Jesus' disciples were constantly tired, anxious and sick. But thankfully instead of criticizing them he brings them to a banquet of grace. Jesus is not only a King but a shepherd that comes to bring us eternal rest.

Herod was a man of great power, wealth and reputation. He had seemingly everything but we see that he was ultimately enslaved to his desires for pleasure. He shows us that sin leads to a life of slavery. John the Baptist was in prison but shows us what a life of gospel freedom looks like. John's death foreshadows Jesus' victory over the grave and a life that is truly fulfilled.

Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:25-34

Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:16-18

Jesus came to this earth not just to be a great teacher, and leader but ultimately the great Healer who has come to bring heaven down and kick hell out. He shows himself to be the great King who can bring us the ultimate healing and meaning we are all longing for.

We are periodically faced with storms in our life. The temptation is to believe that God is asleep during our most trying times. But Jesus teaches us about what it looks like to have faith in midst of the storm. We learn in Mark about the power of Jesus as the King of the Storm and how he brings perfect peace.

We are constantly bombarded with advice, images, and advertisements. We’re constantly drinking in the spirit of our age. But Jesus calls us to drink in the new realities of his word and to live and be transformed by the realities of a new kingdom that has come. Mark 4 teaches us how God can dramatically change, restore and lead us.

Being a follower of Jesus is more than about knowing a whole lot of things about the Bible or going to church on Sunday morning. Jesus says that a genuine mark of a follower is showing mercy to our neighbors in need. The Gospel of God’s radical grace to us motives us to similarly love those in greatest need in our neighborhood and city.

We love following things in great crowds. It’s safe, convenient and requires little commitment. People today also love following Jesus in crowds. But Jesus consistently called people from the crowds to a committed relationship. Today Jesus calls people from an anonymous, solitary relationship to a vibrant community of the King.

We live in an over-worked world of constant pressures to perform. Many of us also see spirituality as another form of work where we try hard to make God accept us. Jesus liberates us from our need to overwork in every area of our lives. He invites us to a true Sabbath, a true rest from all our weariness.