Mark 1:40-45
“Notice what you notice.” I’m developing a new respect for Mark’s Gospel. A few days ago he added while it was still dark (v. 35) that the other writers had omitted. Today he adds Moved with compassion/pity… (v. 41) at the plight of the leper and his approach to Jesus – kneeling before Him and imploring Him – If you are willing (v. 40). No doubt Jesus was a compassionate man, and with crowds seeking healing it was probably the case that He was compassionate toward each sick person. Mark simply reminds us of that.
I have long known that I am a judgmental person – I think it comes with the profession! However, it has hit me a number of times that my immediate reaction of judgment has moved to a point of prayer and compassion. It happens a lot with people who are quite overweight – and I have no room to talk! But so often in recent years my immediate reaction of judgment has quickly moved to compassion, and that reaction is so much more welcome!
One other phrase that I noticed in Mark did not appear in the other two Synoptics, but it’s more a translation thing than content-worthy. In his last verse Mark says that people were coming to Him from every direction (NKJV, v. 45). Some translations have people coming from everywhere. There’s something about “every direction” that’s just more powerful than “everywhere”!
As we read and pray and reflect on these short readings, I feel like I am being pulled into the story in a manner that I’ve never felt before. It was that way when I first read the Book of Acts – I felt like I was on ship with Paul! And it’s often just those little things that are different this time around. BTW, as I am typing and sending and posting this item it’s still dark outside… HeeHee!
Slava Bohu!!