Walking With Jesus 3: The Wild Things (Mark 1:12-13)

Walking With Jesus 3: The Wild Things (Mark 1:12-13)

by | Aug 19, 2024 | Bible Studies, Christological Reflections, God in the Details, Walking With Jesus

“At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness,and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.”

Mark 1:12-13, NIV

After His baptism Jesus is sent to the wilderness. The other narratives found in Luke and Matthew give us a lot more detail regarding the temptations that Jesus had to face.

Mark on the other hand, strikingly keeps it short – so short that if you’re not careful you might miss it.

Mark only gives us five points in these 2 verses.

  1. Jesus is sent out by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness (Matthew 4:
  2. He spends forty days in the wilderness.
  3. He is tempted by Satan.
  4. There are wild animals.
  5. And angels attended Him.

When we look at the narratives in the other Gospels (Matt 4 and Luke 4) we find that all these points are there as well – except for one.

Mark chooses to specifically mention that Jesus was in the wilderness with the wild animals.

The word used in the Greek to describe these animals is ‘thérion’ – translated in the King James Version as ‘wild beasts’ it more properly and specifically indicates a brutal, savage and ferocious creature.

A few things come to mind.

First of all is the idea that the wilderness is a dangerous place – full of wild, feral things.

Yet Jesus makes His journey unscathed – unafraid – and victorious.

He makes it through safely and soundly.

In Isaiah 35 we read about the highway – the Way of Holiness that runs through the desolate wilderness of this life – and in verse 9: 

No lion will be there,
   nor any ravenous beast;
   they will not be found there.
But only the redeemed will walk there, (NIV)

Where Jesus is, the wild things are kept at bay.

He is our shield. He is our protection. He is the Hand of God upon our lives.

But it doesn’t stop there.

The wilderness is a desolate place, a barren place.

Isaiah 35:1-2: 

The desert and the parched land will be glad;
 the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.
Like the crocus, 2 it will burst into bloom;
    it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.
The glory of Lebanon will be given to it,
    the splendor of Carmel and Sharon;
they will see the glory of the Lord,
    the splendor of our God. (NIV)

We see, here in Isaiah, a story of transformation and change. The parched land becomes glad. The wilderness rejoices and blossoms.

In Ezekiel 34 we see a similar promise. The Lord promises the coming of ‘a second David’. We read in verse 25: “‘I will make a covenant of peace with them and rid the land of savage beasts so that they may live in the wilderness and sleep in the forests in safety.”

We see in the Book of Mark a compelling narrative of transformation and renewal – similar to those found in the prophetic passages above. We see exorcisms and deliverance taking place, we see healing, we see restoration – we see Jesus coming into the fray to ‘tie up the strong man’ (Mark 3) – those things that seek to attack the mind, the body and the soul. 

He does so without fear, confronting the spiritual forces of darkness and evil with boldness and power – driving the ‘wildness’ out of a man in the synagogue (Mark 1:21-26). He is found driving the ‘wildness’ out of the man in Gadara (Mark 5:1-20). 

Jesus comes to restore creation.

His creation.

This is what Mark is hinting at. He shows us a Jesus who walks amidst the feral things, the wild things – and brings them to peace. There is no bloodshed with Jesus in the wilderness. He walks through unharmed.

And He shows us the Way of Holiness: Jesus resisting the temptations that the Devil throws at Him. 

When we walk through the desolate places – the wilderness places – surrounded by the brutal, savage, wild things of this world – we are not walking alone. Jesus has gone before us. He is there with us through the indwelling of His Spirit – to guide us through, to lead us onward through the desolation upon that road where there is no lion, where the ravenous beast does not come.

And as long as we walk upon the Way – the Way He came to show us – resisting the Devil, standing firm in our faith and pursuing holiness – as long as we follow Jesus, not looking to the left or the right, our hearts set upon His Way and His Way set within our hearts – the wild things will not devour us.

The wild things of sin and shame will not devour us.

The wildness will be driven out of us by the peace that comes from His presence in our lives.

Reflect:

  1. What are some of the wild things you have encountered in your life? How has Jesus banished them from your land?
  2. Read James 4:4-10. What does it mean to walk on the Way that Jesus has prepared? What does resisting temptation look like? How do we pursue holiness in our daily coming and going in the wilderness of this life?

