John 10:17-21 - The Shepherd's Charge from His Father

John 10:17-21

17 For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. 18 No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.”

19 A division occurred again among the Jews because of these words. 20 Many of them were saying, “He has a demon and is insane. Why do you listen to Him?” 21 Others were saying, “These are not the sayings of one demon-possessed. A demon cannot open the eyes of the blind, can he?”

Message: The Shepherd's Charge from His Father

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)." 

What the Lord is Saying: This passage, beginning in verse 1, is teaching giving an allegory stating that He is the door and He is the shepherd for the sheep. The sheep are those of the fold of Israel (v. 1), but also those that are of another fold - the Gentiles (v. 16). His sheep hear His voice. Others my try to dissuade the sheep, but the sheep are in tune to the shepherd, which is Jesus. Salvation is found in Jesus. 

And then in verse 11, He mentions that the shepherd will lay down His life for His sheep. Just as the Father knows the Son Jesus, Jesus knows the sheep (v. 15). Jesus, as a man, a perfect man, has a relationship with Father God that is unique. And the benefactors of this relationship is His sheep. Verse 17 is a verse that communicates - God's Love, His death, and His resurrection. Jesus will die but then He will take back His life again. He does this all by the authority of God (v. 18). Even as Jesus dies on the cross, he states, "And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT.” Having said this, He breathed His last (Luke 23:46). 

After stating this, the division continues among the Jews listening, some believe He has a demon and some do not. This word for division is used in John 7:43 and John 9:16. 

Summary: Because of the Father and Son's love toward one another, Jesus will lay down His life and take it up again (resurrection). This continues to cause division among the Jews. 

Promise: Jesus is our Shepherd who guides us wherever we should go. 

Prayer: Thank you for the Special relationship God you have with your Son Jesus. You sent Him into this world of ours that I live in  to show us the way of salvation. In Jesus' name we are saved. Let all people behold this truth. Give all people this understanding. God, you are good and holy and your ways are right. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's. 

John 8:48-55 - The One Who Seeks Christ's Glory

John 8:48-55

48 The Jews answered and said to Him, "Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon? 49 Jesus answered, "I do not have a demon, but I honor My Father and you dishonor Me. 50 But I do not seek My glory; there is One who seeks and judges. 51 Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death." 52 The Jews said to Him, "Now we know that You have a demon. Abraham died, and the prophets also, and You say, "If anyone keeps My word, he shall never taste of death." 53 Surely You are not greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets died too, whom do You make yourself out to be?" 54 Jesus answered, "If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing; it is My Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say, 'He is our God'; 55 and you have not come to know Him, but I know Him; and if I say that I do not know Him, I shall be a liar like you, but I do know Him, and keep His word. 

Message: The One Who Seeks Christ's Glory

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)." 

What the Lord is Saying: Jesus has just stated that those who are of God are the ones that hear the word of God. Jesus is stating this because the Jews that are speaking to Him (in Jerusalem) are not believing in Him. In verse 43 He says, "You cannot hear My word." In some of my previous studies I have seen that the only way people can hear of God is if God awakens them to be able to hear. In John 6:44 Jesus says, "No one came come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him." It seems we are drawn by the Father, awakened by the Spirit or born of the Spirit (3:6). And yet the Jews are stating that because of being the offspring of Abraham, they are not enslaved (3:33) and do not need to be set free (3:32) and yet Jesus makes known that everyone is born of sin is a slave of sin (3:34). But the Jews continue to focus on their relationship to Abraham. And because they do not accept Jesus and His words, Jesus also states they are of the devil (3:44). Strong words. Confrontational words. Sort of attacking words. 

Because following Jesus stating that they don't hear from God, the Jews now (v. 48) follow up by stating Jesus is a Samaritan and a demon. These words by the Jews are I think more of an assertion that Jesus is a heretic. Jews believed the Samaritans were the worst of the human race. And the confrontation that He is of the devil or Satan is more that he has an evil spirit. 

Jesus continues in his conversation to state that He is only interested in advancing the Father - honoring Him. He is not even focused on His own glory (v. 54). These are necessary words as well toward His audience. Jesus is unselfish and while He wants people to Believe in Him this is because the Father has sent him for this purpose - to believe in Him and not perish, but to have eternal life. And then in the process people will do great things (7:38). 

Jesus is also speaking that people that believe in Him will not perish and will not taste death, but will truly live. As He has been speaking of eternal life. The Jews understood what He was saying as they mention that Abraham and the prophets died (v. 52). And so the Jews see that Jesus is asserting that He is indeed greater than Abraham and the prophets (v. 53). Jesus is consistent. He has been stating this message throughout John and this is the message John wants to present to us. 

Summary: Jesus is all about the Father's glory, though the Jews believe he has an evil spirit. 

Promise: We can conquer death, but only by believing in Jesus, agreeing with the Father, who glorifies Jesus. 

Prayer: Jesus you are Lord. You are the only way for me to have eternal life. I do believe in You and agree that the Father sent you to be glorified. Father, draw people to You. Transform lives. Help people to discover the real meaning of the Gospel. Thank you for the clarity of Your Word and how it penetrates me. And brings life to me. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's. 

Mark 16:17-18 - Apostolic Signs and Wonders

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.

Mark 16:9-11 - The Preservation of Scripture

Mark 16:9-11
[9 Now after He had risen early on the first day of the week, He first appeared to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons. 10 She went and reported to those who had been with Him, while they were mourning and weeping. 11 When they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they refused to believe it.]

Message: The Preservation of Scripture

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 risen from the dead, according to the young man inside the tomb that the 3 women (Mary Magdalene, Mary, and Silome) heard from. They are to tell the disciples and Peter that Jesus will meet them at Galilee. The 3 women leave, but tell no one in Jerusalem; they have fear. [The words of Mark perhaps have come to a close; and now verses 9-20 are from someone different.]

These verses obviously seem different, perhaps a 4th gospel writer. There are differing opinions of these following verses but generally it is thought that Mark's words were destroyed and these words were then created to close out this writing and parallel the accounts of Matthew and John

Now after He had risen early on the first day of the week, He first appeared to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons. As I have talked about, the fact that Jesus first appears to a woman and that is the record is odd given the fact that a woman's testimony is already not highly thought of during these times. Not any more should be read into Mary Magdalene's life than what we know from scripture. Mark has previously not recorded this casting out of demons. It is recorded in a small way by Luke in 8:2 - and some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out. This casting out occurred for Mary at a young age. She must have been affected by it throughout her life for she continued to follow Jesus later in life. There were 7 demons in her, thus she was completely overrun by these demons as 7 is a number of completeness.

