the same meaning from John's account. Why hunger for food that spoils. Hunger for the food that gives life. Faith in Jesus provides healing for our souls and sustenance for our souls.
Ever hear the expression: We have a God sized hole in each of us? That's true. Nothing can fill that hole but Jesus. He is the Bread of Life. We have our fill and are satisfied when we have Christ and the hole is filled. We need no signs or miracles. We need to just believe. And when we believe, our faith will cast out all fear, mush the same as with the synagogue ruler.
That's all for now, but I want to challenge you all before I go. Ever notice how Jesus tells people not to tell anyone who He is, or not to tell anyone about a miracle He's performed? Why does He do that? If you know I'd love to here what your explanation is. If you don't I'd love to discuss it with you. Comment here or on my facebook page. Ask me at church if you'd like. I look forward to hearing from you. Until next time...
Peace and grace be with you all.
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