Gospel Meditation #200 Mark 8:34-9:1 Jesus’ Four “Fors”

GOSPEL MEDITATION # 200

Mark 8:34-9:1

Jesus’ Four “For’s” or A Different kind of kingdom

  1. Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions.
  2. Be comfortably alert, still and at peace.
  3. Recite the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer
  4. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself.
  5. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.
  6. Reread it. From memory, determine the central points.
  7. The If in verse 34, “If anyone would come after me” is a 3rd class condition meaning there may be those who do.
  8. The maybe nature to following Jesus is because it is costly: self-denial, taking up of the cross, losing his or her life, and not being ashamed of Jesus.
  9. Self-denial–to turn from that which is unholy and to seek to serve and please God rather than ourselves, both of which are contrary to our natural instincts and nature.
  1. To take the cross is to identify with the death of Jesus, His dying in our place and for us, in order that our sin be covered. What an odd message indeed, to be washed in the blood of the Lamb.
  2. Losing one’s life rather than seeking health, wealth, fame, fortune, honor among people, and much more. It is seeking first the kingdom. It is giving all to obtain the pearl of great price and that treasure hidden in the field.
  3. Not being ashamed to identify with Jesus and His Gospel means among other things, not being afraid to say the Name of Jesus when we know it will likely bring unfavorable reaction.
  4. An adulterous and sinful generation is not a fan of that which is holy and righteous. And the pressure to conform to it is great indeed.
  5. To be ashamed of Jesus now only will result in His being ashamed of us when the kingdom of God arrives in power. And this event’s advent is merely a matter of time.

 

Gospel Meditation #199 Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection, Mark 8:31-38

GOSPEL MEDITATION #199

Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection

Mark 8:31-38

  1. Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions.
  2. Be comfortably alert, still and at peace.
  3. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer.
  4. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself.
  5. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.
  6. Reread it. From memory, determine the central points.
  7. It is assumed this story takes place in Caesarea Philippi; Jesus is not alone with His disciples, but others are nearby.
  8. Isaiah, chapter 53, had spoken of the rejection the Messiah would receive culminating in the death of the suffering servant of Israel. Jesus knew the passage was about Him.
  9. Jesus explained all plainly to the Twelve, but Peter, perhaps speaking for himself as well as the rest, protested the meaning of Jesus’ words. The Messiah would reign as king was their mindset.
  10. Redemption, Salvation, eternal fellowship in heaven was the object and not the things of men. Jesus knew that Satan was behind the misunderstanding.
  11. Not an idiom, “Get behind me, Satan!” as Jesus knew Satan’s deception was behind Peter’s exclamation as it is with every suggestion or doctrine that denies the cross and resurrection. There is nothing new under the sun.
  12. Genuine conversion, real discipleship meant followers of Jesus would deny themselves (as to worldly goals), take up the cross (of suffering and shame), and follow Him however troublesome, humiliating, and painful that might prove to be. These do not save a person but do illustrate that genuine conversion is in place.
  13. The issue is nothing less than eternal life.

GOSPEL MEDITATION #198 Mark 8:22-30 Jesus Heals a Blind Man at Bethsaida & Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ

GOSPEL MEDITATION #198

Mark 8:22-30

Jesus Heals a Blind Man at Bethsaida &

Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ

(also read Matthew 16:13-20 & Luke 9:18-22)

  1. Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions.
  2. Be comfortably alert, still and at peace.
  3. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer
  4. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself.
  5. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.
  6. Reread it. From memory, determine the central points.
  7. People brought a blind man to Jesus. They thought Jesus could heal the man. Our work is to bring people to Jesus.
  8. Being blind, Jesus spoke to and touched the man. Interesting that the healing was not completed at once and when it was the man saw clearly. Jesus did not want the healing to be widely known; Jesus did not need the publicity or further interruptions since now the priority was to teach the apostles..
  9. Some distance north of Bethsaida was Caesarea Philippi, a Greek city, a place were Jesus’ enemies would not travel.
  10. Now about half-way in Jesus’ earthly work, He enquires about what His followers, and others, were saying as to who He was.
  11. The disciples gave three replies: John the Baptist; Elijah, or one of the other prophets, like, maybe, Isaiah or Jeremiah.
  12. Though Herod had beheaded John, in his paranoia he supposed Jesus was John come back to life. Elijah, was known to come before and herald the Messiah, and others, for no sound reason, thought Jesus was one of Israel’s noted prophets coming at an auspicious time.
  13. But the disciples, as announced by Peter, had a clearer understanding, one revealed only by God Himself. (see Matthew 16:17)
  14. Characteristically, Jesus does not want this announced.

 

Gospel Meditation Mark 8:11-21, The Pharisees demand a Sign & The Leaven of the Pharisees

GOSPEL MEDITATION #197

The Pharisees Demand a Sign &

The Leaven of the Pharisees

Mark 8:11-21

  1. Find a quiet place without distractions.
  2. Be comfortably alert, still, and at peace.
  3. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer.
  4. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself.
  5. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.
  6. “Show us a miracle and we will be satisfied.” Then one more would be requested, and then another. Heal someone, cast out a demon – then we will believe. But they did not.
  7. Seems like a miracle would be enough but it never is. Faith is always a gift, blind eyes must be opened, deaf ears must be made to hear.
  8. Jesus had feed 5000 then 4000 and yet the apostles were worried about the apparent lack of bread. Did they want to see another miracle?
  9. The guys somehow had forgotten the two most incredible miracles ever, one which showed up the fundamental law of nature – new energy or matter cannot be created. We live in a closed system.
  10. Right in front of them, as it had been for the religious leaders, they beheld the miraculous. It was not enough.
  11. As yet there was no inner working of the Holy Spirit, who alone confirms forgiveness and salvation. It is a miracle unseen, which is far superior to even a resurrection from the dead.
  12. There would be the resurrection of Lazarus, which was like casting pearls before swine; then Jesus’ own resurrection was denied.
  13. The Pharisees are like all those who trust in doing good works. Theirs is despair and a longing for proof undeniable.
  14. Good deeds are observed while real faith cannot be.