by Dr. Paul Jehle.
“He that has ears to hear, let him hear.” – Mark 4:9
As we move through the book of Mark on a verse by verse basis, the context becomes clear that Jesus was the focus for both the disciples as well as those in the towns where he went. They needed ears to understand this, however.
People were just living their lives and going about their duties from day to day. They lived in spiritual darkness, and were under the tyrannical rule of both the religious leaders of Israel and the civil leaders of Rome.
All of a sudden, Jesus enters the picture. His miracles drew crowds, but it was His very presence that became the focus for both the disciples and the people in general.
In just the first few chapters of the book of Mark we find him commenting over and over again that the crowds grew so large that the disciples could not function and at one point Jesus had to preach from a boat to the those on shore!
Again and again, Jesus made it clear that it shouldn’t be the miracles that focused their attention but He who was their Lord and Messiah. His presence changed everything.
So it should be today. We often think we need to have certain miracles or other provisions from God in order to make it. However, it is His presence in our lives, in the daily tasks and duties – that makes all the difference.
Our focus ought to be on Christ. We thank Him for coming to earth and demonstrating that you can walk with God. We thank Him for dying on the cross and rising from the dead.
Because of His work, we can live in rest and peace. When our focus is on Him, we get along better with others, our marriages are stronger, our children have better examples, and our lives have greater purpose.
Let us focus our attention on Christ in these days!