Author: Norm

THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 9:1-8 “Some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.” (Mark 9:1) The disciples were eager to see the kingdom of God come with power. This is why Peter was so adamant that Jesus the Messiah would not die. But…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 8:34-38 “Whoever wants to be my disciple…” (Mark 8:34) Look at this list, at what Jesus says is involved: do you want this? When I speak with other Christians, I assume that we WANT this. But if they wanted it, we would be pursuing it… right? We wouldn’t wait for it to…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 8:31-33 “He rebuked Peter. ‘Get behind me, Satan!’” (Mark 8:33) God has a purpose for our lives. He gives us everything we need to fulfill that purpose. Satan wants to thwart your purpose any way he can. He will use whatever – even people close to you – to hold you back….

THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 8:27-30 “‘Who do you say I am?’ Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah.’” (Mark 8:29) God had promised for centuries that a Messiah (Lord , Saviour) would come. I can say that for myself, Jesus is my Lord and Saviour. He is my constant Friend, Guide, Leader, Helper, in very real, very…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 8:22-26 “Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes.” (Mark 8:25) Curious, why did this healing need to be a two stage process? We can only guess; my guess is that there was a reason unique to this man. We also know that similar things happen today. Some people are…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 8:14-21 “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.” (Mark 8:15) The disciples are nervous, they forgot to pack food for the journey. They think Jesus’s talk about yeast is His critique of their forgetfulness. Jesus is frustrated because they are being infected by fear and doubt. He’s…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 8:10-13 “Why does this generation ask for a sign?” (Mark 8:12) Jesus’ many miracles did not convince the religious leaders. Because their minds were closed, no signs or reasons will help. Jesus’ proof is not in His miracles, nor in His appeal to science. There is a foolishness, a weakness, to Jesus’…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 8:1-9 “I have compassion for these people…” (Mark 8:2) Matthew tells us this is a second feeding miracle (Matthew 14:15-21; 15:29-31). He also tells us that this occasion was with non-Jews (Matthew 15:21,29-31). Jesus does not view Canaanites as dogs (Mark 7:24-30). The word ‘compassion’ was related to a person’s guts (bowels, inward parts). This…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 7:31-37 Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue.” (Mark 7:33) I don’t know: this what I say when asked, ‘why finger in ear and spit in mouth?’ Aside from being weird and gross, it was also effective, it worked. But I don’t think…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 7:24-30 “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” (Mark 7:27) This hardly seems a Jesus-like thing – or a God-like – thing to say. Calling someone a dog was an ancient insult, before domestication they were considered dirty. It was a common way of…