Daily Devotions
Mark
1 Peter 4:13 "But rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's suffering, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy."
Day 119 – Mark 5
“But rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s suffering, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.” 1 Peter 4:13
THE SYNAGOGUES OF ISRAEL
There was but one Temple, but there were many synagogues scattered all over Israel. How should we understand and appreciate the place of synagogues in Israel’s religious history?
1. The roots
The idea of a synagogue may be traced to the time when Judah went into exile. In earlier and happier times, when good kings ruled, the land enjoyed a fair measure of peace. But when the Jews were exiled, many feared that they would lose their glorious heritage. Synagogues were built to do the following things:-
a) To teach the Scriptures
b) To provide a Jewish education for the children
c) To have worship services with two elements predominating:-
i) Reading of the Scriptures (some exposition)
ii) Public prayers
2. The administration of the synagogues
a) Those who looked after the running of the synagogues
These were called “rulers of the synagogues”.
b) These could be “lay leaders”
They were essentially respected people in the community at large.
AN EMERGENCY
As Jesus was teaching the multitudes, He was interrupted by a man who had a very pressing need.
“And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came,
Jairus by name. And when he saw, Him, he fell at his feet
and begged Him earnestly, saying,
‘My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and
lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed,
and she will live.'”
MARK 5:22-23
Jairus was obviously different from the majority of the Jewish religious hierarchy, who were often arrogant in their ways. Here was a truly humble man who was not ashamed to fall at the feet of Jesus!