Today's passage: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mark%204-5&version=NIV
Parables and Healings
Mark 4 is a chapter of parables. Many times in the Bible, there are passages that are explained at a later time with additional context. For example, the prophecies of the Messiah and the end times that were originally given in the Old Testament were expounded in the New Testament by Jesus, the Gospel writers, or Paul. It is also important to understand cross references, where other sections of Scripture are related to a passage you are studying. This is especially true when a parable and its explanation are given. We are privileged in this respect as Jesus spoke in parables to the masses and explained them to the disciples. With the Bible in written form, we have an even greater advantage; we can see the way that Christ taught his disciples and we can ponder the Words of our Lord over and over again. Remember, Jesus is the Word made flesh and the Bible is God’s Word given to us for our salvation and sanctification. Today we live in a world of stone and metal, but the parables return us to a simpler way of viewing the world. All of God’s creation has a purpose and we need to be willing to listen to the simpler stories of the Bible and allow them to penetrate the soil of our hearts.
Mark 5 also provides a glimpse into the depth of Christ’s healing power. Many times we read about unclean spirits being sent out of people, but here we see the full extent of the healing. Jesus healed the man filled with a legion of demons, restored the man to his right mind, clothed him, and even brought him back into fellowship with his family. Verse 19 instructs the man to return to and proclaim the good news about God’s mercy.
Jesus draws many to Himself and He is willing to heal, but we must be willing to believe. Do you have a faith that trusts and seeks God? Are you willing to take a step of faith and reach out as Christ calls you? Jesus is no respecter of persons as we see He heals the demon possessed man, a woman made unclean by uncontrollable bleeding, and a leader of the synagogue.
We also see difference responses to Christ’s ministry in these chapters. Do you listen and not understand, do you act out of fright, do you laugh and ridicule, or do you have the faith of a child and know that God alones has the power to heal and save?
Today's post submitted by Joseph Konieczka
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Request denied! Boy how I can relate to this. Notice in the story of the demon possessed man whose requests are granted and denied.
ReplyDeleteThe demons request to go into the herd of swine: Jesus grants the request
The village people request Jesus to leave the region: Request granted
The man who was delivered asks Jesus to let him follow Him: Request denied.
The demons got their request, the unbelievers got their request yet the one who fell down to worship Jesus is denied his request.
Can anyone relate to this besides me? There is a reason for the denied request and we know by faith and experience that God's ways are always far better than our own thoughts! If not for faith, we could really be shipped wrecked when our requests aren't granted but by faith we know better things are coming!!!!! Take that to the bank.