Mark 10 "Our Selfless Example"

 "And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (v.44-45)

Jesus was constantly sacrificing His needs to fulfill those of others, eventually giving His very life as a ransom for all of mankind. And now sits at the right hand of the Father in heaven. What a great example He left for us here, of putting others first.

I do not believe one can be Christ like and put his/her needs before others. Growing up, I remember my mother would work all day, then come home and start the family dinner, then clean and wash dishes, and even throw in a load of laundry before sitting down. I watched my dad (who had work all day), come home and pitchin with dinner, tidy up around the house, keep up with the outdoor yard work and still have time to throw the football around with me as a kid growing up. They both made many sacrifices for the family, and with three boys, that was not easy.

I thank God for those Christ like examples of putting others first in my life. And while there were many times I was blind to it all because of my selfishness, it’s so clear to me now how important it is to serve others, even if they take it for granted. Thank you mom and dad for all those years of self-sacrifice.

The Truth: “But Jesus called them unto him, and said, You know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:25-28)

Mark 9 “All Things Are Possible”

If you can believe, all things are possible to him that believes.” (v.23)

Here in chapter 9 we see a boy possessed by a mute spirit. And whenever the spirit seized him, it would throw him down; he would then foam at the mouth, gnash his teeth, and then become rigid (vv.17-18). The father first took the boy to Jesus’s disciples, but they could not help (v.18). Then he brought the boy to Jesus and asked for His help (v.22). Jesus then responded to him with our text, “all things are possible to him who believes” (v.23).

The answer the father gives to Jesus is both touching and beautifully honest, “I believe; help thou mine unbelief.” (v.24) It was as though he said," I do believe; but my faith is weak.” I think that is the case with many of us today. We believe, but our faith is weak, it breaks down, gets placed in a closet until some misfortune befalls us. Then it’s, “LORD, help me.”

I believe Jesus is saying the same thing to us today as He did to this father in our text over 2000 years ago. And, just like then, He is willing and able to help all who believe at this very moment. 

Therefore, come to the Father, through the precious blood of His Son, Jesus. Lay your burdens down at His feet, and allow His healing to take place in your life today. (see prayer connect with God to the right on this page)

The Truth: “Come unto Me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls.” (Matthew 11:28)

Mark 8 "What Will A Man Give In Exchange For His Soul?"

“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” (vv.35-37)

Our lives are but a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away (James 4:14).

The nature of human existance is short, and every person will eventually come to the end of their physical life here on earth. Therefore, it is important to recognize that shortness of time, so as to not squander what is allotted to us. 

Psalm 90:12 says, "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a herat of wisdom." God wants us to live with purpose, recognizing that the clock is counting down to the moment we step through death's portal and enter our etrnal state. 

So Jesus in our text asked His disciples two questions, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 

Nothing is more valuable than a person's soul. To trade it away is the epitome of foolishness. When a person chooses to“reject”  Christ for the sake of anything in this life, he will lose his soul. 

The day of reckoning is coming! Let’s use our time wisely. 

The Truth: "For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.” (Matthew 16:27)

 

Mark 7 "Tradition vs The Commandments of God"

"For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such things you do. And He said unto them, Full well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your own tradition.”

Here in chapter 7 Jesus is asked by the Pharisees and the scribes, “Why do Your disciples eat with unwashed hands?” This was asked to find fault with them (His disciples), for the Pharisees and the Jews did not eat unless they washed their hands in a special way (tradition).

This prescribed washing was not for hygienic purposes (as we think of washing) but ceremonial, to meet mans standards of pious cleanliness. This was just one example of the Pharisees and scribes teaching as doctrine their own commandments and ignoring the commandments of God. Thus their traditions, added a yoke of bondage on the people never intended by God. 

Jesus said, “Hear Me, everyone, and understand: There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!” (vv.14-16)

We must be careful to follow God’s Gospel and not the Gospel according to man, His commands and not mans. May we hear God’s Word and not the commandments of men.

