Mark 16:17-18
17 These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
Message: Apostolic Signs and Wonders
Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.
What the Lord is Saying:
Preface - Jesus has been crucified but now He lives. He died on Friday and rose on Sunday, appearing first to Mary Magdalene, then 2 disciples followed by the rest of the disciples (minus Thomas) and in the process He reproves the disciples. They were not trusting that He had appeared to others. They trusted only in themselves and He corrects them in this but then He also commissions them to Go and preach the Gospel. This gospel message is believing (in Him) followed by baptism. If one does not believe He will be condemned.
Lord, continue to help me unpack the truths of this message that You are giving to me as I read Your word. The message of the gospel is interwoven in this book and even today it has meaning to people's lives. Help me to know how to communicate that to others. Lord, I don't want to just have an internal understanding and book knowledge, but want to be able to pass this onto others. Not so we just all live successful lives, but saved lives. Thank you for saving my wife, my son, my daughter and her husband and continue to work in my youngest son's life to bring him (and his girlfriend) to salvation. Lord, they need You and need You to be their light.
Jesus is speaking here and he continues to deliver a message to His disciples. He last specifically spoke to them at the Passover and the breaking of bread and drinking of wine as His body, His blood. He has declared that His body has been broken and blood spilled for them. He became the Lamb of God before their eyes. He tells them to preach the gospel and then also tells them this means believing.
It has been clear that His message to His disciples has never simply been a message of gaining information but it has always been about being ministers of the Gospel. We are not placed on this earth simply to gain a different understanding from our peers, but to serve our peers and minister to them. Jesus will now say some radical things about people carrying on His message and doing things in His name. These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” The radical look at things that He communicates - cast out demons, speak with new tongues, pick up serpents, drink deadly, lay hands on the sick -- sort of baffles us. On one hand we don't see some of these practices in our world today. Are we supposed to see them exactly as they are said by Jesus or is Jesus rather simply telling us that people will do radical things when they place their faith in Jesus and believe.
As I unpack these words from Jesus and try to figure out what He means, I recognize that in my life as a Christian I have been somewhat trained that these seemingly supernatural situations in the life of a believer do not occur today. They occurred with frequency during the time of the life of the apostles, from the death of Jesus and His commission to them in AD 33 to the time of the last apostles death around AD 100. But, since then they do not occur. Yet, many say they do occur and many ministries have capitalized on this and have a great following because of believing this ongoing ministry.
At first I see that Jesus does say there will be signs that accompany a believer. There are clear evidences therefore of a person that believes and follows Christ. He states clearly that not simply the disciples but believers will cast out demons, speak with new tongues, pick up serpents, lay hands on the sick and the sick will recover. The idea about drinking deadly poison and it not hurting them is an option rather than an prescribed thing. But, to me it also says that they naturally follow in the life of a believer. It is not a manufactured thing. Obviously, I think we must be careful in feeling like these exact things will follow in the life of a believer. My life has not exhibited these things, that I am aware of, but I also don't know the extent of my prayers in laying hands on the sick. Perhaps signs and wonders were needed more at this time of history.
So I'm not quick to necessarily write all of these things off, but I'm still, as a 51 year old man, and a follower of Christ since I was 1 month prior of my 15th birthday, trying to understand what this means to this day. Some clearly have these convictions so I pray for wisdom in not quickly judging them.
Summary - Jesus continues with His people to the disciples and after telling them to go and preach the gospel and that believing results in baptism and not believing, condemnation. He now passes onto them the idea that the believer in Christ is able to do things not previously done in that person's life. Believing in Christ changes us. Now people clearly did radical things then, but does this same practice follow today? I am not sure. The evidence would seem to be - no.
Promise: Signs accompany the believers life. Great things will follow the believer in life. The extent and variety of those signs is uncertain to me. But, I believe in Him.
Prayer: Lord, I pray for your understanding of these words. What is important to me is that a new life in Christ is simply that - a new life in Christ. Continue to train me in being Godly and serving others, for it is clear to me that ministering to others is what you are showing a new believer's life is about.
