Ofended and Amazed

Mark 6

3b They were deeply offended and refused to believe in him. 4 Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family.” 5 And because of their unbelief, he couldn’t do any miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 And he was amazed at their unbelief.

This same Jesus Who calmed the storm and raised the dead was not respected at all in His “hometown” of Nazareth. Mark records that the people there were deeply offended and refused to believe in Him. Their unbelief resulted in few miracles being performed there, and in the amazement of Jesus Himself. In fact, the only times I can recall Jesus being amazed, it is at the unbelief of folks around him. I have no desire to ever amaze Jesus that way. Instead, may I continue to be amazed at His love, grace, and mercy in my life. May I also share those precious gifts with others around me at all times.

They Laughed

Mark 5

40a The crowd laughed at him.

Jesus has just told Jairus that his daughter was not dead, but asleep. This, after the report that his daughter had died came to Jairus while he and Jesus were on their way to his house. This happens right after the woman with the issue of blood touches the hem of Jesus’ garment and is instantly healed. This, after the Disciples had witnessed Jesus calm the storm with mere words. What must they have been thinking when the crowd laughed at Jesus? Were they secretly hoping that Jesus would inflict some good ole Sons of Thunder type wrath on the crowd? Were they terrified about what would happen next? The Bible doesn’t say. We do know that Jesus ignored the crowd, raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead and went on about His business. Perhaps when the crowd laughs at us because of our faith in Christ, we should follow His lead: ignore them, and go on about our business. Easier said than done, my friends.

Holy Terror

Mark 4

38 Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”

39 When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. 40 Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

41 The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”

Did you catch the reaction of the Disciples? After Jesus calms the storm with “mere words,” (lol, He IS the Word of God), they are TERRIFIED. I wonder if I have ever been terrified when I think of Jesus. If not, why not? This Jesus Who IS the Word of God is a friend, just like He was to His Disciples in the boat. He is ALSO God in the flesh, and as such, our friendship should not be trifled with. It is not a relationship to take casually or flippantly. I fear that I have been guilty of that attitude in the past, and I am afraid that I know way too many people who have that attitude today. Jesus is LORD. Jesus is Master. Jesus is God. To treat Him any other way is foolish. A little Holy Terror might be a good thing for us all from time to time.

Family of God

Mark 3

31 Then Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him. They stood outside and sent word for him to come out and talk with them. 32 There was a crowd sitting around Jesus, and someone said, “Your mother and your brothers are outside asking for you.”

33 Jesus replied, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” 34 Then he looked at those around him and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. 35 Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”

I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God. May I be found doing God’s will in my daily life. May I love the way Jesus loves. May I obey the way Jesus obeys our Heavenly Father. May I live in such a manner as to be counted worthy to be considered a brother of Jesus.

Easier Said Than Done

Psalm 37

1 Don’t worry about the wicked

or envy those who do wrong.

2 For like grass, they soon fade away.

Like spring flowers, they soon wither.

This Psalm of David reminds me of the saying, “easier said than done.” Like David, I want to remember this, and live it out daily. I love my Lord and I love His provision in my life.

Anger and Saddness

Mark 3

1 Jesus went into the synagogue again and noticed a man with a deformed hand. 2 Since it was the Sabbath, Jesus’ enemies watched him closely. If he healed the man’s hand, they planned to accuse him of working on the Sabbath.

3 Jesus said to the man with the deformed hand, “Come and stand in front of everyone.” 4 Then he turned to his critics and asked, “Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?” But they wouldn’t answer him.

5 He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts.

Want to know what angers and saddens Jesus? Hard hearted religious folks. When we think that we have it all together, and when our rules outweigh our compassion, we anger and sadden Jesus. May I NEVER be guilty of that again.

Spiritual Discipline

Mark 1

35 Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.

A spiritual discipline I am still not very good at. May this be the year, when I improve my walk with Christ in this manner.