The Messiah had finally come. He was going to deliver Israel from their oppressors. But then this happened.
When he got to Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. (Mark 11:15)
He walked past the Roman soldiers in the streets. He didn’t address the corrupt, anti-god government that ruled the city. He went straight to the temple and cleansed it.
He didn’t seem nearly as bothered by the sin around him as he was with the sin in the lives of his own people. I have to admit, I don’t like that. I wish he would deal with “them” and leave me alone.
“Look at all the bad stuff ‘they’ are doing Lord. Sure, there are things in my heart that could use a little polishing up but I’m not nearly as bad as ‘them.’ Why don’t you start with ‘them’ and once ‘they’ are all straight, then we can work on the things in my life.” Continue reading →
Seeing at a distance a fig tree in leaf, Jesus went to see if perhaps He would find anything on it; and when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!” (Mark 11:13, 14)
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So why does Jesus curse this poor fig tree? It wasn’t even time for it to be producing figs? The first time I read this it seemed like Jesus was acting like a spoiled little boy, mad because he didn’t get what he wanted. It was years before I understood the profound declaration he was making by this act. Continue reading →
When his disciples asked about the meaning of the parable of the sower and the seed Jesus provided a strange and confusing explanation.
“And He was saying to them, “To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God, but those who are outside get everything in parables, so that while seeing, they may see and not perceive, and while hearing, they may hear and not understand, otherwise they might return and be forgiven.” (Mark 4:11, 12)
I ran across a group that, based on this passage, said parables were not meant to be understood. From there they did the traditional cult thing that has been around since the first century “BUT, we have this great insight so let us explain to you what these deep secrets are.”
Well, Jesus did say he didn’t want folks to understand, right? So, maybe these guys are on to something. At least they hope you will think so.
It’s easy for fear to grab your heart when the news is stories about economic collapse, nuclear arms in the hands of nut-case leaders, Iran threatening to annihilate Israel, Russia rebuilding while the US is downsizing. No wonder people love pictures of kittens cuddling dogs and squirrels pushing strollers. In comparison to reality it appears sane and normal.
But look at this surprising thing Jesus said and notice something really interesting:
When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be frightened; those things must take place; but that is not yet the end. (Mark 13:7)
“Those things must take place”. In other words, this is all part of the plan. God is still in control, all this evil is not only under His control but it is a necessary part of His plan. Did you catch that, a necessary part, they must take place, it needs to be this way for His purpose to be fulfilled.
That is great news! It is not the wacky leaders who are in control. All power still belongs to Jesus and He loans it to those He chooses to use to accomplish His purposes. These things “must take place” so these leaders, which seem to be out of control, and their maniacal agendas are just part of His plan.
I don’t have to worry and fret (in fact, doing so won’t change a thing) because this is all part of His pre-determined plan. God is still at the helm, things are under control and He was aware of all “those things” at least 2000 years ago. So take a deep breath, let it out slowly and rest in peace knowing He is still on the throne. I don’t know what my future holds but I know Who holds my future. Therefore, fear has no place because the Peace of God sits enthroned in my heart.
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Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Luke 8:19-21 – Now Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.” He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”
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What kind of son would not even help his family get through the crowd to be able to talk to Him? Sounds pretty rude and inconsiderate, doesn’t it. But this didn’t come as a surprise to the original readers. They knew something that Luke doesn’t record here. We have to go to Mark for the surprising explanation. Continue reading →
Mark 8:5
“How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked.
“Seven,” they replied.
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The need was huge – food for 4000 people. 4000 people! It is easy to skip over the size of the need because we already know what is going to happen. Have you ever tried to feed 40 people? 100? 400? This was 4000? A megachurch potluck but no one brought anything and there is no caterer available.
The disciples had already seen him feed 5000 (see verse 19) but apparently they still had no clue as to what to do (vs. 4). They were focused on what they lacked – food for 4000. Jesus, however, was focused on what they had (vs. 5) and gave thanks for that (vs. 6). Of course, we know what happened after that. Continue reading →
Mark 7:19
…Jesus declared all foods clean.
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I know people who insist on keeping the OT dietary laws, which is fine if you are doing it for health reasons. No doubt we would all be healthier avoiding the stuff God told the Jews to abstain from eating. Unfortunately, some of these do it for religious reasons thinking somehow it is more spiritual or God-pleasing.
Some celebrate the feasts, love to worship on the Sabbath (Saturday) rather than the “first day of the week” when the NT church met (Acts 20:7). Nothing wrong with that, every day belongs to the Lord. And it is especially appropriate for a Jewish believer as a way to celebrate their heritage. But here is where the problem comes in. Continue reading →
Mark 6:20
Herod respected John; and knowing that he was a good and holy man, he protected him. Herod was greatly disturbed whenever he talked with John, but even so, he liked to listen to him.
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Sometimes it makes me nervous when I hear folks say they like to come to church because it makes them “feel good”. Obviously, it makes sense that a believer would feel good when they spend time with God’s people, worship the Lord and sit under the influence of the Word and the Spirit. But I sense from some folks that their experience is more like that of Herod.
They respect and like to be around people who live godly lives. They may even stand up for them and defend them like Herod did. They like to hear the messages, though sometimes what the preacher says can be a little troubling, still they like to listen. Church makes them feel good but it doesn’t make them live good. It has little or no impact on their daily lives. What a dangerous way to live! Continue reading →
“Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?” Mark 5:35
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Can you relate to what this father must have felt when told his daughter was dead? He was so close. In his search he had managed to find Jesus. He had convinced Him to come and rescue her. Hope and help was on its way but Jesus stopped to talk with someone – someone who had cut in line, didn’t wait her turn, had no business pushing in like that – and now his daughter was gone forever.
The woman who caused the fatal delay had been sick twelve years. Couldn’t she have waited one more day, one more hour? Didn’t Jesus realize how serious this was? Couldn’t He have come back to meet this woman? But none of that mattered now. All hope was gone. Nothing more could be done. Even God had failed him.
I’ve been there, perhaps you have, too. I trusted God, counting on His promises. Everything was looking good. I was going to see a miracle! Then, like a storm cloud that passes overhead but leaves no rain behind to satisfy the parched ground, the hope passes you by leaving nothing but shattered faith – and questions. Continue reading →
Mark 4:11, 12
When Jesus’ disciples asked why He spoke in parables to the people instead of clearly telling them His message, He said, “so that, ‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!'”
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Jesus quoted Isaiah 6:9, 10 here and at first I find His answer a bit troubling. I think I would have asked, “Jesus, didn’t you come to reveal God, to turn men from their sins so they could be forgiven?” If we read on, some light is shed on this mystery. Here is what He says in the rest of the chapter and an explanation of what He was saying. Continue reading →
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The Messiah had finally come. He was going to deliver Israel from their oppressors. But then this happened.
“Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?”