Showing posts with label Sick. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sick. Show all posts
Thursday, December 13, 2018
Monday, March 26, 2018
Mark 6:53-56 - Healings in Gennesaret
Mark 6:53-56
53 When they had crossed over they came to land at Gennesaret, and moored to the shore. 54 When they got out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, 55 and ran about that whole country and began to carry here and there on their pallets those who were sick, to the place they heard He was. 56 Wherever He entered villages, or cities, or countryside, they were laying the sick in the market places, and imploring Him that they might just touch the fringe of His cloak; and as many as touched it were being cured.
Message: Healings in Gennesaret
Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.
What the Lord is Saying:
Preface - Jesus comes to Nazareth and continues to teach but also experiences a little opposition from his friends and family. He sends out his disciples to teach and heal. The message is becoming more well known. Herod Antipas, one of 4 rulers of Rome, wonders if Jesus is a resurrected John (John has previously been killed by him and that story is recounted I think partly to show us that the message of the gospel is sometimes not well received). The disciples return and report on what they have done and taught. Jesus sends them away for rest, but the people are there waiting for them, in the 1000s. Jesus teaches the people. The disciples then send them away for food, but Jesus shows the disciples how they can be fed, feeding over 5,000. Jesus then puts the disciples on a boat, sends the people away, and goes to the mountain to pray. Jesus continues to teach the disciples, showing them that he is in control of all and wherever they go they can trust him. No matter what the experience presents itself to them, he can still be trusted. He will literally and figuratively calm whatever comes into their lives.
It is interesting, Mark speaks a lot about Jesus healing. It remains of interest to me what Mark emphasizes in this gospel of Jesus as the gospels seem to me to express the basis of all that we all hold dear in scripture. Thus far the message of Jesus has been simple - repent and believe - and be forgiven. There are other subjects that have come up as Jesus communicates to us that he is more than simply a man and this is what Mark seems to be emphasizing over and over. Jesus is walking as a man, but is more than a man.
As they get off the boat and are in Gennesaret, which is across from the Sea of Galilee, Jesus and the disciples come upon a lot of people. Word of Jesus has spread. This is clear. In the feeding of the 5,000, there were thought to be double of triple this amount as 5,000 only spoke of the men. People had come from many other places to see Jesus. And now Jesus sets foot in Gennesaret and once again word of him is out. Perhaps any one of the disciples has already been to this region and spoken of him as well. On a note, Mark's gospel actually offers a difference from the other gospels in this account. While being in Gennesaret isn't a problem, Mark gives the idea that they came from Bethsaida whereas the rest of the gospels speak of the feeding occurring in Bethsaida. For Mark, after the feeding they got in a boat and went to Bethsaida. I've read several accounts and explanations for this, but the consensus is that this is an unanswered question and the writers couldn't have known at the time that every word of there's would be placed under a microscope.
When they got out of the boat, immediately [the people] recognized Him, and ran about that whole country and began to carry here and there on their pallets those who were sick. In some ways most of the gospel so far has been about healings and miracles. Yet, lately it seems that Jesus is still trying to teach his disciples. Wherever He entered villages, or cities, or countryside, they were laying the sick in the market places, and imploring Him that they might just touch the fringe of His cloak; and as many as touched it were being cured. Again, the focus in this passage is Jesus healing. But the people believe in His Power because their desire is simply to touch the fringe of His garment. Like the woman in the crowd who was healed just by touching Jesus' garment, this is the common faith now also. Again, what mere man could have this kind of power over people's lives?
as many as touched it were being cured - this is most compelling. The mere touch resulted in being cured. But, if all Jesus is, is a healer, then people have missed the point. Yes, he is there to change our lives, but it is more than this. Because of His Power, we can trust in who he is and all that he says. He is not a momentary need to our lives, but we need Him every hour. He is on earth, testifying or showing people the true God.
