Right here in the middle of the first chapter of Mark, we\nalready know that Mark\u2019s gospel will be one of action. We have scenes of Jesus\nat work. And it crushes our expectations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We start this section with Jesus calling his disciples: \u201cFollow\nme,\u201d Jesus says to them, \u201cand I will make you become fishers of men.\u201d When we\nhear that, we are prone to think \u2013 what does it mean to follow Jesus? What\nactions do we take? What do we have to do, to become fishers of men? And we are\noff to the races of self-based religion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But Mark\u2019s focus is actually on something quite different, seen\nin the strong affirmation Jesus makes: \u201cI will make you become.\u201d Does Jesus\nhave the ability to make you become who he wants you to be? Is Jesus just hoping\nthat you fulfill what he wants of you, or does he create what he wants?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This becomes the focus of even this early chapter in Mark.\nWe see this emphasis in what happens in the rest of the text. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because the next paragraph has an interaction of Jesus and a\ndemon-possessed man. Jesus says these simple words: \u201cBe silent\u201d and \u201ccome out\nof him.\u201d There\u2019s no intricate interaction, nor any real action on the part of\nthe man possessed. But there is an immediate response. The demon leaves the\nman. The man is saved. Rescued by the power of Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With no letup, Jesus presses on. He goes and heals Simon\u2019s\nmother-in-law. He heals many more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And finally at the end of the chapter he interacts with a\nleper. Diseased, outcast, not able to be touched by anyone lest they become\nunclean like he is. Jesus says \u2013 \u201cI will that you be healed. Be clean.\u201d And\nwith his touch the leper is immediately healed. No prior qualification, no acts\nof contrition, no promise of post-cleaning devotion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s the point, in this beginning of the gospel? This:\nJesus has the authority to heal. To rescue. To cleanse. Our eyes need to remain\non Jesus, not on ourselves. Life isn\u2019t about getting the right steps to be\nhealed, but on the heart of Jesus to find the lost, to heal and rescue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Forgiveness and cleansing come by his power and by his\nheart. You can trust him. Relentless, is this Jesus.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Right here in the middle of the first chapter of Mark, we already know that Mark\u2019s gospel will be one of action. We have scenes of Jesus at work. And it crushes our expectations. We start this section with Jesus calling his disciples: \u201cFollow me,\u201d Jesus says to them, \u201cand I will make you become … Continue reading Following Jesus is Bare Trust in His Action<\/span>