Hanging out with Jesus XII: Mission the Other Side

Hanging out with Jesus XII: Mission the Other Side

Mark 4:35 - 5:20               Jesus’ Words - v35, 39, 40, 8, 19

Threatened by a violent storm on the way and welcomed by a violent maniac. The two stories in the passage record what perhaps was the most dangerous and dramatic mission for disciples following Jesus. They were however amazed by how he breathed peace wherever he went.  The following words of Jesus in the passage form an outline for this message.

Let us cross over (4:35)

The words of Jesus ‘Let us cross over to the other side’ triggered the mission. When Jesus decided to go to the other side, he had seen a person there with a need he wanted to meet. To apply the lessons from the stories realize that the other side matters to Jesus.  His compassion stops at nothing to reach the other side. It is the place with needs Jesus targets to meet. It can represent areas in your life where you need Jesus. Maybe you need healing from sickness, forgiveness and cleansing from sin, deliverance from bondage and emotional well-being. The other side stands for your spiritual, emotional, mental and physical needs. You alone know what is on the other side.

Jesus looked for people to go with to the other side.  Jesus seeks for people to work with him in meeting needs of other people.  He calls his disciples, those who are with him not only to receive but also to be equipped to help others.  The disciples obeyed the instruction to go to the other side.  Obedience is a mark of disciples of Jesus.

They obeyed even though it was evening time and the weather was bad. They were a part of Jesus’ team when he went preaching and healing off the coast. They must have been tired and would have wished to go home and take a rest. Then abruptly Jesus said let us go over the other side. On the way drama unfolded when they faced a great storm. Being experienced fishermen sea travel was not new. They must have read the weather signs. They however chose to obey. Jesus must have also known the dangers facing this mission. But he did not hesitate to send them into a dangerous storm. Not as long as it developed them and enabled him to reach the other side. When Jesus commits to showing compassion, the hindering storms are least of his worries.

The storm was so harsh it beat on the ship and tossed it. The ship was filling with water as a result. The situation seemed to be worsening with each moment. The initial response of the disciples is anyone’s guess. They fought hard to keep water outside the ship. They disagreed on how best to do it. They responded according to their personalities. Perhaps Peter worked frantically hard,  Thomas wanted to jump out, Judas only put eyes on the purse and John perhaps protected Jesus so his sleep could not be disturbed.

Thank God, THEY HAD JESUS in their ship. When they set off from the coast, some little boats came along. They did not have Jesus and you do not want to imagine what happened if they had not already returned. Maybe they capsized or the sailors jumped.  With Jesus when the storm hits it is not time to jump off but to trust him.

Peace be still (4:39)

In the midst of the storm, the prince of peace was asleep on a pillow. Yes, he needed rest and slept on the voyage. The beating must have been so strong to wake up anyone. Jesus is not woken up by the storms of life but by the calls of his people. He also demonstrated how you could find sleep in a storm. He is a call away. He hears the faintest whisper of your heart. Trying to save the ship with your own effort is harder. They work him up to help save the ship for it was their hope in such hostile waters. He did not need their helpless buckets. He did not rise up to help get water out of the ship. He instead arose to stop the storm. Often the prescriptions you give God to bless are not even the means he will use. He wants to deal with the root cause.

When he said, ‘Peace, be still’, the wind ceased. With those words, he addressed all storms within the reach of his voice. The disciples had strong emotional storms in their hearts. Those also ceased. Why not call early. Do not wait until last minute. They only called when hope was lost and were waiting to perish. They said to Jesus do you not care that we perish. Initially the disciples forgot his promise. He told them they were going the other side not under. They forgot that he was present with them with all the power they needed. If you take matters into your own hands, God will sleep while you mess up your situation. Every step of faith faces some test. Often the things you put confidence in have to be rocked to shake your trust off them on to Jesus.

