February 16 - Mark 6: The Battle Continues

People didn't understand Jesus at this point:

"Who does he think he is?" They tripped over what little they knew about him and fell, sprawling. And they never got any further. (6:3)

[Herod] said, "This has to be John the Baptizer come back from the dead - that's why he's able to work miracles!" Others said, "No, it's Elijah." Others said, "He's a prophet, just like one of the old-time prophets." (6:14-15)

Neither did His own disciples:

When the disciples thought this had gone on long enough - it was now quite late in the day - they interrupted...Jesus said, "You do it. Fix supper for them." They replied, "Are you serious?..." (6:35-37)

But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and screamed, scared out of their wits... They were stunned...They didn't understand what he had done at the supper. None of this had yet penetrated their hearts. (6:49-52)

These people were eyewitnesses to the greatest man who ever lived so I guess it's not shocking that I don't always understand Jesus either.

Or is it?

I mean, I have God's Spirit dwelling in me, guiding me into all truth, along with Jesus' words right in front of me. So why do I feel stuck right now? What have I tripped over?

Some of Larry Crabb's words are ringing true, giving me clues to what's going on in my heart.

"Your desire to experience Me when life gets rough has become a demand. Demand nothing. Surrender everything. Those are My terms. Like you, Mark failed. Like you, Mark wrongly believed that the good news of following Me into kingdom living included the good news of a life blessed with a certain level of comfort and freedom from hassle." 66 LL

I realize that I'm holding onto some demands and expectations around particular circumstances and relationships. I want comfort and I really want freedom from hassle. Yeah, I'd say I have a lot of repenting to do before my God.

"Your spirit of entitlement to the blessings of life dies hard. Your battle continues." 66 LL