Author: Larry Soape

Re:Verse reading – Mark 7:1-23 (day four)

It is so easy for us to look for someone else to blame for our shortcomings (better interpreted as sins).  The scribes and Pharisees had come up with all kinds of laws and traditions to avoid having to be obedient to God’s laws.  Jesus discerned their true motives and pointed out the reality of their hypocrisy.  It is what comes out of you…your heart…that defiles you!  We find the same excuses.  It is the people I am around, the culture I have grown up in, the circumstances of my life that have affected my decisions.  Jesus says, “Wrong!”

The evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness…these come from our sinful hearts!  Have you ever thought—‘I’ve done pretty good lately and don’t really have any sins to confess’?  Maybe you have, but a lot of darkness hides in our hearts.  Ask God to continually search your heart and see if there is any wicked way.  He can clean it!

Re:Verse reading– Mark 6:1-13 (day four)

Jesus and His disciples went to Nazareth, Jesus’ hometown.  They had been all over teaching, healing, and doing wonderful miracles.  As the people of Nazareth heard Jesus preach, they were amazed.  They were also jealous and unbelieving.  “Wasn’t this the carpenter’s son whose family lives right here among us?  Who does He think He is, anyway?”  As a result of their unbelief, scripture says that Jesus was unable to perform any miracles.  He could only heal a few sick people.

It is not as if Jesus was not powerful enough to do the miracles or did not have enough authority to accomplish them.  Apparently, God has chosen to work through the faith of men in order to do mighty things.  In the absence of any faith, Jesus could do little.

What if that is true today?  What if God chooses to limit His work in a city, or state, or nation or home, because of the unbelief of the people?  Could God’s church be the cause of a lack of power being demonstrated in a city?  Will we trust in the Lord and release the power of God among the people?

Re:Verse reading– Mark 5:1-20 (day four)

“What can God do with me?  I’m just one person!”  Have you ever said this…or at least thought it?  What a great answer to the question is found here in Mark.  The Decapolis, home of the Gerasenes, was a pagan land.  There were no God-followers in this region.  It was what we would call an UPG (Unreached People Group) today.  When they saw Jesus and what He had done, they asked Him to leave immediately.

After Jesus’ encounter with the demoniac, it was natural that the man who was formerly possessed by legions of demons would want to go with Jesus.  In V. 19, Jesus gave him a command…very similar to our Great Commission…to ‘go and tell’.  In Mark 7:31, we see the results of this man’s obedience.  Jesus and His disciples returned to the region of Decapolis.  Multitudes were now seeking Jesus…from one man’s witness.

Back to our original question…”what can God do with me?”  Go to your people and tell and let’s see what God can do!

Re:Verse reading–Mark 3: 20-35 (day four)

They must have been listening to the mainstream press…even Jesus’ own kinsmen thought He was misguided.  His mother and brothers did not yet understand Jesus’ mission.  He knew it very clearly…Jesus knew why He had come to earth.

By the time we get to Acts and witness the starting of the church, James…the brother of Jesus…has figured it out.  He has witnessed the resurrection and understood who Jesus was.  In Acts 12:17, we find he is a leader in the church.  James had known Jesus…as a brother…but he had to know Him as his redeemer before he found truth.

Being from a ‘christian’ nation, we could mistake knowledge of Jesus for a relationship with Jesus.  Jesus said, “For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother…”  Just like James, we not only have to know the will of God…we have to obey it!  Head knowledge will not suffice… we must move that knowledge to our heart.

Re:Verse reading–Mark 2:1-12 (day four)

(Vv. 9-12) This was a real dilemma for the scribes.  Here they were, thinking to themselves, and Jesus calls them out!  “How did He know what I was thinking?”  And to make matters even worse, Jesus asks them a question.   They certainly can’t answer it!  If they say it is easier to forgive than heal, and then He heals the paralytic, they would have to admit that Jesus had authority to forgive sins.  If they said it is harder to forgive than to heal, then there was not a visible way for them to convince the people that Jesus did not have the authority.  How could they possibly get out of this one?  They were not willing to acknowledge that Jesus had any authority.

What would your answer be?  Do you acknowledge that Jesus has the authority to forgive?  Are you willing to yield to His authority and submit to it?  If Jesus came to forgive our sins and provide for salvation, how will you respond?

Re:Verse reading–Mark 1:21-39 (day four)

V. 24 – “…I know who You are—the Holy one of God!”

The bible study, Christianity Explored, teaches through the book of Mark.  There are three important lessons about Christ found in Mark.  These lessons must be addressed by everyone.  They are Identity, Mission, and Call…Who is Jesus?  Why did He come?  and, What does it mean to follow Him?  Each of us must answer these questions in our life.

As we study through the book of Mark, pay attention to the verses that give us answers to these three questions.  Throughout the Old Testament, we read of God’s unfolding plan to draw people into a relationship with Him.  In Mark’s Gospel, we see that plan reaching its conclusion.  Mark quotes the Old Testament frequently to help us answer these important questions.  Ultimately, we must decide what we will do with Jesus.  Identity…Mission…Call  Pay attention…your answers may be the difference in your eternity.