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The Gospel of Mark, chapter three today:
On a Sabbath, in a synagogue, Jesus encounters a man with a withered hand. The stage is set for a showdown with the religious leaders of the day, who wondered, "Will this man heal a man, which is work, on a Sabbath?" Jesus asks the man to come to the front of the synagogue and there asks, "Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do goo or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" Great question, but no one answered. They knew better. Their silence angered Jesus, for He knew he was facing hardened hearts and closed minds about what God could do through Him. Jesus then orders the man to stretch forth his hand, and he was healed. Instead of rejoicing and thanking God for this miracle, the Pharisees leave to meet with the Herodians to plot the murder of Jesus.
Jesus' ministry continues to draw great crowds. The late Rev. Bill Hinson, of FUMC-Houston, used to say, "Preach Jesus and you will draw crowds!" And people are drawn to the truth of God's love in action; where healing and restoration occur. Jesus offered healing and deliverance from evil spirits.
Mark has the final line-up of the Twelve Apostles, with a definition given of an apostle; they who can learn from Jesus, be ready to be sent to preach by Him, and who have authority to drive out demons. The twelve include Simon, called Peter by Jesus, James and John, the sons of Zebedee also called Boanerges, which means "Sons of Thunder", Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James, son of Alphaaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus.
Jesus's fame drew yet another crowd to a home, where the crowd was so large Jesus and the disciples could not eat. You and I have been to some of those covered dishes, have we not? But it was there that Jesus is accused of being possessed by Beelzebub, for they believed Jesus had this power to drive out demons from him. Jesus asks, "How can Satan drive out Satan? A divided kingdom cannot stand, nor can a divided house, nor can Satan oppose Satan." Jesus also stresses the need to be aware of blaspheming the Holy Spirit, the only unforgivable sin.
The chapter closes with Jesus having to endure attacks even from his family, who believe Him to be mad. When Mary and His brothers and sister show up to take control of Him, as Mark describes it, Jesus replies that whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother."
MARK MY WORDS PRAYER: Lord of truth, health, and peace, restore in my life whatever is withered. Let me live a life that "preaches" Jesus so that more will know Your love. May demons, evil spirits and any attack against me flee! I want to be an apostle and a member of Jesus' family! In Jesus' powerful name I pray, amen!
