Blogging the Bible

Mark chapter 5 records a story that further demonstrates Jesus’ unparalleled authority. A synagogue official whose daughter is gravely ill comes to implore Jesus to come and lay his hands on her. He believes Jesus can heal. A large group of people, described as a “multitude” was following Jesus. In that crowd was a woman who had been sick for 12 years and though she had spent all she had on doctors, no one had been able to help her. Her disease had progressed. She had heard about Jesus and Mark records that she thought that if she could just touchJesus’ garment she would be healed. Determined she must have been in order to fight her way through the crowd to reach Jesus and in what must have been a very weakened state. She gets to him and touches him. Amazing that the gospel records that she felt in her body immediately that she had been healed. But Jesus felt something too. He felt that the power “proceeding from him had gone forth.’ Wow! this is power and authority! Jesus confronted the woman, who then told him the whole story and reassured her that her faith had made her well. He sent her off in peace.

Meanwhile, those from the officials house came to meet him and told him it was too late. The girl had died. Jesus told the father to not be afraid, but believe. When he arrived at the home there was loud wailing and weeping. Jesus told them they did not need to mourn, the girl was only sleeping. They laughed. But he put them out of the house and took only the mother and father and Peter and James and John with him into the room where she was. It all happens so quickly. He takes the girl by the hand and tells her to “Arise!” Immediately, she got up and walked. Those watching were astounded. Strange, that Jesus instructs them that no one should know about this!? How would they keep it quiet? After all the commotion and all mourning of her death, how would they possibly keep it a secret that she was alive?

These stories of faith and belief are contrasted with chapter six where there was little faith and much unbelief in Jesus’ own home town. After all, everyone knew he was simply a carpenter, the son of Mary. This is what the scripture speaks of when they call Jesus both a “rock of offense” and the “chief cornerstone.” Some believed and some did not. For those who believe Jesus forms a foundation for all of life and interprets all history–past, present and future. For those that do not believe, Jesus causes them to stumble and they are destroyed by their unbelief. Isn’t it amazing how through the scripture from Genesis to the end, the message is the same. God is revealing himself and we have the option of hearing and believing or not.

Mark does not waste any time getting to the point of who Jesus is! (And he quotes Isaiah in the opening verses!) Great evidence of the connection between Old and New Testaments.

Mark is a fast moving gospel (good news) about who Jesus is and what he did. They are connected. What Jesus did is the evidence given of WHO Jesus was and is.

Baptism was a common ritual among many groups in ancient times. Jesus is baptized by John. Big deal! BIG DEAL! Because when Jesus is baptized the heavens are “torn open” and the Spirit of God descends in the form of a dove and speaks to all who will hear! “This is my beloved Son in whom I am very pleased.” This is no ordinary baptism and no ordinary person.

Temptation is common to us all, too. Mark only briefly mentions this 40 day test in the desert but he summarizes it by saying that “angels waited on him.” Another mark of an unusual event and an unusual person.

Beginning in verse 21 of chapter 1 we find out that Jesus’ unique authority was immediately recognized. First, in his teaching. The text says that he did not teach like the Scribes and Pharisees (trained, scholarly teachers and leaders of the law and prophets) but as one “having authority.” This means he spoke as if the truth were coming from him directly. It was not merely something he had learned from someone else or from studying the Torah. Second, he had authority over evil spirits.

Healing is unusual, at least the kind that happens instantly. But Jesus is also able to do this. He heals Simon’s mother-in-law and word spreads and people are bringing the sick and demon possessed to him in droves. He has authority to heal and to cast out demons. He heals a leper, and in chapter two a paralytic. This is definitely not your average Galilean! But the healing in chapter two is particularly significant because Jesus tests to see if they are listening and paying attention. When the paralytic is brought to him, he does not choose to say, “Get up and walk,” first. First, he says “Your sins are forgiven.” Some were listening and they were enraged. This was blasphemy, because they knew that only God could forgive sins (6,7). So Jesus gives them an object lesson. He asks them, “Which is easier, to say your sins are forgiven or walk?” Obviously it is MUCH easier to SAY yours sins are forgiven because it is not something that can be seen with the eye. So Jesus makes the point dramatically and does not leave them guessing. He tells them straight up. He says, “So that you may know the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins–he says to the paralyic–take up your mat and walk.” And immediately the man was healed (and his sins forgiven!!!). The people watching were amazed and said ” We have never seen anything like this!”