The Truth:  “Do not add to His words Or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar. Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.” (Proverbs 30:5-6)

Mark 6 “Great Sorrow”

“And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her. And immediately the King sent the executioner and commanded his (John the Baptist) head be brought.” (v.26-27)

Have you ever made a promise to someone, even though it may have been made in an off the cuff manner, and later felt trapped into keeping it? And, once you did, regretted that decision or worse yet, still haunted by it today? Well, this story is an example of how a decision made in haste, can emotionally scare for a lifetime. 

Historians tell us that King Herod was haunted all the days of his life by the public oath he had sworn in that moment of pleasure, and by what he had done to John the Baptist. 

Decisions made on emotions, under peer pressure, or when we are not thinking clearly, can often haunt us for the rest of our days. While it is true, there is no sin common to man that cannot be forgiven (if confessed to our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ), we cannot escape the consequences of our actions. Though others may forgive us (including our Lord), we often find it difficult to forgive ourselves. But we must, or satan will keep us locked in that moment and prevent us from moving forward. 

Scripture tells us that Jesus endured the cross that we might have forgiveness sin and a new life in Him. If we can’t accept that (by first asking for forgiveness) and then by forgiving ourselves, we make a mockery of His death. 

Therefore Christian, forgive yourself and give no quarter to the evil one that would like you to remain in condemnation, and move forward in Christ Jesus in whom there is none.

The Truth: “Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” (Psalm 50:15) 

Mark 5 “Come Out Of Him”

 Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” (v.8)

After showing His authority over the natural world in chapter 4 by calming the wind and the waves on the Sea of Galilee (v.39), Jesus here in chapter 5 shows His authority over the supernatural world, by casting out demons from a man living among the tombs of the Gadarenes (vv.2-13); He also displays His power and authority over death, by raising a young child to life who had passed (vv.39-43).

Who is this man? The demons in this chapter said it best, “Son of the Most High God” (v.7). They knew who He was, they knew of His power and authority, and they feared Him. Luke’s gospel tells that they begged Him not to be sent to the abyss (bottomless pit - Luke 8:31). Here in Mark 5 they implored Jesus not to torment them (v.5), nor send them away out of the country (v.10), but that He allow them to enter a large heard of nearby swine (v.12).   

I find it interesting that demons knew more about Christ, His authority and power, than those who claimed to know the scriptures. They (the demons) knew enough about Him to try and avoid His immediate righteous judgment, by pleading for embodied life within a heard the pigs. But even the unclean pigs wanted nothing to do with these demon spirits. For once they entered, "the pigs they ran violently down a steep place, into the sea, and drown” (v.13).

We serve a great and mighty God. The One who has authority over all things. Who speaks to the wind and the waves, and calms them. The One who holds all things together, or breaks them down, by the power of His voice. One whom even the demonic spirits know, fear, and obey. 

The Truth: “For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.”  (Colossians 1:16-20)

Mark 4 “Parable Of The Soils”

Other seeds fell into the good soil, and as they grew up and increased, they yielded a crop and produced thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.” (v.8)

Jesus often taught the lessons of scripture through parables. The word parable comes from the idea of, “to set along side.” Jesus then used parables to set a spiritual truth along side a daily living truth. In this parable of the soils, Jesus described something the people of an agricultural society were all familiar with – a farmer casting seed on the ground and the seed falling on different types of soil (vv.1-9).

Through this daily living truth, Jesus is teaching the spiritual truth of how different types of people (soils) respond to the Word of God. It tells us that the success or failure of a crop isn't necessarily in the skill of the farmer or in the power of the seed, but in the quality of the soil. Some listeners are like rich soil, and the message takes root in their heart. Others resemble hard ground, and the seed simply bounces off them. Still others are like a weed patch that chokes out potential growth.

