THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 2:23-28 “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:27) The phrase ‘son of man’ for the Jews meant God’s promised messiah. Ever since Adam and Eve, humanity has been looking for a ‘hero’. Someone to establish rest, peace, justice, blessing… the good life. God had promised that…
Thirsty for more of Jesus!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 2:18-22 “And no one pours new wine into old wineskins.” (Mark 2:22) Why do I not try to fit my life into the Law of Moses? Because as helpful as it was in its time, we are no longer under that Law. The primary purpose of the Law of Moses was to…
More amazing than we realize!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 2:13-17 “Many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples.” (Mark 2:15) The church is not a gathering of saints, but of sinners that God accepts as saints. What we really have in common in the church is our desperate condition and need for Jesus. It strikes me often…
Who will let them know?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 2:1-12 “The Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” (Mark 2:10) The teachers of the law were partially right, only God can forgive sins… AND… those that God gives the authority to forgive for Him. In Genesis 1, God assigned His authority to Adam and Eve as His appointed rulers….
The Jerusalem God loves!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 122 “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” (Psalm 122:6) When this Psalm was written, the old covenant temple was in Jerusalem. Today, the new covenant temple (believers) are everywhere. “For God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.” (1 Corinthians 3:17) As Jesus followers, our Jerusalem is wherever Jesus followers are. Pray…
Above all else, guard your heart!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Proverbs 4 “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23) The physical heart is central to human health, we need to take good care of it. The spiritual heart is central to human health, we need to take good care of it. Many people are finding…
Which tree am I leaning towards?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Proverbs 3 “Wisdom is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; Those who hold her fast will be blessed.” (Proverbs 3:18) God places two choices before humans, symbolized by the two trees. A choice that leads to life, and a choice that leads to death. Everyday we face the…
Got to tell someone!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 1:40-45 “Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news.” (Mark 1:45) This man disobeyed Jesus, who needed Him to stay quiet so He could get around. Jesus’ command not to share is not for us; we are called to be witnesses (Acts 1:8) Can you blame this man for…
Setting our priorities!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 1:35-39 “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus prayed.” (Mark 1:35) “Let us go… to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also.” (Mark 1:38) As a follower of Jesus, we look to Jesus for guidance in how to live. Here we see Jesus prioritizing His time – His…
Bring them to Jesus (i.e. pray!!!)
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 1:29-34 “The people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed.” (Mark 1:32) As a follower of Jesus, I’ve prayed for sickness and demons. People who deny the spiritual reject both healing and the reality of demons. And yet miracles still occur, and demons still impact our world, believe in or not….