The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.”

Mark 8:1-26

The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” Mark 8:11-12

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 8:1-26.  Excerpts from the commentary's second (of four) division (vv11-13):

• For the second division, the title is: "Unbelievers Will Demand a Sign but Reject One."
• "They ask for “a sign from heaven,” something that would demonstrate what He is doing, something they amazingly do not deny is truly of God. Their motive was “to test Him.” Their goal is again to discredit Him before the people, not to test Him with a view of authenticating His ministry. It is one thing to put the Lord to a test in faith. It is another thing to test Him in unbelief." 
• "For the second time in two chapters, our Lord “sighs” with deep emotion. This time His anguish was directed at minds that refused the evidence, hearts that remained hard, eyes that refused to see, and ears that refused to hear (cf. 8:17-18). In effect He said, 'You want a sign? Read the Scriptures! Listen to My words. See what I do!....If you cannot see God at work in Me, no evidence will convince you otherwise. Your demand is just an expression of unbelief. I will not play your evil and wicked game.'" 
• "These religious zealots were physically so close to our Lord, but they had never been further away where it really mattered: in their hearts. They have lost Him. Not long from now they will crucify Him. Unbelief is evil and tragic when it says no to the gospel and God’s Son."

It is tragic when we encounter unbelief as the ultimate consequences are eternal for the unbeliever.  At the same time, only God knows when such unbelief (or doubt) is temporary.  God could be working in an unbeliever's heart and have a plan to soften the heart and bring this person to faith.  Jude 22-23 shares how we are to show mercy to those who doubt. We should have discernment about doubt vs disbelief - see this post from DesiringGod.com for a good perspective.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that loves and is full of mercy....thank You Jesus for the mercies You have poured out on me when I doubt.  I am not deserving of such mercies...my sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

And having blessed them, he said that these also should be set before them. And they ate and were satisfied. And they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. And there were about four thousand people.

Mark 8:1-26

And having blessed them, he said that these also should be set before them. And they ate and were satisfied. And they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. And there were about four thousand people. Mark 8:7b-9

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 8:1-26.  Excerpts from the commentary's introduction for the entirety of the text and for the first (of four) division (vv1-10):

• The title for this chapter of the commentary is "Sometimes We Just Don't Get It," and the main idea for the entirety of the text is "Jesus has the power to overcome our spiritual blindness and open our eyes that we may see."
• "Remembering what we have seen our Lord do in the past should help us trust Him in the present. Unfortunately, we are sometimes forgetful and even hard-hearted (8:17). In spite of seeing the Lord work in our past, we are not sure He can handle our present. We just don’t get it."
• For the first division, the title is: "Jesus Always Has a Plan, but We May Only See a Problem."
• "Once again Jesus involves His disciples in the problem. This is another teachable moment. So He calls them to Himself (v1), shares His heart (v2), and explains the situation (vv2-3). The Twelve respond with a question. It is not one of unbelief as much as it is of their bad location and lack of resources (v4). The implication is, “We can do nothing. What then will You do? Jesus, You are the only hope!” Good!"
• "Twice He has taught the people to thank God for their daily provision and to trust Him as their sole and sufficient resource to give them what they need."

The commentary also emphasizes how repetition is often needed to reinforce an important lesson. In Mark 6 we see Jesus feeding the five thousand, and here in chapter 8 Jesus feeds the four thousand.  The lesson of course is how all good and perfect gifts come from above (James 1:17) and how Jesus provides for all of our needs - apart from God we can do nothing (John 15:5).  We should always be thankful for how God provides, not take it for granted how God gives us the breath of life, etc. See also this post from a study in Leviticus. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an incredible God who loves, saves, provides, etc.  Thank You for pulling me out of the pit of sin and saving me - while still an enemy and hostile to You.  Incredible!  I am not deserving...my sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember?

Mark 8:1-26

And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? Mark 8:17-18

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 8:1-26, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary. Observations of the text based on the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: Crowds gathered everywhere God - v2 - and He had compassion on them, seeking to not just teach and meet their spiritual needs, but also their physical needs. Yet there are those who's hearts remain hardened and fail to understand - it is God alone who softens hearts and brings about an understand of who Jesus is.  See also v12 where Jesus shares how "no sign will be given to this generation" in response to the Pharisees - they had no faith.  This is in contrast to those who demonstrated desperate faith (hunger and thirst). Jesus seeks those who have faith.  Jesus warns us of the influences of those without faith - v15.  
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: Jesus seeks desperate faith from us - that all things are possible - Philippians 4:13.  We are often worried or have doubts (see v4,16) that Jesus can do what He says - we can take comfort in knowing that "all of God's promises find their yes in Jesus (2 Corinthians 1:20).  People often see Jesus as a vending machine - that He has done something and they seek for Him to do it again - this is not faith in Jesus.  Alternatively, Jesus wants those who are truly seeking a healing to come to Him (v22).    
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We must avoid seeking to test God as the Pharisees in v11 (see also Deuteronomy 6:16, Matthew 4:7, Luke 4:12).  We must also remember what God has done - see v18.  Believers all have testimony where they can share at any given moment what He has done in their lives and in those around them - see also Acts 4:20.  We should have desperate faith such as those whom Jesus has healed. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and never stops working for me - You reached down into the pit and saved me - while still an enemy and hostile to You.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

Mark 7:24-37

And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” Mark 7:37

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 7:24-37.  Excerpts from the commentary's second (of two) division (vv31-37):

