Day 177 – June 26, 2021

Day 177 – June 26, 2021
2 Kings 6, Mark 7
 
Famine strikes the land, and great evil ensues. All hope is lost, “This disaster is from the Lord, why should I wait for him any longer?”
 
A woman cooked and ate her son. It’s one of those stories that you don’t hear about in the children’s books. This horrifying evil reminded me of a meme (posted above) I saw the other day. It makes a good point, simply.
 
 
As we consider the evil of the war and famine brought about by the rejection of God. Let’s consider Jesus, and his great healing and help to us. Jesus speaks to the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. They are concerned about what is going into the body with unwashed hands. But Jesus aptly points out, the issue is from within. It’s the evil that is already in us that comes out of us. Our anger, malice, jealousy…etc.
As we consider the evil of the world, there is good news within all the Gospel of Mark. Particularly the healing authority of Christ. We see quite vividly that one who is here is greater than Elijah and Elisha combined. Jesus, the great healer, will restore sight, speech, and life.
 
He can heal sight and speech, so we know he can and will heal our hearts. So that what comes from within will no longer be from a heart of stone, but a new heart, filled with the Spirit of Grace and Truth.
 
From that heart will come kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. What will come of it, is not questioning the Lord, but learning to trust in him. 
 
We can look at this story and see all sorts of great evil, and blame God. Why can he allow it? But it seems like God is asking us the same question? Why have we rejected him, turned towards evil? 
 
We need a new heart, and Jesus is offering it. 
 
Jordan