Hope Through Suffering

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King James Bible Study – [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. – Mark 8:34]

Date: Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Chapters: Mark Chapters 4-5
Message: Hope Through Suffering

Hello My Friend,

Every saved, born again Christian has a testimony of the day that Christ opened their eyes to the truth about Him and what He has done for them since accepting Him as their Saviour. Even the worst Christian can tell you how Christ saved their soul. In fact, I feel like the worst Christian as I have done nothing for the cause of Christ all year. The only thing I do have going for me is that I am continuing my Bible reading and writing the devotionals, but if I am not applying what the Holy Spirit is teaching me then what good am I to Him or anyone. A Christian who studies their Bible will be surprised by the measure of grace that Jesus has toward us, but care must be given to not let our ears become dull to what He is saying.

[Mark 4:24-25  And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.  25  For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.]

[Measure; A limited or definite quantity; Determined extent or length; limit. Portion allotted; extent of ability.] Think about what Jesus is saying, those who sincerely accept Him as their Saviour are given a portion of the Kingdom of God and nothing can ever change that, but everything else we receive while we are here awaiting His return is determined by how well we respond to His Word. As we continue in the reading of the Gospels, Mark, gives his account of Jesus speaking in parables.

[Mark 4:1-3  And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land.  2  And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, 3  Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow:]

[and said unto them in his doctrine,] The entire multitude, stood or sat along the shore, which arose from the sea in a gentle slope. Jesus, going into the ship had the advantage of having His entire audience before Him so that He could see practically every one of them. Christ’s, teaching was in His speaking in parables, the simple telling of incidents taken from every-day life, but with emphasis of spiritual matters.

[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? and how then will ye know all parables?] Why was Jesus so angry with them? They could not understand or rather, their ears were not attentive to what Jesus was saying in regards to the parable of the sower. You see, the disciples were not saved themselves yet, but have been around Him enough that they should have been able to discern that the parable had something to do with how people respond to the Gospel. This is why it is important to stay in the Word of God so that we can continuously learn, grow, teach it, and discern the truth from the lies, [2 Timothy 2:15-16  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  16  But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.]

Wow! That is an understatement! We can certainly become ungodly Christians if we continuously contend with those who refuse to discern the truth from the lies. We cannot force a tree to produce fruit in an instant, therefore, we cannot expect God to do everything for us in an instant all the time. We need time to grow in the Lord, and that is exactly why we are to keep living our lives to please Him while we wait for them. Jesus, goes on to explain this through another parable.

[Mark 4:26-29  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.]

[the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.] There are many books that can teach us how a seed sprouts in the ground and grows into a plant, but nothing can possibly explain the miracle of something growing. This is the same as a life that is being formed in the womb from a tiny seed to a baby, nothing can explain that phenomenon as much as they try, [Ecclesiastes 11:5  As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.]

In other words, Jesus, is warning them that they are going to hear all sorts of things about heaven and the Kingdom of God, but there is only one way, and that is Him. Many will stand before Him thinking they will be able to enter, and will be denied. Likewise, many will stand before Him thinking they will be cast into hell, only to be accepted of Him. What is the difference? Their faith in Him. Jesus, goes on to explain.

[Mark 4:30-34  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.  33  And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it.  34  But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.]

[parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it.] Every parable that Jesus spoke had to do with the Gospel. Again, our faith plays the biggest factor in how God responses to us, there are many Christians struggling that do not get their needs taken care of because they lack faith. Jesus, proves this quite often, and is actually the factor of why He had gotten into a ship and fell asleep as a storm came.

[Mark 4:36-41  And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.  37  And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.  38  And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?  39  And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.  40  And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?  41  And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?]

[Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?] Wow! How would you like to hear those words from Jesus? If we are honest with ourselves, we have heard Him say that to us a time or two. I have been guilty of this, especially when I am at crossroads and what is behind me seems more secure than taking a leap of faith on something that may potentially backfire. When I get this way, God, reminds me that even if I did take a leap of faith in the wrong direction that He has not forgotten my labor of love and will get me back on track, [Hebrews 6:10  For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.]

Let me tell you who the culprit is behind so many people who lose faith when those storms of life come, Satan himself. Mark, also gives his account of Jesus casting the demons out of the man. It is interesting to note that Mark paints a picture of the torture that the man was going through while being possessed.

[Mark 5:1-5  And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.  2  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.]

