The five men go to Simon and Andrew's place for Sabbath lunch after an eventful morning.
"But"... just when things are going well there is a family illness to dampen the enthusiasm. Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever.
Peter is married! Do we ever hear of his wife?
Fevers are still fatal and Mum is in bed so must be quite sick. Maybe even dying. This is family and it's important. "So they told Him about her". Do I take my problem people to Him? They had not seen Him heal fevers, they were expressing their faith - sight unseen. Just as I can't see the miracles either.
He "came and took her by the hand". Jesus please come near to me and take my hand and lift me up.
Suddenly the fever was gone and she served them. They either made the poor woman work or she was so completely well that service was easy. I think the latter.
So he has authority over acute illness too! He is good at fixing things up...making them right. he turns what could have been a bleak afternoon into one where joy of recovery leads to service.
Does my gratitude show itself as service to Jesus? Haven't I been healed from a worse "fever"? Shouldn't my gratitude and service be even greater?
Thursday 31 May 2007
Sunday 27 May 2007
Mark 1:21-28 With Authority He Commands
The unclean spirit recognises that Jesus is more than a normal human, so when Jesus orders him out, he complies. Yay! Jesus wins again. He beat the devil in wilderness and now the underling spirit is trounced.
Jesus rebukes the spirit very simply - no fancy, long-winded exorcism just "Quiet... and get out!". The Son of God's words have power.
The spirit tries to hang on and convulses the victim and then cries out. Maybe this is how people knew that the man was possessed. Not only did he have convulsions but he yelled in a voice that was not his own. Then he is gone - to destruction?
Even though He spoke simply (or maybe because of the intriguing combination of dramatic results from a few words) the synagogue's congregation is amazed at Jesus' authority. Authority in both teaching and healing - He obviously generates respect.
Do I respect His authority? Does Jesus exercise this authority in my life? I don't think so. Maybe, like those people, I should spread His fame. But what would I talk about?
Jesus rebukes the spirit very simply - no fancy, long-winded exorcism just "Quiet... and get out!". The Son of God's words have power.
The spirit tries to hang on and convulses the victim and then cries out. Maybe this is how people knew that the man was possessed. Not only did he have convulsions but he yelled in a voice that was not his own. Then he is gone - to destruction?
Even though He spoke simply (or maybe because of the intriguing combination of dramatic results from a few words) the synagogue's congregation is amazed at Jesus' authority. Authority in both teaching and healing - He obviously generates respect.
Do I respect His authority? Does Jesus exercise this authority in my life? I don't think so. Maybe, like those people, I should spread His fame. But what would I talk about?
Thursday 24 May 2007
Mark 1:23 Unclean Spirits
As Jesus teaches a man cries out, a man "with an unclean spirit".
How many people in my church are possessed? How can I tell?
What is an unclean spirit? This definition is not bad. So these are the angels of the devil.
"Leave." he says, "What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth?".
What riled them ("we" and "us")? Was it just His presence? Had they been watching Him growing up in Nazareth, just 30km away? Why did they think He might want to destroy them?
The unclean spirit "knew" Jesus as the "Holy One of God". The old stories tell of the war in heaven between heavenly angels and the dragon "called the Devil and Satan" and his angels. Satan's side lost and was sent to the earth (Why here?) So these spirits probably knew Christ from eons past and had even met Him on the battlefield. They knew God's Holy One when they saw Him. And they once again acknowledged His authority.
We now have the main protagonists and their followers. The Son Of God and his disciples and Satan and his unclean spirits.
What will happen now? Who wins this round?
How many people in my church are possessed? How can I tell?
What is an unclean spirit? This definition is not bad. So these are the angels of the devil.
"Leave." he says, "What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth?".
What riled them ("we" and "us")? Was it just His presence? Had they been watching Him growing up in Nazareth, just 30km away? Why did they think He might want to destroy them?
The unclean spirit "knew" Jesus as the "Holy One of God". The old stories tell of the war in heaven between heavenly angels and the dragon "called the Devil and Satan" and his angels. Satan's side lost and was sent to the earth (Why here?) So these spirits probably knew Christ from eons past and had even met Him on the battlefield. They knew God's Holy One when they saw Him. And they once again acknowledged His authority.
