Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for February 17

“He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts” (Mark 3:5 NLT)

From: February 17, 2014

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 that begged a correct response. He asked whether the law permitted good on the Sabbath or evil? They wouldn’t reply. So, he put the man with the withered hand before the whole assembly in the synagogue and healed him. The man and his family rejoiced, but the Pharisees left angry, plotting with the Herodians, whom they normally hated, to plot the killing of Jesus. This scene caused conflicting emotions in Jesus. He was both angry and sad. Angry at the sinful pride that wouldn’t answer His question. And sad at the hard hearts that wouldn’t listen.

“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17 ESV)

From: February 17, 2013

This was Jesus’ reply when challenged by the Pharisees about eating at the tax collector Levi’s (Matthew’s) house. The Pharisees were separatists. They would not associate with sinners. But Jesus came to save sinners. How should today’s church be affected by this? How do we resolve the tension between being holy and being evangelists? Simple. Follow Jesus.

“I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners” (Mark 2:17)

From: February 17, 2012

The problem in our culture today is that no one sees themselves as a sinner, because relativism has done away with the very idea of sin. If there are no absolutes, then everyone is right in their own eyes. Lord, help us to answer and carry Your call to a lost world.

“Jesus said to them, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners'” (Mark 2:17)

From: February 17, 2011

If you claim to be well, you will remain sick. If you admit your need, Jesus can heal you. What kind of church do you want? A hotel church for the healthy? Or a hospital church for the sin-sick?