Sent: Sunday, March 18, 2007 7:59 AM
Subject: Sharing Bread Mark 8:27-29 SHARING BREAD     ²⁷ Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”

     ²⁹ “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”      Peter answered, “You are the Christ. ” Mark 8:27-29 (NIV)The most important question we will ever have to answer is “Who do we say Jesus is?”  Our life in the here and now and our eternal status hinges on the answer to that very question. Like others in the disciples’ time, many in our day respond to this by saying he was a good man, or perhaps a prophet but certainly not God.  Countless others give it no thought at all. Some say he is the Christ yet do not make Him their Lord – they speak it with their mouth yet their hearts are for from Him.  Considering all that Jesus said of Himself in Scripture, He is either who He said He was – fully God and fully man – or the truth was not in Him.  A liar or our Lord – these are our choices.  He left no room for anything in-between.  God is not looking for lip service or for us to just feel all warm and fuzzy inside.  He is looking for true disciples that “display His splendor” to a hurting world who so desperately needs Him.   The gospel of Matthew states:  The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.”

     ⁶⁴ “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied.    Matt 26:63-64 (NIV)Mark adds:  Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?”

     ⁶² “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”    Mark 14:61-62 (NIV)Luke tells us:   ⁷⁰ They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?”

     He replied, “You are right in saying I am.”    Luke 22:70 (NIV)If He indeed is who He said He was, He has a rightful claim to our lives.  Jesus asks us this question:   ⁴⁶ “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? ⁴⁷ I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. ⁴⁸ He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. ⁴⁹ But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” Luke 6:46-49 (NIV)What I glean form this: 

• How do I respond to the question that Christ asks of me – “Who do you say I am?”

• If I respond Christ and Lord – is He?

• Through His power, is my goal obedience to His commands – for my own good and His glory?

• In light of this, do I “make it my goal to please Him” – II Corinthians 5:9-10

 “Who do you say I am?” 

  SHARING BREAD ²⁰ In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. ²¹ Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”

     ²² “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. ²³ “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. ²⁴ Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. ²⁵ And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. “ Mark 11:20-25 (NIV)

Jesus, in response to the withered fig tree, gives His disciples a lesson on prayer.  I don’t know about you, but for me prayer is one of the most difficult spiritual disciplines – perhaps because Satan despises it so.  You can rest assured anytime you desire to be in God’s word or spend time in prayer, Satan is going to be trying to distract.  His distractions coupled with our own flawed self calls for a firm resolve on our part to accomplish effectively this precious gift of prayer.  Scripture tell us:

The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.    James 5:16 (NIV)So what did Jesus teach His disciples about prayer?  He begins by telling them to have faith in God.  What does He mean by that?  It boils down to an unwavering trust in God’s power and unfailing goodness.  We can have faith in God because quite simply He is worthy of our faith.  He can be trusted.  Has He ever let you down?  Has He walked with you through every valley – taking you from “strength to strength”?  Hasn’t He always been faithful in the past?  Are not His mercies new every morning? Yes, He can be trusted!  Our rub comes from asking askew – James says it so succinctly: ² You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. ³ When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures      James 4:2-3 (NIV)God is not Santa Clause, the Good Fairy or some sort of magic genie that is sitting around waiting for our orders.  Neither does He mimic Burger King’s slogan of “Have it your way” – He is far too loving for that.  He who formed our inmost being, who knit us together in our mother’s wombs knows what is best for us.  God is the giver of every good and perfect gift.  He enjoys bestowing bounty on His children – if it does not harm them.  He loves to say “Yes” -  but when the answer is “No” or “Wait” we can be sure a greater good is being accomplished in our lives.  Remember, Jesus was told “No” also:  ³⁵ Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. ³⁶ “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”    Mark 14:35-36 (NIV)What mountain then is He describing that we can be assured of moving if only we believe that we have received it?  It begins by first having an understanding of God’s heart which comes from knowing God’s word.  When Jesus taught His disciples the Lord’s Prayer He told them to pray: ¹⁰ your kingdom come,
     your will be done
     on earth as it is in heaven.    Matt 6:10 (NIV)God desires earth as it was before the fall – the beauty (no death), the purity (no sin), the unstrained relationship with man (no selfish flesh) – heaven, so to speak, on earth.  He desires for us to be conformed to the image of His Son – whatever it takes – so that we can point others to Him through our changed life.  God desires for none to perish but all to come to repentance – He does not delight in death, even of the wicked.  These are just a few examples.  I have found by simply praying God’s word back to Him my desires come in line with His.  You see, it is not about us it is all about Him.  God alone is to be glorified.  I urge you to take seriously praying back the promises of God – like Peter; you will be surprised over the mountains you move through His power.  The LORD is faithful to all his promises
     and loving toward all he has made.
¹⁴ The LORD upholds all those who fall
     and lifts up all who are bowed down.
¹⁵ The eyes of all look to you,
     and you give them their food at the proper time.
¹⁶ You open your hand
     and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

