trying to find His way
“‘Follow me,’ Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him.” (Mark 2:14)As a Jesus follower, Jesus has called me to follow Him.To follow means go on the same path as someone.It involves joining, sticking close to, and imitating their way.It was an invitation to become a disciple, to live WITH, LIKE and FOR them….
“The Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” (Mark 2:10)As a Jesus follower, I am thankful for forgiveness.But for me forgiveness means more than just being pardoned.The word for forgiveness speaks of being released, set free.Our problem is not just our guilt, it is our bondage.Think about it, if you pardon a slave,…
“When Jesus saw their faith…” (Mark 2:5)As a Jesus follower, I am aware how my faith affects others.It was the faith of these four friends that helped this man.They helped someone who could not help themselves.They loved their friend, and they were confident Jesus could help.So they carried their friend to Jesus for help.They dug through…
“Jesus was indignant.” (Mark 1:41)As a Jesus follower, I have experienced the compassion of Jesus.What seems odd to me is that the NIV says Jesus was ‘indignant’.All the other translations say ‘moved with compassion’.And that is what the word being translated normally means?I could go down the rabbit trail of bible interpretation.But I will stick with…
The author of this poem un unknown. It was written during WW2, found on the wall of a cellar by a Jew in the Cologne concentration camp. “I believe in the suneven when it is not shiningAnd I believe in love,even when there’s no one there.And I believe in God,even when He is silent.I believe…
“That is why I have come!” (Mark 1:38)As a Jesus follower I value time alone with God and Jesus.I can relate to Jesus seeking solitude very early in the morning.This has been my rhythm for years, not a discipline but a delight.But one danger is that I prefer solitude over crowds. There’s a reason for this.I…
“Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (James 1:26-27)
“I know who you are — the Holy One of God!” (Mark 1:24)As a Jesus follower, I agree with this impure spirit.Jesus is the Holy (set apart like God) One of God.But unlike this impure spirit, this brings me joy.I know what Jesus wants with us, not to destroy us. I do not know what or…
“Proclaiming the good news of God…” (Mark 1:14)As a Jesus follower, I have put my confidence in Jesus’s good news message.We use the word ‘gospel’, but it is another way of saying ‘good news’.The good news of Jesus is the gospel; the gospel is the good news of Jesus.But what is the good news of Jesus,…
“You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:11)As a Jesus follower, I see Jesus as more than just another human.Jesus is fully human like us, and yet there is more going on in Him.I am not referring to His divine origins, but to Who He represents.This brief reading could…