Category: Gospels
The evil is inside, hypocrite!
Scripture reading for February 24th: Mark 7:1-23, Psalms 40:11-17, Proverbs 10:13-14
Jesus’ disciples were criticized by the Pharisee’s for eating without washing their hands, according to the traditions of the elders. The Pharisee’s told them that they were “unclean” because of this and defiled. They asked Jesus why His disciples were doing this and Jesus spoke clearly to them about their traditions that were violating the heart of God’s truth.
“Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. They worship Me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.’ You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.” (Mark 7:6-8)
Jesus proceeded to teach the crowd that had gathered that what goes into a man is not what defiles him, but what comes out of the inside that makes him unclean. (Mark 7:15) When someone eats something with unclean hands, that only goes into his stomach and then is eliminated from his body. Things from the outside don’t go into the heart but the stomach. In saying this Jesus was declaring all foods as clean. This was a radical departure from what the Pharisees understood from the Law! (Mark 7:19)
“He went on, “What comes out of a man is what makes him ‘unclean.’ For from within, out of men’s hearts, com evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance, and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man ‘unclean.'” (Mark 7:20-23)
Jesus spelled out what causes defilement. It was not food or failure to wash the hands. It was evil in the heart that came through the lips. Notice how many of God’s commandments are represented here with this list of evils. At least five are covered! Thinking and speaking evil defile a man and render him ‘unclean’ in God’s sight.
There is only one way to be free from this defilement and become clean inside. It is by repentance! We acknowledge the truth that these evil things within us are sin and breaking of God’s laws and that we have done it. We turn from doing those things towards God for mercy and help to escape these thoughts and actions. We use our mouth to ask for mercy and commit to truth! Try it today!
Touching Jesus for healing!
Scripture reading for February 23rd: Mark 6:30-56, Psalms 40:1-10, Proverbs 10:11-12
Mankind is hurting deeply because of sin and it’s consequences. Sin brings a darkness over the soul that clouds life and leaves us restless and dissatisfied. Often, in our search for satisfaction, we selfishly get into bondage and satanic powers enslave us with addictions and fears. Sickness attacks our bodies and suffering marks our lives. Hope is elusive as many of the cures that are promised don’t really fix the problems.
Jesus came into a world just like ours. He saw the hurts and pains and came to help those who were hurting and enslaved. As He preached repentance, He reached out to touch people and bring healing. “When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard He was. And wherever He went–into villages, towns or countryside–they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged Him to let them touch even the edge of His cloak, and all who touched were healed.” (Mark 6:53-56)
Jesus brought real healing and real hope. When people responded in faith, they were healed! When the people recognized that it was Jesus, they responded by running to get the sick and bring them to Him. There was a desire to want to make contact with Him that drove them to desperation. They begged for the opportunity to touch His garment. The record states that “all who touched were healed.”
Jesus Christ is the same today as then. Jesus is still compassionate and looking to heal the sick and deliver the bound. He is available to all who will seek Him out by faith. Those who have repented of their sins and been healed have been given authority to go into all the world with the message of repentance and forgiveness. They are to lay hands on the sick and God works with them to bring healing. (Mark 16:15-17) If you have a need, reach out today and touch the Lord. If you are a disciple of Jesus, reach out today and touch someone in His name that needs healing! God is still healing hurting people!
Multiplying ministry
Scripture reading for February 22nd: Mark 6:1-29, Psalms 39:1-13, Proverbs 10:10
“Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. Calling the Twelve to Him, He sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits.” (Mark 6:6b-7)
Jesus had a plan to take the Gospel of the kingdom to the entire world. He was not in a hurry, but had only a limited time to set this plan in place. After preaching in His home town and seeing few results, He called the Twelve together and organized them into evangelism teams. He knew that two would be more effective than one in this work. Two people have power in prayer and can encourage one another. Two people provide some protection and friendship when hostility arises. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12) This work that they would be engaged in was like warfare against the kingdom of Satan. Jesus gave them authority over these powers of darkness and had demonstrated how to cast them out.
