Category: daily meditations

“Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.” (Mark 4:17)As a Jesus follower, I have experienced the Satan’s ‘scare tactics’.This story about demons and pigs seems really odd.But when I see how the people respond, it makes more sense.These negative spirits delight in promoting crisis and fear.That is what they are doing…

“A man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him.” (Mark 5:1)As a Jesus follower, I have encountered ‘impure spirits’ before.This man had become deranged and violent, out of and beyond control.I have been with people experiencing different, yet similar, ‘spirits’.People screaming, writhing, foaming, harming themselves, violent and uncontrollable. People then did not…

“Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (Mark 4:40)As a Jesus follower, I can imagine Jesus asking me this.I can relate to the disciples: they are drawn to Jesus!And yet they are still afraid, still without faith.If I was in that storm, I would be like the disciples.I am still afraid in…

“When he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.” (Mark 4:34)As a Jesus follower, I need to spend time alone with Jesus.Not as a duty, but because I want to, to help me learn and grow.Despite my years with Jesus, I still not not comprehend His teaching.Thankfully Jesus is committed to helping me, by…

The smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of all garden plants.” (Mark 4:31-32)As a Jesus follower, I am committed to ‘the little way’.Thérèse of Lisieux (1873-1897) was a nun known as ‘la petite Thérèse’.She modelled simplicity and practicality in her spiritual life.Holiness involved small acts of love and service rather than grand gestures.She…

“The seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.” (Mark 4:27)As a Jesus follower, God works in me in ways I do not understand.Someone may ask me how reading the Jesus stories can help me?Or how the message of Jesus can transform me more like Jesus?I will say, as Jesus says in this parable,…

“With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more.” (Mark 4:24)As a Jesus follower, I need to produce measurable results for God.That is, the effect of the seed needs to be visible, not concealed.This section (Mark 4:21-25) continues from what precedes it.Jesus just described the measurable results of those who hear His message.“Some…

“Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop.” (Mark 4:20)As a Jesus follower, I have accepted the message of Jesus.Jesus is the Word of God, God’s Messenger and Message to us (John 1:1)!Jesus is the Message of life, love, grace and truth, in human flesh (John 1:14).What Jesus says and…

“Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” (Mark 4:9)As a follower of Jesus, I need to have ears to hear.This sounds odd; don’t most people have ears that hear?Yes, our ears may hear, but do they actually listen?Anyone who is married or has kids know the difference.We can hear the sound, but do we understand…

“If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” (Mark 3:25)As a Jesus follower, I see divisiveness as a serious concern.From the beginning, the spirit of evil uses division to conquer.Though Adam and Eve were together, the serpent only approaches Eve.When asked about eating, Adam turns on Eve, and Eve blames the serpent.Their children…