Teaching is common also. But the teaching of Jesus is so profound. With few words he addresses complex issues like fasting and the sabbath, about evil spirits and their source and their end. He hits a thorny one in chapter 3, verses 31-35. The true family, the one that will last for eternity is the family of God joined, not by blood, but by Spirit. This upsets many people. However, it does not teach disrespect for human families. It merely puts them in perspective. We must love God and the family of God even more than our families. And, if we do, our families will be well loved also.

Parables were common means of teaching in the time. But Jesus’s parables were particularly striking because he used very common every day life to illustrate and teach very profound eternal truths. The parable of the sower, the lamp and the bushel basket, and the mustard seed all reveal incredible truths about Jesus as God come to earth and about what his purposes in the world are. Parables have one main idea that they teach. You cannot draw principles from every part, but the main idea is demonstrated clearly.

Finally, storms are common. But the stilling of storms? That is miraculously uncommon. Jesus demonstrates his authority even over the most powerful elements of the universe. And the final question the disciples ask is the same one we ought to be asking–who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?! The answer is clear–this is God become flesh and living among human beings (John 1). Mark has us off and running as we see who Jesus is!

What a glorious finish! In these chapters Isaiah describes the glorious finish of history as we know it. God’s judgment will be final, but his recreation will also be complete. Beginnin in vers 17 of chapter 65 the prophet tries to describe what is almost indescribable.

Most people think of heaven as somewhere far away, full of clouds and mist, and some mysterious kind of place. The bible actually describes the opposite. Compared to the final creation of heaven and earth THIS earth and heaven we know live in is the cloudy, misty place. Every place in scripture where heaven is described it is described as God RECREATING heaven and earth as we know it. Heaven is not somewhere else. Heaven will be here… but a much more glorious here than we can imagine. So much more glorious that Isaiah says in verse 17 that the former things will not even be remembered!

The city will be a place of joy and all the people a delight (18). This is a different picture of “the city” than we now experience! There will be no sound of weeping or cry of distress (19).
No more dying infants or elderly. Houses will be lived in and fields full of fruit (20, 21). Perfect communication will rule (23) and there will be peace on all fronts (25). And ALL people will acknowledge the Lord and bow down and worship him (66:18-24). Some will bow down to their destruction–those who did not acknowledge him in this life. The rest–those who put their faith and trust in him–will bow down to a glorious eternity.

This is Isaiah’s message: Believe in the Lord and have hope, or refuse to believe and face final judgment. Which will you choose?

The opening six verses could not be more of a contrast from the next three. Again, this is a common theme in Isaiah. It is the juxtaposing of judgment and deliverance. Verses 1-6 describe the judgment of God on those who do not do not listen to the word of the Lord and who mistreat his people. Edom represents them. God tramples them.

But his power is used in a very different way toward his people in verses 7-9. He his driven by kindness and compassion. He is distressed when they are distressed. He is full of love and mercy for them and as a result, he redeems them. He lifts them up and has carried them the whole time. Now we know from Isaiah that Israel experienced tragedy and trouble. So how is it that God claims to have carried them from of old? It is the real life story of the well known poem, Footprints in the Sand.Even in their darkest hours when they felt totally abandoned and wondered if God had forgotten them, when they could not see any evidence of his presence with them, even then it was God who was carrying them. His were the only footprints in the sand. This means that without God’s continual presence an intervention in our lives we would not survive. We may go through difficult and tragic times, but if it were not for the Lord, we would not make it through to the other side.

This is the promise of God for those who put their faith and trust in him. His judgment is sure for those who oppose and ignore him. But a glorious future is as sure for those who believe in his name.

