Jeronicus is an inventor whose life collapsed due to betrayal and tragedy. He slips into a life of grief, isolation, and depression and doesn't have much reason to hope. Through the persistent love of a granddaughter, Jeronicus discovers hope and restoration. We all, in some way have been hurt by this world. Sometimes, so much so that we struggle to believe there's a reason to hope. Jesus came to establish a Kingdom that makes wrong things right and brings healing to our hurts.

George Bailey is a good man, doing good things. But being a good person and doing the right thing wears him out. When he gets to a breaking point, he's given a vision of the real impact of his life. That changes his perspective on everything. Likewise, we are created to have a purpose worth living for. We so often go through life exhausted from trying to be good enough. Jesus came to establish a Kingdom that gives us a purpose worth living for, which can change how we see it all.

The Grinch is an unhappy creature, at least in part because he does not have a place in the community or celebration in Whoville. It's not until an unexpected act of kindness that the Grinch finds his place of acceptance, which changes His heart. We all have a deep need to belong... to be loved and welcomed as we are. Jesus came to establish a Kingdom for all people. When we receive His love, our hearts are changed.

In the final scenes in Mark's first part, there is still so much uncertainty about Jesus among the crowds and disciples. He has shattered every expectation and people are still wrestling with what to believe about Him. The miracle of the blind man represents how Jesus is soon going to heal spiritual blindness by revealing His true identity.

As Mark's account gets closer to the full revelation of Jesus' identity, miracles continue to provide insight into His power, authority, and Kingdom vision. This is the first time a non-Jew is the recipient of a miracle, showing that Jesus came to bring His Kingdom for all.

Reflection Questions:
Who do you need to see like Jesus does?
What would it mean if you seized God’s Kingdom?

The religious leaders had established a system to deal with the external problems of sin. But that's not really where sin lives. Jesus came to turn the religious system inside out and deal with sin where it starts--in the heart. We must acknowledge the root of sin within us so that we will see Jesus as the only real solution.

Reflection Questions:
Where do you see an impure heart or sinful decisions in your life?
How does your awareness of sin make you more appreciative of Jesus?

Jesus feeds a crowd and walks on water. He continues to baffle people, even the ones closest to Him. And yet, in these passages Jesus turns His attention to the disciples to help them understand that He is empowering them to do His work. As Jesus brings His disciples into His work, we can see how we are a part of the continuing work of bringing His Kingdom to those around us.

Reflection Questions:
Where is opportunity for you to continue the work of Jesus?
How do you need to depend on the Holy Spirit to do that?

This one story provides two portrayals of faith--a desperate father pleading for his sick girl and a desperate woman trying to find healing from an incurable condition. Both believe that Jesus offers hope and healing. This story shows that He brings even more than expected to those who believe.

In the two scenes in this passage of Scripture, Jesus demonstrates authority over the forces of nature (wind and waves) and the forces of evil. These miracles expand the scope of Jesus' authority, leaving the witnesses of them in reverent fear. No one else has authority like this. And authority like this would be terrible, unless it's possessed by someone perfectly good and loving.

Jesus taught in parables to explain the nature of His Kingdom. In this set of parables, He focuses on the surprising way that His Kingdom starts humble and small (in the dirt) and grows to be great.