She went with the other women and reported to those who had been with Him (the disciples which is what the young man (angel) had asked them to do, while they were mourning and weeping. So they were mourning and weeping. They had lost their deer Master. Despite the fact that they had somewhat fled and not identified themselves with Him, out of fear of being caught and seized as well, but still they knew their master to be great. They knew Him to be one they adored. For three years they had followed Him and been with Him watching Him do things that they could not do. And now it was over. They were at a loss. They had been corrected many times of their little faith. They had been tasked to do things by Him but they often failed. They failed to see the way He saw things but instead they were short-sighted. Obviously, they had big emotion now. It had been 2 days, but the weeping and mourning was still fresh. Yesterday was probably the events of the Sabbath, but today they were free once again to dwell again on what they are missing now not having Him with them. I guess I think of this mourning and weeping because I sense in myself that same sort of way in which I have at various times in my Jesus following life times of turning away and not admitting that I am with Jesus - and following those times there is remorse; there is discouragement.

When they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they refused to believe it. Despite Jesus repeatedly telling them that his death and resurrection were imminent they still did not believe it was actually going to happen. Yet, he did die as he said he would and yet they still did not believe that He had actually been made alive. Their faith is surely shallow and yet they would all one day die for Him. They were people that obviously had to go through a lot to actually have faith in Him. Many people today live in the same way - they are a hard sell to the Gospel of Grace. And it also that they did not believe because Mary was the one stating it. See, once again, the words of a woman are not reliable. The disciples don't even believe.

Summary - At this moment, all that this present is the witness of a woman and that is not reliable evidence so therefore the disciples do not believe. A young man (angel) has spoken to the women, but the disciples have not seen Jesus and so they do not believe. Yes, they are still sad and mourning over their loss, but they don't believe.

Promise: Despite the communication of truth, people still do not believe. Even disciples who were with Jesus for 3 years and saw firsthand all that he did, still when they are told by a woman that He has risen, they still do not believe. We are people of little faith. I need to have more compassion toward those who do not believe.

Prayer: Lord, you are teaching me right now that I need to have more compassion toward other people that question You and do not have a belief in You. Help me Lord to believe this. I was saddened last night at a Christmas party to witness so many people deceived as they lived their religious life, were friendly, and nice, and yet did not have the complete message and why would they even believe. It was sad to witness and yet I stood there silent. I kept my faith within me and didn't take the time to share to even those that could hear. Lord, help me to have more compassion toward other people. Forgive me of my repeated sin of judging and making myself out to be better than others. Yes, I am thankful You have saved me but remove that pride from my life. I want to be a servant. Make me a servant.

Mark 9:38-41 - On the Side of Jesus

Mark 9:38-41
³⁸ John said to Him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to prevent him because he was not following us.” ³⁹ But Jesus said, “Do not hinder him, for there is no one who will perform a miracle in My name, and be able soon afterward to speak evil of Me. ⁴⁰ For he who is not against us is for us. ⁴¹ For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of your name as followers of Christ, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward.


Message: On the Side of Jesus

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 continues in Capernaum and continues with the thought that as we desire to be great ourselves and also we desire to have God in our life, being there for others, serving others, and receiving little people as valued people, as no different from the powerful is what we must do.

It's interesting in this study of Mark, to see the disciples and what Mark is emphasizing repeatedly, the teaching from Jesus that is sort of the Opposite Way of how people see their lives. The disciples in their discourse thinking about who among them is the greatest means that they see themselves as a a separate or distinct group. They are unique. But, more than being unique, they think of themselves as special. And this special feeling makes them feel like they are on a higher plane than others. And the danger here now in John's words was that what Jesus is trying to teach his disciples, namely that they need to lean on God's power and trust God's power and live life in Jesus' name was reserved for the disciples. But it is not.

John said to Jesus, Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name. So the disciples saw that someone outside of their circle was attempting or trying to cast out demons in Your name. Obviously, someone had understand Jesus' teaching. In describing the scene John gets it right. What Jesus is saying to them over and over is to cast out demons and do things in His Name, in the name of Jesus. And here is someone that is doing that. 

Yet, John has a problem with this person and thinks possibly that he isn't allowed to do this because
we tried to prevent him because he was not following us. Wow. This person shouldn't be doing this because he is not one of us. The complaint was not that he "was not following you, Jesus" but that he "was not following us." And yet he was following Jesus. But, the man was clearly bearing fruit, so this is how he should be evaluated. 

Today, I think of an application in this message as to how we often will align ourselves with a denomination or type of church and then think that only those people in that church are following the Lord. And if a person is outside of that church, and therefore not part of our church, then they are not doing it correctly. But Jesus says to look at the fruit. Let the fruit of the person be the guide and not what group they are involved with. 

Thus, Jesus says, "Do not hinder him, for there is no one who will perform a miracle in My name, and be able soon afterward to speak evil of Me." If a person does something in the name of Jesus then he will be incapable of speaking evil of Him. Again, Jesus says to focus on the fruit. Is the fruit correct? Is their motivation correct? I wonder at times if people that belong to different sects that we know on a whole to be wrong are still wrong. I know in my faith there is certain terminology that I expect to hear in people and when I don't hear those words I often don't think they are true followers or followers of Jesus at all. Yet, Jesus says words that are similar to the words of James in his book when he says that faith alone, without works is a dead faith (James 2:17). Our lives of faith will have works. 

Jesus then speaks For he who is not against us is for us. Psalm 115:1 has these words that Chris Tomlin, the worship singer, crafted into a song: Not to us, O Lord, not to us, But to Your name give glory. There are two kinds of people, those who are for Jesus and those who are not. This really is one of those teachings from Jesus that I struggle with because he is focusing on works and he is saying that if people say they are for me, then they are, they are not against me. I struggle because of the divisions us in Christendom, specifically the conservative ones view those who are more experiential in their faith. I mean, Jesus here sort of points out a bottom line thought, and that is, "are people for me? Do they act in My name? If so, they are for me and we shouldn't be trying so hard to make them out to be people who are not following after him. I think it is okay to debate over their theology, but we should not be so quick to say they are not for Jesus. 

Jesus says For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of your name as followers of Christ, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward. But are there boundaries on essential matters? Yes, and yet, I don't understand sometimes followers who seem to be truly following Jesus even if the leaders of the church or organization they are in are leading them on a different course. This can be a tough lesson. 

Summary - As they continue in Capernaum, John the Apostle mentions to Jesus that someone is casting out a demon in Jesus' name and yet that person is not part of their group. Jesus calls out and says that being part of their group is not what sets people apart as followers of Him or being for him or not followers or not for Him - but instead the issue is are they doing things in Jesus' name. Are they acting in God's name? Thus, we need to look at the fruit, the people group they are in.  

Promise: I learned these words from reading the book of Numbers - Be Careful. I need to not be so quick to judge others as being wrong, focus on their works and then talk to them about their faith. But, don't quickly turn them away because they belong to the wrong group. 

