Heralds Digest

“Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭9:23-24‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.9.23-24.nkjv The experience of the father of the afflicted child with the disciples of Jesus before an encounter with the Master warned believers about the danger of leveraging on past disappointments in the presence of the Saviour. Prior to his meeting with the disciples, the father had absolute faith that anyone from the team has the authority to cast the tormenting spirit out of the child. But since the disciples failed, his faith in divine healing became fractured. Even when he was left with no option than to hope for miracle as a ‘magic’ relief from the unwanted torment, it was an unsustainable and helpless faith. So, immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”. Unfortunately...

“Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”— because he did not know what to say, for they were greatly afraid.” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭9:5-6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.9.5-6.nkjv If only at all to Peter, the transfiguration of Jesus reveals a greater glory than just Christ the Messiah. Apparently, he had been a weeklong disturbed by the concept that being the Christ is limited to surrendering as a suffering Saviour. And now being privileged to see the transfiguration of Christ with the attendance of Moses and Elijah provides the understanding of a greater glory in Christ. When the righteous Christian is overwhelmed by the challenges of life, it is often easy to query if there are more to the benefits of grace. When the scriptures declare that Christ in a believer is the hope of glory, it implies that our prevailing challenges and trials of faith are nothing compared t...

“But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭8:33‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.8.33.nkjv The concept of undergoing suffering or entertaining death is always strange to all admirers of a Spider-Man actor in any fiction movie. Likewise for Peter, the understanding of the Saviour as the Christ forecloses His possible participation in strange experiences like suffering and death. Obviously, Peter’s experience turned out to teach everyone that knowing the will of God is not exactly the same as understanding or embracing its implications. While the scriptures teach that the revelation of God’s will expect perfect performances from us, man often prefer to interpret the revelation of God’s will with his personal expectations. Whereas, he was rebuked for not mindful of the things of God - the embrace of the suffering Saviour. Although it t...

“He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.”” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭8:29‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.8.29.nkjv The testimony of Peter about Jesus addresses the futility of trying to build reliable relationships on the ground of mere religious obligations. Religious relationships are built on personal assumptions of what a man makes out of a personality. For example, whenever the supply of needs is sufficient, the personality is generous; and when the security of the state is being threatened, the personality becomes unconcerned. The testimonials of the public became irrelevant, while many of the disciples were apparently dumbfounded until Peter stepped forward with the spirit-inspired revelation about Christ: “You are the Christ.” Otherwise, He would have been mistaken for ‘John the Baptist’ for always speaking the truth, ‘Elijah’ for His constant confrontations with the Pharisees and Sadducees, or one of the prophets. True t...

“And he looked up and said, “I see men like trees, walking.” Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly.” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭8:24-25‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.8.24-25.nkjv Just as Jesus decided for a walkout instead of the outright grating of the demanded healing touch, a blind walk along some strange experiences of life is usually unfamiliar. Instead, an urgent change of condition is always preferred to close companionships, in moments of trials and temptation. “Do you really care that we perish?”; “Why do you tarry before the situation get out of hands?”; “Where are you when this tragedy struck?”, etc, are sample of the myriads of unanswered questions in times of calamity. Whereas, God often preferred our close companionship to a quick change in our condition. For the blind man, the walkout with Jesus enabled a mutual communication, assessment of the quality of sight, and the privilege of another touch. Thereafter...

“So He said to them, “How is it you do not understand?”” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭8:21‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.8.21.nkjv The scriptures speak of embracing contentment after the provision of food and clothing; and it underscores the fact that the inability of any man to provide food on the table is a significant threat. Yet, this type of threat is limited to the sustenance of the body. Unfortunately, it is possible for man’s life to be devoted to the pursue of food security at the expense of his soul’s security. “Then He charged them (His disciples), saying, “Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.”” Just as the leaven of the Pharisees (social engagement) and the leaven of Herod (political relevance) appear to be life’s answers to the problem of insecurity in life, they have the tendency of killing the passion for holiness, truth and heaven. Little wonder, it is difficult for the disciples to understand simple spiritual digest when their minds are em...

“But He sighed deeply in His spirit, and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Assuredly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation.”” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭8:12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.8.12.nkjv The pursuit of the will of God is simply the denial of self. It is absolutely impossible for anyone to pursue the pleasing of self and God at the same time. When the Pharisees came to Jesus in search of a sign from heaven, He knew their mission was compelled by an inner struggle against the revealed will of God. God the Father from heaven, and in the presence of the Spirit, had expressly and publicly testified of Jesus Christ on earth as the only begotten Son. The Son Himself had in the presence of the Pharisees performed great signs, miracles and wonders by looking up to heaven. Like the Gideon of old, when a man is sincerely not convinced that the God of heaven is the one speaking, God can patiently accommodate requests for more evidences until perfect conviction i...