Tag: Jesus

Daily Word

Mark 11

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Reflections on Mark 11 – Jesus is King!  Jesus has been serving behind the scenes, healing, teaching, saving souls, and often telling those whose lives he changed/healed to tell no one.  Now he enters Jerusalem as King, fulfilling the Old Testament prophecy on Zechariah 9:9.  And the people lined the streets, laying their garments and green branches on the road ahead of Him (:8).  And Jesus rode in as the people shouted praises to the one who came in the name of the Lord – Beloved, glory, glory, hallelujah!  Jesus is recognized as Messiah at last!  We celebrate it today as “Palm Sunday”; it falls on the Sunday before Easter.  

Next, some things happen that may seem confusing, but check it out:  Jesus triumphantly enters Jerusalem, then He goes into the Temple and looks around, and leaves (:11).  

The next day He saw a fig tree in full leaf and He was hungry, so He looked for fruit, found none and cursed it (:12-14).  The fig tree is a living metaphor for Israel.  The religious leaders were all dressed up and looked good on the outside, like this fig tree, but on careful inspection they did not bear any fruit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control are the types of fruit mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23).  Therefore, Jesus cursed the tree and it withered from the roots up (:20).  

So, back up again to where Jesus looked around the Temple and left(:11).  Jesus saw what was going on, but did not react at that moment.  Beloved, sometimes you will see a situation that must be dealt with, but wisdom and timing are crucial.  Sometimes it is best to step away and pray.  

The next day, Jesus deals with the corruption in the Temple – driving out those selling animals for sacrifice, knocking over tables, etc. 

Beloved, church is essential, and it should not be run for the profit of thieves.  The Church should unite us to Jesus and one another as one body, His bride, and each of us should be growing the Galatians 5 fruit.  Our church leaders have a great responsibility, and we do too.  Ask yourself how healthy are your roots?  Are you feeling dry?  Are you spending time with the Lord beyond Sunday morning?  Have you fallen away from attending church in person?  Are you reading His Word for yourself?

Daily Word

Mark 10

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Reflections on Mark 10 – Rafiki!  It means friend in Swahili, one of the languages of Africa.   When Jesus says,  “Let the little children come to me; do not hinder them,  for to such belongs the kingdom of God,” :14, I think of the precious children I met in Tanzania.  Their reality is one of poverty far beyond what we know in America, yet they have a pure joy that is utterly magnificent. They sang songs for us, greeting us with a joy that still warms my heart. They receive our simple gifts,  a piece of candy,  a pencil,  a ball, with more gratitude than one can put into words. 

When I return one day, I will bring even more to share. Their joy is what Jesus loves.   Their joy connects me to my Savior in a full and transforming fashion…and just recalling it now draws me back in to the childlike faith Jesus wants for me and you.  

Beloved, can you grab ahold of a verse from chapter 10 and ask Jesus to bring it to life for you? 

Daily Word

Mark 9

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Reflections on Mark 9 – Wow!  Jesus gives us a glimpse of himself as he truly is – radiant and in the company of Elijah and Moses (two of the old testament heroes) .  

Peter, James and John were witnesses to His transfiguration. Sweet Peter didn’t know what to say; it seems like he just wanted to seem useful without understanding how when he offered to build shelters.  And then God’s voice is heard from the cloud,  “This is my beloved Son; listen to him. ” And then the moment was over as Jesus stood with Peter, James and John,  instructing them to stay quiet about these events until He had risen from the dead.

Beloved, can you imagine? Do you imagine?   I encourage you to do so. 

Next,  Jesus heals the boy with the unclean spirit.   The boy’s father asked Jesus to heal his son, and adds ‘if you can’:23.  Jesus calls him out on this to which he responds,  ‘I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief!’ :24.  Isn’t that an encouragement?   I have something I’ve prayed for a very long time, and there is a measure of unbelief,  but Jesus,  I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!  How about you,  Beloved? 

There’s more treasure to uncover.   What spoke to you most in Mark 9? I would love to hear from you. 

Now,  on to Mark 10!

Daily Word

Mark 8

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Reflections on Mark 8 – It’s about so much more than bread.  Jesus performs a similar miracle to the one in Mark 6, by feeding 4,000 men,  plus women and children, with just seven loaves of bread and a few fish.  

After this they get back in the boat,  but the disciples forgot to bring bread and start discussing it, :16.  Jesus is trying to teach them about the leaven of the Pharisees, and they are hung up on bread. They missed the fact that a little with Jesus is more than enough.  And they missed the lesson about being cautious with the Pharisees.  Beloved, what about you?   Does your faith cover the little, practical things in life?   Are you paying attention to any signs of leaven at your church?

Jesus asks the disciples, “Who do people say I am?”  And there were a few theories floating around like John the baptist, Elijah, or a prophet. Then Jesus asks the all important question: “But who do you say I am? ”  

Beloved, that is the question. Who do you say Jesus is? 

Next,  read Mark 9.

