Tag Archives: Mark

Mark 11

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In Mark 11, Jesus curses a fruitless fig tree. The next day Peter comments on the fig tree, noticing that it was now withered. Jesus turns this into a lesson on faith and forgiveness, seemingly unrelated concepts to a withered fig tree. It seems strange that Jesus would use the holy spirit on this fruitless fig tree, but it provided a valuable lesson.

Our salvation seems an impossible task, like a mountain being cast into the sea or a tree withering in a day. Jesus had earlier stated that with God nothing is impossible. It is up to us to believe with all our heart, but that belief must be seen in our actions. In this example, Jesus points out the need for genuine, heartfelt prayer, and also the need to forgive others.

Perhaps James is alluding to some of these ideas when he writes in James 5, “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working”. Prayer is such an amazing and comforting idea, that our prayers can have a positive influence on others.

Mark 10

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In Mark 10, Jesus meets Bartimaeus, a poor blind man in a time when such people were regarded as inferior, almost inhuman. His faith in God was sufficient to loudly and publicly seek Jesus’s help, despite opposition from those around him. He didn’t let the constant challenge of blindness or poverty prevent him from doing what he knew to be right. His attitude is a stark contrast to others who approach Jesus in this chapter: the rich young man, James and John seeking to sit beside Jesus in the kingdom. Bartimaeus seeks mercy from Jesus, a humble acknowledgement of Jesus’ role.

Bartimaeus’ faith was rewarded, “your faith has made you well”. Our faith also has the potential to overcome the challenges of our life, culminating in the opportunity to serve God for ever. The “treasure in heaven” that results from following Jesus is within our grasp, if we follow the example of Bartimaeus, swallow our pride, and publicly display our faith.

Exodus 22, Psalms 75-76, Mark 8

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In Exodus 22, we read of the consequences of actions; details of restitution under the law. Israel were God’s special people, “you shall be consecrated to me”, and God would hear the cries of the poor, “if he cries to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate”.

Psalms 75-76 recount God’s judgement, “I will judge with equity. When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, it is I who keep steady its pillars… it is God who executes judgment”. Asaph alludes to the victory over Egypt, when horse and rider perish in the water. “But you, you are to be feared!
Who can stand before you when once your anger is roused? From the heavens you uttered judgment; the earth feared and was still”.

God judges justly, but He is also compassionate. He hears the cries of the needy, and takes care of them. He is interested in our lives, and will take action to help us. We see this compassion mirrored in Jesus’ actions in Mark 8. After speaking to the multitude for 3 days, they had nothing left to eat. So Jesus performs a miracle, feeding them before sending them on their way.

Psalm 73, Mark 6

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In Psalm 73, Asaph writes of his struggle to understand the prosperity of the wicked, “when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end.”

Often life can seem unfair, unnecessarily difficult. To assuage these doubts it is important to spend time in God’s sanctuary, where we can be reminded that “there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

In Mark 6, Jesus reinforces this idea, “after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray”. After a busy day healing and teaching the multitude, he spends time with God to be encouraged and grow his relationship with God, a great example for us.

Exodus 17-18, Mark 5

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Today in Exodus we read of Israel’s battle with the Amalekites. “Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed”. Sitting on top of the hill, Moses was clearly visible by those around. This symbol of Israel’s trust in God highlighted that it was God that won the victory over the Amalekites.

Aaron and Hur had to help Moses hold up his hands, demonstrating that trust in God is not something we must always do on our own – others can help out when we are weary. I find this idea really powerful; that we can help others to trust and rely on God for help. It is our responsibility to recognise their need and assist.

The other powerful lesson from this chapter is Moses’ attitude to solving problems contrasted to the people. The people grumble and quarrel with Moses about a lack of water, but Moses cries to God for help. Complaining is a natural human response to difficulty, but Moses’ example teaches us how important it is to rely on God.  As Jesus tells Jairus, “Do not fear, only believe”.

 

Mark 10, Psalm 78

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The disciples of Jesus asked him about the seeming impossibility of being saved. Jesus replied “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God“.

Despite the “glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done“, Israel remained “a stubborn and rebellious generation…not faithful to God“.  God did the impossible for Israel: parted the red sea, provided water in the wilderness, rained manna and quails on Israel… and still Israel sinned.  Yet God “being compassionate, atoned for their iniquity and did not destroy them“.

By ourselves, we can do nothing to earn salvation. Like the Israelites we rely on God’s compassion. The example of blind Bartimaeus helps us recognise our need for mercy, and that our faith can make us whole. Although not as dramatic as being healed of blindness, our sins can be forgiven through Christ.  Let us aim to be like Bartimaeus, who immediately followed Christ, putting his faith into action.

1 Kings 15, Mark 15

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The next king over Judah after Rehoboam died was his son, Abijam. His life was summarised as “his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father. Nevertheless, for David’s sake the Lord his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem.” This is an illustration of God’s mercy, that a king could reign over Judah for the sake of a promise made to David, a position not based on merit. Similarly, we are part of God’s household, despite our sins, through God’s mercy shown in the sacrifice of His son.

In Mark 15 we read of that sacrifice, of the humiliation and torture Jesus endured. But we also read of the inspiration that act gave to those around him. The centurion came to realise that Jesus was the son of God. Joseph of Arimathea made a public stand for his beliefs. So let us also be inspired by Jesus’ life and sacrifice, to make a stand for our beliefs, and help others realise the mercy of God.

1 Kings 14, Mark 14

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1 Kings 14 provides insight into character of Jeroboam.  He seeks answers from the prophet of God when his son gets sick, despite having led Israel astray to serve false gods. The response indicates that, just as Jeroboam had harmed the spiritual health of Israel by turning them to idolatry, so God would bring harm on Jeroboam’s family and raise up a new king over Israel.

By contrast, Mark 14 describes a very different king. One who was anointed before his burial, who was betrayed, who struggled with his absolute submission to God’s will, yet willingly made the ultimate sacrifice.  Jesus relied on his close friends for support during this difficult time, and was disappointed when they couldn’t remain awake.

These final hours Jesus spent with his disciples before his betrayal shows how important it is to support and encourage each other, especially during trial.

1 Kings 11, Mark 11

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In 1 Kings 11, Solomon is condemned for turning away from God. Israel had been warned not to marry foreign wives , because they would turn their heart away from serving God, and this exact thing happened to Solomon. God “was angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the Lord… who had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods“. Despite all his wisdom, “his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father.”

By contrast, Jesus emphasises the importance of faith and prayer, using the metaphor of moving mountains to describe the power of faith. Solomon lost his faith, but we are exhorted to build on our faith. “Make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love….for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.“

 

Mark 10

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“With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” Mankind is incapable of saving itself, but God “has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing… predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ“. We have been offered an undeserved gift, to be called God’s children, made righteous through our faith. Let’s be guided by that knowledge in our life, willing to leave behind all that this world offers, content in the certainty of our eternal inheritance made possible by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.