Wait! What happened to chapters 57-60? Computer troubles. Since Sunday I have been unable to access files, get online, on my computer at work. Double trouble–my computer at home has been disconnected since Thursday due to work we had done at the house! Yikes! No internet for several days! It is amazing how dependent we become on technology. I don’t really like computers all that much. But I am very dependent on them for every day life and business. I pay bills online. I communicate with family and friends through email. And increasingly much of the business and life of the church is communicated through email and our website. So, it is a love-hate relationship for me. I love the immediacy and expanse of communication made possible (we can communicate with our sister church in Danang Vietnam as if they were just deown the street!) but I hate what happens when there is a technical glitch. But it is a great lesson in faith as well. We are REALLY totally dependent on the Lord for everything in life. Even the air we breathe is due to his sustaining power. But different “glitches” in life interrupt our connection with God and distort of sense of dependency. When we have problems we are prone to “give up” and think God is not really caring for us or that some other source of help will be better. We are long on need and short on patience. Thankfully, God is long on power and long on patience. If we learn to trust him–be totally dependent on him–we will be okay.

Back to Isaiah! Chapter 61 is the message that Isaiah wanted to give. Unlike the part of his message that was about the consequences of sin and the judgment of God that was to fall on Israel, this chapter reiterates God’s ultimate desire to liberate his people and to shower them with blessings. The prophet was “annointed,” literally ” meaning to be set apart by God for a holy purpose. The purpose described here is one of absolute justice and mercy. There is good news for the oppressed, healing for the broken-hearted, liberty for captives, release for prisoners, comfort for mourners. They will become like large oak trees planted displaying the glory of God. The oak tree is an image of strength and grandeur. Quite a reversal from being imprisoned, and oppressed, and sad, and broken-hearted! This is what awaits those who put their trust in the Lord.

Chapter 62 describes more of what the renewed ‘city of God’ will be like. When God pours out his favor, nothing is withheld. It is glorious and wonderfrul beyond description. In a world where justice seems hard to get and where the powerful often exploit the weak it is wonderful to think about a time and place when this will no longer be the case. In the meantime, the prophet’s annointing is given to us through his word. His purpose becomes ours when we understand its implication. WE are the ones, because of the love of Christ, and the power of God’s Spirit in us that ought to be doing these things. When is the last time you released a prisoner, brought good news to the oppressed, or helped to heal the broken-hearted? Imprisonment can take many forms. Oppression is all around us. We walk by, work with, are around broken-hearted and mourning people all the time. Are we able to take the time to discern what we might do to be annointed for these occasions? This is the implication of “hearing” the message of Isaiah. Yesterday I had the opportunity to live this out. A woman came by the church for help. It was only the providence of God that I was there to be able to assist her. It was a VERY busy day for me and the temptation was real to just give her a food coupon and say a prayer for her. I felt compelled to hear her story. Often these stories are only partly true. But she gave me the name and number of a person to call. Again, God’s providence was clear. I found the woman home on the first try and she verified what this woman was telling me. The church was able to assist her. In this case, we were able to be part of the “good news” to the oppresed. She was homeless and now has a safe place to be. God help us to be more annointed.

Chapter 55 begins with a wonderful call of overflowing grace. God is telling them that their deliverance and restoration does not depend upon their own efforts, but on his immense love for them. The only thing he is asking them is to listen and obey his guidance.

The main problem for the Israelites was their insistence in seeing life according to their own perspective. We know that the whole book of Isaiah is a continuing call from God to see and approach life according to his perspective.

The prophet actually wrote “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor your ways are my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts” (55:8-9)

So according to this, the only way to be in agreement with God is by changing are ways and learning to listen and obey everything he is asking us. 

 On chapter 56, the calling of God became more specific, and actually, God is saying “Maintain justice, and do what is right” (56:1) in other words, not only change your perspective, but also change your practice. By the way for him it does not matter who are you or how do you feel, what really matter is that he is offering his help for a better and real life.

He also says “do not let the foreigner joined to the Lord say, the Lord will surely separate me from his people, and do not let the eunuch say, I am just a dry tree” In God’s grace everybody is welcome, and in God’s house everybody has his place.

 If you want to see how serious God was about extending his grace without any exception to all of those who want to be in his kingdom, look what he says about his house “For my house shall be call a house of prayer for all peoples” (56:7)

How amazingly the prophet describes the deliverance of the Israelites. Any person from the Jew community of that time will understand immediately that only a miracle could help a barren woman to give birth and a rejected wife to find a new husband.