Daily Word

Mark 7

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Reflections on Mark 7 – The theme of our chapter is sincerity.  It begins with condemnation against the Pharisees for their legalistic corruption of God’s laws, by putting their tradition of ceremonial (done so that others could see) handwashing over true, loving, God-honoring obedience.  Jesus cares most of all about the condition of one’s heart. If it is reflecting evil, and :21 spells it out, that person has missed the mark.

Verse :24 “Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre.  He didn’t want anyone to know which house he was staying in, but he couldn’t keep it a secret.”  Beloved, Jesus couldn’t keep his presence a secret; may your lesson be that YOU are not to hide Jesus.  If He is truly in your heart, your home and your life, His presence should be evident.  

Scripture goes on to say a woman, whose daughter was demon possessed, found him right away and begged him to cast the demon out.  Jesus asks a question that would not only set her daughter free, but would also create a relationship of faith for this Gentile woman.  Her response has been a power-verse in my life against insecurity… “She replied, ‘That’s true, Lord, bet even the dogs under the table are allowed to eat the scraps from the children’s plates.’” :28  Beloved, this is the kind of faith Jesus will bless!  If you find yourself wrestling with your worth, your significance, or any level of self-loathing,  remember these words.  May you grab onto a crumb and know that it is more than enough.

Then Jesus is asked to heal a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, :32.  He does some odd things, but look closer. Jesus led the man aside, giving him individual attention.  Jesus put his fingers in the man’s ears, touch matters.  Jesus used his own spit, okay gross, but also, saliva has medicinal properties in that it kills germs.  Jesus looked up to heaven, all glory to God.

Beloved, I hope you were blessed by this chapter.  May your heart be pure; may your faith carry you to Jesus, and may you use your god-given abilities to love those He brings to you.

Read Chapter 8.

Daily Word

Mark 6

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Reflections on Mark 6 – Beloved, there is so much to take in! 

First, the people of Jesus’s hometown amaze him, but in a very bad way.  They scoffed at him and dismissed him as merely a carpenter, one of Mary’s kids, :3.  “And he was amazed at their unbelief.” :6  The ministry was soaring. Jesus was teaching from town to town. The disciples were sent out, telling everyone to repent and turn to God.  And they cast out demons, healed many sick people, anointing them with olive oil.  Yet the people in his hometown did not honor him.

Then there is a shift from Jesus’s ministry to the death of John the Baptist.  Beloved, this always breaks my heart, but also reminds me that this life is short, we live in a fallen world and terrible things happen, but heaven is our part two.  Before John’s head was in Herod’s presence, he was in paradise.  He did incredible kingdom work on earth, and what Herodia’s meant for evil was simply promotion day for John the Baptist.

Next, Jesus feeds five thousand with five loaves of bread and two fish.  After, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back in the boat and cross the lake to Bethsaida, while he sent the people home.  Beloved, do you wonder if they asked questions?  Like if we leave you here, how will you get to Bethsaida?  Maybe they should have asked, because when Jesus came walking by on the turbulent water they thought he was a ghost!  (This is one of my heavenly questions, were ghosts so common that this seemed logical to them?)  Jesus sets them at ease with the words, “Don’t be afraid. Take courage! I am here!”  : 50.  Beloved, may these words echo in your heart anytime fear threatens your peace.  

On to chapter 7!

Daily Word

Mark 5

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Reflections on Mark 5 – Faith and authority – Jesus has the authority to deliver those who cannot ask for themselves.  And faith moves Jesus to heal. 

It had been quite a crossing as Jesus and the disciples reached the other shore after the great storm that caused the disciples to fear for their lives in the night.  They arrive in the region of Gadarenes, discovering a demon possessed man right away.  The demons bow before Jesus and speak through the man.  That’s weird, right?  Remember, the demon’s knew exactly who Jesus was long before the people did (see James 2:19).  It’s also interesting that the man wanted to follow Jesus after being delivered from the demons, but the townspeople wanted him to leave.  That is very sad; rejection of Jesus is always very sad. But hope is not lost for them as Jesus tells the man, no, and instructs him to instead stay and share his testimony with everyone.  Scripture records that the people were amazed by his tale of all that Jesus did for him!  Beloved, sharing your testimony is what you are called to do.  Share with others what the Lord has done in and for you.

Jesus travels back across the lake where a great crowd has gathered.  Jairus, the synagogue leader, asks Jesus to heal his sick daughter.  But on the way a great crowd was pressing in on him, and a woman in the crowd thought in her heart… “If I can just touch the hem of his garment, I will be healed,” :29  She reached out in faith and was indeed healed on the spot.  This poor woman had spent everything trying to be healed.  Bleeding meant she was unclean and would not have been allowed into the synagogue, and was a social outcast.  Imagine how her life changed when she was healed, and Jesus stopped everything to ask, “Who touched my robe?” :30  Imagine the courage it took her, this marginalized, suffering, outcast woman to speak up – Scripture records she came forward, frightened and bowing down to Jesus.  And He responded to her with the most beautiful, life affirming words before everyone in the crowd.

