Don’t be Amused
There are two things I want to point out from today’s Bible reading from Mark 6.
The chapter begins and ends talking about Jesus’ miracle ministry. The end of the chapter is very familiar to those of us who grew up in church. People come to Jesus to be healed and some are trusting in God’s healing if only they could touch the edge of His robe. And at the end of the chapter, Mark tells us that everyone is healed.
But the beginning of the chapter may be somewhat unfamiliar territory for those of us who grew up in church. Mark tells us that as Jesus was ministering in his hometown, He didn’t do any miraculous things, but that he laid His hands on a few people and they were healed. Jesus was astonished at their unbelief. (Mark 6:5-6)
I don’t like that! Jesus is supposed to heal everyone. And everyone is supposed to live happily ever after, right?
But that’s not what we’re always given in God’s Word.
Occasionally, when we come to God’s Inspired Word, we will see things that don’t fit with the way we have always believed or what we think is right. It’s in times like these that we have to trust that God knows what He’s doing. We may wrestle with what we see in the Bible and that’s ok. And each time we encounter things we don’t understand, we must simply trust.
God is God. And We aren’t.
The other thing I want to point out is something that I don’t know I ever saw before: Herod liked to listen to John the Baptist. He wasn’t always comfortable listening to him, but he liked listening to this strange man who wore strange clothes. Herod recognized that there was something special about John. He feared John, so he protected John … until he couldn’t. (Mark 6:20)
How about you? Do you like to listen to gifted Bible teachers? Do you find yourself drawn to them, even though you sometimes feel uncomfortable? Now, in asking this, I assume that the gifted Bible teachers you’re listening to are faithful with God’s Word.
One of my classes in seminary was Church Music. The professor said that all music in church is for ministry (to God, to the church, and to the world), but music in church is never for amusement.
We don’t use the word much anymore, but to muse is to think. Jesus said the Great Commandment is to love God with all that we are: heart, soul, mind, and strength. (Mark 12:30) My professor pointed out
Application
Are you amused by the things of God? Are you amused by the people of God? Or are you challenged in your beliefs? Are you encouraged in your beliefs?
Don’t be amused. Let God’s Word challenge your beliefs. Let your mind be transformed and renewed by God’s Word.