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Daily Devotions

Mark

Mark 
Day 
Day 97

1 Peter 3:18 "Christ also suffered once for sins... being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit."

Day 97 – Mark 4

“Christ also suffered once for sins… being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit.” 1 Peter 3:18

THE RESPONSIBILITY OF HEARING

Jesus places the responsibility of hearing squarely on the hearers. They have no excuse to offer if they do not train their ears to hear properly.

“Then He said to them,
‘Take heed what you hear.'”
MARK 4:24

We may add Luke’s thoughts to this subject of hearing. His emphasis was a little different from that of Mark. His remark complements what we read in the Marcan text.

“Therefore take heed how you hear.”
LUKE 8:18

1. The Measure of what we hear

Mark’s emphasis seems to be on the “measure” or the “content” of what Jesus taught.

a) Jesus’ teaching
i) There is much content.
ii) The contents are deep and rich.
iii) The wise hearer would take time to meditate on what he has learned.
b) What is actually heard?
i) All too often the hearer listens in a distracted manner.
ii) He may also merely listen politely, without any intention of responding.
iii) He may end up rejecting what he has heard.

2. The Manner of how we hear

Luke’s emphasis seems to be on the “manner” of hearing the Word of God taught.

a) The manner we hear reflects the state of our heart.
b) The manner we hear reflects our regard for the Teacher.
c) The manner we hear will affect the way in which the word of God will affect us.

A WARNING NOT TO BE IGNORED

The phrase “take heed” literally calls the hearer “to see” or “to watch out” (“blepete”). The hearer has to exercise this responsibility most diligently all the time.