Mark 3 - 4.23.22
Scripture
Mark 3:9
Because of the crowd he told his disciples to have a small boat ready for him, to keep the people from crowding him.
Observation – What does it say?
Jesus had healed so many people and word traveled fast. It was becoming the norm that wherever he went, crowds of people would quickly show up. People came from all over to hear him preach, bringing the sick and those tormented by demons.
Understanding – What does it mean?
This is my prayer for today!
We just celebrated Easter and the fact that the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is now living in us. Because of the Holy Spirit dwelling in every believer, Jesus said that these signs would now accompany those who believe (that’s you and me!):
Mark 16:17-18
And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
When we are preaching the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ and people believe and are saved, when we offer to pray for the sick and God heals them, when we pray for those in bondage to demonic influence and depression and addiction and anger and God heals them, this is what happens:
Acts 2:41
Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
Acts 4:4
But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.
Acts 5:16
Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.
The church exploded in growth as people encountered the love and transforming power of God, as it flowed through average followers of Jesus like you and me.
Life Application
I’m echoing the prayer of Habakkuk today:
Habakkuk 3:2
Lord, I have heard of your fame;
I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord.
Repeat them in our day,
in our time make them known;
God, move in such a way, through us, that the lost would be crowding our church buildings, our homes, our work desks, because they have heard of what you’re doing and they’re hungry for a touch from you. May we be a transforming presence here where you have placed us. Amen.
- Levi Thompson