And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? Is not this the carpenter,the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.

Mark 6:1-5

And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? Is not this the carpenter,the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Mark 6:2-3

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 6:1-5, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary - which offers three divisions for this text. Excerpts from the commentary's introduction to the entirety of the text and for the first (of three) division (vv1-3): 

• The commentary's title for the entirety of the text 6:1-5 is "Jesus: A Prophet Without Honor!" and the main idea is [w]e cannot come to Jesus on our terms. We must see Him for who He truly is[;] the title for the first division is "When You Consider Jesus, Are You Only Amazed?"
• "This is Jesus’ second recorded, and His last, visit to His hometown of Nazareth as far as we know. His previous homecoming did not go well at all (Luke 4:16-30). Initially impressed by His preaching (Luke 4:22), the town He grew up in turned on Him and attempted to murder Him (Luke 4:28-30). In spite of such treatment, Jesus returns, this time with His 12 apostles. It will be a painful training time." 
• "As we consider how Jesus was treated by His own hometown, His own family and friends, it might be good for us to reflect on how we treat this Servant King and how we respond to the One who was rejected by those who were certain they knew Him best. It is critically important that we see Jesus as He truly is and as He is revealed in Scripture, not as we might hope, wish, or want Him to be." 
• The questions posed by the Nazarenes who witnessed Jesus's miracles and His teaching were meant to be disparaging.  
• "His teachings should astonish us, but that is not enough."
• Jesus's miracles at this point in the New Testament are many including healing Peter's mother in law, healings in Capernaum, etc. all chronicled in Mark 1:29-31, 32-34, 40-45, 2:1-12, 3:1-6, 7-12, 4:35-41, 5:1-20, 25-34, and 35-43. Unfortunately, they were not enough to move the Nazarenes to belief in Jesus for who He really is. Instead they saw Jesus for what they thought He was an ordinary man from their hometown.  

Without passing judgement on the Nazarenes here (God alone is judge), it is instructive for us to examine our own response to Jesus.  Do we see Him as a good man and role model (I did for a long time)?  Or do we truly see Him as the Son of God and as our Savior.  This is crucial for us - if we don't see Jesus as God and our Savior, then we should be encouraged to know Jesus more through study of His Word and through a disciple relationship with a mature believer than can sharpen You in Your understanding of Jesus and demonstrate Jesus through action (love of God and others, service, etc.).  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an amazing God who loves me and who is full of incredible grace and compassion for me....saving me while still an enemy and hostile to God.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me.  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. 

And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief.

Mark 6:1-6

And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief. Mark 6:5-6

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 6:1-6, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary. Observations of the text based on the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: God could have done more mighty works in Nazareth - we must remember that God is all powerful.  We must also remember that God came to seek and save the lost and this salvation requires faith.  Although some are saved others reject belief in Jesus.  See also Matthew 10:14, Acts 13:51, Mark 6:11 and Luke 9:5. God both hardens and softens the hearts as He wills.  
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: There will be people we encounter whose heart is hardened towards God.    
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We are to seek and save the lost as Jesus did and to proclaim the Gospel - but to remember that it is Jesus alone that hardens and softens hearts and saves.  Our role is to be messengers and to be light demonstrating the Gospel.   

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God You are an awesome God who loves me and who saves!  Thank You Father God for softening my heart and saving me!  I am not deserving.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from such 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 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. 

But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.”

Mark 5:21-43

 But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” Mark 5:36

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus continues to be a commentary-assisted review of Mark 5:21-43, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary - which offers three divisions for this text. Excerpts from the commentary's third (of three) division (vv35-43): 

• The commentary's title for the third division is "Jesus Has Authority over the Power of Death."
• Noting the mocking Jesus endured by those who laughed at Him (v40), the commentary shares: "[h]ard-core realists who breathe the air of skepticism will always be with us. They will mock our faith in a crucified Jew and ridicule our trust in a God we cannot see. They will laugh at your love for the Savior who has cleansed you of sin’s defilement and given you spiritual life by His atoning work on the cross. Nevertheless, believe. Have faith—not faith in faith, which is spiritual nonsense, but faith in the omnipotent, sovereign Lord Jesus whose authority and power are absolute and know no rival." 
•  Jesus touches the dead girl - taboo according to Old Testament law. 
•  The commentary then asks and responds to five questions similar to the Sword Bible Study Method.  
• "What does this text teach me about God? God honors the faith of all who come to Him through Jesus. Social status, gender, or any other distinction does not matter. God cares for the demon possessed, the man of distinction, the outcast woman, and the little girl who is powerless."
• "What does this text teach me about sinful humanity? Disease and death are realities we must face in our fallen and sinful world."
• "What does this text teach me about Jesus Christ? Jesus cares for the hurting. Jesus does His work on His timetable. When Jesus touches the unclean, they become clean as He takes on their uncleanness. Jesus gives healing and life to those who trust Him as He takes on our diseases and dies our death (Isaiah 53)."
• "What does God want me to know? We can come to Jesus with our request no matter who we are or what we have done. We must come to Jesus in faith, believing and not fearing[.]" 
• "What does God want me to do? God wants you to come to Him with any and every request. God wants you to trust Him regardless of the circumstances or situation."

The application shared in the last bullet from the commentary excerpts is key - all details of our lives are in God's hands - big and small.  He seeks for us to be utterly dependent on Him for all of our needs and we should not take for granted how He provides for all of our needs.  Often our circumstances may tempt us to question whether God is at work or not, but rest assured God is in all things and working all things for good for those who love Him (Colossians 1:15-17, Ephesians 4:6, Romans 8:28). Our fear and anxiety is driven by our lack of faith.  During times of fear and anxiety turn towards Jesus. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that loves and who knows our circumstances, empathizes with all of our concerns, hears our cries and responds to our cries.  You are good and You love and saved me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You love and save.  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.