Someone is watching and depending on your faith and prayer. When Jesus speaks peace for you the little accomoanyi9ng boats if they are still in the waters also benefit. Those who look to you also benefit. Your community also benefits. Those in your circles of relationships also benefit.  And those on the other side will benefit.

 Why are you fearful (4:40)  

When the storm was over it was lesson time. Jesus said ‘Why are you so fearful. Why are you still lacking in faith. Fear of storms is absence of faith in God. Their fear showed lack of faith. Their view of Jesus as a last resort showed lack of faith. Their panic and lack of peace showed lack of faith. Their confession of perishing showed lack of faith. When you have nothing positive to say maintain silence and simply say halleluiah. That is the lesson from how the people of God caused the walls of Jericho to fall.

Jesus did not rebuke their effort but their attitude… Jesus did not say sit back and do nothing but do it out of faith. The storm exposed their level of progress in faith. Sometimes that is the only way God has to help us see our need for growth. Like a pressed toothpaste tube, it exposed what was inside them. The assessment concluded they had little faith. They doubted his word. In a storm, you need faith in his word not faith in your ability to keep the water out. Remember and hold on to the expected end given by his promise.

At the end, they were in awe of what Jesus had done. From being afraid of the wind, they were now positively afraid of Jesus. If you have not feared him, you will fear everything else. When you fear him, you have nothing else to fear. They had not realized his greatness and the awesomeness of his power (v41). They thought they knew him by now only to realize they were starting to discover him. Following Jesus is a discovery journey. When you think you know him you are about to discover him. So they asked, who is this person obeyed even by the seas.

Come out of him (5:8)

The question upper most on the minds of the disciples was ‘What's on the other side?’ why all the trouble at night for that matter.  It did not take long for them to see the answer. A maniac from the tombs in the land of the Gadarenes welcomed them on the other side.  The maniacs appointed time had come.  Jesus is concerned about the person heading for hell or not experiencing the full life of Christ. He is so concerned of that person more than his comfort and of his servants. That is why he came to die on the cross. He saw you on the other side of the cross. Naked, unwanted, feared, howling and living in the graveyard. Those who live in the graveyard are about to die or are dead. The demon possessed violently cut himself, had septic wounds and violently drove away those who tried to help. Luke tells us that he had been in this condition for a long time (Luke 8:27). All evil aims at pulling people to the tombs. BUT Jesus has done all that was necessary and born all the risks to come to the other side. Whether raving in the tombs, having sophisticated needs, or a civilized sinner in a hotel, your situation is as urgent as that of a self-damage inflicting maniac. 

The demons pleaded with Jesus not to torment them before the time. They knew their rights and destiny. To overcome you have to know your rights as well. Hell was not made for the eternal punishment of people but of satan and his demons.  They recognized Jesus for who he was - and responded appropriately by falling before him. You will have to recognize Jesus as he is and fall in worship to overcome them. They know what you ought to be doing and when you do not do it, they see an open door. Greater is he in you than the one in the world (1 John 4:4). Jesus demonstrated his power over demons when he commanded ‘come out of him’ and the legion of demons left. Legion was a military term that described a military regiment of about five thousand soldiers. So many and belligerent as they were they were overcome. Is it possible they were also responsible for causing the storm to keep Jesus away? They found him unstoppable. No weapon will succeed against you because Jesus has come to the other side. He has come to your side. If Jesus is for you, no one can be against you.

He allowed the demons to go into the pigs to remind us that human life is more important than many pigs. It is worth the life of God’s son. Also, to teach us that if God hears the pleadings of demons how much more will he hear his children when they call.

Go home and tell it (5:19)

It seems everyone pleaded with Jesus.  Demons pleaded with Jesus not to torment them before the time then pleaded with him to go into pigs.  The pig herders ran and told it everywhere. The Gadarenes came and saw the former maniac completely freed and pleaded with Jesus to leave their country. Before he left, the delivered man pleaded to go with him. Jesus would not let him come along.  Instead, he had a better plan. He would leave the land of the Gadarenes and the delivered man became the missionary to the Gadarenes. That is the power of Jesus to transform people from victims to God's servants.

