Whispers That Cause Ripples
LENT 2024 | DAY 2
Mark 1:21-34 (NIV)
(Yeo Su Chen, Chairperson, Communications)
In this passage, Jesus demonstrates His authority as the Lord of the universe. He could cast out evil spirits, and the evil spirits themselves knew who Jesus was.
We typically associate authority with leadership and, in this case, kingship. Real authority inspires and encourages people, just like those who were amazed and astonished by Christ’s teaching at the synagogue. The scribes taught people who went to the synagogue in those days, akin to teachers with PhDs today. Yet, the Bible says Jesus “taught them as one who had authority”.
What struck me most in this passage is not merely the authority of Christ. What blew me away was how Christ – the ultimate authority in the world – treated Simon’s mother-in-law when He went to their home. In verse 31, Mark took care to describe these small actions of our Lord. In a few words, Jesus embodied the image of a loving Heavenly Father who cares genuinely and personally for His child. He had all the authority under Him; He had a very busy ministry. But Jesus made time and cared for individuals. They were not just a headcount to Him.
When I stopped going to Church momentarily during my college years, what eventually brought me home was the care I felt from my leaders, including my pastor from the church. By the time I was in my final year of college, I was in a church where my pastor was a sought-after preacher and well-known to many. By the grace of God, he had made a name for himself as a gifted preacher, illustrious lecturer, and notable author. An authoritative figure in the local Christian community, he would also be the first to pour tea for whoever sat near him and offer them food before he started eating. He always had a kind word for all of us, no matter how old or who we were, and it did not bother him where we came from and where we were going.
Yet, when he sensed or heard we were not walking right with the Lord, he would also not hesitate to sit us down to point us back to God and the correct values, always intentionally, lovingly and graciously. Eventually, my pastor was one of those who showed me the way back to the fold. I was just an ordinary overseas student trying to come up with excuses to skip church; I was not a permanent church member. Yet, the busy pastor made time and effort to care for me.
US President Theodore Roosevelt once said: Nobody cares about how much you know until they know how much you care.
Jesus is the Saviour of this world. Yet, He cared enough to help an ordinary sick woman sit up on a bed. A seemingly random small action can reveal a lot about a person.
Jesus is all-knowing and all-authoritative. But most of all, He is also all-embracing, authentic and altruistic in His ministry to the world.
DISCUSSION POINTERS:
1. What do you generally associate with an authoritative figure? Why do you think the people in this passage were so amazed by what Jesus taught?
2. What aspects of Christ do you see in this passage that are new to you?
3. How can a perspective on God’s authority over everything in our lives help you deal with the more unjust and difficult situations in life?
