Word In Life Study Bible
SIGNIFICANCE FOR LITTLE PEOPLE
Mark2:3-17
Each of the four Gospel writers helps the reader meet the significant people in Jesus’ life. Most were distinctly insignificant when evaluated by the traditional criteria for importance. The paralytic let down from the roof (Mark 2:3), for example, blended into the background until touched by Jesus. Likewise, the rest were generally not wealthy or famous, nor were they social, business, or government leaders. They were little people of the world with problems and needs similar to ours.
Note the cluster of people in each of the writers’ first few chapters:
Matthew
• Four women touched by scandal (Matt. 1:3, 5–6)
• A young couple dealing with a complicated engagement (1:18–21)
• Three advisors from a foreign government (2:1–12)
• Countless baby boys who are slaughtered (2:16–18)
• A wilderness man who becomes Jesus’ forerunner (3:1–17)
Mark
• Four fishermen (Mark 1:16–20)
• A man oppressed by a demon (1:23–27)
• A feverish mother-in-law (1:29–31)
• Many sick and oppressed (1:32–34)
• An outcast leper (1:40–42)
• A paralytic (2:1–12)
• A despised tax collector (2:13–17)
Luke
• A barren elderly couple (Luke 1:5–25)
• An expectant couple (1:26–38)
• A baby born amid confusion (1:57–80)
• Startled shepherds (2:8–20)
• An aged, saintly man (2:25–35)
• An elderly widow with a gift of prophecy (2:36–38)
John
• A puzzling religious pioneer (John 1:19–35)
• Two fishermen (1:35–42)
• The fishermen’s friend (1:43–44)
• A skeptical critic (1:45–51)
• An enquirer who prefers a low profile (3:1–21)
• A minority woman touched by scandal (4:1–42)
• A nobleman’s ill son (4:46–54)
As Scripture introduces the Savior, it shows us lots of little people, and for good reason: the people ready for God’s help are not the ones insulated from trouble by possessions, health, or status, but those who know their needs. Brokenness makes one ready to turn to God for help. In Him is the forgiveness and hope that can overcome human limitation.
Are you trapped in the world’s system of climbing over others to gain significance? Or have you allowed God to help you break that bondage? If so, are you following Jesus among the “little people,” wherever they are strug-gling and groping for help?
Study notes from the Word In Life Study Bible, copyright 1993,1996, by Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission. The study notes from the Word In Life Study Bible appearing at this web site are for personal use only.
Print
Email