• For the first division, the title is: "Jesus Is the Savior Who Does All Things Well."
• "Perhaps this particular miracle had special significance to Peter, the eyewitness source for much of Mark’s Gospel, because he saw it as a physical parallel to his own spiritual experience. I can identify with that!" 
• "As Jesus looked up to heaven, first He sighed. I believe this is an expression of our Lord’s love and compassion for this man and also His great grief over the fall of man and the terrible consequences of sin. It is the sigh of God over a broken creation." 
• "Mark’s conclusion has deep theological significance. “He has done everything well (good)” echoes creation and God’s work in Genesis 1–2. “He even makes deaf people hear, and people unable to speak, talk” recalls Isaiah, who wrote that when the Messiah comes, “the eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then the lame man will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will sing for joy, for waters will gush in the wilderness, and streams in the desert” (Isaiah 35:5-6). 
• Quoting yet another commentary - from Sinclair Ferguson - the commentary shares: "Jesus takes the man aside. His attention is personal and compassionate. Entering the man’s world, our Lord uses sign language....'The man could not hear Jesus and he was also incapable of verbal communication. So Jesus “spoke” to him in the language he could understand—sign-language. The fingers placed in his ears and then removed meant, “I am going to remove the blockage in your hearing.” The spitting and the touching of the man’s tongue meant, “I am going to remove the blockage in your mouth.” The glance up to heaven meant, “It is God alone who is able to do this for you.” Jesus wanted the man to understand that it was not magic but God’s grace that healed him.' 
• Quoting yet another commentary - from James Edwards - the commentary shares: "[t]he allusion of Isaiah 35 is of supreme significance for Mark’s presentation of Jesus, not only because the restoration of speech signals the eschatological arrival of the Day of the Lord but also because the desert wastelands of Lebanon (Isaiah 35:2) will receive the joy of God. The regions of Tyre and Sidon are, of course, precisely the Lebanon of Isaiah 35. Jesus’ healing . . . in the Decapolis becomes the first fruit of the fulfillment of Isaiah 35:10, that Gentile Lebanon will join “the ransom of the Lord [and] enter Zion with singing”! Salvation thus comes to the Gentile world in Jesus, who is God’s eschatological redeemer from Zion."

Once again, we have scripture that describes how Jesus fulfills Old Testament prophecy - on multiple levels. He meets us where we are and heals.  He DOES do all things well because He works in all of the details - not just healing and saving but doing so in a way that it becomes clear that He is God.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that exists in all details and does all things well so that we can see You in all....You are so full of love and compassion that even while I was still an enemy and hostile to You, You saved me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and compassion.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

And from there he arose and went away to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered a house and did not want anyone to know, yet he could not be hidden.

Mark 7:24-37

And from there he arose and went away to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered a house and did not want anyone to know, yet he could not be hidden. Mark 7:24

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 7:24-37.  Excerpts from the commentary's introduction to the entirety of the text and for the first (of two) division (vv24-30):

• The title for the commentary's chapter: "Jesus Christ: The God Who Astonishes."  The main idea is "[n]o one is so unworthy that they cannot receive the blessing of Jesus Christ."  
•  "Mark sets side by side two healing miracles that take place in pagan, Gentile territory. One is the healing of a demon-possessed little girl (vv24-30). The other is the healing of a deaf man with a speech impediment (vv31-37). Both demonstrate that God’s kingdom has come and that Jesus is God’s man for all peoples. Contrary to religious and racial bigots, no one is so unclean that they cannot receive the blessing and the touch of Jesus Christ—the God who astonishes (v37)."
• For the first division, the title is: "Jesus Is the Savior Who Cannot Be Hidden."
• "Our Lord knew that His Father had mapped out His life from beginning to end. It would involve days of happiness as well as times of trial and opposition, pressure and disappointment. Jesus has just engaged the Pharisees in a heated discussion over religion versus the gospel (vv1-23). Things are building to an inevitable showdown that will result in His crucifixion. However, it is not yet the appointed time." 
• Jesus went to Phoenicia to get rest and to escape notice.  But not in v24 how He could not be hidden. 
•  We should note how "[a]s best we can tell, this is the only time Jesus ventured beyond the borders of Israel. Further, Tyre and Sidon were inhabited by pagan Gentiles, and the region had a long history of opposition to Israel. This had been the home of Jezebel (1 Kings 16:31-32). Both Ezekiel (ch. 26) and Zechariah (ch. 9) prophesied against her."
• "Jesus goes there and graciously expands the scope and reach of the Messiah beyond what Israel expected. Unfortunately, like Jonah, too many Jews of that day could not imagine that God would extend His salvation beyond the borders of Israel...This Savior is not for just one nation. He is for all nations, and we should be as well." 
• "A pagan, Gentile woman could not have been further from “the citizenship of Israel” (Ephesians 2:12). No doubt she knew how socially unacceptable it was for her to approach a Jewish rabbi on any level. Yet she “kept on asking” Jesus “to drive the demon out of her daughter.” She came boldly but humbly (“she fell at His feet”), and she was persistent."
•  The commentary shares how the words used by Jesus in His response to the Gentile woman is not one of insult but of clarification that He first seeks to save the Jews then the Gentiles. See also Romans 1:16.
• The Pagan woman's response is of that shared by any parent desperate to help their child.  She is willing to eat the scraps from the table that have fallen to the floor - just so she can have for her daughter a taste of the healing power Jesus offers. 
• "What a magnificent picture of salvation we have in this story! Yes Lord, we are all dogs under the table with no rights whatsoever as members of the family. I acknowledge I don’t deserve a place at the table, but I believe there is enough even for me on the table! Just a few crumbs will be enough. That I believe. Then in amazing grace and mercy our Savior lifts us up, no longer a dog (sinner) but a child (saved), no longer under the table but now a member of the family at the table."