Prayer: Lord, the message that you preach is a message that is an opposite way sort of message. It is different from the way I am often trained in the world and that world training includes how different religious sects train me. Lord, teach me the truth in this message. Teach me what it truly means and how I should view other people in my life. Lord, I want all people to know you and I stare often at their theology rather than their works. Help me to start with their works and then make a bridge to discuss theology. I think of the online ministry I am involved in and this is tough, because we only know from people what they share. Again, help me in what I think about others, to be true to You and Your Word.

Mark 9:20-24 - Help for Unbelief

Mark 9:20-24
20 They brought the boy to Him. When he saw Him, immediately the spirit threw him into a convulsion, and falling to the ground, he began rolling around and foaming at the mouth. 21 And He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22 It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!” 23 And Jesus said to him, “‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.” 24 Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.”

Message: Help for Unbelief

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 - After coming down the mountain, from the transfiguration, Jesus encounters his other disciples with scribes and chatter is happening regarding a man with his son who is possessed with a spirit that makes him mute. The disciples saw this happening. Jesus remarks that he has before him still an unbelieving generation, for their is no sign that any healing of this boy has occurred.

As I am reading this passage, I am thinking of that Chicago Med episode I watched the other night. The mother concluded that the weird noises emitting from her daughter had to be the result of a demon in her. But, as the story went on, the doctors discovered repressed feelings from the girl having been molested by her father at a young age. No matter the outcome, the idea that the girl was possessed was met by the hospital staff as "how absurd." It was almost like explaining this situation as a spiritual thing rather than psychological or physical was absurd.

I read this passage and wonder if the demon possessions that Jesus is healing is actually the explanation of the day as to what is occurring in people's lives. Medicine and science were not well established at the time. And the very idea that something was occurring in a person made them to conclude that there must be an outside force infiltrating them. My good friend Bobby just had his 3rd cancer surgery to remove lymph nodes in his neck. He's had 110 nodes removed now and has been in surgery 17 hours total, told me this morning that, although microscopic, the cancer remains in him. As a follower of Christ, one of his thoughts of this is the result of sin in his life. And on the surface, it makes no sense for something like to happen. He is in fantastic physical condition. He is healthy. And yet this happens.

Thus, how do we explain things. We can't help but try to determine a reason why things happen in our lives. These days, we find comfort in medicine to cure what ails us in our lives. Yet, in these Bible times, medicine was somewhat not even an option for most. Natural remedies, herbs, and then hopefully healing were the sought after ways. Yet, even today, God uses medicine and doctors to heal people. It is generally all about who we end up praising when these things happen.

This is what I am thinking as I approach this passage. They brought the boy to Him. When he saw Him, immediately the spirit threw him into a convulsion, and falling to the ground, he began rolling around and foaming at the mouth. It seems clear that there is a spirit of sickness or possession, for when he saw Him (Jesus), the spirit reacted. Isn't that interesting, there was the thought that the spirit was in opposition to Jesus, almost like Jesus had authority and the spirit was resisting this authority.

Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood."
So this has been a life long problem for this child. But the man responds to Jesus not exactly exhibiting real faith. if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us! Jesus is bothered by these words, "If you can." He then responds with the same words, ‘If You can?’ It is interesting, Jesus expects a transfer of understanding to be happening in these people to the point that he is tired that the people aren't realizing faster what he can do, who he is. I wonder if he tires of this in our life. Do we have the same confidence that He will heal what ails us? I wonder if we take on the same meaning when we come to him and say, "If it be your will." Granted, it could be said we are surrendering to his will, but aren't we also questioning him. Shouldn't we not just come to him with confidence instead and simply pray.

Jesus responds - All things are possible to him who believes. Paul I think would echo these words in his letter to the Philippians when he says, "I can do all things through Him who gives me strength." Notice Jesus' words. He doesn't say that all things will happen, but says that all things are possible. There is a possibility that they will happen, but it starts with believing. Faith is the calling card here. People don't come to Jesus simply because they believe he offers a 'Get out of Hell free' card. Instead, we are to have faith, believe in Him. The question is not what God can do but whether we believe.

2 Chronicles 20:20 - They rose early in the morning and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa; and when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, O Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, put your trust in the Lord your God and you will be established. Put your trust in His prophets and succeed.”

Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.” Is this not the struggle we all face. The back and forth of believing and not believing. I believe, but Lord help my unbelief. Keep me far from unbelief.

Summary - The father explains to Jesus that his son has been experiencing these convulsions for as long as he can remember. The disciples have admitted they can't do anything to fix the problem. The man then wonders if Jesus can. Jesus speaks plainly that it isn't a question of can he do it, but will the man believe that he can do it. All things are possible to him who believes.

Promise: Even the weakest trust in Christ is enough, for what is necessary to receive Him and all His benefits is true faith, not perfect faith.

Prayer: Lord, when I come to you, I pray that I would have faith, that I would believe. I pray that I would with confidence expect you to work. Like with my son Derek. Jesus save him. I believe and know you can so this is what I pray. Give wisdom to my son Tyson. Give him the desire to be his best, at everything. Help Megan to be understanding to everyone, especially Brandon. And pave the way for my wife, Pamela. May she be confident in You. Be near to her. Bring peace to her life. Bring perseverance to mine.

Mark 9:14-19 - Jesus Confronts a Faithless Generation

Mark 9:14-19
¹⁴ When they came back to the disciples, they saw a large crowd around them, and some scribes arguing with them. ¹⁵ Immediately, when the entire crowd saw Him, they were amazed and began running up to greet Him. ¹⁶ And He asked them, “What are you discussing with them?” ¹⁷ And one of the crowd answered Him, “Teacher, I brought You my son, possessed with a spirit which makes him mute; ¹⁸ and whenever it seizes him, it slams him to the ground and he foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth and stiffens out. I told Your disciples to cast it out, and they could not do it.” ¹⁹ And He *answered them and *said, “O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him to Me!”

Message: Jesus Confronts a Faithless Generation

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 - So far this chapter has focused on the transfiguration of Jesus, an event that I am not real sure right now of its purpose. Prior to it Mark records that Peter had questioned Jesus and his teaching that he must be killed and after 3 days rise again. In the transfiguration, Elijah and Moses appear. The disciples mention that there is a prophecy that says that Elijah must come before the Christ. The Spirit and Power of Elijah has come in the form of John the Baptist.

Jesus has now returned from the mountain. As he returns they saw a large crowd around them. The disciples were there. Upon seeing Jesus, they were amazed and began running up to greet Him. Scribes are arguing with people in the crowd and possible the disciples. Jesus asks, What are you discussing with them? And one of the crowd answered Him, “Teacher, I brought You my son, possessed with a spirit which makes him mute; and whenever it seizes him, it slams him to the ground and he foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth and stiffens out. I told Your disciples to cast it out, and they could not do it.”

Upon hearing this Jesus remark O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him to Me! I believe Jesus wanted people to see that that they also had the power of God in them. It could be said that Jesus here is judging the unbelief of those that are following him. 