Prayer: Lord, You are my source and shield. Your hand rests upon me. I pray that You will be with me in the wilderness of this world today and that Your presence will keep the wild things, the brutal things, the ravenous things at a distance. Shut the mouth of the roaring lion that seeks only to devour. Quiet the growling of the enemy. Let Your Word be a light unto my feet today. Help me Lord to submit to You fully – to live a life of purity, obedience and holiness. Help me not look to the left or the right, but give me the wisdom to keep my eyes and my heart set upon You. Keep me from temptation, keep me on Your Way – strengthen me through Your presence. Give me strength to stand strong against the onslaught of the enemy. Let me enter this day boldly, knowing that You are with me. In Jesus Name. Amen.

 

Walking With Jesus: The Baptism of Jesus (Mark 1:3-11)

Walking With Jesus: The Baptism of Jesus (Mark 1:3-11)

by | Aug 12, 2024 | Bible Studies, Christological Reflections, God in the Details, Walking With Jesus

“A voice of one calling:
“In the wilderness prepare
the way for the Lord;
make straight in the desert
a highway for our God.”

Isaiah 40:3, NIV

Mark begins his Gospel account by introducing us to a pretty radical, strange man, called John. 

John the Baptist.

In Mark 1:3: says that John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

Mark describes John as wearing clothing made of camel’s hair with a belt of leather. This in itself seems wild enough – but when taken in context, we see a definite parallel with the appearance of Elijah (2 Kings 1:7-8:)

In addition to this both preached a message of repentance and turning back to God for forgiveness of their sins.

There are other interesting similarities. For example the fact that both had their lives sought by wicked queens (1 Kings 19, Matthew 14), ate food provided by God in the wilderness (Mark 1:6, 1 Kings 17), confronted idolatry (1 Kings 18, Luke 3),  and both lived in the wilderness and ministered near the Jordan River.

The most important similarity between them, however, is that each in his own right was the only acting prophet of the Lord when the began their ministries.

In 1 Kings 18:22 we read: Then Elijah said to them, “I am the only one of the Lord’s prophets left, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets.”

And in Luke 1:76-79: “And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;
for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him…”

John the Baptist starts his ministry after more or less 400 years of prophetic silence, following the death of Malachi. This silent period is known as the ‘Intertestamental Period’.

Suddenly, after 400 years, God anoints his servant to speak again! God anoints this wild-man prophet to prepare the way for the coming of Christ and His Kingdom.

The water baptism of John was a new thing – a unique thing. David Guzik shares the following thought: “Baptism was already practiced in the Jewish community in the form of ceremonial immersions but typically it was only among Gentiles who wished to become Jews. For a Jew in John’s day to submit to baptism was essentially to say, “I confess that I am as far away from God as a Gentile and I need to get right with Him.” This was a real work of the Holy Spirit.”

The baptism of John in the wilderness was a prophetic reflection of the new movement God was birthing in the world – a preparing of the ground – the preparation of their hearts to receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The first purpose of his baptism therefore was to prepare the way for Christ.

The second purpose of the baptism was to reveal Christ. (Mark 1:9-11).

At the Baptism of Jesus we read that the Heavens were torn open. The same verb is used to describe what happens to the Temple Veil when Jesus gives His last breath upon the cross.

The author Don Juel shares his impression: “What does the tearing mean? It may mean, as interpreted in the Letter to the Hebrews (esp. chapters 9-10), that we now have access to God: We can “have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus” (Heb. 10:19).  Viewed from another perspective, the image may suggest that the protecting barriers are gone and that God, unwilling to be confined to sacred spaces, is on the loose in our own realm.  If characters in the story find Jesus’ ministry threatening, then they may have good reason.  The imagery has enormous power to shape imagination and to open readers to the story.  That is, Mark’s narrative is about the intrusion of God into a world that has become alien territory — An intrusion that means both life and death.” (Donald Juel, A Master of Surprise,)

It is here, in verses 9-11, that we see that God has stepped into our realm of flesh and blood. That God Himself has come to work on our behalf – to prepare a way for us towards salvation – God Himself has come to prepare the way of reconciliation – and to show us this way.

God Himself is taking action.

And He wants to take action in your life today.

