Thoughts on the Book of Mark

A few months ago I decided to read through the book of Mark and try hard to see with clear vision what was really going on, not read with the dullness of familiarity. Since childhood I’ve heard and read the accounts of Jesus’ life and activities and it is easy to become bored when just skimming over the surface of familiar words.

When I was a child we visited the Silver Springs in Florida, where we rode in one of the famed “glass-bottomed boats”. Through that boat-bottom “window” we could see everything under us in the water; a whole new world of life below us not visible except through this glass pressed into the water’s surface.

This is what I wanted to do, figuratively speaking, as I read the book of Mark. There are words quoted in the gospels which Jesus actually spoke. When you think of it, it is amazing. And I know we should pay close attention to the words Jesus spoke and the things He did. There is much to learn from them.

So as I read I am thinking, listening, looking hard. I do not want to miss what is there because I am skimming the surface. I want to gaze down deeply into the depths of what is really going on, what is really being said. I want to take my time and hear what Jesus is saying to me, his follower.

There are a lot of things I still do not understand in scripture but I stop and go over and over again, as days go by, certain verses and passages, so I can get a better feel for what is at least some of the truth of the passage. This is not a verse by verse commentary, but rather a “rock hound” or “collector’s” commentary on verses that strike me at the moment. It is like when I walk on the beach and I have my eyes downward to discover shells or stones which I fancy and pick up, turning them over to see all sides. I then pocket them and move on, scanning the sand for more treasures. I will attempt to unload my pockets of their scripture treasures in these pages.

Mark 1:40-45

Not every treasure will I unload here, but one of the first I want to look at is this one about the leper who came begging on his knees to Jesus to heal him. We all know lepers were the out casts of society. They were not allowed near others, they had to shout “unclean” when approached by people so they would know not to come near them. I get the impression this leper caught Jesus when there were not the huge crowds around him and was able to get close enough to fall on his knees before him. His pathetic words were “If you are willing, you can make me clean”, which says to me that though the man believed the reports of Jesus’ ability to heal, he wasn’t sure that he himself was considered worthy in Jesus’ eyes to be healed. “If you are willing….” Jesus made it abundantly clear he was willing (Mark records the inner feelings of Jesus that he was “moved with compassion”) and did the unthinkable, he touched the leper and said, “I am willing; be cleansed.”

Wow. There is no one, no matter how cast off by society, whom Jesus does not care for, even to the point of “touching” the untouchable and cleansing him.

But this was not what caught my attention reading this passage. It was what follows. Jesus told the cleansed leper to go present himself to the priests to verify his cleansing and offer the sacrifices ordered in the book of Moses. This would be his legal proof to be allowed back into society and carry on a normal life. And Jesus had sternly warned him not to tell anyone else about Jesus healing him. Simple enough. Of course the man would be ecstatic about the whole event and would want to shout from the roof tops that Jesus had healed him. But Jesus clearly and “sternly” gave him directions to do otherwise.

Apparently the man thought he knew better than Jesus. Or maybe he just had a habit of ignoring wise counsel, not considering consequences of his actions. The consequence of his blabbing to one and all that Jesus had cleansed him, was that Jesus couldn’t even go back to the city. He had to camp out under the stars for a few days, away from populated areas, because of the crowds which clamored for his attention.

Jesus had gone into city and village after village preaching and healing. This was what he came for, he said (v.38) and now he was hindered from doing it because one recipient of his mercy and grace disobeyed his clear commands. This former leper kept others from hearing Jesus preaching about the kingdom of God and experiencing for themselves his healing touch, either for themselves or a loved one.

And it made Jesus’ task more difficult. Instead of a bed under a roof, and a welcoming host, he was forced to camp out doors away from the comforts and conveniences of the city or village.

I wonder if we have unwittingly done this kind of thing to Jesus because of our insistence on doing things “our” way. Sometimes Jesus, by his Spirit, directs our hearts a certain way but we either do not hear or do not want to hear and go in that particular direction. Sometimes others, perhaps well meaning, prod us to go in a direction which is contrary to that of God’s leading and instead of taking the stand we should, though unpopular and perhaps we cannot even explain it other than that we sense God is leading us that way, we cave to the voices of man rather than God.

What negative consequences have I caused because of plain and simple disobedience to God? Not sinful activity as we think of it. But disobedience to the Spirit of God is still missing the high mark of God and causes grief to our Lord. And hinders his work among us.

