Mark

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“You let them disregard their needy parents. And so you cancel the word of God” (Mark 7:12-13)

February 24, 2012

The 5th commandment says to “honor” your parents. This means to “give them their due.” What are they due? Respect & love? Yes. But also, financial support. Jesus warned the Pharisees about not caring for their parents. Children are to care for their elderly parents.

“And the crowd began pleading with Jesus to go away and leave them alone” (Mark 5:17)

February 20, 2012

I wonder how many have turned Jesus away because they were afraid of the changes He would make in their lives? If they would have invited Him to stay, there would have been another chapter in the Gospel of Mark. Instead, just this… He got back in the boat and left them.

“To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given” (Mark 4:25)

February 19, 2012

Listening precedes understanding. Jesus taught this maxim after speaking in parables that some didn’t get. Our ADD culture offers no help here. We must learn the habit of listening to God’s Word. It is a spiritual discipline that takes time. The more you listen, the more you understand.

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

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.

“Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him” (Mark 1:41)

February 16, 2012

While others avoided even looking at lepers, Jesus touched and healed them. Their rotting flesh too terrible to see or smell, lepers were avoided by all. But Jesus touched them. People didn’t realize that sin had made them all spiritual lepers. And what love it took for the Holy One to touch even them.

“At the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me'” (Mark 15:34)

March 11, 2011

This cry was not a mark of failure, but one of prophecy fulfilled and the human condition felt. Jesus said the very words of Psalm 22:1 prophesied for Him. He who knew no sin became sin for us. He suffered separation so that we might be brought near to God.

“You will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven” (Mark 14:62)

March 10, 2011

So Jesus answered the High Priest. Since that generation has passed now, how will Jesus’ statement be fulfilled? Will the living and the dead bear witness to this glorious coming? Apparently. Get ready.

“When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God'” (Mark 12:34)

March 5, 2011

Have you met one like this? One who has the Kingdom in his eyes, but not yet in his heart? No need to argue, just encourage them to believe. Tell them it’s only a matter of time. Say it with a smile. You know something that they soon will too.

“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant” (Mark 10:43)

March 2, 2011

Unlike worldly leaders, Kingdom leaders descend to greatness by serving. Jesus calls us to be servant-leaders. Are there jobs in your family, workplace or church that are beneath you? Good. Start there and do them wholeheartedly. Faithfulness in the little things comes first.

“For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it” (Mark 8:35)

February 26, 2011

The paradox of playing it safe in life- pursue comfort and self-satisfaction and lose. Choose self-denial and following Christ and live.