Beloved, we’ve read who Jesus was to the demon possessed man, to Jairus and his daughter, and to the woman who touched His garment.  Who is Jesus to you?

Read Mark Chapter 6.

Daily Word

Mark 4

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Reflections on Chapter 4 – Jesus taught by telling stories in the form of parables.  Four are recorded here, and then a life application is presented. 

The first one, the parable of the farmer scattering seed, is one I have spent some time with.  I first asked Jesus into my heart around the age of 6… a neighbor shared the Good News to the best of her 8 year old ability.  Unfortunately, there was no further foundation for that faith, no one I knew went to church or could help me grow, and it was as if that seed were picked up by birds and carried away, :4.  In high school, I answered an altar call and began attending church regularly for a period, but adulthood came with so many temptations and distractions that my faith went dormant for many years, :7.  Then in 2004, I was a hair away dismissing my faith all together, when I decided to settle the matter once and for good.  I began investigating Christianity, Jesus and the Bible with all the skepticism and hardness of heart I had developed over the years.  Jesus dealt with me brilliantly!  He put people and conversations and books in my path… this time, my seed landed on fertile soil and I’ve been learning and sharing ever since!  Hallelujah!  

Beloved, I share this to say, it is not too late to revive your faith, dry spells, bad foundations, guilt, shame, arrogance and anything else that has kept you at arms length can be confessed right now.  Jesus is waiting for you with patience and mercy.  He knows all about your hurts and He knows you are thirsty. 

Jesus explains His purpose in speaking through parables in :11-12.  He could easily override our freewill with His divine nature, forcing people to believe.  True belief lies in the heart of the individual.  Jesus is a respecter of persons; no one in hell will be surprised to be there… though it breaks my heart to say that.

Our chapter has three other parables, which spoke to you the greatest?  Which one are you going to share with someone today?

In verses :35-41, a true life application comes to the disciples.  Jesus suggests that they cross the lake, and goes to sleep at the back of the boat.  As they are sailing a fierce storm comes up and they (the disciples) are terrified for their lives.  They wake Jesus, and the way it plays out is quite telling of their faith.  This is to grow them, not to shame them.  Beloved, may all of your, “I should have’s” grow and mature you for the life that lies ahead.

Read chapter 5 for tomorrow.

Daily Word

Mark 3

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Reflections on Mark 3 – Oh tragedy, the religious have lost their way! Religion is such a foul word to most believers. In Mark 3 we begin to see where it missed the mark in Jesus’s day.  

Mark 3 begins with Jesus entering the synagogue and discovering a man with a shriveled hand.  

Beloved,  notice how Jesus goes straight to the impossible.   Are there areas of your life that are impossible, but for Jesus?

In :2, we see the religious men are watching Jesus to see if they can accuse him.   According to their religious interpretation, healing on the Sabbath was considered working and therefore, illegal. Fortunately, our Jesus does not hold such a legalistic view of His own Word. Jesus is all about restoration, mercy, grace and love.   The fact that those entrusted to represent the Word of God were anything but angered Him,  :5.  Jesus told the man to stretch out his hand. 

Beloved,  this is where our part comes in. The man might have told Jesus he couldn’t because his hand was shriveled, but instead he did the impossible, trusting if Jesus told him to stretch it out that he would be able to. The impossible is possible with Jesus. Can you think of any areas of your life where you are holding back? Do you have excuses why Jesus can’t heal things because….

In verse :7-10 we see a problem developing as people from everywhere heard about the healings and wanted their own to the point where Jesus had a boat ready, lest the crowd crush Him.   People pushed in for healing without care for who Jesus was or what he came to do. 

Beloved, soul’s are eternal, infirmities are not. Many more incredible things happen in our chapter.   What was your favorite?  Were any hard to wrap your head around?   It’s okay to have questions, but pursue answers, always remembering that God is good. 

Enjoy chapter 4 next.

Daily Word

Mark 2

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Reflections on Mark 2 – Did you imagine it?  As you read about the paralyzed man being lowered by his friends before Jesus,  did you try to picture it?  

Beloved,  would you could lower someone into Jesus’s presence for healing? What if you were the one with the need?   Who cares so much about you they keep you close to Jesus? Do try to keep your needs to yourself? 

What do you think the outcome would have been for this paralytic man if he would have told his friends to stop?  It’s too embarrassing. It would be rude to tear up the roof.  

May I propose that none of us are very different?   We all fall short; we all need each others to stay on the narrow path,  and we all need Jesus.

In verse :16, judgement enters the scene as the Pharisees and scribes notice Jesus keeps company with tax collectors and sinners. He responds without being asked, saying it’s not the healthy who need a doctor,  but the sick. 

Beloved,  don’t you love that? Hypocrisy is ugly.   Knowing one is unworthy is a terrible way to go through life, and even worse when those in power won’t let the person live it down.   Jesus changed everything. 

Finally,  Jesus confronts legalism.   Pharisees loved legalism,  and Jesus points out that the law was not meant to matter more than people.

Beloved,  what else in these verses refreshed your love for our Savior? Take some time with that,  then read Mark 3.💕