But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”

Mark 5:21-43

But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” Mark  5:33-34

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 5:21-43, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary - which offers three divisions for this text. Excerpts from the commentary's second (of three) division (vv24-34): 

• The commentary's title for the second division is "Jesus Responds to the Pain of the Diseased."
• The text focuses on Jesus's healing of a woman with discharge of blood for twelve years (v25), and the commentary first points us to Old Testament law (see Leviticus 15:25-30, 22:1-9, Numbers 5:1-4) led to those with discharge to live not just with their malady, but also with heavy stigma of being labeled as "unclean" and "ostracized" from the community.  This is of course a heavy burden with which to live. Yet once again, we Jesus help this woman.  
• Not fully understand who Jesus is, the woman did nonetheless believe that Jesus could heal her so she simply touches His garment. She believed and was healed immediately.  Upon being discovered by Jesus that she did this, she fell at His feet acknowledging her act.  Jesus demonstrates love and compassion as she serves as an example of why Jesus came - to heal.    

If you are an unbeliever, you must start with acknowledging that all of humanity is unclean without Jesus - Romans 3:10-12, 23, and 1 John 1:8. Just as He did with the woman in the text, Jesus heals us both spiritually and physically (per Revelation 21:4 upon death our bodies will be perfect and never decay).  If we confess our sin, seek forgiveness and then acknowledge Jesus as our Lord and Savior then we are saved (Romans 10:10).  Jesus seeks this type of faith where if we believe that Jesus will help us, then He will, and we must be prepared in desperate circumstances, like this woman, to fall down before Jesus in prayer.  Jesus saves and He hears and responds to our prayers.   

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of incredible grace and compassion for me - saving me while an enemy and hostile to You.  You have seen me through desperate circumstances, You never leave or forsake me, and You provide for all of my needs.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation, nor any of the blessings You pour out for me.  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. 

Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet and implored him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.” And he went with him.

Mark 5:21-43

Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet and implored him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.” And he went with him. Mark  5:22-24

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 5:21-43, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary - which offers three divisions for this text. Excerpts from the commentary's introduction for this chapter and for the first (of three) division (vv21-24): 

• The main idea for the text vv21-43 is "[w]e can come to Jesus with our requests, and He will honor even imperfect faith when the object of that faith is Him"
• The commentary's title for the first division is "Jesus Hears the Cries of the Distressed."
• "This text has what we call a “sandwich structure,” beginning with the story of Jairus (5:21-24), interrupted by the story of a suffering woman (5:24-34), and ending with Jairus again (5:35-43). The purpose is to make comparisons." 
• We are urged to see how "Jesus cares for those in trouble," and how Mark 4 and 5 present text for how Jesus has providence over creation, demons, disease, and even death. He has performed signs and wonders and is now drawing great crowds at this point in His ministry.  
• Jairus is presented as a ruler of the synagogue (v22) and the commentary emphasizes how this is a man of distinction and respect but he comes to Jesus with great humility as v22 continues describes him falling at Jesus's feet "implor[ing] him earnestly."  This is "in spite of [Jesus's] growing opposition of the religious establishment, he bucks the trend and comes to Jesus."    
• This humility is what Jesus seeks for us and the commentary reminds us that must not only have humility but also utter dependency and faith that we should come to Jesus with urgency that He is the one who holds our lives in His hands and we must rest on Him for all of our needs.  

While prayer is not explicit in the text today, I am drawn to how we must cast our cares and concerns on Him (1 Peter 5:7), and acknowledge how "apart from [Jesus], [we] can do nothing" (John 15:5).  Just as Jairus did, we must fall on our feet and go to God and for believers this is prayer. God hears and responds to our prayers!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer:  Father God You are an awesome God that is able to do it all - all knowing, all seeing, and all powerful.  I can do nothing without You.  In spite of my sin, You saved me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You save.  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.

Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.

Mark 5:21-43

Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live. Mark 5:23

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 5:21-43, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary. Observations of the text based on the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: God is all powerful, able to do what no mortal being can do - He raises Jairus's daughter from the dead and heals the bleeding woman (after she had spent all that she had with doctors and her condition not only did not improve but grew worse).  God is also one of great compassion, referring to those who come in faith as daughter (v34) and He takes Jairus's daughter by her hand (v41) - He wants us to be part of His family which is a family with bonds much stronger than with earthly families.  
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: People are desperate for Him, yet they don't fully understand who is He is as He is still referred to as Teacher.  Of course He is Teacher but He is the One True God and it is only the demons that recognize Him at this point in scripture - they even laugh at Him (v40).  People both seek Jesus and they fear Him (v33) for His power - this is a reverent fear and it is appropriate because if we anger or disappoint Him, He holds our lives in His hands  
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We can claim the promise that Jesus heals - this is guaranteed both spiritually and physically and while it may not be in this life, it will be in Heaven (see Revelation 21:4). Jesus came to seek and save the lost so we should as well - following His lead as well as those such as Paul who mission work and fruit is detailed in Acts and much of the New Testament. Our faith should follow those of Jairus and the bleeding woman who sought simply a touch. I am reminded of the Parable of the Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31-32). 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and who is seeks for us to be part of His family - You care for us SO much that You sent Your One and Only Son Jesus to die for us.  Thank You Father!  I am not deserving of such a gift - the greatest gift of all time.  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.

“Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.

