September 1, 2024
DAILY BIBLE READING – Mark Chapter 5
1 And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.
2 And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,
3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:
4 Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him.
5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.
6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,
7 And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.
8 For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.
9 And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.
10 And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country.
11 Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding.
12 And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.
13 And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.
14 And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done.
15 And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.
16 And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine.
17 And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.
18 And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.
19 Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.
20 And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.
21 And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea.
22 And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,
23 And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.
24 And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.
25 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,
26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,
27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.
28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.
29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.
30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?
31 And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?
32 And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.
33 But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.
34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.
35 While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?
36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.
37 And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.
38 And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.
39 And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.
40 And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.
41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.
42 And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.
43 And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.
King James Version. Public Domain
Commentary
Introduction:
The fifth chapter of the Gospel of Mark recounts two remarkable miracles performed by Jesus. First, he frees a man from an incurable state of possession, and then he heals two women—one suffering from a long-term illness and another who is believed to be dead. These narratives showcase Jesus’ power over evil, sickness, and death, highlighting that faith in him brings salvation and healing. This chapter offers deep insights into the nature of faith and the mercy of God.
Commentary:
Mark 5 is a powerful testament to Jesus’ authority and the transformative power of faith. The story of the possessed man illustrates that no situation is too hopeless for Jesus to intervene. The people’s reaction to the miracle—fear and the request for Jesus to leave—raises questions about their willingness to engage with the divine, especially when it disrupts their familiar lives.
The healing of the woman with the issue of blood and the raising of Jairus’ daughter emphasize that faith plays a central role in one’s relationship with Jesus. Both women—one through her trust and the other through her father’s intercession—experience healing and life through faith. These stories encourage us to trust in God’s actions, even when circumstances seem hopeless.
Overall, this chapter underscores the profound significance of faith in Jesus and his ability to overcome any form of suffering. It invites us to reflect on these miracles and examine our own readiness to trust Jesus and welcome him into our lives.
Summary:
The chapter begins with Jesus and his disciples encountering a possessed man in the region of the Gerasenes. The man, tormented by many demons, is freed when Jesus commands the demons to enter a herd of pigs, which then plunge into the sea. The people of the region are frightened and ask Jesus to leave. The healed man wishes to follow Jesus, but he is instructed instead to proclaim God’s grace in his homeland.
Next, Jesus encounters a large crowd, including a synagogue leader named Jairus, whose daughter is near death. On the way to Jairus’ house, Jesus is touched by a woman who has suffered from a hemorrhage for twelve years. Through her faith, she is immediately healed. Despite receiving news that Jairus’ daughter has died, Jesus urges Jairus to believe. He then raises the girl from the dead.
WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING – Ellen White | The Desire of Ages Chapter 59—Priestly Plottings
This chapter is based on John 11:47-54.
Read online here
Commentary
Introduction:
Chapter 59 addresses the dramatic events surrounding the resurrection of Lazarus and their immediate impact on Jesus’ life and ministry. This episode, based on John 11:47-54, highlights the growing hostility of the Jewish priests and leaders toward Jesus, culminating in a determined conspiracy to kill him. The chapter illustrates how a miracle that revealed God’s power and grace not only led many hearts to faith but also intensified the hatred and rejection of Jesus by the religious authorities.
Commentary:
The resurrection of Lazarus marks a turning point in the relationship between Jesus and the Jewish religious leaders. This miracle, which undeniably testified to Jesus’ divine nature, pushed the priests and Pharisees to the brink of their patience. They were no longer merely distrustful or skeptical; they saw their power and influence seriously threatened. Particularly noteworthy is the role of the high priest Caiaphas, whose words—”It is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish”—carry a prophetic irony. Caiaphas speaks these words out of political calculation to secure his own position, yet in reality, he unknowingly fulfills the divine prophecy about Jesus’ sacrifice for humanity.
This chapter reveals the tragedy of the blindness in which the religious leaders found themselves. Despite the clear signs and miracles that Jesus performed, they closed themselves off from the truth, seeing him only as a threat to their power and traditions. Their decision to kill Jesus was less a rational choice and more the result of pride, fear, and spiritual blindness. Instead of accepting the light revealed to them in Jesus Christ, they chose the path of darkness, which ultimately led to their own downfall.
Summary:
Chapter 59 describes the immediate reaction of the Jewish priests and leaders to the miracle of Lazarus’ resurrection. While many witnesses of this miracle were led to faith in Jesus, the priests’ hatred of him grew stronger. Pharisees and Sadducees, who had previously been divided in their stance toward Jesus, now united in their resolve to kill him. The high priest Caiaphas argued that it was better to sacrifice one man to save the nation, unknowingly affirming Jesus’ divine mission. The religious leaders, entangled in their intrigues, rejected Jesus’ divine nature and decided to kill him to secure their own power. However, Jesus, aware of his enemies’ plans, withdrew to avoid hastening the time of his ultimate sacrifice. The chapter concludes with the realization that the world could only endure the presence of its Savior for a short time, despite his life being marked by selfless service and suffering for humanity.
WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING – Ellen White | The Desire of Ages Chapter 60—The Law of the New Kingdom
This chapter is based on Matthew 20:20-28; Mark 10:32-45; Luke 18:31-34.
Read online here
Commentary
Introduction:
Chapter 60 highlights the deep spiritual lessons that Jesus taught his disciples on the way to Jerusalem, just before he experienced his suffering and death. In this section, Jesus prepares his disciples for the upcoming events and reveals to them the law of his new kingdom, which fundamentally differs from worldly kingdoms. Instead of seeking power and dominion, Jesus calls his followers to humbly serve and sacrifice themselves for others, thereby attaining true greatness in the kingdom of God.
Commentary:
This chapter offers a powerful reflection on the contrasts between worldly notions of power and the spiritual ideal of service in the kingdom of God. Jesus corrects the ambitions of his disciples, who are still influenced by earthly ideas of a messianic kingdom, by revealing to them the true nature of his reign. His response to John and James, who request privileged places in his kingdom, demonstrates that true greatness in the kingdom of God is not achieved through positions or titles, but through self-sacrifice and service to others.
The teachings Jesus imparts in this chapter are radical and challenge the prevailing societal understanding of power and authority. In a world where rank and influence are often exercised through oppression and control, Jesus shows that true authority lies in the willingness to serve others, even at the cost of one’s own life. This teaching not only shapes the disciples but also forms the foundation of Christian ethics, as practiced in the early Christian communities.
Jesus’ words remind us that the pursuit of power and influence in the worldly sense has nothing to do with the nature of his kingdom. Instead, it is humility, service, and sacrifice that matter in the kingdom of God. This is embodied in the life and death of Jesus himself, who paid the ultimate price to redeem humanity.
Summary:
Chapter 60 describes how, on the way to Jerusalem, Jesus prepares his disciples for his impending suffering and the true character of his kingdom. Despite their hopes for earthly power and honor, Jesus teaches them that true greatness in the kingdom of God is achieved through humility, service, and self-sacrifice. John and James, who seek places of honor in his kingdom, are reminded that such positions are not attained through personal ambition but through suffering and bearing the cross. In a world characterized by power and control, Jesus shows that the principles of his kingdom are based on love and selflessness. These teachings not only shape the disciples but also the early Christian community, which is characterized by a spirit of unity and mutual love.
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