Such desperation and complete dependence on Jesus is how we are to approach Him.  We all sin and need a Savior (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8).  We are completely and utterly dependent on God for every detail of our lives both physical and spiritual.  We must acknowledge our spiritual state and go to Him in desperation - see also Psalm 42:1-2.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that loves and saves...You go after the one sheep who is lost just to save it...that is me and every other believer...thank You for coming after me and for saving me!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out daily for me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

 

And Jesus charged them to tell no one. But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

Mark 7:24-37

And Jesus charged them to tell no one. But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” Mark 7:36-37

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 7:24-37, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary. Observations of the text based on the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: Jesus is the incarnate Son of God and during His ministry, although He sought the Messianic Secret - that is He not be more fully revealed who He is until the appropriate time - it is difficult to fathom how Jesus could perform the miracles He did and word not spread about Jesus.  At the same time, John Piper describes a preventing "illumination" of the disciples in particular but also others and us by extension (see vv24, 36).  Piper explains how this "preventing" forces us to acknowledge how badly we need Him.  God's ways are difficult to fathom (Isaiah 55:8) but it is not difficult to fathom how desperately we need Him.  We all desperately need Jesus just as  the woman/daughter and deaf man in the text do.  God heals and saves.  God had a plan and regardless of how others could not follow His plan to prevent the spread of Him, Jesus' plan could not be stopped and Jesus ministry continued until the appointed moment where He died and rose again.  Jesus sought His Father's help in prayer - see v34. 
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: People, once they acknowledge the saving power of Jesus Christ, cannot help but share the Good News (v36, Acts 4:20).   
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Jesus wants us to share who He is - not just what He did.  Yes Jesus performed miracles but most importantly He Saves!  We can also lay claim to the promise that, yes, although we don't know how God works, we do know that He does (Romans 8:28) and that once He starts a work in us, He will continue a work in us until completion - sanctification. This process may be slower than we like but it is according to plan!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are a good, good God.  Perfect in all Your ways.  I may not know how You work but I know that You do, and that You love and save.  I also know that I NEED a savior and You are that Savior.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

“What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

Mark 7:1-23

 “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” Mark 7:20-23

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 7:1-23.  Excerpts from the third (of  three) division (vv14-23):

• The title for the third division is: "Legalists Are Confused Concerning the Source of Defilement, Resulting in a Lack of True Understanding."
• "The most deadly contamination is not what I touch. The most deadly contamination is what is in my heart." 
• "When His disciples ask the meaning of this parable, Jesus once again (cf. 6:52; 8:17-18) chides them for their lack of understanding. This is one of the most critically important spiritual lessons in the whole Word of God. Jesus explains that corruption is not external but internal. Impurity is not a matter of the stomach but of the heart. Defilement is not what goes in but what comes out." 
• "The basic problem of fallen humanity is not what we do but who we are! Real filth, impurity, and defilement are inside and unseen, but eventually they will show themselves, as verses 21-23 make clear." 
• "Inevitably, sin’s root will produce sin’s fruit. And it is an ugly, destructive crop to behold. Jesus provides a selective list of sin’s fruit." 
• "There are basically only two approaches to religion, each of which can be summed up in a single word: do or done. The world says the problem is out there, and the solution is to answer the question, What can I do? The Bible says the problem is inside of us, and the answer is what Christ has done! You see, in legalism we think better of ourselves than Jesus does. But in salvation we think the same of ourselves as Jesus does: we are hopeless, helpless sinners in desperate need of a Savior." 
• We are referred to 1 Samuel 16:7 where Samuel is seeking God's anointed king to replace Saul who has lost favor in God's eyes.  In David, God seeks and finds a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14).

I have seen first hand how God has entered my heart and changed me from the inside out - into more of His own image.  What an incredible blessing it is to be saved and one of God's elect.  I am not deserving of such a gift - the greatest gift of all time.  God also gave me a desire to know and pursue Him.  Thank You Jesus!  An answer to prayer indeed!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, thank You for my salvation, thank You for giving me a desire to know and pursue You, and thank You for the blessing of growing in my heart and transforming me into more of Your image.  I am not deserving of any of this!  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  I also know there is more work to do and that You are not done with this transforming work.  Please keep going and use me - fully.  Help me grow in my faith.  Please give Lisa and myself wisdom and energy.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

“You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition!"

Mark 7:1-23

“You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition!" Mark  7:9

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 7:1-23.  Excerpts from the second (of  three) division (vv9-13):

• The title for the first division is: "Legalists Make Void the Word of God, Resulting in Spiritual Disobedience."
• "Not all traditions are bad. They become bad when we put them on the same level as Scripture or in the place of Scripture. It is a “Bible-plus” kind of religion. In adding to the Bible, you for all practical purposes make void the Bible and nullify its truth and power in your life (v. 13). Jesus makes this crystal clear as He moves into round two with the Pharisees." 
• "They set aside what is the revealed Word of God and replace it with “made up” traditions of men....First, they teach the commands of men (v7). Then they leave the commands of God (v8). Next they reject the commands of God (v9). And finally they make void the Word of God (v13)." 
• Jesus responds to the Pharisees by referring us to Exodus 20:12, Deuteronomy 5:16, Exodus 21:17, and Leviticus 20:9 where the text commands us to honor our mother and father. 
• "However, the Pharisees created a theological loophole. They simply declared what they would have given to their parents “Corban,” a Hebrew term referring to “a gift dedicated to God.” This allowed them to dishonor their parents by neglecting their needs, but they still feel good about it because it was done in service to God." 

