Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea, and a great crowd followed, from Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem and Idumea and from beyond the Jordan and from around Tyre and Sidon. When the great crowd heard all that he was doing, they came to him. And he told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, lest they crush him, for he had healed many, so that all who had diseases pressed around him to touch him. Mark 3:7-10
I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark. Today, I focus on a commentary-assisted review of Mark 3:7-12, which is the text for the first division (of three) per the commentary for the text 3:7-21. Excerpts from the commentary's introduction and first division:
- The introduction highlights Jesus' leadership and how people follow up based on his ability to assemble a team, and respond to pressure and fatigue.
- Note the title of the division "Expect to Be Pressured by Those Who Want Something from You."
- Commenting on Jesus' growing popularity, the commentary shares: "[g]rowing popularity also means great pressure. Jesus experienced this pressure in all of its many forms. Anyone who pursues faithful ministry should be prepared for the same."
- "[The people following Him] did not care about Him but only what they could get from Him. They were not concerned about His privacy, His need for time alone, or His need for food and rest (cf. 3:20). They only wanted to use Him for His miraculous power."
- "This will too often be the experience of those who work hard for the Lord. It is truly unavoidable, but to a certain degree you can control it. Still, understand this reality: people you serve will impose on you and not give it a second thought. It is simply the nature of the work."
- "After a futile attempt to control Jesus, the demons are silenced by His sovereign authority. Jesus will carry forward and complete His mission on God’s terms—on His terms—not theirs."
- "We must do the will of God in God’s way and in God’s time. We must not allow ourselves to be manipulated by ungodly agendas regardless of the praise we may be paid, the positions we may be proffered, or the prosperity we may be promised."
Pressure to conform to earthly expectations surround us not just in ministry but in all ways - in the home, at work, etc. We must be careful about the influences we place in our lives, including people, how we spend our time, etc. See also James 4:4 as a warning for those who grow friendly with the world. Instead we must become slaves to God and allow Him to mold and conform us into His image - progressively through sanctification as we submit to Him, seek to know Him more through study of scripture, etc. See also Romans 12:2. Ultimately, others should see Jesus in us - being in the world, but not of the world (John 8:23).
Comment and discuss this post.
My Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are an awesome God who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. There is no other way. Thank You for scripture and for making Yourself known to me and for giving me the Holy Spirit that is always with me. Of course thank You for my salvation. I am not deserving. My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