There is a significant contrast here - the glorification of Jesus as seen in His transfiguration and now descending to the land and seeing the disbelief of man. It makes me wonder what is missing here with these people, it is not that Jesus expected them to be divine, that these people would have the same strength that he has, but they should have the ability to be of the same kind. 

Summary - Coming down from the mountain and experience the highest of high's, Jesus now experiences a low - the disbelief of people following Him. It is not clear what he expected, but it was obviously something rather than nothing. 
 
Promise: Jesus and his harsh words are aimed at a desire to awaken us to our sin, unbelief in this instance. Our confidence is always to be in Him.  

Prayer: Lord, I want to be a person that follows you and does what you say but often I am just like the crowd and instead of doing what you say, I do the reverse. I want to be part of the believers.   

Mark 7:27-30 - The Faith of a Gentile Woman

Mark 7:27-30
27 And He was saying to her, “Let the children be satisfied first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” 28 But she answered and *said to Him, “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs under the table feed on the children’s crumbs.” 29 And He said to her, “Because of this answer go; the demon has gone out of your daughter.” 30 And going back to her home, she found the child lying on the bed, the demon having left.

Message: The Faith of a Gentile Woman

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 speaks to all the people, going beyond just the scribes, and declares clearly that when speaking of being clean, the key is what comes out of a person, not what is taken in. Jesus goes to the region of Tyre and Sido in an attempt to get away from ministry in Galilee for a time, perhaps in hopes of getting away from the crowds. But news of him is there as well and a woman appears to him requesting that an unclean spirit (demon) be removed from her daughter.

Mark mentions this Gentile woman who begs Jesus to cast a demon out of her daughter. And He was saying to her, “Let the children be satisfied first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” Jesus had previously commissioned his disciples to go and preach, first to the children of Israel and then later, to go into all the world. This exchange with this woman seems odd to me as the words from the Syrophoenician woman were just begging him to cast a demon out of her daughter, so why the response about children by satisfied first. Commentators have said that Jesus' words referred to Israel (the children), the gospel (bread), and the Gentiles (dogs). Thus, he was implying that she was a dog, but it seems that his exchange was not necessarily to be taken seriously or rather his purpose in saying the words he did was to get the response that he did. But she answered and said to Him, “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs under the table feed on the children’s crumbs.” Thus, the woman had faith and believed that the dogs or Gentiles still had a claim to the gospel. So, what Jesus was doing was continuing to teach his disciples. He wanted them to see the value there is in all persons. Prejudices were obviously present. People shows favoritism for different classes of people and Jesus did not want his disciples to approach people in this way.

Jesus shows here that he is looking for faith. This woman responded with faith in stating that even those individuals who may not have been the primary audience for the gospel can benefit from it. But, I don't think Jesus is saying this. He is looking for faith. He is wanting people to show that they have the faith and whenever they do, he backs up the truck and gives them what they ask.

Verse 30 is interesting because the woman seems to have gone to Jesus without her daughter. And going back to her home, she found the child lying on the bed, the demon having left. Tabletalk records here these words --

Ultimately, the encounter is about the place of Jews and Gentiles in God’s kingdom. The children—the Jews—get presented the kingdom first, and afterward, the dogs—the Gentiles—hear of it as well. This Gentile woman recognized the propriety of that plan. She did not ask for first place but in faith believed that Christ was for her as well.

Summary - Jesus goes to the regions of Tyre and Sidon and upon his arrival, a woman comes to him (without her daughter by her side) asking Jesus to heal her daughter, possessed by a demon. Jesus uses the situation to teach his disciples that faith is what he is looking for in people, not heritage (i.e. a Jew or even a Gentile). The woman shows her faith and she is healed.

Promise: Jesus lavishes his grace upon us. He wants to see us acknowledge our faith in him.

Prayer: Lord, I have faith in you. I do. And yet sometimes the way I act in my life gives the idea that I don't. I believe you are the Creator of all. I believe that you have saved me. I have faith in you. When I pray, I believe that you will do what I ask. Keep me aligned with you each day. Keep me focused on you, believing that you will do what you said, what you say.

Mark 7:24-26 - Jesus Visits Tyre and Sidon

Mark 7:24-26
24 Jesus got up and went away from there to the region of Tyre. And when He had entered a house, He wanted no one to know of it; yet He could not escape notice. 25 But after hearing of Him, a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately came and fell at His feet. 26 Now the woman was a Gentile, of the Syrophoenician race. And she kept asking Him to cast the demon out of her daughter.

Message: Jesus Visits Tyre and Sidon

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 speaks to all the people, going beyond just the scribes, and declares clearly that when speaking of being clean, the key is what comes out of a person, not what is taken in. If the people want to know what defiles, it is what comes out of a person that matters most. Jesus, in a way, concludes the utter defilement of the heart by naming a list of these sins and repeats the idea that evil comes from within. While we stare at the outward, it is what is on the inside that matters most. 

Jesus got up and went away from there to the region of Tyre. I am reminded in Scripture that lines like this denote considerable time. Jesus getting up from where he was an then going to the region of Tyre. The distance between Capernaum (Galilee region) and Tyre was 35 miles; between Capernaum and Sidon is closer to 50 miles. Thus, to walk this distances would most likely take about a week, unless the terrain was different or the route was different. But we don't know for sure that he went from one place to another or from one region to another. The regions of Tyre and Sidon had a history of being wicked cities, paganism and opposition to Jews. Yet, these places ended up being more friendly to Jesus.

And when He had entered a house, He wanted no one to know of it. This is description is unique to the Gospel of Mark, as it is told in Matthew's account. It seems to be an indication that Jesus wanted to avoid publicity. yet He could not escape notice. Christ's fame had spread from Galilee to this region. Perhaps Jesus went to this region for the sole purpose of wanting to get away from the crowds and retreat to a more heathen territory where he could achieve rest or perhaps engage in community with his disciples. I am not sure who was with him or what his motivation was in coming to the region of Tyre and Sidon, but it seems clear now that it wasn't necessarily to minister to any one specifically. Mark mentions that he went to a house (not sure who) and wanted no one to know of it. Although he knew someone, he hoped to be there anonymous, but word of him spread.

Therefore, after hearing of Him, a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately came and fell at His feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, of the Syrophoenician race. And she kept asking Him to cast the demon out of her daughter. As I read these words and for a moment pretend that I don't know the words of Matthew, who provides a different type of detail from Mark's account, I look at what Mark emphasizes. She fell at His feet. Perhaps she had the feeling that only Jesus could do the healing. And yet, there are no words spoken and the description offered is her daughter had an unclean spirit and the woman kept asking Him to cast the demon out of her daughter. This woman's knowledge of Jesus was word of mouth. And from this account it is not apparent what she knew of Jesus other than that he could help her daughter.

