Mark 5:1-4

Passage

They came to the other side of the sea to a region called the Gerasenes.  Immediately, Jesus met up with a man with an evil spirit.  The man had been living as an outcast among the tombs.  He was unable to be controlled as he was able to break free of chains and shackles whenever anyone tried to get them on him.  No human being had the strength to subdue him.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Again we encounter the word immediately.  Once more the world comes to Jesus.  Once more Jesus’ mission surges forward.  Keep in mind that it was late in the evening when Jesus and His disciples set sail, so it was really late at night as this story unfolds.  Imagine this story occurring under the dark of night!  We can see here that Jesus is neither afraid of the things of the night nor is He afraid of needing to rest.  God can sustain Him even when things come at Him from all directions and before He can truly find rest.

What does this story teach you about Jesus’ perspective on ministry?  What can this story tell us about from where the greatest source of strength comes?

Second Thought:

Furthermore, this is a desolate place.  Jesus finds Himself among the tombs and rocks.  He is just outside of civilization.  It is probably reasonably wooded being beside the lake.  This was the perfect place for demons to be active.  Once more Jesus finds Himself doing ministry on the fringe of society.  Jesus is willing to go into the places where others aren’t willing to go.  Jesus is willing to have contact with those whom others aren’t willing to make contact.

How radical is Jesus?  How willing are you to be among people who are not like you?  Why is it difficult to be among people who are different?

Third Thought:

Hear the challenge in verse 4.  Nobody had the strength to subdue this man with the evil spirit.  People had tried and failed.  They tried to bind him up physically.  It didn’t work.  When faced with human failure, they ostracized him.  That’s how humanity works.  When you can’t control someone, you shun them and push them away.

Do you think this is true about humanity?  Whom have you seen get pushed away to the fringes by society?  How do you think Jesus deals with the people who get pushed away?

Passage for Tomorrow: Mark 5:5-8

Mark 4:39-41

Passage

Jesus wakes up and deals with the situation.  He rebukes the wind.  He tells the sea to be peaceful and to be still.  Nature obeyed.  Jesus turns to His disciples and asks, “Why are you so afraid?  Do you have such little faith?”  They were filled with fear and awe, wondering who Jesus was that He could control even nature.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Jesus rebukes the wind.  He commands the sea.  Jesus is master over nature.  The elements of creation obey Him.  After all, John tells us that the world was created through Him, so it should obey Him!  Here is yet another piece of evidence that everything falls under the authority of Christ.

What comfort is there in knowing that everything falls under the authority of Christ?  Does it always feel like everything is under the authority of Christ?  How does this last question speak to our need for faith?

Second Thought:

Jesus then rebukes the disciples.  Jesus had just taught about the greatness of faith.  There was the mustard seed, which starts out small but grows immense.  There was the seed, which grows in ways we cannot see or explain.  Yet in their first place to try and act on this newfound learning the disciples fail.  Actually, this is alright.  Jesus is making the point to the disciples that they aren’t ready.  They’ve got some things to learn.  Jesus is bringing them to a point of understanding where they can grow.  Failure is not a bad thing when it helps reveal the places in which we are not yet competent!

What does the expression “Failure is always an option” mean to you?  How can we use failure to actually promote spiritual growth?  What are some of the necessary things you need to have in order to overcome and learn from failure?

Third Thought:

The disciples genuinely wonder who Jesus is.  This may seem like such an odd statement from our perspective.  We know Jesus is the Son of God – how could they not know this?  Had they not seen a bunch of miracles?  Had they not confessed to follow Him?  The truth is that this is such an incredible statement of humanity.  We follow Jesus, but we are always learning more and more every day how Jesus should be a part of our life.  We are always growing in our understanding of the power that Jesus has.  We know Him to be the Son of God, but that doesn’t mean that we know all He can do.  It doesn’t mean we are prepared to hand everything to Him right away.  Like the disciples, we grow in our understanding of Jesus as we experience Him.

How does it make you feel to know that the disciples had these moments of growth?  What do the moments of growth feel like to you?  How often do you have moments of growth in your life?

Passage for Tomorrow: Mark 5:1-4

Mark 4:35-38

Passage

Having finished teaching, Jesus tells His disciples that the time has come to leave the crowd and go to the other side of the lake.  The disciples got into a boat and took Jesus with them.  However, there were other boats with them.  As they are in the middle of the lake, a storm arose and the waves were so tall that they were breaking over the edge of the boat.  The boat was beginning to fill with water.  Jesus slept through the storm until His disciples woke Him up.  They asked Jesus whether or not He cares that they are about to die!

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Geographically speaking, the Lake of Galilee was notorious for storms.  This strong storm that comes out of nowhere is a pretty common experience.  However, while we might think the storm comes out of nowhere – Jesus is God.  Jesus would have known the storm was coming.  In fact, using that logic we can actually say that Jesus intentionally put His disciples right into the path of this storm.  Jesus suggests they leave.  He gets into the boat.  He falls asleep and lets the disciples fend for themselves.  Yet Jesus is in control; He knows what He is doing.

