What Jesus Did! 'Alone to Mentor and Explain' — Mark 4:35-36

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Today is #GivingTuesday

We appreciate & depend on the generosity of people like you. Thank you!

 Thank You
As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's cross to the other side of the lake." So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed).
— Mark 4:35-36 NLT

Key Thought

Some things need to be shared in private. God's servants can't be in public all the time. Jesus often withdrew to pray. In addition, he pulled away from the crowds so his apostles could rest and rekindle their spirits. He also left the crowds behind so he could more fully teach the people he would soon leave to continue his work. One dimension of teaching is preparing other teachers. That preparation requires us to leave the crowds and spend focused time with those the church needs for the future. While we may want simply to dismiss this practice as a cultural phenomenon, we should take notice that John the Baptist, Jesus, Barnabas, and Paul all used this same basic method of teaching and training. We ignore their example at our own risk. Even if we are not skilled public teachers, we all have people whom we influence - friends and family - whom we can teach and train by our words and by our character in our private times with them.

Today's Prayer

Father in heaven, use my life and my words to prepare others to know your Son and share your truth. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

4 Related Resources by Heartlight

Spurgeon AM Devo for Sep. 14th
Devo: Morning & Evening
"Jesus was the Lord High Admiral of the sea that night, and his presence preserved the whole convoy. It is well to sail with Jesus, even though it be....."
The Perfect Storm
Article by Max Lucado
You don’t need to be a fisherman to experience a perfect storm. Max Lucado reminds us about finding ourselves about being in a perfect storm and receiving God's perfect peace.
In the Face of Uncertain Odds
Article by Melissa Troyer
Don't focus on the building waves or let the pitching boat convince you otherwise. Melissa Troyer reminds us of Jesus who brings peace in the worst of storms, both the early disciples in a boat and us in our troubled world.
My Deliverer Is Coming!
Article by Phil Ware
What is the Phil Ware continues with his series on The Story focusing on the What Is and Who Is and the Why Is of Jesus' coming.

Illustration

Illustration of Mark 4:35-36 NLT — As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's cross to the other side of the lake." So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed).

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Colossians 3:12
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Song of Songs 4:7
"The Lord's admiration of his Church is very wonderful, and his description of her beauty is very glowing. She is not merely fair, but "all fair." He....."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Living with Jesus Requires that We Suffer'
"The same Spirit agrees with our spirit, that we are God’s children. But if we are children, we are also heirs. We are God’s heirs and fellow heirs..."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'My Mother's Situation Proves Joseph's Faith'
"Dear Disciple, I know most of you hate tests! Some of those tests are medical tests which can be terrifying. Some tests are necessary to get you into..."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!