March 6 (Adar 10) ~ Mark 8

Whose side are you on?

S - Scripture: Mark 8:1-38

"... for thou savourest not the things that be of God ..."

This picture reminds me that we are to go into all the world and teach the gospel. Our walk with Him often feels like a game "Tug of War" within ourselves as we struggle to deny self often times in favor for what God wants us to do. As we tell others about the gospel of Christ often times they wrestle with the decision to give their lives to God or to move on through life on their own terms, but nonetheless we must continue to reach out into the world and show them the compassion of Yeshua.

O - Observations:

1. I notice Yeshua's (Jesus') compassion on the multitude v.2.
2. I notice the crowd had been fasting for three days v.3 whether by choice or necessity.
3. Yeshua feeds 4,000 like he did the 5,000 v.19-20 tells us they were two different miracles.
4. I see the lack of faith on part of the Pharisees that after all Jesus had done they still looked for "a sign". When in several places we have already read it said such and such was done to "fulfill" xzy in the writings of the Prophets. Do not be deceived the Pharisees knew their Scriptures and knew in their minds or brains that these things were taking place. This was yet another display of their rejection and lack of faith. v.31
5. Then Jesus seems to get a little fed up with the disciples: "Do you not yet see or understand? Do you have a hardened heart? Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember? ... And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?" I feel like this with my 4 yo sometimes ... especially yesterday when I told her exactly where her shoes where and to put them on ... I thought my instruction was pretty clear, but instead of going where I told her the shoes were she went someplace entirely different! I said they were upstairs and she went down stairs ... I told her they were in her bedroom (the place she obviously sleeps) and she when to the living room (the exact opposite) ... Do you not hear? Do you not see? Do you not understand? Oye Vey! Not that I associate with Jesus and His response because I certainly hold Jesus at a much higher, calmer, more respectable place than I react, after all He is the Son of God. But he does seem a to have to be reminding them like we often have to remind our children.
6. Then Jesus opens the eyes of a blind man outside of Bethsaida (he couldn't do it inside Bethsaida because He had already promised not to work there). Interesting though that Jesus did the healing, but then had to finish the healing to restore the man 100% v.23-25.
7. Then Jesus asks His disciples who people thought he was and more directly who they thought He was. After giving the right answer "Thou art the Christ". He began to teach them about His Mission ~ His death, burial and resurrection. But they weren't ready to hear that and Peter rebukes Jesus, but Jesus rebuked Peter saying "Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men." v.33. The word savourest there means "to have understanding, be wise, to be of the same mind i.e. agreed together, cherish the same views, be harmonious , to be of one's party, side with him (in public affairs)." In another word Jesus was saying to Peter "you are not on my side" and we know from other Scripture there is only two sides "God's or Satans" ...
8. Jesus charges his disciples (are you his disciple?) "Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it."


A - Application for me today:

To find ways to carry for His Mission by teaching others about his death, burial and resurrection. To seek to be more "at one" with His Mission. To be on his side! To come after Him denying what I want to do and to follow after Him with my whole being, my whole life, loosing and denying my own self for the sake of the Good News.


P - Prayer in response:

LORD ~ My Father,

Thank you for your everlasting compassion. Help my unbelief. Give me perception and understanding and let not my heart be hardened. Give me eyes to see, ears to hear and a mind to remember all the great things You have done. Give me understanding so I might be at one with your Mission and carry forth through my home, my neigborhood and the world. May I put aside my own selfish desires, what I want to do and follow and obey you.

In the Name of Yeshoshua (Jesus), the Christ
Amen & Amen



THE LOVE CHALLENGE DARE

Day 26: Love is responsible

When you judge another, you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the same things. —Romans 2:1 HCSB

TODAY’S DARE

Take time to pray through your areas of wrongdoing. Ask for God’s forgiveness, then humble yourself enough to admit them to your spouse. Do it sincerely and truthfully. Ask your spouse for forgiveness as well. No matter how they respond, make sure you cover your responsibility in love. Even if they respond with criticism, accept it by receiving it as counsel.