Summary - Jesus and the disciples come to the City of Gennesaret and word of Jesus has spread to the point that people come to him in waves bringing people to Jesus for healing, only wanting to touch his garment to receive healing. Their faith in him is great.
Promise: God is sovereign and he chooses to heal whom he heals. We come to him by faith. But ultimately we trust in Him and see that He has power over our lives in ways that go beyond a healing touch of a physical sickness.
Prayer: Lord, give me understanding of this text and what it means to me today. Thank you for the testimony of this text and the faith of the people that came to you, merely to touch you, to receive their healing. Lord, I pray that my faith is like this.
53 When they had crossed over they came to land at Gennesaret, and moored to the shore. 54 When they got out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, 55 and ran about that whole country and began to carry here and there on their pallets those who were sick, to the place they heard He was. 56 Wherever He entered villages, or cities, or countryside, they were laying the sick in the market places, and imploring Him that they might just touch the fringe of His cloak; and as many as touched it were being cured.
Message: Healings in Gennesaret
Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.
What the Lord is Saying:
Preface - Jesus comes to Nazareth and continues to teach but also experiences a little opposition from his friends and family. He sends out his disciples to teach and heal. The message is becoming more well known. Herod Antipas, one of 4 rulers of Rome, wonders if Jesus is a resurrected John (John has previously been killed by him and that story is recounted I think partly to show us that the message of the gospel is sometimes not well received). The disciples return and report on what they have done and taught. Jesus sends them away for rest, but the people are there waiting for them, in the 1000s. Jesus teaches the people. The disciples then send them away for food, but Jesus shows the disciples how they can be fed, feeding over 5,000. Jesus then puts the disciples on a boat, sends the people away, and goes to the mountain to pray. Jesus continues to teach the disciples, showing them that he is in control of all and wherever they go they can trust him. No matter what the experience presents itself to them, he can still be trusted. He will literally and figuratively calm whatever comes into their lives.
It is interesting, Mark speaks a lot about Jesus healing. It remains of interest to me what Mark emphasizes in this gospel of Jesus as the gospels seem to me to express the basis of all that we all hold dear in scripture. Thus far the message of Jesus has been simple - repent and believe - and be forgiven. There are other subjects that have come up as Jesus communicates to us that he is more than simply a man and this is what Mark seems to be emphasizing over and over. Jesus is walking as a man, but is more than a man.
As they get off the boat and are in Gennesaret, which is across from the Sea of Galilee, Jesus and the disciples come upon a lot of people. Word of Jesus has spread. This is clear. In the feeding of the 5,000, there were thought to be double of triple this amount as 5,000 only spoke of the men. People had come from many other places to see Jesus. And now Jesus sets foot in Gennesaret and once again word of him is out. Perhaps any one of the disciples has already been to this region and spoken of him as well. On a note, Mark's gospel actually offers a difference from the other gospels in this account. While being in Gennesaret isn't a problem, Mark gives the idea that they came from Bethsaida whereas the rest of the gospels speak of the feeding occurring in Bethsaida. For Mark, after the feeding they got in a boat and went to Bethsaida. I've read several accounts and explanations for this, but the consensus is that this is an unanswered question and the writers couldn't have known at the time that every word of there's would be placed under a microscope.
When they got out of the boat, immediately [the people] recognized Him, and ran about that whole country and began to carry here and there on their pallets those who were sick. In some ways most of the gospel so far has been about healings and miracles. Yet, lately it seems that Jesus is still trying to teach his disciples. Wherever He entered villages, or cities, or countryside, they were laying the sick in the market places, and imploring Him that they might just touch the fringe of His cloak; and as many as touched it were being cured. Again, the focus in this passage is Jesus healing. But the people believe in His Power because their desire is simply to touch the fringe of His garment. Like the woman in the crowd who was healed just by touching Jesus' garment, this is the common faith now also. Again, what mere man could have this kind of power over people's lives?
as many as touched it were being cured - this is most compelling. The mere touch resulted in being cured. But, if all Jesus is, is a healer, then people have missed the point. Yes, he is there to change our lives, but it is more than this. Because of His Power, we can trust in who he is and all that he says. He is not a momentary need to our lives, but we need Him every hour. He is on earth, testifying or showing people the true God.