Mark 5:1-20

“Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled. Mark  5:19-20

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 5:1-20, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary - which offers three divisions for this text. Excerpts from the commentary's third (of three) division (vv14-20): 

• The commentary's title for this division is "Jesus Commissions the Delivered."
• The demon possessed man who has now been healed is emphasized as "a new creation" and we are referred to 2 Corinthians 5:17.
• The reaction of the townspeople is remarked as fear over this rabbi Jesus and His amazing powers and over loss of two thousand pigs. They certainly did not care for the demon possessed man.  This is contrasted with God's grace towards the man.  The commentary shares: "[t]he townspeople may not have cared for the demoniac’s soul, but the Son of God did. Jesus made him a new man. Heaven was glad, but his fellow humans wanted him gone. What a sad commentary on the wickedness and self-centeredness of the human heart void of the grace of God."  
• While the man sought to stay with Jesus, Jesus instead sought for the man to spread the word about what just happened: “[t]ell them of My mercy,” Jesus basically tells the man. “Be My witness; give your testimony. You were lost but now you are saved. You once belonged to Satan, but now you belong to the Son of God.”  We should note that Jesus gave this mission to the man who will now live among those who feared Jesus - they will hear the Truth about Jesus's love, mercy, and compassion for the man and how Jesus seeks to save.  We are referred to Luke 7:47 where the text shares how those who are forgiven much love much.  

We all have a story to tell about how we were forgiven much and saved by Christ.  This should compel us to love Jesus and others as Jesus loves us.  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, what an awesome God that You love me - saving me while still sinning and hostile to You.  You pour out Your mercies ceaselessly and every day for me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings that You pour out for me.  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.

So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the pigs; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the sea.

Mark 5:1-20

So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the pigs; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the sea. Mark  5:13

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 5:1-20, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary - which offers three divisions for this text. Excerpts from the commentary's second (of three) division (vv6-13): 

• The commentary's title for this division is "Jesus Conquers the Destructive."
• Emphasizing vv6-7, the commentary describes how the demonic man threw himself at Jesus's feet, "not [as] an act of worship, but an acknowledgement of authority."  
• "[The demons] knowledge of Jesus’ identity is superior to the disciples’ knowledge, at least at this point in their journey. The demon’s confession in 5:7 answers the disciples’ question in 4:41. The demoniac knows who Jesus is, and he knows his existence is at stake. His time has run out."
• "[The demonic man's] only hope was in a Liberator whose power and authority were greater than what now possessed him. That Liberator was Jesus Christ, the Son of God."
•  "In a microcosm of the battle between good and evil, Jesus gives a preview of the fate of Satan and his demons. The demons, through the voice of the man, keep begging Jesus not to send them out of the region. The tormentor is now the tormented as he contemplates his destiny." See also Luke 8:31 for more details on this account.  They begged and bargained with Jesus - see v12.
• As the man was cutting himself with stones, the commentary insists that Satan was so tormenting this man that he was driving the man to suicide. The commentary points to William Lane who shares that "[f]irst, Jesus recognized the time of the ultimate vanquishment of the demons had not yet come; his encounter and triumph over the demonic does not yet put an end to Satan’s power. It is the pledge and the symbol of that definitive triumph, but the time when that triumph will be fully realized is yet deferred. It must await the appointment of God. Therefore, Jesus allows the demons to continue their destructive work, but not upon a man. The second element is related to this: Jesus allowed the demons to enter the swine to indicate beyond question that their real purpose was the total destruction of their host."
• "The event demonstrates that God cares more for man, whom He created in His image and recreates in salvation, than He does for animals that do not bear His image."  

Jesus has total dominion and authority over everything in the universe, including Satan and evil.  Believers know and can take great comfort in knowing that Jesus has already defeated death and victory over Satan is assured - see also Revelation 20.  We also know that Jesus seeks to save as many as He can and tell us to "have mercy on those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them out of the fire" (Jude 22-23). The demon-possessed man was desperate for help but not beyond salvation.  If you feel beyond help, be encouraged!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves!  Thank You for the comfort in knowing that victory over sin and death is already won and assured.  I am not deserving the salvation You give me.  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. 

And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones.

Mark 5:1-20

And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones. Mark  5:2-5

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 5:1-20, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary - which offers three divisions for this text. Excerpts from the commentary's introduction to this chapter and the first (of three) division (vv1-5): 

• The commentary's title for this chapter is division is "Can the Demonized Be Delivered?"
  and for the first division is "Jesus Confronts the Demonic."
• The main idea for the chapter is "Jesus is the Servant King who liberates those enslaved in a fallen world by wielding absolute authority, even over demons." 
• "Jesus believed Jesus believed demons were real, and that should settle for all of us the question of their existence. Yet beyond this fact, we see in our Lord’s encounter with the Gerasene demoniac the power, mercy, and authority of the Son of God, who commands the demon with merely a word."  
• In the last chapter, v41, after witnessing Jesus rebuke and calm the winds and the sea, the disciples wonder who Jesus is and here the commentary emphasizes how chapter 5 reveals for the disciples Jesus' true identity, although it is the demon who does this not Jesus.  
• Old Testament ritual law stated that touching of a dead body meant that you were unclean and here in the text we see a demon-possessed man living among the dead so he would have been deemed defiled and unclean - Satan "conquered and captured." 
• We are referred to John 10:10 and 1 Peter 5:8 where the text shares how Satan seeks steal, kill, destroy and devour. The commentary indicates that this was Satan's attempt with the demonic man in the text - that he sought to drive this poor soul to death and eternal damnation. 
• Yet even in death, as we see in death bed confessions, God is at work looking to save as many as possible as we shall see in vv6-13 (the next division). 

I don't know know anyone who reads this text and sees himself as the demonic man - while this may be, we should see how all believers are unclean and condemned for eternity without Jesus.  See Ephesians 2:1-3.  Some of us may believe that we are so unclean and not worthy of salvation - but God came to seek and save the lost - Luke 19:10.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God and I am beyond grateful for my salvation - I was deeply lost in my sin and spiritually dead and condemned without You.  Yet You reached down into the pit and saved me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me...daily.  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. 

