Post by Josh on Feb 10, 2007 12:54:00 GMT -8
2/12/06:
Verses 1-20 capture one of the more dramatic episodes in the Gospels featuring demon posession. I'm just curious what others have to say about Demonic Posession in the context of the modern world and also how it relates to or collides with the modern psychological outlook.
On another note,
Mark is known as the "action gospel"- he moves along at a brisk pace, including a lot of exciting narrative. He's also very interested in the miraculous aspects of Jesus ministry.
Although it may be hard for us to believe sometimes, I love the way the miracles about the dead girl and the sick woman are interwoven in this passage, because it has the feel of a genuine account from an eyewitness (probably Peter through Mark), being so convoluted and vivid.
Of course, the faith of these people seeking healing is immense- especially the woman. Remember that a woman's monthly flood of blood by Jewish law made the woman unclean for a period of days- she was not supposed by Law to enter the presence of God's holiness. A longer flow was worse:
" 'When a woman has a discharge of blood for many days at a time other than her monthly period or has a discharge that continues beyond her period, she will be unclean as long as she has the discharge, just as in the days of her period. Lev. 15:25
But that's just what she is allowed to do here. This powerfully symbolizes our new-found confidence through Christ to approach a Holy God boldly. As the author of Hebrews puts it:
Hebrews 4:16
Let us then [because of Christ's sacrifice] approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
I also think it is a mark of authenticity that Mark doesn't even bother to explain the symbolism here. If one was making up a story to be symbolic, of course one would be sure and point it out. It's amazing that he just tells in like it is, and moves on to the next story.
Verses 1-20 capture one of the more dramatic episodes in the Gospels featuring demon posession. I'm just curious what others have to say about Demonic Posession in the context of the modern world and also how it relates to or collides with the modern psychological outlook.
On another note,
Mark is known as the "action gospel"- he moves along at a brisk pace, including a lot of exciting narrative. He's also very interested in the miraculous aspects of Jesus ministry.
Although it may be hard for us to believe sometimes, I love the way the miracles about the dead girl and the sick woman are interwoven in this passage, because it has the feel of a genuine account from an eyewitness (probably Peter through Mark), being so convoluted and vivid.
Of course, the faith of these people seeking healing is immense- especially the woman. Remember that a woman's monthly flood of blood by Jewish law made the woman unclean for a period of days- she was not supposed by Law to enter the presence of God's holiness. A longer flow was worse:
" 'When a woman has a discharge of blood for many days at a time other than her monthly period or has a discharge that continues beyond her period, she will be unclean as long as she has the discharge, just as in the days of her period. Lev. 15:25
But that's just what she is allowed to do here. This powerfully symbolizes our new-found confidence through Christ to approach a Holy God boldly. As the author of Hebrews puts it:
Hebrews 4:16
Let us then [because of Christ's sacrifice] approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
I also think it is a mark of authenticity that Mark doesn't even bother to explain the symbolism here. If one was making up a story to be symbolic, of course one would be sure and point it out. It's amazing that he just tells in like it is, and moves on to the next story.