Mark 9:30 - 9:37
30. They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, 31. because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” 32. But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it. 33. They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” 34. But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. 35. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” 36. He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37. “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”
When I read this passage, the verse "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last and the servant of all" caught my attention. It just kind of made me feel guilty because I want to be first and the greatest due to my pride but as Jesus says to be first, I must be the very last and the SERVANT of ALL.. sigh.. it's hard to do but it is so true..
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Jan 28, 2009 - We Can't .. but He Does
Mark 9:14 - 9:29
14. When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. 15. As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. 16. “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked. 17. A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.” 19. “O unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”
20. So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. 21. Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. 22. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” 23. “ ‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.” 24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” 25. When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” 26. The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” 27. But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up. 28. After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” 29. He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.”
There are times where I try to do things my way and during the 'good times' I cruise along without quiet times or not much prayer in my life but when hard times come I pray and sometimes blame God for this time. This is kind of what's going on in this passage. The father tries to do all these things to get the evil spirit out but it doesn't work but when God does it, the boy is alive again! It is interesting when the father asks " why couldn't we drive it out", it just sounds like he wants to be Jesus. The interesting thing is we sometimes do that too like I mentioned before. I love Jesus's response and it is so true that this kind can come out ONLY by prayer.. I realize I should pray more and more.
14. When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. 15. As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. 16. “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked. 17. A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.” 19. “O unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”
20. So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. 21. Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. 22. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” 23. “ ‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.” 24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” 25. When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” 26. The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” 27. But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up. 28. After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” 29. He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.”
There are times where I try to do things my way and during the 'good times' I cruise along without quiet times or not much prayer in my life but when hard times come I pray and sometimes blame God for this time. This is kind of what's going on in this passage. The father tries to do all these things to get the evil spirit out but it doesn't work but when God does it, the boy is alive again! It is interesting when the father asks " why couldn't we drive it out", it just sounds like he wants to be Jesus. The interesting thing is we sometimes do that too like I mentioned before. I love Jesus's response and it is so true that this kind can come out ONLY by prayer.. I realize I should pray more and more.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Jan 27, 2009 - Future Glory
Mark 9:1 - 9:13
1. And he said to them, “I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.”2. After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. 3. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. 4. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. 5. Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6. (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.) 7. Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” 8. Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus. 9. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10. They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant. 11. And they asked him, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?” 12. Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? 13. But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him.”
Peter sort of jokes around with Jesus when he talks about the putting up shelter for Jesus, Moses and Elijah and I think we all at one point sort of do that too. I read the Gospel or any other passages and try to fit it where it is 'comfortable' for me but obviously it shouldn't be like this!
Jesus knows his future death is coming and that He will rise from the death even before any of the disciples. The disciples agrees to keep it a secret but doesn't know what 'rise from the dead' means yet. This shows that Christ purposefully came down to earth for our sins and was crucified because of us again..
1. And he said to them, “I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.”2. After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. 3. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. 4. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. 5. Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6. (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.) 7. Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” 8. Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus. 9. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10. They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant. 11. And they asked him, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?” 12. Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? 13. But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him.”
Peter sort of jokes around with Jesus when he talks about the putting up shelter for Jesus, Moses and Elijah and I think we all at one point sort of do that too. I read the Gospel or any other passages and try to fit it where it is 'comfortable' for me but obviously it shouldn't be like this!
Jesus knows his future death is coming and that He will rise from the death even before any of the disciples. The disciples agrees to keep it a secret but doesn't know what 'rise from the dead' means yet. This shows that Christ purposefully came down to earth for our sins and was crucified because of us again..
Monday, January 26, 2009
Jan 26, 2009 - Christ, the Life Giver
Mark 8:27 - 8:38
27. Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” 28. They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” 29. “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ.” 30. Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him. 31. He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. 32. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33. But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”
34. Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? 37. Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 38. If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
Peter knew that Jesus was the Messiah and he rightfully said so. But I wish Christ didn't keep his death a secret. I wish people knew that he knew he would die on the cross! It's kind of sad to see people thinking him as John the Baptist or the Elijah. But we counter a lot of people like that today and it is my job and other Christians to share the gospel. And I can't wait till Christ to come back.. I want to see all nations down on their knees praising for who He is.
27. Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” 28. They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” 29. “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ.” 30. Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him. 31. He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. 32. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33. But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”
34. Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? 37. Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 38. If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
Peter knew that Jesus was the Messiah and he rightfully said so. But I wish Christ didn't keep his death a secret. I wish people knew that he knew he would die on the cross! It's kind of sad to see people thinking him as John the Baptist or the Elijah. But we counter a lot of people like that today and it is my job and other Christians to share the gospel. And I can't wait till Christ to come back.. I want to see all nations down on their knees praising for who He is.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Jan. 25, 2009 - No Yeast On Sight
Mark 8:11 - 8:26
11. The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test him, they asked him for a sign from heaven. 12. He sighed deeply and said, “Why does this generation ask for a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, no sign will be given to it.” 13. Then he left them, got back into the boat and crossed to the other side.14. The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. 15. “Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.”16. They discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no bread.”17. Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18. Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? 19. When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” “Twelve,” they replied. 20. “And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” They answered, “Seven.”21. He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”22. They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. 23. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?” 24. He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.”25. Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 26. Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t go into the village.”
I was sort of confused at first reading these passages. But I do understand Christ's feelings in the first half of this passage. The Pharisees weren't satisfied with Christ's miracles in the past. They wanted more and more like a sign from heaven and so forth. It seems like they were sort of testing Christ and treating him like a magician. Even some of the disciples didn't trust him all the way in terms of food even after the miracle of feeding the five thousand. I can see myself in these disciples. I say that I believe that Christ died for me and forgave my sins, but I still doubt him when troubles come. Then at the second half of the passage Jesus heals the blind in two stages. I'm not sure why but it seems like it would make the blind appreciate his sight more due to that stage. I also like the fact that Jesus never brags about his miracles like us do in our world.
11. The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test him, they asked him for a sign from heaven. 12. He sighed deeply and said, “Why does this generation ask for a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, no sign will be given to it.” 13. Then he left them, got back into the boat and crossed to the other side.14. The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. 15. “Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.”16. They discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no bread.”17. Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18. Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? 19. When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” “Twelve,” they replied. 20. “And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” They answered, “Seven.”21. He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”22. They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. 23. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?” 24. He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.”25. Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 26. Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t go into the village.”
I was sort of confused at first reading these passages. But I do understand Christ's feelings in the first half of this passage. The Pharisees weren't satisfied with Christ's miracles in the past. They wanted more and more like a sign from heaven and so forth. It seems like they were sort of testing Christ and treating him like a magician. Even some of the disciples didn't trust him all the way in terms of food even after the miracle of feeding the five thousand. I can see myself in these disciples. I say that I believe that Christ died for me and forgave my sins, but I still doubt him when troubles come. Then at the second half of the passage Jesus heals the blind in two stages. I'm not sure why but it seems like it would make the blind appreciate his sight more due to that stage. I also like the fact that Jesus never brags about his miracles like us do in our world.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Jan 24, 2009 - A Tale of Two Miracles
Mark 7:31 - 8:10
31. Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. 32. There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged him to place his hand on the man. 33. After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. 34. He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means, “Be opened!”). 35. At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly. 36. Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. 37. People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”1. During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, 2. “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. 3. If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.” 4. His disciples answered, “But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?” 5. “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied. 6. He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people, and they did so. 7. They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. 8. The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 9. About four thousand men were present. And having sent them away, 10. he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the region of Dalmanutha.
Even though I can perform miracles, I want to be able to have the impact like Christ had by just letting a deaf man hear and a mute man talk again. Because of this miracle, a lot of people came to Christ and I want to be able just live out my life by that people can see Christ in me. I once heard that a pastor would come into a barber shop and get his hair cut and once he left someone in that barber shop saw God's presence around the pastor and for that he met Christ. I wish to be someone like that in the future.
31. Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. 32. There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged him to place his hand on the man. 33. After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. 34. He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means, “Be opened!”). 35. At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly. 36. Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. 37. People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”1. During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, 2. “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. 3. If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.” 4. His disciples answered, “But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?” 5. “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied. 6. He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people, and they did so. 7. They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. 8. The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 9. About four thousand men were present. And having sent them away, 10. he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the region of Dalmanutha.
Even though I can perform miracles, I want to be able to have the impact like Christ had by just letting a deaf man hear and a mute man talk again. Because of this miracle, a lot of people came to Christ and I want to be able just live out my life by that people can see Christ in me. I once heard that a pastor would come into a barber shop and get his hair cut and once he left someone in that barber shop saw God's presence around the pastor and for that he met Christ. I wish to be someone like that in the future.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Jan 22, 2009 - What is the God like way?
Mark 6:45 - 6:56
45. Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to Bethsaida, while He dismissed the crowd. After leaving them, He went up on a mountainside to pray. When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and He was alone on land. He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night He went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, but when they saw Him walking on the lake, they thought He was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw Him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Then He climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened. When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard He was. And wherever He went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged Him to let them touch even the edge of His cloak, and all who touched Him were healed.
I think I fall short like the disciples on the boat. I sometimes doubt too much about God. When something small goes wrong I start with "Why this and why that?". I need to learn how to be patient and just wait for God's timing in a lot of things. Also, I wonder if I would have been like those people that just ran in joy in being able to see Jesus because I really loved Jesus or because of the flow or I guess peer pressure could fall in this category too. But, I really want to just love Jesus for who he is not because of his miracles and his works!
45. Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to Bethsaida, while He dismissed the crowd. After leaving them, He went up on a mountainside to pray. When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and He was alone on land. He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night He went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, but when they saw Him walking on the lake, they thought He was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw Him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Then He climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened. When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard He was. And wherever He went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged Him to let them touch even the edge of His cloak, and all who touched Him were healed.
I think I fall short like the disciples on the boat. I sometimes doubt too much about God. When something small goes wrong I start with "Why this and why that?". I need to learn how to be patient and just wait for God's timing in a lot of things. Also, I wonder if I would have been like those people that just ran in joy in being able to see Jesus because I really loved Jesus or because of the flow or I guess peer pressure could fall in this category too. But, I really want to just love Jesus for who he is not because of his miracles and his works!
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