Reflect:

  1. John came preaching a message of repentance. The Gospel as a whole is focused on repentance – on turning away from the world, and towards Him. Is there any area of your life that requires a turning towards God today?

  2. What do the words “God on the loose” awaken in you? What would it look like to have “God on the loose” in your life? What would it look like to have “God on the loose” through you? How will this affect and reflect in your life today?

Prayer: Lord, I want to invite you today, through Your Holy Spirit, to move in me and through me. If there is anything in my life that is out of order, anything that should be removed – any area of my life that needs to turn towards You, show me and give me the wisdom to act – let no stone be left unturned. And as I turn, wholly and fully towards You, let my life be a reflection of the life You gave – direct me in all my ways and ordain every step I take, so that the world might see You ‘on the loose’ in my life. In Jesus name. Amen.

 

 

Walking With Jesus: The Gospel of Action (Mark 1:1)

Walking With Jesus: The Gospel of Action (Mark 1:1)

by | Aug 5, 2024 | Bible Studies, God in the Details, Walking With Jesus

“The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God…” (Mark 1:1, NIV)

Many times new believers have asked me where to begin their reading of the Bible – and the answer is always the same. Start with the book of Mark.

It is not only the earliest of the Gospel accounts but also the simplest and the easiest to read. 

It is the shortest account, but also the most action packed. It gives us a good idea of who Jesus is – not necessarily what He taught, but how He walked.

Although Mark had never walked with Jesus himself, he worked closely with Paul and served as an interpreter for Peter. 

An early church historian, Papias, who was the Arch Bishop of Hierapolis, and who lived around the same time, recalls how Mark had collected and recounted all the stories and memories of Peter in his own account. 

Peter was a man of action – and thus it comes as no surprise that Peter’s most vivid memories would revolve around the things that Jesus DID. 

Where Matthew portrays Jesus as the King of Heaven come, Mark very much shows us the Jesus who steps down from His high and exalted place to serve the lost and disenfranchised, the broken, the battered and burdened.

His style is blunt and to the point. A Gospel of Action.

It has been estimated that book of Mark was written and distributed between 60 and 70AD, a time of great persecution in the church. It is further speculated that Mark wrote this Gospel from a prison cell – with the sole purpose of encouraging the persecuted church to stand firm in their faith – devoting a large part of his account to Jesus’ own example of martyrdom, as well as many references to the cost of discipleship.

Mark shows us how Jesus defied the corrupt religious and political authorities of His time, how He stood up for those in need, how He acted as liberator and saviour, followed through with courage and conviction – never faltering – unwavering in His mission to the very end.

The book of Mark was very much written in a time of crisis for the persecuted believer to see Christ, to know Him, to see His face – to identify with Him and learn how to follow in His footsteps.

If you find yourself in a time of crisis today – whether it is a crisis of faith, identity, purpose – or any other storm you might find yourself in – I urge you to walk with Jesus through the book of Mark.

Get to know Him as the One Who Takes Action – the Right Arm of God stretched out, the Mighty One Who Saves – our Healer, our Saviour, our Liberator – the Chain Breaker – Promise Keeper and Light in the Darkness.

Get to know Jesus as the Messiah and the Son of God.

Get to know Jesus as the Face, the Grace and Embrace of God.

Your life will never be the same.

Reflect:

  1. At this point in our study, what do you know about Jesus? What is the image you have in your mind when you think of Him?
  2. If we are called to be imitators of Christ (Ephesians 5:1), how does your answer to the previous question affect your everyday walk in the world? How does your current concept of who Christ is reflect in your daily interactions with those around you? How does it affect your daily activities?

Prayer: Lord, as I start my journey, walking with You through the Gospel According to Mark, give me clarity of mind, give me clarity of understanding – show Yourself to me. As I walk with You through Your Word, teach me Lord to live like You. Give me a richer, more compelling view of who You are and what You came to do. As I journey with You Lord, bring me to a place where I can stand in the resurrection power of Your Gospel – revive me Lord, restore me, stir up in me an excitement and a zeal for Your Kingdom. As I read this Gospel of Action, let my heart be called to action as well. As I see You in the Scriptures, let me show You to the World. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Christ and the Angels: Lower than the Angels

Christ and the Angels: Lower than the Angels

by | Jun 14, 2024 | Bible Studies, Christological Reflections, God in the Details

David asks: What is man that thou art mindful of him? Or the son of man that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. (Psalm 8:4-5, KJV).