We now have the main protagonists and their followers. The Son Of God and his disciples and Satan and his unclean spirits.
What will happen now? Who wins this round?
Saturday 19 May 2007
Mark 1:21-22 One having authority
Back in verse 12, Jesus was driven by the Spirit. Is everywhere that Jesus goes, where the Spirit drives Him? How much is Jesus and how much is Spirit?
In any case the five men go to Capernaum, and on Sabbath, to the synagogue, where Jesus "taught". So far Jesus has preached, called followers and now taught. What is the difference between teaching and preaching? I guess teaching involves interpreting a piece of Scripture, whereas preaching is more like a speech with only reference to Scripture. Do you agree?
He taught with authority compared to the scribes. The scribes must have taught Scripture while referring to previous commentators. And as a friend of mine says " when you get three rabbis together, there will be four different opinions." So the whole learning experience would have been confusing, with a multitude of authorities quoted.
Jesus, in contrast must have presented His interpretation with a certainty of what it meant. He was certain of who He was and what He had to say. This must have been attractive too, as the congregation was astonished.
Would an assured, self-aware person today would still astonish people today, or maybe we are too confident and in these days of hype and spin. Probably though, all this exposure to commercialistic hyperbole would highlight the genuine more clearly.
Son of God, show me who I am and make me confident in you.
In any case the five men go to Capernaum, and on Sabbath, to the synagogue, where Jesus "taught". So far Jesus has preached, called followers and now taught. What is the difference between teaching and preaching? I guess teaching involves interpreting a piece of Scripture, whereas preaching is more like a speech with only reference to Scripture. Do you agree?
He taught with authority compared to the scribes. The scribes must have taught Scripture while referring to previous commentators. And as a friend of mine says " when you get three rabbis together, there will be four different opinions." So the whole learning experience would have been confusing, with a multitude of authorities quoted.
Jesus, in contrast must have presented His interpretation with a certainty of what it meant. He was certain of who He was and what He had to say. This must have been attractive too, as the congregation was astonished.
Would an assured, self-aware person today would still astonish people today, or maybe we are too confident and in these days of hype and spin. Probably though, all this exposure to commercialistic hyperbole would highlight the genuine more clearly.
Son of God, show me who I am and make me confident in you.
Thursday 17 May 2007
Mark 1:16-20 Follow Me
Jesus goes for a walk by the lake. (You may guess that I love lakes). He meets two groups of fishermen. He calls them and "immediately" they leave their families, their nets and boats and "followed Him".
What was it that would make men leave their families and incomes to follow an itinerant preacher?
What was it that would make men leave their families and incomes to follow an itinerant preacher?
- His message about "the kingdom": They must have heard His preaching and to them it was good news. What did they think the kingdom was? Probably something quite different to the kingdom Jesus spoke of.
- Him: Jesus must have been "attractive" in the original meaning of the word. People liked to be near Him. He had authority and a sense of purpose.
- His call "Follow Me": I want to be chosen, to be wanted, to be welcomed. I guess they did too.
- His promise "I will make you become fishers of men" : I wonder how they understood that. Was it some sort of promotion, a career path? Or was it just intriguing? I guess it meant, at least, that they would have some sort of power over other people.
Sunday 13 May 2007
Mark 1:14-15 First Things
Obviously not everyone liked John's message and he ends up in prison. Jesus goes home to Galilee. He starts preaching "good news", news of the kingdom of God.
Do I talk about the kingdom of God very much?
I guess it is appropriate that the Son of God's first words are about the kingdom of God.
Basically He is saying "The kingdom is nearly here, it's time has come, get ready.
My centre-column reference points to Daniel 9:25. Is Jesus saying that Daniel foretold the time of Jesus as Messiah? Did Jesus only become the Messiah (anointed One) when He was baptised and "anointed" by the Spirit?
There is a lot of controversy over whether Daniel is referring to Jesus Christ. But if Jesus is referring to Daniel, which He could be, then that solves the whole thing. Daniel 9:24-27 is about "an end of sins" and the anointed being "cut off, but not for himself" so it would tie in nicely with Christ's mission.
