I host a small women's Bible study in my apartment every other Monday evening. We just finished a 1 Peter study by Jen Wilkins and to continue the theme of studying Peter, are now studying all things Peter! We have just began a new study called, "Anchored" by Marian Jordan Ellis. We listened to her introductory talk last Monday and I was working on day 2 of the first week's study this afternoon. She has a small "Digging Deeper" suggestion on the side for a journal idea and thought I would journal my response on my blog. :)
After reading March 2:1-12, I want to share what Peter observed, hear, learn, and feel according to what I am reading. I will do the same with Mark 5:1-20, then resond to both passages as to Jesus' power and authority displayed and how this shaped Peter's view of Jesus and how it shapes mine.
Mark 2:1-12 tells the story of Jesus returning to Capernaum. People found out he was home and crowded around the house he was in to hear him teach. Four men carrying a paralytic tried to get through and being unsuccessful, they removed the roof and let him down on a bed. Jesus saw their faith and told the paralytic his sins were forgiven. The scribes secretly were judging Jesus in their hearts to which Jesus challenged them and then healed the man. The man picked up his bed and went out to the amazement of all there.
What did Peter see, hear, learn, and feel? First, I think Peter saw the impact of Jesus ministry in the crowds. He saw the hunger people had for Jesus' teaching, healing and comfort. Would they have been quietly listening or would there have been small side conversations? He would have seen 4 (perhaps desperate men) attempting to push themselves and their paralytic friend through the crowd unsuccessfully. Did Peter see these men climb up a side staircase to the roof, pull off the roof to let their friend down? Or was Peter beside Jesus and noticed comotion coming from above as these men let their friend down? He would have seen Jesus respond and challenge the scribes who were questioning Jesus in their hearts. Peter saw Jesus heal another person, saw a man who could not walk, get up and walk. Even to carry his bed and walk away. Peter heard the crowds quietly listening to Jesus teach, he would have heard the four men removing the roof and letting their friend down, the man getting up, the amazement and praise of those watching say, "We never saw anything like this?" Peter learned that Jesus could not only heal, forgive sins, but knows our hearts. What we are thinking that no one else knows. He perhaps felt in awe and amazement along with the crowd at all he witnessed.
Mark 5:1-20 is the story of Jesus and his disciples landing at the country of the Gerasenes and being confronted with a man with an unclean spirit. The demons in this man shout out to Jesus and ask him to send them into the pigs to which Jesus does just that. The man is healed, recovered and the people hear and come to see what had happened. They were afraid and send Jesus and his disciples away.
Peter saw a demon possessed man, not just with one demon, but a whole legion run to Jesus and fell down before him. He would have seen a man in partial chains perhaps, dirty, smelly, with perhaps ragged clothing, with scabs and cuts on his skin. Peter would have seen a herd of pigs rush into the sea and drown. He would have seen the heardsmen run and people coming to see this strange sight. Peter would have seen this demon possessed man changed suddenly as those demons left him. Peter would have heard the voice of this man change perhaps as the demons left him. Peter would have heard the voice of Christ speaking to this man and the demons with authority. Peter learned that Jesus had authority over demons and could order them to go where he chose. I imagine Peter was again in awe of Jesus' authority over these demons. He perhaps felt fearful as this man first approached Jesus, even disgust? Perhaps amazement when the man was in his right mind? How drastically he may have changed! Perhaps anger and frustration when those nearby came and with fear, told them to leave.
How is Jesus power and authority displayed in these passages? It can be so easy to read over this with glazed eyes as I have heard and read these stories so many times. But to stop and think that Jesus forgave a man's sins! He told this paralytic man that his sins were forgiven! He knew what the scribes were thinking! Their self-righteous disgust towards Jesus and challenged them! How their eyes must've bulged! He healed a man who could not walk! To the point that this man, who could not walk, stood up, picked up his bed (immediate strength and balance!) and walked out! Did the crowds part for him like the red sea? Jesus has authority over demons! He called for a legion of demons to come out of a man and sent them into a herd of pigs!
How was Peter's view shaped by all of this!? Peter had already seen Jesus heal a man who was possessed by a demon, heal his mother-in-law, heal many others, get up early to be alone with God, preach in Galilee, heal a leper all in chapter 1 of Mark. The healing of the paralytic man and the man with the legion of demons would have been enough evidence that Jesus is God. Even though Mark doesn't say that Jesus stated this out loud yet to his disciples. In chapter 1, a demon possessed man said Jesus is the Holy One of God to which Jesus quickly shut him up. Did Peter hear this? Did this begin to sit in his thoughts and as he saw the authority and power of Jesus, did he wonder that he was the Son of God?
How does this shape my view of Jesus? No question, Jesus is God. No one but God can forgive sins. Because I've grown up knowing that Jesus forgives sins, it can be easy to take it for granted. But when I stop and really think about it, how amazing it really is! That Jesus even forgave a man's sin before he went to the cross! He read the minds of the scribes and perfectly and justly challenged them! He called himself the Son of Man and states that he has authority on earth to forgive sins. Incredible! He sends demons out of a man! He has no fear when faced with the demonic. He can command them as he has authority over them. And when this man (who was demon possessed) asked to come with Jesus and his disciples, Jesus told this man to stay and share what he had seen and heard. Jesus' desire is for people to hear of what he has done, his mercy, and for people to marvel, repent, and trust their lives to him. Even as I read these testimonies of Jesus life, teaching, miracles, death, and resurrection, I know he is still working in the world today. In my life, and yours. He often times works in ways we can't see. "We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28.
Photo credit: Growing Christians Ministries
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