Sticks, Stones, & Stealing Satan’s Stuff

Mark 3:20-30:  Jesus & Beelzebub I am not sure if this the origin of the term “demonizing”, but it would make a whole lot of sense if it came from this story.   Jesus, instead of returning venom with venom, kind of teases them with His response, but adds a stiff warning at the end. Now… Continue reading Sticks, Stones, & Stealing Satan’s Stuff

Assembling the Posse – You do the Math

Mark 3:13-19:  The Twelve are Appointed Twelve: We all know the biblical significance of the number 12. Obviously, to the people of Jesus time twelve was representative of twelve tribes of Israel and only added the excitement that God was doing a new thing.  From my limited study, apparently 10 tribes were still considered “lost”… Continue reading Assembling the Posse – You do the Math

Healing of the Man with the Withered Hand

Mark 3:1-6 Healing of the Man with the Withered Hand Let me tell you about my best friend Charlie. I was deep into one of the worst years of my life. Due to an injury, I had lost my long time dream of wrestling in college and had subsequently dropped out of school.  I had… Continue reading Healing of the Man with the Withered Hand

What an Awesome Justice System

Mark 2:23-29 – Sabbath Snacks Another few verses and another “I never noticed” moment.  Like the whole fasting thing, Jesus was not be accused of doing anything wrong.  He was being questioned about the actions of His disciples.  It was His disciples that were feasting when everyone else was fasting … It was His followers… Continue reading What an Awesome Justice System

What an Awesome Justice System

Mark 2:23-29 – Sabbath Snacks Another few verses and another “I never noticed” moment.  Like the whole fasting thing, Jesus was not be accused of doing anything wrong.  He was being questioned about the actions of His disciples.  It was His disciples that were feasting when everyone else was fasting … It was His followers… Continue reading What an Awesome Justice System

This Day Ain’t Big Enough for the Two of Us!

Mark 2:18-22 – Questions About Fasting Do you notice that these guys keeping asking Jesus why?  They are obviously not getting the message that He is ushering in a whole knew way of thinking and living.  Apparently, the Jews still had periods of fasting over calamities in the past like the destruction of the Temple hundreds of… Continue reading This Day Ain’t Big Enough for the Two of Us!

Chillin’ in His Crib

Mark 2:13-17  – Jesus Calls Levi I have to admit that it is still blowing me away that I never noticed this.  I have no idea how many times I have read the gospels and if you count the sermons and discussions about them, one would have thought I would have picked up on such… Continue reading Chillin’ in His Crib

Seriously Man? You Gonna’ Cut My Roof?

Mark 2:1-12 Jesus Heals the Paralytic Let’s set the stage here: Jesus has gone home for the first time since starting his public ministry.  As we saw yesterday, despite trying to keep it under wraps for a little while, the cleansed leper has leaked it to the press and now everybody has heard that Jesus is doing… Continue reading Seriously Man? You Gonna’ Cut My Roof?

Ready or Not

Mark 1:35-45  Healing of the Leper  (Not really the point) I mostly read the English Standard Version. Why? Because I like it. I am beginning to appreciate different translations more and more.  Many will debate the accuracy of this one, the readability of that one, and the intent of another … blah, blah, blah. It… Continue reading Ready or Not

Ready or Not – Facing the Future

Mark 1:35-45  Healing of the Leper  (Not really the point) I mostly read the English Standard Version. Why? Because I like it. I am beginning to appreciate different translations more and more.  Many will debate the accuracy of this one, the readability of that one, and the intent of another … blah, blah, blah. It… Continue reading Ready or Not – Facing the Future