As we begin this story, what reasons might you be able to give as to why Jesus was willing to put His disciples in the path of this storm?  What’s going on here from the perspective of the discipleship process?

Second Thought:

Remember that Jesus had just spent a great amount of time teaching the crowd and then privately explaining everything to His disciples.  Jesus was teaching a particular curriculum about the Kingdom of God through these parables.  We know that faith comes by hearing.  (See Romans 10:17).  We also know that faith produces a response – often called works.  This is one of the major points of the book of James.  (See James 2:17 in particular).  Therefore, it makes sense that Jesus would balance the learning of the disciples with an opportunity to live out their faith.

How does it make you feel to realize that Jesus not only taught but also arranged for opportunities for them to practice their faith?  How many opportunities do you have to practice you faith?  How many do you take advantage of?

Third Thought:

The disciples panic.  The storm is upon them and their teacher is asleep.  They immediately assume that Jesus does not care if they perish.  They jump to conclusions.  People almost always jump to conclusions when they are under pressure.  People almost always focus on themselves when they are under pressure.  When stress in life comes, it is amazing how people make their worlds so small.  It is amazing how people naturally become self-centered the more stressful their life becomes.

Think about a time when you were under a lot of stress – how self-centered did you become?  Why do you think people shrink their world down to themselves and make everything about “me” and “how I feel” when they are under stress?  Can you understand from a human perspective why the disciples felt and did what they do here?

Passage for Tomorrow: Mark 4:39-41

Mark 4:33-34

Passage

Jesus spoke with many parables to the crowd, as they were able to hear them.  In fact, we are told that Jesus did not speak to the crowd without a parable.  He explained everything only to His own disciples privately.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

This set of verses always takes me to where I know people don’t want to go.  In our modern world we like to think “Jesus loves everyone equally.”  While on a certain shallow level that may be true – read John 3:16, which does say God loved all the world – the reality is that Jesus treats His disciples differently.  His disciples get special treatment as attested to by this verse.  Jesus does one thing around the crowd and He reserves something special for the disciples.

Do you agree that the witness of scripture is that Jesus treated His disciples differently?  How does this make you feel about God?  How does this challenge what you’ve typically seen growing up in church?

Second Thought:

Around the crowd, Jesus only taught in parables.  At first, we might think that Jesus was kind.  We might think that He was “helping them understand” by making analogies.  But remember what we studied back in Mark 4:10-12.  Also consider what Jesus does with His disciples.  The fact that it says “Jesus explained everything privately to His disciples” tells us that He didn’t explain everything to the crowds!  The parables weren’t a means of making the teaching easier at all!

Rather, here is what is happening.  Jesus teaches in parables to let the crowd sort themselves out.  Those who listen and don’t want to give the time just move on.  But those who are intrigued draw closer to Jesus. As they draw closer to Jesus, they draw closer to His teaching as well as His way of life.  Those who come for a “deeper understanding” are self-selecting and becoming His disciples.  In other words, the parables aren’t a means for making teaching easier; they are a means for separating out the potential future disciples from the rest of the crowd.

What do you think about Jesus’ use of parables?  Have you ever thought of a public speaker speaking to the “crowd” as someone who might be using a tool to allow disciples to choose to separate themselves from the crowd?  If this is true, how do you as a listener separate yourself from the crowd and become a disciple to those public speakers who are speaking truth into your life?

Third Thought:

Jesus explained everything privately to His disciples.  In fact, I love this description here.  The Greek phrase for privately is kata idian (κατ’ ἰδίαν) – which literally means “according to His own.”  Jesus knew who His disciples were: they were His own.  They were separate from the crowd; they were His own.  The ones who have declared that they will follow Jesus, listen to Him, humble themselves to Him, obey Him, be taught be Him – these are the ones to whom Jesus teaches everything.  Jesus is clear here.  In order to get the explanation in plain and certain terms, you must humble yourself and commit to following in a manner of discipleship.  Just being a part of the passing crowd is not enough.

Have you ever considered the difference between the crowd and the disciples?  What would it mean to you to be considered “one of Jesus’ own?”  What kind of expectations did Jesus make in order to truly receive such a designation?  Do you think such expectations are still true today?

Passage for Tomorrow: Mark 4:35-38

Mark 4:30-32

Passage

Jesus asks the crowd one more time for an example to which He can compare the Kingdom of God.  Jesus says that the Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed.  It is the smallest seed when sown.  However, when it grows it is larger than all of the garden plants.  It puts out large branches so that even the birds of the air can nest in its branches.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

The mustard seed was proverbially known as the smallest of all seeds in Jesus’ day.  Therefore, Jesus is making a comparison to the Kingdom of God and something that has a small beginning.  The “Kingdom of God” moments in life are those times where God breaks in on our life and reveals Himself or His ways.  These moments always seem so small and innocent.  They often feel subtle as they begin.  God typically speaks to us in the still small voices of one another, a Bible Study, or maybe a faith-based book that we read.  But so often these times of learning seem so small.

Think back onto the times that you’ve grown in faith – how many of them started out as small events?  How many of the profound places of spiritual growth seemed to have very humble beginnings?  What does this parable say about the times when we consider a task something “small” or “unimportant?”

