Mark 13   Jesus was "sitting on the Mount of Olives"  looking over the Temple.  Peter, James, John, and Andrew came to sit with Him.  They wanted to know "when" the end would come.. when all the prophecies would be fulfilled.. when the Temple would be torn down.. 

Jesus begins to answer, not with "when".. but with "who".  "See to it that no one misleads you."  He speaks of those who will come in His name, claiming to be the One.  He warns of the things that might frighten them or cause them to be led "astray". There will be many trials and difficulties.. there will be hatred and persecutions.. there will even be death and destruction.  But.. "the one who endures to the end, he shall be saved." It's not about when.. but about who.. who will be ready.. who will endure.. who will "Be on the alert." 

There will be a day, Jesus promised, when they would "see the Son of Man, coming in clouds with great power and glory." ( v26)  A day when "heaven and earth will pass away"  but His Words "will not pass away."  There will be a day.. a day chosen by the Father.. when He will return.. 

The most important thing that they can do... is "Be on the alert!"  We cannot know the "when".. but we can know that Jesus is the One who will come.. in power and glory.  Until then we are on the alert.. so we are not misled or deceived.. not fearful or anxious.. but enduring and looking up!

Father in heaven, we need You every day, to keep us walking in the Light, trusting Your Word, and enduring by Your Spirit's power in us.  We are looking up.. awaiting the sound of the Trumpet and the coming of our Lord Jesus. Grant us the endurance.. the perseverance.. the faith and the discernment that we, Your children, need for today.. keep us alert and ready for when our Master returns.  May we be found faithful!  Help us to be all that You desire for us to be we pray, in the Name of Jesus. Amen. 

 Mark 12:35-44  After the religious leaders ran out of questions for Jesus.., Mark tells us that Jesus asked a question of His own:  "How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David?" 

The scribes knew the Scriptures.  They knew that the Lord had promised David that He would establish his throne "forever". ( II Samuel 7:8-16) 

They knew the Psalms that echoed that promise, like Psalm 89:2-4 " I have made a covenant with My chosen.. I have sworn to David.. I will establish your seed forever.."  

They knew that the prophets spoke about the Messiah.. like Isaiah 9: 6-7 "For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness for then on and forevermore..."  

They knew Isaiah 11 that tells of a "shoot" that will "spring from the stem of Jesse.. 

They knew Jeremiah's words, " Behold the days are coming, declares the Lord, When I shall raise up for David a righteous Branch; and He will reign as king and act wisely and do justice and righteousness in the land.. " ( Jeremiah 23:5)  

They knew the words of Ezekiel 34:23-24 "Then I will set over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will feed them; he will feed them himself and be their shepherd. and I, the Lord, will be their God, and My servant, David will be prince among them; I, the Lord, have spoken." 

And.. they knew every word that Hosea and Amos and other prophets spoke. They KNEW that the Messiah would be a descendant of David. That He would be more than just a man.. that He would do more than any earthly king. 

But, Jesus asks,  what about Psalm 110?  "The Lord (Jehovah) says to my Lord (Adoni); Sit at My right hand, until I make Thine enemies a footstool for Thy feet."   Why didn't the scribes look at this divine Word?  Why did they not know that  the Messiah, the son of David would also be Jesus the Son of God? David was not greater than his "son".  David would worship Jesus because He is the Son of God!

Jesus told the people to "Beware of the scribes".. Pay attention to their actions.. to their character.. to their pride.. their greed.. their lack of compassion or love..  Pay attention to the Truth! 

Jesus told His disciples to pay attention to that which shows true love and devotion to the Father.. not the rich giving out of their "surplus".... but the poor widow giving out " of her poverty". 

What is it that we must KNOW?  We must know Jesus Christ, the Son of God who came as the Son of man.. to fulfill the prophecies.. to be the Shepherd who seeks and saves the lost.. Who is the Wonderful Counselor,  Mighty God, Eternal Father and the Prince of peace.. whose throne is established forever and who even now sits at the right hand of the Father until all His enemies are made "a footstool" for His feet. 

Father in heaven,  may we know Jesus and Jesus only.. as our Savior, our Sanctifier, our Glorious Lord and our coming King!  May we discern the truth and walk in the Light of your Word. Remove the confusion, the lies, the thorns, the things that choke out our faith.. and lead us in righteousness, in justice, in mercy and in grace. We look to You, with thanksgiving in our hearts for this great salvation that is ours in Christ Jesus. Be glorified in our lives today we pray. Amen. 

 Mark 12: 13-34  More challenges, more tests, more questions.. all aimed at Jesus.. in order to trap Him.  The Pharisees, the Herodians, the Scribes, and the Sadducees each took a shot at Jesus.  

The Pharisees and Herodians wanted to see what Jesus would say about paying taxes to Caesar.  The answer Jesus gave them.. "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's".. amazed them. 

The Sadducees asked about a woman who had been married but never had children with any of the 7 brothers she had been given to one after the other.   Jesus used this question to tell them, "Is this not the reason you are mistaken, that you do not understand the Scriptures, or the power of God?"  He goes on to show them their error in thinking.  God is not "the God of the dead but of the living; you are greatly mistaken." 

The third question came from a scribe who recognized that Jesus was answering "well".  His question seemed more sincere and less like a trap.. "What commandment is the foremost of all?"   Jesus gave the scribe the answer that he needed.. "And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and will all your soul, and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself'' ".   The scribe fully agreed with this.. and Jesus told him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God."    I wonder if this man began to follow Jesus?