¹⁷ The LORD is righteous in all his ways
     and loving toward all he has made.
¹⁸ The LORD is near to all who call on him,
     to all who call on him in truth.
¹⁹ He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
     he hears their cry and saves them.
²⁰ The LORD watches over all who love him,    Psalms 145:13-20 (NIV)What I glean from this:·         I must have a confident trust in God’s power and goodness – knowing He has my best interest at heart.·         I must check my motives for prayer – are they coming from a pure heart?·         I must not “kick against the goads” when the answer is contrary to what I believed I wanted – Amy Carmichael states:  “Acceptance of God’s will brings peace”.·         By praying back the promises of Scripture I can move mountains.  

SHARING BREAD Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight

     ⁴⁶ Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. ⁴⁷ When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

     ⁵² “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

Mark 10:46-52 (NIV)Living in blackest darkness, Bartimaeus sits by the side of the road begging for someone to put anything in his cup.  Suddenly, he hears the commotion of people heading his way. It’s Jesus of Nazareth!  Word about Jesus had already met with Bartimaeus ears.  He had heard of the healings.  He desperately believed Jesus could bring him out of the darkness into the wonderful light.  He began calling out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”  The crowds rebuked him – “Pipe down old man!”; “Stop all that screaming!”; “Be quiet!” but Bartimaeus shouted all the more, “Son of David have mercy on me!”  He had lived in darkness far too long and was desperate for the light. Precious Jesus stops and says, “Call him.”  Jesus is always calling us.  Since the fall when God called for Adam until now, God reaches down to man and calls him – what glorious condescension!      ⁸ Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. ⁹ But the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?”    Gen 3:8-9 (NIV)     ²⁸ ”Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”    Matt 11:28-30 (NIV)The disciples approach Bartimaeus with very GOOD NEWS – “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” What better news could there be?  The God of all creation was calling him – just as I might add He does each one of us:

     ¹⁹ Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. ²⁰ Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.    Rev 3:19-20 (NIV)

Throwing his cloak aside (most likely this was all of his earthly possessions); Bartimaeus jumps to his feet and goes to Jesus.  “What do you want me to do for you?” asks Jesus.  “I want to see,” he cries.  He had been in the darkness too long.  No one or no thing was truly able to fill his cup – a coin here, a coin there yet the cup still had a jingle – there was still room for more.  Jesus came to fill our cups – “My cup overflows” is the promise of Scripture.  “Your faith has healed you,” Jesus said and IMMEDIATELY his sight was restored and he begins to follow his Lord. 

Such a perfect example of salvation!  We realize our need.  We understand we have no ability to do anything to rectify the situation.  We are hopeless – much like Bartimaeus:

¹² remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world   Eph 2:12 (NIV)We call out.  He comes. We throw off everything.  We confess. We are healed.  We follow.³³ Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!                                                       
     How unsearchable his judgments,
     and his paths beyond tracing out!
³⁴ ”Who has known the mind of the Lord?
     Or who has been his counselor?”
³⁵ ”Who has ever given to God,
     that God should repay him?”
³⁶ For from him and through him and to him are all things.
     To him be the glory forever! Amen.     Romans 11:33-36 (NIV)

What I glean form this:

• Without Jesus I am without hope.
• Jesus desires to heal me.
• Salvation, indeed, is very good news!  He came to set the captives free.  He came to comfort all who mourn and to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.
• I must throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.
• I must follow Him.

 Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.”

SHARING BREAD The Rich Young Man     ¹⁷ As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

     ²³ Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”   Mark 10:17-23 (NIV)This young man referred to Jesus as teacher indicating that he considered Him a recognized authority in the interpretation of Scripture.  Like many of us, we may go to whom we consider to be an authority of God’s Word and ask a similar question.  It is almost as if we are looking for a formula to fill or a task to be done or a command to be followed and then we are in!  No more worries!  We have sealed the deal, so to speak. We can mark that one off our list and proceed on with living our lives however we please. When I was growing up we used to call this “Fire Insurance”. Yet “Fire Insurance” is really no insurance at all – in reality it is “False Assurance”.  Wanting to justify himself by his works in his own heart the rich young man asks Jesus what must he do to inherit eternal life.  Jesus in all His Omniscience sees through this. He listed first the commands He knew the young man was already following.  The man responds that he had kept all of these since he was a boy.  Jesus, looking at him with much love, and responds with words we certainly would rather hear on this side of heaven – “One thing you lack”.  It reminds me of the verse in Daniel 5:²⁷ Tekel : You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting.  Dan 5:27 (NIV)The Bible tells us that all our righteous acts are as filthy rags:⁶ All of us have become like one who is unclean,
     and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags;   Isaiah 64:6 (NIV)And lastly in Romans Paul states:¹⁰ As it is written:
“There is no one righteous, not even one;    Romans 3:10 (NIV)I believe Jesus wanted him to grasp that faith is a heart issue and not a works issue.  Our works just evidence our faith.  Christ is desirous of our relationship with Him – NOT what we do for Him.  He tells us that apart from Him we can do nothing – meaning NOTHING eternal is accomplished apart from Christ.  It is simply futile works.  Jesus wants us to follow Him wholeheartedly – unreservedly – with a willing mind.  We are not to hold back – choosing to live life with open hands.  He wants to be Lord over our lives. The issue is not the thing, the issue is the will – in fact the word “rich” in verse 23 means to hold on or keep something useful. The funny part about it is that you simply cannot out give God.  Whatever measly sacrifice we may make, He so abundantly blesses (particularly of giving us more of Himself) that we are left wondering why on earth we waited so long.  The prophet Malachi tells us:¹⁰ Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.   Mal 3:10 (NIV)What I glean from this: 

• I cannot be justified by my works – works never saved a soul – Jesus saves souls.
• I need to search my own heart to see if a desire or thing is hindering wholehearted devotion to my Lord.
• I choose to live my life with open hands – knowing that God gives and takes away for purpose.
• I want Him to be Lord of my life.

SHARING BREAD Who Is the Greatest?

     ³³ They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” ³⁴ But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.

     ³⁵ Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

Mark 9:33-35 (NIV)Are we like the disciples or what?!?  Can’t you just hear them now…”I’m the greatest”…”Oh no!  You’re quite mistaken; I’m the greatest”…..”You guys are both crazy!  Didn’t you hear me say that He was the Christ?  I’m confident I am the greatest!”…and on and on it went through the voices of twelve disciples that desired human recognition, elevation, and admiration. How very easy it is to fall into the trap of longing for praise from men rather than God.  Pride is an insidious monster – it grabs us by the neck before we know it!  Jesus tells us in John:⁴⁴ How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God?   John 5:44 (NIV)Don’t get me wrong, we all can use an “atta boy” or an “atta girl” from time to time to strengthen and encourage us to persevere on this road called life.  That’s not what this is referring to here.  It is the elevation of self for human affirmation and recognition that is to be despised.  Anytime we try to elevate self overtly or covertly it is despicable in God’s sight.  It is not about us.  It is all about Christ and His name being glorified and magnified above all.  As John the Baptist said:³⁰ He must become greater; I must become less. John 3:30 (NIV)Christ is to be our Supreme example.  It is said of Him in John:²⁴ But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. ²⁵ He did not need man’s testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man.   John 2:24-25 (NIV)And again in Mark:   ¹³ Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. ¹⁴ They came to him and said, “Teacher, we know you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.    Mark 12:13-14 (NIV)We are told by the prophet Micah:

