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Mark

Mark 
Day 
Day 88

1 Peter 3:13 "And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?"

Day 88 – Mark 4

“And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?”
1 Peter 3:13

INSIDERS AND OUTSIDERS

Jesus spoke of “those who are outside” (Cf. Mark 4:11). Of necessity there must be “those who are inside”. The former would refer to the multitude who showed so little interest in things eternal. The latter would refer to the true and faithful disciples of Jesus.

A GLIMPSE OF “THOSE WHO ARE OUTSIDE.”

Who are these “outsiders”? How did they become “outsiders”? Let us take time to ponder the following text soberly.

“So that, seeing they may see and not perceive,
And hearing they may hear and not understand,
Lest they should turn, and their sins be forgiven them.”
MARK 4:12

1. Those who see but do not perceive

We may list the following:-

a) The scribes
These are the scholars of Israel. Many had seen the miracles that Jesus performed. But they could not perceive the true identity of Jesus as the Son of God!
b) The Pharisees
These were people who prided themselves as people who had separated themselves from the world. They saw themselves as the custodians of religious laws. They too had seen and heard Jesus. But they could not understand all that Jesus taught.
c) The multitudes
They were so caught up with their physical and earthly problems, they could not perceive eternal truths. They came to Jesus with all their needs. Their requests for help were graciously and freely granted, but for all that, they could not perceive nor understand that Jesus was Immanuel, God with them!

2. Many opportunities were given

There is no question about the fact that Jesus gave all many, many opportunities to discover who He really was.

a) He taught in their synagogues.
b) He performed mighty miracles.
c) He opened Himself up to the public.

The multitude (and that would also include the scribes and the Pharisees) have no excuse to fail to comprehend that Jesus was the Messiah!