Mark 3:7–12 (ESV) —
7 Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea, and a great crowd followed, from Galilee and Judea 8 and Jerusalem and Idumea and from beyond the Jordan and from around Tyre and Sidon. When the great crowd heard all that he was doing, they came to him. 9 And he told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, lest they crush him, 10 for he had healed many, so that all who had diseases pressed around him to touch him. 11 And whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.” 12 And he strictly ordered them not to make him known.
NOTE: Word spreads fast even without technology. Jesus reputation had spread across the country, no doubt garnering interest from the religious leaders but also the civil authorities. He was prepared and expecting such a response. He even had a boat ready in case the crowd got out of control. Mark clearly relates to the readers that the demonic spirits knew who he was. Jesus does not say they are wrong, only ordering them not to make that information known. In other words, Jesus very clearly is allowing himself to be identified as "the Son of God" in contrast to many today who would argue that Jesus never said he was the Son of God. Later we will find out that was the very charge he was crucified and which he never denied. Jesus was and is the Son of God. There is no logic to denying that claim.
PONDER:
- Do I ever use this argument in my sharing of the gospel? It is a good illustration to share in a minute.
PRAYER: Father, give me boldness with gentleness and respect as opportunities come up to share the gospel. Help me to be an effective evangelist.
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