Hi friend! Welcome to episode 77 of the Tending Your Soul podcast, where we invite God to tend to our souls with the refreshment of His Word like a gardener tends to her garden. I’m Mariel and I’m so glad you’re here.
As my garden lies still and cold over the winter I am always reminded of how much is still going on in that quiet garden. The restfulness I see there is necessary. Just as in my soul when there is a quiet season of processing and healing, there is more going on than most others see yet the Master Gardener is always at work.
I have been Tending through the gospel of Mark in the last couple weeks, seeking to know and love Jesus more through His Word. This morning was especially interesting as the Lord connected the word He’s given me for 2025 to the theme of this first chapter of Mark.
Join me as we lean in and seek to know Him more and listen for what He might be revealing to you.
When we use the TEND method of Bible study we begin with the T which is take time to pray. So pray with me.
Lord we thank you that your word is alive and active and speaks truth to our souls. Would you reveal yourself to each person listening through your word as we lean in and seek to know you better? Amen.
In the TEND method we move from T to E for examine the scripture. I have been moving through each verse in the gospel of Mark and you can find out more and hop into that conversation over on marieldavenport.substack.com. But today we are going to look at Mark 1:32-34.
The scripture says:
That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many who were sick with various diseases and cast out many demons. He would not permit the demons to speak because they knew him.
So when we examine the scripture we want to look closely at the pronouns and what is happening in the original scene.
So the evening it is speaking of is in the preceding verses I had tended through just yesterday. In those verses it tells us that he, Jesus had come into Simons and Andrew’s house and healed Simon’s mother-in-law who had had a fever. So then that evening it tells us those in the town who were sick or oppressed with demons gathered at the door of the house.
Can you even imagine the scene? Sick people, demon oppressed people, from the whole town gathered at the door seeking the one they had heard could heal. Imagine the sounds and smells of that scene. The desperation that would be hanging in the air.
And how did Jesus respond to this?
He healed many who were sick and cast out many demons. Interestingly He would not allow the demons to speak because they knew who He was.
Demons do not wonder if God is real or if Jesus is who He says He is. They know. But they have not trusted in Him. You and I wonder and doubt yet God invites us to know him by faith and place our trust in Him. Profound.
So once we have examined the scripture then we move to N for notice the lessons. The first lesson we want to notice is what is this teaching about God?
We see here, along with the majority of Mark 1 thus far, that Jesus has God-authority because Jesus is God. Here specifically we see that He has authority over sickness and demons, even to the point of silencing demons.
We can also see the lesson here of how desperation can drive us to seek solutions. For these people in this town it drove them to Jesus. But sometimes it can drive us to food, or substances or activities that numb or comfort us but keep us from Jesus.
As we consider then D to do what it says here. And how we will respond, we can ask ourselves then who are we giving authority in our life? Are we trying to be in control or manipulate our family, friends or loved ones in order to feel comfortable or in control?
This is where I have sensed the Lord whispering to my spirit that releasing authority is part of how He is inviting me to live out the word RELEASE this year. Release expectations and release authority. I don’t ACTUALLY have authority over my life or my loved ones. But I do I have agency to submit myself to the One who has authority over all things, even sickness and demons.
We might also might ask ourselves where does my desperation take me? When I feel desperate, hopeless or weary where do I go? Is it to Jesus or is it to activities or substances that numb and comfort temporarily but leave me even more empty?
Jesus alone is the one who satisfies and fills us when we come to Him in prayer and time in His Word.
So how about for you, friend? What area of your life do you need to release authority and trust God with?
Or maybe you need to consider where you are taking your desperation. When you feel empty or needy, where do you turn? Binging Netflix, drinking a glass of wine or consuming a bag of chips? Or do we pause enough to turn to Jesus and seek him for what fills us?
Join me as we continue tending our soul with the word that brings real comfort and filling. I invite you to join the conversation and become a premium member so you don’t miss any videos or content.
Also if you want to know more about the tend method, I created a free guide to help you cultivate intimacy with Jesus at marieldavenport.com/start. Until next time keep tending your soul.
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