Compassion: Chapters 3-4
Mark’s focus on the healing Christ continues following the man with the shriveled hand. His popularity is going through the roof. People from everywhere are bringing their infirmed to Him for healing. Is this due to sickness or did they really believe He was the Messiah?
Mark 3:7ff begins by telling us that Jesus withdrew to the Lake (Tiberias) . . . but a large crowd followed him. Read Mark 3:7-12.
- From what areas did people come? _________________________________________________________
- How would you feel if a huge crowd pushed you into the water? That’s what the huge crow did! Did Jesus try to escape?
- What were the peoples’ expectations?
- How does verse 11 tell us that even Satan obeys the “Creator?”
Chapter 3 continues to tell us that Jesus entered another house (place) and again so crowded they couldn’t even eat! Evidently, the man was “out of his mind.” What does this mean? Is this different than mental illness today? Unsure! The Pharisee followers cried out, “He is possessed by Beelzebub.”
Beelzebub
Beelzebub is a contemporary name for the devil. In Christian sources, he is referred to as one of the “seven princes of Hell.” He is also referred to as the “demonic fly” and also known as the “Lord of the Flies.”
The contemporary question is, “What are devils?” It is obvious that they plagued Jesus in His day. Are they present today? If so, how?
Read Mark 3:20-30
Jesus responds to their query, “How can a house be divided against itself?” That’s a rhetorical question of course.
What’s the “scary” statement made by Jesus at the end of this discourse? Does this scare you?
Read Mark 4:35-41
Chapter 4 changes focus.
- But at the end of the chapter, Jesus has compassion in another way. How did his compassion surface here?
- Where else in Scripture do we find the phrase “Be still?”
Questions for the Day
- If the devil rules, then why do the spirits of Jesus’ day obey Him? How can we use the Bible to address people’s concerns about the continuing nature of the “Evil One?”
- Jesus reminded that a house cannot be divided against itself. What does this suggest about God’s House and how we act as seen by those outside?
- “Be still” is a very comforting statement in Mark’s passage here but is often skimmed over. Psalm 46 makes it very clear in David’s psalm. Go back and read Psalm 46. What does this Psalm mean to you?
- If Satan continues to exhibit his force, how can we as Christians reverse his direction?