God's Word is perfect and inerrant - and reinforcing the commentary, we should be very careful not to add to or subtract from the Word.  How do we do this?  First and foremost we study - voraciously - per Matthew 5:6 where we "hunger and thirst for righteousness." We should seek out wise Bible teachers and Gospel centered resources (i.e. commentaries) that shed light on and deepen our resources.  For example, the commentary's helpful context about a historical tradition of Corban is helpful to understand as a man-made tradition vs God's Word (see also this resource). Humility and prayer are also important as scriptural disciplines to draw near to God and to seek His will as He is the source of wisdom (see Proverbs 1:7). 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God You are an awesome God who loves, saves, guides, directs and provides Your Word as a measure of and proof of all of these blessings - thank You!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues..daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

“‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.”

Mark 7:1-23

“‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” Mark  7:6-8

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 7:1-23.  Excerpts from the commentary's introduction for the entirety of the text, and for the first (of  three) division (vv1-8):

• The main idea for the entirety of the text is "Jesus calls us to trust not in our own external righteousness (legalism) but in His perfect work on our behalf." 
• "Amazingly we can have a passion for God yet not know God. We can be deceived, captured, and enslaved by the deadly lure of legalism. Tragically, those who have been raised in the church are the most susceptible to this deception. Our pride in our religious rituals, church practices, and cultural traditions blind us to both our great sinfulness and the great Savior who alone can rescue us from our sin."   
• The commentary describes how a false belief of faith, confidence in doing all the right things (particularly in our own powers) above all, is based on pride and how this leads to all other sins.  We are referred to Psalm 31:23, Proverbs 15:25, 16:18, Isaiah 13:11, Jeremiah 49:16, Luke 14:11, and James 4:6.
• "Why is God so opposed to pride? It is because human pride is in opposition to God. It thinks more of itself than it should. It thinks more of itself than God does!" 
• The title for the first division is: "Legalists Honor God with Their Lips, Resulting in False Worship." 
• "All [the Pharisees'] religious washing had a good intent, namely to remind Jews that they were unclean before God. But they were completely off base on the true source of their impurity. Their problem was not outside but inside. It wasn’t their hands but their hearts." 
• "Jesus begins with a scathing indictment, calling the Pharisees and scribes “hypocrites”! They were nothing more than religious actors and pretenders. The prophet Isaiah also condemned their hypocritical religion (Isaiah 29:13). They say the right things about God, but their hearts are still ungodly. Their religion is all words and show. The result was vain, purposeless worship—worship that God neither welcomes nor receives." 
• "Some potential examples of this legalism in the contemporary church can be found in church business meetings, deacons meetings, church discipline, and religious practices (e.g., church names, meeting times, dress, worship styles, public invitation or no invitation)." 

Of course humility is the anti-dote for pride.  There is nothing we can do to earn our favor from God - we must recognize that God alone saves and God alone moves at His discretion in all things.  Colossians 1:16-18 informs us that God created all things and He holds all things together.  God is provident over all matters and all details big and small.  He is all powerful, all knowing, and ever present - since the beginning and until the end.  We must start here and recognize that God holds our lives in His hands and it is only by and through Him that we are able to do anything (John 15:5).

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that loves and who saves....not because of anything I've done but solely because of Your grace and mercy.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving....my sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.

Mark 7:1-23

For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person. Mark 7:21-23

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 7:1-23, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary. Observations of the text based on the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: God cares about our heart condition not about what we do that we think pleases God - our motives and our heart condition towards God matter most.  The Pharisees were more concerned about washing of hands and external cleansing - but this did not matter to God as much as love of Him and others.  It is our heart that requires cleansing and only Jesus can forgive us and cleanse us from the stain of sin.       
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: The Pharisees were more worried about being right about tradition than they were about pleasing God.  God does not seek empty rituals that are devoid of any love of God.  The Pharisees are not alone in what they do as we often do the same thing.  
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): People often chase things to do thinking they are pleasing God - instead we should understand that we cannot earn God's love or His favor.  Nobody can do this - we should all understand that we all sin, we all need a Savior, Jesus is that Savior and that God saves not because of anything we do but because He is full of grace and compassion.  This should drive us into the arms of Jesus for us to know, love and surrender to Him such that the Holy Spirit does a work in us to make us more like Him....and this will be Him doing the work!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome that saves - not because of anything we do but because You are full of grace and compassion towards us.  Thank You Jesus for this grace and compassion!  I am not deserving of such grace and compassion and for my salvation.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.

Mark 6:45-56

And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well. Mark 6:56

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 6:45-56.  Excerpts from the commentary for the second (of two) division (vv53-56):

• The title for the second division is "Jesus Is the One to Whom We Should Come When We Hurt."  
• "Once more the compassionate shepherd will care for His sheep without hesitation or discrimination. They hurt, and He heals. What a wonderful Savior He is!'  
• "Jesus most certainly can be sought anywhere, anytime, and by anyone in need. There is not one whom He will turn away."  
• "Jesus knows you better than you know yourself. He loves you more than you love yourself (which is a great deal). He is more compassionate than you could ever hope. He is more powerful than you could ever imagine. And He knows your needs more perfectly than you or I could ever comprehend. This “Bread of Life” allowed His body to be broken that your soul might receive the spiritual nourishment it needed. He walked the stormy waters through the dark night that led to the cross, so that He might rescue us and that we might never again be terrified or afraid.  Through the wonderful touch of His bloody, redemptive hands, we can forever be healed of sin’s diseases and made well forever. He walked across the stormy waters of judgment in our place, and He took on our sicknesses in His own body. “Take heart,” He says. Understand, 'I AM!'"