The Lord does not back down from questions.. whether they are sincere or not.  He gives us the answer that we need.. the answer that will bring us into His kingdom if we truly listen.  He will answer our prayers when we ask Him to show us where we are mistaken.. when we need to know what His will is..  even when we are focused on the wrong questions.  He is a gracious and patient God! 

Father in heaven, we are so thankful that You have given us Truth, that You have not allowed us to stay confused and mistaken in our own conclusions.  Lead us by Your Spirit, Lord God.. that we might walk in Your ways and love You with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength.. and that we might love others too.  Bring us closer to Your heart and fill us with the joy of Your salvation!  In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 

 Mark 12: 1-12  Mark shares the parable of the vine-growers with us in this passage. It is a story that clearly pictures our Father and the Son, Jesus as the main characters. 

"A man planted a vineyard, and put a wall around it, and dug a vat under the wine press, and built a tower, and went on a journey."  

In Isaiah 5 there is another parable told of a vineyard.  It is a song from the Father's heart.. "Let me sing now for my well-beloved A song of my beloved concerning His vineyard."  He tells of the Father's care to prepare His vineyard and planting "it with the choicest vine". . He tells of expecting "good grapes" but finding only "worthless ones".  In verse 7 He says, " For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel. And the men of Judah His delightful plant.  Thus He looked for justice but behold, blood shed; For righteousness, but behold, a cry of distress." 

In Isaiah it is the vineyard that is judged and destroyed.. in Mark it is the vine-growers who do evil and will also be destroyed. 

It was harvest time and the owner of the vineyard sent a servant to claim his share of the fruit. He was not asking too much.. it all belonged to Him.  Just as our Father, the Creator of heaven and earth.. the source of all living things.. including the harvest.. has every right to the fruit that He produces.  But, the vine-growers refused to give the fruit to the Lord's slave.. sending him away.  Again and again, they refused.. getting more and more violent at each one.. resorting, finally, to murder.  These slaves represent the prophets.. the Father sending godly men with the message of repentance and humble obedience to the Lord their God. 

When nothing moves these vine-growers to doing what is right, the Owner of the vineyard decides to send his beloved son.. saying, "They will respect my son.."  But.. they did not.  They thought that if they killed the heir that the vineyard would become theirs.  What foolish thinking! For the owner of the vineyard returned with an army to destroy these usurpers. The vineyard would go to others.. who will be faithful. 

Jesus is the Son.. the heir of everything on earth. The Jewish leaders did kill Him, foolishly thinking that the Vineyard would come their own. But, God brought His righteous judgement upon them.. destroying the Temple and the nation in His just ruling. 

Jesus adds a Word of Scripture to the end of His parable.. "The Stone which the builders rejected, this became the Chief corner stone; this came from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes.. " 

I have been reading through some old hymns lately and this is one I found today:

"O safe to the Rock that is higher than I, My soul in its conflicts and sorrows would fly;
So sinful so weary, Thine, Thine would I be; Thou blessed Rock of Ages, I'm hiding in Thee."

In the calm of the noontide, in sorrow's lone hour. In times when temptation casts o'er me its power;

In the tempests of life, on its wide, heaving sea, Thou blest Rock of Ages, I'm hiding in Thee.

How oft in the conflict, when pressed by the foe, I have fled to my Refuge and breathed out my woe;

How often, when trials like sea billows roll, Have I hidden in Thee, O Thou Rock of my soul. 

Hiding in Thee, Hiding in Thee, Thou Blessed Rock of Ages , I'm hiding in Thee."  ( by Rev. William O. Cushing"  

The rejected Stone became the Cornerstone and  is our Rock of Ages. The Lord Jesus is our hiding place.. and we are His servants.  He has given us the vineyard.. trusting us with His harvest.  When that day comes.. may we be found faithful.. may the fruit of our lives be "good"! 

 

Father in heaven, fill us with the fulness of Your Spirit and accomplish Your perfect will in us.. in the Church.. in the world that You have made and that You have loved with an everlasting love. May Jesus Christ the Rock of all ages be exalted as he builds us up in His love and grace and truth. In His name we come. Amen. 

 Mark 11:15-18 :27-33   "And they came to Jerusalem. And He entered the temple and began to cast out those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of those who were selling doves; and He would not permit anyone to carry goods through the temple."

It is the day after the "triumphal entry".. Jesus has announced His kingship by coming into the holy city on a donkey's colt.  The people had shouted "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!" He had judged the barren fig tree. He now judged the unholy works taking place in the Father's House. 

" Is it not written, My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations? But, you have made it a robber's den."  The chief priests and scribes "heard this and began seeking how to destroy Him; for they were afraid of Him, for all the multitude was astonished at His teaching." (v18) 

They wanted to know what authority He had.  These men who knew the Word of God.. knew that they were in the wrong and He was right.. these men questioned the Son of God about His authority to rule in His House.  They were afraid of Jesus.. they were afraid of the multitude.. they were afraid to admit that John was a prophet or that Jesus was the Messiah.  Because of their fear they chose violence instead of repentance. 