Jesus sent them out two by two and told them to take nothing with them for provision except their staff. This staff represented some protection but also the authority that He had given them. They were to rely on finding people who would welcome them. If no one welcomed them, they were to shake the dust from their feet as a witness against that town. God would provide for them on their mission.(Mark 6:8-11)
“They went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.” (Mark 6:12-13)
The message that these disciples took was a call to repentance. They did not tell people how much their lives would be improved by the kingdom. They did not list benefits and try to sell a product. They called for repentance, a change of mind and actions, from selfishness to humble confession and faith. As they went, they used the authority given them by Jesus to deliver those bound by evil spirits and heal sick people. The simply did what Jesus had taught them to do and God worked with them! Jesus now had multiplied ministry through these men. They would in turn raise up more who would follow Jesus and do the same things! This Jesus’ amazing plan to reach the world and it is still working today! Have you joined His team?
“Don’t be afraid, just believe!”
Scripture reading for February 21st: Mark 5:21-43, Psalms 38:1-22, Proverbs 10:8-9
Jairus was a ruler in the synagogue who came to Jesus for help. His little daughter was sick and dying and he pleaded with Jesus to come and put His hands on her so that she might be healed. Jesus agreed to go with him. (Mark 5:22-23)
A large crowd of people were pressing around them as they moved towards Jairus’ home. A woman from the crowd had been following Jesus. This woman had been sick for years with an issue of blood that no doctors had been able to cure. She had decided that if she could just touch Jesus’ clothes, she would be healed. As she got close enough, she pressed in and touched his garment. Jesus immediately felt power go out of Him and asked who had touched Him. The woman realized that she was healed and confessed that it was she. Jesus told her that her faith had made her whole and free from suffering! This is also good news for us in that we can reach out to touch the Lord ourselves and find healing as well! He is no respecter of persons!
As the woman was healed, servants came and told Jairus that his daughter had died. It would not be necessary to bother Jesus any more. “Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” (Mark 5:36) Jesus knew that faith would bring a victory. He took steps to insure that only people of faith would accompany Him. He took His trusted disciples, Peter, James and John, and sent the others away. As they drew near to the house, people were wailing and mourning. He sought to quiet them by telling them that she was only asleep. They laughed at Him so He put them all out! (Mark 5:37-40) While the child’s mother and father and His disciples looked on, Jesus took the little girl’s hand and spoke with authority commanding her to get up. Immediately, she responded to His command and all were amazed!
The lesson for us is to focus on believing Jesus and fight our fears. It is easy to let the natural view to cloud what God wants to do. Jesus took those with faith in to learn that we can speak with authority and even the dead can be raised if we believe!
Who is this?
Scripture reading for February 20th: Mark 4:26-5:20, Psalms 37:29-40, Proverbs 10:6-7
“A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to His disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey Him!” (Mark 4:37-41)
Jesus and His disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee at night with some other boats. They had just finished a long day of ministry and teaching and Jesus was tired. He fell asleep on a cushion in the back of the boat. A sudden storm broke over the waters and threatened the boat. It so frightened even the seasoned fishermen among them that they woke Jesus up! They had learned that Jesus had authority over many things and could not understand why He was asleep during this crisis that needed someone to be in charge.
Jesus, upon awakening, stood up in the tossing boat and addressed the wind and the waves, commanding them to be quiet. Immediately, it became calm! This dramatic turn of events brought amazement to these terrified disciples. Jesus questioned them about their faith and why they were afraid. They wondered out loud about who this Man was who could speak to wind and wave and they would obey! (Mark 4:41)
Many Christians encounter storms that cause them to be afraid and doubt. They often feel like the Master is sleeping and does not care about them. They try to wake Him up with their prayers of anguish in the midst of the storm. It is never wrong to pray, but why be afraid? Has He not given us faith? And given us authority as well? Faith should move us to take action. If you are in a storm today, take a promise from God’s word and speak it out over your problem. (Mark 11:22-24) Speak with authority and don’t doubt God will back up His word! When we know Who it is that is in our boat, we can stay calm!
Secrets of the kingdom!
