Mark 1:20 - Got a Message? Teach!

The Verse

Mark 1:21 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach.

My Paraphrase

They went to Capernaum, and on the Sabbath, Jesus taught in the local synagogue.


My Thoughts

My Archaeological Study Bible makes the note that this was a custom in synagogues of the time, that visiting rabbis were allowed to come and teach.  Jesus took advantage of this. What is interesting is that Jesus began to teach.  So many people want Jesus to be so meek, mild, and passive, but He wasn't.  He got up and started teaching.  He had a message, and He was going to share it.  

And no one would stop Him.

Do we take advantage of times to teach and learn?  I know for me, I can waste a lot of time searching stupid things on Google or eBay or checking my Facebook feed. . .Listen, I know it's kind of a cheap shot these days to preach against the evils of social media, but what if we took the same time we use mindlessly searching and changed it to mindful searching of the Scriptures?  Not a whole lot different in the execution (you cand still do it online or on your iPhone), yet so much more impact for eternity!  

Take advantage of your sphere of influence and share the message God has put on your heart!

A Thought on Discipleship

This is not anything amazing, but I was just thinking today about discipleship. I'm studying the book of Mark (as you may know?) right now, and I was thinking about Jesus' disciples. There were only 12 of them. This kinda showed me something important.

When I think about ministry and the big scheme of things, it seems like the big super churches are making a big impact. And maybe they are. I'm not debating that. But I just wanted to point out that Jesus is the Son of God and He only had 12 disciples. Sure, He talked to crowds all the time, but I'm talking about Jesus' everyday personal one-on-one ministry was to only 12 guys.

So, I guess what I'm saying is that even if you only touch like...five people in your lifetime...quality is better than quantity. And frankly, that quality is going to bring about a lot more REAL quantity later. If you have the chance to really minister to someone, they are more likely to minister to someone else. If you have the chance to minister to someone on a day-to-day basis, do it. That speaks volumes more than people showing up for a shallow sermon and then going back to their homes totally unchanged. I'm not saying that sermons are bad. But one-on-one personal genuine friendship . . . That is how to counter hypocrisy. That is how to help people's real needs. That is what Jesus did.

More thoughts on disciples here: http://arecoveringchristian.blogspot.com/2009/01/disciple.html