What a picture of our world today!  Those who want authority of their own.. refuse to submit to the rightful authority of God. They fear their own loss of power so they choose to cut down those who have God-given roles of leadership.. They persecute God's servants. But.. we need to remember that Jesus has "all authority in heaven and earth".  He has overcome the world!  He is King of kings and Lord of lords. There may not be a temple in Israel now.. but there is a House of Prayer in the Presence of our Holy God and we must not neglect it.. He tells us that we can come boldly to the Throne of grace to find help in the times of need.  It is a place of prayer for all the nations.. It is a place for us to find Jesus.. the True "balm in Gilead" 

Father in heaven, hear our prayers.. that Your name would be kept holy in every place.. that Your Kingdom would come in power, in peace, in joy, and in truth;  that Your will would be done in each of us that You have made.  We are asking.. that we might receive more of Jesus.  We are seeking that we might find You.. We are knocking that the door will be opened and we can come into Your Presence today.. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit we pray. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

 Mark 11: 12-14; 20-26  The next scene that Mark paints for us takes place the next day after Jesus made His triumphal entrance.  Jesus left Bethany.. without breakfast it seems.. and became  hungry.  When He saw a fig tree with leaves on it He went to see if there were any figs.. but there weren't any.. "for it was not the season for figs.." 

Now, isn't that interesting!  Jesus.. the creator of heaven and earth surely knew there would be no fruit yet on that tree.. but He went to see it anyway.  When He found nothing He said, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again!"  

Skipping to verse 20 "And as they were passing by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots up..." Another interesting event.. overnight this tree went from promising life.. growing green leaves.. to death.. withering from the" root up".  We would normally see a tree begin to wither from the top down.. the leaves fall, the bare branches break.. the trunk begins to rot.. over  a period of years. This tree had a deeper lesson to teach.  Some believe that it represented Israel.. appearing alive.. but fruitless and useless.  The judgement of God would come upon Israel and it would wither and die. 

When Peter takes note of the tree's demise Jesus was ready to teach another lesson.. "Have faith in God." This is what they needed most during this last week before the crucifixion... a faith that would move mountains as well as banish fruitless trees.  They needed faith to pray and ask .. to believe and receive.  And one more important reminder.. forgive.. and be forgiven.. 

Father, what is it that You want us to learn today from Your Word?  Increase our faith today as You did the disciples' after the resurrection.  You gave them faith to move mountains.. to stand against fruitless systems.. and to believe and receive answers to their prayers.  Give to  us this kind of faith today we pray... believing that You will grant us this request!  In Jesus' name we pray. Amen!

 Mark 11:1-11  This is Mark's description of the "Triumphal Entry".  

 He sets the scene for us near Jerusalem, "at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives.. "  They stop while Jesus sends two of His disciples into the village to find the donkey's colt that has been set aside for Him.  The disciples found the donkey just as Jesus told them, brought it back and put garments on it so that Jesus could ride into Jerusalem as the prophets had foretold..  " Say to the daughter of Zion, Behold your King is coming to you, Gentle and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.."  ( Matthew 21:5, Zech. 9:9)

" Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord; Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David; Hosanna in the highest! " is a quote from Psalm 118:26... a psalm proclaiming the lovingkindness of the Lord.. a psalm that speaks of the "stone which the builders rejected".. that became the "chief corner stone". Verses 23-24 of the psalm -  "This is the Lord's doing; It is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it."...speak  of a day to give thanks to the Lord for His great gift of salvation.  This is what Jesus was fulfilling on that day as He rode into Jerusalem on a donkey's colt. 

Mark tells us that Jesus went to the temple and looked around. Then He and His disciples turned around and went back to Bethany where they spent the night.  

The prophecy was fulfilled.. the proclamation was made.. Jesus... the King had come.. the Kingdom was announced.. the people rejoiced.  It was the beginning of something that was all of the "Lord's doing".

This was the last week of the earthly life of Jesus, the son of David; the Messiah.  Can we see Him through the eyes of those who laid down their garments and palm branches?  Did they know Who He was.. or were they just hoping for a savior from Rome instead of a Savior from heaven?  

So thankful for a Savior who came gently.. ready to fulfill the Father's will..  that we might truly rejoice and be glad in that day.. for if He did not come we would all be lost. I would gladly lay down whatever I have and sing "Hosanna" to the King of kings!  Will you?

Father in heaven, blessed is Your Name in all the earth! Thank you for the lovingkindness You have shown us through our Savior Jesus Christ.  He is Lord of all and we give Him all praise and glory.  "Jesus ever! Jesus only!  Jesus all and all we sing! Savior, Sanctifier and Healer.. Glorious Lord and coming King!'  Amen!

Mark 10:32-52   Mark brings us upon another scene.. "and they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem.."  

There was something about the way Jesus was walking that "amazed" the disciples and made the followers all "afraid".   Mark tells us that Jesus "was walking on ahead of them."   Luke 9:51 tells of Christ setting "his face to go to Jerusalem".. and this is what we see in Mark's scene..  A determination; a firmly fixed resolution.. a steadfast confirmation seen in His countenance.  It was both amazing and frightening to His followers. 

Jesus took aside the 12 and once again explained to them what was about to happen.  He would be delivered up.. He would be condemned to death.. He would be mocked and spit upon and scourged.. He would be killed.  And.. He would rise again on the third day! 

James and John, at least realized that something great was about to happen.  Whether or not they were sure of all the Jesus said.. they believed He was about to "sit in [His] glory.."  And.. they wanted to be part of that!  They went to Jesus to ask for Him to do what they wanted Him to do for them... to give them the privileged seats at His right and left side.  Jesus said to them, " You do not know what you are asking for. " 

They didn't know that they were asking to drink the cup that Jesus was about to drink.. to be baptized with the baptism He was about to experience. They thought they could.. but they didn't know how hard it would be.  Jesus did grant them the privilege of suffering for Him.. but He did not promise them the privilege that they wanted of sitting on His right and left side.. for those positions were given to those "for whom it has been prepared."  James was one of the first apostles killed for preaching about Jesus.  John was perhaps the last.. after being exiled to Patmos for the same reason.  They drank the cup.. they were baptized by the fire of persecution.. all for the name of Jesus.   We do not know where they are sitting now.. but  we do know that it is in His glory!

