WordLive - Year OneSample

Prepare: Before opening your Bible, ask God to help you approach his Word with a mind and heart open to learning, growing, changing… Slow learners ‘Disciple’ is a translation of the Greek word mathetes from manthano, meaning to learn. Learning is a process; it takes time and effort; it includes mistakes and setbacks. The disciples were slow learners; like the seeds upon rocky ground (Mark 4:5,6), their knowing of Jesus had not gone very deep yet. They willingly followed his lead when all was smooth sailing (vs 35,36); but although they had witnessed both Jesus’ compassion (Mark 1:41) and power (1:23–34), when a storm arose (v 37) so did their fears and uncertainties (v 38). They began questioning both his love (‘Teacher, do you not care …?’) and his power (‘… if we drown?’). Patient understanding The forces of nature respond promptly to Jesus’ commands (v 39). It is infinitely harder to quiet the anxieties that arise in human hearts. Yet it is important to note that the disciples had enough faith to shake Jesus awake and pour out their fears to him (v 38). Jesus rebuked (v 39) the wind, but chided his disciples very gently (v 40). They were slow learners, still shaky in their understanding of Jesus’ identity and its implications (v 41), and Jesus was patient with their doubts – as he is with ours. Respond: Sing or pray: ‘When the oceans rise and thunders roar / I will soar with You above the storm / Father, You are King over the flood / I will be still and know You are God.’ (Reuben Morgan, ‘Still (Hide me now)’ © Hillsongs, 2002.) http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-05-19