Mark 5-9

Nikke's thoughts

So a little history here. Mark is thought to be the first gospel written. All but 31 verses of Mark are quoted in the other gospels. Thought this was interesting.

There were a few things that caught my attention starting in chapter 7.

The Pharisees ask Jesus why don't your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with unclean hands?

7:6-8
Jesus replies, "Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:

" 'These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
They worship me in vain;
their teachings are but rules taught by men.'

You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men."

It is so easy to talk the talk and not walk the walk. We have been called to live to honor God not just talk about God. Don't get me wrong talking about God is good but living a life that shines God and speaks for itself is powerful.
There are people who are "contagious Christians" (is what I call them) and their actions speak so loudly you cannot help but see it and want to be like them and have what they have in the Lord.

This is what I want to be! A contagious Christian.


7:20
Jesus goes on to say, "What comes out of a man is what makes him 'unclean.' For from within, out of men's hearts, comes evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man 'unclean.' "

So in other words an evil action starts with a thought. Don't let yourself focus on the bad things listed above. Focus on the good things found in Christ.
Philippians 4:8 and think about what is true, noble, right,pure,lovely and admirable.
(found that verse with the help of a study guide =D)


Lastly something popped out at me that is more of a question to the readers if you may know or have some insight on the subject.

In chapter 9:2-13
Jesus is tranfigured on the Mountain


Mark is obviously a written account.
However, I am curious Jesus only took Peter, James and John with him up on the high mountain.
How did Mark see this?
Did someone tell him of the account and then He wrote it or did he actually see this event take place?
Now I know Mark was also known as John Mark so was the John on the mountain Mark?

Maybe I am missing something here?

What do ya'll think?

I look forward to comments.

Angie's Thoughts

Mark 6:5 "He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their lack of faith."

So, literally, we ask for miracles from God for proof of His existence so that we might have faith in Him, when here it clearly says that we must prove ourselves to Him first. He cannot perform the supernatural for us without faith. Jesus could not perform miracles to these people because they had no faith. Also, when the woman touched Jesus's cloak and was healed with Jesus basically doing nothing because her faith healed her.

I just remember Ignite a couple years ago in Eugene and how the man that was speaking truly believed that the people of this generation, my generation, would be able to teleport like Philip in the bible. That we could have such faith that we would be the ones to do such amazing things. I agree.. Nothing is impossible. We just have to find that faith inside of us and anything can happen.

I can't wait to see what happens when people become bolder and stronger in their faith. I hope I can be like that one day..

Lord, guide my thoughts. Let me prove myself to you in everything I do. Then when I prove a fraction worthy, prove Yourself to the world through me. I want to fly, and without You I am earthbound. Give me wings!