In what area of your life are you on the other side? Rescue has come. He crossed over to the other side of the cross - a place in need of a savior. A place Jesus deploys his disciples. A place that is inconvenient to reach because the demons come as a legion to stop help, hope, and compassion to locate you. A place that needs Jesus’ unstoppable love - a love that will rescue and recruit you for his wonderful service. . Welcome him to your side today.

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa 

Hanging out with Jesus XI: Kingdom Unmatched Greatness

Hanging out with Jesus XI: Kingdom Unmatched Greatness

Mark 4: 21  - 34

No greatness can match that of the Kingdom of God - meaning the reign or rule of God. If you miss the kingdom, you have missed Jesus. Jesus came to bring the kingdom of God. It was what he lived, preached and taught. To him it was good news to humanity. He prayed 'thy kingdom come'. He demonstrated its compassion and power. He told its mysteries through parables - the greatest mystery being ‘Christ in you the hope of glory’ (Colossians 1:27). The kingdom is in you because the king lives in you. If you know who is in you, he will show you who you are in him. Knowing who you are is the hope of glory. He exhorted his disciples to seek the kingdom and it's righteousness in order to find everything else (Mathew 6:33). For everything is in the kingdom of God.

Disciples are people who live and are learning to live under the reign of God. Paul wrote that ‘for He rescued us (past tense) from the dominion of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son (Colossians 1:13)’. We were rescued from being captives of darkness to being citizens of the kingdom of God where his beloved son rules. The kingdom of light for he is light. He in you and the kingdom word in you is light (Psalm 119:10, John 9:5). The joy of our faith is that the throne is not vacant. Our king reigns. As long as he is on the throne all things are under control. All we do is to submit to him. Discipleship is about loving the kingdom because you are in love with the king.

Today's passage brings out four ways to bring out the unmatched greatness of God’s kingdom in the real world of your life with its real challenges and opportunities.

Way 1. Make it known (v. 21 – 22)

 Jesus compared the kingdom of God to the oil lamp  used in those days. The lamp  represents the light that comes into the heart of believers. It came concealed that is why many miss it. God concealed kingdom of light in you not to hide it from everyone else but  for you to shine the hidden light out for all to see and benefit. The time for concealing your light is over. As a believer, you are either a bushel by hiding it or a lamp stand by lighting up the room or life situations in which you find yourself. Let the hidden light in you shine in order for the darkness that keep people from knowing God to flee.  Many are still in the dark to the true significance of the Kingdom of God  and need the illuminationation of the light in you. The light exposes the hidden sinfulness and secrets in the works. Without your light shining  evil in the world will remain hidden.  Let the world see the greatness and glory of the reign that is inside you.   That is the purpose for your transformation and the thirty, sixty, hundredfold fruit in Christ.

Choose to be a lamp stand and let the light come out by:

• Your verbal testimonies of how Christ has touched your life. Cultivate the culture of sharing what God has done for you whether you think it is small or great.
• Through your actions of good works that show God’s character of integrity, wisdom, power, mercy, tenderness and compassion. Spiritual fruit is light that must be on a lamp stand shining brightly and not hidden.
• Through a loving community of believers. The way believers live and interact with each other. As they worship together, serve together, pray with each other etc  they are putting out the light or letting it shine to observers. They will know we are his disciples if we have love, one for another.

Way 2. Make use of it (v. 23 – 25)

Let him who has ears hear or take heed (Mark 4:24). In other words, let him who hears the kingdom message hear with understanding and faith. The challenge is to invest in high quality listening. The  Greek is 'Look at what you hear.'   You can easily miss treasure unless you invest time and effort into listening, examine and take seriously, what you hear. Do you enjoy, zealously apply and utilize it in everyday life.

Making use of what you hear is very important because the measure with which you utilize it is the measure with which more is given to you. The level of response is the level of revelation and anointing. Utilization of what you have received  is the way to open doors for more. (Also refer to parable of talents (Mathew 25:29)).

