One fun aspect of the Gospel of Mark is his use of the word “immediately.” Did you see them in the last two posts? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The theme continues:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are 35 “immediately” in 16 chapters of Mark compared with 14 in 28 chapters of Matthew. Mark is clearly an action-oriented story, confirming what people who know about this sort of thing believe, that Mark got his material from Peter, an action-oriented guy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And there’s nothing wrong with action! Life is filled with situations where immediate, decisive action is required. Firefighting comes to mind. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are, however, other times when immediate action is inadvisable. The story of the Gibeonite deception is an example (see Joshua 9<\/a>):<\/p>\n\n\n\n So the men took some of their provisions, but did not ask counsel from the LORD. (Joshua 9.14, ESV)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And right here in the middle of all this “immediate” action in Mark, we have this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. (Mark 1.35, ESV)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Unlike Joshua, Jesus did “ask counsel from the LORD.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n May we do the same: appropriate, immediate action AND taking time to pray. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might…praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. (Ephesians 6.10…18, ESV)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" One fun aspect of the Gospel of Mark is his use of the word “immediately.” Did you see them in the last two posts? The theme continues: There are 35 “immediately” in 16 chapters of Mark compared with 14 in 28 chapters of Matthew. Mark is clearly an action-oriented story, confirming what people who know … Continue reading Immediately…with prayer<\/span>