For me, personally, as I read Mark's gospel account I sense that there is a sort of tension with Jesus in that people want to be healed and yet Jesus has first and foremost a mission of preaching repentance and belief. And it seems at times that even the healing exercises can at times lose track of this mission. After Jesus was baptized and declared his mission, he calls his first disciples, enters Capernaum and begins to speak things in the synagogue to show his authority and it hear we read then of him rebuking a spirit. But, the rebuke comes after his words that are spoken. The teaching and the command over unclean spirits made news of him spread (1:27-28). And then Jesus heals many more as people come to him but in verse 38 he wants to go us elsewhere, to other towns nearby, in order that I may preach, for that is what I came out for. A leper is cleansed, a paralytic is healed but each of those acts is still couched in speaking of his authority and forgiveness of sins. And so what Mark seems to be wanting to emphasize is Jesus and what he taught and yet very often what people wanted or what he highlighted was Jesus commanding evil spirits to leave or Jesus healing people of their diseases or raising a girl from the dead. But, all the while Jesus is sharing his message, unveiling his truth. He wants the message to shine.

Summary - Jesus seems to retreat to Tyre and Sidon, perhaps in hops of getting away from the crowds. But news of him is there as well and a woman appears to him requesting that an unclean spirit (demon) be removed from her daughter.

Promise: Despite our intended missions, we must be prepared for events that may temporarily take us off our intended path and approach them with the same calling that we have.

Prayer: Lord, continue to teach me from your Word. Lord, I have enjoyed getting to know Mark and his approach to you and your message of salvation. He shows your authority and your power and your way of forgiveness. Lord, everywhere people need to turn from sin and go towards belief in You, trusting in You completely. I pray that this happens in others, in me. I want to know you. And want to make you known.

Mark 5:18-20 - A Witness to the Decapolis

Mark 5:18-20
18 As He was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed was imploring Him that he might accompany Him. 19 And He did not let him, but He *said to him, “Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you.” 20 And he went away and began to proclaim in Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed.


Message: A Witness to the Decapolis

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:

Mark has been rather thorough in his explanations. Mark 4 was thorough about Jesus and the gospel falling on good soil and then the response that takes place from those and/or needs to take place. Chapter 5 has been about the way Jesus has authority over what is inside a person, namely demons and their real place in this world. But, in each chapter Jesus is clearly shown as the one with ultimate authority. And yet there are demonic forces in our world today, wreaking havoc.

The man who had been demon-possessed was imploring Him (Jesus) that he might accompany Him. I wonder if Jesus was getting into the boat alone or the disciples were also with him. There may have been others as well and the demon-possessed man wanted to come along and be with Jesus. It makes sense. Without him, he had been demon-possessed and perhaps feared for his past life; but also, he had been impacted by Jesus and the benefactor of his strong work and wanted to simply be with him. Who wouldn't? But perhaps it was more important for this man to return to his life and speak of the impact Jesus had on him, thus evangelizing and then also living his life. He *said to him, “Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you." There was an aim in Jesus calling disciples, for a purpose, but this man had already been impacted and could be a gift now to his people. This man is similar to us today. Jesus has had an impact on us and now we are to have an impact on those around us.

And Mark shows us in this passage that the man did what Jesus had asked him to do. He was a witness. He did it. And he went away and began to proclaim in Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed. See, this works out the way Jesus drew it up. He left and went back to Decapolis and everyone was amazed.

Earlier in this chapter there was a different response to Jesus when they saw what he had done to the swine and the demon possessed man, they began to implore Him to leave their region (v. 17). That was one response: get away. And now Jesus shows us the other response: go and proclaim. The man was effected, while the people nearby were not. The man could now be a witness for Jesus.

Promise: From Tabletalk: One day we will see the Lord face-to-face and enjoy His presence forever. Until then, we have been commissioned to preach the gospel and declare God’s saving grace to the nations. This mission is for us all, though in God’s providence, each of us has a different part to play. In obeying Him and carrying out our role in this mission, we demonstrate our gratitude to the Lord.

Prayer: Lord, you remind me here that your ways are the best ways and we are to submit and surrender to You and let you speak to us about the path we should go on in life. I like to think that I know best most of the time. That somehow my way is the better way, but Lord you have authority over all and you know all. Help me to submit to You, follow you and then do what you ask of me.

Mark 5:14-17 - Afraid of Jesus

Mark 5:14-17
14 Their herdsmen ran away and reported it in the city and in the country. And the people came to see what it was that had happened.15 They *came to Jesus and *observed the man who had been demon-possessed sitting down, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had the “legion”; and they became frightened. 16 Those who had seen it described to them how it had happened to the demon-possessed man, and all about the swine. 17 And they began to implore Him to leave their region.

Message: Afraid of Jesus

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:

As I mentioned earlier, the farmers in this community were Jewish and therefore, they did not have any pigs. Pigs were considered unclean animals as the Law had prohibited them from being an animal they could eat. When Jesus released the demon from the man, the demons, including Legion, were vanquished to swine, 2,000 of the swine that then periled to their death. But, these were herdsmen that came to them. The herdsmen were the owners of the swine and so they came to Jesus, probably a little shocked as to what had happened to their animals and maybe even wondering if they were going to be recompensed. And as the herdsmen came to Jesus they saw the demon-possessed man (maybe someone they had seen previously) and now he was no longer demon-possessed, but instead was in his right mind...and they became frightened. But rather than seeking to know God's love, they were afraid at what had happened. They were astonished at what had happened.

But in this moment, their concern was for the loss of their swine.  They wondered how it had happened to the man, but also about the swine. And they began to implore Him to leave their region. They were concerned about losing more as they had lost 2,000 swine. This Jewish man was powerful. They saw this and they became concerned that his power would adversely affect them more. As herdsmen they were not Jewish. There was fear in him and what may happen to them.

In previously looking at the given of the Gospel, the word, the seed upon different soils, there were 4 different responses and 3 of those responses rejected the seed. Here is an example of people not embracing the message, but instead they were concerned of themselves. Perhaps they saw themselves unworthy. Perhaps they saw a big difference between Jesus and themselves. Perhaps their sin is thought to be too great.

Promise: Unholiness cannot bear the presence of holiness. People who don't look at his goodness, but instead of how they might be affected by Him in an adverse way, don't come to Christ and embrace Him. The reality is many don't understand Jesus and reject him in many different ways.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for healing me, for touching me and helping me to see the need I have for You. Again Lord, give me compassion on those that don't see you. Help me to not be quick to judge them or look down on them or even to put a division between me and them, thinking that I am somehow superior to them because of seeing You for who you are. Lord, let their be love in my life first, not judgment. Let there be understanding. You love me, you understand me and accept me for who I am. And then as the gospel is implanted in my life, I can't help but to change. I can't help but be a new person, a new creation in Christ. I see this, but I know others do not. Again Lord, thank you for saving me and giving me the perspective I now have in You. 

