An interesting journey

 

To Journey with Jesus has some unusual twist and turns. Reading the record of Mark's Gospel will help to deliver us from creating a Jesus of our own imagination.

I am up to chapters 2 and 3.

The healing of sick people was wonderful. His claim to have authority to forgive sins was unexpected. – read chapter two. Then He chooses one of the tax collectors to be a trusted disciple. Tax collectors were considered traitors and dishonest. How embarrassing for the disciples to have dinner with such persons. The Lord was making an important point – He came into the world, not to call righteous people, but sinners to repentance. (like a doctor healing sick people).

As the journey continued, His contempt for unhelpful religious regulation became clear. Healing on the Sabbath was to Him more important than being bound by a rule. Plucking ears of wheat on the Sabbath invoked criticism. But again He makes a great claim – to be Lord over the Sabbath!

I am sure many wondered what was He about? Was He seeking to reform religion? Was He seeking to save lost sheep? Was He seeking fame?

The more important question was who does He think He is ?  - and that is so important. Little by little He unveiled His true identity.  We hardly know who we are or where we have come from, or why we are here, or where we are going! But He knew His own identity precisely and the purpose of His coming to planet earth.

Read again Mark 1-3 and place yourself in the shoes of Andrew or Peter.  What might they have been thinking?

Keep reading, and let  the Bible speak for itself.

JRM