Category Archives: Jesus Christ
the living stone
1 Peter 2:4-10. Peter encouraged the Christians reading his words by comparing them with those who had opportunity to accept Christ, but had rejected him. They had a temple made with dead stones. Christ is the living stone, rejected by … Continue reading
a living hope
1 Peter 1:1-12. Peter writes to Christians who are going through “various trials” which grieve them and threaten to steal their hope. He seeks to encourage them by reminding them of God’s sovereign plan. In the past, they were unsaved. … Continue reading
Posted in atonement, discipleship, Holy Spirit, hope, Jesus Christ, suffering
Tagged 1 Peter 1
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disciples: appointment with Jesus
Mark 16. One must be cautious of commenting on the content of verses 9-20, since it is unclear whether these verses were part of what Mark originally wrote. If we regard verse 8 as the true ending of the Gospel, … Continue reading
Posted in church, discipleship, gospel, Jesus Christ, ministry, missions, witness
Tagged Mark 16
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disciples: absent
Mark 15. The disciples are conspicuously absent from the narrative in this chapter, although they have a prominent place everywhere else. They are not there in this chapter to speak up for Jesus when he is being accused and mocked … Continue reading
Posted in atonement, commitment, deliverance, gospel, Jesus Christ, obedience, plan of God, the cross
Tagged Mark 15
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disciples: found napping
Mark 14. Mark highlights the irony in that Jesus had just warned his disciples to stay awake (13:35, 36) and then follows with several stories that show that they are found napping – literally and figuratively. Significant events are … Continue reading
Posted in commitment, discernment, evangelism, gospel, Jesus Christ, plan of God, witness
Tagged Mark 14
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disciples: fairness and the kingdom
Mark 10. The disciples learn a valuable lesson about the kingdom of God in this chapter: it’s not fair. It’s not fair that God intends marriage to last a lifetime. What if you find that you … Continue reading
Posted in destruction in hell, discipleship, grace, Jesus Christ, kingdom of God, leadership, suffering
Tagged Mark 10
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disciples: no guts, no glory
Mark 8:27-9:50. The disciples learn something about Jesus in the events described in this section. They learn that Jesus is the Christ, and that he is going to come in glory, so people should listen to him above all others. … Continue reading
Posted in church, commitment, courage, discipleship, Jesus Christ, kingdom of God, suffering, the cross
Tagged Mark 8, Mark 9
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disciples: faith overcomes fear
Mark 4:35-5:43. In this group of stories, the disciples learn that Jesus has great power, and that their faith in him should help them to overcome irrational fear. A great windstorm threatens to capsize the boat where … Continue reading
Posted in courage, deliverance, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, peace, resurrection, sleep of death, trust
Tagged Mark 4, Mark 5
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disciples: privy to the secret
Mark 4:1–34 As Jesus taught beside the sea, the crowds pressed in so tightly that He stepped into a boat and used the shoreline as His sanctuary. Outsiders listened to Him speak, but they could not grasp what He … Continue reading
Posted in church, commitment, discipleship, Jesus Christ, kingdom of God, preparation, truth
Tagged Mark 4
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disciples: sick and social outcasts
Mark 2–3 Jesus didn’t only call fishermen. He also called Levi, son of Alphaeus — the man we know as Matthew. A tax collector. A collaborator with Rome. A man the religious elite would have crossed the street to … Continue reading
Posted in church, commitment, evangelism, grace, Jesus Christ, witness
Tagged Mark 2, Mark 3
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Devotions 