And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before him. And crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” For he was saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!”

Mark 5:1-20

And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before him. And crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” For he was saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” Mark 5:6-8

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 5:1-20, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary. Observations of the text based on the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: God is full of compassion, as He seeks to heal all of our affliction - spiritual, emotional, and physical.  He engaged with the man with the unclean spirit to heal Him.  Ultimately, God seeks to save us spiritually.  God is all powerful and has providence over all matters including Satan and sin - He was able to heal the man that others could not even subdue.
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: People often fail to understand who Jesus is - and in this instance they saw what He was able to do and perhaps marveled at what He was able to do but other than the cleansed man, no one else recognized Jesus for who He is as the herdsmen and people from the region sought for Jesus to depart.  They cared perhaps more about the lost pigs than they did the life of the cleansed man.  
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We can claim the promise the Jesus heals both inside and out - physical ailments will ultimately be healed if not in this life but when we get to Heaven - see also Revelation 21:4.  We should follow the example of the cleansed man told by Jesus to tell his friends how much the Lord has done for us and how he had mercy on [him] (vv19-20). 

Every believer has a story of how God cleansed us from the inside out and we should be prepared to share with everyone we know what God has done for us.  See also 1 Peter 3:15.  We are to be a light.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that has healed me from the inside out and produced fruit - not through anything I did but because of everything You did starting with loving me and saving me while I was an enemy and hostile to You. Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me for my sin 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.

And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

Mark 4:35-41

And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” Mark 4:41

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 4:35-41, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary - which offers six divisions for this text. Excerpts from the commentary's sixth (of six) division (v41): 

• The commentary's title for this division is "The Identity of Jesus Is an Issue We All Must Settle." 
• "The text says they were “terrified.” The fear of the disciples at what Jesus has done and who He might be exceeds the fear they had over the storm. The presence of God is far more frightening than the most destructive forces of nature. One can take your life. The other can claim your soul....Despite their recent experiences with Jesus as He taught and performed miracles, they still aren’t sure just who He is." 
• From the conclusion of this chapter of the commentary looking at the entirety of vv35-41, the commentary shares: "The parallels between Jesus stilling the storm and the story of Jonah should not surprise us. Jesus called Himself the true Jonah in Matthew 12:40. He is the true Jonah who was consumed by the stormy sea of God’s wrath as He hung on the cross. He endured the storm so that we could find peace and be saved. Jesus calmed the only storm that could truly drown us: God’s wrath and judgment. He went down in the storm only to emerge three days later as the One who stilled the just and righteous wrath of God against sinners." 

All of us, believers or not must make a decision for Christ or not and if we choose wisely then we are saved.  If not, we will experience eternal damnation.  Unbelievers may not acknowledge it, but they are slaves to sin and worshiping some other god then the One True God.  Believers are encouraged to be merciful to those who doubt, as we seek to save others from the fire (Jude 22-23).  We must also remember that we are not doing doing the saving, so we must pray for Jesus to soften hearts to save and to be a light so that unbelievers can see and experience Jesus through us. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, Jesus, You are an awesome God that saves and Your mercies are ceaseless and they are new every morning.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings or mercies You pour out for me.  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 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. 

But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”

Mark 4:35-41

But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” Mark 4:38

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 4:35-41, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary - which offers six divisions for this text. Excerpts from the commentary's second (of six) division (v38): 

• The commentary's title for this division is "Jesus Is Human Aside from Sin." The commentary actually offers two divisions for v38 - I already posted about the second of these here, but because I missed the first one, I came back to it today. 
• Believers know the Jesus is both fully man, and fully God.  He came to us as the Incarnate Son of God to both experience life as we do, and then to die for us, taking upon Himself God's wrath as one perfect spotless sacrifice that served as the final sacrifice for all of humanity throughout all of redemptive history.  The commentary emphasizes this as well as sharing how Jesus lived without sin and He "had no sin nature."  We are referred to to 2 Corinthians 5:21, and Hebrews 4:15.
• "Both His humanity and His deity are put on display in this story, and it is humanity that appears so clearly when He is in stern of the boat, fast asleep on a cushion. The Bible repeatedly teaches our Lord’s full and true humanity. He got hungry (Matt 4:2). He got angry (Mark 3:5). He cried (John 11:35). He died (the cross). Now we see He slept. He had an exhausting day, and He kept on sleeping right through the storm. This is the only time in the Gospels that we read of Jesus sleeping."
• "[Jesus] had complete trust in the providential care of His Father. The veteran seamen may be terrified, but the Carpenter from Nazareth [slept] soundly."  

The commentary here wraps by also sharing that just as Jesus had a work to do (His ministry) before He went to the cross how we also have a work to do and just as Jesus did, we can endure what He endured because He gives us the Holy Spirit, He never leaves or forsakes us, He knows everything about us and can sympathize with us (Hebrews 4:15), etc.  We have an awesome God who equips us to weather the storms of life!  Praise Jesus!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God You are indeed an awesome God who loves us and who saves and equips us to weather the storms of life.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me.  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. 