The other disciples didn't like James and John asking for recognition from Jesus for eternity.. but before an argument could break out again, Jesus repeated what He had already taught them.. In His Kingdom the greatest are those who are the servants.. not the lords.  "And even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." 

One more scene on the road to Jerusalem comes in verses 46-52.  Bartimaeus... a blind beggar was sitting along the road when Jesus came by.  As soon as he heard that Jesus of Nazareth was coming "he began to cry out and say,  'Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.' "  Even when others tried to quiet him, Bartimaeus continued to cry out. even more.. until Jesus called for him.  "And he, casting away his garment, rose and came to Jesus. "  When Jesus asked him what he wanted Him to do for him.. there was no hesitation, "Lord, that I might receive my sight." 

Jesus did not touch Bartimaeus.. he simply said, "Go your way, your faith has made you well. "  Bartimaeus received his sight that day.. and then he followed Jesus. 

The disciples asked for privileged positions, the blind man asked for mercy.  Jesus called for His disciples to serve.. and they did.. with their whole lives. . He told Bartimaeus to go his way and he received sight to follow Jesus. 

Father in heaven, we come to You, asking for spiritual sight and hearts to serve.  Teach us Your way..  each of us individually.. and grant us faith to keep walking on Your path until that day when are also at the feet of Jesus sitting in His glory! Thank You for having mercy on us.. calling us out of darkness and into Your Light. May Your will be done in us today, Lord. Amen. 

 Mark 10: 28-31

 Peter realized.. perhaps for the first time that day.. that he and his fellow disciples had done  what the rich young ruler could not.. "Behold we have left everything and followed you.. "   They left family... jobs.. homes.. to follow Jesus.  

It is here I would love to hear Peter's tone of voice.. What was his meaning?  Was it like.. well that guy didn't leave everything but we did..  What about us?

Jesus answers the unspoken question.. " Truly I say to you there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel's sake, but that he shall receive a hundred times as much in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life. " 

Here is a promise that Jesus will keep.. to every missionary who has  traveled to another country, leaving family behind.. .. to every believer who is separated willingly or unwillingly from those he loves because he loves Jesus more.. .. to all who leave jobs because of moral and ethical practices that don't honor Jesus. Jesus says he will provide.. " a hundred times more".  

We don't know what happened in the lives of the apostles after the book of Acts. But, we know that they started churches and traveled the world telling others about Jesus. How many new brothers and sisters in Christ did they come to know and love and serve?  They received 3000 new brothers and sisters on the day of Pentecost!  Read any of Paul's books and notice name after name of people that he came to love and consider "family". And all  of them are living now.. eternally in the "house" of God! 

I, personally, have not left behind my family to follow Jesus.. for many of my family members also follow Jesus.. Thank the Lord!  But.. I saw first hand the sacrifice that two of my brothers and one of my sisters made as they left America to serve Jesus in a foreign land.  Back before the days of FaceTime and email.. when a letter took months and we only saw them every 4 years or so.  The promise of Jesus is for them.. and I think they would say that it has been fulfilled for them.. they have brothers and sisters in Christ from across the ocean that will join them in their eternal home one day. Praise the Lord !

Father, lead us to follow You and trust You to fulfill every promise that is in Jesus. Thank You Lord! Amen

 Mark10:17-27  Mark gives us another scene.. to observe Jesus and a man we know as the "rich young ruler".  At first we observe this man coming to Jesus.. running to Him and kneeling before Him.  And.. he asks a good question, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"  

He didn't come to test Jesus as the Pharisees did.  He didn't have a hard heart.  He came like the children came.. it seems.  His desire was sincere and honest.  But.. Jesus had a question for him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. "   He continued.. "You know the commandments.. "  This is what God defines as "good".. "Do not murder. Do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness. Do not defraud. Honor your Father and your Mother."  

The young man responds with confidence.. " Teacher I have kept all these things from my youth up."  He seems to want some recognition or  maybe just some confirmation  that he was on the right track..  that he had already made the grade.  

"And looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him.. "   Jesus saw the need this young man had.. a need for more.. a need for truth.. a need that would go beyond the outward adherence to the law.. to a true covenant relationship with the heavenly Father.  And He offers him just that.. 

"One thing you lack; go and sell all you possess, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."  Jesus asked him.  But.. "at  these words his face fell and he went away grieved, for he was one who owned much property."   

It's hard, Jesus says, "for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God." This statement shocked the disciples!  The wealthy had it easy.. they were "blessed", weren't they?  How can it be hard?  But.. Jesus tells them, "with men it is impossible.. "   Wealth had just kept this young man from following Jesus.. from trusting in the Creator who made him and cared for him. Trusting in property and titles.. position or power.. keeps people from trusting God enough to give it all up to Him.  Don't we know it!

But Jesus doesn't leave us hopeless.. " .. but not with God, for all things are possible with God." 

