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Simon (the voice in this video) is out in Berundi doing great work...

www.greatlakesoutreach.org
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Mark continues his account. Jesus again demonstrates his power but this time it's nature that submits...

Mark 4:35-41

It's worth noticing that it was Jesus' idea to cross the lake (v35), so it was a journey he initiated and was confident of finishing. This is something big that we learn about Jesus from elsewhere in the Bible too. He finished his plan to defeat death on the cross (John 19:30), he's the pioneer and perfecter of faith (Hebrews 12:2) and he will finish the work he's started in his people (Philippians 1:6). In other words: Jesus finishes what he starts!

The contrast between Jesus and the disciples in verse 38 is dramatic. Jesus clearly isn't worried about (or even aware of?) the storm whilst he sleeps peacefully 'on a cushion' (love that detail!), whereas his followers' reaction to the storm lead them to conclude that they have almost no hope of survival! Jesus knows better and they should too, especially after all they'd seen and heard so far.

Then the miracle. Jesus tells the storm to stop and it immediately stops (v39). That's it.

Jesus lovingly tells his disciples off for not trusting him more (v40). After all they've seen (driving out evil spirits, healing many people instantly and obviously, forgiving sins and proving it with miracles and loads more), they "still" (v40) don't get it. In fact, the knowledge and experience of Jesus they've gained so far lead them to fear Jesus rather than trust him at this point (v41) and Jesus is disappointed... but patient. He doesn't ditch them.

In the end, the disciples asked an important question, as everyone should in response to what can be known about Jesus: 'Who is this?' Intellectual apathy or indifference would have been a ridiculous response and it still is. Jesus' actions had left them with only two options: fear or faith. They had to keep following him, finding out more and trusting him to lead. And so do we!

Mark blog

Mark 4:26-34 - Seeds

I've just finished watching JCVD, a film where Jean-Claude Van Damme plays himself, delivers a moving 6-minute monologue to the camera (breaking 'the fourth wall') and presents a strange and confusing (for me) mix of fact and fiction. It was another story where I enjoyed the ride but was left thinking, "What???"

Jesus tells a couple of stories about seeds to teach us about God's kingdom family and it's not immediately obvious what he means by them...

Mark 4:26-34

No wonder Jesus' hearers were only just about following it (v33) and he had to explain further to the disciples later on (v34). What's the meaning of these two stories?

The growing seed (v26-29)
We know it's about 'the kingdom of God' because Jesus says so. And there's three key parts to the story: sowing, growing and reaping. Jesus is saying that God has 'sown' the world and the people in it and he's let it 'grow' but there will come a time where he 'reaps'. In other words, God's kingdom is not of this world. This world is not it. God has something even bigger and better planned and the time will come for this world to end.

This means two things for those listening to Jesus (then and now):

We shouldn't live as if this is all there is.
We need to keep listening to Jesus about what more there is!

The mustard seed (v30-32)
This time Jesus describes God's kingdom family specifically as a mustard seed and the main point is about scale and size. A mustard seeds starts tiny but ends up massive and a big enough home for many birds (v31-32). So presumably, the same is true of God's family. It starts small but grows to be HUGE and big enough to be a safe home for multitudes of people.

This means two more things for those listening (again then and now):

God's plans and kingdom family are way bigger than we can comprehend and we shouldn't think that we have understood everything yet. God wants to show us more!
God wants us to know him and be part of it! Why else would Jesus be sharing this and trying to help people understand? This is good news!

Jesus tells these two brief stories to whet people's appetite for what he's come to show them. It's not the whole story but he's not finished yet. He's still setting the scene and getting our attention.

Some questions to consider...

Has Jesus got your attention?
How much are you getting to know him?
Are you happy enough to settle for this world?
What if Jesus is right about there being a 'harvest'?

Mark blog

Mark 4:21-25 - Show time!

The 'reveal' is something we get very excited about when it's a magic trick or a lengthy TV drama series but what about when it's our own lives? Jesus tells a swift parable about the fact that he's come to shed light on life itself...

Mark 4:21-25

Go back and read it a couple of times and let it sink in. Try and figure out what Jesus means by this.

I think Jesus is saying that he's come to shed light on life and reveal truth to people that was previously a mystery to them. He's come to show people what life is really all about and to invite them into it - into God's kingdom family. In the story of the sower immediately before this, Jesus has been teaching about what it takes to decide to follow and keep following him and after this lamp illustration he goes on to teach about his kingdom family and what it's like. So he's gearing up to this by explaining that he's here to make known things that were previously hidden - to shine light on things that were previously in the dark.

Jesus challenges his hearers to consider carefully what he says and to consider their response too. If they hear his words and continue to live small lives without God, they'll get little back. In fact, Jesus warns everyone like this that they'll get less than nothing. But to those who consider Jesus' words and respond in faith, Jesus promises much in return.

So have you considered carefully the words of Jesus yet and made your response? Have you asked all your questions? How's it going? And if you're already follower of Jesus, how much are you passing on Jesus' love, light and teaching to others so they can do the same? It's still show time!

Mark blog

Make it stop

Questions to consider...

What are the impacts of bullying, prejudice and rejection in your school that you know about?
What might be the impacts you don't know about?
The Bible (in Isaiah 53:3) says Jesus knows exactly what it's like to suffer rejection. Why would he allow himself to feel like that?
How can you stand with those who feel alone or rejected? What hope is there for those who feel this way? Psalm 121:1-2.

A Prayer...
God please help see that bulling, prejudice and rejection really are killers and that we can stand against them. Please help us not to hate those who are different from us, either by our action or inaction but rather to care for and value all life, including our own. Amen.

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