He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”

Mark 4:35-41

He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” Mark 4:40

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 4:35-41, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary - which offers six divisions for this text. Excerpts from the commentary's fifth (of six) division (v40): 

• The commentary's title for this division is "Trials and Difficulties Come for the Benefit of Our Faith."  
• Describing the disciples likely reaction to Jesus's mild rebuke of them for the lack of faith, the commentary shares that "[b]y now they should have a greater comprehension and increased faith in His person. This was a golden teaching moment, but they came up short. In the eye of the storm, rather than trusting Him, the disciples accuse Jesus of forsaking them (v. 38). Unfortunately, this will not be the last time Jesus must point out their lack of faith (7:18; 8:17,21,33; 9:9). Until they see the resurrected Christ and fully understand what He did for them on the cross, they are going to struggle." 
• At the same time, we are encouraged us to grow in our faith as the commentary shares: "[w]e, in contrast, have no excuse. We know Jesus is all-powerful and all-knowing God. We know He has taken care of all our sin. We know He rose from the dead. We know He can be trusted no matter what! Trials and difficulties are divine appointments to strengthen our faith."   

Until we meet Jesus once again upon our death (glorification) or until He returns (second coming), all believers are a work in progress as we strive to grow in in our knowledge and love of Him, and as a result become more like Him (sanctification).  This is a day-by-day progressive process - we may often feel as if this process is too slow but we can be comforted that God is always at work.  Importantly, God is at work in the trials and difficulties of life.  See also Colossians 1:17b where the text shares that Jesus "holds all things together."  We don't know what He is doing (Isaiah 55:8), but we can take comfort that God is in "all things [to] work [them] together for good" (Romans 8:28).  We of course should also know that we will also overcome the world (John 16:33) and see Jesus face to face and at that point our sanctification will be complete!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that I know is at work in me.  Thank You Jesus for working in my life and heart and of course for my salvation.  Please continue because I know I am still a work in progress and there is more sin to shed.  Please forgive me of this sin and help me turn from and overcome such sin and turn 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.    

And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

Mark 4:35-41

And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Mark 4:39

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 4:35-41, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary - which offers six divisions for this text. Excerpts from the commentary's fourth (of six) division (v39): 

• The commentary's title for this division is "Jesus Has Authority over Nature Because He Is God."  
• "God and only God is thrice “omni.” He is omniscient: He knows all things (actual and potential). He is omnipresent: He always exists everywhere. He is omnipotent: He is all-powerful."
• "Jesus’ gracious humility is on display as He does not chasten the disciples for their less-than-charitable summons. In a simple, non-magical statement He rebukes the wind and says to the sea, 'Silence! Be still!'"
• The commentary highlights in the the original Greek, Jesus uses the same word from Mark 1 to rebuke the demons as He does here to rebuke the wind.
• We must understand that only God has such authority - Jesus must be God! 

For readers of scripture today, we can only read about Jesus's death and resurrection, and about the miracles from His ministry.  We must take it as faith the scripture is Truth and inerrant. While we cannot experience the miracles as Jesus's disciples did, we have all seen God's hand in our own lives.  I saw my own mom profess faith and be baptized at 81 years old - she died 3 years later.  My mom was Jewish her whole life and lived 2000 miles away from me - Jesus was at work for sure as He is in all salvations because only He softens hearts and brings people to faith - Ephesians 2:8-9. There is so much more I can say about God's hand in my life and miraculous things He has done in my life.  God is SO good!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves, saves, never leaves or forsakes, etc. Thank You Jesus, but I am not deserving of how You save and how You never stop working for me interceding on my behalf. 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.  

But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?

Mark 4:35-41

But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing? Mark 4:38

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 4:35-41, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary - which offers six divisions for this text. Excerpts from the commentary's third (of six) division (v38): 

• The commentary's title for this division is "We Panic When We Lose Faith in the One We Should Trust." 
• "[The disciples] demand, “Do you not care that we are perishing?” They question His love and concern for them. Frustrated by what appears to be indifference to their plight and facing a desperate situation they have no hope of handling themselves, they lash out in a rude outburst rather than exhibiting faith in the One who has proven Himself trustworthy." 
• The commentary reminds us that we all have these moments where our faith is tested and we lash out in frustration or panic.

It's important that we not stray far from God's Word, His people, prayer, etc. for us to remind ourselves that God is in everything and that He never leaves or forsakes us. Anger is often one of my responses.  Yet I have seen God's hand in helping with my anger and I am reminded by James 1:2-4 that I will experience trials of "various kinds." Surely, I can cry out to God but I should avoid using words to tear down and anger - see James 3:6, 8b-9, and James 1:19-20. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, what an awesome God You are that You love me and are so full of mercy, patience, and compassion for me - even when my trust in You fails and I sin by lashing out in anger and frustration.  Thank You Jesus for Your mercy, compassion, grace, and patience.  I am not deserving of my salvation nor these blessings.  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.

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling.

Mark 4:35-41

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. Mark 4:35-37

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 4:35-41, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary - which offers six divisions for this text. Excerpts from the commentary's introduction to the text (vv35-41) and the first (of six) division (vv35-37): 

• Main idea for vv35-41: "Jesus’ authority over the wind and the sea demonstrate His identity as God and as the One we can trust."
• We are referred to Psalm 107:23-32 for text elsewhere that highlights how God should be the source of our peace and refuge during the storms of life. 
• The commentary reminds us here in vv35-41 and elsewhere in Mark how Jesus not only has providence or dominion over nature but also demons (5:1-20), sickness (5:25-34), and even death (5:21-34, 35-43).  
• "God orchestrates an event in the lives of the apostles to increase their faith in the One they should already trust. Few stories have been more poorly applied than this one. It is not about Jesus’ getting you through the storms of life. He does that, of course, but this account is about the One who is the sovereign and all-powerful Lord. Demons rightly recognize Him as God (5:7), and we should fully trust Him." 
• The commentary's subtitle for this division: "God Is Working in the Circumstances of Our Lives."  
• "There is a crucial detail: it was Jesus who led them into the storm! This was not accidental. This did not catch God off guard. We should not be alarmed by surprises in our lives. They are divinely ordained moments whereby God is working in the everyday circumstances of our lives to reveal who He is, who we are, and who we need! Trials and tribulations, difficulties and desperate moments are when God does His greatest work in our lives. When He brings us to the end of ourselves, we are driven to Him and Him alone as Savior and Rescuer." 

