Category Archives: Mark

Reading:

Mark 9:14-29

“The people…were greatly amazed” — Why? And what (if anything) amazes people about me?

“Thy disciples…could not” — Why not? And did Jesus expect better of them? More importantly, what of God’s assigned work am I not able to do? And what’s the solution?

“O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you?” — I want Jesus with me as long as I need Him!

“Have compassion on us, and help us” — not on my merits, but on Christ’s alone. How sharp and everpresent is my awareness of my need of His compassion and help?

“All things are possible to him that believeth” — Too often my faith struggles to believe the fullness of that applies even to me. Am I prone to surrender my unbelief to God or to wallow miserably in it? “I believe; help thou mine unbelief.”

“Enter no more into him” — Free indeed!

Why should I fast?

I’m rather late in the week to be reading the next Sunday School lesson in Christian Light‘s quarterly. But I finally got to reading the lesson text (Mark 6:45-56).

It truly does speak to my heart need in some areas!

  1. Even He who is one with the Father prayed. Much. I don’t understand why God the Son needed to pray. What do I not understand about prayer?
  2. Jesus could see them “in the midst of the sea” while He was on land, apparently quite a while after they left. I believe He is similarly aware of my “toiling in rowing” while the wind is contrary to me. But how do I increase my awareness of and reliance on that…and Him?
  3. Jesus spoke to the need of their hearts. What must I do to hear Him better when He speaks to the needs of my heart?
  4. Jesus saw them from land. He walked on water (faster than they were rowing). He stilled the storm. Do I know of anything He cannot do on my behalf?
  5. What has hardened my heart? Does my faith fail to “connect the dots” of God’s faithfulness?
  6. The people could count on Jesus for help. Do I? Furthermore, do others see enough of Jesus in me that they count on me for some compassion and help?
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