Summary - Jesus and the disciples come to the City of Gennesaret and word of Jesus has spread to the point that people come to him in waves bringing people to Jesus for healing, only wanting to touch his garment to receive healing. Their faith in him is great.
Promise: God is sovereign and he chooses to heal whom he heals. We come to him by faith. But ultimately we trust in Him and see that He has power over our lives in ways that go beyond a healing touch of a physical sickness.
Prayer: Lord, give me understanding of this text and what it means to me today. Thank you for the testimony of this text and the faith of the people that came to you, merely to touch you, to receive their healing. Lord, I pray that my faith is like this.
Saturday, December 9, 2017
Mark 1:29-34 - Healings in Capernaum
Mark 1:29-34
29 And immediately after they came out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon’s mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever; and immediately they spoke to Jesus about her. 31 And He came to her and raised her up, taking her by the hand, and the fever left her, and she waited on them.
32 When evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed. 33 And the whole city had gathered at the door. 34 And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He was not permitting the demons to speak, because they knew who He was.
Message: Healings in Capernaum
Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.
What the Lord is Saying:
I have just left Jesus exorcising a demon from a man in the synagogue. Jesus is getting personal now. He began with the message - repent and believe - and then he called his disciples to be fishers of men. He shared in the synagogue, speaking with authority and along the way, engages with a man with an unclean spirit (possessed) and removes that spirit from him with only a word. Now, he goes to the house of Simon (the Apostle Peter) and Andrew (both his called disciples) with James and John as well coming along, he comes to a sick woman (Simon's mother-in-law) and heals her. Her response is noted - she serves him. Obviously, this type of healing begins to get everyone's attention as news of this spreads and soon many are coming to him to be healed, putting their faith in him (I would imagine).
A couple of notes:
Promise: Jesus continues to be personal, this time healing his disciples' mother-in-law
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your healing touch on our lives and knowing the right time when to reveal yourself to people.
29 And immediately after they came out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon’s mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever; and immediately they spoke to Jesus about her. 31 And He came to her and raised her up, taking her by the hand, and the fever left her, and she waited on them.
32 When evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed. 33 And the whole city had gathered at the door. 34 And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He was not permitting the demons to speak, because they knew who He was.
Message: Healings in Capernaum
Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.
What the Lord is Saying:
I have just left Jesus exorcising a demon from a man in the synagogue. Jesus is getting personal now. He began with the message - repent and believe - and then he called his disciples to be fishers of men. He shared in the synagogue, speaking with authority and along the way, engages with a man with an unclean spirit (possessed) and removes that spirit from him with only a word. Now, he goes to the house of Simon (the Apostle Peter) and Andrew (both his called disciples) with James and John as well coming along, he comes to a sick woman (Simon's mother-in-law) and heals her. Her response is noted - she serves him. Obviously, this type of healing begins to get everyone's attention as news of this spreads and soon many are coming to him to be healed, putting their faith in him (I would imagine).
A couple of notes:
- This passage mentions Peter's mother-in-law which means Peter was married. Thus, Jesus chose a married man to be an apostle.
- Andrew seems to also be living with Simon in the same house
- Immediately into the house, immediately to the matter, immediately healed.
- Mark does note that they came after sundown, thus after the Sabbath day had been completed, as these people still felt like this type of work should not be done until the Sabbath was over. \
- The demons were muzzled
- At various times in the gospels, Jesus does not permit people to speak about him being the Messiah. Jesus did not desire at this time for this to be known by all the people. Therefore, he imposed silence on the evil spirits.
Exorcisms and healing's are supernatural events. Naturally, upon reading these one has a desire to see these events duplicated. This what is recorded as "they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those demon-possessed." But going beyond the account, Jesus saw a need and met it and those people were forever changed.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your healing touch on our lives and knowing the right time when to reveal yourself to people.
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