We all have needs - most importantly spiritual needs to have forgiveness of sins and salvation from the wages of sin (Romans 6:23).  We can approach Jesus in confidence knowing "that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16)."  Jesus forgives and saves.  Praise God that He sent His Son to save us!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, what an amazing gift You provide through salvation to those who confess and believe!  The greatest gift of all time - thank You!  I am not deserving of such a gift.  My sin is great and it continues....daily.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

Mark 6:45-56

But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” Mark 6:50b

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 6:45-56.  Excerpts from the commentary for the introduction to the entirety of the text and for the first (of two) division (vv45-52):

• The main idea for the entirety of the text is "Jesus’ miraculous acts of walking on water and healing point to His true identity as the great 'I AM.'"  
• The title for the first division is "Jesus Is the One in Whom We Should Have Faith."  
• "Jesus has just fed 15 or 20 thousand people (Mark 6:30-44). Messianic excitement is at a fever pitch. The crowds want to make Him king now (John 6:14-15). However, it is neither the time nor the means whereby He would receive His kingdom. A throne awaits Him, but there is a cross on the way." 
• In vv45-52 we see Jesus command the disciples to get into the boat and they then find themselves in rough seas.  The commentary shares: "Jesus may indeed send us into trouble and difficulty but with a redemptive purpose. There our understanding of His providence and power is increased. There our faith and dependence on Him and Him alone grow. His plans are not always easy or what we want, but they are always best. Believe! Don’t doubt." 
• RE: v46 where Jesus prays: "[p]rayer for Jesus was intense. It was war. John Piper well says, “Until you believe that life is war, you cannot know what prayer is for” (“Prayer”). Jesus knew this better than any of us. He sought His Father in the heat of the battle raging about Him. No doubt He prayed for Himself. No doubt He prayed for the crowd for whom He had compassion. And I suspect He prayed for His disciples who were in need of His prayers and His power." 
• Vv48-51 is unpacked by referring us to Exodus 33:18, 20-23 and 1 Kings 19:11 where God reveals His glory to Moses and Elijah. Jesus' response to the disciples fear is the same as what God spoke to Moses in Exodus 3:14 about who He is. 
• V52 shares that the disciples still did not see and understand. Yet the disciples still do not "receive [a] rebuke from their Master, the compassionate Shepherd (Mark 6:34). He knows they still have much to learn and endure. He will not give up on them. Praise God, He did not give up on us in our ignorance and hard-heartedness either!"

Indeed, there are many times throughout our lives when we question who God is, that He exists or that He is at work or working for us - all of which should be without question.  The great news is just as Jesus did not give up on the disciples during their times of doubt, He does not give up on us either - we just need to press on, bringing our cares and concerns to Him.  He hears and responds to our cries. I am drawn to the story of Hannah in 1 Samuel 1:1-20 where even in her struggles she found the power to pray. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God the never stops working for me, and You hear my cries and respond to all of them.  You are SO good.  You also save!  Thank You Jesus for saving me and for Your great patience even as I struggle and doubt.  I am not deserving of how You are so full of grace.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land.

Mark 6:45-56

Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. Mark 6:45-47

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 6:45-56, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary. Observations of the text based on the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: V46 Jesus makes time to pray as it is a priority - He knew the disciples wanted more time with Him and that the crowds following Him sought more time with Him.  Jesus was a man very much in demand...He never turned away those in need, yet at the same time He made time to pray. V48 and 51 Jesus is all powerful, and He is able to walk on water and control the weather - we can take comfort in knowing that anything is possible through God. V52 God hardens and softens hearts at His discretion - we are urged to share our testimony and the gospel but it is God alone who saves.  V56 Jesus meets the needs of humanity as He heals - not just physically but spiritually.     
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: V50: God's power can be terrifying - we should be drawn into the comforting arms of Him for refuge.  V52: For many, miracles are insufficient to move people to a greater understanding of God...Jesus' feeding of the five thousand earlier in Mark 6 should have certainly been sufficient to see that God was at work but the text shares that the disciples did not understand and their hearts were hardened. For those who love and believe in Him, all things work together for good - Romans 8:28.  
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We should make time to pray, we should see God's power and in reverent fear be drawn close to Him to love and obey Him.  We should know that God heals. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, what an awesome God You are that You save!  I am not deserving of how You save and pour out mercies inexhaustibly for me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.

Mark 6:30-44

And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men. Mark 6:41-44

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 6:30-44.  Excerpts from the commentary for the third (of three) division (vv37-44):

• The title of the second division per the commentary: "Like Jesus We Should Seek to Meet the Needs of Others." 
• "It is one thing to recognize a legitimate need. It is another to do something about it (James 2:14-17)."
• "Their problem [(the crowd's hunger)] was now clearly beyond their resources. If Jesus does not intervene, then it’s not going to happen. But He does intervene. He commands them to get organized, so in obedience they sit down by groups of fifties and hundreds (Exodus 18:21)." 
• "God loves to demonstrate His power and sufficiency in our lives. Often He allows problems to invade our lives that are far beyond our abilities or resources to handle. Why? He wants us to look to Him." 
• "Jesus now serves as the Host of a messianic banquet. The desolate place becomes a place of plenty. As Moses met Israel’s physical needs with manna and quail, a greater Moses, who is not only the “good shepherd” (John 10:11) but also the “bread of life” (John 6:35), will now feed His people with an abundant feast unlike any they have ever known."  
•  "[God's] provision is satisfying. (v42)."
•  "Where we see human problems, He sees and accomplishes divine possibilities. A little can become a lot with Jesus!"