Second Thought:

Just because an event seems so small doesn’t mean that it will not be profound.  Just as the mustard seed comes from this tiny seed and grows into a plant that can be larger than a horse, so can a moment of God breaking into our life make profound changes in whom we are as people.  Think about each of Jesus’ disciples.  Their life with Jesus started with a simple invitation: “Follow me.”  Such a humble beginning led to an incredibly profound life!

What profound ways has God broken in on your life?  How good does God seem to be at teaching us profound lessons when we least expect them?

Third Thought:

The Kingdom of God is something that when it grows large it provides for others.  The little black mustard seeds were a favorite of the birds of the Middle East.  Many commentators have said that it is common to see a mustard tree swarmed with birds.  Thus, one little tiny seed grows into something that can support many different kinds of life.  Spiritually, the same is true with us.  Each of us begins with a simple calling: “Follow me.”  We end, however, with God working through us to support others.

Who in your life is spiritually providing for others – even many others?  What do you know about the beginnings of their spiritual life?  How can this passage help those of us who don’t particularly feel special or important in the Kingdom of God?

Passage for Tomorrow: Mark 4:33-34

Mark 4:26-29

Passage

Jesus gives yet another parable.  Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to a person who scatters seed on the ground.  Day after day the sower goes to bed and rises up each morning.  The seed sprouts and grows without the sower’s help.  The earth produces the harvest – first the plant, then the stem to hold the harvest, and then the seeds (or fruit) of the harvest appear.  When the harvest has come, immediately he puts the sickle to the grain and brings in the harvest.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

The Kingdom of Heaven – God speaking into our life each and every day – is like watching a plant grow.  You can’t often see the growth happening.  And when you are there watching the plant, you can’t really say for sure what it is doing at any given moment.  But you can know that growth is happening.  You can know that someone else – God, primarily – is in charge of the growth.  Working within the Kingdom of God is largely about remembering that God is in control as well as being willing to abide in His sovereignty.

How easy is it to let God be in charge?  Why do we have a tendency to micromanage all the little details?  What happens when we believe we are in control?

Second Thought:

There is a distinct process to growth.  First the seed sprouts a root, then a stem, then the leaves, then comes the harvest.  The seed can’t jump immediately to the harvest.  In fact, it can’t even jump immediately to the leaves or the stem.  The seed must be nourished, grow, and then produce fruit.  The same is true about faith.  We cannot become a Christian and jump right into telling other people about God.  {Well, we can, but it usually works best if we have something to tell!}  Even Jesus gave His own disciples three full years of growth before asking them to even attempt at harvesting on their own!

What stage of growth are you in right now?  Do you think it is important to make sure you take time to grow as a Christian?

Third Thought:

When the harvest comes, it is time to bring out the sickle and bring in the harvest.  We may not be able to control the growth of the seed.  We may not be able to control where the seed grows.  We may not be able to control how much the harvest is.  What we can control is whether or not we are ready to reap the harvest.  We can control whether we are prepared to do what God asks when He asks it of us.

What do you think it means to be ready to gather in the harvest?  How do you think a person gets ready to gather the harvest?  How do you know when God’s harvest is ready to be gathered?

Passage for Tomorrow: Mark 4:30-32

Mark 4:24-25

Passage

Jesus cautions the people to pay attention to what they hear.  Jesus then tells them that with the measure they choose to give they shall also receive according to the same measure.  Then Jesus tells the audience that those who have shall receive more while those without shall lose even what they currently do have.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

We are to pay attention to what we hear.  What we hear tells us what others believe and teach.  What we hear tells us about others with respect to what they are prepared to listen.  It is our ears that discern the world around us.  We should treasure our ability to hear in the world for our sake and the sake of those to whom God has called us.

How much do you pay attention to what you are hearing?  Why is it easy to focus on what you want to say instead of listening to others around you?

Second Thought:

Jesus speaks about a “measure.”  To grasp what Jesus is saying, think about having a bucket of water.  A friend comes along and asks for a drink.  Do you dip into the bucket with a small scoop and give the friend a sip or do you dip into the bucket with a large scoop and let the friend drink their fill?  Now, instead of water, think about this analogy with respect to time, money, and your talents?  When God asks you for your time, money, and talents for the kingdom do you scoop in with a little scoop sparing what you can or do give a large portion knowing that God can refill your life?

Does it make sense that those who reach into their life with a big scoop will receive from God from His big scoop?  Does this passage motivate you to want to do more?  Do you think you are a spiritually “big scoop” or “little scoop” person?

Third Thought:

The last comment in this section is really a spiritual comment.  But before we go too far into the spiritual, first understand that it demonstrates that Jesus does not see spirituality as equal across the board.  There may be equality in that “all who are in Christ will live eternally.”  But it does not mean that all persons of salvation will receive an equal reward.

In fact, this passage is actually telling us that the more faith through which we act in this world, the more faith that God will bestow upon us.  On the flipside, those who lack faith in this world can expect to not only lose the life they currently have but also any chance at living into the eternal as well.  From the perspective of faith: the more you live with the more you will receive; but live with no and even your life will be taken away in the end.

