In a series about Good News, chapter 14 gives a feeling of bad news. Jesus is approaching His death and starts to feel the pressure and dread of what is about to happen. Jesus changes some of the Passover traditions that the disciples had known for years, to show them that this was not their plan, but God's plan. We also see the woman with the alabaster jar pouring out a significant investment, and she was praised because of her desire to sacrifice to the Lord. 

Mark 13 is filled with prophecy. It can be difficult to determine if those have already been fulfilled, or are yet to come. We try to find the truths that apply to our lives either way. We are called to not get bogged down in predicting the end times, keep spreading the gospel, and be busy with God's work. 

In this chapter we see Jesus addressing questions from religious leaders at the temple. He addresses relationships in Heaven, as well as gives us the two greatest commands: Love God, and Love People. Then we see an example of what it looks like to surrender everything to God. 

The people of Jerusalem missed Jesus because He wasn't who they thought He should be, and the Pharisees missed Jesus because they didn't want to change. Jesus is calling us to not make God in our image, but to allow him to transform us into His. This should cause us to bear fruit, and pray in the power of faith filled-prayer. 

Seek first the Kingdom of God. We get so caught up in things of this world that are so temporary. Our purpose is not to build earthly kingdoms, but God's kingdom. We have to shift our focus from ourselves and what we want here on earth to what is going to last for eternity. 

The unbelievable power of God shown through Jesus should grow our faith and not just for the sake of faith, but to the point of action. Our faith becoming action is a process that begins with understanding His power. Our faith becoming action has benefit not only for us, but can lead to the salvation of others. 

2020 was a difficult year that made it difficult for us to give and receive love. But, we serve a God who loves us more than we could possibly imagine. It is our job to love God and love people because of how He loved us first and sent Jesus to us.

Blessed are the Peacemakers for they will be called Children of God. The coming of Jesus as a baby not only brings us peace, but allows us to share peace with the people we come in contact with. In the midst of chaos, we can be like the eye of the storm, with peace that surpasses understanding guarding our heart and mind. Then, we have to be intentional about doing everything we can to not be divisive, but to maintain peace with those around us. 

Peter wrote that we should have inexpressible joy just because we believe in Christ. Joy is something we have all experienced, but is hard to define. We look at how we can live with the Joy Christ brought us through his birth, and our salvation.