19/2/18 – Exodus 25, Exodus 26 Mark 4:30-41, Mark 5:1-20 Psalm 23:1-6

Mark 4:33-34

With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.

Know your audience. People are all at different places and different mindsets. That means you cannot speak on the same level to all people. Jesus did this. Jesus didn’t speak to the crowds without using parables – because that was the best way to reach the people. However when He was alone with His disciples, He was able to explain everything.

The crowd wasn’t ready for some things, but the disciples were.

Speaking to the lost in the same way that we speak to people at church… it’s not going to be helpful. Where there is no understanding, when we communicate we need to find ways of reaching that can be understood. That’s by parables, satires and testimonies are a great way to reach people. The key of communication is to communicate. That means removing the barriers to successful communication.

Barriers can be the wrongs and language we use, the depth we assume people have and can even be in the form of the messenger. If our attitude is bad, why should people listen?

Know the truth. But also learn the best way to communicate it.

Mark 4:40-41

He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

I find this quite funny. First, the disciples are afraid because of the storm. Jesus wakes up and calms the storm – and is annoyed that they were afraid.

And what’s their response? To move from afraid of the storm to terrified of Jesus! Who is this man? Even the wind and the waves obey Him!!!

Fear comes from not knowing who Jesus is. If they knew, they would not have been afraid. They would not have been afraid if they had been certain that God was in the boat with them. They would not have been afraid if they’d had the full realisation of who Jesus is.

And the same goes for us too. We fear the storms in life, because we don’t have the full realisation of who is along side us in this life. He’s with us every step of the way, we have no need to be afraid.

We don’t need Jesus to be closer to us. We need a revelation of how close He already is. Then we can face any storm without fear, but instead – with hope.

Ps 23:4

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.

In many ways this picks up from the reading from Mark 4. We can face storms without fear when we know who is with us. We can even walk through the valley of the shadow of death – we can face the greatest despair and evil without fear. Because He is with us.

This is a wonderful Psalm – you could pick out any part of it and be reassured. He is our shepherd – that means he is looking out for us, caring for us, watching over us. So we never have to be in want – a shepherd doesn’t let his sheep suffer. Even in the very presence of our enemies He blesses us.

Goodness and mercy are with you ever single day of your life. And after your life, you are with Him forever.

So what is there to be feared? What is there to shake us? Don’t be downcast, but let your soul be restored by HIs amazing love and care.