How scary is it to you to think about going through this life without faith and having nothing on the other side of death?  How grateful are you that God has given you faith and you have responded to God’s gracious gift of faith?

Passage for Tomorrow: Mark 4:26-29

Mark 4:21-23

Passage

Jesus continues to teach in parables.  He asks if a lamp is meant to be put under a basket or under a bed or anywhere else but on a stand.  Nothing is made that is not meant to be manifest.  Nothing is secret that isn’t meant to come into the light.  Again we hear Jesus tell people that if they have ears, they should be listening.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

What is a lamp?  This is an old device made by burning a wick that has been saturated with oil.  These lights were typically fairly small, certainly hand-held.  Most of them would contain a single small flame to cast light by which a person could see enough to walk.  What we can learn from this is that the lamp was saturated with the material it needed in order to be useful in providing light to the wielder.  In the same way, if we are going to be useful in casting God’s truth into the world, we must be saturated with God’s Word.

What does it mean to be saturated in God’s Word?  Are you saturated in God’s Word?  How did you get there?  If you aren’t there, how can you get there?

Second Thought:

Lamps are not meant to be covered over.  If you put a lamp under a basket or under a bed then one of two things will happen.  Either the flame will catch the surrounding material on fire – causing a huge issue but creating much short-lived light in the process – or the flame will consume all of the oxygen and the flame will go out.  In either case, there is very little use for a lamp that has been covered over.  It’s not how the lamp is intended to be used.

Are you being used as God intended you to be used?  Is the saturation of God’s Word in your life allowing you to be a light into the darkness?  Is God doing through you what God has done in you?

Third Thought:

Notice Jesus’ words.  Nothing is made that isn’t meant to come into the light.  Nothing is secret that isn’t meant to be brought to light.  We are meant to come into the presence of God’s Word.  We are meant to experience the fullness of God’s truth.  We are meant to be full and complete expressions of that in the world around us.  We are not meant to have some secretive Christian lifestyle.  We are meant to shine into the world as people experience what God is doing within us.

Are you good at keeping things secret and private?  Is this a good or a bad thing?  What are the consequences of doing something in secret or in private?

Passage for Tomorrow: Mark 4:24-25

Mark 4:14-20

Passage

Jesus now unpacks the parable.  The sower sows the seed, which is the Word of God.  The seed (word) sown along the path is heard, but it is snatched up by Satan (the birds) as soon as it is heard.  The seeds along the rocky ground grow with short-term joy.  But when things get tough or old, they wither.  Other seeds are cast among thorns.  The seed grows well until the thorns around the seed and the thorns eventual squeeze the seed out.  However, there is also seed that is sown in the good soil.  This seed bears fruit of varying degrees.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

The seed on the path is an interesting first case.  Notice that the seed is sown. The Word is heard.  But the word is snatched up.  It doesn’t even have a chance to take root.  Satan comes along and the Word is immediately discarded.  There is no response, no growth, and no reaction.  This is always a possibility when people hear the word of God.

Have you been in one of those moments when the Word is spoken and you just aren’t ready to receive it at all?  How does that feel?  What can you do to prevent being in those types of situations?

Second Thought:

The next two cases are reasonably similar.  In one instance, the seed is not able to take true root.  It grows a little, but it is quickly oppressed by persecution.  In another instance, the seed can take root, but there is so much else going on that the plant can’t grow.  Both cases bring about death.  No spiritual rooting implies death.  No spiritual growth implies death.  Whether from the cares of the world or the persecution of the world, if we are not careful we can end up with the Word of God producing nothing.

Have you ever been so busy you didn’t have time for God?  How does that feel?  Have you ever been so happy to hear God’s Word at one moment but then you do nothing with it?  How does that feel?

Third Thought:

The final soil is the good soil.  The Word is heard.  The Word can truly take root.  The Word can properly grow.  All three things naturally conclude with a harvest.  There is fruit.  When we are rooted in God and grow in His word, we can be assured of a harvest.

How does it feel when the Word of God takes root?  How does it feel when the Word of God causes growth?  What does it feel like to have a harvest?

Passage for Tomorrow: Mark 4:21-23

Mark 4:10-13

Passage

When Jesus’ disciples had some alone time with Him, they asked Him what was the deal with all the parables.  Jesus tells them something quite bluntly.  To the disciples, the Kingdom of Heaven has been given.  To the people outside the group of the disciples, the parables are given.  This is because they are “seeing but not understanding and hearing but not comprehending.”  Jesus then speaks a quiet word of teaching to His disciples when He asks them if they do not understand this parable how they will ever understand all the rest of the parables.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

The Kingdom of Heaven has come to the disciples.  They are in the first steps of the path to “getting it.”  But we have to understand something here.  At this point in the story the disciples aren’t any more special than anyone else.  The disciples aren’t better equipped or the smartest kids on the block.  What they have going for them is that when Jesus called they responded.  When Jesus called to them they were willing to walk beside Him.  What makes them different is not their internal greatness, but their willingness to learn and model Jesus’ internal greatness.  What makes them different is that when they come across something that they don’t understand, they have enough of a relationship with Jesus to ask Him about it and actually learn.