Scripture is replete with trials and tribulations of various kinds - and they are of course all too familiar for all of us.  It is important for us to recognize what God is doing in these trials as these are by design from God for His will.  Romans 8:28 is key to remind us how God is always at work for good, how His ways and thoughts are a mystery (Isaiah 55:8), and how with God we will overcome whatever trial we experience - even death (John 16:33).   

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that will never leave or forsake me, You are always at work for good, and with You I will overcome the world.  Thank You Jesus for these blessings and my salvation.  I am not deserving of such blessings and my salvation.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from such 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.

And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”

Mark 4:35-41

And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” Mark 4:37-38

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 4:35-41, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary. Observations of the text based on the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: Jesus, as the incarnate Son of God experienced all of what we as His creation experienced, including hunger, thirst and feelings of exhaustion and fatigue.  He was so tired in v37 that He was able to sleep on the boat during a "great windstorm." God of course knew about the storm as He is all-knowing - so this was part of a design to use the storm as a teaching moment about the disciples lack of faith during the storm.  Jesus tells us to build our house on a rock such that when the storm arrives we are not shaken. See also Matthew 7:24-27, Luke 6:46-49. 
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: The disciples had already witnessed several of Jesus' miracles so they knew about His power but when He calmed the storm they were astonished that He had that much power to calm the wind and sea (v41).  This shows an incomplete understanding of who Jesus is - in fairness Jesus' ministry was just getting rolling.  However, for believers of today, we should strive to have as complete an understanding of who Jesus is now - prior to meeting Him face to face upon our death or when He returns.  We need to have a hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6) and to seek Him with all of our heart. 
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?):  Jesus wants us to follow His example of weathering trials by having a steadfast faith...there will be waves or ups and downs of life but we can be steadied by being anchored to our faith in Christ and by resting in His promises (that always come true - 2 Corinthians 1:20).  We should avoid worry - see also Matthew 6:25-34. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is our Rock and Salvation - we can rest and take refuge in You.  Thank You Jesus for the help You provide to steady our faith.  I am not deserving of my salvation, nor how richly You bless.  My sins are great and they continue...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 other 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. 

And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”

Mark 4:21-34

And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.” Mark 4:30-32

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I continue a focus on a commentary-assisted review of Mark 4:21-34, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary - which offers three divisions for this text. Excerpts from the commentary's third (of three) divisions of the text (vv30-34): 

• The text includes the Parable of the Mustard Seed, which is an analogy also used in Matthew 17:20 where Jesus describes how faith as small as a mustard seed can "move mountains." Per the commentary here for vv30-32: "[a]t the beginning a small seed is sown. But soon the small seed explodes in growth. It produces something completely out of proportion to itself. Likewise, from small and meager beginnings, God’s kingdom will expand and grow for all to see. What began as the smallest becomes the greatest! Unlike His first coming, when Christ returns, all the world will see as He surpasses all the earth’s kingdoms in power, glory, and majesty. What an encouraging word for those who think they labor in vain, who endure rejection and persecution, and who may even experience martyrdom!"  
• While less clear, the commentary sees the reference to birds nesting in the shade of the mustard growth as "nations enter[ing] and enjoy[ing]" this rest - we are referred to Psalm 104:12, Ezekiel 17:23, 31:6, and Daniel 4:9-21 for additional scripture how branches represent faith and provide rest and refuge. "This is a parable of growth and grace, of joy and celebration." 
• Based on vv33-34, the commentary winds down with an application for us to draw near to Jesus: "For the tenth time in chapter 4, the importance of hearing is noted. “As they were able to understand” implies that the parables either enlighten or obscure, depending on one’s ability to hear and respond. He purposely chose this teaching method, knowing what would happen. However, to those who drew close to Jesus as His disciples, He explained everything. Only in close communion and connection to Jesus can one understand “the language about God” (Edwards, Mark, 146). Draw close to Jesus and you get more of Him and His Father; draw back from Jesus and you lose both Him and the Father (2 John 9)."  
• The commentary's conclusion for this chapter then points to end times and how the mustard seed of faith will be in full glory per Revelation 7:9-10.

For those of who often struggle seeing how our faith produces fruit or how prayers get answered, we should be encouraged by Mark 4:21-34.  I have seen with my own eyes how God worked in me. Yes, we all experience spiritual deserts and feel as if we are wandering in the wilderness - but we can be comforted in knowing that God never leaves or forsakes us, and just as He did for Israel as a cloud by day and fire by night (Exodus 13:21-22), He leads, directs and is working in all things for good (Romans 8:28) for those who love Him.  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of incredible grace and compassion, providing rest and refuge, never leaving or forsaking me, directing and leading me, and You are always at work for good.  Thank You Jesus for these blessings and of course for my salvation.  I am not deserving of such love and compassion and blessings.  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.

And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

Mark 4:21-34

And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.” Mark 4:26-29

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I continue a focus on a commentary-assisted review of Mark 4:21-34, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary - which offers three divisions for this text. Excerpts from the commentary's second (of three) divisions of the text (vv26-29): 

• "This is Mark’s only unique parable. Jesus crafts a second parable about sowing seeds. In the parable of the soils, the focus was on the necessity of sowing and the receptivity of the soils (vv3-8). Here the emphasis falls on the innate power of the seed. The Word of God has within it the power of its own success and triumph. Let the Word loose and watch it work. This parable is instructive concerning the nature of the kingdom in a comprehensive sense. It notes the kingdom’s sowing (v26), growing (vv27-28), and harvesting (v29). From beginning to end, the sovereignty of Christ and the power of the Word stand forth in absolute authority." 
• "The man is not important; the seed is the focus. The man is passive because the power for the seed to sprout and grow is not in him. The coming of the kingdom of God is not contingent or dependent on human activity. The seed of the gospel prospers and grows of itself. Once it is sown, a process is set in motion that cannot and will not be stopped, even though its growth is a total mystery to us. See also James 1:21."
• RE: the harvest, "[w]ho would have imagined that starting with only a group of 12 men, Christianity would grow to where it is today? But it won’t stop there. It will continue to grow until every people group on the planet is found in the kingdom. God will ensure this growth."  

