King James Bible Study – [Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.]
Date: Friday, October 15, 2021
Chapters: Mark 4-5
Message: Immediately Offended
Hello My Friend,
Did you ever wonder why the Bible seems to be repetitious and tell the same story in both the Old and New Testaments over and over again? Well, it is not repetitious, it is proof. These men that God used to pen His Word all witnessed the same thing, they just gave their perspective on what they had saw. And if it seems that sometimes their side of the story was a little different, it was not that they were contradicting each other, they were just reaching a different audience. God designed His Word perfectly so that no matter who read it, Jew, Greek, Roman, or any nationality would understand that it has the same message, Christ would die to save them, [Luke 18:31-33 Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. 32 For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: 33 And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.]
As we continue in the reading of the Gospels, Mark, also gives his take on Jesus speaking in parables, beginning with the parable of the sower. There is one thing about Mark that is really different than the rest of the disciples when he gives his testimony of what he witnessed when he walked with Jesus. Since his audience was directed to reach the Romans, he tends to be more direct with what seems to be a little bit of sarcasm. Notice what he mentions that Matthew and Luke did not when the disciples asked Jesus what the parable of the sower meant.
[Mark 4:10-13 And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. 11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: 12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. 13 And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?]
[Know ye not this parable?] Mark makes it a point to mention that it was those who were with them that asked Jesus to explain the parable. So, there were other believers with Jesus besides the twelve that walked with Him also, at least for a little while, which is why He spoke that parable first. Jesus straight up tells them that if they could not understand this parable, then they do not stand a chance to understand the rest of them and get saved. Remember, none of them were saved yet themselves. There were plenty of people that they actually witnessed receive Him, but they had not as of yet. Now, as Jesus goes on to explain the meaning of the parable, Mark also mentions something else.
[Mark 4:15-19 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. 16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended. 18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, 19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.]
[when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake,] Sometimes it really is not easy being a Christian, not only do we have opposition from those of the world, but fellow Christians who can be even more judgmental. This is also why Jesus says that we must believe on Him until our very last breath. While no one can lose their salvation once they receive Christ as their Saviour, they must believe that until the very end of their lives here on earth or they will not be saved, [Mark 13:13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.]
There were a lot more than the twelve disciples that saw and communed with Jesus every day when He was here. How many do you think actually believed that He is the Son of God? Not very many. In fact, even one of His very own disciples did not believe until after he had betrayed Jesus, but then hung himself without ever getting saved. This is why Jesus says that those who believe in Him without seeing Him will be more blessed than those who saw everything and believe. Now, through Mark, Jesus continues talking about the same parable, explaining exactly how the seed of the Word of God gets into a person and becomes fruitful.
[Mark 4:26-32 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; 27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. 28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. 29 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come. 30 And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? 31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: 32 But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.]
[and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.] This is actually similar to a baby that grows inside the womb, you can take all the pictures you want show that a live is being created inside, but you cannot explain how it comes together. No one, but God knows that. The same is true for a saved, born again Christian, once we get saved and the Word of God gets inside of us, and we start applying it to our lives we turn into a different person. You cannot explain it other than to know that it is indeed God. We conform to Christ, not to the world as we literally become a living sacrifice, [Romans 12:1-3 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.]
Let me tell you who the culprit is behind so many people who get offended by the Word and walk away from Christ, Satan himself. Rather his demons. Since Satan cannot be in more than one place at a time, and is actually a coward, he does not have the guts to face Jesus on his own right now. We find this out with the man who had a legion of devils inside of him.
[Mark 5:2-8 And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: 4 Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. 5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. 6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, 7 And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. 8 For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.]
[neither could any man tame him.] Does this not sound like a lot of people right now? Demons can still posses any unsaved soul, not to mention one that gets offended and turns against their faith in Christ. Which is another reason why that person becomes worse after having tasted what salvation is, or I should say, acting like they were saved, [Mark 2:21 No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse.]
[crying, and cutting himself with stones.] This man was in so much torment that he tried everything to get those demons out of his body for good. The second he saw Jesus he knew that He was the only one who could get rid of them. Not only did he believe, be became a testimony and told everyone else about Him also. However, those who get offended, while fully knowing that everything about Christ is true, which is exactly what happened in that small town who saw those pigs go off the cliff and the man possessed acting in his right mind.
[Mark 5:12-17 And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. 13 And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea. 14 And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done. 15 And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. 16 And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine. 17 And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.]
[and in his right mind: and they were afraid.] I do not believe any true, saved born again, Christian can turn away from their faith as once Jesus gets into your soul, He never lets it go. Do not get me wrong, we can be like that thorny soil and become unfruitful if we do nothing else, except get saved, but we can never lose our salvation because our faith in Christ alone promises that, [John 10:27-29 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.]
The key here is believing, the people that God used to illustrate His miracles to were no different than you and I, they were sinners, some the worst of sinners, but these people believed that Jesus could save them and it was, in fact, their belief that saved them. Believing leads to faith, faith leads to hope, hope leads to miracles, which Jairus, who by the way was one of the rulers in a synagogue, had when he went to Jesus to heal his daughter who was deathly ill, [Mark 5:22-24,36-37 And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, 23 And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. 24 And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him. 36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. 37 And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.]
[Be not afraid, only believe.] We touched on this yesterday, but notice what Jesus said, “Only Believe”. Jesus wants us to come to Him, especially when the situation looks hopeless, there are many testimonies of people who had near death experiences that lived to tell about it. Many people who do not accept Jesus, do not do it because they do not believe in who He is, they fear He cannot save them. Jesus will save anyone, they just need to not be afraid and believe in Him, [Romans 10:11-13 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.]
Today’s Prayer: Jesus, As we are right in the midst of this pandemic and have been dealing with one issue after another, I am well aware that this is the devil attacking. I also know that You are stronger than the devil and as long as I stick close to You I will endure every trial and not get offended by those who are up against me. You are my peace that passes all understanding and my heart will not be troubled. Lord, watch over us, guide and protect us, lead us not into temptation and deliver us from all evil that the devil. Give us Your power, mercy, and grace, and let us be discerning, showing your truths as we weather this storm with You. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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