Day 19: Mark 12-13

Mark 12:18-27 caused me to wonder, "Why did the Sadducees follow the Law so strictly?" They didn't even believe in the Resurrection! If your observance of such an impossible Law wouldn't make a difference in the end, would you follow it? I can only come up with two options...

#1 Their devotion and admiration of God was so great that they would dedicate their lives to adhering to His commands even though they believed Him to be an impersonal God they would never meet. They would also never know if they had served Him well or not. They would use their existence trying to serve Him with no reward or knowledge of His approval. I guess that would be kinda noble.

#2 They were using the Law to put themselves in places of power to be revered and feared by common people. Note that the Sadducees thought only priests should be able to read and teach the word of God. Essentially, they would use the Law of God to manipulate people.

I'm leaning more towards option #2. I'm sure their may be other options out their, but their altercations with Jesus makes it apparently obvious what their real motives were. They wanted the seat of glory for themselves. They wouldn't even allow the Son to receive more glory than themselves.

How does this impact me? Well I got to thinking about the multitudes of people who get up on Sunday morning for services to check it off their "how to keep yourself holy" list. Or when I read the Bible to check it off my list. Or when I read it and don't let it impact my life. And the various other things we do to make ourselves feel holy or to appease God. If I truly believe that I have this great Salvation and Jesus came to give us life, then why am I tempted to do so many things out of an obligatory response instead of an overflow of my love for my God and Savior? If I believe that my sin is the death of me, then why do I run back to it? It's that nasty old flesh that's why! I'm tempted to try to earn grace through my works of righteousness once I have received it, and tempted to pick up my sin that I was compelled to leave behind when I gained my Salvation. Now isn't that dumber than dumb? If grace is grace then it's grace. And if sin is the death of me then why return to it?

I don't want to be like the Sadducees or the Pharisees, but I have the same sin nature attached to me that they did. Praise God that I also have the Holy Spirit to keep me on the path of Grace. Though I may wander from time to time He is a kind, merciful, and compassionate God to gently lead me back. He is also loving enough to use more forceful methods to lead me back if I don't respond to His gentleness. Thank you God for saving me and sustaining me.

Day 17: Mark 8-9

I have decided to share one thing from each chapter for today.


8:1-13 The Feeding of the Four Thousand



One of the things that I love about this passage is the way the bread is distributed. Awhile back I was struggling with acceptance that without God, I can do nothing. God brought me to this passage and it changed my view of what it means to give and inspired me to write a song about it and it's effect on me. Jesus blessed the 7 loaves and handed them to the disciples to further disperse them to the multitude. The point of emphasis I wish to make is that with whatever we give, we give what we have. If I have not received, I cannot give, but even with what little I may have to give it can feed thousands by the blessing through Christ handing it to me to give to others.



9:42-50 Causing to Sin



I have heard a few different ways to look at this so will share both. I believe both are accurate.

The verse I have focused on is 43-48. While it is obvious that we are to put of the deeds of the flesh I believe another view for us to be careful to not live in is legalism. No, Jesus is not encouraging mutilation as a way to rid you of sin, but just as Wes was sharing yesterday it is what's inside a man that defiles him. So if you think that cutting your hand off will keep you from sin, you will find out the desire is still there after your hand is gone. It is Christ who has circumcised the hearts of those who believe thus cleaning them from the inside, that even their outward may have life to please the Father.



I hope you all be blessed this day and rest in the peace and grace of God. God is awesome.

Day 16: Mark 6-7

In Mark 7:1-22, Jesus confronts the Pharisees yet again with matters of the heart. Jesus is teaching that defilement comes from within a man, not from things on the outside. The Pharisees were so concerned about outward "cleansing"and holding the traditions of the elders, they ended up rejecting the commandments of God.

These men were masters of disguise. They put on a good act and fooled many people, but not Jesus. Jesus confronted them and got down to the depths of these men's hearts. A place that cannot be seen by a mere man. I can't help but to wonder how many of our church goers are masters of disguise as well. Putting on the appearance of one who is born again with the hope to somehow please God, or even fool him for that matter.

There is a washing that these men needed; it wasn't an outward washing, but an inward cleansing that removes sin, not hides it behind the disguise of religion.

Here are some verses for us to chew on:

Proverbs 30:12 - The Pharisees and many church goers today
Psalm 51:2, 7
1Cor 6:11
Eph 5:26
Titus 3:5
Revelation 1:5

Day 15: Mark 4-5

I love the story of the demoniac in Mark 5:1-20. It so wonderfully demonstrates the power of Jesus and the effects of the gospel.

