Mark 8 - Defective

 

Mark 8– Defective

 

The disciples didn’t know what to do with the hungry crowd, yet they had seen Jesus feed the five thousand. They apparently “soon forgot His works; they did not wait for His counsel” (Psalm 106:13). Each work that He does should encourage you to trust Hm to help you solve the next problem. Keep a long memory of His mercies and a short one of your failures. Don’t have defective faith. While the disciples failed to respond with appropriate belief, the Gentiles received the full benefits of Jesus’ power.

 

The disciples did not perceive what He meant by the leaven. The blindness of the Pharisees does not surprise us, but why were His followers so blind? Like Israel of old, the disciples saw His acts but did not understand His ways (Psalms 103:7). Ask God to give you spiritual insight. Don’t have defective understanding. The disciples had yet to understand that the kingdom of God would not be driven by the “my tribe first” mentality of the Pharisees or the show of brute force like Herod but by meekness and humility.

 

This is the only healing miracle recorded that took place in stages. Bethsaida was under judgment (Matt. 11:21-24), so Jesus took the man out of there and told him not to go back. Be careful where you send people whose eyes have been opened to Jesus and His mercy.  Don’ have defective sight. Just as the blind man’s sight came in stages, so too the disciples’ spiritual sight would come in stages, especially their understanding of Jesus as the Son of God, the Messiah.

 

One minute Peter is inspired from heaven (Matt. 16:17); and the next minute, his tongue is ignited from hell; (James 3:6). Peter saw only shame in the Cross, but Jesus saw glory. Peter saw defeat, but Jesus saw great victory. Never be ashamed to be His disciple and bear your cross, for Jesus bore it first. Don’t have defective devotion. In essence, Peter called Jesus out to talk Him out of going to the cross. Peter’s reasoning was not simply mistaken, it was downright demonic.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better. If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary. J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible. Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

Mark 7 - Defilement Comes from Within

 

Mark 7 – Defilement Comes from Within

 

Unless we are very careful, religious rituals can create serious problems. They may be given as much authority as God’s Word and even replace God’s Word. They may give a false confidence that what you do on the outside will somehow change the inside. But the heart must be changed, and external rituals cannot do that. The heart can be purified only by faith (Acts 15:9).

 

Jesus healed both the centurion’s servant (Matt. 8:1-13) and this woman’s demonized daughter from a distance. Both were Gentiles, and the Gentiles were “as a distance” spiritually; but Jesus would erase that distance at the cross (Eph. 2:11-22). As you pray for those far from you, or far from the Lord, remember that He can send His Word and do mighty works (Ps. 107:20). God’s offer of salvation extends to the whole world, regardless of ethnicity or nationality.

 

The miracles of healing this deaf man and healing a blind man are recorded only by Mark. Both were in gentile territory, which would interest his Roman readers; both were performed away from the crowd; and both were performed despite difficulty. The Servant can work at a distance or when we bring people to Him, and He does not fail.

 

 Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better. If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary. J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible. Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

Mark 6 - Limiting Jesus

 

Mark 6 – Limiting Jesus

His neighbors were amazed at what Jesus said and did, but Jesus was amazed at their unbelief that would not let Him do more: “According to your faith let it be to you” (Matt. 9:29). He healed a few sick people in Nazareth but did prompt Him to limit His ministry. If we do not have faith to believe in God’s power, it will not be long before we will cease to see God’s power.  Ask God to strengthen your faith so that you can glorify Him (Rom. 4:20-21). Our Lord’s response to their unbelief was to send out His disciples to minister. Herod silenced one voice, but he could not silence the Word of God (Col. 4:2-4).

 

God’s servants become weary as they work (John 4:6) and must care for the body. Jesus instructed His disciples to come aside and rest awhile. But when you have a compassionate heart, you will not have an idle hand. Our Lord interrupted His vacation to meet the needs of the people. Despite His own weariness, Jesus ministered to the needy crowds because He saw them as sheep not having a shepherd. Jesus’ compassion to the multitudes is expressed in His staying to teach them.  He need not interrupt anything today, because caring for us is His constant ministry (Heb &:25).

 

After such a demanding time of ministry, Jesus had to go apart to pray. But once again, He was interrupted, this time by the plight of His disciples amid the sea. And it was the disciples who were amazed! Jesus intercedes for you and knows your situation. He will come to you, care for you, and lead you into peace. His presence brings His people peace in any storm (Isa. 41:10).

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible

 

Mark 5 - The Servant Comes to Us.

 

Mark 5 – The Servant Comes to Us.

 

Jesus went through a storm to get to two demoniacs who needed his help. (Matt. 8:28). The demons begged not to be sent to the pit, the citizens begged Jesus to leave, and one healed man begged to go with Jesus. The citizens were more concerned with financial profit than with spiritual benefit. Satan and his forces are bent on destroying the good creation of God. If the demons had remained in the man they surely would have destroyed him.