Father in heaven,  how can we do anything without You?  We can not!  You are the Lover of our souls and You will help us when we come to You. You are at work in us to both "will and do" Your good pleasure.  How else can we live?  How else can we have eternal life?  We must have Jesus as our all in all.. as our Source.. as our Savior and King.  Draw us closer and help us to surrender all to You. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen

 Mark 10:1-12  Once again  Jesus is questioned and tested by the Pharisees.. this time asking about divorce.  Jesus answers with a question about what  Scripture says..  "What did Moses command you?"  Then He goes on to  explain the truth behind their answer.  Moses had allowed divorce because of the hard hearts of men.  The truth is that God made men and women.. He intended them to marry and to become "one flesh".  He did not.. and does not want divorce.  He does not want the pain of broken lives and broken families for His people. It is still our hard hearts that break up marriages..  hearts too hard to forgive..  hearts too hard to trust.. hard hearts that turn away from God and from the vows we make in His Presence. 

Verses 13-16  Jesus sees people bringing their children to Him and the disciples turning them away.. and He became "indignant" with them.. "Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these."  Jesus took the children into His own arms and blessed them. This is one of the most precious snapshots that Mark paints for us. Jesus loving the little children who come to Him.. not with questions and tests.. but with open hearts and joy.  This is how we are to come to Him... just like these children.. 

What a contrast!   Hard-hearted religious leaders with their tests and questions... and little children with open hearts and great love.  Which goes away blessed?  Which will we be?  The disciples still didn't get it! They didn't send away the Pharisees but they tried to send away the children...

Oh, Lord.. help us to be like the children coming to You with joy and faith.. And .. help us to receive those children with open arms like You did.. may we never cause anyone to stumble in their faith but to have open hearts.. like Yours.  

Father in heaven,  we ask for Your Kingdom to come.. the Kingdom where children are welcomed with opened arms.... where we are welcome and forgiven and cleansed from all unrighteousness..  where our hardness of heart is melted and made new.. where Jesus is King and we are all loved and held closely to the heart of God. Where we love as we are loved.. where we forgive others as we have been forgiven.. We ask this is the Name that is above all names.. the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen. 

 Mark 9: 38-50  In this passage Mark records Jesus teaching His disciples instead of his usual presentation of Jesus at work among them.  There is something we need to grasp about Jesus in this lesson.. Lord, give us understanding!

It starts with John telling Jesus about some man.. not one of the 12  disciples.. who was casting out demons in Jesus' name.  John did not approve.  But, Jesus said, " Do not hinder him, for there is no one who shall perform a miracle in My name and be able to soon afterward speak evil of Me. For he who is not against us is for us." 

John and the other disciples received a lesson on discernment. They needed to learn to discern what was good.. and what was evil. If this man was able to help a demon possessed man in the Name of Jesus then they should have been able to discern that he was a follower of Christ even if he was not one of the 12 chosen disciples.  This reminds me of Acts 19:14-15 when some Jewish men.. "the seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest" were trying to use the name of Jesus to cast out evil spirits but were unable to.. the evil spirit saying to them, "I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?"  Not just anyone can use the Name of Jesus.. but only those who are true followers of Him. Those who are "for Him" and not against Him. 

Jesus continued His teaching on discernment... 

Those who would give them a cup of water because of the Name of Jesus.. is someone on their side.. and they would be rewarded. 

Someone who would cause little ones to stumble in their faith are not on their side...and they would be judged and punished.

Jesus turned His lesson towards personal discernment.. 

"If your hand causes you to stumble...If your foot causes you to stumble... If your eye causes you to stumble"... "cut it off.. cast it out"..  what good is it to keep anything in your life that keeps you from heaven?  Get rid of those things that keep you from being on the Lord's side!

"For everyone will be salted with fire."  Jesus said, "Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves and be at peace with one another." 

Father in heaven,  help us to truly recognize those who are followers of Jesus Christ and help us to recognize in ourselves those things that keep us from being in true covenant relationship with Him.. on His side. Unite us together in One Spirit.. that we might in peace and in godly wisdom serve You with whole hearts and willing minds. We ask this in the Name of Jesus. Amen. 

 Mark 9:30-37  Jesus and His disciples head back home to Capernaum.  The trip was quieter than usual for Jesus wanted some time alone to teach His disciples about what was coming. "The Son of Man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him; and when He has been killed, He will rise three days later." 

It was a clear message. A wonderful message!   Yet "they did not understand.."  We look back and wonder how they could miss this... but, they did.  Instead, it appears they were absorbed in a completely different issue.. "which of them was the greatest.. "  They seemed embarrassed to tell Jesus about their discussion.. but Jesus knew anyway.  He asked the question so that He could teach them the truth about greatness.

"If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all." Jesus tells the 12.  

Mark paints us another picture.. "And taking a child, He set him before them, and taking him in His arms, He said to them, 'Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me." 

I love the picture of Jesus with this little child.. arms wrapped around him.. love poured out on him.  This is greatness, Jesus shows them.. loving.. simply loving.. serving.. blessing.  It is not about what we receive... but about WHO we receive.  The greatest disciples of Jesus are the ones who don't think about their own worth.. but about the worth of the "least of these".  

Father, we always seem to get things backwards in our efforts to be "more".. more righteous.. more favored.. more spiritual.  Jesus teaches that it is not about our efforts or our value.. but that true faith, true service and worship is about loving and caring for those You bring into our lives. As James wrote "This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and keep oneself unstained by the world."  Help us to understand and to do Your will.. to love one another.. to care for those around us..to serve.  It is not a competition for greatness.. our desire is to be Your servant.. to genuinely love and receive others into our own hearts.. receiving You.. receiving Jesus Christ our Lord. Help us. Create in us the heart of Jesus.. a new heart.. pure and undefiled.  In the Name of our Savior we pray. Amen. 