Mark builds up for us just how scary this guys is. He lives among the tombs, running around night and day shrieking and cutting himself. The townspeople were terrified of him and had tried to subdue him, but even chains and irons could not contain him! Luke gives us another detail about this man: for a long time he had not even worn clothes (Luke 8:27).

So Jesus steps out of a boat and immediately runs into a naked, bloody, shrieking demon-possessed man that no one can control or subdue. Does this strike fear into Jesus? Hardly! Rather, the demons are afraid of Jesus! And with but a word from Jesus, this man is set free from the bondage of Satan.

While we certainly look much better than this man on the outside, I see so many parallels between his life and mine today. Before Christ came into my life, I too was caught in the power of sin. I was unable to save myself and was left to suffer the effects of my sin. It worked to destroy me and all the relationships I held dear.

But when Jesus came into my life, He set me free! Just as we later find this same man clothed and calmly sitting in his right mind, Jesus cleanses us and clothes us with His righteousness! He makes past tense of all my sin and gives me peace of mind. And just as he did with this man, He commissions all of His followers to do the same: "Go and tell how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you."

What an incredible privilege to experience His redeeming power and share that story with others!

Day 14: Mark 1-3

Today as we continue our journey through the New Testament, we begin a new book. We see the gospel presented through the eyes of Mark. Chapter 1 begins with the baptism of Jesus by John - signifying the beginning of Jesus' earthly ministry. We see the response of His heavenly Father in verse 11, "And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." Jesus came to fulfill the purpose for which God sent Him. It pleased God to send Jesus to the world to save man from their sins.

Mark 1:23-24 "And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know Thee who Thou art, the Holy One of God."

To get the impact from these verses it is necessary to understand that Jesus came to earth in the weakness of man. Why do you think Mark emphasizes the humanity of Jesus so much? Romans 8:3 says that “God sent His Son in the likeness of sinful flesh.” Again in Philippians 2:7-8 NASB: "He emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." Hebrews 4:15 says that He was tempted “in all points like as we are.” He was subject to the same weakness of flesh. Then in Hebrews 5:8: "Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered. And from His own lips He said, “I can of Mine own self do nothing."

In chapters 2 and 3 we see how the Pharisees respond Jesus. They misunderstand His ministry from the start - their eyes are blinded from the truth of who He is, and what He came to do. They criticize His healing and especially His ability to forgive sin ( 2: 7 ).

In Mark 3: 23 Jesus introduces us to parables. He asks the question: "How can Satan drive out Satan?" This of course is in direct response to the Pharisees accusation of Jesus doing works through the power of Satan. In verses 24 - 25 Jesus says, "If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand."

My final thought is this: The evil spirits saw Jesus as he was, plain as day. They saw him not as a carpenter or a good man or a rabbi but as the Son of the Living God. Humbled in human frame he still was the Messiah and the Son of God. The evil spirits KNEW His power and His authority. They had more discernment than most people around Him.

Day 13: Matthew 27-28

In keeping with my exegetical notes on texts, I thought this might be a good thought.

Read:

Mat 28:18-20 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Notice how the motivation or the motive for the Gospel is clearly given by Jesus: "All authority is given to me in heaven and in earth." What this means is that God has given Jesus a name above every name. God has named Christ to be the "Firstborn" among many brothers (us). He has made Jesus heir of all things. THEREFORE...Go preach the Gospel. Jesus has established His headship over all things in heaven and on earth BY His death on the cross. Note Philippians 2:5-10 in reference here. BECAUSE Jesus humbled himself and became obedient unto death, THEREFORE God has highly exalted Him and given Him a name above every name.

Jesus is simply stating this fact that He is LORD OVER HIS CREATION. His instructions are to go make disciples by preaching the gospel to every creature. It is this gospel preaching that brings men into the kingdom to become submissive to the King of kings. The key I want you to see is that YOU play a MAJOR PART in the exaltation of Jesus Christ, BY PREACHING THE GOSPEL. You are bringing God the glory due to His exalted name when you proclaim the gospel of the glory of Christ.

You may also like to reference Colossians 1:15-20 here as well.

Col 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
Col 1:16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him.
Col 1:17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
Col 1:19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,
Col 1:20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

May God bless you all as you continue to study His word.