Way 3. Trust it to grow (v. 26 – 29)

Kingdom seed is designed to grow. It is a growing seed. It works and produces a harvest. Any faith action or action in response to God's word is seed put to the ground. So is any word of God shared or sown in people's hearts. The seed grows 'all by itself' v.28. The Greek is ‘automatos’ meaning 'without visible cause' or apart from human effort. You cannot grow the seed by your effort. You will end up frustrated with religion that has no power. Trust the seed to grow mysteriously. Trust God to do his part. You do not need to understand how the result will come, how the answer will come and how the break through will be. The power of God works 'automatos'. Divine 'automatos' is the behind the scenes workings of God in your favor. All you need is to faithfully sow, obey and expectantly wait. In the story, the sower went to sleep. If there is something making you sleepless, you need the rest and patience of kingdom sowing. Trust that God is working even when you cannot see him, even when You cannot feel him,  even when it seems there is no answer from him. Believe that he is still ruling, he is still in charge. Believe he is in control and in due season he brings together all things made beautiful. Eventually the harvest will be there.

Way 4. Respect it always (v. 30 – 34)

Trust God even when kingdom seed or initiative looks small. Do not look down on it. Despise not its humble appearances and humble beginnings. It is through the small and unimpressive little things in life that God brings about the big things.  The kingdom is like a mustard seed. Even faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains (Mathew 17:20). A seed so small that you almost cannot see it without a magnifying glass yet grows to a large bush of up to five meters tall. 

The seed was so small that people of the day used the simile ' as small as a mustard seed' to describe any extreme smallness. However, what started unseen grew to being impossible to ignore. It attained such influence that it dominated the view. The kingdom of God also had a humble beginning among ‘have nots’ and with a few committed followers. The four became twelve and in the upper room was a  120 group of insignificant people from a human perspective. Yet they executed the mammoth task to reach the world - clearly a mission impossible. Yet now there is no world system uninfluenced or challenged by God’s kingdom and there are billions recorded as Christians.

In the end according to Ezekiel 17:23, birds of the air meaning other nations will find shelter under God’s kingdom. It will bring its influence and light to all nations.  When all kingdoms fall, God’s kingdom will be the only one that will still be standing. And we are its citizens to live forever with the King of Kings when the kingdom of God manifests in its fullness. At that time evil will be judged and tears will be wiped away. We will gather with the multitude around the throne of God -  every nation, language, and people with one voice praising God.

Begin now to show forth his kingdom unmatched greatness:

- Let the light shine for the world to see

-Apply the word and see it perform  wonders

- Trust the seed you have sown to grow and you will enjoy harvest

- Uncompromisingly resist the temptation to despise the kingdom seed because of its circumstances, delays or appearances. By faith, always be aware of its unlimited potential and endless possibility. 

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa 

Hanging out with Jesus X: Checkpoints to Spiritual Maturity

Hanging out with Jesus X: Checkpoints to Spiritual Maturity

Mark 4:1 - 20

The passage under review is about Jesus ministering on the seaside in Capernaum. Typically great crowds of people gathered to hear him and experience his mighty works of healing and deliverance. On this occasion, he told a story commonly known as the parable of the sower but because of its emphasis could also be the parable of the soils.  

The word “parable” means, “to cast alongside of”. Jesus told nearly sixty parables that are found in the Gospels. The parables were earthly life stories with a heavenly meaning. They were natural stories with spiritual meaning. Everyday life stories that illustrated deep things of God. 