Where are you with respect to Jesus’ invitation?  Are you walking side by side with Jesus, learning what He has to offer for you so that you can show it to others?

Second Thought:

To those outside, Jesus gives the parables.  Now, let’s be really clear about this.  Jesus is absolutely saying that those outside the kingdom are given parables that they will not understand.  Jesus isn’t giving the parables so that they will not understand.  Rather, He is giving parables that they will not understand.  Since we talked above about what makes a disciple, let’s talk now about what makes the crowd.  They crowd hears Jesus preach – even teach – but they never come beside Jesus for further understanding.  They don’t want to grow.  They don’t want to walk in Jesus’ footsteps.  They don’t want to model Jesus to the world.  They want to hear some sound bite.  They want to see some miracle.  Then they want to go back to their life unchanged.  You don’t see them here, hanging around to the very end just to try and understand.  Because they aren’t interested in growing, they will hear the parable they don’t understand and walk away shrugging their shoulders.  The base default attitude is “hearing but not understanding” and “seeing but not comprehending.”  They prove as much in their actions throughout all of the Gospels.

Have you ever heard something you just don’t understand spiritually?  How do you typically respond in such a case?  Does your response indicate more of a disciple mentality or a mentality of the world?

Third Thought:

I’ve always heard Jesus’ words in Mark 4:13 as really harsh.  It has always felt like a condemnation to me in the past.  But today I am reading these words in a new light.  Jesus isn’t condemning the disciples; Jesus is making them consciously aware of their current shortcomings.  In other words, Jesus is exposing to them that they are not yet where Jesus needs them to be.  That doesn’t mean that they are bad people.  It simply means that they have some growing to do before they are ready to go out into the world.  Prior to Jesus telling the parable, Jesus’ disciples are unaware of how much they have to grow.  In hearing the parable, Jesus’ disciples become aware of how much they have to grow.  To say it in a nice and cute way: Jesus is moving His disciples from unconscious incompetence to conscious incompetence.  {Please note, however … this doesn’t make them competent.  It merely makes them aware of their incompetence.}

Do you think it is necessary to become aware of your own incompetence?  Why is this important?  How does it really feel to become aware of your incompetence?

Passage for Tomorrow: Mark 4:14-20

Mark 4:3-9

Passage

In this passage we get one of the most famous parables.  We hear about four types of soils.  The first type is the path.  Birds came out and devoured any of the seed that fell upon the path.  Other seed fell among the rocky ground and its roots could not penetrate deeply into the soil.  When the sun came out against these plants, they merely withered.  Still other seed fell among ground that had thorn bushes in it and the thorn bushes choked out the plants.  Finally, some seeds fall among the good soil.  These seeds grow up and produce varying levels of crop.  But they seeds in the good soil all produce.  Jesus ended by telling the people that if they had an ear, then they should hear Him.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

 We’re going to tackle the meaning of the parable over the next few days.  So you’ll have to be patient.  Instead of talking about the meaning today, lets actually talk a little about what Jesus is up to.  Here is a story about something that just about ever Hebrew person would understand.  Jesus talks about planting.  Even people in the city would understand planting crops.  Jesus uses what the people can understand to teach about things that are more complex.  {Don’t confuse this with teaching so that people will understand Him.  We’ll get to that tomorrow.}

Why would Jesus talk about things to which the people could relate?  Do you prefer teachers who can always bring the teaching onto a level that you can understand?

Second Thought:

Jesus teaches about difference.  There are four types of soil.  There are different consequences for each of the seed that falls upon each of the soil.  Life is full of many opportunities and many choices.  Life has many turns of consequence.  Sometimes one consequence will lead to another consequence.  We can see here that Jesus is not afraid to tackle diversity.  Jesus can speak about multiple opportunities and multiple possibilities within the same teaching.  He can teach about multiple levels at the same time.  With Jesus, it is not always either/or.  Jesus understands that life is or/or/or/or/or/ … well, you get the idea.

Can you see here how Jesus is diversifying the story by making it about several types of soil?  What is the advantage with using multiple points within the same story?

Third Thought:

As we move into the understanding of this parable, let’s not forget the context.  Jesus taught this parable when there was a great crowd around Him.  Jesus taught this particular teaching not only when there were plenty of people to hear, but when there were plenty of subjects of His teaching.  Jesus is well aware of the level of faith and the level of commitment – or lack thereof – that these people have come to offer.

Why is it important to consider the context when we consider a particular teaching?  Why is it easy to overlook the context and move straight into the teaching?

Passage for Tomorrow: Mark 4:10-13

Mark 4:1-2

Passage

Once more Jesus goes out to teach beside the sea.  Once more a very large crowd gathers around Jesus.  Jesus begins to teach the crowd in parables.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

As we begin this passage, it should be a fairly familiar story to us by now.  Jesus goes into His house or His synagogue and He meets with some persecution (From family or the Hebrew leaders).  The next thing that He does is go out into an open space (wilderness/beside the sea/etc).  A large crowd gathers around Him and He begins to teach.  Notice that the intimacy of the relationship isn’t particularly notable.  Jesus teaches about God regardless of who will listen.  Jesus teaches about God regardless of who will ultimately follow.  For Jesus, it is important to teach and let the people decide for themselves.

