This summer, during “Our Next Guest” series, the Daily Bible Readings will take you on a journey through the book of Mark. We’ll take an in-depth look at the life of Jesus, introducing you to all of the different guests, themes, and spiritual disciplines Jesus interacted with and practiced throughout the book. Our hope and prayer is that you’ll meet Jesus in new and fresh ways as we journey together through the Gospel according to Mark.
Day Four Mark 3:7-12
7 Jesus went out to the lake with his disciples, and a large crowd followed him. They came from all over Galilee, Judea, 8 Jerusalem, Idumea, from east of the Jordan River, and even from as far north as Tyre and Sidon. The news about his miracles had spread far and wide, and vast numbers of people came to see him.
9 Jesus instructed his disciples to have a boat ready so the crowd would not crush him. 10 He had healed many people that day, so all the sick people eagerly pushed forward to touch him. 11 And whenever those possessed by evil spirits caught sight of him, the spirits would throw them to the ground in front of him shrieking, “You are the Son of God!” 12 But Jesus sternly commanded the spirits not to reveal who he was. Mark 3:7-12 (NLT)
Discover
1. Take a look at this map for a better idea of how far people are coming to see Jesus. Why are they coming?
2. What form of crowd control does Jesus use (verse 9)?
3. How do you think Jesus felt about His fame?
Respond
Large crowds followed Jesus for His miracles, His healings, and for what they could get from Him. But many fell away when the teaching got tough. Why do you follow Jesus? Jesus was never enamored with His celebrity and continued to preach a message that called people to a life of daily dying to self. Spend a few minutes re-examining your own discipleship. Pray for God’s strength to walk through the times when it’s difficult to live a life of ministering to, loving, and serving others that reflects a life of true discipleship.
For Further Reading: How to Almost Follow Jesus
For Families with Kids at Home
The crowds were often more concerned with what they could get from Jesus rather than being with Jesus. Emphasize to your kids that Christianity is not about getting things from God - rather, it’s about what Jesus has already done and His amazing love for us that He displayed on the cross!
*TPCC does not necessarily endorse all For Further Reading/Learning sources. They are simply meant to be a helpful tool.