 Mark 9:14-29   Mark sets another scene for us.. Jesus coming down the mountain.. to a crowd surrounding His disciples.. with scribes arguing.. and with one desperate man hoping someone could deliver his son from an evil spirit.  

This young man suffered so much.  He could not speak.. he had terrible seizures that would cause him to fall to the ground, grind his teeth, foam at the mouth, and stiffen out.  The father tells Jesus, " And I told Your disciples to cast it out, and they could not do it."  

What was going on in this encounter?  Jesus centers in on the main problem.. "O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you?... "  Was He addressing the man, the crowd, or the disciples?  Whose lack of faith kept this boy from deliverance?  Perhaps it was all of them.. 

Jesus continued, "... Bring him to Me!"   He watched the boy being attacked by the evil spirit, thrown to the ground.. convulsing, rolling about and foaming at the mouth.. but He still did not act.  "And He asked his father, 'How long has this been happening to him?' "   Jesus seemed to be waiting for the father to ask the question.. to make the plea.. to state his position... until finally the man humbled himself and realized his own need.. "But if You can do anything take pity on us and help us!"  

Still Jesus waited, ".. If You can!  All things are possible to him who believes."  Only then does the father cry out, "I do believe ; help my unbelief."   This cry is one that we all probably have made at one time or another.. "Lord, I believe.. but help my unbelief."  My faith is puny sometimes. Like this man.. we want help.. we need help.. we think we can demand that help.. but only when we really encounter the One who can hear our cry, do we bow before Him and surrender our unbelief. 

Jesus healed this young man. As the evil spirit left him it cried out.. it threw the boy down.. and he appeared to be dead.  But.. Jesus took his hand and raised him up.  "All things are possible to him who believes."!!   Even if that belief is puny... 

Father, There is nothing that You cannot do. There is no-one that is too far gone for You to help. We pray that You will increase our faith.. that You would draw us nearer to the grace and truth found in Christ Jesus our Healer and Deliverer.  Help us learn to trust fully and to pray always.  Thank You for this word that reveals to  us the power and the kindness of Jesus. Thank You that He can do all things! We need You, Lord Jesus.. have Your way in us today we pray. Amen. 

 Mark 9:1-13  Mark takes us up the mountain with Jesus, Peter, James and John.  He tells of the transfiguration of Jesus before these 3 disciples.. unlike anything they could have imagined up to this point.. they saw with their own eyes the reality of Who Jesus is.  

His garments became whiter than anything on earth.. He was radiant.. and He was not alone, for Moses and Elijah appeared and talked to Him.  

Terrified.. Peter wanted to build 3 tabernacles. Struck with nothing else to say.. they were covered by a cloud that formed "over-shadowing them", and they heard a voice "This is My beloved Son, listen to Him." 

And then... they were once again alone with Jesus. 

Some say that this brief glimpse was what Jesus was referring to in verse 1 , "Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who shall not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power."    Jesus told the three disciples to not talk about what they saw until after He was resurrected from the dead.  They would understand the Truth about Jesus then.. after He went to the cross, was buried and then came out of the grave .. glorified.  They needed the filling of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost before they could put it all together. They would see the kingdom of God when it came "with power".  

The Father tells the disciples to "Listen" to the Son. Elijah had come.. and gone.  Moses had come and gone.  But.. Jesus was still there and His Words were life and they needed to listen.  John would later write, "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1) He saw and he heard.. "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth." (v14)  Many years later as he was captive on Patmos, John once again saw Jesus, fully glorified.. "And when I saw Him, I fell at HIs feet as a dead man.. " (Revelation 1:17)  The Kingdom of God came with power and John and the others knew it and proclaimed it the rest of their lives. 

How do we know Jesus?  Do we see Him as He was before or after His death and resurrection?  Are we listening? Are we experiencing Him .. beholding His glory.. His grace.. His truth? 

Father, once again we plead to have our eyes opened and our ears able to hear Your Beloved Son.  Help us to listen !  We ask for Your Kingdom to come "with power"!  We ask that Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.. that we might behold the  glory of Jesus Christ and be filled with all grace and truth in Him..  to the glory of Your Name.  Amen. 

 Mark 8:34-38  It seems that there is a shift in Mark's presentation of Jesus after the proclamation by Peter ...that they believed Him to be the Messiah.  This revelation to the disciples and the rebuke of Peter's reaction to the news that Jesus would die by the hands of the Jewish leaders began a new season of teaching.. beginning with this intense sermon... 

"If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross, and follow Me." (v34) 

Jesus had done miracles, healed many, cast out demons, and fed the hungry.  He had taught about God's kingdom and revealed to them what that Kingdom looked like.  Now, He begins to teach about the deeper truths of Kingdom living.. starting with denying one's-self.  To deny means to disown and forget one's self, to lose sight of your own interests.. to abstain from focus on yourself.  This is a hard word to hear, let alone do.  But, it is necessary, Jesus says, to follow Him. 

Jesus calls His followers to take up a cross.  Those listening to this sermon knew all about crosses.  They knew that it was cruel.. they knew it meant death.. they knew that the worst of criminals ended up on the Roman crosses.  What would it mean to them that Jesus calls them to "take up his cross"?  To willingly chose death? It was incomprehensible.. but Jesus said it was necessary... to follow Him. 

