October 17 - Mark 1-3
Mark's gospel emphasizes Jesus as a person of action, but there is also a great emphasis on His emotions. It strikes me that Jesus was a person totally involved in life. He was not just going through the motions. He was fully engaged physically, emotionally, and spiritually. This is the most challenging way to live, but it is also the most rewarding. How is your life? Are you on auto-pilot? Are you fully aware of all that is happening around you? As you read this passage, look closely at how engaged Jesus was in daily life.
Mark begins with John, the Baptist, and the beginning of Jesus' ministry. He plunges into a whole chapter of action. Jesus is baptized, He preaches, He starts calling His disciples, He heals people, and He casts out demons. Through it all the emphasis is on people, not on Himself. Then, after a hard day of ministry, He is up early spending time with the Father for direction. The emphasis is on the Father, not on Jesus. What a selfless person! Jesus was here to do God's will and to care for people. How do you do with being unselfish? How do you do with self pity? Don't let these sins keep you from real life. Ask Jesus to show you how to live life without them.
In chapters 2 and 3 Jesus is fighting against His enemies while reaching out to those in need. He did not accomplish His ministry in an easy environment. In fact, He had the most hostile environment of all. He was constantly pursued by the Jewish leaders. They wanted to kill Him. Satan was using them to try to destroy Jesus. However, Jesus kept to His mission. He ministered to the ones who really needed Him. (2:17) He healed people as His enemies watched in disgust. (3:5) He called His 12 disciples and moved forward to do His father's will, even though people thought He was crazy. (3:21) Jesus was focused on helping people know and do His will. He did not let His family distract Him. He moved forward for you and me. This is a marvelous picture of the Lord of glory giving all of Himself for us. It ought to inspire us to give all of ourselves for Him.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Mark 4-6.
Mark begins with John, the Baptist, and the beginning of Jesus' ministry. He plunges into a whole chapter of action. Jesus is baptized, He preaches, He starts calling His disciples, He heals people, and He casts out demons. Through it all the emphasis is on people, not on Himself. Then, after a hard day of ministry, He is up early spending time with the Father for direction. The emphasis is on the Father, not on Jesus. What a selfless person! Jesus was here to do God's will and to care for people. How do you do with being unselfish? How do you do with self pity? Don't let these sins keep you from real life. Ask Jesus to show you how to live life without them.
In chapters 2 and 3 Jesus is fighting against His enemies while reaching out to those in need. He did not accomplish His ministry in an easy environment. In fact, He had the most hostile environment of all. He was constantly pursued by the Jewish leaders. They wanted to kill Him. Satan was using them to try to destroy Jesus. However, Jesus kept to His mission. He ministered to the ones who really needed Him. (2:17) He healed people as His enemies watched in disgust. (3:5) He called His 12 disciples and moved forward to do His father's will, even though people thought He was crazy. (3:21) Jesus was focused on helping people know and do His will. He did not let His family distract Him. He moved forward for you and me. This is a marvelous picture of the Lord of glory giving all of Himself for us. It ought to inspire us to give all of ourselves for Him.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Mark 4-6.