This is what I thought of as I contemplated this section of scripture. All scripture is given us to learn from. I want to learn from this record of a man who had a tremendous blessing of healing given him as well as strict warnings and instructions from Jesus. Though Jesus' instructions, or at least part of them, seemed contrary to common sense (don’t tell anyone but the priests about your healing), Jesus knew better and suffered the negative effect of the man’s disobedience.

I pray for humility and discernment to hear Jesus’ word to me in every situation so that I can obey and not cause him to suffer because of my disobedience, even if I cannot explain my actions to others.

May we all hear and obey in this brand new year rushing toward us, to the glory of God!

These have been busy weeks. Randy and I had made the decision to spend Thanksgiving with our family, traveling to Georgia from West Virginia, and we are glad we did. Thanksgiving found us in the Atlanta area with several members of my family including my mother, who was with us for the day on an outing from the Alzheimer’s home she has lived in for about a year and a half. It was a gorgeous day and we took advantage of being outdoors on the deck. Mom loved it too. It was so good to have her with us enjoying her family.

Thursday, December 1, we were able to assist in moving my mom from her place in Atlanta to a new nursing home in TN, where she will be close to my sister. She is settling in and though change is difficult for someone with Alzheimer’s, and she has her moments of anxiety, we see the grace of God at work in her as she is adjusting. She has been cheerful and responsive to the kindness of the caregivers and is even witnessing and speaking words of encouragement in the Lord to the other residents. Through all her frustration with the effects of the Alzheimer’s dementia, she will still tell you, “God is good”. What a joy and example to us!

Saturday, December 3, we were at a meeting of the Board of Directors of Mustard Seeds and Mountains. Mustard Seeds is not run by Randy and Jacque, but rather a dedicated board of directors gives godly, insightful leadership to the ministry. At this special meeting we saw the hand of the Lord directing each board member as we dealt with some very important issues. We had all been seeking the face of the Lord for months and we are excited at the leading of the Lord and grateful for the unity we experienced as we made decisions.

Randy and I often practice seeking the Lord independent of one another about important issues, then coming together to share what is on our hearts and it is always a wonder, an amazing experience, to sense oneness in the direction we both feel God is moving us. It is a similarly extraordinary experience when several diverse individuals, such as the M&M board of directors, each independently seeking the Lord for direction, wisdom and discernment for the ministry, come together in unity of heart and purpose, lending leadership to the ministry, working together for the glory of God. We are humbled and grateful for all these board members; who they are and what they do in carrying out the work of the Lord through Mustard Seeds and Mountains.

The very next day, Sunday, December 4, Randy and I were on a plane to California to spend, for my sake, the winter months away from snow and ice. We are, of course, enjoying being with our sons and daughters in law and our 5 wonderful grandchildren.

But this time is not all vacation! Along with other tasks we are responsible for, we are thankful for the teaching Randy will be doing in the month of January in the church which we attend here in California. God has opened this door of ministry, as well as others, and we are praying He continue to open many more doors of service, giving Randy opportunities to teach the Kingdom of God principles he teaches to teams in WV and writes about in the book Mission as Life: Making the Kingdom of God Your Family’s Passion. Our passion is to teach and lead Christian families into Kingdom of God lifestyles, as the scriptures teach, so that ministry will flow out of thousands of lives to the world around them, and the gospel will be passed by word and deed to the succeeding generations. Pray with us for ever increasing opportunities for this to take place all over the country.

Recently I had asked you to pray for Angie and her family; her mother was dying of lung cancer and Angie was her caregiver. Angie’s mom, DeeDee passed away several weeks ago. She received many words of witness as well as lots of loving care from her family. Continue to hold up Angie and her girls in prayer. Thank you.

I hope in future blogs to share thoughts on passages of scriptures I have been contemplating recently. Perhaps you’ve heard me talk about “camping out” in a particular section of scripture; I’ve been doing that again in a couple of places. The more I read, day after day, the more I “see”. Simply reading, though good, stops short of deep learning. So much to be retrieved if only I’d make the effort to dig a bit. And spend time contemplating the rich truths waiting for me to realize. And put into practice in my life.

May this season we are entering, a time of remembering the birth of Jesus, God the Son, our Savior, be rich with the realities of our need and His supply. But may we not stop there but rather go beyond to the life and lifestyle God purposes for those who follow Jesus: becoming like Him; loving God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength…and others as our own selves.

May God bless us to be a blessing to others.

Jacque