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Mark

Mark 
Day 
Day 131

1 Peter 5:5a "Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders..."

Day 131 – Mark 6

“Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders…” 1 Peter 5:5a

JESUS’ RESPONSES NOTED

Mark noted three distinct responses of Jesus as He ministered to people. Both offer instructive insights.

1. Anger

The first response of Jesus that was noteworthy is that of “anger”. Let us ponder the following text.

“And when He had looked around at them
with anger…”
MARK 3:5a

2. Grief

The second response was closely linked to the first one. It was one of deep grief.

“Being grieved by the hardness of their hearts.”
MARK 3:5b

3. Marvel

The third response was that of marveling (“astonished”) at the response of Nazareth when He ministered in the local synagogue.

“And He marveled because of their unbelief.
MARK 6:6a

SIGNIFICANCE OF NOTING THESE RESPONSES

We may highlight two main things as we ponder why Mark noted these responses:-

1. Notoriety of the sinful human heart

a) The hardness of heart
The human heart is capable of great hardness! It can become so hard that it will cause both anger and grief in the heart of the Lord Jesus Himself. Imagine the human heart remaining hard despite all that Jesus had done for the multitudes! The Pharisees were singled out for particular mention.
b) Unbelief
Despite all that Jesus had done, the human heart can still persist in holding on to unbelief! One would imagine that Nazareth would be more than proud to have someone like Jesus to come from this obscure little town. But instead of hailing Jesus, they scorned Him!

2. Danger Zone

It takes a lot to rile Jesus! He was not One who was easily upset. But these responses of Jesus should have alerted the multitudes that they were in the “danger zone”. How long could they have such negative reactions to Jesus without putting their souls in mortal danger? How long would they put to the test, the compassion of Jesus?