 

All kinds of people came to the feet of Jesus. A well-known synagogue leader and an anonymous sick woman could find help there. Perhaps the woman’s faith was a bit superstitious, but the Lord still honored it. If you cannot grasp His hand, touch the hem of His garment. The first step of faith, no matter how weak will lead to greater blessings! You can come to the Servant. When Jesus heals, he makes the person well – complete or whole. The woman’s healing led her to salvation.

 

No situation is so desperate that Jesus cannot work. Disease, delays, and even death are under His control Jesus goes with you to the place of disappointment and sorrow and meets your needs. No matter how depressing your situation may appear. “Do not be afraid; only believe”. The Servant is working for you. He will go with you. Because of Jesus, death never has the last word.

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary. J Vernon McGee Thru the Bible

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

 

Mark 4 - Receiving God's Word

 

Mark 4- Receiving God’s Word

 

Even when we read the Bible, we should hear the voice of God speaking to our hearts. It must be personal. Never treat the Bible like any other book (I Thess. 2:13). Jesus warns us to take heed that we hear what we hear, and how we hear (Luke 8:18). The more of the Word we receive and share, the more God will give to us.

 

It is our job to sow the seed, we cannot make the seed germinate and produce a harvest. Even a busy farmer must sleep and let God work! However, when the harvest is ready, we must be alert and reap it, or the harvest may be lost (John 4:35-38).

 

Our faith in His Word is tested in the storms of life. If the disciples had really trusted His Word, they would not have panicked and accused Him of not caring. You can trust His Word, for it will never fail. Continue to seek answers and ask the Lord for understanding when a biblical teaching is unclear.

 

Some hearers are hardened like the wayside, so the seed of the word does not even make an impression in the soil before it is snatched away. Stony-ground soil are the hearers that take in the Word but their commitment to the gospel disappears when it meets resistance. The soil with thorns shows signs of growth, but worldly distractions choke the word that has been planted (I Tim. 6:9,10). Some people hear the word and put it into practice (James 1:22). Only this good ground produces the fruit of transformation. Where God’s word is wanted, He makes sure it is never wasted. (Isa 55:11).

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible, J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible

 

 

 

 

Mark 3 - Resist, Assist, or Mistrust?

 

Mark 3 – Resist, Assist or Mistrust?

 

The religious leaders were more concerned about protecting their tradition than helping a man with a handicapping condition. Despite all that Jesus did and said, they hardened their hearts and resisted His ministry, even to the extent of accusing Him of being in league with satan. In the end, they cooperated with the evil one!

 

The crowds were so large that Jesus had to empower His disciples to help Him in ministry. Later, He sent them out to preach, to heal various sicknesses, and to cast out demons as His Ambassadors. By virtue of their intimate connection to Him, all of Jesus’ followers can represent Him to a lost and hurting world (John 15:1-8). There is a job for everyone, even if only giving Him a little boat to use. If you want to assist Him, remember that the most important thing is being with Him. As He said, “Without Me, you can do nothing.”  (Jon 15:5).

 

Mary bore other children after the birth of Jesus, but they did not believe in Him. (John 7:1-5). Even His mother seemed to have doubts about her “popular” Son who was arousing the anger of the leaders. But Jesus was doing the will of God, and so should we. Although He honored His mother (John19:26,27) as the law commanded, Jesus did not allow even His own flesh and blood to prevent Him from doing the will of God (Eph. 6:6).

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com. Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible.

 

Mark 2 - Jesus' Ministries.

 

Mark 2 - Jesus’ Ministries

 

Imagine a servant having much authority! The healing of the body is a great miracle, but it may not last. The forgiveness of sin is God’s greatest miracle, for it lasts forever and accomplishes the greatest good. The Servant forgives us and pays the price for the miracle! The forgiveness of sins is a divine act in the spiritual realm that cannot be observed. But healing a paralytic so that he walked away carrying his bed was tangible. No one can heal paralysis with a word, just as no one can forgive sin with a word, unless that person is God or is acting in His authority.

 

He fellowships with ‘sinners” because they are sick, and He is the only Physician that can heal them. They are hungry and lonely, and He is the Bridegroom who asks them to His wedding feast. Their lives are in tatters, and He wants to give them a new robe of righteousness. Others may be able to patch up life, but He alone can give new life. Sinners in that day were considered Jews who did not keep the law. Not only did Jesus eat with them, but Mark suggests He was the host in the house of Levi (Matthew).

 

He frees us from bondage. He is the Lord of the Sabbath, the Giver of the rest (Matt. 11:28-30). Man’s religious traditions can be a terrible yoke of bondage but when you follow the Lord, you experience freedom and rest.  Jesus announced that there was no need to fast while He was with them. The pharisees fasted ritually. Either they didn’t understand, or they would not accept that many of their established rituals and traditions could no longer coexist with His new way of life.

 

God created and established the Sabbath as a benefit and a blessing to His people (Deut. 5:14). The Pharisees, however, had turned his good gift into a weighty obligation. As the Creator of the Sabbath, Jesus had the sovereign authority to determine how it should best be practiced.

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans for You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com. Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. Through the Bible by J. Vernon McGee.