Devoted to Scripture

https://netbible.org/bible/Mark+6-7/

This is day 284 of our journey.

In Mark 6, we read about the growing speculation and confusion of the people as to who Jesus was.  When Jesus visited his hometown, the people did not believe in his power because they had watched him grow up.  Other people figured that he was Elijah, or John the Baptist, or some other prophet.  But still, they flocked to him in order to hear his teaching and to have their diseases healed.  Even when Jesus attempts to take his disciples to a quiet place to rest after ministry, they are overwhelmed with a great crowd of people; Jesus has compassion on them, healing them, teaching them, and then providing food for them.

In Mark 7 Jesus speaks out against the Pharisees for their hypocrisy.  They focus on human tradition rather than the Law of the Lord and the needs of people.  They focus on a clean outside when they should be working to be clean on the inside.  The people continue to be astonished at his teaching and his healing power.  "He has done everything well!"

Join me in Mark 6-7 as Jesus responds with love and truth to those that come to him.

Key verses:

Mark 6:34

As Jesus came ashore he saw the large crowd and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he taught them many things.  

Mark 7:13

Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like this.”  

Mark 7:37

People were completely astounded and said, “He has done everything well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

https://netbible.org/bible/Mark+4-5/

This is day 283 of our journey.

One of the hallmarks of Jesus ministry is the parables that he used to teach the people.  In Mark 4, we read many of these parables.  This style of teaching uses common and well-understood visual imagery to tell a story that explains a deeper concept.  Parables require the listener to apply extra effort to truly understand but, once that effort is applied, they allow new and difficult concepts to be more fully grasped.  Mark 5 touches on another main aspect of Jesus' ministry, his healing power.  Jesus heals a demon possessed man, causing a vicious strong man to become gentle and stable.  This man desires to follow Jesus, but Jesus tells him that he needs to return to his own community and tell his family and friends what the Lord has done for him.  This is a contrast to the next healing that takes place.  Jesus raises a young girl from the dead, but then tells them NOT to let anyone know about it.  Jesus recognized that an early pronouncement of him as Messiah would be misunderstood by the people.  He wanted them to know the truth of his ministry firsthand.

Join me in Mark 4-5 for the teachings and the power of Jesus!

Key verses:

Mark 4:34

He did not speak to them without a parable. But privately he explained everything to his own disciples.  

Mark 5:19

But Jesus did not permit him to do so. Instead, he said to him, “Go to your home and to your people and tell them what the Lord has done for you, that he had mercy on you.”  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

https://netbible.org/bible/Mark+1-3/

This is day 282 of our journey.

Today we begin Mark's account of the life of Jesus.  Mark's gospel skips over the birth and early life of Jesus, instead beginning with a brief account of Jesus' baptism and temptation.  Mark places an emphasis on the power of Jesus to perform miracles.  The crowds are amazed at Jesus' teaching because of the authority and power that come along with it.  In Mark 2, Jesus has his first interaction with the religious leaders.  He forgives the sin of a paralytic, eats dinner with sinners, and he heals a man on the Sabbath.  When confronted by the Pharisees, Jesus is able to answer with truth and integrity.  The Pharisees begin, from this moment, to plot his assassination.  Meanwhile, the crowds of people that are following Jesus are growing bigger and bigger as everyone wants to be touched and healed by Jesus.

Join me in Mark 1-3 to see the compassion of the Son of Man on all people.

Key verses:

Mark 1:27

They were all amazed so that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He even commands the unclean spirits and they obey him.”  

Mark 2:10-11

But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,” – he said to the paralytic –  “I tell you, stand up, take your stretcher, and go home.”  

Mark 3:10

For he had healed many, so that all who were afflicted with diseases pressed toward him in order to touch him.  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

Check out these links for more thoughts on the topic:

https://thebibleproject.com/explore/Mark/

https://netbible.org/bible/Matthew+27-28/

This is day 281 of our journey.

Matthew 27 tells the account of Jesus' crucifixion.  He is taken before Pilate, the governor, and while Pilate can find nothing deserving punishment in Jesus, the crowds demand his execution and Pilate gives in to them.  Jesus is beaten and mocked and hung on the cross to die.  The Son of God suffered in agony on that cross.  But, at his death, the temple curtain, separating man from God, was torn in two!  Because of his sacrifice, we are no longer condemned to live our lives apart from God!  Three days later, Matthew 28 records the account of Jesus resurrection from the dead!  Jesus defeated death!  He appeared to his disciples and left them with the command to continue to spread his teachings to people throughout the earth.  Best of all, he promised that he would always be with them!

Join me in Matthew 27-28 to grieve at Jesus' death, but rejoice at his resurrection and the new life it brings to us!

Key verses:

Matthew 27:51

Just then the temple curtain was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks were split apart.  

Matthew 28:19-20

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

https://netbible.org/bible/Matthew+25-26/

This is day 280 of our journey.

In Matthew 25, we read Jesus' final teaching before his death.  He tells his disciples (and ultimately, modern followers of Christ as well) to be prepared and to watch faithfully for his return.  He tells us that while we wait we are to use the gifts he has given us to further his kingdom.  And he tells us that we will be rewarded for the compassion we show to those who are weak and needy around us.  In Matthew 26, the plot to have Jesus arrested moves forward; Judas agrees to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver! In the meantime, Jesus eats the Passover meal with his disciples for the last time and again warns them of his coming death and the persecution that will come on them.  Then, Jesus prays to God, submitting his will to the will of the Father.  Matthew 26 ends with the arrest, trial, and condemnation of Jesus.

