Month: March 2021

Do not fear, only believe.’ Mark 5.36

Christianity is very different to any other major religion to the degree that the relationship between the believer or follower and God is intensely intimate. In other religions the concept of God is remote and judgmental or a series of rules or road map to find God or some form of spiritual existence. You are not to know whether you have achieved the religion’s goal in this life. They leave the believer in a state of anxiety. One cannot know whether one is accepted, hope is uncertain. Christianity differs in that it is not based on following a road map or awaiting an uncertain judgment and therefore one spends one’s life striving anxiously. Christianity is based on an individual relationship with Jesus who knows us, loves us and promises a confident future based upon the reality of his own resurrection. He cares for each of his disciples separately, the Holy Spirit meets our individual needs consistently reminding us of him who loved us enough to die for us. We do not have to go through identical steps to meet Jesus. Jesus meets us at our point of need and from that place reveals himself to us.

Each of Jesus’ followers has their own story to tell of how they came to faith in him. The man with the withered hand went to the synagogue as he probably did every Saturday. Jesus was there, we do not know if the man knew that would be the case when he woke that morning. He certainly could not have known this was the day his life would change. The main room of the synagogue would have been exclusively men, with standing room only. Jesus picked him out from the rest, noticed his hand and called him over. The man had not approached Jesus and asked for healing as the crowds had previously done. Jesus looked round at the Pharisees who had been questioning and challenging him looking for reasons to bring about his downfall. The risks to Jesus’ life did not put him off, immediately, lovingly, healing the man. Instead he faced his accusers and defied them to publicly denounce him for healing on the Sabbath. He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out and his hand was restored. Mark 3.5 Jesus had picked the man out from the congregation, had pity on him, met his need in the face of the men who, ‘Immediately held counsel with the Herodians against him, on how to destroy him.’ Mark 3.6

The woman who had lived with a discharge of blood for twelve years in the anonymity of the crowd followed Jesus as he strode out with purpose to heal or restore from the dead Jairus’ daughter. She came up behind him and with faith just touched his garment. No normal person in the press of the crowd would have even noticed. Jesus however felt healing power go out of him, stopped and looked for the person who had such a personal need of him. ‘Who touched my garments,’ he asked. Mark 5.31 The woman knew immediately she had been healed and now she was afraid but even so in fear and trembling she stepped forward, fell at his feet and told her story. Then came Jesus’ words to her and her alone. Words of tenderness, understanding, love and reassurance. ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.’ Mark 5.34

One was individually called by Jesus, another with timid faith came to Jesus, in a crowd but alone. Jesus met their need then and there. Jesus had a personal word for Jairus at the point when he heard the news he had been dreading. His daughter had died. They were words meant for one man at the time but words that apply to many. ‘Do not fear, only believe.’ Mark 5.36 They were words of comfort and encouragement. He then took the close family to the girl’s room and in private restored the family.

Have you personally met with Jesus yet?

What is your story about how Jesus has met with you?

You Say – Lauren Daigle

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIaT8Jl2zpI (201 million views, that’s ridiculous.)

Mark 3

Opposition to the gospel of Jesus Christ has always existed. We learnt in an earlier reflection that gospel work is a spiritual battleground. If we are engaged in sharing the gospel it is wise to expect opposition rather than be surprised by it. Of course, we may receive opposition because of what we do and how we do it. If we break the law or are offensive then we will receive opposition and probably deserve it. If we use approaches that are clearly not suitable in the current culture then we can expect at best to be ignored. We see in Paul’s ministry how he adapted his approach without changing his message to make it acceptable to his listeners. If we experience hostility to the gospel it may be directed at the message but it may also be directed at ourselves personally. We can take comfort then that in some way we share Jesus’ experience. When James and John wanted Jesus to promise that they could sit on either side of him in glory, Jesus’ answer was can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptised with the baptism he experienced? Mark 10.39 Jesus was referring to his own imminent crucifixion.