Everything about Jesus is satisfying.  I am drawn to John Piper's definition of Christian Hedonism and how he says "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him." There is no higher pursuit in life than of Jesus - run after Him and seek Him - You WILL find Him when you seek Him with all of your heart (Jeremiah 29:13).  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God You are an awesome God who loves, provides and who satisfies!  Thank You Jesus for the joy that You are and that You provide.  How great You are!  I am not deserving of how You save, bless and give such joy!  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?”

Mark 6:30-44

But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” Mark 6:37

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 6:30-44.  Excerpts from the commentary for the second (of three) division (vv33-37):

• The title of the second division per the commentary: "Like Jesus We Should Have Compassion for Others."
• The commentary emphasizes how Jesus sought to minister to all of a person's needs: physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.  Jesus does this as the Shepherd Savior.  We are referred to text in Psalm 23, Luke 15:4-6, John 10:11, 1 Peter 5:4, Hebrews 13:30 and Revelation 7:17 where Jesus is described as the Great or Chief Shepherd.
• "We desperately need a shepherd, One who is compassionate and able to provide for us and protect us. We need a Shepherd Savior."  
• The text describes how Jesus (1) had compassion on the crowd (2) saw them as "sheep without a shepherd;" and (3) in need of direction and guidance (1 Peter 5:2).  
• We too are lost without Jesus - all are lost without Jesus - we are referred to John 10:12-13, Ezekiel 34:1-24, Numbers 27:17 where Israel is depicted as "lost, helpless, without guidance, malnourished, and lacking protection - their leaders were mere 'hirelings.'"  
• Numbers 27:17 is emphasized for how "God raised up Joshua in anticipation of the greater Joshua named Jesus" and how Ezekiel describes how Jesus is the greater David.    
• Jesus meets all our needs: physical needs, emotional, and spiritual. 
• Ultimately, we are to care for others as Jesus cares.  See Matthew 25:31-46. 
• "God wants us to have compassion on those in need, and He wants us involved in their lives meeting both spiritual and physical needs. We indeed minister to the whole person. That’s what Jesus did."

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves, guides, provides, etc. You are the Great Shepherd who saves.....thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You love and save.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.   Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves.

Mark 6:30-44

The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. Mark 6:30-32

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 6:30-44.  Excerpts from introduction to the commentary for this text and for the first (of three) division (vv30-32):

• The title of this chapter of the commentary for the text is: "The Feeding of the Five Thousand;" the Main idea is: "Jesus’ mission of love and rescue is demonstrated in His feeding of the five thousand;" the title of the first division per the commentary: "Like Jesus We Should Find Rest from Ministry." 
• "John 6:15 informs us that this miracle made such an impact on the crowd that they attempted to take Jesus “by force to make Him king.” Our Lord would refuse their advance and stay the course to the cross, as was His divine destiny."  
• "When Jesus authorizes us and empowers us, we can anticipate God’s blessings in what we do. We must simply believe and go.
• "This was how our Lord mentored His men: Teach them. Send them out.  Have them return. Report and evaluate. I doubt we can improve on this model of discipleship and training."  
• "They had worked hard, putting in many long hours. Still the blessings and joys of ministry were evident."  
• Jesus calls the Twelve together and encourages them to rest. "We can glean several practical insights. (1) There is a time to work (cf. John 9:4). Laziness has no place in the Christian life. (2) We should have periods of rest because Jesus tells us to. Being a workaholic is not spiritual and actually can be sinful. Some make ministry an idol. (3) Rest is best when accompanied both by solitude and companionship. (4) Rest is for a specific period of time. It is not permanent. (5) Even while resting, be prepared for ministry if necessary. A devoted follower of Jesus is never off duty."

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and gives rest - a rest that we can find only through You....physical rest, emotional rest, and a spiritual rest.  Thank You Jesus for how You provide this rest and of course how You save.  I am not deserving of how You save nor how You bless with this rest.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.

Mark 6:30-44

And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men. Mark 6:41-44

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 6:30-44, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary. Observations of the text based on the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: God is concerned about our well being - He designed and encourages us to rest.  God is compassionate - He seeks to care for all of those who seek care.  God is all powerful, able to take the offering of our lives and use it for something much bigger than we will ever be able to accomplish on our own.
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: People are often drawn to place their comfort above their calling - note how the disciples did not have the same compassion on the crowd as Jesus did - they sought to send them away for them to find their own food but Jesus challenged them to provide. 
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We can claim to the promises of how God provides and how He satisfies.  We should also avoid being anxious about not having what we think we need (see Matthew 6:31-33).

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are an awesome God who loves and who is full of incredible grace and compassion.  Thank You for softening my heart and saving me.  I am not deserving of my salvation.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother.

