What an amazing thing that we can read God’s own story in God’s own words.
People like to associate with “remnants of the past.” 600K people still visit Elvis Presley’s home each year, even though he died over 40 years ago. Some 20M people visit the most visited historical site each year, the Forbidden City in China, the ancient palatial home of 24 Chinese emperors. Y’all have probably visited some historical site that intrigued you. Why do people like to associate with remnants of the past?
We like the pleasant feelings of nostalgia. We appreciate the sense of belonging to something greater than our own little neighborhood. Perhaps seeing the ruins of the past while living in the structures of the present gives hope in the mist of present turmoil, that all is not lost. No wonder so many Christians want to walk the ancient streets of Jerusalem or Rome or Ephesus.
But in our bibles, we have something far more valuable than a historical ruin, we have a living story that God presents to us, and makes alive to us. A man can certainly try to bring his imagination to the bible, to visualize something beyond the text. But this word is living, active. These stories transcend imagination. By his own Holy Spirit, God brings the same transformative experience to humble readers as to those who experienced it in person 2000 years ago.
In Mark, we come to Jesus walking the earth, as Yahweh in the flesh, the Lord entering into his own creation, to reveal himself and fulfill his promises. It’s quite a profound thought. And as Jesus walked the earth, working miracles, giving testimony to the world that he is the creator, sustainer, and savior, people flocked to him. We love the extraordinary. And there’s not much more extraordinary than what we encounter in this passage.”
