DAY 084: JOURNEY THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR – MARK 3-4

March 23, 2024

MARK 3-4
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DAY 084: JOURNEY THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR

Today we return to the Gospels. The Gospel of Mark, Mark chapters 3-4, to be precise. We will see people who are resistant to change, the Pharisees and the Herodians. People will be in awe of the miracles that Jesus performs. We will encounter people who are confused by what they were taught by their parents and at the temple with the teaching of the Living Word, Jesus.

Take a few moments to seek God’s understanding and guidance on our journey through Mark 3-4. Read chapters 3-4 of Mark. Let’s journey!

The Book of Mark is the shortest of the four Gospels and is believed to have been the first. Mark, the author, was not a disciple of Jesus, he was around during the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry and his mother’s home was often a place of gathering for the early church. Mark wrote his gospel, likely with the help of the Apostle Peter, for Gentiles, especially Romans, and it shows Jesus as the ultimate servant and a person of action. Around the time of his writing, Roman Emperor Nero had blamed this new Christian religion for the fire of Rome, which unleashed persecution against the church. It was during this era of fear for the new church, in which Mark wrote about the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Mark 3-4: As we begin our journey, Jesus encounters a man with a shriveled hand at the temple. It is the Sabbath. Tension builds. The Pharisees watch Jesus carefully. The Pharisees seek the Herodians to plot to kill Jesus. The Pharisees, if they genuinely knew the law, they did not know how to apply the law to daily living: they did not understand relationships. Jesus called them “stubborn.” Crowds begin to follow Jesus. Jesus is accused by the Pharisees of being possessed by the devil. Jesus’s family finds themselves confused. Jesus teaches His disciples and the apostles, through parables, about their mission and what the Kingdom of God is like. Chapter 4 contains the Parable of the Sower, the Parable of A Lamp on a Stand, the Parable of the Growing Seed, and the Parable of the Mustard Seed. Our reading today concludes with Jesus calming a storm on the Sea of Galilee, showing the Apostles that He is God. In one short moment, Jesus slept as man and awoke to command the sea to calm. What do you think the Apostles were thinking? (Mark 3:1-4:41)

As you read chapters 3 and 4 of Mark, consider the following: The Gospels are about sharing the “Good News” with everyone we encounter throughout our life’s journey. We are not to dwell with sin but we are to share the “Good News” with sinners. Have you shared the “Good News” with someone lately? What have you learned today that you can share with someone you know?

Godspeace!