Mark 3 records four different ways Jesus was subject to opposition.
The Pharisees plotted to have him killed. (v 6)
The public were frequently more interested in miracles than his teaching. (vv 9-10)
Judas Iscariot, one of his closest allies was destined to betray him. (v 19)
He was considered spiritually evil by religious leaders. (v 22)

In the face of opposition Jesus continued to teach God’s word. ‘With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand.’ Mark 4.33

Despite the opposition God’s word often produces dramatic results. ‘When the great crowd heard all that he was doing, they came to him.’ Mark 3.8 Later it is recorded, ‘Then he went home, and the crowd gathered again, so that they could not even eat.’ Mark 3.20 Later again the crowd gathered around Jesus so much that his own family became anxious about his popularity. Mark 3.32

If then you find yourself involved in opposition either because you are known to be a follower of Jesus or engaged in sharing his word, you have the promise of the Holy Spirit being with you. ‘But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.’ Acts 1.8

If you face difficulties because of your faith do you take time to withdraw and be with Christ? Mark 3.13

Are you able with all humility to be faithful to the gospel? 1 Peter 3.14-15

At The Cross – Chris Tomlin

And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”
Mark 5.34

There are some people who just cannot be ignored. Wherever they go or whatever they do they cause a stir. I cannot think of anybody of whom that is more true, than Jesus. How we react to Jesus is from the Christian perspective the most important thing we do in life and that includes if we completely ignore him. How many chances do we get? For modern people the opportunities are far more than in ancient times when communication was essentially limited to face to face contact. How would you have reacted in this series of events?

Jesus had the previous day been teaching them the power of the word of God in the parables of the sower, the lamp under a basket, the seed growing in the earth and the mustard seed. Mark 4.1-33 Jesus travelled with his disciples across the sea of Galilee and when the boat was in extreme danger of sinking the terrified disciples woke Jesus and with the words said to the wind and sea, ‘Peace! Be still’ v39 he calmed both the wind and sea. Jesus then rebuked the disciples for lack of faith. v40The disciples failed to make the connections between the teaching, the person and the action. Their reaction was therefore confusion and fear because they had not yet properly understood Jesus’ identity. Does the identity of Jesus confuse us?

When Jesus and the disciples landed in the Decapolis, Jesus freed a man from the power of demons who entered a herd of pigs who then rushed over a cliff and drowned. When the locals saw with their own eyes a man they had previously had to chain up in his right mind and what had happened to the pigs they wanted Jesus out of their lives. ‘They began to beg Jesus to depart from their region. Mark 5.17 The man freed from his mental and physical anguish wanted to climb back in the boat with Jesus. But Jesus told him to go home and tell his friends, ‘how much the Lord has done for you, and how much he has had mercy on you.’ Mark5.19 The unnamed man did that and more, he travelled around the region’s ten cities proclaiming what Jesus had done for him with tremendous impact. The locals could not cope with the impact Jesus made on their lives, whilst the transformed man excitedly obeyed Jesus and proclaimed his power in his life. Do we shun him or do we tell all we can of all he has done in our lives?

Desperation can bring courage and preparedness to sacrifice our dignity. Jairus needed both of these to beg Jesus to save his daughter’s life. He was a prominent synagogue leader, he would have known how much Jesus was upsetting the religious hierarchy and potentially sacrificing his respect in the community he threw himself at Jesus feet. He had faith, perhaps born out of desperation. On the way to Jairus’ home they are greeted with the news that it is too late. Jesus reassured Jairus and told him not to be afraid and believe. The mourners were already at the house, indicating she had been dead a while, and laughed in their faces. Jesus however took a few close disciples and the inner family into the girl’s presence and said, ‘Little girl, I say to you, arise. Mark 5.41 Once more in this precious intimate moment Jesus demonstrated the power of his word. The girl as if to show she was indeed physically alive and well both walked and ate. Jesus then told them to keep what had happened to themselves. Why was this? Could it be that he was not yet ready to show his power over death to those who were moments ago mocking him. This was a beautiful intimate family encounter with Jesus. We do not know how this then changed the life and ministry of Jairus and the rest of the family.