Scripture reading for February 19th: Mark 3:31-4:25, Psalms 37:12-28, Proverbs 10:5
“Then Jesus said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” “When He was alone, the Twelve and the others around Him asked Him about the parables. He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been give to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables so that, “they may be ever seeing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven.”
Jesus taught in parables, stories that had hidden meanings for those with spiritual ears and eyes. The parables were simple stories that used common events and characters that would have appealed to the people of that culture and day. Jesus used these stories to hide truth from those who were not ready to hear and to aide those who were ready to learn the secrets of the kingdom of heaven. Not everyone with ears would be able to hear!
What were these secrets of the kingdom that Jesus was revealing to His disciples? This main parable about the sower, the seed, and the soils was a key parable to help understand all parables. The farmer was the Lord and those who worked for Him and the seed was God’s word. The people’s hearts were the soils spoken about here. There were various soils that represented their willingness to receive the word of God.
Jesus taught His disciples that their job was to scatter the seed as the Farmer (God) gave them opportunity. Some of the hearts where the seed fell would be hard and Satan would steal the seed before it could even begin to take root. Other hearts would be shallow, initially receiving the word, but then quickly falling away. Some would appear to have a good crop growing, but weeds representing cares of this life and the chase after riches would choke the good seed and leave no fruit. They were not to be discouraged but to continue on with their job of sowing.
The seed would have the power to bring eternal life in those who opened their hearts. It would be mysterious in the sense that a natural seed grows all by itself and this spiritual seed would work inside the heart and grow as well. (Mark 4:26-29) How is the soil of your heart today? Is the gospel seed producing fruit?
Possessed by Beelzebub!
Scripture reading for February 18th: Mark 3:7-30, Psalms 37:1-11, Proverbs 10:3-4
Jesus called twelve disciples and designated them as apostles. His purpose was for them to experience life in His presence and learn from Him and then to send them out to preach and have authority to drive out demons. (Mark 3:13-14) Jesus wanted His followers to know Him by personal experience and to catch His heart as He preached the good news, healed the sick and cast out demons. (Mark 3:10-12) The good news was that the kingdom of heaven was near and all men should repent. (Mark 1:15) This message was opposed by the kingdom of Satan and his demonic spirits. A war was taking place in the spiritual realm as the King of the kingdom of heaven cast out the demons of the kingdom of Satan.
Jesus’ family heard about all that was happening and they were concerned and came to where Jesus was. A crowd had gathered with many seeking Jesus and the family members said, “He is out of His mind.” (Mark 3:21)They thought Jesus had gone crazy with this preaching and casting out demons.
“The teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebub! By the price of demons He is driving out demons.” (Mark 3:22) Jesus called them together and gave them a parable. “How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand. his end has come.” (Mark 3:23-26) The religious leaders of the day were quick to offer an analysis of Jesus’ method of driving out demons. They accused Jesus of using Satan’s power to drive them out. Jesus gave them a quick lesson on why that was wrong reasoning. The only way to drive out Satan, was to have superior power from God.
Jesus then warned them about their line of reasoning. “I tell you the truth, all sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, he is guilty of eternal sin.” (Mark 3:28-29) Jesus’ power came through the Holy Spirit. To accuse Jesus of using satanic power was blasphemy against the Holy Spirit! They were on dangerous ground of being eternally condemned! This is something to ponder!
The sick need a doctor!
Scripture reading for February 17th: Mark 2:13-3:6, Psalm 36:1-12, Proverbs 10:1-2
I have a brother that is a doctor and I respect doctors and nurses and those of the medical profession. There is much sickness in the world and people are often unable to help themselves to recover. The sicknesses and broken bones and organs require someone with skill and knowledge to bring healing and recovery. Doctors spend years in training and countless hours learning to “practice” medicine. A good doctor must interact with their patients to help them. They must listen to them and find the source of the problem. They must then walk them through the cure and monitor the progress to make sure all is going well. Each body reacts differently to medicines and some adjustments may be needed.
