Hope for Today

As followers of Jesus, we are to learn from him and grow more like him. This is discipleship. In this episode, J. Mark takes us through Mark 9:42-50, where we see Jesus lay out the qualities of radical discipleship. We see how when we embrace radical love, radical purity, and radical obedience, we can make a difference in our lives and in the world around us.

In this episode, Bible teacher J. Mark explores the values Jesus taught His disciples in Mark 9:30-41. As Jesus continues preparing the disciples for His coming death and resurrection, He challenges them by emphasizing three values of His kingdom: anonymity, humility, and inclusivity. J. Mark shows how Jesus modeled servant-hearted living as the suffering servant, welcomed the overlooked, and called His followers to work together in unity. This episode encourages believers to seek first the kingdom of God by embracing these values.  

In this episode, J. Mark discusses the four kinds of faith revealed in Mark 9:14-29. Through this account of the demon-possessed boy, we see examples of different kinds of faith coupled with the power of God. Jesus invites us to place our faith in Him, but sometimes our faith is weak. The father of the demon-possessed boy in Mark 9:24 pleads, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” This illustrates how our imperfect faith can be brought to Jesus and we can grow in our faith. Will we continue to have weak or misplaced faith, or will we pursue a seeking and healing faith that reveals our dependence on God?

In this episode, J. Mark continues our study by looking at Mark 9:9-13. Jesus and His disciples descend from the mountain after the Transfiguration, but what began as a glorious mountaintop experience gives way to the reality of suffering, rejection, and the shadow of the cross. In “Shadows of Suffering,” we explore Jesus’ mysterious command to remain silent, and the disciples’ confusion about His coming death and resurrection. J. Mark explores the significance of Elijah and John the Baptist in this account and reminds us that soon the shadows of this life will dispel with Jesus’ return. 

How was Christ unveiled in Mark 9:1-8? In this episode, J. Mark explores the transfiguration—where Jesus’ glory is revealed to the apostles. For a moment, the curtain is pulled back, giving a glimpse of heaven and revealing Christ as He truly is. This powerful encounter left a lasting mark on the disciples and speaks to us today. Join us as we examine three details that deepen our understanding of this pivotal event. 

In this episode, we continue our study in Mark 8:34-38, exploring “The Cost of Discipleship” and what it means to follow Jesus. Building on our previous discussion, J. Mark unpacks the second and third essential actions of discipleship: taking up your cross and following through on your commitment. Jesus calls us to a life of daily surrender: denying self, choosing obedience over comfort, and valuing eternal gain over temporary approval. This episode challenges listeners to examine their walk with Christ and find the joy of a life fully surrendered to Him.

This episode explores the personal question that Jesus asked: “Who do you say I am?” Walking through Mark 8:27-33, J. Mark examines three responses people had to this question: confusion, bold confession, and Jesus’ disapproval. As people throughout history have shaped Jesus into what they want Him to be, this passage calls us back to the truth of who He truly is. How do we answer the question, “Who do you say I am?”

In Mark 8:11-26, Jesus heals a blind man, but not all at once. Why does Jesus heal this man in stages? In this episode, J. Mark explores how this miracle mirrors the journey of our spiritual sight. From blindness to partial blindness to perfect sight, this passage reflects the different responses people have to Jesus and the clear vision He desires to give us all. 

Jesus has compassion on His people. Our Bible teacher, J. Mark, considers Jesus’ feeding of the 4,000 in Mark 8:1-10.  In response to the crowd’s obedience and the disciples’ cooperation, Jesus performed this notable miracle, proving that He could be trusted and that they could put their faith in Him. In this episode, we look at Jesus’ actions and see His care and love for others that reveal Him as “The Benevolent Provider.”