For He Had Healed Many
Posted by Pastor Pat on April 10, 2009
Read Mark 3:7-12
The paragraph before us (Mark 3:7-12) forms a transition from one idea (Mark 2:1-3:6) to that of selecting His twelve disciples (3:13ff). It is both a summary and an introduction. In summarizing the ministry of Jesus, no statement is made concerning His teaching ministry. Such an idea is assumed and established earlier in chapters 1 and 2 (1:21, 22; 2:13; 4:1, 2; 6:2, 6, 34; etc.).
Jesus taught. He always was teaching. Jesus used every means at His disposal to preach God and call people’s attention to God. Yet, how do we “mesh” the two ideas of preaching the gospel and helping our fellow man?
The gospel of Jesus Christ addresses the whole of the individual. The gospel of Jesus Christ is not simply proclamational. It is also incarnational. The gospel feeds the hungry, clothes the naked, and provides a cup of cold water to the thirsty (Matt. 24). The gospel produces humanitarian activity. Christianity causes us to care. Ministries of mercy are intrinsic to the gospel of Jesus Christ. For many years I was only focused on the proclamation of the gospel, caring little about the physical needs of those around me. I was not taught to care. The church’s “business” was to preach Christ. I still believe this, but I have fleshed out what this preaching looks like considerably in recent years. I now have come to understand the other aspect of the good news. What does this look like based on the statement of our Lord in Luke 4:18? WAIT! There is more to read… read on »