Jesus calls us to "Follow Him".. to join with Him.. to accompany Him on the same road that He walks.  It speaks of a union with Him.. being  on His side.

Jesus goes on to say, "For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's sake shall save it."  Can we save ourselves? We know the answer is "NO".  We can't save ourselves from suffering, from disease, from peril, or from evil.  We need Jesus!   But.. Jesus says.. if we lay down our lives and follow Him.. He will save us.  He is the only One who can. 

"For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? For what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"  This was a startling and powerful teaching.  The people then.. as people do now.. desired to "gain".. to win.. to get more.. to prosper.  It is only when we believe in eternal life.. when we become aware that the choices we make determine our soul's final destination.. do we see the great value of following Jesus, the only WAY to the Kingdom of God... so much more profitable than all the riches of the world. 

Jesus has one more thing to say about this, "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels." 

Our decision to follow Jesus or to reject His salvation... effects all of eternity.  This message is like a laser that goes deep into the heart.. it is a greater challenge.. a powerful call to all who have "ears to hear".  

Father, open our ears.. open our eyes.. let us look to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.  Help us to always choose to follow Jesus.. "no turning back.. no turning back.."  Here's my life, Lord.. "let it be consecrated Lord to Thee."  I deny myself.. I am taking up my cross to follow You wherever You lead me. May it be so.. by the power of the name of  Jesus Christ the Messiah.. Amen. 

 Mark 8:27-33  Jesus and the disciples left Bethsaida and walked north to the area known as Caesarea Phillipi.. about 25 miles.  Along the way Jesus begins to ask the disciples some questions, starting with "Who do people say that I am?" 

The disciples said that people thought He might be John the Baptist or Elijah or some other ancient prophet come back to life.  He was a mystery to most people. They couldn't grasp that God was doing a new thing.. 

Then Jesus asked His disciples, " But who do you say that I am?"  They knew Him better than any of the multitudes..better than His mother and brothers.. better than the religious leaders.  They were with Him in the storm when He calmed the waters and the wind.  They were there when He raised Jairus' daughter from her death bed. They had heard His words and were granted explanations of every parable. They had held the bread and fish that multiplied in their own hands...  If anyone should know Who Jesus was.. it was His disciples. Peter answered, "Thou art the Christ."   The Messiah. The anointed One. The Son of David, the Son of man.. the Son of God. 

Had the conversation stopped there we would have applauded.. but it didn't. 

"And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again." 

Mark tells us that Jesus spoke these words "plainly".   It was not an illustration or parable.  It was not a vision or dream.  It was the plain truth.. and Peter didn't accept it.  He was so upset that he actually took Jesus aside to rebuke Him!  But.. Jesus turned His back on Peter and rebuked him.  "Get behind Me Satan; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's." 

Peter was the first to proclaim the deity of Jesus and the first to come against the reality of what the Messiah came to accomplish. Jesus went from the Person that Peter thought He knew.. to a mysterious God who he didn't know hardly at all. 

Sometimes, God speaks into our hearts and we begin to feel like we are starting to grasp the Truth of Who He is.. and then sometimes He does things that we just can't understand.. It is there between those two conditions that our faith grows... if... we cling to the Truth and Trust in the dark. 

Father in heaven,  Abba, Your Name is holy and worthy of praise and we pray that Your Kingdom will come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. You are our provider, our deliverer, and our protector. We desire to walk in Your Truth and trust You in everything.  Keep us from unbelief.. Keep us from evil. Keep us walking in Your Spirit by faith. May we be committed.. convinced.. courageous .. and faithful to Christ Jesus the Lord today and every day. Fill us Spirit of God we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

 Mark 8:22-26  When Jesus came to Bethsaida some people brought a man to Him who was blind. Again, Jesus took this man aside.. away from the crowds.. to heal him.  

Jesus again uses His own saliva.. like He did to the deaf man...  to touch the man.  Mark tells us that Jesus "spit" on the man's eyes and laid His hands on him.  Then Jesus asked, "Do you see anything?"   The man could see but it was still blurry, " I see men, for I am seeing them like trees, walking about."  Again, Jesus touched the man's eyes and everything became clear. 

The Bible Knowledge Commentary suggests that this miracle illustrates the conversation that Jesus had with His disciples just prior to this. He had asked them, "Do you not yet see or understand?" in verse17 and again in verse 21 He asked, "Do you not yet understand?"  They were beginning to see.. but it was blurry.. they were beginning to understand.. but they didn't have it altogether yet.  Just like me.. 

I want to see Jesus more clearly.  I want the Lord to restore my sight fully so that I can see Him and understand.  Do you?

Jesus sent the man home and told him not to go back into the village. This was a private.. personal encounter between the Son of God and a newly healed individual.  He had a story to tell.. but only after he had gone home and adjusted to this new life..  and took the time to contemplate the One who touched him and made him whole. Perhaps? 

Father,  "Open my eyes that I may see..Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;" the old hymn begins.. "Silently now I wait for Thee, Ready, my God, Thy will to see; Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit Divine." they wrote.  This is our prayer, Lord God.. Bring Your touch upon us not just once.. but again and again so that we can see You clearly and walk in Your ways. In Jesus' name we come. Amen. 

 Mark 8:1-21  In this "desolate" place... somewhere on the coast of the Galilee..  the multitude stayed with Jesus for 3 days.  They had eaten up all the food that they had brought along... and were hungry.. so hungry that Jesus was concerned that they would faint on their way home. Four thousand hungry fainting people..  this is quite a picture that Mark is sharing with us. 

