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We’ve seen, as we’ve studied Mark’s Gospel, how the Pharisees, Saduccees, and Teachers of the Law mostly hated Jesus and sought to trap Him in His words so they could arrest Him. But this particular teacher, overhearing the conversation, seemed to honestly wish to settle the debate by asking one honest and sincere question. Read more »
Imagine the billions of people in world history who based their entire lives - and went to the grave - following a false philosophy of life. They went on, not to what their beliefs taught them, but on to an entirely unexpected surprise. Whether Humanists or Polytheists, Deists or Theists, we’re all potentially in for a big shock when we die. Read more »
The Chief Priests, Teachers of the Law and Elders have thus far lost every challenge they made to Jesus’ legitimate authority (Mark 11:27-33). They still did not realize that it was they who were on trial, not Jesus. They sent Pharisees - who were the legal sharks, and Herodians - who were political supporters of Rome to try to trap Jesus in His words so they could arrest Him (Mark 12:12). They were, in effect, lawyering up. Read more »
We live in great abundance. We stand on the shoulders of those who came before us - those generations who labored to create and nurture the liberty and opportunity which we enjoy today. Yet there are those who reject these gifts. Read more »
In the 1960’s it was popular to “question authority”. Every perceived authority - in some people’s minds - had become subject to scrutiny. They may have said, “by what authority does a city prohibit protest?” Women may have asked, “by what authority must my skirt be a certain length?” Men may have asked, “by what authority must my hair be short?” Soon it was, “by what authority must I follow any law?” Read more »
Two weeks ago we pondered a curious incident recorded in Mark 11:12-14, when Jesus cursed a fig tree which was not bearing fruit. Today we read the conclusion, and discover the lesson Jesus had for the disciples then, and for us today. It is that, “If you have faith in God, you can tell a mountain to throw itself into the sea, and if you do not doubt, it will be done for Him.” (Mark 11:23)
WOW! Read more »
Every year observant Jews came from all lands, having been scattered over the centuries by the conquest of Gentile rulers, to perform their covenant-duty to sacrifice and remember the Passover (See Deut. 4.9 & Deut. 16:5-6). Read more »
On the way to Jerusalem the disciples witnessed a curious incident: Jesus cursed a fig tree (Mark 11:14). On the surface, this seems to be out of character for Jesus. Read more »
Imagine for a moment, the stereotypical young father-to-be attempting to assemble the new crib. Certain how easy it will be, he tosses the instructions aside and begins connecting the pieces. His expectant wife looks on with growing concern for her baby’s safety. As she observes his growing frustration, she tactfully asks, “Maybe we should see what the instructions say.” Read more »
Bartimaeus was blind and a beggar in Jericho. He had little hope at a time when blindness was considered a punishment - either for his own sin or for the sin of his parents (John 9:2). It may have been true (Deut. 5:9), or may have been superstition based on a poor interpretation by the Pharisees and teachers of Moses’ law. Read more »
