Was it really about fasting?

Mark 2: 18-22

Here, in these passages, Mark records another spiritual lesson taught by Jesus. Again I can see that this lesson of His is very different from the worlds view of how life should be lived.

Begins with a question to Jesus from people observing Jesus' ministry (v18), "Why do John's disciples and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples don't fast?"

John's fasting was about repentance of sins and preparation for Christ coming and the Pharisees fasted to show others how holy they were. Jesus obviously did not disagree with fasting because He fasted Himself (Matthew 4:2), but He had strong feelings on how people chose to fast. Jesus' teaching was not to fast to impress others; fasting to impress others would twist and distort the purpose of fasting. Jesus chose to address not the action of fasting itself, but the heart behind the action.

I can see in my life, and the life of others of how we can distort or twist truths to fit our satisfaction instead of His. This very thing is the downfall of Christianity. I don't want to be so rigid about my own ideas that I neglect the life-changing truths of Christ as the Pharisee's did. When do we get to the point where we are more concerned about humility than selfishness? Jesus laid out a plan that is best for His people, and His life gives me a good idea on how to approach my daily living. We need to be careful not to distort His plan with man-made ideas.

As I continue to walk through the life of Jesus in Mark, I see that Jesus' ministry revolved around issues of the heart. He was more concern about eternity than a quick fix.

Verse of the day

I didn't make time this morning, but usually read my favorite Psalm when I don't make time.

Psalm 28

28:1 To you, O Lord, I call;
my rock, be not deaf to me,
lest, if you be silent to me,
I become like those who go down to the pit.
2 Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy,
when I cry to you for help,
when I lift up my hands
toward your most holy sanctuary. [1]

3 Do not drag me off with the wicked,
with the workers of evil,
who speak peace with their neighbors
while evil is in their hearts.
4 Give to them according to their work
and according to the evil of their deeds;
give to them according to the work of their hands;
render them their due reward.
5 Because they do not regard the works of the Lord
or the work of his hands,
he will tear them down and build them up no more.

6 Blessed be the Lord!
For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.
7 The Lord is my strength and my shield;
in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
my heart exults,
and with my song I give thanks to him.

8 The Lord is the strength of his people; [2]
he is the saving refuge of his anointed.
9 Oh, save your people and bless your heritage!
Be their shepherd and carry them forever.

Shining as lights

Although I did not spend time with the Lord today here were my thoughts from Wednesday's time with him-

Do all things without grumbling and complaining so that you may be blameless and innocent children of God without blemish in the midst of a twisted and crooked generation among whom you shine as lights in the world. Philippians 2:14 (I believe)

I know I have talked about how I can be different and how do people see Jesus in me and I thought these words really gave me perspective as to how Jesus shines through me in a very practical way. I am assuming Paul knew men complained and grumbled about everything, but followers of Christ live a blameless and innocent life. If Christ is going to shine through me then I need to do all things without grumbling and complaining so that I will be a blameless and innocent child of God without blemish. In my world where it is so easy to complain and grumble about people and things not being done a certain way this verse is very challenging as I strive to be more like Christ.

Authority in His words

Authority in His words

Mark 1:21-28
At the start of Jesus' ministry, after being tempted by Satan in the wilderness, Jesus chose a few disciples and began to teach and perform miracles in the town of Capernaum. Every sabbath he went to the synagoge and taught the people of the town. These people were amazed because no one had spoke with such confidence and authority before. Usually the Jewish teachers of that day often quoted from other well-known rabbis to give their words more authority, but Jesus didn't have that need. In fact on of His first miracles was spoken, just a verbal miracle. On one of the days Jesus was in the synagoge a demon possessed man strolled in. This man knew exactly who Jesus was when he saw him, he was shouting "I know who you are, the Holy One sent from God." Jesus cut him short "Be silent! Come out from that man." Immediately the evil spirit left him. This tells me that the evil spirit had no choice in the matter, Jesus had complete authority over the situation and the demon knew it! At this point in Jesus' ministry he was starting to reveal His credentials to the world.

This verbal miracle gives me confidence in knowing that He has authority over all and we as His children can use this authority to our benefit. I need to be confident in His words and continue to meditate on them.