The "kingdom of God is at hand". The first attribute of the kingdom is that it is close by, drawing near. So change your thinking, reconsider and have faith in the good news.
It is great news that the kingdom is really close. Help me believe it.
Do I talk about the kingdom of God very much?
I guess it is appropriate that the Son of God's first words are about the kingdom of God.
Basically He is saying "The kingdom is nearly here, it's time has come, get ready.
My centre-column reference points to Daniel 9:25. Is Jesus saying that Daniel foretold the time of Jesus as Messiah? Did Jesus only become the Messiah (anointed One) when He was baptised and "anointed" by the Spirit?
There is a lot of controversy over whether Daniel is referring to Jesus Christ. But if Jesus is referring to Daniel, which He could be, then that solves the whole thing. Daniel 9:24-27 is about "an end of sins" and the anointed being "cut off, but not for himself" so it would tie in nicely with Christ's mission.
The "kingdom of God is at hand". The first attribute of the kingdom is that it is close by, drawing near. So change your thinking, reconsider and have faith in the good news.
It is great news that the kingdom is really close. Help me believe it.
Friday 11 May 2007
Mark 1:12-13 Spirit Driven
Immediately (Mark loves the word) the Spirit drove or "sent Him out" into the wilderness. The Spirit must be in the driver's seat.
And Christ allowed Himself to be driven (maybe I don't). The first place it took Him was the wilderness for four things:
So what is the Son of God like when the Spirit is in control?
Could I cope with the first three?
The cast so far:
And Christ allowed Himself to be driven (maybe I don't). The first place it took Him was the wilderness for four things:
- forty days: what did he do for those days?, my guess is that He prayed and learned about His job.
- tempted by Satan: the "adversary" - the one who "cherishes animosity"
- with wild beasts: what does this mean? Were the animals attracted to Him or were they the only ones there?
- angels ministered to Him: He was served by "messengers" from heaven
So what is the Son of God like when the Spirit is in control?
Could I cope with the first three?
The cast so far:
- John: human messenger
- Jesus: Son of God and more
- Spirit: the driving force in Jesus' life
- Father: pleased parent figure in heaven
- Satan: hate filled adversary
- angels: ministers to Jesus
Thursday 10 May 2007
Mark 1:9-11 Jesus arrives!
Jesus of Nazareth - a real name and place. The Son of God is real! He travels to the Jordan and "was baptised by John". He lives a normal sort of life and did what many other normal people did at the time.
In contrast to what Mark and John have told us about the LORD, He appears not as a powerful, super man ... but as one of us, doing what we should do. And he even submits to the "baptism of repentance for the remission of sins" !
He is humble, just like John. So God Almighty is also humble. Maybe I should be too.
But His baptism is gatecrashed. A little bit anyway. "He saw" the dove representing the Spirit., maybe others didn't. He saw heaven parting. Maybe he was the only one who needed to. He needed confirmation that He really is the Son of God.
Maybe this happens at every baptism, but we just don't see it.
In any case the Spirit "descends on Him". No doubt this is power and guidance from heaven for his ministry. But more than this, the Spirit is obviously another part of divinity. The Spirit is separate from Jesus as it comes down on Him.
Then the third part of divinity is present, not by visual symbol but by a "voice". John's voice has been active preparing for the coming LORD but now a voice comes from heaven affirming Him.
This must be the Father as he calls Jesus "My ... Son". And the Father loves Him and approves of Him. There is no jealousy here. Pretty good stuff. Am I that kind of father? The kind who loves and expresses that love.
Is this the first time that the Father speaks in Scripture. If Jesus really is LORD of the Old Testament, then when God spoke then it was really the Son.
The Father is pleased with humility and submission, which are the characteristics shown so far in Mark's account of Jesus. Am I that kind of son? The kind that pleases my father (and Father ) well?
In contrast to what Mark and John have told us about the LORD, He appears not as a powerful, super man ... but as one of us, doing what we should do. And he even submits to the "baptism of repentance for the remission of sins" !
He is humble, just like John. So God Almighty is also humble. Maybe I should be too.
