Again, he began to teach by the seaside. A great multitude was gathered to him, so that he entered into a boat in the sea and sat down. All the multitude were on the land by the sea. Mark 4:1 WEB

In the previous chapter of Mark’s gospel account, Mark describes a growing multitude of people from Israel who gather to witness Jesus’ healing and casting out demons. The people come from Galilee, Judea, Jerusalem and many other areas. So many came that after calling his twelve disciples to follow him, Jesus instructed them to have a boat ready by the sea in order to keep the crowd from pressing upon him. 

Jesus’ message and his actions stirred the crowds of people in different ways. Some with unclean spirits were moved to declare, “you are the Son of God.” Others were curious about his message while the scribes that followed were hostile, accusing Jesus of having an unclean spirit and casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the prince of the demons. 

Jesus’ mother and brothers were among those who gathered in the area. Mark reports that Jesus’ friends came in order to seize him as they thought him to have lost his mind. Rather than going home with his family or being discouraged by his associates, Jesus began to teach in parables. 

Serving the Kingdom of Heaven

The miraculous healings and casting out of demons were not Jeus primary purpose. He did these things out of compassion and to demonstrate his spiritual authority. These acts gave him credibility with the masses. However, Jesus’ primary purpose was to preach the message of repentance and forgiveness of sin and restore mankind to right standing with God. Jesus calls those who are willing to serve the kingdom of heaven. 

And so, Jesus had his disciples bring a boat along the seaside in order to provide a buffer between him and the great multitude of people who gathered. Separated from the pressing crowd, Jesus sat in the boat and began to preach the message of the kingdom of heaven.

Yesterday’s Devotional: Your Unfailing Love