 Jesus explained why he often preached in parables (Mark 4:11-12). He used parables to reveal truth to those who were willing to pursue it and embrace it, and to conceal truth from those who would trample on it, abuse and reject it. He therefore told parables in public and in private to smaller group settings explained them. The smaller group comprised his disciples and others hungry enough to find out the meaning. They set themselves from the crowd by being hungry for understanding. They set themselves apart from opportunists to be with real seekers who were not satisfied with mere stories but wanted the mystery in the stories. Jesus reveals spiritual mysteries to those hungry for understanding and to committed disciples. To those determined enough to pursue him to find out more about what he shared in public. The principle to believers is that you will not find the deep meaning of scripture from what you read on the surface. Instead, follow through in prayerful meditation and allow Jesus to explain.

THE SOWER

The sower represents any one or the means by which seed of the word of God or seed of the kingdom reaches people's hearts. It can be a preacher, a gospel singer, a tract, a television program, etc. The sower scatters the seed.  Ultimately, God is the sower and he makes his disciples into fellow sowers (Mathew 4:19).

- The sower is entrusted with seed.  Sowers must be faithful to do their part. They go out to the people and sow the seed. That way, sowers play the vital role of setting into motion the process to spiritual growth. God needs sowers. The soil needs sowers. God's priority is therefore to make his people sowers.

- The sowers in ancient Palestine scattered seed as the normal way to sow. When they scattered seed some fell for example on pathways made by people and animals passing through the fields. The seed fell on different kinds of surfaces. Therefore, the farmer was not careless and wasteful to throw seed on unproductive areas. The sower did not always know the type of soil. This example is a perfect illustration for the sower of God's word who does not know the quality of hearts the seed falls on. He is deals with concealed hearts of people. Therefore, he casts the seed indiscriminately by faith that it falls on good hearts. Not being certain of the quality of soil is a challenge sowers of the word have to live with. Whereas the perfect nature of the sower and his seed are known, it is after sowing that the quality of the soil is discovered.

THE SEED

 The seed is the message of grace and the kingdom. It is the good news that Jesus came into this world, died for sinners, rose again from the dead to offer full and free salvation to everyone who would believe. All people receive the same seed.   'The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe' (John 6:63, 64).  The problem of some believers being fruitful and others lacking spiritual maturity and fruit does not lie with the seed but the soil - heart conditions/attitudes.

THE SOIL

The parables had one primary truth - in the current passage, the truth was the quality of soil affects the harvest. Poor soil not only limits growth, but also produces frustration for the sower. God wants you to know your own heart, which is the soil for God’s seed, and make sure it does not hinder your spiritual maturity. Every person is responsible for the condition of his/her heart. To give an example, I had the experience of growing sweet potatoes. They only produced rich leaves but no fruit. The reason being, we had not checked the soil and only later learnt that the soil needed lime to be productive.

The parable of the soils presents four heart checkpoints on the journey to spiritual maturity.  As at a road checkpoint, authorities stop and inspect travelers to check if they have what is required to proceed.  The inspections in the process of spiritual maturity are about the quality of the heart ‘soil’. Not all soil is equal. Soil can be good or poor. People hear the same word but respond to it differently.

The parable of the soils reveals four inspections you must pass to proceed to maturity and bear fruit. Check yourself on the following four checkpoints on your spiritual journey. 

Checkpoint One - Hard Soil

Check if the soil of your heart is cultivated to hold seed. Is there foundation for the word to find root and grow. The hard ground, or wayside soil, was on trails through a field trodden repeatedly by people and animals. Trampled underfoot for a longtime wayside hearts have become hard hearted. They are no longer sensitive to God’s word. They find reasons not to believe (1 Corinthians 1:18).  Satan and his minions easily and immediately come to steal the word. As a result, they forget the word they hear. Enemies of faith work mind and hearts of hearers of the word to make the word of no effect.   

People with such hearts ignore or neglect the word. Repeated disobedience and persistent neglect have hardened their hearts. They seek after a gospel for the moment with zero commitment. They hear but are not convicted and transformed. Maybe they harbor sin. 

Checkpoint Two - Rocky Soil

Check the depth of the soil. The soil in the parable had a thin soil layer under the surface before it became rocky. That represents shallow belief that hinders progress to spiritual maturity. Spiritual comes from a deeper level of understanding and inner fortitude.  

