Mark 7
The Power of Persistence
Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret. In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an impure spirit came and fell at his feet. The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter.
‘First let the children eat all they want,’ he told her, ‘for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.’
‘Lord,’ she replied, ‘even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.’
Then he told her, ‘For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.’
She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.
Read: Mark 7
Thought
Jesus had an encounter with the Jewish teachers of the law in Galilee, and then left secretly for the region of Tyre. But a Greek Gentile, a Syro-Phoenician woman, heard where Jesus was staying and asked him to drive a demon out of her daughter.
On the surface, what came next seems shocking to us. Jesus apparently called this woman a “dog.” But probably Jesus was actually quoting a popular proverb that the Jews had about the Gentiles, whom they regarded as lower than human beings, and like animals. Jesus was deliberately “acting out” the typical Jewish response to a Gentile, because he wanted to both test the woman’s persistence, and also see whether she thought that his calling was only to the Jews or not.
Yet, what was really going on here was an underlining of his previous encounter with the Jews. The teachers of the law were legalistically trying to obey the law, without loving their neighbours. But Jesus said that we all break the law in our hearts, out of which come our sinful actions. By then going into a Gentile area, speaking to a Greek woman, whose daughter was demon possessed, Jesus was three times unclean in the eyes of the Jews.
However, the Kingdom of God is for all people, and breaks down all racial, cultural, and gender barriers, and Jesus underlined this by casting out the demon from the woman’s daughter. Importantly, the Syro-Phoenician woman had already recognised that Jesus had come for all people, by her coming to him in faith in the first place.
Reflection
Thank God that he loves all people, regardless of age, gender, race, or culture; and that he demonstrated this through the cross. Pray that your family and friends will come to Jesus in faith, just as this Syro-Phoenician woman did. Pray for the salvation of the people in your road and within your local community.
Music for reflection ‘Who am I?’ by Casting Crowns
Prayer
O king enthroned on high
Comforter and spirit of truth
You that are in all places and fill all things
The treasury of blessing and giver of life
Come and dwell with us,
Cleanse us from every stain
And save our souls, O gracious one
Amen
Peter Gee
Mark 6
Order out of Chaos
Read: Mark 6
Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.
Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified.
Immediately he spoke to them and said, ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’ Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed,
Thought
Jesus stayed behind on a mountainside to pray, whilst his disciples crossed the lake ahead of him. For the first storm on the lake (in Mark 4), Jesus was with them in the boat, but asleep. For this second storm, the disciples were seemingly all alone. Suddenly Jesus came to them, walking on the water, during the fourth watch of the night, between 3.00am and 6.00am.
Some have suggested that Jesus was simply walking along the water’s edge, or walking on a sandbank, but to me, that is totally missing the point. Genesis 1:2 says that God’s Spirit was hovering over the waters of chaos before creation. For me, this is an echo of God once again walking over the waters before the new creation, which then came through the cross and resurrection.
The sea also represented death to the Jews, and so Christ is showing complete power and authority over death, and over the powers of nature, just as God did when he held back the waters of the Red Sea. Jesus spoke first to their fears, “Take courage, it is I. Don’t be afraid.” And then the moment he climbed into the boat, the storm died down. Just like when God’s Spirit comes into our hearts, he brings God’s peace to us, and order out of chaos.
Reflection
Thank Jesus that he is bringing order out of chaos, but remember that there will also be birthing pains. Invite the Holy Spirit to come and fill your heart and bring peace where there is any storm. Lift up to God the areas of chaos in this world that the Spirit puts on your heart to pray for, such as pandemics, wars, famines, idolatry and dis-chord.
Music for reflection: cornerstone
Prayer
O king enthroned on high
Comforter and spirit of truth
You that are in all places and fill all things
The treasury of blessing and giver of life
Come and dwell with us,
Cleanse us from every stain
And save our souls, O gracious one
Amen
Mark 5
The hem of Hope and healing
21 When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. 22 Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. 23 He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” 24 So Jesus went with him.
A large crowd followed and pressed around him. 25 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 26 She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” 29 Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. 30 At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” 31 “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ”
….. Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”
Read Mark 5
Thought
In this passage we find situations where human solutions fail. But Jesus confronts human hopelessness. The needs of the sick and the faith of those concerned evoke a compassionate response from Him. He is tender to the two women. He calls one, ‘Daughter!’ and the other, ‘Little girl’ (literally ‘Little lamb’).