Mark 6:14-29

And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. Mark 6:26-28

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 6:14-29. Excerpts from third (of three) division (vv21-29):

• The title of the first division per the commentary: "Expect That Some Will Attempt to Destroy You." 
• Herod's oath is fulfilled to Herodias' daughter (and Herod's daughter in law and niece) as her dancing so pleases Herod and his intoxicated guests that there is no way Herod can save face and back out of the oath to give her anything (up to half his kingdom - v23) after the young woman after seeking counsel from her mother asks for John the Baptist's head. Herod is sad but lacks conviction and is fearful of John - so John is executed.   
• "Herod feared displeasing his wife and losing face with man more than he feared God. Pride took him down, just like it did Satan and Adam. Herodias feared and hated John because he was right and she knew it. John was a nuisance to her conscience and a cancer to her reputation. He had to go. His head on a platter would solve all her problems, or at least she thought so."  
• "John the Baptist was declared by Jesus to be the last and greatest prophet."  See also Matthew 14:13, Luke 13:32, and 23:8-9 for Jesus' response to hearing about John's death, His thoughts about Herod, and a description of Herod meeting after Jesus is arrested in the garden of Gethsemane.   
• "Death cannot silence a life. Murdering someone will not put an end to their testimony. Remember the saying, “Even though he is dead, he still speaks through his faith” (Hebrews 11:4)."
• "John lost his head, but Herod and Herodias lost their souls. In the end there is no question who won and who lost. Bad things do happen to good people. But great things happen to godly people who put it all on the line, even their head on a platter, for the truth of God’s Word and the glory of His name!"

Charlie Kirk said he wanted to be remembered for the courage of his faith and indeed he will be, among many of his other Godly attributes. Lifting up Charlie's family in prayer. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that saves - regardless of what the world does to us and our earthly bodies, we know that You are saving a place for us in Heaven.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out daily for me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly.

Mark 6:14-29

Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly. Mark 6:20

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 6:14-29. Excerpts from second (of three) division (vv17-20):

• The title of the first division per the commentary: "Expect That Some Will Try to Stop You." 
• John spoke truth to Herod about the sinful marriage he had with Herodias - the commentary refers us to Leviticus 18:16 and 20:21.  This drove Herodias to seek John's death. 
• The commentary contrasts John's boldness in telling the truth about sin vs Herod's fear.  Note also, Herod's weakness in the face of his ruthless wife's desire to kill John. Herod knew in his heart John was correct about the sin but would not stand firm against his wife nor obey John to repent. 
• Note below an excerpt from the commentary comparing John to Herod. 

 

• Herodias needed the right moment to seize to put John to death thereby eliminating opposition to her marriage. This moment is about to arrive in the next division vv21-29.

Once again, as posted a couple of days ago, John stood firm in speaking truth to anyone, including those in power such as Herod.  I am drawn to the assassination of Charlie Kirk - another faithful man who spoke truth to power. We should all pray that we would submit to God to such an extent that we would speak  boldly - even to power - about Jesus and the Gospel.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me.  Thank You Jesus! Thank You for Your Word that allows the Holy Spirit to work in my life.  I am not deserving of my salvation nor how You work in my life.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some said, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” But others said, “He is Elijah.” And others said, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.”

Mark 6:14-29

King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some said, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” But others said, “He is Elijah.” And others said, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” Mark 6:14-16

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 6:14-29. Excerpts from the commentary's introduction for this text and for the first (of three) division (vv14-16):

• The main idea per the commentary for the entirety of the text vv14-29 is "[f]aithful service to God may cause the kings of this world to oppose you, even kill you, but it will bring great pleasure to the true King, Jesus."  
• The title of first division per the commentary: "Expect That Some Will Fear You." 
• Pointing to Mark 10:29-30, the commentary shares: "sometimes the rewards and spiritual benefits include persecution....Yes, you may lose your life for faithfully serving King Jesus. You may actually lose your head, as John the Baptist found out." 
• "This tragedy in many ways foreshadowed the miscarriage of justice when our Savior was put to death on the cross. In both cases cowardly men capitulated to pressure and executed God’s man. A servant is not greater than his master. If they treated Jesus with cruelty, they will do the same to His followers. The life of John the Baptist perfectly illustrates what we might expect as we faithfully serve our God."  
• "This wicked, henpecked politician [Herod] did not know what to do with a man like John. He feared John (v16) and was “very disturbed” by him."  
• While Herod wondered what to make of John the Baptist (and by extension Jesus), the commentary urges us to see how (and we should) our "good works should honor Jesus name and haunt others." 
• "John was a man of great courage and moral fiber. Herod was not. John loved God and boldly proclaimed His Word. Herod did not. John denounced sin and called people to repentance and a radical change in life. Herod murdered an innocent man, a prophet of God. It haunted him, and rightly so. John’s blood was on his hands."
• "We need not defend ourselves if we walk with God. We need never employ methods of violence and coercion as we represent King Jesus and extend His kingdom. Our good works will honor us before men, and our good works will haunt those who oppose us, now or in eternity."

Scripture calls believers to be "set apart" from the world and to be holy because He is holy.  We are to follow Christ's example both in life and in death - and this is a high bar indeed because few of us will ever be in a position of death based persecution because of our faith.  Even if we don't lose our physical body, believers still stand to lose much in world that rejects God, sometimes violently.  We must be unafraid to stand firmly on our faith and proclaim the gospel, which again is to repent and see how God is good and saves.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are an awesome God that loves me and who saved me - thank You Jesus!  I know what You have done and You are not finished with me - thank You for Your amazing grace.  I am not deserving.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me and help me turn from and overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly.