On the way to Jairus’ home a distressed and socially outcast woman touched Jesus outer garment as he walked by. There was a press of people around him but Jesus could tell that her faith had brought about healing even though he did not know who it was who touched him. She knew and Jesus knew she had been healed. Jesus asked to see her. The woman who would have known years of scorn and rejection was full of fear and one can imagine shame to confess her need in public. But she showed great humble courage and spoke the truth to Jesus. He spoke to her words of reassurance, peace and healing. One more life had been transformed.

Can you place yourself in any of those situations? How would you have reacted?

What is your response to Jesus in your life?

Lord, I need you – Chris Tomlin

Mark 2.18 – 3.6

From the beginning of his teaching Jesus strongly divided people in their responses towards him. There were those who felt he was undermining the established Jewish religion by flagrant disregard for their rules. Others entered into a new freedom as Jesus revealed the underlying intentions of the law and exposed the difference between a multitude of add-on regulations and God’s purposes behind his laws. A critical factor being Jesus fulfilled the law by being the prophesied Messiah while others believed he should be a slave to the law. Additionally, secular political leadership found Jesus as problematic as John the Baptist because his teaching not only showed up their corruption it also had the force of Jesus’ remarkable authority behind it. In the above sequence of events Mark records how Jesus divides opinions and challenges the status quo.

We know from the time Jesus went into the desert to prepare for his ministry that he fasted to enable him to focus on prayer and his relationship with God. However, he was accused by people that his disciples did not publicly fast as the Pharisees and even John the Baptist’s disciples did. The implication being Jesus’ disciples were not as holy. Mark 2.18 Jesus’ answer was, that is because I am with them, it is a time for celebration and gladness. This is the time for preparation for marriage and that marriage is to be between myself and the coming church. My presence should bring great joy. He is turning on his accusers and saying, “You only think that because you do not recognize who I am.” Mark 2.19 Jesus was not ruling out the need for fasting and prayer, far from it but the time for that is in the future, when I have left, meaning after his death and resurrection.
By claiming to be the bridegroom of God’s people he was saying he is the Messiah promised in the Old Testament – Isaiah 54.5; 62.4-5; Hosea 2.16-20.

In New Testament time goatskins were used to hold wine. When the pressed grape juice was fermenting it was place in new goatskins as they stretch. Old goatskins become hardened and would crack and burst if fermenting wine was stored in them. Jesus in using this analogy Mark 2.21-22 is stating his teaching cannot be restricted by old religious forms. An assertion such as that was bound to provoke conflict where people did not recognize Jesus for who he was.

Once more Jesus was challenged regarding his disciples’ behaviour by the most rule bound group of all, the Pharisees. They interpreted picking a few grains of cereal as the disciples walked through a field as working on the Sabbath. Jesus then challenges them to understand the spirit of the Sabbath which is to be refreshed in the presence of God rather than be oppressed by petty burdensome rules. He reminded them of their great hero, King David, when he and his followers ate consecrated bread, forbidden to ordinary people, when they were being pursued by Saul’s men and their lives were in danger. He equated this to his disciples by inferring that the Pharisees should understand the law in the light of its purposes. ‘The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.’ Mark 2.28

Jesus then extended this principle when challenged again in a synagogue on a Sabbath day. Jesus’ accusers were determined to find fault. ‘Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath.’ Mark 3.2 A man with a shriveled hand had walked into the synagogue. The question was, would Jesus heal him? If he did that was forbidden work. Their “stubborn hearts” had inverted God’s law, mercy and justice. Good had become bad and bad had become good. Without touching the man, Jesus told him to, ‘stretch out your hand.’ Mark 3.5 As the man did so his hand was healed. This so inflamed the Pharisees and teachers of the Jewish law that they plotted with the supporters of Herod Antipas, the tetriach of Galilee and Perea, (a section of Palestine) to have Jesus killed. The hatred of Jesus was so strong that natural enemies, agents of the Roman Empire and Jewish religious leaders joined forces against Jesus.