Perhaps some of us are suffering right now–burning with anger at someone who has hurt us or we may be feeling low in these challenging times. We need to hold onto this account of the woman who had been in pain for twelve years. Hear her request to touch Jesus’ cloak and imagine ourselves doing that. This was not magic but a meeting with Jesus where she asked for his help and healing power. Prayer can often feel like touching only the hem of Jesus’ garment, but it is authentic when, like the woman, we tell God ‘the whole truth’.
If that healing will focuses on our heart – our negativity, bad moods, hurtful responses and hardness, this will enable us in turn to become a tender and healing presence to those around us. As we hold onto the words of Jesus “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”
Reflection
Song for reflection – I will fear no more
Building on our reflections from yesterday, where is your suffering and pain in your life?
Are we afraid to ask for healing from our troubles, afraid that it might not happen so why bother at all?
Pray that Jesus will remove our fears as we reach out to Him in faith knowing that He has the real power to heal.
Prayer
Loving God,
I pray that you will comfort me in my suffering,
lend skill to the hands of my healers,
and bless the means used for my cure.
Give me such confidence in the power of your grace,
that even when I am afraid,
I may put my whole trust in you;
through our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
Mark 4
Jesus Calms the Storm
35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. 40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
Read Mark 4
Thought
In this account Mark is speaking directly to the early church and to us. ‘Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?’ God never, ever, ever promises that nothing bad will ever happen and never promises smooth sailing and blue skies every day. What God does promise is that when the world comes crashing down, He is right there with us. Jesus is there with us, in the sinking boat. Right in the middle of the worst of storms, Jesus isn’t elsewhere. He isn’t in some cushy palace somewhere eating olives and hummus. He is in a sinking boat with the disciples and then he calms the storm.
Maybe the world is crashing in on us; yesterday, today or tomorrow. It’s not a matter of “if”, but “when”—whatever we think, we haven’t been abandoned. God is with us. And all we need is enough faith to get us through to the moment when Jesus speaks, “Peace. Be still.”
Reflection
Song for reflection – Peace be still
Have you ever felt like you were sinking in a raging sea, and no matter how hard you prayed, and how intently you looked for Jesus, He just didn’t seem to be listening?
Did you ever feel like you would hit the bottom of the sea before Jesus ever got around to doing anything about it? Maybe this is you now?
Pray for forgiveness for our lack of faith and ask for the patience and perseverance to continue to believe that He has not and will not ever leave. That one day He will do the same for us as He did for the disciples, when He speaks ‘Peace. Be still’ into our lives too.
Prayer
Faithful God,
We hold in your love all who face storms in their lives,
remembering especially children and young people.
We pray for all those who are overwhelmed by pain,
affected by neglect or struggling in poverty.
As Jesus calmed the wind and waves,
be near with your peace and comfort.
Help us to trust in your presence
and love in the storms of our own lives,
and share your peace with all whom we meet.
Amen
Mark 3
Family Ties
Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, ‘He is out of his mind.’…..Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. A crowd was sitting round him, and they told him, ‘Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.’
‘Who are my mother and my brothers?’ he asked.
Then he looked at those seated in a circle round him and said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will, is my brother and sister and mother.’
Read: Mark 3
Thought
I have often read this chapter and felt sorry for Jesus’ family. At first glance it seems as though Jesus is having so much fun with his new friends that he is not interested in his family. The crowd are his family now. But this is no ordinary story of rejection.
Are the family simply wanting to look after Jesus’ physical needs? Or are they trying to take charge and take control of the situation? Earlier in the chapter (while the family are outside waiting) Jesus has shown his power and control over the spiritual world by healing someone who was possessed. And now the family and friends want to take control. Perhaps they feel that the crowd is getting out of hand. And they may feel that simply by letting Jesus know that they are waiting outside that he will drop everything to go to them.
Those who assume that they are close to Jesus are sharply told to think again. It may seem harsh to his family, but those who assume that they are far from him are given hope.
Jesus redefines family. Those who sit around him and do God’s will are his family. True disciples are with Jesus and do the will of God. They are Jesus’ true family.
Reflection
Music: no longer slaves
Spend a few moments thinking about where you would fit into the story.
Do you take your position as a child of God for granted?
Do you spend time sitting with Jesus and listening to what he says?
Do you do the will of God?
Don’t forget that we are not on our own. Remember the promise that Jesus gave his followers at the end of Matthew’s gospel – we read only a few days ago – I am with you always.
