Verse of the Day 2/17

Through the Bible - Leviticus 21-23, Mark 2

 

Good morning,

Having gone through Matthew and moving into Mark you will notice several changes.

Matthew had been a tax collector and his gospel was detailed and spent a lot of time in covering certain important events such as the "Sermon on the Mount".  I've studied and been involved in studies in Matthew, Luke, and John but for whatever reason, not Mark.

 

Preparing to go through Mark this month I did some background reading.  Matthew's gospel was written primarily to a Jewish audience whereas Marks was targeted towards Roman believers and other gentiles.  This would explain why Matthew references the kingdom of heaven (not wanting to use the word God) in writing to his Jewish audience and Mark writing about the kingdom of God.

 

One pastor recommended listening to the book on tape in one sitting.  I did so on the way down to Anderson SC the other night.

 

Then it pretty much hit me.  The other gospels went into more detail in some areas, focusing on some as "episodes" as it were.  The book of Mark is set up more like an autobiographical movie.  Listening to the book on tape takes about an hour and a half, about the length of an average movie.  It moves from scene to scene at a quick pace accentuated by the use of the word "immediately" which , depending on translations, will come up some 40 times, more than twice as much as in Matthew and Luke combined.

 

Another important point in this "movie" is something that we considered yesterday in the "great commision", authority.  Today's verse touches on the subject.

 

Mark 1:21 Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught. 22 And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.   NKJV
or from the NLT

Mark 1:21 Jesus and his companions went to the town of Capernaum. When the Sabbath day came, he went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22 The people were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike the teachers of religious law.

Many times you'lll see the works of Jesus, showing His authority, showing immediate results, contrary to the words of the scribes - the teachers of the religious law.

 

John MacArthur writes, "Jesus' authoritative teaching, as the spoken Word of God was in sharp contrast to that of the scribes (experts in the O.T. scriptures) who based their authority largely on that of other rabbis. Jesus' direct, personal, and forceful teaching was so foreign to their experience that those who heard Him were astonished."

 

In the world around us, even in our churches, there are many 12 step programs which guide us through and beyond problems.  Often times we think it is unreasonable to expect an about face, especially in an area of our lives which with we've struggled with for years.  But Christ through God's Word and the power of the Holy Spirit, has the power to change us, in an instant.  Will we believe it?

 

From here Mark leads us through miracles and teachings of Jesus that astonish people and flabergast the pharisees because the evidence of His power, His authority, is put before them in rapidfire progression.

Take a few minutes and read the first chapter.  If you have time during the week or next weekend and have access to it on tape give it a listen.  Perhaps you, like I , will have a greater appreciation of this gospel and God's Word.

 

What authority does God's Word have for you, does it show in your life?

In Christ,

Mike

 

Mark 1:21-29

Jesus Casts Out an Evil Spirit

21 Jesus and his companions went to the town of Capernaum. When the Sabbath day came, he went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22 The people were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike the teachers of religious law.

23 Suddenly, a man in the synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit began shouting, 24 "Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One sent from God!"

25 Jesus cut him short. "Be quiet! Come out of the man," he ordered. 26 At that, the evil spirit screamed, threw the man into a convulsion, and then came out of him.

27 Amazement gripped the audience, and they began to discuss what had happened. "What sort of new teaching is this?" they asked excitedly. "It has such authority! Even evil spirits obey his orders!" 28 The news about Jesus spread quickly throughout the entire region of Galilee.   NLT