Mark 4: 35-36
This is a familiar account that shows the magnificent freeing power of Jesus. It can be read in full at Mark 4:35 - 5:20.
Why must we cross over? Because there are crazy people out there who are unable to free themselves from their bonds. Their behavior and their spiritual condition bind them to themselves.
We must cross over to the other side. What is on the other side for you? What person? What neighbor? What fellow worker? What family? What people? What nation?
And what will you bring with you?
From Mark chapter 4, verse 36: "They took Him along…as He was."
There is great confusion in the church world over “how Jesus was”.
In the 2,000 years since God was with us in Christ, religion has re-shaped His image.
It’s not a new strategy of the enemy. It’s straight from the Garden. If the enemy can get us to question what God has said or done (Genesis 3:1), he will be successful at compromising the truth in us. And compromised truth will only bring a compromised victory, which is what we have today. Sure we have had some success. We have vibrant music and meetings and great preaching. Beautiful buildings and TV shows and church programs. But it’s hard to accept this as the life for which Jesus died. I may be willing to give MY life for what we have in the church today, but I don’t think I would give my son’s life.
It is the same for God. I believe He envisions something more. And if we can find our way back to the Truth, we will finally be set free - and be alive enough to set others free.
If His seed in us is virtuous, the fruit is virtuous. And we will cross over our boundaries of religion and philosophy and man-made doctrine and see the demoniac set free. If we are going to do this, we must do as the disciples did in Mark, Chapter 4 and take Jesus along "…as He was”.
More on this tomorrow.
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