defiling — Mark 7:1-23 — January 31

There is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile — Jesus (Mark 7:15)
“Wait a minute, Jesus.  What about drugs or alcohol, ‘foods’ which can put us in another “spirit”?  What about illicit sex, by which we ‘one flesh’ with those not designated for [...]

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come away — Mark 6:30-46 — January 29

The apostles’ had experienced wonderful fruit of their ministry, in Jesus’ Name.  Earlier we read that they went out and proclaimed that all should repent.  They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them  (Mark 6:12-13).  They were on a roll, were just hitting their stride in this [...]

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credulity — Mark 6:13-29 — January 28

Herod was indeed the “fox” that Jesus once said He was (Luke 13:32).  He was the consummate politician, always trying to figure out where the public wind was blowing, so that he could be carried by it.  And so, John was a puzzle to him, but he liked to listed to him (Mark 6:20).  John [...]

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taking offense — Mark 6:1-13 — January 27

It’s easier than you think to take offense at Jesus. 
The people in Jesus’ hometown must have really liked Him when He was growing up.  Can you imagine living with someone as kind and gentle as He?  Though we have no reliable records of his childhood and adolescence (save those few in the Bible), and though [...]

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begged to stay — Mark 5:21-43 — January 26

In today’s story, in marked contrast to what we saw of 3 leavings on Saturday, we witness three ways Jesus stays in response to requests by people.
He stays in Galilee.  Though He had previously left Galilee to go to “the other side”, He returns there to be greeted by crowds, all clamoring for His help and [...]

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begged to leave — Mark 5:1-20 — January 24

In today’s remarkable story of the healing of a disturbed man, we witness three leavings.
First, Jesus had left his homeland.  You may recall the prior story of the sudden storm on the Sea of Galilee.  This happened because Jesus had said to His followers, let us go across the sea to the other side (Mark [...]

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be still! — Mark 4:35-41 — January 23

This couldn’t have been what Jesus had in mind.  One evening, He invites the disciples to travel by boat to the other side of the sea of Galilee.  It looked like some time for R & R, leaving the crowds behind.  Jesus and His friends would be in the charge of experienced sailors, his fisherman [...]

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in secret — Mark 4:21-34 — January 22

Jesus’ theme of things done in secret by God continues.  Though the gospel is free and open to all who will earnestly seek it and the One who offers it, nonetheless, the One Who is not hidden nonetheless works in secret places.
His light exposes the secrets of our lives.  He said, there is nothing hidden , except to [...]

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the secret — Mark 4:1-20 — January21

What for many of us many be a familiar passage — Jesus’ teaching on our spreading God’s word in our world — contains an unfamiliar, and, perhaps, disturbing word:  to you [disciples] has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside, everything comes in parables; in order that ‘they may [...]

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God’s family — Mark 3:19b-35 — January 20

In polite company, we speak of all people as ‘God’s children’.  We know what we mean when mean when we speak like that.  We’re referring to the fact that every human being is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26) and is therefore worthy of being treated with the respect that such an exalted place [...]

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