Mark 6:14-29

Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly. Mark 6:20

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 6:14-29, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary. Observations of the text based on the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: God allows evil and sin in the world - albeit temporarily.  God will defeat Satan, evil and sin during the final days as written in the book of Revelation - no one knows the day or hour but we can take comfort that the victory is already assured. In the same way, we see people "carried away" by their sin as God allows sin to overcome and condemn them (see James 1:14-15).  Only God hardens - preventing salvation - and softens hearts - enabling salvation.  We see that God was softening the heart of Herod.  Although Herod ultimately has John the Baptist killed, Herod did fear God and God is worthy of our fear - reverent fear. 
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: People's passions and temptations for sin, as driven by Satan are strong and we must be able to recognize them before "giving way" to them as Herod allowed the influence of Herodias and her grudge against John the Baptist to play a role in his death (see v26 where Herod was exceedingly sorry but nonetheless at least somewhat beholden to someone else's sin).  Beware of these kinds of influences on your own life!  Satan is on the prowl - 1 Peter 5:8.    
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We should avoid sinful influences and becoming comfortable around such influences - as previously indicated they can drag us away into sin and eternal condemnation.  We should follow John's the Baptist's obedience to continue to share the Word and to repent - although of course this means death or some other harsh earthly consequence.  We can rest in how God saves.      

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are an awesome God who loves and who is full of incredible grace and compassion.  Thank You for softening my heart and saving me.  I am not deserving of my salvation.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.

Mark 6:7-13

So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them. Mark 6:12-13

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 6:7-13. Excerpts from the commentary's for the fourth and final (of four) division (vv12-13):

•  The title of this division per the commentary: "Go Preaching the Word and Doing the Work of the Kingdom." 
• "[The disciples] were not to compromise their message even if it brought rejection and persecution. They had to have the courage to tell the truth about Jesus and the gospel." 
•  "If “repentance” was the first word out of the mouth of John, Jesus, and the apostles (Acts 2:38), it must be an important component of the gospel and the Christian life." 
• The commentary refers us to Thomas Watson's treatise on repentance - The Doctrine of Repentance - where Watson outlines "six ingredients necessary for true repentance...including sight of sin, sorrow for sin, confession of sin, shame for sin, hatred for sin, and turning from sin and returning to the Lord."  We are further referred to Joel 2:12, Acts 26:20, and Ezekiel 14:6.
• "We are called to turn away from all our abominations—not just the obvious ones or the ones that create friction in others. The goal of repentance is not to manufacture peace among others with perfunctory repentance, but rather to turn to God wholly." 
• "Repentance is rooted in a hatred of sin and a joyful awareness of God’s loving-kindness, which leads to joy: “God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance” (Romans 2:4)."

Indeed Repentance must be stressed as core to the gospel - Satan is waiting to consume and eternally condemn those who do not.  We should be sharing the Gospel as Good News, so good that it should motivate us into the arms of the One True God who offers what no other can - life to the full now and for eternity!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of incredible grace and compassion - saving me and all other believers not because of what we have done but because He is SO good.  I am not deserving of my salvation as my sin is great and it continues....daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  

And he said to them, “Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there. And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.”

Mark 6:7-13

And he said to them, “Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there. And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” Mark 6:10-11

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 6:7-13. Excerpts from the commentary's for the third (of four) division (vv10-11): 

• The title for the third division is "Go Where You Are Welcomed and Move On When Rejected."
• The commentary emphasizes how the text shares how there will be times when we share the Gospel that it is rejected....if only for now.  Before we move on the shaking of dust from our feet from the text represents "a merciful prophetic act" that warns people of the consequences of rejecting God.   
•  We are referred to Ezekiel 33:1-20 where it shares how thinking of oneself as good and living righteously is insufficient - as not a single person cannot claim to be without sin (1 John 1:8). The text of Ezekiel shares how we must share from the gospel both how Jesus saves (now and for eternity) and how one is slave to sin and condemned if God is rejected. 

Warnings about rejection of God must be done mercifully however - see also Jude 22-23 where it shares how we are to "have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh." John Piper has a great word on here on DesiringGod.com how if fear alone is the only motivator to drive someone into the arms of Christ for salvation - "so be it."  Sometimes our act of mercy is to emphasize the punishment....

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and who saves...now (in this life) from being slave to sin, and for eternity by saving us a place in Heaven.  Thank You Jesus for my salvation - the greatest gift of all time!  I am not deserving of such a gift.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.    

He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts— but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics.

Mark 6:7-13

He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts— but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. Mark 6:8-9

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 6:7-13. Excerpts from the commentary's for the second (of four) division (vv8-9): 

• The title for the first division is "Go Mean and Lean with Nothing Nonessential."
• "To be effective in God’s work, we must do what we do unencumbered, with no excess baggage that could impede our mission. Further, we must go in radical faith and dependence on our God." 
•  "The four items required of the Twelve are identical to what God told the Hebrews to take on their flight from Egypt (Exodus 12:11)." 
• The commentary details the parallels between the Old Testament exodus and how Jesus sends out The Twelve under the authority of the new and greater Moses (see also Hebrews 3:1-6).  
• Dependence on Jesus for all things is emphasized, particularly in the mission field.

For believers, God calls upon us constantly and fear and anxiety often accompany such calls - to step into the unknown.  God called Moses in Exodus 3 to rescue Israel from bondage.  This triggered much fear and anxiety in Moses, and God quelled this fear and anxiety, speaking to Moses and revealing His plan for this effort in Exodus 3:15-22, and sharing how Aaron will be his helper in this mission in Exodus 4:1-17.  God gives all believers a role in the Great Commission and we should lean on Him in prayer, etc. to equip us and to give us courage to step out into these roles. 

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My Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of incredible grace and compassion - You saved me while still sinning and an enemy and hostile to You.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving for how You save, equip, provide, and lead in the roles You design for me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.