Do you think of Jesus as a great teacher?  Do you believe that Jesus calls you to follow Him?  If so, what should be your attitude about teaching?

Second Thought:

Jesus begins to teach in parables.  There are many different opinions about why Jesus taught in parables, and we’ll get to them in a few days.  However, we know that Jesus often taught in parables.  Yet, Jesus speaks in parables only at specific times and in specific instances.  This helps us understand that as Jesus teaches, He has a particular approach in different circumstances.

Does it make sense for Jesus to use different tactics during different circumstances?  If we are to follow Jesus, does this mean we need to be prepared to have multiple approaches in different circumstances?

Third Thought:

As we get ready to look at the parable tomorrow, consider the actual position of Jesus.  He is once more looking out to a large crowd.  Once more there are plenty of people wanting to listen to Him talk.  There are plenty of people who are willing to give Him a public position of popularity.

What would you be thinking if suddenly you had hundreds of people that wanted to be your friend?  What would you be thinking if you had hundreds of people wanting to hear you talk about certain issues?  Can you see how it would be easy for Jesus (or anyone else in His shoes) to get caught up in “being popular?”

Passage for Tomorrow: Mark 4:3-9

Mark 3:31-35

Passage

Once more Jesus’ family comes back to Him.  They call out for Him and send for Him.  The crowd was around Him, and they let Him know that His family was there.  Jesus asks the crowd, “Who are my mothers and brothers?”  He looks out among the crowd and exclaims that His mother and brothers are around Him.  After all, everyone who does the will of God is Jesus’ family.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Jesus takes every opportunity to teach.  This is a really cool part of Jesus.  Nothing escapes His attention.  No opportunity is too small for Jesus to use.  Even the appearance of Jesus’ family is an opportunity to teach.

What does this show us about Jesus’ perspective on life?  What does this passage tell us about His attitude for teaching and discipleship?

Second Thought:

Jesus’ family comes looking for Him.  They continue to think that He’s insane.  This time they really want to get to Him.  They come and they call for Him.  They call for Him enough that the crowd lets Him know – just in case Jesus wasn’t aware, of course.  It is interesting that when Jesus was alive, His own family missed what He was about.  {For the record, we know that a few of His siblings did understand after Jesus’ resurrection.  So I’m not trying to speak poorly of their actions forever – just while He’s alive.}

Why do you think that Jesus’ family doesn’t get Him?  Upon what might they be focused?  How easy is it to miss what Jesus is trying to do in our lives?

Third Thought:

Jesus tells us a very important lesson.  Spirituality is thicker than blood.  Jesus might have blood relatives – but the family in which He was interested is the people who are following God.  Family is important, but what really connects us with one another is God.  Of course, this passage has a spiritual element as well.  When eternal life rolls around and we are with God forever, it will be the spiritual ones around us who will be there with us forever – regardless of what bloodline they have flowing through their veins.

Do you feel challenged by thinking that spirituality is more significant than blood?  Who are the people who are closest to you spiritually?  Therefore, who are your spiritual brothers and sisters?

Passage for Tomorrow: Mark 4:1-2

Mark 3:28-30

Passage

Jesus teaches that all sins can be forgiven among humanity – even the most serious of insults.  However, those who insult the Holy Spirit shall never have forgiveness.  Such people will be guilty for an eternal sin.  Jesus was accusing them of blaspheming because while Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit they were saying the He had an evil spirit.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Jesus starts with a really neat point.  There is nothing that we do to one another that cannot be forgiven.  Of course, that doesn’t mean that everything we do will be forgiven.  But it does mean that everything we do can be forgiven.  If we are repentant, God can forgive anything we do to one another and ourselves.

How neat is it to realize that nothing we do to one another is too big to be forgiven?  Why is this an important realization?

Second Thought:

Jesus does tell us that there is an unforgiveable sin.  When we bring a grave insult to the Holy Spirit we will not be forgiven.  People often call this blaspheming, for that is the Greek word used here in this passage.  Blaspheming means bringing a grave insult to, speaking abusively towards, or making a mockery of someone or something.  Thus, what Jesus is teaching us is that we are not to insult God, speak abusively of God, of mock God.  When we do those things, forgiveness is not assured.  Forgiveness is not assured, of course, because it is hard to be genuinely repentant and participating in such behavior.

How does it feel to know just how seriously God takes our offenses against Him?  What impact does this teaching have on the way we live and how we talk about God?

Third Thought:

Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit.  Yet the Jewish religious leaders did not see it.  They did not recognize the Holy Spirit.  Their minds were closed to what God was doing in Jesus Christ.  So they determined that He must have an evil spirit within Him.  Literally, they took what was of God – literally was God, even – and called it evil.  This is a pretty serious mistake.

How easy is it to miss what God is doing in our lives?  Just because we miss God’s work, does that mean we’re guilty of blaspheming?  How can we live so that we are not guilty of blaspheming against God when we do miss what He is trying to do in our lives?

