I mentioned yesterday that I’m one month into my journey through the Bible. Here are some highlights and thoughts from my time in the Gospel of Mark:
- It’s interesting that Jesus chose normal guys to join his first ministry team. Think there’s a reason he passed on inviting the religious scholars?
- And, when Jesus asked them to join the team, "They didn’t ask questions. They dropped their nets and followed." Ouch. I can’t remember the last time I just did it–no questions asked.
- Go ahead. Count how many times Jesus showed up and "as usual, a crowd gathered." Funny. Crowds were normal in Jesus’s ministry. Shouldn’t crowds be normal as well today?
- "They rubbed their eyes, incredulous–and then praised God, saying, ‘We’ve never seen anything like this!’" I pray people say that same thing when they connect to our ministry at Granger. "We’ve never seen anything like this!"
- "With many stories like these, he presented his message to them, fitting the stories to their experience and maturity. He was never without a story when he spoke." Jesus was a storyteller.
- Jesus sent the 12 apostles out in pairs. There’s that community thing again. It’s as if Jesus actually wants us to share life with other Christ-followers.
- "They preached with joyful urgency that life can be radically different." I want to continually have that "joyful urgency" in my life.
- "Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you?"
- "Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave."
- "Jesus was matter-of-fact: ‘Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you.’"
- Jesus said the two most important commandments were to love God and love others. At which point a scholar responded and talked about loving God with all our passion, all our intelligence, and all our energy. I love it that my faith is one of passion, intelligence and strength.
- Jesus died on a cross. And, then he was raised up. He overcame death. He appeared to a number of people. He spoke to them. He said, "Go into the world. Go everywhere and announce the Message of God’s good news to one and all." That’s our mission.
I’m really enjoying your summary notes on the books. I’m trying (failing miserably) at a read through the Bible myself.
Comment on one of your comments: While it is very interesting that crowds did show up everywhere Jesus went, it’s even more interesting that fewer than 20 stuck it out in any true, long-term fashion. I agree it should be the norm that crowds gather to hear God’s Word. But we shouldn’t be surprised if very few of them go on to have a true walk with Christ. We’ll see lots more goats than sheep.