Jesus came to earth as the ultimate “doctor”. He had created man and knew all about the human body, soul, and spirit. He knew that sin had brought sickness and disease. He knew that the kingdom of Satan was behind sickness and death. Jesus specifically targeted those who were “sick”, and went to them with the good news of a cure! “While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” were eating with Him and His disciples, for there were many who followed Him. When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw Him eating with the “sinners” and tax collectors, they asked His disciples: “Why does He eat with tax collectors and “sinners”?” “On hearing this, 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 2:15-17)
Jesus was not being partial or discriminating here. Jesus knew that all men were “sinners” and that none were righteous. Some people saw themselves as righteous and others as “sinners”. These religious people who would not acknowledge their own need would not come to a “doctor” for the healing that they needed. It is our own attitude about our sin that keeps us from finding One who can cure us. We must repent of that attitude in order to find help. Jesus comes to those who are broken and ready to acknowledge their need for healing! Why not take time and talk with Him today? If you are sick with “sin” and have broken God’s laws, repent and believe in Jesus our healer!
“Everyone’s looking for You!”
Scripture reading for February 16th: Mark 1:29-2:12, Psalms 35:17-28, Proverbs 9:13-18
“That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but He would not let the demons speak because they knew who He was.” (Mark 1:32-34) Jesus proclaimed the kingdom of God with power. The proof of this was miracles and deliverance. Jesus worked well after dark healing and delivering many in Capernaum. The whole town gathered at Peter’s mother-in-law’s house to receive healing. Crowds came to get in on what Jesus was saying and doing!
“Very early the next morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for Him, and when they found Him, they proclaimed: “Everyone is looking for You!” (Mark 1:35-37) The secret to Jesus’ power and authority was in prayer. Jesus took time to pray alone, seeking the Father’s will and then doing it. It would have been easy to get caught up in the crowd’s interest and adulation, but Jesus wanted to please His Father first and last!
It would have seemed the perfect opportunity to do more ministry since everyone in Capernaum was looking for Him. This was an evangelist’s dream: A large crowd of hungry people! “Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else–to the nearby villages–so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” (Mark 1:38) Jesus did not let the crowd influence Him from doing what He came to do. He was under orders and moved because of some hidden agenda. He had business to attend to elsewhere. The crowd there had seen enough and there were many others who had not had an opportunity to experience the kingdom of God near to them. Many others were still in bondage to the kingdom of darkness!
The lesson for us today is our need to stay in focus on our mission and the means to do that. We must spend time alone with God in prayer! God has personal instructions for each of us. The crowd isn’t always right and what we did yesterday in that place isn’t necessarily what we should do today. God is looking for you and me today, in the secret place!
Jesus, man with authority!
Scripture reading for February 15th: Mark 1:1-28, Psalm 35:1-16, Proverbs 9:11-12
We know that Jesus was a carpenter’s son but we know little of His life growing up. It was not until his baptism at thirty years of age that we find Him full of the Holy Spirit. He then moved precisely and spoke with great authority because He was led by the Holy Spirit through prayer, obedient to the Father’s will. The Gospel of Mark pictures Jesus as the Servant of God who demonstrated for us a pattern of how we, His followers, are to live out our lives on earth.
“After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” He said, “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!”” (Mark 1:14-15) Jesus seemed to know the time to preach was at hand. He knew where to go and spoke plainly about the kingdom of God. He commanded people to repent and believe the good news of the kingdom now near to them.
“Come, follow Me,” Jesus Said, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Mark 1:17) Jesus called four fishermen to follow and the power of His call caused them to immediately leave their nets. Those who were selected responded quickly. The vision of catching men for God gave enduring purpose to all of life! There was something about this Man that was different!
“They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at His teaching, because He taught them as One who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.” (Mark 1:21-22) Jesus cast out and evil spirit from a man after the evil spirit identified Him as the “Holy One of God”. This impressed the crowd and they marveled about Jesus’ teaching and power!
The pattern for us is already clear. We must listen to Jesus, the King of the Kingdom. We must repent and believe, entering that kingdom for ourselves. We become a child of God and new creation. Then we have opportunity to follow Him and He will make us “fishers of men” for the kingdom of God! The authority and power Jesus walked in becomes ours as well through the gift of the Holy Spirit and faith!