Have you ever found when you read something in God’s Word, that He gives you an opportunity to put into practice what you have read? This happened to me after I read about the friends of the paralytic man. I wrote my last blog, a href=”http://christian.families.com/blog/faith-and-persistence-bring-results”>Faith and Persistence Brings Results days ago but experienced major troubles when attempting to post it.
Then today while reading,Streams in the Desert by Mrs. C.E. Cowman which I’ve been using this year as part of my morning devotional time, the reading talked about not letting obstacles depress and put us off. It echoed what I had already written in the blog. After prayer this morning I tried to post the blog again. Once more it wouldn’t post. Determined not to let a little obstacle stop me, I tried again. And it went. Nothing about the situation had changed, except persistence and prayer brought results. I hope you are blessed and encouraged about the need to persevere in faith.
And now onto the next part of Mark’s gospel to see what we can learn.
Mark 2:13-17
1. Notice how Levi responds to Jesus. Levi did not argue, complain, hesitate or grumble. He simply got up and followed when Jesus called, verse 14. He didn’t even ask, ‘where are we going? Or why? He just went.
What about us, are we waiting for a blueprint of where we are going and why? That’s not the way our Lord works. He gives us light enough for the next step and then as we step out in faith, He directs. We are called to follow where He leads, John 10:3
2. Levi opened his home and held a dinner to which he invited his friends. Being a tax collector himself, many of those Levi invited were fellow tax collectors. He also invited Jesus and his disciples so his tax collector friends could meet Jesus.
When people come to our home will they find Jesus there? Do you try and gather your Christian friends and mix them with non believers? Getting friends together at a meal can be a good way for non Christians to realize that Christians are human and can enjoy fun times. We have a group in our church where we gather for social outings, like dinners, ten pin bowling, bush walks and picnics etc. Christians feel comfortable to ask their non-Christian friends along and we have had people come into the church as a result of this outreach. What can you do this week to show hospitality and use your home as an opportunity for outreach?
3. The teachers of the law criticized Jesus for dining with ‘sinners and tax collectors’ Mark 2:16 There will always be those who criticize no matter what people do. Are you one who criticizes rather than one who encourages and supports others? Our pastors in particular come in for more than their share of criticism. Why not try being one of those who encourages them.
4. Jesus answered his critics by telling them he had ‘not come to call the righteous but sinners,’ verse 17.
How are you seeking to reach out with the good news of Jesus to those who are outside the church or those whom society looks down on? Let’s be people who reach out and welcome others, as Jesus did, rather than those who judge and criticize.
All bible references from the New International Version
Please visit these related blogs dealing with Mark’s gospel
A Pattern of Power, Prayer And Preaching
Seven Lessons About Teaching and the Authority of Jesus
Or visit this related blog
In The World But Not Of The World