[always, night and day…crying, and cutting himself with stones.] Anyone who has been in a lot of pain understands just how tormenting it is and the willingness to do anything to get rid of it. The more this man tried to rid himself of the demons inside of him the more they overtook him. It was not wonder why when he saw Jesus that he ran to Him. And while it was the demons inside of him that reveal who Jesus was, that man was eternally grateful for Jesus being able to do what he could not.

[Mark 5:6-12  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.  9  And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.  10  And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country.  11  Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding.  12  And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.]

[he besought him much that he would not send them away] This was the demons asking Jesus not to send them away out of the country of Gadarenes, proving that while the devil and his demons may have some freewill of their own, they too have their limits and cannot go beyond what God allows. That was when Jesus allowed them to enter into the pigs.

[Mark 5:13-15  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.]

[(they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea] Two thousand demons tormented this man for who knows how long, but as soon as the man believed in Christ, not one of them remained, and never to be possessed by them ever again, or any demons for that matter. In fact, he would go on to become a witness for Christ and how He saved him.

[Mark 5:17-20  And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.  18  And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.  19  Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.  20  And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.]

[began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him:] This is how the great commission works, one gets saved, then starts turning telling everyone what Jesus has done for them. No one ought to be ashamed of their faith and that also includes those whom have backslidden away from Him. Backsliders are still forgiven and redeemed by the blood of Christ, they just lost their way, but the great thing is that they have not lost Him. Jesus, never lets go of His own, []

Mark, also gives his account of when Jairus came to Jesus, begging for Him to cure his daughter, and also of the woman with the issue of blood who touched His coat as He was following Jairus to his house.

[Mark 5:22-29  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.  25  And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,  26  And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,  27  When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.  28  For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.  29  And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.]

[she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.] Anyone who has suffered with some chronic illness or disease can understand how tormenting it is on their body, not to mention mind and spirit as all efforts of a cure have been exhausted. While there may be medicines, supplements, procedures, surgeries, and other treatments to assist in a cure or help ease the suffering, there is only one great physician and that is Jesus, and the second you realize that there is no turning back, [1 Corinthians 3:7-8  So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.  8  Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.]

Mark, is the only one who noted that Jesus acknowledges that it was His clothes that the woman touched, [Mark 5:30-34  And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?  31  And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?  32  And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.  33  But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.  34  And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.]

[knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him,] I will never forget the torture I was under and how Jesus saved me from it, and that brings tears to my eyes as I seem to be a glutton for pain as I have put myself in a position again where my body is in constant pain. I know what I need to do, kneel at the altar and seek His help on how to keep myself from falling down that trap again. Sometimes we try to talk ourselves into believing that we have things all under control, but the truth is, without Jesus we can do nothing, [1 Corinthians 15:10  But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.]

As Jesus was talking with the woman, a servant from the synagogue that Jairus was head came to tell him that his daughter died, [Mark 5:35-37  While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?  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.]

[As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken,] Jesus, already knew that she was dead, and how everyone was going to react, but that did not stop Him from waiting to see what they were going to do. Why do we make this ado about our lives if we are saved and born again? There is nothing for us to fear, even death has no power over us because we belong to Jesus, [Luke 12:32-34  Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.  33  Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.  34  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.]

So, Jesus, takes Peter, James, and John with Him and heads over to the synagogue, [Mark 5:38-42  And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.  39  And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.  40  And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.  41  And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. 42  And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.]

[Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. And straightway the damsel arose,] I know that it must seem redundant to keep reading the same thing every day, but each and everyone of the Gospels puts their own take on what they witnessed. I am sure that there were many others who witnessed the very same thing, not to mention the disciples, but these four men were inspired by the Holy Spirit to tell their side of the story. There is no respecter of persons with God, He sent His Son for all to find that last drop of hope.

[Romans 5:2-5  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.  3  And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;  4  And patience, experience; and experience, hope:  5  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.]

Jesus Christ Revealed/Magnified: [Mark 5:13  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. Mark 5:41  And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.]

Today’s Prayer: Jesus, As I and my family have been dealing with one issue after another, I am well aware that this is the devil attacking, but I also know that You are stronger than the devil and as long as I stick close to You I will see victory for You are my strength. Lord, Watch over us, guide and protect us, deliver us from all evil that the devil is hitting us with. Give us Your power, mercy, and grace, as we shine Your Light in this dark world, and let us be discerning, showing your truths as faithful witnesses of what You have done in our lives. I pray this in Your name, Jesus, Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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