Passage for Tomorrow: Mark 3:31-35

Mark 3:27

Passage

Jesus continues His teaching by saying that nobody can enter a strongman’s house unless he first binds the strongman.  Then – and only then – can the strongman’s house be plundered.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

The name Beelzebub literally means “Lord of the Lofty Abode” – more generically it means “master of the house.”  That is important to understand as we look at this teaching.  Jesus is speaking of the strongman and speaking of plundering the house of the strongman.  In the parable, it is Satan who is the “strong man” of this world or the “master of the house!”  We must take a moment to really make sure that we understand this point.  Yes, creation was made by God.  Yes, God has ultimate dominion over creation.  God’s power is absolute.  However, Jesus is acknowledging here that the physical realm is in the iron grip of Satan on account of our sinfulness.  This parable only makes sense if we understand that Jesus is acknowledging that Satan is the strongman.

How does it make you feel internally to think of Satan as the strongman?  Do you have any internal resistance to accepting Satan as the power of this world?  (If you want to read more on Jesus’ perception of Satan’s power in this world, look to John 12:31, John 14:30, and John 16:11)

Second Thought:

Of course, this is Jesus talking about His mission here on earth.  Jesus has come to claim those who are God’s children out of this world.  Therefore, He must literally come into Satan’s house and bind up Satan.  Only when Satan is bound can Jesus plunder what at the time belonged to Satan.  He has come to plunder Satan’s world and take what he can out of it.  To put it quite bluntly, Jesus has come to bind up Satan so that He can claim living souls for God.  He came to bind up Satan so that He could claim you and me!

How does it feel to know that you and I are the objects of this parable?  How does it feel to know that Jesus came to bind up this strongman of this world so that you and I can know God and be taken out of this world?  How does this thought help you reflect on what it means to be a disciple and your desire to be one?

Third Thought:

Now we can truly grasp why Jesus speaks about a house divided not being able to stand.  He hasn’t come to work with Satan but to actively take over portions of His kingdom.  Jesus has quite literally come to “rob Satan.”  The question for the true disciple is: where am I? 

Are you still a part of Satan’s world or are you a part of the world that Jesus has claimed?  How do you know?  When is it easy to go back to being a part of the “strongman’s house?”

Passage for Tomorrow: Mark 3:28-30

Mark 3:24-26

Passage

Jesus gives some well-known truth.  If a kingdom is divided against itself, it will not stand.  If a household is divided against itself it will not stand.  If Satan himself has come up and has divided his power, then he cannot stand and His kingdom is coming to an end.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

This first point really strikes me today.  A nation divided against itself cannot stand.  A body of people who are united in name only but not united in the underlying principles simple cannot continue to exist.  It will have weaknesses.  Internal division will continue to cause it to crack and crumble.  Outsiders will have an easier time making war because the internal stress will give an avenue for destruction.  We know this as a country.  In the span of the last century alone, America has been quick to enter into other countries where there is political unrest and exert our influence so that “the side that agrees with us” has the best chance of winning.  I’m not placing a judgment on that reality; I am simply stating that it has happened frequently.  When a nation is divided, it cannot stand.  We could stand to learn that lesson.

What do you think about the climate in America (or whichever nation you happen to live if not America)?  Is the nation divided?  How deep do the divisions run?  How dangerous are those divisions?

Second Thought:

Furthermore, if a household is divided against itself it cannot stand.  When family members begin to stray from the family values, the family fractures.  When people in a family begin to pursue different goals, the family fractures.  You could even apply this to churches.  When the values of a given church begin to change and multiple visions are followed, the church fractures.  People cannot stay united if it is only a family name or a congregational building that is keeping them together.  It is our values and our beliefs that will bind us together; it is our values and beliefs that will also drive us apart.

What does this passage seem to be reminding us about teaching within our families (and other community structures)?  What does this passage seem to be telling us about where we should really place the importance in our lives?

Third Thought:

If Satan is divided against himself, he will fall.  The adversaries of God – all that is evil in this world – will fall when they work against each other.  Satan knows this.  Satan would not allow one area of His influence to work against another area of His influence.  That would be counterproductive.  Jesus is saying here that Satan would not allow Jesus to cast out Satan’s own minions.  What purpose would it serve to have Jesus destroy what Satan has already worked hard to achieve?  There would be no purpose.  To claim that Jesus is working for Satan is simply ridiculous.

How does it make you feel to hear Jesus talk about Satan as a very real presence and influence within this world?  Have you ever thought about the fact that there are people working for Satan’s agenda in this world?  How is it that we separate ourselves from them and serve God in order to work against them?

Passage for Tomorrow: Mark 3:27

Mark 3:22-23

Passage

The scribes who came down from Jerusalem looked at Jesus and were convinced that He was possessed by the Prince of Demons (Beelzebul).  They said that it was only by the power of the Prince of Demons that a person could cast out demons.  Jesus calls these scribes to Him and asks them how it is that Satan and cast out Satan.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

More people come into contact Jesus and think He is insane.  You might think that I am making a flippant point here, but I’m really not trying to be flippant.  When people come in contact with the Son of God He is so different from the world that they think He is insane.  This shouldn’t surprise us, because the very name we use for God – holy – literally is a word that means “separate” or “different.”  Therefore, they naturally do see Jesus as separate or different from themselves.  Therefore, they think that He is possessed by Satan (Prince of Demons).  After all, if they were religious and Jesus was powerful in a whole different way, then He must be from the other side – or so they conclude.