The dividing line between followers of Jesus and his enemies is whether Jesus is recognized as the Messiah or the Son of God. Those who oppose him fear what they believe they have to lose.

Who do you believe Jesus is?

What is it that controls your life?

Come alive – Lauren Daigle

Mark 2.1-12

When roof of the house is broken through leaving a hole large enough for a man lying down to be lowered onto the floor it seemed that nobody was that concerned with the damage, the risk to people crowding in or even the house holder’s reaction. Jesus had been in the wider region of Galilee stirring up the masses with many healings and teaching. He had now returned to his Galilean base at Capernaum, a coastal town on the inland sea of Galilee. Crowds had discovered where he was and he was given no rest, they crowded into the house and surrounded it, making it impossible for new people to gain entrance. Jesus continued his first mission, to teach the crowds. We know the core early message, it was a continuation of John the Baptist’s. ‘The time is fulfilled, the kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe the gospel.’ Mark 1.15 In other words, the Messiah or Saviour prophesied for centuries is here, it is time to face up to that, change your lives and have faith in the teaching I am giving.

It was compelling because along with his words Jesus was demonstrating the power of God, not by force but through love and mercy. His growth in popularity represented a threat to the existing establishment and they were keeping an eye on him and so formed part of the crowd. You can imagine they used their status to get to the front so they could see and hear clearly. Their default position was skepticism, even hostility and in this case being scribes probably recording what they saw and heard to use later. For Jesus then this was potentially an awkward situation. How was Jesus going to handle the dramatic intervention of a paralyzed man being lowered from the roof to his feet?

Jesus firstly responded to their evident faith. In this case faith was not just that of the paralyzed man but also those who brought him to Jesus. It is easy to overlook the faith filled friends. These unnamed friends did what all believers should endeavour to do, bring their friends, family, workmates, neighbours to encounter Jesus. They were determined to bring him, they carried him the whole way, they lifted him onto the roof of a house and broke through the roof. They may have been motivated in part by self interest in that he may have been a daily burden to them but Mark is clear, they had faith in Jesus.

Jesus found himself faced with a tricky situation, he had a man in front of him with complex needs. His physical disability made him a highly vulnerable person, he was dependent on others for nearly everything including being taken to a place to beg. His self-image, safety, financial independence and life prospects would all have been low. What was Jesus to do? Jesus chose to deal with the thing of greatest importance first rather than what was immediately obvious to the man, his friends and the observing crowd. He forgave his sin. Jesus will always forgive sin in response to faith in him. The forgiveness of sin and the capacity to live out the freedom from sin that follows is the most life changing event. This is in no way minimized the very great need for healing to relieve suffering and restore his dignity in the sight of society.

The forgiveness of sin and restoration of relationship with God is the reason why Jesus was there. It is why he was prepared to die in the way he did. It is why he was resurrected. It was the fulfilment of God’s plan for human kind. When spending time with people who have fallen on hard times and may be homeless or refuges it has been vital to do what one can to meet their physical and welfare needs. However, from a Christian perspective that is only half of a responsibility fulfilled. The other, if one can non-mathematically say, greater half, is to introduce them to Jesus and the forgiveness of sin.

Jesus demonstrated that he was able to do what only God can do, forgive sin, he did what also only God can do, miraculously heal the paralyzed man. Those who came and witnessed the events recognized that God, through Jesus, was present and at work. ‘He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”’ Mark 2.12

If Jesus takes sin so seriously, how seriously do we take our own sin?

Have we asked Jesus for forgiveness or are we still self-justifying ourselves to him.

His Mercy is More – Matt Papa and Matt Boswell