Mark 2:13 And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them.
The statement set forth in this passage is one that we might pass over very quickly in reading the Bible. It is a statement of fact and one that describes a simple action of Jesus. It is an action that he did on a regular basis and so it could be relegated as not that important. But I have found that these kinds of passage hold very important gems of truth.
Very simply we find that Jesus saw a crowd gather because of his fame. So what does he do? He taught them. Teaching was Jesus’ primary function. Everything else that he did was for the purpose of giving him a stage to teach. It was the teachings of Jesus that allowed his kingdom to spread throughout the world. It was his teaching that he wanted his disciples to do after his return to Heaven (Matt 28:18-20). From this we can draw 3 conclusions:
1. Christianity is based upon information and fact NOT feelings!
Despite the fact that many focus on and promote the emotionalism of religion, the Bible is clear that Christianity is a thinking religion not purely one of feelings.
Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
In order to obtain the salvation that God & Jesus offers, it requires knowledge of who Jesus is, what he did and what he desires from us. We only get that from the knowledge of God’s word. Feelings will mislead us and can cause us to to fall short from receiving the Grace that God offers. We are saved by Faith! Faith ONLY comes from hearing the word of God.
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
2. If we are to be his disciples, we should want to know all we can from him!
Going along with the first point, we must have a DESIRE to know all we can about who Jesus is and what he wants from us.
Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
It is not a knowledge to be able to regurgitate dates and events, but rather understanding HOW we turn from our old life of sin and to walk on the path that Jesus instructs. Can we really claim to be a follower of Jesus and NOT care about what he teaches?
3. To Be like Jesus, we too should be teachers
Once we become Christians ourselves, we must understand that it becomes our mission to continue the mission of Jesus!
Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
That does not mean that we abuse relationships by beating people in the head with your beliefs, but since we have the prescription from the Great Physician, we need to let our friends, family, co-workers and such that we can help them, through the grace of God and the sacrifice of Jesus, to rid themselves of their sins.
May we hunger and thirst for the word of God and have the courage to apply it to our lives.
Reflecting His SON,
Dennis Hogan
Minister, North Hardin Church of Christ
1804 Sam Stewart Dr.
Radcliff, KY 40160
Questions, comments or further explanation? Contact me at: dennis.hogan@icloud.com
If you have friends, family, or acquaintances that you feel could benefit from RTS, please forward
their e-mail address to me and I will add them to my mail list.
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