Mark is an on-the-go book, with lots of action. If you're a parent and wonder which book of the Bible to read to your kids (and want something that'll keep their attention), choose Mark. It is always action.
In Mark 3 Jesus heals someone on the sabbath in the synagogue. This really gets some people mad. Jesus withdrew with His disciples to a lake, and a large crowd followed. The people were crowding Him to the max, because the healing power of God was flowing. It's interesting how the evil spirits saw Him and they fell down before Him and cried out, "You are the Son of God." It's interesting that He told them to shut up. You can't trust an evil spirit, so don't give him a microphone. I guess that's one thought on the matter.
One thing that always stands out to me is how evil proclaims the truth of God. Isn't it odd how skeptics act like no one religion is right, how they're all made up myths to construct a universe that we can explain, blah blah blah. What about evil spirits? What about their insistence that Jesus is the Son of God? What about Satanists having a direct hatred towards Christianity? Sure, you can't trust an evil spirit to tell the truth, but these examples of them cowering in fear are a powerful testimony.
Later on in the chapter we see Jesus calling His 12 disciples. This translation (NIV) states that Jesus designated them "apostles" -- that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.
It's funny that he gives them new nicknames. Simon now goes by Peter; and James and John were now Boanerges, which means "Sons of Thunder." What an awesome nickname (but it could also be so loud and extreme that it was sarcasm. Who knows? Maybe they were wee little pipsqueaks who benefitted from such a name; or perhaps they were radical, active, tough guys who befit such a name.
The teachers of the Law later accused Jesus of casting out demons by the power of the devil, because he was possessed by Beelzebub. Jesus answered their illogic with the question, "HOw can Satan drive out Satan?" He went on to state that "all sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven them. BUt whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin." Then it immediately comments, "He said this because they were saying, 'He has an evil spirit.'" That's something to take notice of (and stay far away from).
Later on in the chapter we see the family of Jesus coming down to "take charge of Him" and basically bring the lunatic back home, where He wouldn't cause any more trouble. The crowd told Jesus, "Your mother and brothers are outside looking for You." The text implies that He doesn't even get up to see them. "Who are my mother and my brothers?" He asked. Then He looked at those seated in a circle around Him and said, "Here are My mother and My brothers! Whoever does God's will is My brother and sister and mother."
That is such a strong statement that seems to give some balance and insight in how we should honor Mary and see her in her place in God's kingdom (as honored and important, but not elevated above us who believe).
Posted by Doug Van Pelt at October 11, 2005 08:34 AMDoug - Wow. Just checking in. I remember you from a Bible study back in the early 80s with Kelvin and Heather Moody, in Austin. I was just starting at UT then. I guess you had been there a year or two already. I googled you after seeing you quoted in the student newspaper of Eastern University, the Christian college in the Philadelphia area where I teach. Thousand Foot Krutch will be playing here soon, and your comment from CCM Magazine was quoted. I thought "Man, don't I know that guy??!!"
Posted by: Tony Joseph at October 12, 2005 02:24 PM