Heralds Digest

“...for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭6:20‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.6.20.nkjv The best of religious rites and obligations is depicted by the relationship between Herod and John the Baptist: the fear of human disapproval, appreciation of righteous deeds, protection of lives and properties, etc. Yet, he felt obligated to protect human rules and regulations against the commandment of God: You shall not kill! The clear implication is that, apart from the irrelevance of human rules to divine injunction, human rules are inconsistent because they are subject to conflict of interest. Therefore, instead of pursuing the passion to please man in life, the scriptures declare that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. Unfortunately, even fellow human beings are simply frustrated by the hypocritical imbalances in religious rites. Otherwise, religious ...

“And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits...So they went out and preached that people should repent.” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭6:7, 12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.6.7,12.nkjv Since the unclean spirits are the sources of oppression, depression, and disturbance in the affairs of man, it is imperative that the preaching of the gospel message should carry an alternative power. Even after Jesus’ outreach was resisted in Nazareth, human minds would expect a reclining spirit to public activities or the forceful exercise of His divine power over the people. But He rather called the twelve to Himself for an empowerment with the divine auction to function. And the power of the gospel message was to preach rather than to press. Most times, the indulgence of the people into unrighteousness and sinful activities is merely a coverup from the negative pressures and the circumstances of life. Unfortunately, a gospel message that...

“But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.”” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭6:4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.6.4.nkjv Functional relationships thrive on the wheel of members’ capabilities rather than familiarity. But oftentimes, familiarity appears to take the better part in fellowship than functionality. When Jesus returned to His native country Nazareth after an outstanding show of God’s power to preach, teach, heal, and deliver the people, the familiarity of the people with His upbringing became a liability rather than asset to a fruitful fellowship. Likewise, relationship with people in our lives (e.g. parents, children, husband, wife, friends, etc) can be easily abused at the detriment of the prospect of an astounding functionality, when the mind is not relieved of the burden of familiarity. Whereas, everyone is called into a relationship for a definite purpose; therefore, the true honour of those who ...

“And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭5:34‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.5.34.nkjv The prospect of a miraculous encounter for the daughter of Jairus and the woman with the issue of blood, considering the several negative turnouts of their previous and prevailing efforts, teaches the wholesome benefits of possessing an inner-probing, but forward-looking faith. Looking forward to a boost of faith from without, in the face of countless discouragement from promising-partners in life, can sometimes be counter-productivity. Even Jesus could not encourage or make do with the following of multitude when the task of raising the daughter of Jairus became complicated with news of her death. Only forward-looking faith can say “I shall be made well” when prevailing efforts are turning out worse results; or will keep following Jesus when the hope of healing suddenly turned out as the loss of life. There is ...

“However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.”” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭5:19‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.5.19.nkjv The first time the demon-possessed man saw Jesus and approached him with a proposed presentation of worship, the camouflaged legion of demon within him was immediately exposed and expelled. Whereas, being free from the legion, Jesus still did not permit the man to misinterpret the true heart of worship as simply staying with Jesus in idleness: “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you...”, He commanded. It implies that the shackle that the enemy laid on all his captives are designed to hinder them from the true worship of the living God. And when the heart is dominated by wickedness and satanic manipulation, the head is released to offer worthless and unacceptable worship to ‘the unknown God’. But true an...

“But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭4:38‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.4.38.nkjv The calm action of Jesus in the midst of windstorm and waves on the carriage sea is here mistreated as carelessness by the disciples “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”. Frankly, it is difficult to find alternative action to the concern of the disciples, given that Jesus did not appear to see anything strange in the blowing of wind and wave, especially when disciples are at the centre of God’s will. While wind and wave today are harvested as energy resources for great productivity, they can also be the engine behind great destruction and natural disasters. Whereas, when Jesus said “Peace, be still”, He reveals that the power to control the wind and wave in life is resident in the heart of faith. Faith asks the right question “Master, how do we handle this situation which app...

“But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples.” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭4:34‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.4.34.nkjv The best of inspirational preachers today can hardly do better than preaching in parables in order to appreciably attract the attention of the listening audience. Sermons delivered in familiar languages and illustrated with popular routines like sporting activities, weight loss, weather, etc are often the necessary recipes for attentiveness. But when true disciples find a glorious time to be alone with God, the windows of heaven are always opened for the much more detailed and gracious gist. Unfortunately, the pursuit of the gilded gifts from career progression, high standard of living, occupational security, and the exigencies of life always leave little or no time for the gracious gist with the Lord. Whereas, just a little quiet time with the Giver of life for the gracious gist do explains all things ne...