Why is it such an important point to not miss the fact that when people came in contact with Jesus they automatically knew He was different?  Why is it important to realize that when people came in contact with Jesus they saw someone uniquely separated from them?

Second Thought:

We’re not really through with this point, though.  If people see Jesus as different, then people should see all those who have Jesus as different, too.  If people thought Jesus was insane, then it follows that the world should think of those who have Jesus within them as insane, too.  If Jesus is separate, holy, unique, different, and insane by the standards of the world – then so are His followers.  Those who claim to have Jesus’ Spirit within them will be evaluated under the same conditions.  In the same way that the people looked at Jesus, so the world should look at those who have Jesus within.

Now how does it make you feel to know that the world looked upon Jesus in such a manner?  Does this understanding raise the challenge in any way with respect to being a disciple of Jesus?

Third Thought:

I’ll address the “Satan cast out Satan” tomorrow when I also speak to the “house divided cannot stand” passage that will come in tomorrow’s reading.  So, for today I’ll focus on the fact that the scribes think that only through the power of Satan can the minions of Satan be affected.  How ignorant and short-sighted!  This statement really demonstrates a serious theological point.  If they are claiming that Satan’s minions can only be affected through Satan’s power, then they are claiming God’s power to be less than Satan’s power! 

Of course, there is the possibility that they had already ruled out that Jesus was God, and therefore they weren’t open to the possibility that Jesus was tapping into the power of God.  If that’s the case, then the lesson to be learned is to not close our mind to the possibilities of God.  Either way, we see the scribes as being horribly short-sighted.

When have you ever been closed in mind towards what God was actually doing?  How did you come to realize how closed your mind really was?  What is the danger to closing our mind to any possibility that God could be at work within something?

Passage for Tomorrow: Mark 3:24-26

Mark 3:16-21

Passage

Jesus appointed twelve people as His primary disciples: Peter (Simon, Cephas), Andrew, James, John, Phillip, Bartholomew, Matthew (Levi), Thomas, James (Son of Alphaeus), Thaddeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot.  Judas Iscariot is the one who eventually hands Jesus over to the Jewish leaders.  After appointing the Twelve, Jesus went back home – apparently with His disciples.  Once more the crowds gathered around Him.  There were so many people and intrusions that they could not even eat.  When Jesus’ own family hears about what is going on they go out to seize Jesus thinking that He is out of His mind.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Jesus appoints the Twelve.  We need to be a little careful.  These are the named disciples.  These are the ones who leave everything and follow Jesus day-by-day.  For that they absolutely deserve a special recognition.  But they are not His only disciples (Lazarus, Mary, Martha, Mary Magdalene, Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimathea – just to name a few off the top of my head).  The Twelve are simply the chief disciples.  These are the Twelve that Jesus is pouring Himself into almost every moment of His life.  Therefore, while we need to understand that there are other disciples, we need to see that there are the chief disciples, too.  These are the ones that Jesus is counting on to take the message to the world.

What does it mean to be a disciple?  What did it take to be one of the Twelve?  Why is it important to think about this distinction?  How willing are you to do what it takes to become not just any disciple but a chief disciple?

Second Thought:

Now that Jesus has His Twelve, He goes back home.  But the crowds are still watching Him.  Even though Jesus just wanted to go home and hang out with the Twelve, the world has other plans.  They won’t leave Jesus alone.  In a sense, they won’t let Jesus have the time to disciple His newly appointed Twelve.  They are interfering with the process of discipleship.  For that matter – they are interfering with normal life, too!  Not only can the Twelve not have the intimate time with Jesus that disciples need, they cannot even find the time and space to eat!

How easy is it to let the cares of the world overtake our calling?  What does this passage tell us about the importance of needing to be diligent in our discipleship?  Why is it easy to let our discipleship backslide?

Third Thought:

Jesus’ family hears what Jesus is doing.  They are absolutely indignant.  They come out to seize Him and drag Him back home.  Remember that they knew Jesus for 30 years prior to the mantle of His mission being placed upon Him.  They knew Him as a simple carpenter.  Imagine now all the crowds and attention.  Imagine as they look on, realizing how His simple life had turned chaotic – so much so that He cannot even find time to eat.  No wonder they thought Him insane!  On the other hand, Mary knew He was the Son of God.  Certainly she would have told His brothers and sisters.  So while it is reasonable for them to think that His life had gotten out of control, they still should have known that it was God’s plan.  After all, Jesus is Jesus.

Can you sympathize with the thoughts and feelings of Jesus’ family?  Can you see where they lacked faith?  How is this related to our human experience as we interact with God?  How easy is it for us to look at someone of whom God has gotten a hold and think they are insane?

Passage for Tomorrow: Mark 3:22-23