The seed germinates but the roots cannot go very deep and as a result, the plant is scorched by the heat of the sun.  The plants become parched, wilted, and unproductive. People with such hearts receive the word. They are sensitive to it and respond with an early enthusiasm. The shallowness is not obvious. They attend church like everyone else. However they are fair weather believers who when they face the heat of difficulties, trials and trouble they get offended. They have a superficial emotional commitment and most of what they do is for show. They are there to follow the crowd. At work, they are embarrassed about being a Christian for fear of persecution.  Those planted in rocky soil desire to hear only what feels good and tickles their ears. They love a sugarcoated gospel.  They know little about repentance and dying to self.  Perhaps they heard a shallow presentation of the Gospel that presents the benefits of salvation but does not show the costs.

Checkpoint Three - Weedy Soil

Check your priorities in the face of competing interests. Weeds in a garden such as dandelion in a lawn, not only crowd out the desired plants, but they also sap nutrients for growth and good yield. The soil with weeds represents hearts of people who gladly receive the word of the kingdom but fail to seek it first (Mathew 6:33). All seems well but the competing seeds and roots of weeds are below the surface. As the seed germinates, the weeds spring forth and choke it.  People with weedy hearts do not have absolute commitment to the word. Their commitment is selective such that they obey the word when it suits them. Unlike the stony heart that runs from God in trouble, the weedy only runs to God in trouble. To grow to maturity, check if your time allocation and priorities is in line with your values from God’s word. Weedy people have difficulty with spiritual priorities. 

People with this kind of heart are easily distracted and diverted towards preoccupation with life desires, pleasures and cares that compete with the desire for God. They are torn in a different direction from that of God. They cannot discern God’s direction when making important or urgent decisions in their lives. They quickly get preoccupied with chasing after earthly riches (verse 19). They find time and resources for everything else but find excuses such as 'I am tired' and ‘I am too busy' when it comes to spiritual responsibilities. They keep procrastinating doing what is first and right. Before long, they are ruled by their busyness such as hobbies, work activities, and acquiring possessions. In the end, God's word is squeezed out of their lives. Their first love soon fades away. They want to put their hearts in both worlds. However, God said you will find me if you search me with all your heart.

What is choking your connection to God, squeezing his life out of you, and stifling your spiritual growth?

Checkpoint Four - Good Soil

Check the measure of your expectation. The good soil is highly productive. The soil produces a yield that is thirty fold, sixty fold and a hundred fold.  Hundred fold is the high end of the scale to expect even in drought conditions (Genesis 22:12). People with hearts of good soil remember and obey God's word, and show healthy spiritual commitment that is unmoved by trials or things of this world.  They hear, seek understanding and apply the word in their lives. The only yield limit to people with such a heart is their faith (Mark 9:23). At this checkpoint, make sure you have enough jars and baskets to collect the harvest and you build large enough barns to store it. 

The spiritual fruit to expect in abundance from good soil includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22, Colossians 1:10). It also includes hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit who gives understanding, a strong desire to share Christ with others (Romans 1:13), to forgive, to share material things you receive (Romans 15:27-28), and to always give thanks to God (Hebrew 13:15).

So what kind of soil are you? Failure at the four checkpoints in the maturing process is the cause of spiritual failure. Be diligent because good soil neglected can slowly become hardened and leave you at a distant from God. On the other hand, what ever your type of soil it can be transformed to good soil. Like the disciples who asked Jesus to explain the parables also be hungry enough to ask him. Qualify for mysteries by being committed to bringing souls and make makers of disciples. Set yourself apart from the seaside crowd by commitment to follow through, being teachable, seeking, and probing. Move from mere stories to mysteries with Christ. Allow the Holy Spirit to teach you all truth. Make the right choices of trusting the word of God and putting him in first place in your life. God does not want you to start only with strong promise like the stony and weedy hearts but to finish strong like the good soil. 

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa