LENTEN READINGS AND REFLECTIONS

DAY 6

Reading: Mark 1:1 - 5:22

You may notice right off the bat that Mark is somewhat different in style than Matthew. When you compare the gospels it might help to think in terms of portrait painters. There are a number of well known portraits of George Washington by different artists. If you study them you will notice that even though the object of the painting is the same (the first President) the portraits are all very different. Each painter chose to bring out a distinct aspect of George Washington's character and personality. One emphasizes his military leadership, another, his statesmanship, and still another, his devotion to God. Each of these portraits expresses something true about President Washington but they do it in different ways.

The same thing is true when it comes to the four Gospels. Each one gives you a different picture of Jesus, bringing to light different aspects of his life, personality, and character. The difference between the various portraits of Washington and the four Gospels is that the Gospels were written by divine commission. The four portraits of Jesus found in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, were inspired and their accuracy guaranteed by God himself through his Holy Spirit.

So as you read the Gospel of Mark, for example, you can know that the Jesus you meet there is the true Jesus.

Once fascinating aspect of Jesus' ministry I've already noticed in Mark that was not so pronounced in Matthew is Jesus' apparent desire for secrecy.

Notice that Jesus is quite concerned to keep the demons from publicly testifying that he is God's Son. And he is careful to instruct those healed from disabilities or delivered from possession not to speak of what happened.

Why the secrecy?

Many have suggested that Jesus is afraid of being arrested too early…before the right time.

But I don't think Jesus was afraid of the government or religious officials at all. In fact, he seems quite eager to confront and confound them.

I think rather that he knows human nature. As soon as news spreads that Jesus is able to heal and deliver, the crowds begin to swarm. But most are not there to hear Jesus preach or to repent and become his disciples.

They come to see or receive the miracles.

But Jesus is not a faith healer. He was sent by the Father to call the people of Israel to repentance and into a living relationship with the living God. For Jesus' preaching and proclaiming the Kingdom of God and the message of salvation is his primary task.

At the same time, his compassion is such that he cannot but heal and deliver those who come to him.

So while he does not want news of his acts of compassion and mercy to spread, his love for the lame and the downtrodden is such that he helps and heals all who call his name.

The question for you and I this morning has to do with motive.

Jesus was concerned that the crowds were more interested in the gifts than the giver. They did not seek Jesus but rather the good things that Jesus could give them.

Of course we all want to be blessed by Jesus and to have his powerful and merciful help in our lives, but we must be careful. These things must always come second.

When we come to Jesus we must come seeking Him first and foremost and then the blessings he gives.

Why do you come to him?

What are you looking for?

Are you seeking really seeking Jesus or are you seeking something else that you want Jesus to give?

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