⁸ He has showed you, O man, what is good.
     And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
     and to walk humbly with your God.    Micah 6:8 (NIV)

Jesus turned the world upside down with His teaching.  To be the greatest we must be the servant of all.  Again, using Jesus as our example we are told in Matthew:

²⁸ just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”     Matt 20:28 (NIV)What I glean from this:

·         I should not try to exalt myself with my voice or with my thoughts or with my actions – all are displeasing to God.

·         I should humble myself under God’s mighty hand that He may lift me up in due time (I Peter 5:6).

·         I should seek for God’s name to be glorified in all that I say and do.

·         In God’s economy, down is up!  To be great one must serve.·         There is joy and contentment in service done willingly - without thought of receiving human credit – God sees everything His children do and His recompense is great.NOTE:  Sharing Bread is a Devotional sent out Monday, Wednesday and Friday (prayerfully and Lord willing).  If you are receiving this and would like to be deleted from the list please respond to me via e-mail: beth [beth@crescent-inc.com] and I will take you off (very understandably!).  Also, if you would like for me to add anyone else to the list just e-mail me at the same address!  All Scripture cited is from the New International Version.  Blessings!         

SHARING BREAD     ¹⁷ A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. ¹⁸ Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”

     ²⁵ When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” Mark 9:17-25 (NIV)This story takes place right after the transfiguration.  Jesus had taken Peter, James and John up on a high mountain and was transfigured before them – His form fundamentally altered and His clothes became dazzling white –Moses and Elijah also appeared before them talking with Jesus.  Jesus, Peter, James and John were coming from that scene on to this one.  The other disciples and the teachers of the law were arguing presumably over the disciples’ lack of ability to heal this demon possessed child.  Demonic possession was the worst form of human suffering produced by Satan’s agency. Jesus had already given authority to drive out demons to the disciples, hence the rebuke.  We are told in Mark:  ¹³ Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. ¹⁴ He appointed twelve–designating them apostles –that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach ¹⁵ and to have authority to drive out demons.   Mark 3:13-15 (NIV)In compassion, Jesus tells them to bring the boy to Him.  He asks the father how long has he been like this.  The father responds since childhood and then asks “But if you can do anything” – Incredulous, Jesus responds “If you can?”  This man is asking the Creator of all things if He has the ability?  Hell-o, what is he thinking?  One very important aspect of faith is knowing that He is able.  Jesus responds with “Everything is possible for him who believes”.  Contrast this to the man with leprosy in Matthew who came to Jesus knowing He could heal him – and in compassion Jesus cleansed him. ² A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

     ³ Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!”   Matt 8:1-3 (NIV)The word “willing” screams out in the above passage.  Sometimes God does not change the circumstance, heal the physical body or provide a “Yes” to all of our requests.  When this is the case, there is always a greater good to be accomplished through what He is allowing – both for us and for others.  Two verses pop into my mind.  Paul states:     ⁷ To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. ⁸ Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. ⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ¹⁰ That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.  2 Cor 12:7-10 (NIV)And Jesus Himself asks: ³⁹ Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Matt 26:39 (NIV)A greater good was at stake – not the least of which was our salvation.  Our loving and compassionate Father is a good and perfect Giver and delights to bestow “good gifts” to His children – always believe that even if the answer is “No” – there is so much more at stake that we do not see (I Corinthians 13:12).  Even through the above example of our Scripture for today we can see by waiting more people were present for the miracle; the dad became convinced of Jesus’ ability and his faith was strengthened; and the disciples learned from the lesson (Mark 9:28-29). This is what I glean from this: 

• If Jesus has given us authority – we have authority (Matthew 28:18-20).
• Jesus has the achieving power to do all things.
• God is always faithful, loving, compassionate and kind to His children – even if we cannot recognize it as such – His very heart is love.
• If the answer to changing my circumstance is “No” – there is a greater good that I cannot readily see both for me and for others.

 SHARING BREAD   ³⁴ Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. ³⁵ For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. Mark 8:34-35 (NIV)This teaching of Jesus comes on the heels of Peter’s rebuke to Him over Jesus’ prediction of His death and in turn, Jesus’ rebuke to Peter due to his thoughts and affections pointing toward that of man’s rather than God’s.  How easy for us to think like Peter!  We are into us aren’t we?!?  Jesus calls us into a different way of thinking.  He begins by sharing with the crowd and His disciples this very important truth – If you want to follow me you must deny self.  What?  You mean I must give up my rights?  Surely I heard wrong!  No, Jesus is clear – if I desire or will to be His attendant along this road called life I must deny self – His will over mine – He is to be Master and Lord over my life and not me.  All are invited to come after Him and follow in His way but it is at the cost of self denial.  He will lose some followers here for many enjoy His words – they are as sweet love songs – yet they do not put them into practice.  Ezekiel tells us:    ³⁰ ”As for you, son of man, your countrymen are talking together about you by the walls and at the doors of the houses, saying to each other, ‘Come and hear the message that has come from the LORD.’ ³¹ My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to listen to your words, but they do not put them into practice. With their mouths they express devotion, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain. ³² Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice. Ezek 33:30-32 (NIV)Secondly, Jesus calls us to bear our crosses – take them up so to speak and follow Him.  What crosses has He allowed for you to carry?  The list is endless.  One thing I am confident we can all agree on is that pain is rampant.  No one escapes its vast reach.  But He says to carry it.  Why?  There are many reasons for this command not the least of which is that He desires for us to go through these trials (crosses) with joy so that through His power we can be a witness to a hurting world.  It is simply supernatural to embrace with joy what He allows knowing it is for our good and His glory – never one surpassing the other.  There is a vast difference between suffering through a cross and enduring it with joy confident of the outcome.  It is said of Jesus in Hebrews 12: ² Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Heb 12:2-3 (NIV)Jesus turned the world upside down – so to speak – with His teaching – “Turn the other cheek”; “Go the extra mile”; “Love your enemies”; “Pray for those who persecute you”; you get the picture.  All these seem a simpler task than if you want to save your life, you must lose it.  It sounds like a dreadful experience but it is the very essence of abundant life.  You will never be able to out give God.  Trust me in this – better yet, trust Him in this!This is what I glean from this:·         The call is for all who will follow.·         Jesus desires more than lip service, emotional fervor, or even our deeds – He wants us.·         He wants to empower us to embrace with joy what He allows – confident of His love for us and that He will work it out for our good – Romans 8:28-29·         We must lose our life to save it – this affects the abundant life offered for the here and now and also for eternity.   

SHARING BREAD  

   ⁶ He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:
“‘These people honor me with their lips,
     but their hearts are far from me.
⁷ They worship me in vain;
     their teachings are but rules taught by men.’

⁸ You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.”

Mark 7:6-8 (NIV)

Responding to the Pharisees question on why His disciples did not live “according to the tradition of the elders”, Jesus refutes the religious leaders of that day by proclaiming that God was more interested in the motive behind the action rather than the action itself.  One can honor God with his lips but his heart may be filled with all sorts of envy, greed, anger, rage, malice, slander and wickedness.  Jesus calls this futile, purposeless and useless.  God is concerned with the heart. He always has been; 

 ⁷ But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

1 Sam 16:7 (NIV)

Man considers the outside.  God is concerned with the heart.  Scripture tells us we are to beware of choosing what is important to man over what is important to God. We may be very pleasing to man – the world may think we are very religious – yet our hearts are far from God.  We must beware; this is easy to succumb to.  Paul states in Galatians:

     ¹⁰ Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Gal 1:10 (NIV)

Remember, God delights in an obedience that is backed by a heart whose motivation is pure.     

