More about Mark - Part 2 of 4

Have I mentioned I'm excited about the gospel of Mark? John Mark, the guy who bailed out on Paul's first missionary journey, is the writer. Even if we flake out God will use us in big ways when we get back in alignment with Him. That's encouraging! Mark became useful to Paul and Peter, ministering with them both. The book of Mark gives us Peter's testimony of Jesus' life and ministry on earth.

Mark leaves us hanging a few times. What does it mean when Jesus said, "Elijah has indeed come."? You better ask Matthew, because Mark doesn't explain it and Luke skips this entirely. I notice Peter has the least wiggle room and the fewest accolades in this book.  When Mark writes "the disciples asked Jesus" Matthew and Luke let us know Peter frequently did the asking. And when Jesus walked on the water we would not know Peter also walked on the water if it weren't for Matthew.

As promised, here are more unique details found only in Mark:

• The Gerasene demoniac was "constantly night and day...screaming among the tombs and in the mountains and gashing himself with stones," and he saw Jesus from a distance and ran to meet Him. (Mark 5:4-6)
• There were 2,000 swine in the large herd the demons destroyed.(Mark 5:13)
• The woman with a hemorrhage had endured much at the hands of many physicians...spent all that she had...and had grown worse, she felt in her body she was healed, and Jesus knew it was a woman who touched Him. (Mark 5:26,29,32)
• Jesus spoke Aramaic (Talitha kum!) to the Pharisee's daughter when He raised her from the dead.
• When the twelve disciples were sent out they went in pairs, they cast out many demons and anointed many sick with oil healing them. (Mark 6:7,13)
• Herod married Herodias, he didn't just take her. His birthday dinner guests included his lords and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. (Mark 6:17,21)
• Jesus felt compassion for the crowd "because they were like sheep without a shepherd." (Mark 6:34)
• When feeding the 5000 Jesus had them sit in groups of hundreds and fifties. The cost to feed a crowd that size would have been 200 denari. (Mark 6:37-40)
• Jesus intended to pass by the disciples when He was walking on the sea. (Mark 6:48)
• Mark explains what the Pharisees meant about eating with impure hands. (Mark 7:1-4)
• Jesus said, "Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men," to the Pharisees. (Mark 7:8)
• Jesus declared all foods clean. (Mark 7:19)
• Jesus' list of defiling heart conditions includes deeds of coveting, wickedness, sensuality, envy, pride and foolishness. (Mark 7:21)
• The woman who begged Jesus to cast the demon out of her daugther was a Greek Syrophonecian. (Mark 7:26)
• The two healings that involved Jesus spitting - only in Mark. (7:32-37, 8:22-26)
• Jesus sighed deeply in His spirit when the Pharisees came seeking a sign. (Mark 8:12)
• Jesus expected growth from those in whom He'd invested. He asked, "Do you have a hardened heart? Having eyes do you not see? And having ears do you not hear?" which is how He described those who weren't following Him earlier. (Mark 8:17-18, 4:11-12)

God uses unique vessels to fulfill His plans. We don't always have to understand. We just need to embrace our uniqueness and obey Him. I love Jesus!