Mark 3
January Memory Verse: Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Mark 8:34 (NIV)
Read: Mark 3
Read: Mark 3
As you read Mark 3, Jesus continually shows one characteristic over and over: authority. In this chapter, there are several things He shows He has authority over. Those are:
Authority over human flesh (v. 5, 10)
Authority over demons (v. 11-12)
Authority to give the 12 Disciples power and authority (v. 14-15)
Authority to know God’s ways (tells the Unforgiveable Sin) (v. 28-29)
These are not the only times in Scripture where we see the authority of Jesus. As we continue going through Mark, pay attention to how Jesus speaks and acts. You will see Jesus speak and act as one who has authority.
But let me ask you, who is the ultimate authority in your life? I know many of us want to say Jesus, but is He really? Do you go to Him in prayer for a big decision? Would you be willing to give up your job, money, and comfort to pursue a call that He might give to you? Do you follow His commandments in your life? Do you ask for forgiveness when you sin or do you try to ignore it? Where do you look for wisdom? How many times a week do you spend with God?
I know that is a big list of questions, but all of those questions will hopefully point you to see who has authority over your life. If you have a relationship with Jesus, you should want Jesus to have authority over your life because you know He loves you and will lead you in righteousness. If you don’t have a relationship with God, please understand that Jesus loves you and wants to protect you from Satan and his lies, but you have to submit to Jesus’ authority.
So let me ask one more time: who is the ultimate authority in your life? How can Jesus become or continue being your ultimate authority?
By: Brice Stockton
15 Comments
I like your questions on who/what is the ultimate authority in our lives. The last few years I have realized that for a long time I did not put God as the ultimate in my life when I only searched for Him in times of need. While I should seek God in troubled times, I also need to thank Him for the good times as well. It can be easy to think success is our own doing, but it all comes from God.
AMEN
Great comment, Brett
It’s clear that Jesus was the authority in the lives of the disciples, as it says in verse 13 - “He called, they came.” They didn’t have to even think about the question, they quickly gave authority to Jesus. I pray that I respond that quickly in 2021
"Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?" But they were silent. And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart...(Mark 3:4-5, ESV)
Jesus escalated the issue from a legal to a moral problem. How does my life line up with God's law? If we are honest, many days could benefit from this "heart exam" from our Lord. Thankful for Jumpstart today!
Thanks Brice! Great reminder today of who Jesus is.
Very well stated Brice. Great questions to consider not momentarily, but throughout my day and week.
Brice thanks for being bold and challenging us in areas of sin and lordship. All areas that we can be encouraged in during these difficult times.
“If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.” How true is this today in our own homes and our country? How can we be peacemakers and get our house in order today?
I think another way to phrase it is are we willing to submit to the authority that Jesus already has over us. Jesus has and always will be the ultimate authority. Are we willing to submit? That's when this truth becomes beautiful. You see yourself clearly through humility and see the love of the One who called you to himself. You see that Jesus has the authority to do whatever He wants, but yet He came and died so that we can be in relationship through Him.
Great stuff, Brice! How often do we try and do things on our own, or take care of our own problems, or take credit for what we have in our life? God is the one who is over all of that. He is the one who we should look to in our lives in every situation, He is Lord over everything!
Ive always had a hard time memorizing the names of the disciples. Has anyone else had the same problem? So today I came up with a mnemonic to help me remember and I thought Id share it with you in the event you also have a hard time remembering all their names.
J4......James, John, Judas, James
P2......Phillip, Peter
T2.....Thaddeus, Thomas (the "us's)
BAMS.. Bartholomew, Andrew, Matthew, Simon (the "ews" plus Simon}
Nice!
Cool!
Love it! Cool!
Jesus's authority rules over all! I pray to Jesus that I would surrender to your authority in my life. Amen
That list of questions to ask myself is convicting. When I reflect on some of those questions, Psalm 42 comes to mind. My prayer: as the deer longs for streams of water, so I long to long for you...for everything...in all areas of my life.
Thanks for sharing, Brice!