PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Mark 12:35-37
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“The large crowd listened to him with delight.” (Mark 12:37)
These words speak to me, because they describe how I listen to Jesus.
My favourite part of the Bible are the Gospels, the life and teaching of Jesus.
These Jesus stories contain much challenging and thought-provoking wisdom.
Many of Jesus’s statements are meant to make us think (or re-think, ‘metanoia’).
Do we really understand the bible correctly, do we really know who the messiah is?
Jesus’s quote from Psalm 110:1 suggests they don’t quite get David’s inspired words.
I find that Jesus’s words often challenge the way I understand the Bible or christianity.
This challenge is not negative for me, I delight in seeing things in a new light.
Or rather, seeing things in a Jesus light!
My fear is that too many people know the bible, but do not know Jesus.
“You study the Scriptures diligently… yet you refuse to come to me to have life.” (John 5:39-40)
My appeal to Jesus followers is to spend most of their time in the Jesus stories.
Blessed is the one whose delight is in Jesus, who meditates on Jesus day and night.
As Peter says, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68)
PRAYER
Lord, you have the words of eternal life, and I delight in listening to you. Help me not to just listen, help me to reflect your life to others, that I may share this delight with them.
“The large crowd listened to him with delight.” I am totally ‘blown away’ and delighted at times when through Bible study a ‘gem’ of understanding is laid on my heart – by the HS I am sure. It is a delight and an affirmation for me. The crowds were delighted as Jesus pulled together truths of prophecy and helped the people understand the truth about God’s love for them. Jesus loved the people and cared about them and his teachings delight us today – they inspire and encourage and correct us. As the Psalmist rode in Ps 119: 89 “Your word. Lord is eternal it stands firm in the heavens. 90 Your faithfulness continues through all generations…97 Oh how I love your law!” The Pharisees used the law in an overbearing way – without mercy – I don’t think they delighted in it – yet Jesus could present the truths of being right with God (the whole purpose of the law) and make it a delight – not a burden!
The Pharisees were always trying to catch Jesus. They thought that Christ would come in human terms. Their understanding was limited to their rites, more focus on those rites and themselves than Jesus. Our focus needs to be on Jesus and our relationship to Him. Jesus always turns the questions around and stump those who asked the question. They didn’t have the answer. Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of David and God’s Son. Listen to Him. Serve Him. Help me daily to live for Jesus.
Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
Refrain:
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me;
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne;
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.