But His baptism is gatecrashed. A little bit anyway. "He saw" the dove representing the Spirit., maybe others didn't. He saw heaven parting. Maybe he was the only one who needed to. He needed confirmation that He really is the Son of God.
Maybe this happens at every baptism, but we just don't see it.
In any case the Spirit "descends on Him". No doubt this is power and guidance from heaven for his ministry. But more than this, the Spirit is obviously another part of divinity. The Spirit is separate from Jesus as it comes down on Him.
Then the third part of divinity is present, not by visual symbol but by a "voice". John's voice has been active preparing for the coming LORD but now a voice comes from heaven affirming Him.
This must be the Father as he calls Jesus "My ... Son". And the Father loves Him and approves of Him. There is no jealousy here. Pretty good stuff. Am I that kind of father? The kind who loves and expresses that love.
Is this the first time that the Father speaks in Scripture. If Jesus really is LORD of the Old Testament, then when God spoke then it was really the Son.
The Father is pleased with humility and submission, which are the characteristics shown so far in Mark's account of Jesus. Am I that kind of son? The kind that pleases my father (and Father ) well?
Monday 7 May 2007
Mark 1:6-8 Mightier Than I
John mimicked the way the mighty prophet Elijah dressed . Elijah, the prophet who would usher in the " great and terrible day of the LORD"
The people respected John and came for his baptism of "remission of sins". They wanted the freedom from sins, the forgiveness, that he preached.
But John was under no illusions as to his ministry - it was weak as water. "The coming One is mightier, so mighty I can't even touch His foot. And He will really baptise you."
John with "all" those people watching, at the height of his fame pointed beyond what he could do. He pointed to a better baptism. The baptism of the Spirit.
Now this is advertising at its best. "I'll give you the sample, to create a hunger for the real thing".
If forgiveness and remission is only the sample, the baptism of the Holy Spirit must be "mightier" as well.
The people respected John and came for his baptism of "remission of sins". They wanted the freedom from sins, the forgiveness, that he preached.
But John was under no illusions as to his ministry - it was weak as water. "The coming One is mightier, so mighty I can't even touch His foot. And He will really baptise you."
John with "all" those people watching, at the height of his fame pointed beyond what he could do. He pointed to a better baptism. The baptism of the Spirit.
Now this is advertising at its best. "I'll give you the sample, to create a hunger for the real thing".
If forgiveness and remission is only the sample, the baptism of the Holy Spirit must be "mightier" as well.
Sunday 6 May 2007
Mark 1:3 The LORD
Mark uses a quote from Isaiah 40:3 to describe John preparing the way for Jesus. John is the "voice" and Jesus is "LORD" (all capitals). This is a big thing!
In Hebrew, LORD is YHWH, the divine name of "(the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord". (Strongs)
If the Messiah was the nation's hope and future , the LORD was their God!
Mark is saying that Jesus is none other than the worlds Creator, He formed Adam from the dust and gave him life.
He is the I AM who spoke to Moses, "the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob". He brought Israel out of Egypt and gave them the law.
He is the One who makes them happy, He is their deliverer, their protecting Shield and their Sword triumphant (Tanakh).
David praises Him constantly in the Psalms and in Psalm 95:6,7 describes the appropriate response to His position:
No wonder Mark is excited, "our God" is about to arrive!
Awesome!
In Hebrew, LORD is YHWH, the divine name of "(the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord". (Strongs)
If the Messiah was the nation's hope and future , the LORD was their God!
Mark is saying that Jesus is none other than the worlds Creator, He formed Adam from the dust and gave him life.
He is the I AM who spoke to Moses, "the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob". He brought Israel out of Egypt and gave them the law.
He is the One who makes them happy, He is their deliverer, their protecting Shield and their Sword triumphant (Tanakh).
David praises Him constantly in the Psalms and in Psalm 95:6,7 describes the appropriate response to His position:
6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down;
Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.
7 For He is our God,
And we are the people of His pasture,
And the sheep of His hand.
Today, if you will hear His voice:
No wonder Mark is excited, "our God" is about to arrive!
Awesome!
