Rooted Together

What does it take to truly follow Jesus? It takes everything. Numerous people approach Jesus in this chapter. Some to test him, some to ask him a favor, another to ask a question about eternal life, and one just to ask for mercy and healing. Children approach Jesus in humility whereas his disciples see him as a gateway to power. Jesus sets the record clear. To follow him you must be humble like a...

The transfiguration leaves no doubt that Jesus is God and King! Following this amazing moment was one of the most beautiful teaching moments for Jesus and his three disciples. His disciples fail to cast out a demon, fail to understand His Kingdom and allusions to his death and resurrection. Our understanding is lacking and our faith weak, we believe Jesus, help our unbelief.  

Only Jesus can open our spiritual eyes and cure our spiritual blindness. Like the disciples, we often see but do not understand who Jesus is and why he says what he says. But once we see Him clearly we will also see the cost of following our master. 

In Mark 7 Jesus confronts the legalism of religious tradition in contrast to the true worship of genuine faith. 

Jesus will feed 5,000 and walk on water. Yet his disciples do not seem to understand in faith the meaning of the miracles. 

Jesus continues to have encounters with demonic forces, which submit His authority. In a surprising turn Jesus tells the man who was formerly possessed by demons, that he cannot come with him but must stay and proclaim what he has done for the man. The man does this and people are amazed. 

Jesus speaks in Parables, yet his disciples lack understanding. Their lack of faith will be on full display for the next few chapters. We also get a glimpse of what the Kingdom of God will be like. 

Jesus again collides with the Pharisees over healing on the Sabbath. Jesus will call his 12 apostles, those whom he desired to be with him. His family, the Pharisees, and the crowd will give their answer to the question: "Who is Jesus?" 

In this chapter, Jesus is questioned about who he eats with, why he doesn't fast, and why he is picking grain on the Sabbath. Yet all of these stories are a connected theme of who Jesus is and why he came. He is the Son of God who forgives sins, the good doctor who heals the sinner, he is not a person to plug into an old system but the bringer of all things new. Jesus is truly remarkable. Yet the...

Jesus is the good news, the long-awaited for Messiah, God in human flesh, and the fulfillment of all Scripture! He healed with compassion, taught with authority, and commands both the physical and spiritual worlds. Who is Jesus to you? 

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