K.    Dealing with difficulties while ministering – having perseverance

1.       Despised: Jesus was despised by His own people. Jesus was amazed at their unbelief (Mk 6:1-6).

2.       Misunderstood: Jesus was misunderstood as the resurrected John or some great prophet.

3.       Frustrated: Jesus was brave to continue healing even though people tried to find fault in Him (Mk 3:5, 6). People planned to kill Jesus after Jesus’ healed on the Sabbath. Jesus did not fear death. He was the one who gave His life for people and people could not truly capture Him. We should know that if we serve the Lord, our life will be in the hands of God.

4.       Accused of fault: When Pharisees and scribes challenged that Jesus’ disciples did not wash hands prior to eating, Jesus responded with strong words (Mk 7:1-23). Jesus called them “hypocrites” and used the Scripture to point out their error. Jesus was very loving to those who come with a sincere heart, but He was very straightforward with those who came to find fault, even if they came from afar.

5.       Not accepted: Some Pharisees wanted to test Jesus to show them miracles. Jesus sighed and left them. Taking a boat, He sailed to the other side (Mk 8:11, 12). Jesus would not answer the questions of those who did not believe Him. He would reply their question with another related question. Jesus even refused to answer the question asked by the high priest, who asked "By what authority are you doing these things?" (Mk 11:27-33).

6.       Tested: Some Pharisees asked Jesus to test Him concerning divorce (Mk 10:2-12). Jesus did not answer the question first but replied with a question. Then Jesus explained the original meaning of the Bible.

7.       Trapped: The high priest sent some people to harm Jesus by asking Him questions (Mk 12:13-17). They sent those who were dear to the king to ask the question of taxing. We can see that Jesus was jointly challenged by both religious and political forces. Jesus answered them, “Why are you trying to trap me?” and was able to speak to their heart. Jesus asked them to show a coin. He then told them that offering and paying tax have no contradiction. (Mk 13:17).

L.     How to handle the glory in serving – hiding ourselves

8.       Jesus did not show off when healing a blind man. Jesus took the man outside the village, spit on his eyes, laid hands on his eyes, and told him to go home immediately (Mk 8:22-26).

9.       We should not rob God of His glory when serving. Moses claimed the glory of God and failed to enter the Promised Land (Mk 6:45-52).

10.    Jesus did not want the disciples to share with others about His glory on the mountain of transfiguration (Mk 9:9).

11.    Jesus went to the Gentile land. He did not want others to recognize Him, but He could not hide Himself (Mk 7:24). A worker may humbly hide himself when he goes overseas, but eventually he cannot hide.

12.    In serving, we shall not fight to be number one (Mk 9:33-37). Jesus mentioned that those who like to be first shall be last, and one needs to become a servant to become the greatest. Jesus taught this kind of lesson twice in the book of Mark (Mk 10:35-45). Even after teaching them about humility in serving, John and James wanted to sit at the right and left of Jesus. All were angry with John and James. Jesus’ prayer prior to departure was so that the disciples would be as one. Fighting for positions will bring divisions in the church. It has been proven in the earthly church. In the kingdom of God, we should not have a governing system like the Gentiles. We do not use power to rule; instead, we use our serving to guide the members. The son of man came to serve, not be served.

13.    Jesus led many people outside the village to heal them.

14.    Jesus told the people who received healing to keep silent.

15.    We should hide our feet like the angels above the mercy seat.

16.    After we perform a miracle, do we want to hide it or do we want to talk about it? (Mk 7:36)