It’s a question I’ve often asked, and I’m sure it must’ve crossed your mind in the past as well – who am I that God is mindful of me? Who am I that He cares for me? Who am I that He sees me, and hears me, and loves me unconditionally?

Now – it is important for us to acknowledge that man is made up of various components – that the flesh can be separated from the spirit and from the soul. They are three distinct parts.

In the beginning God created the universe – He created man – and told man to reign over all the Earth, to have authority!

God made us, a little lower than the angels, but crowned us with glory and honor.

When we talk about Jesus being lower than the angels it is of utmost importance that we separate the various components which makes us human. Jesus isn’t lower than the angels in spirit and soul – but only in body! He is lower than the angels because of the perishable flesh He took on. We must remember that Christ is still God!

The Bible teaches that sin came into the world through one man – Adam, but also that our redemption comes from one man – as promised in Genesis 3:15 and fulfilled in Christ – the anointed Messiah in whom we have redemption, the remission of our sins and eternal life.

Hebrews 2:14: (KJV) reads as follows:

“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;”

Tying in with the previous passage, as found in Hebrews 2:9-10:

“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.”

God stepped down from His throne into the darkness of the world, into our midst, so that He could restore us, rescue us and take us home – return us, in right standing, to His Kingdom.

God stepped down from His throne, inclined to man, and it became Him to become a little lower than the angels so that He could suffer for our infirmities, be broken for our transgressions, and pierced for our iniquity. It became Him to step down from Glory, so that He could be glorified by His love for us – so that we could glory in His embrace.

He came to Earth a little lower than the angels to restore us, to take all our burdens upon Him, to taste death for man, so that we could eat the bread of life eternal.

In this we see this Christological concept – that Jesus is the Word that took on flesh to become the Spotless Lamb of God, the Sacrifice for the remission of our sins and our reconciliation with Himself. The perishable flesh that would serve as the metaphorical ‘veil’ behind which the fullness of God lives – torn so that we may realize that God is not in that box, but among us, dwelling, moving, and working in our midst.

The Word, infinite and eternal, taking on corruptible, frail and fragile flesh is the epitome of God bowing the heavens to tabernacle in our midst. The immortal becoming perishable the ultimate sacrifice.

Reflect:

1. In the second chapter of Hebrews the author draws a comparison between Jesus and the angels to explain the significance of His incarnation. What are some ways that you can describe the incarnation of Jesus in your personal mission field?

2. In the first two chapters of Hebrews the author draws comparisons between Christ and the angels to explore His majesty, power and glory – but also the frailty of the flesh He came to inhabit. Why is it important to understand both sides of the Incarnation to have a full view of His finished work on the Cross?

3. Considering the above, what can we as believers take out of the text to influence the way we live our lives and our outreach to our neighbours?

Prayer:

Lord, in all things – persecution, famine, nakedness and sword – help me be a faithful witness of Your Kingdom. You endured great discomfort, pain and even death to prove Your love for us. My flesh might fail, but Your Spirit does not. Empower me through the indwelling of Your presence to see Your Kingdom come in our midst as I pray for, work for and strive for revival in my life and the lives of those around me. Give me a renewed understanding of the frailty You chose on my behalf and the sacrifice – Your Body and Your Blood – for me. Let me live a life worthy of the One You gave – with gratitude and thanksgiving. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Christ and the Angels: The Sceptre of His Kingdom

Christ and the Angels: The Sceptre of His Kingdom

by | Jun 14, 2024 | Bible Studies, Christological Reflections, God in the Details

In Hebrews 1:8 we find that Christ is God – and God Himself confirms it – we read:

“But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.”

God Himself says unto the Son – Thy throne, O God, is for ever!

Deuteronomy 6:4: and John 1:1: it is confirmed – God is one and we know that He would never do or say anything contradictory His word – therefore Christ is God!

