Mark has consistently put on display the determined unbelief of the scribes and Pharisees as well as the continuing dullness of Jesus’ own disciples. Here he prominently points to belief and understanding found in the unlikeliest of places…among Gentiles! The promise of the gospel for all nations is declared openly right here!
Biblical leadership is one of the critical factors determining the health and growth of a church. Long-term vision and daily decisions both require sound leadership combined with a supportive church family. Only with biblical leadership and biblical structure may a church experience biblical results.
Dr. Heath Thomas, President of Oklahoma Baptist University, brings us a word from the book of Nehemiah. We pray it encourages you in your relationship with God.
Where is God in the wake of tragedy? What does the Bible have to say to us as we process national trauma? Pastor Taylor Gabbert brings us a word from the example of Stephen in Acts 7. We pray it encourages you in this time.
In chapter 7, Mark now provides an introductory transition to Jesus’ upcoming ministry to Gentiles. Breaking the stranglehold of Jewish legalism, the gospel could go out to all people; and Christianity could finally become an invitation to all nations.
In three gospels, the account of walking on water is attached immediately to the feeding of the 5,000. The follow-up miracle serves as confirmation of the previous miracle—Jesus is more than a mere provider of bread; He is the deliverer of His people from all dangers, physical and spiritual. How long would it take for His disciples to grasp this foundational reality?
The feeding of the 5,000 is the only miracle of Jesus recorded by all four Gospels (Matt. 14:13-21; Lk. 9:10-17; Jn. 6:1-14). Mark’s account, however, is unique in that he is less concerned with the miracle itself, and more interested in what can be learned about Jesus. Here the Great Shepherd reveals Himself, hints of the church, and points to eternity.
The mission of previous verses brings Jesus to the attention of Herod, ruler of Galilee. Responsible for the martyrdom of John the Baptist, Herod is plagued by the haunting effects of guilt. Even stories of Jesus drive this superstitious mind to imagine coming judgment. Mark prepares us for the passion of Jesus by reporting the passion of John.
Mark’s gospel now shifts into a new phase—the mission of Jesus begins to be handed off to His disciples. They have seen great and mighty things. Now they are to learn by following His example and operating in His authority. It is significant that Mark pairs the hometown rejection of Jesus with their first attempts to imitate Him.
Kingdom impact begins with cultivating spiritual influence and fulfilling our scriptural duty. We are not hucksters selling religion; rather we are charged to bring light into dark places and to apply salt against decay. The hope of this generation rests upon the presence and witness of God’s people in the world.
Mark 4:35-41 displays the power of Jesus over nature and 5:1-20 reveals His authority over demons. Mark next stresses the supernatural power of Jesus over sickness and death. Two unlikely candidates serve as testimony that God has, indeed, become man in order to save us from the human condition. Death no longer has the final word!
Mark has demonstrated that Jesus has absolute authority over nature. Now he turns to the cosmic battle between good and evil, obedience and rebellion. Spiritual opportunities appear suddenly and demand attention. Encounters with Jesus create a crisis of decision moment.
Following instruction regarding parables, Mark confirms the authority of Jesus with a series of miraculous encounters—with nature, the demonic, and death. In each event, the presence of Jesus constitutes both affirmation of life and defeat of death. The disciples are compelled to see beyond the local teacher/healer and recognize the God of the cosmos!
Mark was as concerned about the purpose of parables as he was about providing samples of them. Parables are designed as divine tools for the separation of receptive hearts from disinterested minds. The identity and mission of Jesus was available to all who were sensitive to the illumination of God’s Spirit: the kingdom of God has come near in Jesus Christ!
Why is the gospel so obvious to some people and so distant and confusing to others? How did the scribes attribute demonic power to Jesus and His family assume insanity while so many others experienced changed lives? This commonplace parable offers the explanation: spiritual insight is not automatic, but received through a teachable heart and mind.
Opposition to Jesus now includes the attempted intervention of his own family and the official involvement of religious judges from Jerusalem. The claims made against Him are equally malicious and wrong-headed: mental instability or demonic allegiance. The consequences of such assessments are devastating and unending. Your determination about Jesus is the single most important decision of your eternal existence.
20th-century pastor A.W. Tozer famously said, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” Simply put, how we see God is how we see the world. But in many ways, our earthly fathers have laid a distorted foundation for our understanding of our creator. If He has truly called us to change the world, our first step is to explore the mystery of God for ourselves to discover what real fatherhood truly looks like.
The summary report of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee indicates widespread interest and fascination. Crowds now become multitudes which require physical accommodation. However, Mark turns our attention from large numbers to deep commitments. The story now turns on the selection, training, and sending of disciples—authentic Jesus-followers.
Mark next records a series of encounters with religious authorities where they attempt to force Jesus into the box of their legalistic expectations. Jesus won’t be limited by their essentially negative view of faith. Rather, He presses forward in each instance to put the true heart of God on display. Does your Christianity look more like Jesus or the Pharisees?
Mark completes the Galilee preaching tour with a final dramatic healing of the most horrific disease spoken of in the Scriptures—leprosy. Not merely a demonstration of power over the natural realm, this encounter serves as an affirmation of both the divinity and humanity of Jesus in a single stunning episode.