Many may feel, myself included at times, that the seeds of God are not growing at all, whether this is our own faith or journey with God, or how God may not be responding to long-standing prayers such as for salvation for loved ones. Yet God is always at work, and as this commentary emphasizes, while God's plans and designs remain a mystery (see also Isaiah 55:8), we can rest in God's promises - of which there are many (see 2 Corinthians 1:20).  Among the many promises of God where we can rest is Romans 8:28 which shares that "for those who love God all things work together for good." This is a great promise indeed!  This post from DesiringGod.com looks at how farming is used in scripture (among other analogies) and how we are encouraged to have a "long view" on our own sanctification.    

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of incredible grace and compassion for me as You never stop working for me and You never leave or forsake me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation, nor how You bless in so many ways.  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. 

And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”

Mark 4:21-34

And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” Mark 4:24-25

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 4:21-34, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary - which offers three divisions for this text, including the first division (4:21-25). Excerpts from the commentary's introduction and first (of three) divisions of the text: 

• Main idea for vv21-34: "The kingdom of God is guaranteed to grow by the power of God until it encompasses people from every nation." 
• "Mark 4:1-34 consists of four parables. Verses 21-34 comprise the final three of these. The theme of all of them is how God’s kingdom emerges and grows with the appearance of Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah, who came to give His life as a ransom for many (10:45). Mark brings these parables together to reinforce the main parable of the soils (4:1-20). These stories drive home the need for the response of faith to God’s revealed Word." 
• Jesus is of course the lamp and the parables share how we are to respond to Jesus, the Light of the World.  See also John 12:46, 1:4, 1:9, and 8:12.
• God sent His Son Jesus Christ to bring Light to all corners of the world and redemptive history is the story of how his servants fulfilled the Great Commission.  
• "The light may be, for the most part, hidden at the moment. However, eventually the whole world will see the glory of this light. That which is hidden will be manifest. The resurrection of the crucified King assures this revelation. The second coming of the glorified King will establish it." 
• Hearing of the Word is key: "If your hearing is good, rich, and receptive to the Word, you will receive it back and even more."  
• In contrast, "[r]efuse Jesus and the Word, and you lose the little you may once have had. This is a critical spiritual principle. Our spiritual health, our spiritual eternity, is at stake. How we respond to Jesus day by day is of the utmost seriousness. Do not take for granted the relationship you have today. It could all be lost tomorrow." 

A review of the commentary draws me to James 1:22-25 where believers are urged to be "doers of the Word."  If we are not, perhaps we should examine how closely we are reading God's Word...John 15:1-10 also speaks of bearing fruit based on abiding in Him.  Our response to the Light should be to become doers of the Word and to bear fruit.  We are to "use the Word."    

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who gives me Your Word to know, love, obey and use the Word for Your glory.  Thank You Jesus!  I know I exist to bring You glory.  I am not deserving of how You saved me and give me Your Word to equip me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Often I fail to use the Light.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from and overcome my sin and turn 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 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.

And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”

Mark 4:21-34

And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” Mark 4:24-25

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 4:21-34, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary. Observations of the text based on the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: God seeks us to know Him, love Him, to obey Him, and to worship Him.  At the same time, God hardens hearts and softens hearts for those He wishes - this is a mystery (see v27).  To those whom God reveals Himself and then applies, God will further reveal Himself (v24).  God is the one who gives and grows faith, and He is the one who will harvest, and it is promised that He will separate the wheat from the chaff, with the chaff - those not bending their knee to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior - being condemned for eternity.  See also Matthew 3:12 and Luke 3:17.  God can also grow faith from the smallest of seeds (v31-32).  God is patient with those who truly seek to understand (v34).  
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: God created man to help plant and cultivate faith in creation.
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey)?: P: God is able to cultivate and grow faith (v31-32).  We should listen to God's Word and then use and apply it (v24).  We should be patient with those who truly seek to know God, to love Him, and to please Him - v34. Follow Christ's lead.  

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has cultivated and grown my faith - revealing more of Yourself to me and never leaving or forsaking me.  You are so full of mercy, grace, compassion, and patience for me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and grace.  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.

But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.

Mark 4:1-20

But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold. Mark 4:20

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 4:1-20, moving to vv13-20 which is the text for the third (of three) division per the commentary. Excerpts from the commentary's third division:  

