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Come with me to the ancient ruins of the synagogue in Capernaum where Jesus taught and displayed His power. While Jesus was teaching, we read that a man with an unclean spirit entered and addressed Jesus. The evil spirit cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the holy one of God” (Mark 1:24).
I know who you are—the holy one of God!
It has been said that demons are such notorious liars that the only time you can believe them is when they tell you …
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Today’s Reading: Mark 15:33-34Today’s Reference: John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
If Mary’s heart was wrung at the foot of the cross, how much more anguish was in the heart of the Father! This was the Son in whom He was “well pleased,” the Son with whom He had communed from before the beginning of time. Now the Father had to watch that Son die in agony.But …
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Today’s Reading: Mark 14:41-46Today’s Reference: Romans 8:1-2 “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.”
It was the most spectacular sin in history, betraying the Messiah to a cruel death. As we saw yesterday, Judas responded with worldly sorrow that led to death, both physical and everlasting. But could he have been forgiven if he’d taken his guilt to Jesus instead of to men? Yes.
Maybe there’s a sin in your own …
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Today's Reading: Mark 14:35-36Today's Reference: Hebrews 12:1b-2 “…let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
The Jews and Romans crucified Jesus. He laid down His life for our sin. But ultimately, God was responsible for the death of Jesus. God could have sent legions of angels to “remove the cup” and rescue Jesus—but both Father and Son knew …
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Thoughts for the Quiet Hour - December 12
He (Jesus) . . . looked up to heaven. —Mark 6:41
In working for God, first look to heaven. It is a grand plan. Over and over again our Lord Jesus Christ looked to heaven and said, “Father.” Let us imitate Him; although standing on the earth, let us have our conversation in heaven. Before you go out, if you would feed the world, if you would be a blessing in the midst of spiritual dearth and famine, lift up your head to heaven. Then your very face will shine, your very garments will …
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Originally published in Moody Church Media News Vol. 24 (4), November 2021.
To mask or not to mask? To vaccinate or not? Should vaccinations be mandatory or a matter of personal choice? Should children be required to wear masks at school? Even after this variant or any other has run its course, what comes next? I reply, plenty. With overwhelming questions like these, the celebration of Christ’s birth at Christmas doesn’t seem to have any relevance to the realities we face.
Jesus predicted pandemics like this, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, …
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Today’s Reading: Mark 15:37-38; John 19:30Today’s Reference: Colossians 2:13-14 “And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.”
“It is finished.”
In Greek, this cry of Jesus is one word, tetelestai, and in legal terms it could also mean “paid in full.” Jesus wants us to know that our sins are paid in full. There is not one little …
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Today’s Reading: Mark 10:35-45Today’s Reference: Mark 3:34b-35 “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”
“Behold, your mother!”
When Jesus was arrested, the disciples all fled in terror and shame. The only one at the foot of the cross that day was John. Apparently he also had fled. Imagine his guilt as he slunk back to the One he’d promised to serve—the One in whose kingdom he’d hoped to be exalted!
Now imagine his incredulous joy, even at such a painful time, when Jesus entrusted …
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Today’s Reading: Mark 14:35-36Today's Reference: 1 Peter 4:13 “But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.”
Humanly speaking, Jesus didn’t want to die on the Cross. Despite His fears, He still said to His Father, “Not what I will, but what You will.”
Sometimes we have to do the will of God whether we like it or not. We live in a society where “feeling bad” is a sin we must avoid at all costs. But Jesus shows us that’s not God’s way. Being filled with the …
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Today's Reading: Mark 14:32-34Today's Reference: Hebrews 2:17 “Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.”
Here in Gethsemane, we have the gift of seeing Jesus’ humanity most clearly. He was “greatly distressed and troubled,” going through emotional turbulence so painful He couldn’t even stand up under it. He knew He was about to have the full wrath of God unleashed upon Him because of your sin and mine. Completely sinless Himself, …
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