He chose intentionally the images of barren woman and the rejected wife, to demonstrate that God was interested in changing their fate. Normally both types of women will have no chance of changing their social situation; at least that something especial happened.

God is telling them that with him, there is not lost case. He can bring life out death, and prosperity out calamity. This whole chapter is a power testimony of God’s love and compassion, and the same time a clear declaration of God power to transform his people lives.

 Let us hear one example of God’s words: “For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is his name; the holy one of
Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth is called.” (54:5)

Chapter 52 is the Divine invitation to get ready for the restoration of Zion. God is calling his people to embrace freedom into their hearts, because he is going to deliver and bless them. They were so much used to be under the oppression of the captivity, that God is calling them to “awake” and get dress for their Divine appointment.

 The prophet is trying to make it sound so dramatic, that he already can see the messengers going from mountain to mountain with the news of their deliverance from their exile. Even though this is a prophecy, we should be more willing to imitate the prophet’s faith, in the fact that you do not have to have the whole deliverance from God in order to start proclaiming it.

There are reasons why the prophet has so much confidence in God’s deliverance. First of all, the fact that God never had failed to his people, and now the clear description of a liberator that will be able to suffer in order for them to be redeemed. I am sure that the Israelites did not understand the whole complexity of this prophecy, but any way, they did understand that God would provide a way for their liberation.

 For us, as Christians we know that this prophecy was totally fulfilled when God sent his Son Jesus Christ to this world. This is the reason why the Apostles and other Christian were able to sacrifice their lives, and this is the reason why we continue to believe and work for the salvation of this world.

The whole New Testament is a power testimony of the reality of the coming of the long time expected messiah. That is exactly what the writer of the Gospel of Luke said: “Do not be afraid; for see-I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people. To you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is messiah the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11)

As said before God is merciful, but it does not forbid him telling his people the truth about their circumstances. He is plainly telling them that the reason of their exile was “because of your sins” (50:1) and of course there is not real restoration if there is not real repentance.

The prophet is also reminding them that, the servant of God will come to teach them the most accurate way to have a relationship with God. He is the one who will “sustain the weary with a word” (50:4) and by the way that was exactly what Jesus promised to those who will come to him, he said: “Come to me, all of you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” ( Matthew 11:28)

In chapter 51 again we will hear the calling to listen God and to follow his guidance. Against to all reality, he is promising them a new deliverance, and of course, that deliverance will depend of his grace and power, but also in their ability to believe and follow his guidance.

Let us hear it from the prophet’s words: “Listen to me my people, and give heed to me, my nation; for a teaching will go out from me and my justice for a light for the peoples. I will bring near my deliverance swiftly, my salvation has gone out and my arms will rule the peoples; the coastland wait for me, and for my arm they hope” (51:4-5)

The merciful God is always calling his people in despite of their unwillingness to hear or pay attention. Both chapters begin with God calling them to listen (48:1; 49:1) and see his gracious kindness towards their miserable situation.

 Also is interesting that even though God is extending them his love, he is also letting them know that they still have many things to change or correct in their relationship with him. He said, “Because I know that you are obstinate, and your neck is an iron sinew and your forehead brass” (48:4)

How well God knows us, he does not need to be inform for nobody about our condition, because he knows every single aspect of our personality. He knows our strengths and our wickedness. If you read carefully in the whole chapter he is asking the Israelites to listen (48:6, 12, and 16) not only that, but actually he is telling them what had happened if they would had paid attention to his word before the whole calamity that they were going thru.

He said “O that you had paid attention to my commandments! Then your prosperity would have been like a river, and your success like the waves of the sea” (48:18)

The insistence of God for his people to listen would fine place in the person of what the prophet called “The Servant” the one who not only listens, but also wants to listen for his own good and the welfare of his people. We believe that person is our Lord Jesus Christ, the only one about whom God said “This is my Son, the Beloved, with him I am well pleased; listen to him” (Matthew 17: 5)Other thing that the writer also made sure to let the Israelites know, was the fact that the God who demands to listen, also is the one who is always listening and paying attention to his people concerns and fears. Take for instance this passage: “But
Zion said, the Lord has forsaken me, my Lord has forgotten me” (49:14) and see his reply to them: “Can a woman forget her nursing child, or show no compassion for the child of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you” (49:15)