Mark 5:11-13 - Legion Destroys some Swine

Mark 5:11-13
11 Now there was a large herd of swine feeding nearby on the mountain. 12 The demons implored Him, saying, “Send us into the swine so that we may enter them.” 13 Jesus gave them permission. And coming out, the unclean spirits entered the swine; and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea, about two thousand of them; and they were drowned in the sea.

Message: Legion Destroys some Swine

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 continue these lessons on Jesus and his encounter with Legion, one of the demons. And Legion's encounter with Jesus. Legion wants nothing to do with Jesus. He know that Jesus is the Son of the Most High God. He knows that Jesus has control over where Legion is allowed to be. Legion is not interested in submitting, naturally, to Jesus so he doesn't want to be tormented by Jesus. He wants to keep his freedom to go wherever and doesn't want to have to go outside of where they are now. It is also noteworthy to realize that Legion inhabits a person. And yet, the person rarely is speaking in this account. I wonder, are there people that we deal with frequently where the demon in them is what is speaking most of the time. I'm speaking to a man right now in Greece regularly, by email, and I notice that rational reasoning is not what he is interested in. He is defending his behavior, stating that it is based upon feeling, not a standard of the Word of God and he is imploring me to be guided by my feelings instead of my faith in God. He is not interested in submitting to a God if that God would have him live in a different way than he is living. Am I really speaking to this man or rather a demon inside of him? There is another man I've spoken to in London and despite all attempts to reason with this man, his feet are almost like in cement and he will not consider anything beyond what he wants to understand.

It simply makes me wonder at times, do I consider that people have perhaps been inhabited by a demon. I believe the Spirit of God is in me. Jesus said that the Spirit would come to dwell in me, in his followers. There are definitely many times that my responses are not selfish, but instead glorifying to my creator. That is the Spirit in me. That is not my natural self speaking. Thus, there is a contrast in life - one lives by the Spirit, one lives by a demon.

In verse 9, Jesus takes the unclean, demon out of the man. But where did Legion and his other demons end up?

On the scene, in this passage is a large herd of swine feeding nearby on the mountain. For the Jews, pigs are unclean. In Leviticus 11:7-8 it says, the pig does not chew cud, it is unclean to you. You shall not eat of their flesh nor touch their carcasses; they are unclean to you. Thus, no Jewish farmer would keep swine. And here, per verse 13, states there are about two thousand. 

It is here where the demons implored Jesus to send them saying, "Send us into the swine so that we may enter them." Jesus gave them permission. And coming out of the man, the unclean spirits entered the swine and the herd of swine rushed down the steep bank into the sea and they were drowned in the sea. 

The mission of Legion and his dominion was death and destruction. Perhaps Jesus wanted the people to see this. Demons are not something to mess around with. In our world, people have become very friendly to creatures similar to demons - vampires, zombies, pirates -- many creatures of death and destruction. We have TV shows and movies that mirror sorcery and magic. Are we dancing with danger? We call it all harmless but are we allowing this evil in subtle ways into our lives because we love entertainment? I wonder. There is so much good in life, but instead we like to walk on the wild side.

Also, there was an exchange of life here. The demon came out of the man and entered the swine and the swine perished. One man lived and two thousand swine died. Perhaps Jesus also wants to show us that there is value in each person. people are more important than animals. Human life is supremely more powerful. This doesn't mean we don't have to care for animals, but in the long run, the human is more important. One lost person saved is worth the death of many animals.

Promise: Scripture exhorts us to care for animals and not to be cruel to them. Yet, their worth, per the Bible is not on the same level as humanity. We "are of more value than many sparrows" Matthew 10:31.

Prayer: Lord, you remind me once again the importance of human life. You also remind me that we need to be people of God and choose righteous ways and living. We have a myriad of choices in our life for how we spend our time. Lord, help me to spend it wisely and on things that honor you. Thank you for the wholesome entertainment I do have at my disposal, when I do need a rest. Help the people of God to not dance with danger. Instead center us on your Word Lord and help us to voice it in our lives as we engage with people. I want people to see the real me. I want to be the same person inside my home as I am outside my home. Draw people to You Lord.

Mark 5:6-10 - Jesus Confronts Legion

Mark 5:6-10
6 Seeing Jesus from a distance, he ran up and bowed down before Him;7 and shouting with a loud voice, he *said, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God, do not torment me!” 8 For He had been saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” 9 And He was asking him, “What is your name?” And he *said to Him, “My name is Legion; for we are many.”10 And he began to implore Him earnestly not to send them out of the country.

Message: Jesus Confronts Legion and Legion makes requests to Jesus

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:

As I learned in the previous lesson, Satan is real and active and was attacking Jesus through a man. He did this in his day and there is no reason to not think that he doesn't do this today. I think he does. There is just too much in our world that is not friendly to the things of God. We are getting further away and getting more distracted.

Now to the text:

The man that was not about to be bound ran up and bowed down before Him (Jesus). The Power of Satan in this world, in people's lives, is still subject to Jesus. God still has control. The KJV states that he worshiped Him. The man could have been conflicted in his being, realizing who Jesus was and yet the demon also didn't want to be tormented. In this man is dueling spirits. The demon spirit in the man knows that he is under the Lord's control, while the man may see that he desires to be under God's control. As the man and the demon within him approach Jesus, the man says Jesus, Son of the Most High God. 

John Gill (1697-1771), English baptist pastor and theologian said:

Devils believe there is one God, and tremble at him; and they confess that Jesus of Nazareth, who was born of the virgin, according to the human nature, is the Son of God, according to his divine nature: and whereas they had no interest in him, as a Saviour, they desired they might have nothing to do with him as God; and since they had no share in the blessings of his grace, they beg they might not feel the power of his hand.

This is the best summation I've seen of this text. Devils knew who God was and Jesus but that they did not want to have anything to do with him. And they definitely didn't want to be under the power of God. Thus, the demon responds when Jesus is near - I implore You by God, do not torment me! He knows Jesus and knows his power and doesn't want to have anything to do with it. Like Jesus will just let him off. Come out of the man, you unclean spirit! And He was asking him, “What is your name?” And he *said to Him, “My name is Legion; for we are many.”  Jesus, by asking his name, wants to communicate to us that the unclean spirits, the demons are many. We must remember that Jesus is always teaching.

This passage is really about the Legion confronting Jesus as well as Jesus confronting Legion. The Legion really wants nothing to do with Jesus and wants to find a way to be clear from him. He doesn't want to be sent far because his desire is to impact pagans locally.

Promise: From Tabletalk- That Jesus could cast out so many demons shows that He was more than a mere man. Rather, He was—and remains—God. We can trust Him to break spiritual oppression and preserve us forever in His kingdom.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the power you have over the darkness. There are spiritual forces present in our world, around us. You are in control of them. I submit to You. Continue to protect me and bring order to this world of ours, so that more will know you and surrender to you. It feels sometimes that we are going backwards in our world and getting further from You. Change our ways and train us daily to be Godly. 

