The disciples had a hard time understanding why Jesus had to suffer, die, and come back to life. Their lack of understanding has a lot to teach us about our own lives, especially how we help others.

Jesus met a dad who struggled with his faith. What we learn is that the kingdom of God is not opposed to doubt. It’s opposed to rebellion and pride.

This is a test only.

When the veil is pulled back and we discover the way things really are in this world, we don’t find a magic political formula or a super-power medicine that cures all diseases or an economic theory to make us rich. What we find is a person: Jesus!

Jesus told his apprentices that he had to suffer and die; then he would rise again. He also told them that if they wanted to be like him they would have to pick up their cross. The way to true life may not look like what we expect.

We look back at 2019 as a church family in order to cast a vision for 2020.

God moves in unexpected ways and reveals himself to unexpected people. This happens not only in the ministry of Jesus but also in the Christmas story. We might be surprised by the application for our lives.

Mark highlights the growing conflict between the abundance and compassion of the kingdom of God with the violence and pride of the kingdoms of this world. This conflict is woven even into the Christmas story. 

This passage shows us that God is present in the mess of our real lives. But does God want to be present in our mess, or does he just deal with it because he has to? The story of the Bible answers this question, and it teaches a lot more about what "God with us" means.

The healing of a deaf and mute man doesn’t just have something to teach us about Jesus; it also has something to teach us about what it means to celebrate “God with us” this Christmas. It’s an application that affects how we live our real lives this season.