3:5 - "deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts"
Stress is defined as tenaciously (fierce, fighting) unwilling to yield.
Is this a way that the Lord can describe you? Do you struggle with stubbornness? I know that I often do.
The crowds often gathered around Jesus more for the healing than for the message. Have you had tunnel vision where you wanted Jesus to do something for you and missed some of his message, some of his plan and how he wanted to get it done?
3:20-30 - The Pharisees attempted to discredit the power behind the miracles of Jesus. "If a house is divided against itself, the kingdom cannot stand." How true is this in our lives, in our homes, in our church? Disunity breeds misunderstanding, disruption, judgement, criticism and heartache.
3: 31- 35 - Does Jesus snub his family?
We could easily think that is we don't see his heart. Sometimes the way we might read something in the Bible might seem like Jesus wasn't being very loving. I know the exact opposite is true so we need to dig a little deeper.
Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the New Testament says: "Our Lord was not rude to His family; He simply used their concern as an opportunity to explain what it means to belong to the family of God. God's children are closer to Jesus than even His own earthly family, for we are bone of His bone and flesh of His flesh." (Eph. 5:30)
Jesus,
Please help us to know and understand your heart. Help us to give up our stubbornness for our own good and for your glory. Thank you for having patience with us as we understand more and more who you are and your character. Help us to take on your character and to be unified with each other. Seeking each others best. We love you!
Amen
Have a blessed Friday!!! I am feeling like it might be too much for everyone to visit the blog on the weekends so I will most likely not post anything. However, I do challenge you to read Proverbs 27 Saturday & Proverbs 28 Sunday! Have a blessed weekend! See you all on Monday!!!
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Personally, I felt sorry for Jesus' mother because it must have hurt her feelings when she asked for him. I understand the logic you explained from Wiersbe's but still...poor Mary. I would imagine she would have liked to give him a hug realizing how very hard he'd been at it and all. And yet I guess maybe she by this time recognized Jesus as the Son of God first, and her child second.
ReplyDeleteWow, this week has gone by so quickly. It is Sunday already. Anyway, this is my chance to catch up, I pray. I feel like I am running to catch up to Jesus in this very fast book of Mark. I am reading the passages in my Bible and listening to it on CD while driving. There is so much happening in each chapter! Lord, help me to catch up to Jesus!
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