And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.

Mark 1:35-45

And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons. Mark 1:38-39

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 1:35-45, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary.  Excerpts from the second (of three) division of the commentary, which covers 1:38-39:

• "The crowds at Peter’s house came for the miracles. Now, apparently, they want more. The call to repent and believe the gospel (1:15) was not on their spiritual radar. Like so many today, they wanted a Jesus of their liking, a Jesus who would perform miracles and fit into their agenda."
• "Neither the crowds nor the disciples understood why He had come into the world. But He knew! Jesus came to preach, to herald, to proclaim the gospel of salvation, a message that is both by Him and about Him. Indeed, He is the gospel! But sadly, the crowds missed Him. God had only one Son, and He made Him a preacher. No pastor is worthy of the office who does not preach the Word. No church will prosper spiritually without the preaching of the Word."
• "Jesus went throughout all Galilee, preaching the gospel and casting out demons. He did this out of a life of prayer. Prayer and preaching is a one-two punch that cannot be defeated. This is how the kingdom marches on anywhere and anytime."  

For those who are gifted as teachers, it is call that they should follow, but with great humility and responsibility.  Those who teach must constantly be learning and allowing God to work through their gift of teaching.  For believers, we need corporate worship to hear this teaching, and we should be striving to learn and grow through our own study of the Word and through Bible studies where we participate with other believers to sharpen one another - Proverbs 27:17.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that loves and saves - thank You for providing so many great teachers who help me see You in You Word and understand and love You more.  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. 

True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity. For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.

Malachi 2:1-9

True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity. For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts. Malachi 2:6-7

I continue my study of the last four books of the OT using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book as my focus remains Malachi, the last book of the Old Testament. Today my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Malachi 2:1-9.  With the focus being God's judgement upon the priesthood, the commentary outlines the following divisions:

1. God’s Curse against Israel’s Priests for Their Depraved and Apathetic Worship (2:1-3)
2. God Reminds Israel’s Priests of Their Covenantal Role Model, Levi (2:4-7)
3. Four Ways Israel’s Priests Failed to Follow the Covenant Role Model of Levi (2:8-9)
   

In particular, commentary for the 2nd division offers useful insights for us to see re: how Levi modeled attributes any leader (church, parent, etc.) should seek, including:

• Godly commitment towards the role God places people in
• Godly character, most prominently demonstrated through a reverent fear of God, including a "mixture of reverence, fear, pleasure, joy, and awe that should fill a worshiper’s heart when giving reverence to God."
• Godly communication; someone "who stands on the infallible, inerrant Word of God, preaches the entire counsel of God, and leaves the results to God."  This attribute is also demonstrates how you guard the Word by "giving it away" to others. 
  

It is sad to note how the priesthood in Malachi's time failed God and ultimately failed God's people and this led to separation from God and silence for 400 years until God sent Jesus as the incarnate Son of God to do away with the fallible nature of the Old Testament Levitical priesthood.  The good news is that Jesus is our great High Priest - see also Hebrews 4:14-16.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, thank You for being the Great High Priest who continues to intercede for me and my sin - and for my salvation.  I am not deserving for my salvation and for how You continue to interceded 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.