Author: Aaron Hufty

Re:Verse passage – Mark 6:45-53 (day two)

for they all saw Him and were terrified. But immediately He spoke with them and said to them, “Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid.” v. 50

We have studied Mark for several weeks, and one of the angles we have been studying is how people respond to Jesus. Week after week, Pastor Chris calls everyone to some sort of response in worship. He is giving voice to the work of the Spirit in each service. We are always responding in some way or other. A response that gets a lot of text in scripture is one of fear. When you read the birth narrative in the gospel according to Luke, almost every encounter with the divine is preceded by the statement do not be afraid. That has to mean something, right. When you witness something supernatural there is a fight or flight response that is triggered. When you don’t know how to process what you are experiencing, a common response is fear. That is how we are wired, it’s ok. It is what we do next that matters. When we hear the words ‘do not be afraid’ we are called to trust the messenger and put that fear into action. It is our privilege to be a part of the Kingdom building that is happening all around us, but we must first get out of our own way. The fear response likely tells us that we are not up to the task that we are facing. True statement. The next step for believers is to trust that the Lord will equip you to do just what he has called you to.

Re:Verse passage – Mark 6:30-44 (day two) 

And He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.”  v. 31a

Your job will always ask more of you. Rarely, if ever, will you find in your vocational calling a time that says ‘you’ve done enough, you should relax.’ There is always a benchmark we are reaching, a deadline approaching, and the bottom line to consider. What often makes it worse is if there is a let up of pressure it is often accompanied by a sense of guilt that can come either internally or externally. There will always be more to do. Jesus sets the example for us to breathe. From the earliest pages of scripture, we are told to rest. Even in the midst of an avalanche of needs surrounding Jesus and the disciples, he reminded them of the need to stop. Not forever. We should take seriously the call to work, and to rest.

Re:Verse passage – Mark 6:14-29 (day one) But when Herod heard of it, he kept saying, “John, whom I beheaded, has risen!” V. 16

Herod was a haunted man. Much like the nervous narrator in Edgar Allan Poe’s ‘Tell-Tale Heart’, Herod was haunted by the circumstances that led to his order to behead John the Baptist. That death weighed on him, and that albatross haunted him. When he heard of the work of the disciples his anxiety spiked. It is likely that John was never far from his mind, and hearing of Christ’s ministry was a trigger. Undealt-with sin will do this to you. The decision to kill John was based on a lack of character and other poor life choices that Herod had allowed himself to make. The further you allow sin to eat away at your being the more catastrophic the consequences can be. For all of us it starts with sin, but for the believer it ends with repentance. No matter how far down he rabbit hole you think you are, there is no distance to far for the forgiving mercy of Jesus. Don’t compound sin with sin the way Herod did. Repent and that tell-tale heart will never beat under your floorboard.

Re:Verse passage – Mark 6:7-13 (day two)

And He summoned the twelve and began to send them out in pairs…v. 7a 

It is notable all the things the disciples are instructed not to take, but it struck me today what they did take. They were sent in pairs. This is significant in that Jesus knew the disciples would be aided by the encouragement and accountability of a partner in ministry. Ministry (the kind to which we are ALL called) can be a daunting and draining journey. Each of us will have periods in our call where we feel beat up. There were specific times in Jesus’ earthly journey where he sequestered himself to pray, but how much more did he surround himself with partners in ministry? When we are on mission together we are better. Who are you praying with? Who are you sharing your journey with? Who had Jesus sent to accompany you on your call to serve?

Re:Verse passage – Mark 6:1-6 (day two) 

When the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue… v. 2a

I love this picture of Jesus. It’s one that we don’t often see portrayed. If you think a scene with Jesus, you are likely picturing him at the seashore, in a boat, feeding thousands, or performing a miracle. I don’t want us to miss this picture of Jesus in worship. Most of Jesus’ life, like ours, is spent outside the walls of the church. Much of what Jesus was here to do was to seek and save that which was last. Our call is the same. Living on mission is what we want for every believer. Jesus also made a priority of regular worship on the Sabbath. He gathered with others who wrestled with scripture, and share wisdom to help others understand the mysteries of faith. Gathered worship is a privilege and responsibility for every believer. We gather, first, to honor God. In so doing, we build and edify the church. We are better believers when we faithfully and actively attend worship. By honoring the Lord, and strengthening the body we become better equipped to be on mission outside the walls of the church. See you Sunday.