Prayer
O king enthroned on high
Comforter and spirit of truth
You that are in all places and fill all things
The treasury of blessing and giver of life
Come and dwell with us,
Cleanse us from every stain
And save our souls, O gracious one
Amen
Coral Francis
Mark 2
The Scandal of Grace
Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them. As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector’s booth. ‘Follow me,’ Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him.
While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: ‘Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?’
On hearing this, Jesus said to them, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but those who are ill. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.’
Read: Mark 2
Thought
Jesus often called people to follow him who stood on the fringe of religious respectability or even outside of it. In those days tax collectors had a reputation as being corrupt and as such were regarded as unclean. In Mark 2v13-17 Jesus calls Levi, the tax-collector, who followed Jesus without debate or question. Following is something that requires action – it is something one does, not simply what one thinks or believes. Jesus’ acceptance of Levi sends a signal to others like him – as we see that many tax collectors and sinners joined him and his disciples. The Pharisees followed Jesus – but only from a distance, so that they could criticise.
The scandal of this story is that Jesus does not make moral repentance a precondition of his love and acceptance. There are no preconditions. Jesus loves and accepts tax collectors and sinners as they are.
Jesus loves everyone generously, and unconditionally. It is this that scandalized the religious leaders of his day. Jesus showed the reckless extravagant love of God – loving people who don’t deserve it. Philip Yancey, author of What’s so amazing about grace? wrote: God loves people because of who God is, not because of who we are.” That is the scandal of grace.
Reflection
Music: Reckless love
Spend some time focusing on the fact that God loves you – no matter what you have done or what you have not done.
Talk to God about how that makes you feel.
Prayer
O king enthroned on high
Comforter and spirit of truth
You that are in all places and fill all things
The treasury of blessing and giver of life
Come and dwell with us,
Cleanse us from every stain
And save our souls, O gracious one
Amen
Coral Francis
Shaping Disciples – An introduction to Marks’s Gospel
Previously we had noted that the source for Mark’s gospel was none other than the apostle Peter, I would like now to turn our attention to Mark.
Early church sources tell us that Mark was Peter’s companion, interpreter and scribe (His Greek was probably a lot better for writing to the Gentile churches in which they ministered)and that Mark was meticulous in reporting exactly what Peter said.
They also tell us Mark heard the stories about Jesus recounted in Peter’s sermons, that Peter had arranged together to teach particular points to particular audiences – as Peter was all about making disciples and teaching them what they needed to know to follow Jesus more closely (and in turn make disciples themselves). We may be traveling through Peters stories, but watch how Mark (following the example of Peter) has arranged them – what is he trying to teach us? How is he trying to shape us as disciples of Jesus?
Note: We are now using the NIVUK translation on bible gateway (the reading link) that comes with the acclaimed audio version – read by David Suchet – Just click on the speaker icon in the row of icons above the Bible passage and David Suchet will read to you!
Mark 1
The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:
‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way’ –
‘a voice of one calling in the wilderness,
“Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.”’
And so, John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptised by him in the River Jordan
Reading: Mark 1
Thought
Mark starts his gospel with John the Baptist’s call to get ready for Jesus. A call of repentance. A call to turn away from all the things that made a mess of their lives and those around them. A call to turn away from the empty things they had built their lives upon.
And people came. They confessed their sins: their failures, their wrong priorities.
And John baptised them in the river, symbolically washing away their old lives and all their failures.
And they turned towards God.
But this was just a foretaste of what was to come, and John prophesied that Jesus would baptise with the Holy Spirit. The Spirit that was poured out on Pentecost on all people.
For in the churches that Mark Visited with Peter, he would have seen this prophecy fulfilled. That As people committed their lives to follow Jesus, his spirit filled them and lives were changed.
So, Mark starts his gospel with an invitation:
to let go of our past, our sin, our wrong actions and attitudes and priorities and come and know Jesus, come, and know his forgiveness, come, and know new life. Come and know Jesus as his Holy Spirit fills us.
Reflection
Music for Reflection: Nothing but Grace
Is there anything that you need to confess to Jesus to hand over to him. Do so knowing that on the cross he has paid the price for every sin. Do so knowing that he loves and forgives you. Do so knowing that he wants you to know life in all its fullness.
Ask Jesus to fill you anew with his Holy Spirit. Ask him to help you to follow him more closely and become more like him. Ask him to lead you and guide you each day.
Prayer
O king enthroned on high
Comforter and spirit of truth
You that are in all places and fill all things
The treasury of blessing and giver of life
Come and dwell with us,
Cleanse us from every stain
And save our souls, O gracious one
Amen
(an orthodox Prayer)
Rev Peter Francis