Last week I bought a new Bible (New Living Translation, center reference edition, faux leather) and have begun reading through the gospels. I finished Matthew this morning and started the book of Mark. Through the first four chapters, I noticed how often Mark describes people’s reaction to Jesus:
Mark 1:22 … “The people were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike the teachers of religious law.”
Mark 1:27-28 … “Amazement gripped the audience, and they began to discuss what had happened. “What sort of new teaching is this?” they asked excitedly. “It has such authority! Even evil spirits obey his orders!” The news about Jesus spread quickly throughout the entire region of Galilee.”
Mark 1:33 … “The whole town gathered at the door to watch.”
Mark 1:37 … “When they found him, they said, ‘Everyone is looking for you.'”
Mark 1:45 … “But the man went and spread the word, proclaiming to everyone what had happened. As a result, large crowds soon surrounded Jesus, and he couldn’t publicly enter a town anywhere. He had to stay out in the secluded places, but people from everywhere kept coming to him.”
Mark 2:1-2 … “When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home. Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door.”
Mark 2:12 … “And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. They were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, ‘We’ve never seen anything like this before!'”
Mark 2:13 … “Then Jesus went out to the lakeshore again and taught the crowds that were coming to him.”
Mark 3:7-8 … “Jesus went out to the lake with his disciples, and a large crowd followed him. They came from all over Galilee, Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, from east of the Jordan River, and even from as far north as Tyre and Sidon. The news about his miracles had spread far and wide, and vast numbers of people came to see him.”
Mark 3:10 … “He had healed many people that day, so all the sick people eagerly pushed forward to touch him.”
Mark 4:1 … “A very large crowd soon gathered around him, so he got into a boat.”
Mark 4:41 … “The disciples were absolutely terrified. ‘Who is this man?’ they asked each other. ‘Even the wind and waves obey him!'”
And that’s only through four chapters! Is it possible when we get the real Jesus out in front of people today that we will see similar reactions?