What Jesus Did

While Jesus was far away, the man [possessed by an evil spirit] saw him. The man ran to Jesus and bowed down before him. Jesus said to the man, "You evil spirit, come out of that man." So the man shouted with a loud voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you to promise to God that you will not punish me!"

—Mark 5:6-8 NLT

Key Thought


In the Gospel of Mark, we learn that the evil spirits knew Jesus' true identity. They feared Jesus and...

 

So [Jesus and the disciples] arrived at the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus climbed out of the boat, a man possessed by an evil spirit came out from the tombs to meet him.

—Mark 5:1-2 NLT

Key Thought


Jesus was taking his disciples to new places. The particular new place in this event they shared with Jesus was strange. The strangeness had to do with what they would experience — an encounter with a demon-possessed man. Adding to this...

 

When Jesus woke up [in the storm-tossed boat], he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Silence! Be still!" Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm.

—Mark 4:39 NLT

Key Thought


"'Silence! Be still!' ... and there was a great calm." Just as in that terrifying storm for the disciples, Jesus also has the power to bring calm into the troubled hearts of his followers today. In the middle of the storms of life, we must learn to listen for our Savior's...

 

But soon a fierce storm came up [as Jesus and some disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee]. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.
Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, "Teacher, don't you care that we're going to drown?"


—Mark 4:37-38 NLT

Key Thought


I am so thankful for the honest portrayal of Jesus' disciples. I can see myself in them and know that God uses...

 

But soon a fierce storm came up [as Jesus and some disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee]. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.

—Mark 4:37 NLT

Key Thought


Storms are a part of life — even for Christians. In fact, storms are a part of life, ESPECIALLY for Christians. While some peddle a "gospel" that proclaims only wealth, blessing, and happiness, we need to remember that Jesus is our hero and example. We are his presence in this...

 

In fact, in [Jesus'] public ministry he never taught without using parables; but afterward, when he was alone with his disciples, he explained everything to them.

—Mark 4:34 NLT

Key Thought


While the parables were mysteries to some, Jesus made sure his closest followers knew what he meant when he spoke them. We, too, can ask for Jesus to make his truth clear to us. He has promised that the Holy Spirit would use Jesus' words, along with the teachings of the Scriptures...

 

[Concluding the explanation of his parable, Jesus said,] "And the seed that fell on good soil represents those who hear and accept God's word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!"

—Mark 4:20 NLT

Key Thought


Jesus wants us to be productive in our service to his kingdom. In fact, he is working in the lives of those who are fully yielded to him to bring about a great harvest. Like a small seed growing into a majestic...

 

Jesus used many similar stories and illustrations to teach the people as much as they could understand.

—Mark 4:33 NLT

Key Thought


Jesus was an incredible teacher in his earthly ministry. He used common, everyday images as hooks on which to hang eternal truth. The people would see those images in their day-to-day lives and then would be reminded of the eternal truth that Jesus hooked to the image. That method was crucial. The people couldn't understand everything all at...

 

Jesus said, "How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it? It is like a mustard seed planted in the ground. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows long branches, and birds can make nests in its shade."

—Mark 4:30-32 NLT

Key Thought


Mystery and movement were at the heart of Jesus' Kingdom message in our devotional yesterday; today his message is about power and grace. The Kingdom...

 

Jesus also said, "The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, while he's asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens. The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens. And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come."

—Mark 4:26-29 NLT

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