Mark 5:1-5 - The Gerasene Demoniac

Mark 5:1-5
1 They came to the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gerasenes. 2 When He got out of the boat, immediately a man from the tombs with an unclean spirit met Him, 3 and he had his dwelling among the tombs. And no one was able to bind him anymore, even with a chain; 4 because he had often been bound with shackles and chains, and the chains had been torn apart by him and the shackles broken in pieces, and no one was strong enough to subdue him. 5 Constantly, night and day, he was screaming among the tombs and in the mountains, and gashing himself with stones.

Message: The Gerasene Demoniac

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 often felt this past week that my life was in chaos. There were multiple things coming at me during the week. My mind was overloaded yesterday especially. As I sit here and read the word of God and think about the lessons from this past week, I remember that Jesus calmed the storm while the disciples were in the boat. And Jesus can calm my life. I wish I could figure this out because my countenance lowers when I feel stressed with more to do and not enough time. I want to keep my confidence in Him. I want to trust Him more. Jesus takes the forces from the outside and calms them. As I skim this chapter and read through it I see Jesus doing the same thing, but this time to demons are invisible spirits inside of a man. The writer Mark, through the work of Jesus, is reminding me that there are invisible forces going on in our lives as well, in people's lives, perhaps aiming to disrupt my content ways and yet Jesus continues to bring order to this chaos. If this was real in Jesus' day, I must think it is also real today.

My world is not perfect and on earth it never will be. All evil can be tied directly or indirectly to the devil. The devil introduced wickedness into creation by rebelling against our Creator. We saw this clearly in the garden as he confused and allured Eve to focus on something God wanted them to trust him on and that they didn't need to understand. At this point, Eve started questioning God and in the end to sin, doing what God said not to do.

In this passage, a man is possessed and not in his right mind. It says that no one was able to bind him and the chains had been torn apart by him and no one was strong enough to subdue him. He was screaming...and gashing himself. He was out of control. He didn't have control of himself. No one could bind him. No one could subdue him. And he was hurting himself.

One thing is clear, Satan has rebelled against God and therefore hates anything of God and will try with all his might to distraught the ways of God. Jesus had just come from a slew of teaching moments. He had spoken to his disciples and followers about the Gospel and the mission of those that He calls good. And upon landing on the sea, this violent possessed man runs up to him. I must realize that unrest and chaos is what Satan wants in my life. He wants questions.

I've been talking to a man this week who does not have a wife any more because she died and he can no longer see anything of value in his life. He raises a son and still wants the best for him, but only sees a less than perfect world now. I'm trying to reason and point him to Christ and God's word, but he is a hard sell and has already been brainwashed by other teachings that appeal to his pain. Also, this week I had lunch with a co-worker who shared that she and her husband live in the same house but are rarely together. He sleeps on the couch, his choice. They keep separate lives monetarily, at her choosing, for she is concerned about the bills. They share parenting but this is often tough and out of control. She loves him for he and her brought these children into the world, but she is not in love with him right now. They are dueling without speaking. 

What an interesting contrast that I saw this week. One man doesn't have his wife and is miserable without her. And then two people are married and are miserable together. Could there be demon possession? I think so. People have been lured away and living lives not yielded to Him. This isn't simply apathy but outright rebellion.

So my conclusion today is there are forces, demonic forces that want to lure us away from God and disrupt the peace that we have. They are at work everywhere and they are real.

Promise: Satan goes after human beings because he hates God. If we are united to Christ, God will put Satan finally under our feet.

Prayer: O Lord, how we need you, every day, every hour, every moment. Satan is real and has taken over so many people and he desires to make my witness less so he can defeat you. Lord, I pray for your protection and ask Lord that these people that I've spoken to this week would come under your control and then you would set up a hedge of protection around their lives so nothing can come against them. Restore relationships. Give people hope. Center them on You. Help people to submit and surrender to You. You God are in control. You are our creator and Lord. There is peace only in You. I praise and glorify Your Name.

Mark 3:22-26 - A House Divided

Mark 3:22-26
22 The scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “He casts out the demons by the ruler of the demons.” 23 And He called them to Himself and began speaking to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. 26 If Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but he is finished!

Message: A House Divided

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:

Summary
As I continue to walk through the Gospel of Mark, I continue to see the different themes being presented. John came on the scene, preaching and baptized with water. Jesus then comes and is baptized, is tempted, and proclaims his message: Repent and Believe in the Gospel. He calls the first 4 disciples. Jesus goes to the synagogue and casts out demons while he speaks a new teaching with an authority very different. He heals Peter's mother-in-law and then he heals others, but Jesus retreats to a time of seeking the Lord and sees that he must go to other places to continue to preach the Gospel, that being his mission. He heals a leper but tells him to tell no one, though he does.

Because of the faith of friends, Jesus first forgives the sins of a paralytic, then heals him, perplexing the scribes. He calls the tax collector Matthew. Jesus said he came to call sinners, not the righteous. He offers a parable about the new work and message he has to bring. He clarifies that he has authority over everything, including traditions of the past regarding Sabbath work. He heals on the Sabbath.

The Pharisees and Herodians begin to come against him. He goes to the sea, to leave that area. He continues to tell people to not make him known. He selects all 12 disciples. His family and/or friends misunderstand him, are concerned about him and mention he is beside himself.

A House Divided
The scribes now, also, mention that Jesus is possessed by Satan for he casts out demons. He is confronted as doing this by the power of Satan. Jesus very clearly is speaking a message that is different. He is claiming in various ways -- in the synagogue, regarding the Sabbath, working on the Sabbath -- that he has an authority, different from what they have known previously. He heals people, casts out demons, and many are following him, some just to have him heal, but he has a message to preach and teach to people. And so, they come to him, concerned about what he is saying.

I could see how they could think that he is of the devil. In verse 21, it says that even his families and friends were confused by him. Jesus had clearly a radical message and many people didn't know how to deal with it all, digest it all, take it all in. Any time there is something different from what we are accustomed to, we tend to think that it may not have right sources or holy sources. The scribes then conclude he is of the devil.

But Jesus responds, first with words also speaking in parables:

"How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. If Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but he is finished!

Jesus confronts the scribes theology or method of argument. The scribes are claiming that Satan is casting out Satan and Jesus responds with, "How can that be?" In essence, he says, if something is divided, how can it be that the source of the division will also remove the division? If someone is demon-possessed, how can a demon then remove the demon? Thus, He is saying that an outside source is needed to remove the possession or division.

This actually reminds me of a problem that is occurring right now in our family, with our youngest son, and the division that has resulted between him and us. It is causing us to not stand and often, we try to solve this division on our own. We think its all about finding the right mix of answers, but this morning, as I woke up, I realized that instead we need to go to God. God needs to be the one that decides what we are to do. We need outside help and we need to consult God first. Whether we are talking about a kingdom, a house, or Satan - division requires something outside of itself to be removed. Jesus can't be from Satan because Satan can't work against itself.

