THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 3:13-19 “Jesus called to him those He wanted.” (Mark 3:13) Do you remember picking teams as a kid? I never got to be the one picking, and was usually one of the last picked. As captain, Jesus makes some odd picks, at least from a human viewpoint. Peter the big mouth, James…
When the church needs to be silenced!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 3:7-12 “But he gave them strict orders not to tell others about him.” (Mark 3:12) Jesus silences the impure spirits, even though what they say is true. He knows that they are not good press, that they cause more harm than good. They want to whip up the crowds into rebellious frenzy,…
Saved to do good!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 3:1-6 “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil….” (Mark 3:4) Do any of God’s laws prohibit doing good for others? Goodness is God’s original plan, the ‘very good’ of creation restored. (Genesis 1:31) Jesus saves us SO THAT we can live good lives again; with Him, like…
An insight into… me!?
A master we can love!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 123 “As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master…” (Psalm 123:2) In one sense, we are like slaves to God… and yet not. Slaves to humans are usually treated with contempt. But in this psalm, God is not the one who abuses humans. Humans, not God, are the…
At the risk of burnt feet?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Proverbs 6 “Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched?” (Proverbs 6:28) In our sad messed up world, even this needs to be stated. I recall speaking to a woman who had married someone else’s husband. She was in tears because he had subsequently cheated on her. She was…
Listen for the voice of our Discipler!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Proverbs 5 “You will say, “How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction!” (Proverbs 5:12) Wisdom is constantly calling us to stop and think, and to stay away from trouble. Since the words here are written to a young man, the ‘trouble’ is sexual temptation. But the tempting trouble can be anything;…
Sabbath rest in my soul!
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…