July 19, 2012
AFTER Jesus was accused of being crazy; AFTER the very people who claimed to be religious (and should have KNOWN he was God's Son and that His power came from the Holy Spirit) accused Him of being controlled by and used by evil spirits; and AFTER all the false accusations, what did Jesus do? Did He retreat into a shell so no one could hurt Him again? Did He be come angry? Did He seek revenge? Did He quit teaching and healing? NO!! Mark 4:1 - "And he began again to teach..." He began again! He didn't sit back. He didn't lose His mission. "He began to teach..." He did not let the accusations of others (including his family) keep Him from what He was called to do. He did the right thing no matter what anyone else said or did. He persevered. The people gathered around him again, and He began to teach them—again.
Jesus told the story about seeds that:
The farmer who plants the seed is like the person who plants God's message. The seed on the road is like people who hear but don't repent and the teachings is lost. The seed that falls on the rocky ground is like someone who hears God's message and quickly repents, but they don't follow through, it was words only so it lasts only a short time. The seed among the thorns is like people who hear the teaching, but the desire for wealth (the desire for getting what they want when they want it), and their need to be in control keeps the seed from ever maturing and/or producing fruit. "I" was still on the throne; there was never a complete surrender to God's will; and the seed becomes useless. The last seed, the seed on good ground, is like the people who hear the teaching and accept it. It isn't enough to just hear the message. The message must be accepted and followed.
Jesus goes on to say that we should be faithful in using the understanding and gifts He has given us. We are to tell God's message no matter where the seed falls. We are not responsible for how people respond. We are responsible to tell God's message. You don't hide a lamp under a bowl or bed. The light you've received must be shared. Mark 4:24 - "The way you give to others is the way God will give to you, but God will give you even more."
Next Entry: Mark 4:1–41 (Continued)
AFTER Jesus was accused of being crazy; AFTER the very people who claimed to be religious (and should have KNOWN he was God's Son and that His power came from the Holy Spirit) accused Him of being controlled by and used by evil spirits; and AFTER all the false accusations, what did Jesus do? Did He retreat into a shell so no one could hurt Him again? Did He be come angry? Did He seek revenge? Did He quit teaching and healing? NO!! Mark 4:1 - "And he began again to teach..." He began again! He didn't sit back. He didn't lose His mission. "He began to teach..." He did not let the accusations of others (including his family) keep Him from what He was called to do. He did the right thing no matter what anyone else said or did. He persevered. The people gathered around him again, and He began to teach them—again.
Jesus told the story about seeds that:
- Fell by the road—and birds ate it up;
- Fell on rocky ground—and did not last;
- Fell in the weeds—and were choked out;
- Fell on good ground—and produced good crops.
The farmer who plants the seed is like the person who plants God's message. The seed on the road is like people who hear but don't repent and the teachings is lost. The seed that falls on the rocky ground is like someone who hears God's message and quickly repents, but they don't follow through, it was words only so it lasts only a short time. The seed among the thorns is like people who hear the teaching, but the desire for wealth (the desire for getting what they want when they want it), and their need to be in control keeps the seed from ever maturing and/or producing fruit. "I" was still on the throne; there was never a complete surrender to God's will; and the seed becomes useless. The last seed, the seed on good ground, is like the people who hear the teaching and accept it. It isn't enough to just hear the message. The message must be accepted and followed.
Jesus goes on to say that we should be faithful in using the understanding and gifts He has given us. We are to tell God's message no matter where the seed falls. We are not responsible for how people respond. We are responsible to tell God's message. You don't hide a lamp under a bowl or bed. The light you've received must be shared. Mark 4:24 - "The way you give to others is the way God will give to you, but God will give you even more."
Next Entry: Mark 4:1–41 (Continued)
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