Promise: When Jesus deals with Satan, it is no temporary victory but permanent conquest. The Devil cannot retake the ground Jesus recovers.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for speaking clearly. Thank you for speaking to the root of the problem and showing me that division, of any kind, needs your help. Thank you Holy Spirit for being active and here.

Mark 3:13-15 - Twelve Apostles

Mark 3:13-15
13 And He went up on the mountain and summoned those whom He Himself wanted, and they came to Him. 14 And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach,15 and to have authority to cast out the demons.

Message: Twelve Apostles

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:

Earlier, Jesus called 4 men to follow him, stating that he would make them fishers of men (1:16-17). Now here in Chapter 3 is the full calling of all disciples. Mark doesn't mention all by their names. Jesus goes up to the mountain (probably a place for him to pray) and from this high place summoned those whom He Himself wanted. This wasn't a collaboration. He chose the ones he wanted. And they came to Him. He called, they came. They were discovered first before they were apostles.

And He appointed twelve. They were set apart.

1. So that they would be with Him. Will apostles ever be established again, because their purpose was to be with Him. This was the initial reason for calling them - to be with Him. 
2. and that He could send them out to preach; he was called to preach repentance and belief. So, now his disciples would carry the same message. Jesus knew he wouldn't always be around, and he wanted his disciples to preach. He wants to work through and use other men. 
3. and to have authority to cast out the demons. It continues. As I look at these passages, I am a little startled, I suppose, of how much the casting out of demons is mentioned.  

Promise: The words of the Apostles carry the same authority as the words Christ spoke while on earth. 

Prayer: Thank you God for the way you appointed others to carry your message. Thank you that you use people to preach and carry your message. 

Mark 1:35-39 - The Purpose of Jesus' Ministry

Mark 1:35-39
35 In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.36 Simon and his companions searched for Him; 37 they found Him, and said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.” 38 He said to them, “Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for.” 39 And He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out the demons.

Message: The Purpose of Jesus' Ministry

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: 

Jesus here provides us his simple reason for coming and that is to preach. In Mark 1:15 Jesus says, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." This seems to clearly be his mission as these were the first words Mark has Jesus saying. Mark 1:1 states that this book is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Thus, our text reminds us that the key and only key for Jesus' ministry is to preach the gospel, from town to town.

On the heals of everyone looking for him, to help them, he responds instead by saying his mission is to preach. His mission was not simply to heal people. Mark adds in verse 39 that he will go to synagogues throughout Galilee preach and cast out demons. The signs and wonders of miracles and deliverance are confirmation of the truth of the gospel, but the gospel must still be preached.

The world we live in today is no different. People love the supernatural. Hollywood and movies is built often on superheroes and people who can do things that humans cannot. People love this and flock in high numbers to view this. Computer games are built on this, doing the supernatural. TV shows more and more are bent on wizardry and supernatural events. This is the world we live in and get trained it. We get trained not to focus on the reality of the day and the mission of people living for the gospel of Jesus and instead we focus on Fantasy Island. And it is growing worse every day. The every day life is too hard to handle, which is why alcohol and marijuana are now so prevalent in our lives. We have been trained to not handle life but instead to medicate it and live in a fantasy world.

But Jesus reminds us that the purpose of His ministry and really our lives is preaching the gospel. I almost think that verse 35 is shown here as an example for us, that we need to take time from our life, always, and go to a secluded place and talk to the Father -  In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there. It is as if Jesus is telling us how important it is for us to be reminded of our real purpose. It is not to escape, acquire, consume, be comforted, live at ease and free of problems and be entertained. Yes, life includes those outlets and we are clearly supposed to celebrate, but our purpose is to remind people of the hope we have in Jesus. The world would much rather put forth that there isn't even a problem that needs to be solved.

Promise: Fellowship with the Lord in prayer is an absolute necessity if we will be sustained in life and ministry over the long haul. This is true whether we are pastors, working in secular workplaces, or living in our homes.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for the reminder today that you were all about preaching the gospel of repentance and believing and my life needs to always mirror this. Forgive me for getting carried away often into worlds that are a fantasy and don't reflect life here on earth. I too often want to escape rather than deal with what is in front of me. Thank you for being my anchor, my shield, my refuge, my cornerstone. Help me to continue to run to you and be reminded of this. I praise you God.

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:

• 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. 

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.

Mark 1:23-28 - Casting out Demons

Mark 1:23-28
23 Just then there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, 24 saying, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” 25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” 26 Throwing him into convulsions, the unclean spirit cried out with a loud voice and came out of him. 27 They were all amazed, so that they debated among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.” 28 Immediately the news about Him spread everywhere into all the surrounding district of Galilee.

Message: Casting out Demons

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 been mentioning that Mark has been brief so far in his re-telling of Jesus and his life following his baptism in the Jordan. However, he could be brief also because he didn't have complete information and he wanted to be true to re-tell what he knew rather than adding information that he wasn't clear on. As I turn to this passage, there is more information and the words of Jesus are given. Thus far, Mark has recorded these words of Jesus - verse 15 -  The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel and verse 17 - Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men. These verses are moving from an audience of everyone, to a smaller group of the disciples to now an individual.

In each of these statements, his authority is clearly on display. Exorcising demons from a person was not unusual, as Jewish leaders and rabbi's had done this, but they often relied on procedures to help people. Jesus however simply speaks and thus relies only on his words and his authority.

It is interesting that the demon is present here in the synagogue. I wonder how long he had been present and not cried out. It's a reminder that the church can still be a place where evil spirits are present. This spirit recognizes Jesus, recognizes his authority and that he has come from God. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” Throwing him into convulsions, the unclean spirit cried out with a loud voice and came out of him. There is power, power, wonderful working power in the name of Jesus. And they were all amazed, so that they debated among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.” Here, everyone, the demons and the scribes and religious leaders understand what is going on. This man has greater authority that even a rabbi as he speaks and it happens.

As I follow the story, there is clearly something different about this man Jesus.

1. Wonder, and what excited it:
1. What they had seen -- men delivered from the power of Satan
2. What they had heard - the all-powerful Word of Jesus
2. Inquiry, and to what end it was directed
1. Into the nature and reality of His works
2. Into the character of His doctrine
3. Popularity, and how it was extended
1. By the reports of wondering men
2. Swiftly spreading through the land.

Promise: Jesus sets people free from the devil's tyranny as the gospel goes forth. Evil powers can hold his creation hostage. Christ must deal with the evil powers.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for the power that is in the name of Jesus. Thank you for dealing with the forces of Satan in our world and freeing us to be able to live for you. Keep doing this, for at times, the devil has a hold on people's lives. Keep us strengthened to live for you and glorify you. Thank you for being a personal God, concerned about each person's state of mind.