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Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Limited Doses and Visual Hooks
Jesus used many stories like these to teach them. He taught
them all that they could understand.
-- Mark 4:33 (ERV)
KEY THOUGHT:
Jesus is an incredible teacher. In his earthly ministry, he used common
everyday images as hooks on which to hang eternal truth. The people
would see these images in their day-to-day lives and then would be
reminded of the eternal truth that Jesus hooked on the image. This was
crucial. They couldn't understand everything all at once. Until his
death and resurrection and without the work of the Holy Spirit, much of
what he said and meant was a mystery. Yet these images allowed him to
share messages "pregnant" with meaning. Later, as these disciples
learned more about his life and ministry and as the Holy Spirit begin
to work in each follower's life, they could see the visual image, take
Jesus' message off the visual hook, and more fully understand his
message. Teaching God's truth is an awesome and humbling
responsibility. Jesus is the great reminder that it is also a creative
responsibility. More than just communicating a message, we're
communicating God's will to people who need to understand, to obey, and
to be blessed by this message.
TODAY'S PRAYER:
God, my dear Abba Father, please help me to be more creative and
effective in my teaching of your will. I know that Jesus was a powerful
teacher in word and deed. I want my life to display what I teach so
others know that this message is not only true, but also livable. I
also want to help others understand the power, beauty, mystery, grace,
and holiness of your will. I know that I cannot do this on my own
efforts alone. So, dear Father, I commit to becoming a good steward of
the grace you have given me as a teacher. I will do my creative best.
However, Father, I ask that your Spirit take what is good and make it
much better and that your grace take what is bad and keep it from being
a hindrance to those eager to know your truth. In Jesus' name. Amen.
>> NEW: Phil's What Jesus Did devotional is now
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>> The WJD! web page has related scriptures and the
>> full text of today's key passage. Read it at:
http://www.heartlight.org/wjd/mark/0311-wjd.html
>> For further study of today's passage, use our
>> online Bible study site: SearchGodsWord.org!
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Mark+4:33&sr=1&t=erv
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