Mark – Page 4 – Be Still…

Mark 10:13-16 – Watch the Child

Read Mark 10:13-16

Were you “shushed” as a child and reminded all the time to behave? Or were you encouraged to be yourself, testing boundaries, and scraping a few knees? Jesus clearly welcomes children, and so do I!

In addition to having children of my own, God has blessed me in ministry to work with many children over the years. What joy it is to see those children grow up and teach their own children about Jesus! Sadly, I’ve encountered plenty of people along the way who would rather “shush” the child, so they are seen and not heard. That’s what we see the disciples doing in this passage.

Mark 9:42-50 – It’s Better

Read Mark 9:42-50

I can only imagine a world filled with handless, foot-less, or eye-less people waiting to get into heaven. But if that’s what it takes to keep us blameless and free from sin, are you willing to cut off your sinful extremity? It seems a little extreme, doesn’t it?

I’m sure Jesus doesn’t want us to take this instruction literally. But it is a fantastic way to demonstrate how our sin separates us from God. We’d have a permanent solution to avoid making the same mistake twice. How often do we fall into the trap of sinfulness only to repeat our evil ways again and again? There must be a way to escape the cycle.

Mark 9:38-41 – Using the Name of Jesus

Read Mark 9:38-41

We see another misunderstanding here on the part of the disciples. They may have been part of Jesus’ “inner circle” of followers, but they were not the only ones Jesus would use to benefit the kingdom. This was a teachable moment for them in that regard.

I imagine they were a bit surprised, and even put off, that someone outside their little band of followers would be casting out demons in Jesus’ name. But their exasperation was not that this man was using Jesus’ name so much as that this charismatic prophet was not in “their group.”

Mark 9:33-37 – Who’s the Greatest?

Read Mark 9:33-37

Like willful children teasing each other about who is mom or dad’s favorite, the disciples were at odds amongst themselves. Wondering who was greatest, I have to assume, meant who did Jesus favor the most. I wonder what Jesus thought when they admitted to their squabble.

Jesus’ answer was clear and to the point. We, too, can see an opportunity to be great. What do we need to do to find this kind of favor? Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.” Do you think the disciples were a little shocked over this?

Mark 9:30-32 – Jesus Says He’s Going to Die Again

Read Mark 9:30-32

Here we have the second time Jesus spoke of his death in Mark’s gospel. The disciples still don’t get it. By now, they seem hesitant to ask for clarification. Has that ever happened to you? You have a question for a teacher or professor and are afraid to ask because of how you may look? I wonder what held the disciples back from asking Jesus to explain. Maybe they remembered Peter being called Satan the last time Jesus spoke like this.

What I liked about this passage is the intimacy Jesus displays. He wanted to lay low, avoid clamoring crowds, and just spend time with his disciples. I suppose that struck a chord with me because my love language is “quality time.” Jesus was desiring special time with his followers. He still desires that from us today.