God Is Great - Part 2

Only a Biblical understanding of God's character portrays Him accurately as the great and good God that He is; anything less warps or diminishes God in the eyes of man. The previous post recounted the power of God as revealed in the life of Jesus, who had the ability to heal all kinds of diseases, to work incredible miracles, and to rise from the dead. This post continues the study from the gospel of Mark by revealing that God's greatness was also expressed through Jesus' great authority, boldness, and knowledge.

Jesus displayed greatness because He truly is great. When accusers questioned His actions on the Sabbath, He stated that He was greater than any tradition or ritual. He was, in fact, "Lord even of the Sabbath" (2:28). When Jesus forgave the sins of a paralytic man, the scribes were incensed. They knew that no one "can forgive sins but God alone" (2:7). They were right. Imagine how great God is that He is able to forgive sins, something that no person can ever hope to do. Jesus' greatness was widely recognized even by evil spirits. These spirits who, due to their nature, had some spiritual sensitivity, were quick to cry out, "You are the Son of God!" (3:11). His greatness was evident, and perhaps never more so than on the Mount of Transfiguration. This great God, the Savior, "was transfigured before them; and His garments became radiant and exceedingly white, as no launderer on earth can whiten them" (9:2-3). Jesus shone with the glory and splendor that are His as the great God.

Jesus' authority was widely recognized by the people to whom He ministered. Even early in His ministry, people realized there was something special about Him; He taught the Bible in a way they had never seen before and that their leaders could not duplicate. "They were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes" (1:22). Some rejected who He was; they thought Him to be merely another son of Joseph and Mary. Although they were confused about His background, they could not deny His authority. As they listened to His teaching, they were "astonished," marveling at His great wisdom and knowledge of the Bible (6:2). What is perhaps most amazing about this authority is the way in which it transcended tradition. Much of what Jesus' taught discredited the traditional teaching and expectations that people had believed all of their lives. In spite of this, His following was so widespread and overwhelming that the religious leaders were afraid to do anything against Him. Because the leaders "feared the people [who followed Jesus], . . . they left Him and went away," although their desire had been "to seize Him" (12:12).

Jesus' greatness was expressed through boldness. When Jesus was confronted with traditions that over the years had shifted away from truth, He boldly declared what God had ordained (10:2-9). He did not fear to proclaim the truth even when it clashed with tradition. The religious leaders of Jesus' day enjoyed great respect and prestige. Jesus was not intimidated by their reputation or influence. He boldly taught the truth and warned people about these hypocritical and empty leaders (12:38-40). One of the greatest displays of Jesus' boldness was when He saw the temple being disgraced as a place of merchandise. There was a sense of authority about Him as He overturned the tables of the merchants, drove them out of the temple, and prevented them from walking through the temple with their goods (11:15-16). Physical strength was required for this act, but even greater was the bold authority that allowed one solitary man to have such power over large numbers of merchants. Finally, Jesus' boldness and internal strength was displayed when He was falsely accused and faced death. Jesus had the control to stand quietly and endure the accusations without responding and without condemning or destroying those who accused Him (14:61; 15:5).

God's greatness is also displayed through the incomprehensible knowledge and wisdom of God. Jesus knew things that no mere man could possibly know. He had wisdom to powerfully face the accusations and to avoid the traps that men tried to set for Him. When accused of being possessed by "the ruler of the demons," He gave a logical and irrefutable defense (3:22-27). When opponents challenged Him with a question, He responded with His own question that they could not answer (11:27-33). When men came, attempting to trap Jesus into saying something incriminating, He answered each deceptive question with such wisdom and skill that "no one would venture to ask Him any more questions" (12:13-34).

Jesus' knowledge extended far beyond the ability to answer difficult questions. Jesus was able to see the faith of men's hearts (2:5). He was able to see through the hypocrisy of men to know the insincerity of their hearts (7:6-13). Jesus was able to accurately discern the heart condition of individuals who came to Him (10:21). While man might have some insight or suspicion about the hearts of others, man can never have the heart-piercing knowledge that Jesus had.

Finally, Jesus' knowledge was incredible; it saw the unseen and knew the unknown. Jesus knew the thoughts and the content of a private conversation of His disciples (9:33-37). He knew how much money people had, and not just how much they had with them at the moment, but also how much they had left at home (12:41-44). Jesus sent His disciples into a village; before they went, He knew they would find a colt tied up as soon as they entered, and He also knew that no one had ever ridden that colt (11:2). Another time when He sent His disciples into the city, He knew they would meet a man walking, who would be carrying a pitcher of water, who would lead them to a particular house, and who would then offer them the use of a room that was already prepared (14:13-16). How could He know such things? He knew because He is a great God who has all knowledge and wisdom.

These teachings are practical for believers. God has the authority to do whatever He chooses in a believer's life. He has the boldness to act even when He knows He will be opposed or misunderstood. Wonderfully, He has the wisdom to know exactly what to do in every situation. If God seems to be taking no action, it is never because He does not know what to do. If the nature of His actions is troubling, the believer must remember that God knows what man cannot know. Only God has full knowledge and perfect wisdom.

"Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!" Romans 11:33 (NASB)