But he gave them strict orders not to tell others about him

Mark 3

But he gave them strict orders not to tell others about him. v12

One might think that Jesus' orders here to be odd - why would He tell those He healed not to tell others?  To me this is straightforward - Jesus knew that many if not all of those who had been healed might not fully appreciate who Jesus is.  The Good News of Jesus Christ is that He is not just a man with great powers...He is God himself!

I must acknowledge this daily, worship Him, thank Him for His many blessings, seek forgiveness for my sin and come to Him with my concerns.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are truly a great God - the One and Only True God.  The Lord of Lords and the Name Above All Names.  You created the earth, the universe, and all of its inhabitants.  You were there at the beginning of time and You will be there at the end of times.  You created me and know everything about me.  You suffered and died for me and bless me beyond what I deserve.  I love You Jesus.  But I am weak...I worry...and I am selfish and impatient.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from this sin.  Help me be the man You intend for me.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.

“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Mark 2

“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” v17

I am struck by the differences between the gospel of Matthew and Mark.  While Matthew's audience was Jews, Mark's was Gentiles.  For Matthew it was important to establish the lineage of Jesus and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.  For Mark, these details were less important so his account of Jesus' life starts with John the Baptist preparing the way and Jesus baptism.

For me, I am once again reminded of how understanding your audience is important when spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ.  Keep in mind what is important to the audience.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You knew all about me even before I was born.  You know how many hairs are on my head.  You know what is in store for me and You have great plans for me.  Of all this I know.  You are the Lord of Lords and You are my Lord my Savior.  What a great God You are!  I am not worthy of the love and blessing You provide.  I am full of pride, selfishness, impatience and so much more sin.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus!  Help me turn from this sin and help me be the man You intend for me.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.

Mark 1

Yet the people still came to him from everywhere. v45

Over the past two days I am encouraged by Jesus to boldly proclaim my faith so that others can share in the Good News of Jesus Christ.  As the book of Mark speaks to a Gentile audience, one can easily see chaos - Jesus does what only He can do....transform hearts and lives.  This chaos might on one hand turn people off (Pharisees and Sadducees) but on the other hand it draws people in.

The question for me is to what extent do I draw people in?

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, I KNOW You transform hearts and lives and I am deeply blessed.  I am not deserving of such blessing...I am selfish and impatient, and I worry.  Thank You that You love me but please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength. Help me be the man You intend for me.

 

And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

Mark 1

And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. v4

As a nice segue from yesterday's post where I heard God's encouragement for me to actively spread the Good News of Jesus Christ to all people, I hear today Jesus' same message.  Of course the wilderness is today's world - full of sin and disbelief. 

The message is of course not just about repentance, but also about what we get from repentance - freedom from sin and eternal life with Jesus in heaven - the greatest gift of all time.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You ARE the greatest gift of all time.  There is nothing else I need and certainly nothing else I desire will satisfy and provide like You do.  I am not worth such love and blessing that You provide.  I am full of sin - selfishness, pride, anger, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus from such sin.  Help me turn from such sin and help me serve You by actively spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ to all.

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."

Matthew 28

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." v19-20

Jesus tells us to be a light...and here He tells us to be in action about telling everyone the good news about Jesus Christ. Similar themes are echoed in James and other places.

The question of course is how am I in action?

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are always in action for good...and for Your children.  What a great God You are that You are always doing things for Your children.  I certainly am not worthy of such love and blessing as I speak and think harsh and evil things.  I need more of Jesus in my heart.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus and help me have more of You in my heart and life.  Help me increase my love of You so that I can love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me serve and glorify You.

In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

Matthew 27

 In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him. v44

Like those who crucified Jesus, I too easily speak harshly of His children and I sin.  Indeed, I have posted over the previous two days, we are all sinful and fall short of the glory of God.  In the same way, one can say we are all guilty of Jesus going to the cross.  After all, it was OUR sin that that was necessary for Jesus to nail to the cross.  Without OUR (all of humanity) sin, Jesus would not need to come to earth in human form...He would not need to suffer and die for our sins.

So we are sinful and God suffered and died for us - despite our sin.  Once again I am reminded that Jesus Christ is the greatest gift of all time...and He is my Lord and Savior.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You ARE my Lord and Savior, I accept that You died for me so that I could live...a new life...here on earth, and eternity in heaven with You.  You are the greatest gift of all time.  I am not worth such a price.  I speak harshly of Your children...and I sometimes deny You.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me.  Help me turn from such sin.  Help me be the man You intend for me.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.

“It is your responsibility!”

 Matthew 27

“It is your responsibility!” v24

This phrase is mentioned twice in the same chapter - once by the chief priests in v4 and also again (not the exact wording but near exact) in v24.  The repeated use of this phrase underscores Matthew's emphasis on self examination with regards to our role in sin.  We can't escape guilt in relation to sin just because we are not directly responsible for the sin action.  Each sin carries with it a related set of sins that contribute - for example, in criminal law this is called an accessory to the crime.  Additionally, guilt can be shared by contributing forces - such as society or an upbringing.  How many times have you heard of people defend themselves by saying they are not guilty because something ELSE caused my guilt.  Matthew would have none of this - these forces mean that everyone is guilty when multiple parties contribute to sin.  Pilate is not innocent of course; nor are the chief priests, Judas, or any of the other disciples that failed to stand up for Jesus (Peter) or fled (the rest of the disciples).

...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...Romans 3:23

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings, and the Name Above All Names...You created all and You reign in my life.  You are full of mercy, kindness, patience, compassion and so much more...my words and my worship are insufficient to describe Your greatness.  That You love me is amazing...even more amazing that You died for me.  I am worth these blessings.  I am weak...I fail to demonstrate Jesus with my life as You intend....to be a light.  Thank You that You have and continue to love me but please forgive me Jesus.  Help me turn from my sloth.  Help me be more of the man You intend for me.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.