Author: Norm

THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 7:1-5 “Saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed.” (Mark 7:2) Jesus does not teach His disciples to follow religious rituals or traditions. These practices develop over time for a specific religious purpose. Hand washing symbolized the need for forgiveness and the need for spiritual…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 6:53-56 They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed. (Mark 6:56) Can we appreciate how desperate sick people were at that time? No hospitals, medicines or pain-killers, limited understanding of basic healthy living. We take our healthcare for granted, and…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 6:45-52 “After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.” (Mark 6:46) Jesus did not walk on water because of His God-nature. Having emptied Himself of His God-ness, He was human like us (Philippians 2:6-7). Rather, He was human like we were supposed to be, like Adam before sin. God put…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 6:30-44 “Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people.” (Mark 6:41) Jesus uses what He has received, and we can too. What He has is obviously not enough….

THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 6:19-29 “The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her.” (Mark 6:26) As servants of God, we are secure within His purpose and love. But that doesn’t mean we can’t suffer… or die. The Deceiver cannot touch us, but he…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 6:14-20 “When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him.” (Mark 6:20) Something about John – and Jesus – got under Herod’s skin. He was both intrigued and unsettled (puzzled) by them, by their message. He puts John in prison, but continues to enjoy listening to…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 6:6-13 “They went out and preached that people should repent.” (Mark 6:12) Mark uses one word – repent – to summarize their message. That word – metanoia – literally meant ‘to change one’s mind’. Change the way you think about God, yourself, the world, life, sin, etc! ‘Open your mind to God,…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 6:1-6 “He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them.” (Mark 6:5) Imagine a new cure has been discovered for a terrible illness. But some people are skeptical; they refuse the treatment and stay sick. Doctors will not be able to heal…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 5:35-43 “The child is not dead but asleep.” (Mark 5:39) If physical reality is all that exists, then death is just physical too. This is what more and more people seem to believe (atheistic naturalism). And yet belief in spiritual reality does not go away either. We still cling to spiritual ideas…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 5:35-43 “Jesus told him, ‘Don’t be afraid; just believe.’” (Mark 5:36) What does Jesus mean when He says ‘don’t be afraid’? His daughter is dead, his heart is melting in grief and sorrow. I hear Jesus saying ‘don’t give in to your despair, trust me on this one!’ Fear, grief, despair, sorrow,…