Re:Verse passage – Mark 5:21-34 (day two)

For she thought, “If I just touch His garments, I will get well.” v. 28

It would be easy to read this story and think the woman was so desperate she was willing to try anything. Indeed, she had trusted doctors, healers, and all sorts of remedies, but this wasn’t the act of ‘let’s try one more thing’ thinking. All of the other remedies and treatments were simply part of a timeline toward an encounter with Jesus. It does make her story more dramatic, yes, but I have known people who have the exact opposite response after a years of being sick. I have seen them resign themselves to whatever is next. It is a defense mechanism against another disappointment. This woman’s actions were so focused on Jesus, she knew that touching him would heal her. That is the faith that Jesus acknowledged. Don’t expect Jesus to be a last resort for you or someone else in a time of hurt or loss. Regardless of your circumstances and how you got there, when it is time to encounter Jesus, do it like this woman: fully commit. The time for doubt, fear, and hesitation are behind. It is now time for healing and wholeness. It is time to touch the savior.

Re:Verse passage – Mark 5:21-23, 35-43 (day two) One of the synagogue officials named Jairus came up, and on seeing Him, fell at His feet ²³ and implored Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death; please come and lay Your hands on her, so that she will get well and live.” v. 22-23

Up to the point that Jesus actually heals this girl, this is a hard story to read. Imagine the anguish of leaving home with a child who in her last hours of life, knowing that the next breath could be her last. Jarius must have been at the point of desperation to leave home to seek out help. Seeking Jesus was his only comfort. Surely this miracle worker could restore her health, but her life? To hear the words that she had died must have broken him. This was another moment of desperation. Would he dare trust Jesus? What if he put his hope in him only to be disappointed. It would be like losing his daughter twice. Could he endure that? Complete trust is never easy. Jarius’ response was indeed a surrender. He surrendered to logic, to the voices of others, and to the promise of Jesus. When he asks you to believe him, surrender.

Re:Verse passage – Mark 5:1-20 (day two) They came to the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gerasenes. v. 1

As I re-read this passage today, it struck me that this was just following Jesus calming the storm. That may seem obvious, but we don’t often follow a strict timeline with some of the narrative readings. The last words of chapter four must still be ringing in the disciple’s ears. What sort of man is this? Did they go back to sleep? Were they up the rest of the night trying to grasp the sovereignty of Jesus? They had seen miracles prior to the night on the sea, but how did that night inform their reverence for Jesus with the miracles that followed. They didn’t have long to ponder these thoughts. As soon as they reached the shore Jesus was approached by the demon-possessed man. This must have been a turning point in the understanding of Christ’s divinity. Every wonder and sign they witnessed from here on out must have had a different significance and weight. Is that different from us? When you met Jesus in a dark place where he removed the burden of sin its penalty, didn’t that change your lip service devotion to him to a complete trust in his Lordship over your life. You may not see him stop a hurricane in the ocean, but he can speak peace to whatever consumes your heart. Everything that follows should be in service to a God who holds it all in his hands.

Re:Verse passage – Mark 4:35-41 (day two)

They became very much afraid and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” v. 41

Yesterday in the re:vlog we touched on this verse briefly and I wanted to dig just a little deeper. If these men, who saw Jesus more than any other, were shocked and surprised by his command over the wind and water, what does that say about our own trust in the absolute authority of Jesus? These men should have known better, and yet it is more often in fear and uncertainty that we solidify our trust in the Lord than in plenty. Miracles were happening everywhere, but the disciples themselves were never in harms way. They weren’t suffering from deadly illness, they weren’t blind. They were witnesses, but not necessary recipients. This time on the water shook their faith. Were they assuming that being with Jesus meant being absent from suffering? Did they think that they would only help dispense with grace and mercy, but never receive any themselves? I don’t want to project any of my own inadequacies upon the disciples, but I understand their one-sided faith. It is often in the raging storm that we learn to fear the Lord, but we don’t have to wait for things to fall to pieces to trust. Thank God for the examples set forth in scripture. We should rejoice that we are not fearing for our lives in the raging sea, but we should be absolutely sure that Jesus can be found there.

Re:Verse passage – Mark 4:26-32 (day two) (A)nd he goes to bed at night and gets up by day, and the seed sprouts and grows—how, he himself does not know. v. 27

Do you like to know how things work? Put another way, do you like to be in control of things? Work, family, relationships, projects, whatever it is, I like to have a sense of being in control. It is one of the reasons I detest roller coasters-that’s a different blog. To some degree or another most of us like that feeling on controlling a situation. There is security in knowing how things will go. Following a recipe can be so rewarding because you know what the result will be if you faithfully follow the plan. Walking in faith is an exercise in trust. We must trust the Lord to do the work that we cannot. Surrender is one of the cardinal principles of following Jesus. The need to know step a, b, and c are lost in the desire to obey and trust the Lord to give you what you need for the moment. For people like me that can sound terrifying, but in the cosmic Kingdom of God, it is reassuring to know that the outcome is not based on me, and if I’m honest that’s really better for us all.