Of course the disciples once again thought in practical terms.."Where will anyone be able to find enough to satisfy these men with bread here in a desolate place?"  How could they forget?! "How many loaves do you have?"  Jesus asked them.  They had 7 loaves and Jesus took those, blessed them, and gave them to the disciples to serve.. "and they served the multitude."  Then they had a few small fish.. which they also served.  "And they ate and were satisfied; and they picked up seven large baskets full of what was left over of the broken pieces." 

Once again Jesus and his disciples get in the boat and travel across the sea, landing in a region called Dalmanutha.  And... here comes the Pharisees to "argue with Him."  This time they wanted a "sign".. They wanted to dictate to God what God should do to prove Himself to them.. "And  sighing deeply in His spirit, He said, 'Why does this generation seek for a sign? Truly I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation."

What an interesting statement!  Jesus had done miracle after miracle.. He had healed the sick and blind and deaf and lame.  He had cast out demons and fed thousands with a few loaves and fishes.  His whole life was a sign of God's power, love, and presence.  He spoke the Word and lived the Truth.. yet they wanted a sign??  Jesus wouldn't play their game.  He simply leaves on the boat.

"Watch out! Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod."  Jesus tells His disciples as they traveled to Bethsaida.  The disciples thought He was talking about bread... because they didn't bring enough with them for dinner!   Jesus must have been a bit frustrated with this group.. "Why do you discuss the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet see or understand? Do you have a hardened heart?" 

Jesus reminded them of the five loaves that fed 5000 and the 7 loaves that fed the 4000.  He asked them a pointed question, " .. how many baskets of broken pieces did you pick up?"   

"Do you not yet understand?"

How often do we find ourselves in the position of the disciples.. not understanding that with Jesus the focus is not on feeding our stomachs.. but feeding our souls.  It's not about signs that we demand.. but about His love and compassion for those who are lost and in need.  How often do I miss the point?  There is nothing that our God cannot do.. there is nothing that He does not see!  He sees the hunger in our bodies and the hunger in our hearts.. and His priority will always be our hearts.. that we would have eyes to see and ears to hear.. Him. 

Father in heaven, open the eyes of my heart that I might see You clearly... That I might know You more and draw closer to Your loving heart.  Let my life be a sanctuary where You reign and Your love abounds more and more. May I seek You with all my heart and find You.. pouring out Your power and love... high and lifted up.. Oh surround us and fill us with Your Spirit today we pray. In Jesus' name. Amen.

 Mark 7:31-37  Jesus and His disciples returned to the Sea of Galilee.. to the "region of Decapolis". Mark paints us a picture of one man brought to Jesus..  and those who brought him "entreated Him to lay His hand upon him."  This picture is so unique that it draws us in and brings  us many questions. 

The man was deaf and had a speech impediment.  We don't see whether this man is young or old.. if he knows who Jesus is.. or even if he had any faith of his own.  We are only told that "they" brought him to Jesus. So.. my first question is, "Why was this man treated so differently than all the others?"

Jesus takes the man "aside from the multitude by himself.. "   Then Jesus does something very unusual.. He put His fingers into the man's ears.. "and after spitting, He touched his tongue with the saliva.."  Then, Jesus looked  "up to heaven with a deep sigh.. "  When He spoke it was one word, "Ephphatha!"  which we are told  means, "Be opened".  

The man was healed immediately and completely. He could hear and he could speak "plainly".  He had a story to tell.. and even though Jesus asked him not to tell anyone, he could not keep it to himself. 

"And they were utterly astonished, saying, 'He has done all things well; He makes even the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak' " 

Jesus could have healed the man with just a word or just a touch.  The man could have touched His robe and been healed. But.. there is something different going on here. Something more that we need to see .. something more we need to know about Jesus.  I imagine most of us have never had anyone put their fingers in our ears.. nor touch our tongues with their spit covered finger.  It is strange.. yet very intimate..  It is personal and yet very powerful.  It was done in private.. but proclaimed very publicly.   Why did Jesus heal this man this way.. and why did He sigh so deeply?  

The Bible Knowledge Commentary gives us one possible answer..  "In healing this man, Jesus used sign language and symbolic acts ( which Mark did not explain) that uniquely suited the man's needs and caused him to exercise faith. Jesus took him aside privately in order to communicate one-to- one.. By touching his ears and tongue, spitting (on the ground) and looking up to heaven, Jesus conveyed what He was going to do. His deep sigh may have reflected compassion for the man but it is likely Jesus' strong emotion as He battled the satanic power that enslaved the suffering man."  The word "Ephphatha" was an Aramaic word that would "easily be lip-read by a deaf person".  

Jesus is so kind. He meets us where we are.. He sees us in our need.  He cares about us as individuals and takes us aside to touch us, to heal us, to comfort us, and to save us.. What a precious picture we have in this scene that Mark has painted for us.  Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Abba Father, hallowed be Your Name.. we are so thankful for the Savior who came to make us whole.. to bring us into Your Kingdom, to be Your children. Thank You for meeting us here.. where we are.. in our need.. in our sin.. in our fears and failures. Thank You for taking us aside and touching us with the Hand of our Precious Lord Jesus.. that we might find deliverance and healing and cleansing.  Let Your will be done in us today.. and in all of the earth.. as it is in heaven. Keep us walking with Jesus in peace today we pray. Amen.