• "[Jesus] starts with a mild chiding. His words note the essential and foundational nature of this parable. If they do not understand this one, they will struggle to understand the others."
• "The sower in this story is Jesus, or anyone who shares the gospel, and the seed is the Word of God. The path represents hard-hearted or tough-minded individuals. The Word comes to them, and “immediately,” as soon as they hear it, Satan snatches it away. They are resistant and thus unresponsive. They suffer from what might be called “gospel deafness.” Like skeptics, they dismiss the Word without giving it careful consideration."
• "The next soil is welcoming but not substantive enough to maintain the growth of the seed. The people represented by this soil hear the Word and receive it with joy. They endure for a while and even show signs of maturity, just as the plant sprouts quickly, grows well at first, and looks promising. However, these people are shallow and have no roots. Soon tribulation and persecution—seen in the “sun” of Jesus’ parable—come because of the presence of the Word. When (not if!) oppression comes, these people “immediately” fall away (4:6,17)."  
• For the next group, "they eventually get distracted by worry, wealth, and craving for other things. Theirs is a partial commitment, which is, in reality, no commitment at all. This present life is more important to them than the life to come, and stuff is more important than the Savior."  
• "The final soil is noticeably different from the first three. It represents those who hear the Word, accept it, and bear fruit. Tribulation and persecution do not deter them. Worries, wealth, personal desires, and sinful cravings do not distract them. Their hearing is active, not passive. They aggressively pursue the Word, allow it to take root, and then rejoice in its abundant growth."  
• To emphasize the promise is v20, we are referred to John 15:5 where Jesus shares how we will bear fruit of we abide and remain in Him as He is the True Vine.  The stark truth from the commentary is that if we are not producing fruit we are not connected to God's Word.   

We should develop a hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6) so we can claim the promise that we will be satisfied.  Of course at the same time we should time to time, perhaps with the help of a spouse, family, member or brother/sister in Christ, assess whether we are truly bearing fruit.  If not, this is a wake up call because we must avoid not being connected to the True Vine - Christ. We don't want to be tossed about during a storm of persecution, hardship, or suffering.  We seek a firm foundation - to build our house of faith on the Rock of Christ.   

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God You are an awesome God that provides Your Word and the Holy Spirit to enable us to read the Bible supernaturally - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation, Your Word, nor how You help me understand Your Word.  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 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. 

And when he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables. And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, so that “‘they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven.’”

Mark 4:1-20

And when he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables. And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, so that “‘they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven.’” Mark 4:10-12

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 4:1-20, moving to vv10-12 which is the text for the second (of three) division per the commentary. Excerpts from the commentary's second division:  

• "Verses 10-12 are something of an interlude between telling the parable (vv3-9) and explaining it (vv14-20)."
• "His answer [to why He taught in parables] constitutes what some would classify as one of the “hard sayings” of Jesus. It requires consideration and reflection. Addressing the Twelve and those who want more of Him and His teachings, He says they will be granted access and insight to the secrets of the kingdom of God. In contrast, those on the “outside” will get no explanation but only more parables."
• Jesus quotes Isaiah 6:9-10 and emphasizes how His teaching in parables and the difference in how some understand yet others do not is fulfillment of scripture.  
• The commentary refers us to v25 and shares: "[l]ove the Word and you will get more satisfaction and understanding in who God has revealed Himself to be. Refuse the Word and even the understanding you do have will be taken away." 

Believers understand how the Word is God (John 1:1) and how all scripture is God breathed (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  Jesus died on the cross, but He gave us the Holy Spirit, and His Word so that we can know Him, love, seek Him, become more like Him, and so much more!  See also Matthew 5:6 (ESV) where Jesus promises us that if we seek Him, we will be satisfied/content.  Jesus saves and satisfies like no other - drink of the Living Water and never thirst again (John 4:14)!

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My Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your Word and for softening my heart to hear and receive Your Word...and of course for saving me!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  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.   

And he said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

Mark 4:1-20

And he said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear. Mark 4:9

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 4:1-20, starting with vv1-9 which is the text for the first (of three) division per the commentary. Excerpts from the commentary's introduction to vv1-20 and the first division:  

• "Main idea: Jesus calls His followers to hear, respond to, and share the gospel, while sin, the cares of this world, and opposition hinder kingdom growth."
• "Mark 4 teaches us there also is a spiritual connection between the heart and the ear. In verse 3 Jesus says, 'Listen!' In verse 9 He says, 'Anyone who has ears to hear should listen!' In verse 12 He speaks of those who 'may listen and listen, yet not understand.' And in verse 20 He speaks of those who 'hear the word, welcome it, and produce a crop.'"
• "(1) Parables provide insight into the nature, coming, growth, and consummation of the kingdom of God. They give us pictures of this kingdom that “has come near” (1:15). (2) Parables are by design provocative and surprising. (3) Parables are used to stimulate thinking and cause the hearer to contemplate what they are hearing. (4) Parables use everyday objects, events, and circumstances to illustrate spiritual truth, usually with a new twist. (5) Parables reveal more truth to those with receptive ears, and they hide truth from others. This is critical to understanding 4:10-12. (6) Parables make up 35 percent of Jesus’ teaching in the Gospels. (7) Parables usually, but not always, focus on a single truth. We should not allegorize them seeking a meaning for every detail. (8) Parables in the Gospels ultimately draw attention to Jesus as God’s Messiah and call us to make a personal decision concerning Him."
• "The parable begins with a challenge for Jesus’ hearers to pay careful attention. A spiritually alert heart and hungry mind are needed to understand what He is teaching. The message of the parable for Christians is clear: we must sow the seed of the gospel that others might hear and respond. Responses will vary, but that is not our concern. Our assignment is to sow and sow generously, even promiscuously! God is responsible for the harvest (1 Corinthians 3:5-9)."  

The commentary also suggests the name of the text here should be the Parable of the Soil vs the Sower as the takeaway we should get is that good soil is key.  We should strive to prepare our hearts and mind to hear, receive and respond appropriately to His Word.  That is why we should pray for the Holy Spirit to help us before we read scripture.  I recommend reading John Piper's Reading the Bible Supernaturally. At the same time, as the commentary states, we should in response to God's Word and what is doing in our own hearts and lives - sow and spread the Good News generously as we should feel as Peter did in Acts 4:20 as "we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard." 

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My Prayer: Father God You are an awesome God who loves me and who gave me a heart inclined to hear Your Word and accept You as my Lord and Savior.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You softened my heart and saved me. 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.