The Beatles perform. Photo: Jens Kalaene/dpa | usage worldwide (Photo by Jens Kalaene/picture alliance via Getty Images)

    Still studying the book of Mark.  Jesus has allowed some to speak of their healing and the casting out of demons and others He has cautioned to keep quiet as His popularity grows.  He has also taught against ideas and traditions that are not the Word of God.  This is causing people and disciples to fall away.  It’s interesting to note that God is orchestrating these events. We know that Jesus is aware of the time He has before He is arrested and killed.  In the meantime He is reaching as many as He can and serving His mission until the appointed time.  I can’t help but wonder and marvel at how God operates.

The Beatles in New York City, on their North American Tour ahead of their concert to be held at Forest Hills. Cheering fans gathered outside the Delmonico Hotel in New York where the band are staying, 28th August 1964. (Photo by Staff/Mirrorpix/Getty Images)

    Think of those early Beatles concerts, well if you’re around my age or older!  People went crazy over the hair and funky new sound.  The 4 men could hardly step out into public without being overcome with fans and groupies.  I compare that to what it must have been like for Jesus.  He’s healing lepers and the deaf, the blind and the mute.  He’s casting out demons and raised a child from the dead.  People follow Him to the point where He has no rest and can barely get a meal in.  People clamor for the hem of His tunic.  In these huge crowds are people of faith and there are also skeptics and, there are those who wish to destroy Him.  

Jesus with crowds

 

“And He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘ THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME. ‘ BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.’ Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.””

‭‭Mark‬ ‭7:6-8‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

 
     Now think of what is going on during Jesus’s time.  Rome has Caesar, who is over all of the regions and then there is Herod, over Judea.  Herod is watching Jesus. There are the religious leaders who hate Jesus because He threatens their traditions and their hold over the people with their strict adherence to laws.  There are those who fall away because Jesus speaks against common held beliefs, such as the washing of hands (purification tradition) prior to eating bread.   He’s being questioned of healing on the Sabbath and allowing His disciples to pick grain, also on the sabbath.  Jesus is on a giant time clock that winds down to a pinpoint of light, that will, literally bring salvation to all of mankind.  Hardly a comparable mission to the rock group the Beatles were on.  
 

Jesus teaches a crowd

 
     Lastly for a thought;  if we look into the heart of Jesus’s mission we can really see Him.  He is among the common, foolish, vulnerable, possessed and sick people.  I think that’s us.  Their are wealthy people too.  There are church leaders.  There are soldiers and yes, the poor, the oppressed and the out casts.  Who is He teaching?  ALL OF US!  He is speaking in parables so you have to tune in.  He’s dining with tax collectors sinners, for goodness sake.  Paul tells us in Romans;
 

“What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin; as it is written, ” THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE;”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭3:9-10‬ ‭NASB

 
So who nee‬‬ds to know Jesus? In his mission He tells us that He came to call the sinners!
 

“When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that He was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they said to His disciples, “Why is He eating and drinking with tax collectors and sinners?” And hearing this, Jesus said to them, ” It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.””

‭‭Mark‬ ‭2:16-17‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

 
     Remember, both Jew and Greek/Gentile, that’s the rest of us, are ALL under sin.  Jesus came for the sick who are under sin.  That’s me.  That’s you.  Tough?  Yep.  Hold on… Jesus is the light.  When we believe we get to have our own little light that shines from heaven unto others that they may also shine.  What happens to these little lights?  They spend eternity in the presence of God.  Look around.  God created EVERYTHING.   There is a purpose to this life.  It’s about light and love and getting the mission.  Jesus is the big concert.  He is the real purpose….to get us home. Amen.

 

Jesus heals