Saturday 5 May 2007
Get Ready
Mark 1: 2-5
Mark quotes from Malachi 3:1 and Isaiah 40:3 he quotes selectively to emphasise :
So how does "My messenger" prepare the way for the Son of God? By John dunking people in the wild reaches of the Jordan river. Strange advertising campaign.
But it seems to have worked, at least for many of the citizens of Jerusalem and Judea who heard John's preaching, were convicted of their own sin, confessed it and were baptised.
Getting ready for the Son of God is about my heart. It involves a realisation that I have offended God, and a publicly expressed desire to change my ways.
Am I ready to meet this Person?
Mark quotes from Malachi 3:1 and Isaiah 40:3 he quotes selectively to emphasise :
- A messenger or voice saying...
- "Prepare the way...
- for the LORD"
So how does "My messenger" prepare the way for the Son of God? By John dunking people in the wild reaches of the Jordan river. Strange advertising campaign.
But it seems to have worked, at least for many of the citizens of Jerusalem and Judea who heard John's preaching, were convicted of their own sin, confessed it and were baptised.
Getting ready for the Son of God is about my heart. It involves a realisation that I have offended God, and a publicly expressed desire to change my ways.
Am I ready to meet this Person?
Friday 4 May 2007
The Beginning...
Mark 1:1 NKJV
The story of Christ's ministry is only the beginning of the "good news" (gospel means "good news"). That's hopeful! But Mark is probably only saying "This is how the gospel started". And that's good too....
Because it really is "Good"! There isn't too much around that is truly good so I'm ready to hear more.
And the goodness starts early as Mark explains just who he is writing about:
Jesus: from Yeshua (Joshua) means "Yah(weh) is salvation". And I thought God is supposed to be love. (1 John 4:8), but maybe they are the same thing?
I like the way the Tanakh translates salvation as victory or triumph eg 1Chronicles 16:23 is "Sing to the LORD, all the earth. proclaim His victory day after day." or Isaiah 12:3 "Joyfully shall you draw water From the fountains of triumph" Often it uses the"deliverance" too., all of them stronger than our English word "salvation. Does God rub on some salve and we are saved?
Hey, I don't want triumphalism but I do want to respect what God's great salvation.
Christ: the anointed one, equivalent to the Hebrew "Messiah" - which is mind blowing stuff when the hope of the Messiah was what kept Israel and the Jews focused and a separate nation. They lived for His coming. Some Jews even still hope for the coming of their Messiah.
Mark tells me "This Jesus is the One, you've been waiting for"
The Son of God: This is a big idea and maybe the rest of Mark's gospel is explaining just what the this title means. In any case He is definitely divine. He is more than just a normal human, He is "the" Son.
Plenty of good news in the first verse.... The promised Messiah has arrived at last, He is divine and He will bring victory. He will win!
The story of Christ's ministry is only the beginning of the "good news" (gospel means "good news"). That's hopeful! But Mark is probably only saying "This is how the gospel started". And that's good too....
Because it really is "Good"! There isn't too much around that is truly good so I'm ready to hear more.
And the goodness starts early as Mark explains just who he is writing about:
Jesus: from Yeshua (Joshua) means "Yah(weh) is salvation". And I thought God is supposed to be love. (1 John 4:8), but maybe they are the same thing?
I like the way the Tanakh translates salvation as victory or triumph eg 1Chronicles 16:23 is "Sing to the LORD, all the earth. proclaim His victory day after day." or Isaiah 12:3 "Joyfully shall you draw water From the fountains of triumph" Often it uses the"deliverance" too., all of them stronger than our English word "salvation. Does God rub on some salve and we are saved?
Hey, I don't want triumphalism but I do want to respect what God's great salvation.
Christ: the anointed one, equivalent to the Hebrew "Messiah" - which is mind blowing stuff when the hope of the Messiah was what kept Israel and the Jews focused and a separate nation. They lived for His coming. Some Jews even still hope for the coming of their Messiah.
Mark tells me "This Jesus is the One, you've been waiting for"
The Son of God: This is a big idea and maybe the rest of Mark's gospel is explaining just what the this title means. In any case He is definitely divine. He is more than just a normal human, He is "the" Son.
Plenty of good news in the first verse.... The promised Messiah has arrived at last, He is divine and He will bring victory. He will win!
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