Word@Work 028 - Mark 3:7-8
Published: Wed, 12/19/07
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 3:7-8 Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed. When they heard all he was doing, many people came to him from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon. (NIV)
The gospel story is a moving one - literally! Jesus moved to call disciples ... they moved from their jobs to follow Him ... and Jesus kept on moving, (Mark keeps using "immediately" or "the next day" to indicate the dynamic movement in Christ's ministry) and crowds of ordinary people covered large distances to keep up with Him.
So while Pharisees and Herodians were plotting to kill Jesus, He was training His disciples to move to where God would speak.
Missionary stories in Acts show that every move away from violent hatred was a new opportunity to speak the truth of Jesus, and let Him demonstrate His power. Indeed, without aggressive antagonism, the Apostles may not have moved so far or fast - and the gospel may not have been heard or obeyed in many places.
One reason (and this is not the only one) that hostility is allowed, is so that we will move on. It prevents us feeling comfortable and being inert. We always need to advance in endurance and faith, and opposition might be the spur to trust God more where we are; but could it be that the threat of relocation or redundancy might be a divinely appointed new ministry opportunity? Don't get trapped by adverse circumstances or aggressive people - Jesus wasn't: it may just be the nudge you need to move into new service for Him.
Prayer: Dear Father, help me not to be phased by hostility. Teach me in what new way You wish to demonstrate Your power and truth through me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
The gospel story is a moving one - literally! Jesus moved to call disciples ... they moved from their jobs to follow Him ... and Jesus kept on moving, (Mark keeps using "immediately" or "the next day" to indicate the dynamic movement in Christ's ministry) and crowds of ordinary people covered large distances to keep up with Him.
So while Pharisees and Herodians were plotting to kill Jesus, He was training His disciples to move to where God would speak.
Missionary stories in Acts show that every move away from violent hatred was a new opportunity to speak the truth of Jesus, and let Him demonstrate His power. Indeed, without aggressive antagonism, the Apostles may not have moved so far or fast - and the gospel may not have been heard or obeyed in many places.
One reason (and this is not the only one) that hostility is allowed, is so that we will move on. It prevents us feeling comfortable and being inert. We always need to advance in endurance and faith, and opposition might be the spur to trust God more where we are; but could it be that the threat of relocation or redundancy might be a divinely appointed new ministry opportunity? Don't get trapped by adverse circumstances or aggressive people - Jesus wasn't: it may just be the nudge you need to move into new service for Him.
Prayer: Dear Father, help me not to be phased by hostility. Teach me in what new way You wish to demonstrate Your power and truth through me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
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