F O O T H O L D

READING

10 THE MANY AND THE FEW

 

PRAY Fill my mind with your wisdom today, Lord God. (Psalm 51:6).

 

READ Mark 3:119.

 

THINK What do these events teach us about Jesus and about people

in general? What was it that made the crowds so keen to follow

him?

 

FOCUS THE MANY (712). After the incident in the synagogue (meeting

house) (16), Jesus withdrew to the lakeside. Imagine the scene

as crowds of people from far and near (8) pushed forward to see

him. What did Jesus do to avoid being crushed (9)? The key words

are 'was doing' (8), 'healed' (10), 'fall down' (11). So what

was attracting the crowds was mostly the miracles and wonders that

Jesus performed, rather than the truths which he was teaching.

Not surprising. But probably their interest did not go beyond the

sensational happenings.

THE FEW (1319). The scene changes to the quiet of the hillside.

Visualise the small group of twelve men, individually invited by

the Lord (13,14). Today, millions of people know their names; but

at that time they were unknown, except to Jesus. Yet this handful

was Christ's answer to the needs of the vast crowds. And a very

mixed bunch they were  ranging from rough fishermen like Peter to

Matthew, the worldlywise tax collector. And they also included a

potential traitor!

The people whom Jesus calls to serve him today are still just as

varied in their personalities, their experiences and their

backgrounds. And his way of preparing us is still the same.

First we must spend time with Jesus (14). It is from him that we

get our comfort and our encouragement, our orders and the strength

to carry them out.

 

PRAY Help me, Lord, to spend time learning from you so that I may be

able to serve you better.


Index - Foot Hold in the Bible

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