Therefore, the heart of the unbeliever (like the stoney ground) needs to be softened, watered, and cultivated, to become “good soil” so the seed of eternal life might take root, and bear fruit in. Some hearts take longer to prepare than others, and one may not always see the fruit of his labor, as spiritual truths need time to grow in the human heart - some longer than others. Thus the saying, “One sows and another reaps.” 

The Truth: “I (Paul) planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.” (1 Corinthians 3:6)

Luke 24 “Hope Restored”

“He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.'" (Luke 24:6-7)

Luke 24 contains two themes throughout the chapter; 1) the fulfillment of Christ's teachings on His death, burial and resurrection and 2) the continued struggles His disciple had in seeing this truth as it was; predicted, unfolded, and completed before their every eyes.

After Jesus's death, His disciples were blinded by their grief, discouraged, lost, afraid, and did not see this event for what it was, the fulfillment of all that the prophets have spoken! They saw His death as the end of their Messiah and His kingdom here on earth, not reconciling it with what He had taught them. (Matthew 20:17-19)

It took the Lord Himself appearing to; Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, to Peter, then the twelve collectively showing them His hands and His feet, eating with them and finally opening their understanding to the scriptures, before their blindness turned to joy and their hope restored. (v.45)  

My prayer is the our unsaved loved ones will have their eyes opened and their blindness turned to joy. 

John 19 “Good Friday”

 So why is today called "Good Friday" instead of "Bad Friday" or something similar? Because the suffering and death of Jesus, as terrible as it was, marked the dramatic culmination of God's plan to save His people from their sin. 

The Law required a blood sacrifice for sin, so God poured out His wrath against sin on Jesus, the perfect sacrificial substitute, in order that forgiveness and salvation would be possible for all nations. Jesus endure the cross on "Good Friday" knowing it would lead to our salvation, His resurrection, and the fulfillment of God's plan of redemption. 

Good Friday marks the day when wrath and mercy met at the cross, but the best is yet to come, as Jesus would rise from the dead and conquer death for us all. 

The Truth: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Mark 3 "Stretch Out Your Hand"

And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand. So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. And He said to the man who had the withered hand, “Step forward.” Then He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they kept silent. And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. Then the Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him. (vv.1-6) 

What does a stubborn heart look like? A stubborn heart is like a stone, unresponsive to the needs and sufferings of others. It lacks tenderness and compassion. The Bible tells us in Deuteronomy 15:7-8 to not harden our hearts against a poor brother but to open our hands to him. Compassion isn't just for the poor; it also extends to the sick and disabled. In Mark 3, Jesus sees a man with a withered hand and challenges the crowd about doing good on the Sabbath. Their silence grieves Jesus, showing their hard hearts. A hard heart is unmoved by suffering and lacks empathy.

How does a hard heart hurt us? Jonathan Edwards, an 18th-century pastor and theologian, described a hardened heart as being unaffected and insensible. This unfeeling nature extends to our relationship with God. The Bible says a hard heart refuses to hear or respond to God. For example, Zedekiah's hardened heart led him to ignore God's call to repentance (2 Chronicles 36:13). Romans 2:4-5 warns that a hard heart stores up wrath because it is unresponsive to God's kindness, meant to lead us to repentance.

How do we avoid a hard heart in the first place? Avoiding a hard heart begins with being part of a healthy community of believers who encourage us daily. Hebrews 3:13 advises us to encourage one another every day to prevent being hardened by sin's deceitfulness. Sin lies, telling us that God's ways are not satisfying. These lies can harden our hearts if not countered by the truth. Being in a community that reminds us of God's worth and the deceitfulness of sin helps keep our hearts tender and responsive.

How can a hard heart be softened? Softening a hard heart is a miraculous work of God. Ezekiel 36:26-27 promises that God will give us a new heart and spirit, removing our heart of stone and replacing it with a tender heart of flesh. This transformation, akin to being born again, is a gift from God. Once we have a soft heart, staying in a supportive, godly community helps maintain it. Regular encouragement from fellow believers helps us recognize and resist sin's lies, keeping our hearts open and responsive to God's love and guidance.

This is one of the few places in scripture where Jesus is described as having anger, and He was angry - at the hardness of men’s hearts. Jesus was angry because this was a perfect opportunity for these critics of His to change their minds about Him and their traditions. But they refused to change their minds and rejected Jesus instead. In this we can see that Jesus deliberately used this occasion to provoke a response. Jesus could have done this the next day. Jesus could have done it privately. But He chose to do it at this time and place. And what was the reaction of His critics? They went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him. 

Jesus did nothing but a wonderful miracle. In response, two parties of former enemies (the Pharisees and the Herodians) agreed together in one cause: to destroy Jesus. Their hatred for Him went much deeper than the Law, their distain for each other, and the violation of the Sabbath.  They would rather stir up contorversy than rejoice in this man's healing. Luke 6:11 says, that the critics of Jesus were filled with rage when Jesus healed this man. I ask you, which was more of sin against God and a violation of the Sabbath: When Jesus healed a man, or when these hate-filled men plotted the murder of a man who never sinned against anybody?

The Truth: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10)

Mark 2 "The Power of Jesus To Forgive and Heal"

"Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’” (vv.3-5)

Jesus was in Capernaum, likely at Peter’s house, surrounded by crowds eager to see, hear, and touch him. Imagine the poor and sick, desperate to experience his healing touch. Suddenly, four men carried their paralyzed friend to Jesus. Unable to get through the door, they climbed onto the roof, removed part of the thatch, and lowered their friend down to Jesus. Their faith and determination were remarkable.

Jesus didn't ask what the paralyzed man wanted; he knew his deepest need. Seeing the faith of his friends, Jesus said, "Son, your sins are forgiven." This surprised everyone, as they expected a physical healing, but Jesus offered something far greater—spiritual healing. The religious leaders were shocked and accused Jesus of blasphemy since only God could forgive sins. Jesus, knowing their thoughts, challenged them and then healed the man physically, proving his divine authority.

This story isn’t just about a miracle; it’s about the transformative power of Jesus. He meets us where we are, in the middle of our daily lives, and offers us forgiveness and healing. Just as he did for the paralyzed man, Jesus addresses our deepest needs, often surprising us with his grace. He calls us to respond with faith, trusting in his power to transform our lives.

Jesus’ miracles reveal his identity as the Son of God and his message of salvation. They compel us to reflect on our response to Him. Are we like the religious leaders, skeptical and resistant, or like the paralyzed man and his friends, full of faith and open to his transformative power? I pray you find yourself open to His forgiveness and His power to transform your life.

The Truth: "If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and to cleanes us from all unrighteousness." 

Zechariah 9:9 “Rejoice Your King Is Coming”

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey." (Zechariah 9:9)

Here the prophet Zechariah describes the 1st coming of Jesus over 500 years before it occurred. He correctly refers to Him as, "having salvation." Therefore, when Jesus did enter Jerusalem riding on a donkey, as prophesied, the people cried, "Hosanna!" or, literally, "Save now!" (Matthew 21:9). They were hoping Jesus had come to save them from the Roman government and establish His kingdom on earth now.

As Jesus drew near to the city Luke's gospel tells us "He wept," because the people did not know the scriptures well enough to understand the reason for His first coming (v.41-44), and those who did (scribes, chief priests Pharisees) were scheming to kill Him out of fear and jealousy. As news of His arrest and interrogation became public, and His expected kingship here on earth began to fade, many of those same people who cried "Hosanna" were now crying, "Crucify Hm."

While the Jews were looking for a savior to liberate them from Roman rule, the purpose for Jesus' first coming was to die for the sins of the world, to be the perfect sacrifice for you and for me. Though many are still looking for Messiah, may we not miss the fact and purpose of His first coming, because His second coming will be much different.

The Truth
"But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up." (2 Peter 3:10)

Mark 1 “Jesus Baptized”

 “In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him; and a voice came out of the heavens: “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.” Immediately the Spirit sent Him out into the wilderness. And He was in the wilderness forty days being tempted by Satan; and He was with the wild beasts, and the angels were ministering to Him.” (vv.9-13)

Mark's gospel begins with a brief description of the ministry of John the Baptize. Mark indicates that John's ministry of preaching and baptism fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah (40:3). That he was sent to set the stage for the coming Messiah and announce His purpose. John's message promised that the one who came after him would indeed baptize with the Holy Spirit.

What I find significant in our text is, that the first action Jesus took after He was baptized (and once He began His public ministry), was to respond to the prompting of the Holy Spirit (v.12). Even though it meant He would be without shelter, without food, exposed to the wild beasts, and buffeted by Satan for forty days, He responded anyway.

Jesus' actions exemplify the two most important dimensions of a life of purpose; 1) He knew what God the Father had called Him to do, and 2) He was responsive to the calling of the Holy Spirit in His life. We too have a purpose to fulfill. May we continually listen to the “still small voice” of the Spirit guiding us to His purposes in our lives, and be responsive to that leading.

The Truth: “For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)

Matthew 28 “He Is Risen”

“He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” (Matthew 28:6)

Jesus had often predicted that He would rise from the dead, but the disciples did not understand it, and consequently did not expect it. But God would not leave His Son in a tomb, nor suffer Him to see corruption. He was not stolen away as the chief priests hired the soldiers to say He was; nor was He removed to another place, as Mary Magdalene first thought, when she found Him gone; but He had risen from the dead, by the power of His Father.

Therefore, when Mary Magdalene and the other Mary arrived at the tomb expecting to anoint the body of Jesus, they were met by an angel of the LORD instead saying, “He is not here; for He is risen, as He said.” It took the Lord Himself appearing to; Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, to Peter, then the twelve collectively showing them His hands and His feet, eating with them and finally opening their understanding to the scriptures, before their blindness turned to joy and their hope restored.  

Just as it took the infallible truth of the scriptures to open the eyes of those who walked with Jesus then, so it may be with our loved ones today as well. With so much evil in our world, we need to keep praying that our Lord will bring His truth into their lives and open their understanding to His love and grace.

The Truth: Now Jesus, going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples aside on the road and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And on the third day He will rise again.” (Matthew 20:17-19) 

Matthew 27 “Let Him Be Crucified”

Pilate said to them, "What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?" They all said to him, "Let him be crucified." To which the governor replied, "Why, what evil has he done?" But they cried out the more, saying, "Let him be crucified.” (Matthew 27:22-23)

Death by Roman crucifixion was a result of the whole body weight being supported by the outstretched arms of the victim. When nailed to the cross, there was a massive strain put on the wrists, arms and shoulders often resulting in a dislocation of the shoulder and elbow joints. The rib cage was constrained in a fixed position, which made it extremely difficult to exhale, and impossible to take a full breath.

The victim would continually try to push himself up by his feet to allow for inflation of the lungs enduring terrible pain in his feet and legs. Eventually, the pain in the feet and legs would become so unbearable, that the victim was forced to trade breathing for pain and die of suffocation. The length of time required to die from crucifixion could range from hours (if they broke your legs), to a number of days depending on an individual physical condition. Crucifixion was chiefly inflicted on slaves and the worst kind of criminals, and was considered a most shameful and disgraceful way to die. Condemned Roman citizens were usually exempt from it.

Jesus voluntarily died this death (refusing the medication v. 34) for you and for me, that we might have forgiveness of sin through His atonement. But, this greatest gift ever given was not His end, for the best was yet to come in chapter 28. Hope to see you there.

The Truth: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)