Daily Devotions
Mark
1 Peter 2:14 "Or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evil doers and for the praise of those who do good."
Day 66 – Mark 3
“Or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evil doers and for the praise of those who do good.” 1 Peter 2:14
UNDENIABLE FACTS
Did the scribes, Pharisees and Herodians wish to find fault with Jesus? Then they must find loopholes in the way Jesus ministered to the multitudes.
“So He told His disciples that a small boat should be kept ready
for Him because of the multitude, lest they should crush Him. For He healed many, so that as many as had afflictions pressed
about Him to touch Him.”
MARK 3:9-10
1. They would firstly have to deal with the multitudes
The enemies of Jesus would not dare to make any public assault against Him. They would have to deal with the multitudes who flocked to Him if they dared to attempt to physically harm Him.
2. They would have to deal with the phenomenon of His healing powers
a) “He healed many”
Whether it was healing on the Sabbath, or healing on other occasions, the same power to heal many was the same! If it was the power of God that brought healing to so many, then the Pharisees must ask themselves whether they could withstand the very might of God Himself.
b) “As many as had afflictions pressed about Him to touch Him”
The implication was obvious! This is not a question of a celebrity with a mob of fans. This was a multitude of people with desperate needs. Each must have believed that the mere touch of Jesus would cause them to be healed. Without a doubt, all who came to Jesus with faith in their hearts were healed, even as they touched Him!
UNDENIABLE TRUTHS
Facts so obvious must be interpreted most carefully. Who could this Healer be? No one else in the long history of Israel had ever exhibited such powers before. Not even the famous prophets like Elijah or Elisha could hold a candle to Jesus!
1. Jesus had claimed power to forgive sins (Cf. Mark 2:10)
2. He also claimed to be the eschatological Son of Man (Cf. Mark 2.10)
3. He further declared Himself the Lord of the Sabbath (Cf. Mark 2:28)
Could it be possible that they, the scribes, the Pharisees and the Herodians are truly guilty of having hardened hearts and thus they could not see Jesus for who He was?