Word@Word 038 - Mark 4:1-2
Published: Fri, 01/11/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 4:1-2 Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered round him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water's edge. He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said:... (NIV)
Again, Jesus was teaching. Although Jesus did many miracles, they could never, by themselves, be His story. In the previous chapter religious people thought that Satan was the source of His power - so even His miracles could not describe Jesus. Liberal and false thinking easily develops when you make your own interpretation of what an action means. That is spiritually so inept. Clear definition requires a verbal explanation.
It was never enough for Jesus to do miracles; it was only through His teaching that the crowd could get the 'reason to believe' in Him. The messages (including parables) had two great defining purposes. First, He was recognised as speaking with authority. Secondly, He did not just say what was right, but He was the only person who was always 'in the right' - the only righteous person who could legitimately invite personal faith.
The crowds wanted to see and hear: the disciples needed to be taught. It was the 12 picked men who were to play such a special role after Christ's travelling ministry - Judas to betray and disappear, and the 11 others to be filled with the Spirit and lead the church after Pentecost.
Leadership training is critical to the growth of the church and Jesus is still selecting people who get instructed again and again. We never stop learning until we meet Him face to face. There are lessons to learn today from your Bible reading.
Prayer: Father in Heaven, thank You for wanting to instruct me. Help me to be a good learner and keep an appetite for regular instruction. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
Again, Jesus was teaching. Although Jesus did many miracles, they could never, by themselves, be His story. In the previous chapter religious people thought that Satan was the source of His power - so even His miracles could not describe Jesus. Liberal and false thinking easily develops when you make your own interpretation of what an action means. That is spiritually so inept. Clear definition requires a verbal explanation.
It was never enough for Jesus to do miracles; it was only through His teaching that the crowd could get the 'reason to believe' in Him. The messages (including parables) had two great defining purposes. First, He was recognised as speaking with authority. Secondly, He did not just say what was right, but He was the only person who was always 'in the right' - the only righteous person who could legitimately invite personal faith.
The crowds wanted to see and hear: the disciples needed to be taught. It was the 12 picked men who were to play such a special role after Christ's travelling ministry - Judas to betray and disappear, and the 11 others to be filled with the Spirit and lead the church after Pentecost.
Leadership training is critical to the growth of the church and Jesus is still selecting people who get instructed again and again. We never stop learning until we meet Him face to face. There are lessons to learn today from your Bible reading.
Prayer: Father in Heaven, thank You for wanting to instruct me. Help me to be a good learner and keep an appetite for regular instruction. 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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