The King and The Kingdom - Mark 1

Pondering the Psalms
 
Psalm 8 – The Lord’s name and creation are majestic. The heavens declare His glory and power.
 
            Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
 
From the 8th psalm, we also learn our value in the eyes of our Creator. We are only a small spot in the Universe, yet we are on God’s mind. He created us in His image (Genesis 1:27), we are the apple of his eye (Deuteronomy 32:10), and we now know that we are loved so much that Jesus came and died on the cross to save us (Romans 5:8).
 
Psalm 8's full meaning is found in Jesus.
Jesus himself quotes Psalm 8 to explain why it is appropriate for the children to praise Him as He enters Jerusalem on what we call Palm Sunday.
 
            Matthew 21:16 “Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him. “Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read, “ ‘From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise’?”
 
We, too, must have child-like faith to trust and praise Jesus (Matthew 11:25; 18:1-6).
 
In Hebrews 2, Paul tells us that Jesus, when He came as a man, was the ultimate manifestation of God’s glory. Paul quotes Psalm 8 and applies it to Jesus.
 
            Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
 
            Philippians 2:9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.        
 
In Psalm 8, David reminds us that man has dominion over animals. We also know that Jesus has dominion over everything. We learn this when we read the Gospels and see Jesus heal the sick, raise the dead, walk on water, and calm the storm. He has authority over nature. Paul talks of Jesus’ authority in Ephesians and 1 Corinthians.
 
            Ephesians 1:22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,
 
           1 Corinthians 15:25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For he “has put everything under his feet.”
 
God spoke through and inspired King David to write in his songs truths that foreshadowed the ministry of Jesus.
 
What an awesome God we serve.
 
            Psalm 8:9 O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
 
 
*****
 
Mark 1
 
          Mark 6:1 Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles! 3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. 4 Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor.”
 
Allen Black, in his commentary, states this about this passage. “But in Nazareth they remembered him as the carpenter whose mother, brothers, and sisters they knew. They were offended at the hometown boy who seemed to them to be claiming too much for himself.”
 
Let’s not be offended as our “hometown boy” takes on the role of Lead Minister here at MCC. Brady is a humble servant of Jesus who is not claiming too much for himself. Brady loves this congregation and this community; he merely wants to serve Jesus and His people in the LOVE20 area. Let’s work together in faith so many wonderful things can happen in the name of Jesus.
 
          Mark 6:5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 And he was amazed at their lack of faith. Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village.
 
Let’s not disappoint Jesus with a lack of faith. Jesus didn’t forcefully heal people who didn’t want to be healed. Jesus’ power was not limited by people’s lack of faith.
 
          Matthew 12:39 He (Jesus) answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.
 
We must ask in faith, not doubt.
 
            James 1:6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
 
But we don’t have to have 100% faith. Jesus accepts a little faith when we are not double-minded.
 
            Mark 9:21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. 22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” 23 “ ‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.” 24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
 
Follow the example of this father today.
            “I believe; help me overcome my unbelief.”
 
What are you struggling with today?
            Cry out to Jesus with the little belief you have. He will hear and answer according to His will.