WordLive - Year OneSample

Prepare: Take time to shut out disturbances and distractions. Ask the Holy Spirit to create in you a mind that is alert and receptive to the truths he is going to teach you. Conspiring critics The religious leaders were increasingly and uncomfortably threatened by Jesus’ obvious authority (Mark 1:27) and rising popularity (1:33; 2:2,13; 3:7,8). They became critical (2:7,16,24), watching him like a hawk (3:2), even conspiring together about how best to get rid of him (3:6). When they could not succeed by fair means, some resorted to foul. Some scribes attempted to discredit Jesus by accusing him of being demon-possessed – Beelzebub was another name for Satan, ruler of the demons (v 22). Common sense Jesus, knowing that his accusers were not interested in the truth, did not bother to quote scripture or get into a complex theological argument. Instead, he used a simple story, laced with good old-fashioned common sense (vs 23–27), which highlighted the utter foolishness of their accusations. He also warned them of the danger of a hard heart that knowingly and deliberately denies the truth and refuses to believe (v 29). When sharing our faith, there will be times to quote scripture, times to talk theology, times for reasoning… but there will also be times to simply rely on Spirit-inspired sanctified common sense! Respond: How will you love God ‘with all your mind’ (Mark 12:30)? Will you begin systematically studying the Bible, rather than settling for a superficial reading? Will you deliberately think through how you will translate into practical action the truths you learn? http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-05-15