In the same verse also we read that ‘a Sceptre of righteousness is the Sceptre of thy kingdom.’ Christ lived a spotless life on Earth – unblemished and pure – He lived a righteous life. In Psalm 1 we read that it is the righteous man who is like a tree planted by mighty rivers – but that the wicked is like chaff blown in the wind. This translates into life as follows – He who is firmly rooted in Christ (The source of Living Water) shall live a righteous life (Being as a tree planted by the Living Waters). Righteousness is the core of His teaching, His life and His ministry and is therefore also the centre of His kingdom – the Sceptre of His Kingdom!

We also find that He has authority over all things – if righteousness is the Sceptre of His Kingdom – than He must be the King. In verse 13 we read:

“But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?”

And Peter on the day of Pentecost shared the following with the crowd:

“This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool.” (Acts 2:32-35) (KJV)

It is Christ who is the exalted right hand of God – the Holy One who saw no corruption – who loosened the pains of death. Jesus – being raised up in glory and seated on the Throne of God.

In verse 9 we read that Christ has been anointed with the oil of gladness by God – because He has loved righteousness. Christ is the Holy and Anointed One. He is the Priest, Prophet and King of the world!

He is the eternal and unchanging one.

Hebrews 1:10-12:

“And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.”

Daniel has this vision in Daniel 7:13-14:

“I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.”

We see once more His authority in the Daniel passage, but we also read in the fourteenth verse that His kingdom is everlasting – that His kingdom, His dominion, shall not be destroyed, nor shall it ever pass away.

The author of the book of Hebrews states that all things may perish, but Christ shall never perish – that His dominion is forever. He states that all things will grow old and fade, and may be folded by Him and changed – but He is the same forever!

Eternal and unchanging.

In verse thirteen the question is asked – to which of His angels has He said, at any time – sit at my right hand until I make thine enemies thy footstool?

In verse 9 we read that God has anointed Him, has chosen Him above His fellows, but in the thirteenth verse we find that He is exalted above His enemies as well, that they are His footstool. Glorious!

Christ has been chosen, anointed, above all things – every living creature, and principality – He has been exalted above all things on Heaven and in Earth.

Ephesians 1:21-22: testifies of this fact when Paul states that Christ is:

“Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,”

Although angels are holy and immortal (Luke 9:26, Luke 20:36) – and possessed of certain supernatural qualities, they can not even begin to compare to the omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence of the Lord, neither are they necessarily eternal. They have their imperfections (Job 4:18, 1 Pet 1:12) and, as the Bible implies, are also vulnerable to temptation (Matt. 25:41, Revelation 12:7,9). Finally, and this should go without saying, they are definitely NOT to be worshipped (Col 2:18, Rev 19:10). Instead, their function is to worship God and reveal God so that others might worship Him.

Angels were feared and respected in ancient times as the executors of God’s estate – carrying out the will of God. But Jesus…

Jesus is higher than the angels – righteousness is the Sceptre of His Kingdom. He is the Eternal and Unchanging One, anointed with the oil of gladness. The Earth is His footstool. He is the Exalted Right Hand of God, seated on the Throne forever and ever.

Jesus is the Hand of God reaching down Himself to establish His Kingdom here on Earth.

Reflect:

1. What kind of feelings do the phrases “a Sceptre of righteousness is the Sceptre of Thy Kingdom” and “the Earth is Thy footstool” elicit in you? What kind of images do these phrases bring to mind? How does this affect the way you live your day to day life?

2. The Book of Hebrews does a good job of employing the cultural, religious and spiritual emblems and symbols of the day to describe the Godhood of Jesus Christ. What are some ways we can engage with and employ the culture of our day to share the Majesty and Power of Christ and His Kingdom?

3. Looking at Hebrews chapter 1 we see a collage of quotes. The author uses it convincingly to make the case for Christ and His Cross. How can we better make use of the spiritual discipline of Bible study to connect the dots between the Old and New Testaments to create a fuller and more compelling vision of Christ and His Kingdom?

Prayer:

Lord, as I take the time to think about the deeper things of Your Word, open up a deeper understanding. Help me gain insight, let me wisely discern the connections between the Old Testament and the New. Help me see and experience the fullness of Your Kingship in my life – Jesus, help me see the fullness of Your Godhood – and give me the right words to bring this across in my personal mission field. Come and reign in every facet of my life. Come and be glorified in the comings and goings of my day to day life. Yours is the Kingdom, the Glory and the Power. Forever and ever. Amen.