⁹ The heart is deceitful above all things
     and beyond cure.
     Who can understand it?

¹⁰ ”I the LORD search the heart
     and examine the mind,
to reward a man according to his conduct,
     according to what his deeds deserve.”

Jer 17:9-10 (NIV)

This is what I glean from this:

·         Don’t worry about what man thinks be concerned about what God thinks – we all live Coram Deo – before the face of God.

·         Prayerfully search your own heart to honestly decipher the motive behind the action.

·         Remember the heart is deceitful.  Don’t be surprised if the Holy Spirit convicts – just change (repent).

·         Ask God for a heart like His.  

SHARING BREADMARK 6:37-44 

³⁷ But he answered, “You give them something to eat.”

Mark 6:37 (NIV)

  ³⁸ “How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.”     When they found out, they said, “Five–and two fish.”

Mark 6:38 (NIV)

Mark 6:41-44 (NIV)

⁴¹ Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. ⁴² They all ate and were satisfied, ⁴³ and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. ⁴⁴ The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.

Mark 6:41-44 (NIV)

 Jesus tells His disciples to give this vast number of people something to eat.  They were confused over this because of their lack of power and their unawareness that the very Bread of Life Himself was in their presence.  Not putting them down He simply asked them “How many loaves do you have?”  They respond “five and two fish”.  He takes it and gives thanks to God for it and all eat and are satisfied.  Christ always satisfies – abundantly!  Look at how much was left over – twelve basketfuls!  Don’t you know that the disciples were blown out of the water!   This is what I glean from this: 

• Nothing is impossible with God
• He desires to meet our every need.
• He is patient in teaching us.
• Give thanks BEFORE the miracle.
• Christ always satisfies.
• Christ always gives in abundance.
• He wants to blow us out of the water by what He will do in and through us.

¹ Praise the LORD, O my soul;
     all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
² Praise the LORD, O my soul,
     and forget not all his benefits–
³ who forgives all your sins
     and heals all your diseases,
⁴ who redeems your life from the pit
     and crowns you with love and compassion,
⁵ who satisfies your desires with good things
     so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Psalms 103:1-5 (NIV)

 SHARING BREADMARK 6:45-52

    ⁴⁵ Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. ⁴⁶ After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.

     Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” ⁵¹ Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, ⁵² for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened

Mark 6:45-52 (NIV)

 The disciples had just witnessed the feeding of the five thousand with the five loaves of bread and the two fish.  You might say they were on a spiritual high.  One can only imagine what the conversation was like in that boat – WOW, who is this guy anyway?!?  All of a sudden the wind begins to beat against them and they are straining at the oars.  Ever been there – from the mountain top to the valley in the same day?  If so, you are in good company. (For some odd reason that brings me comfort!)  Jesus, on the other hand, after the miraculous feeding, had gone up on the mountain to pray.  Seeing their struggle below from above, He went out to them – walking on their trouble.   (This too brings me comfort.)  They catch a glimpse and are terrified thinking it is a ghost and once again, IMMEDIATELY He spoke to them saying eight precious words – “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”  (And now they are comforted!) The wind dies down and they are utterly amazed – their eyes are opened a bit more to His Majesty.  Next time we go from the mountain top to the valley and we are “straining at the oars” so to speak, it would do us well to remember these eight words and look with Jesus down towards our difficulty from the mountain top.

This is what I glean from this:

 ·         Don’t be surprised to go from the mountain to the valley in the same day.·         After a mountain top experience we would do well to follow Jesus’ example of prayer.·         When we are straining against the wind remember Who controls it.·         Jesus always has His eyes on us.·         Jesus comes to us in our trials.·         When He is in our boat the wind dies down.  “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

Mark 6:50 (NIV)