Chapter 3:13-21 records the calling of the twelve.
Chapter 3:35 gives the qualifications of becoming a brother
or sister to Christ. “For whosoever shall do the will of
God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.”
What is the will of God? It is His will that all should
come to repentance. Repentance from sin and faith in Jesus
Christ is the basis of our salvation. Luke 13:3,5 says a
man must repent lest he perish, and Ephesians 2:8 tells us,
“For by grace are ye saved through faith….” Repentance
and faith are mandatory for salvation. If you have never
repented of sin or, by faith, received the Lord Jesus
Christ as your own personal Saviour, then you are not ready
for heaven!
In chapter 4:35 Jesus is crossing from Capernaum to
the other side of the Sea of Galilee. In this chapter we
also see the human side of the disciples. As they crossed
the Sea of Galilee, they feared the great storm; but the
power and majesty of our Master is seen as He is awakened
from sleep and rebukes the winds by saying, “Peace, be
still.”
Even the storms obey Him! The storms in our lives
today can be calmed in exactly the same way. Too many
Christians try to solve their problems through worldly
means or by their own scheming. Jesus is the only One who
can calm the storms of the sea or the storms of life. It is
Satan’s desire that we try to direct our own paths. When
this happens, the storms will certainly arise and darken
the way.
In chapter 4 Jesus uses parables as He teaches by
the seaside. The parable of the sower deals with the
reception the world gives the Word of God. Such truth was
presented in a parable, so that believers might be
instructed without revealing the content of instruction to
those who are spiritually blind and lack spiritual
understanding (verses 11,12). The vivid contrast between
mere profession and genuine possession of the Word may be
clearly noted throughout this parable. The Gospel must not
only be appropriated; it must shine forth in testimony and
grow into fruitfulness if we are to have the Christian life
God intends us to have.
MEMORY VERSE FOR TODAY:
Man now can be:
Righteous.
Romans 5:19
For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience
of one shall many be made righteous.
MEMORY VERSE FOR TODAY: