February 21, 2020
CHRIST’S METHOD OF LIFE-ON-LIFE DISCIPLESHIP When Jesus went into the home of the synagogue ruler whose daughter had died, He only permitted three of the Twelve to follow inside. Peter, James and John were often singled out for such occasions. They were witnesses on that day of Jesus raising the synagogue ruler’s daughter up from
February 17, 2020
NEW WINESKINS FOR NEW WINE The Pharisees questioned Jesus as to why he and his disciples did not fast as they did. He answered with a double parable that illustrated the futility of trying to bind something new to something old. However, his answer had greater relevance than fasting. For the old garment and the
February 15, 2020
HOW NEAR IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD? In the gospel of Mark, he reported that Jesus began His public ministry in Galilee. He came preaching a message of fulfillment, God’s kingdom, repentance and faith in the good news. Of fulfillment, because the long awaited Messiah, Jesus, had finally come. As Paul wrote, “When the
March 12, 2019
WHO WILL MOVE THE STONE? On the first Easter morning, the women who went to anoint the Lord’s body worried about moving the stone that sealed His tomb. Arriving there, they found that the enormous stone had already been rolled away, revealing the empty tomb. Do you know someone that seems close to believing,
March 9, 2019
HAS JESUS INVITED YOU TO PRAY WITH HIM? Jesus invited Simon Peter, James, and John to keep watch and pray with Him in the Garden of Gethsemane. It was the night of His betrayal, the day before His trial and crucifixion. He wanted them as prayer partners. They were willing, but their flesh was weak
February 25, 2019
COMPASSION THAT MOVES US TO ACTION Jesus felt compassion for the hungry. He noticed their need and then took action to address it. We don’t read that the disciples felt compassion. When faced with human need we learn to turn a blind eye. There is so much need and we are so concerned with our
February 23, 2019
WHEN DO YOU GET ALONE TO PRAY? After a long day filled with teaching and miraculously feeding the 5,000, Jesus insisted that His disciples go on ahead while He excused the crowds. Jesus wanted some time alone to pray. For the Son did “nothing of Himself” (John 5:19). Everything He did was shown to Him
February 20, 2019
HOW BIG IS YOUR GOD? The disciples were afraid of the storm outside the boat until they awoke Jesus. Then, they feared the One inside the boat. We say that we believe and trust Jesus fully. Yet when life’s storms come, we discover the true measure of our faith. The disciples thought they knew the
February 17, 2019
HOW DOES JESUS FEEL ABOUT YOUR HEART? The Pharisees brought out the full range of emotion from our Lord Jesus. When He tried to show them the spirit of the Sabbath, they clung to the letter of the law, even that which they themselves had added to it. He asked them a simple question, one
February 16, 2019
CHRIST’S IMMEDIATE CARE The Gospel of Mark is unique among the four in that it was written in present tense. Mark’s action-oriented writing is marked by his favorite phrase, “and immediately” (καὶ εὐθὺς), which is found throughout the book. Here, the NLT translates the phrase as “instantly.” Each gospel presents a different perspective of