Join me in Matthew 25-26 wait faithfully for the return of the King!

Key verses:

Matthew 25:21

His master answered, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful in a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’  

Matthew 26:39

Going a little farther, he threw himself down with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if possible, let this cup pass from me! Yet not what I will, but what you will.”  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

https://netbible.org/bible/Matthew+23-24/

This is day 279 of our journey.

Matthew 23 is an outcry against the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees.  These men are hypocrites, they teach the law, but they do not live the things they are teaching.  By their actions they are causing others to be excluded from the kingdom of God.  In Matthew 24, Jesus speaks about the end of the world.  He warns of the signs of his coming return and the things that must happen before he returns.  When he does return, those that are found faithfully doing His work will be rewarded, while those found seeking their own gain will be destroyed.

Join me in Matthew 23-24 live faithfully until the Lord's return!

Key verses:

Matthew 23:12

And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.  

Matthew 24:31

And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet blast, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

https://netbible.org/bible/Matthew+21-22/

This is day 278 of our journey.

Today, we will read the account of Matthew retelling the events as Jesus begins the final week of his life.  Jesus continues to fulfill prophecy by entering Jerusalem riding on a donkey.  When he gets to Jerusalem, he begins to push hard against the religious leaders of the day.  He enters the temple and throws out those who are buying and selling in the temple.  When questioned by the chief priests, Jesus tells parables to them about two sons, about tenants, and about a wedding feast.  Each of these parables speaks against the religious leaders as their hypocrisy and wickedness is revealed.  The leaders realize that Jesus is openly proclaiming their corruption and begin to plot against him.  They first come to Jesus with questions regarding Roman law and the Scriptures, attempting to trap the Lord into saying something against Caesar or against Scripture.  But, Jesus is wiser than they are and is able to answer each question and to turn it into an opportunity to teach the people and condemn the religious leaders.

Join me in Matthew 21-22 as Jesus begins to move toward the cross.

Key verses:

Matthew 21:5

 “Tell the people of Zion, ‘Look, your king is coming to you, unassuming and seated on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”  

Matthew 22:37

Jesus said to him, “‘Love  the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

https://netbible.org/bible/Matthew+18-20/

This is day 277 of our journey.

Jesus continues to contradict traditional thinking with a true interpretation of Scripture.  "The greatest in the kingdom must become like a little child." "It is impossible for a rich man to enter the kingdom of Heaven."  "If you want to be great, become a servant!"  Jesus outwits the teachers of the law again by answering a question about divorce in a way that is not only honest and true, but also cannot be used against him.  Jesus later compares those who would follow him to workers in a field and assures us that all will receive an equal share in the kingdom of heaven, God is generous and chooses to reward the one who works for a lifetime the same as the one who comes to him late in life.

Join me in Matthew 18-20 and listen to the life-giving truths of the kingdom!

Key verses:

Matthew 18:14

In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that one of these little ones be lost.  

Matthew 19:29

And whoever has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.  

Matthew 20:28

just as the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

https://netbible.org/bible/Matthew+15-17/

This is day 276 of our journey.

In our reading today, Jesus ministry begins to turn toward his final goal.  In chapter 15, he speaks against the traditions that men have established that are contrary to the commands and desires of the Lord.  In chapter 16, Peter declares that, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."  This moment marks the ultimate turn in his ministry; from this point forward, Jesus begins to teach much more plainly to the disciples, warning them of his coming death and resurrection.  Chapter 17 tells of Jesus' transfiguration; his full glory is revealed to Peter, James, and John.

Join me in Matthew 15-17 to see the glory of Jesus and hear his call to faithfulness.

Key verses:

Matthew 15:31

As a result, the crowd was amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled healthy, the lame walking, and the blind seeing, and they praised the God of Israel.  

Matthew 16:24

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.  

Matthew 17:20

He told them, “It was because of your little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; nothing will be impossible for you.”  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

https://netbible.org/bible/Matthew+13-14/

This is day 275 of our journey.

In Matthew 13, we see the crowds continuing to follow Jesus in order to listen to his teaching.  Jesus teaches them using parables.  Time and again he compares the life of the follower to everyday activities.  Then, in private, he explains the parables to his disciples so that they can fully understand him.  Matthew 14 gives two familiar stories that display Jesus' power over nature.  The chapter begins with a retelling of the execution of John the Baptist.  Jesus responds to this news by seeking a solitary place, but when the people hear that Jesus is near, they follow him.  Jesus teaches a crowd of over 5000 men, then, when evening comes, rather than sending them home, Jesus miraculously provides them with food.  After they have eaten, Jesus sends them away and finally gets that quiet moment of solitude he wanted.  Jesus' disciples have gone ahead of Jesus in their boat and Jesus shows his power once again as he walks out to them on top of the water.

Join me in Matthew 13-14 for Jesus' teaching and power.

Key verses:

Matthew 13:35

This fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet: “I will open my mouth in parables, I will announce what has been hidden from the foundation of the world.”

Matthew 14:23

And after he sent the crowds away, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.  

All Scriptures are from the NET.