“And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.”(Mark 14:72) We live in times that are remarkably hostile to Christians. I have written before about how at times the wisdom of Mordecai is entirely appropriate for us to follow. In many workplaces people keep it more professional these days and don’t talk about any outside interests.... Read more
And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” (Mark 14:62) He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death —even to death on a cross. For this reason God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow…and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ... Read more
At the end of this post I will share the trailer of an up and coming religious themed release by Columbia Pictures. Called Risen, this film centers on the efforts of a skeptic to disprove the resurrection of Jesus during the first forty days after the event. The film will release both in the USA this month, and in the UK shortly. I’m sure you agree that the trailer looks professional, and the premise is fascinating. It addresses the most... Read more
“Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.””(Mark 14:38) Its interesting how quickly our minds often tend to think of our tendency towards sin when we consider this verse. But Jesus is just talking about the disciples failure to stay up and pray with him. He was talking about their natural tendency to sleep, and inability to fight against it. Jesus was here being kind and essentially saying... Read more
“And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head.”(Mark 14:3) What some called a waste, Jesus honored in the highest possible terms. From Cape Town to Bejing, everywhere the gospel is preached, he said “tell of what this woman has done.” The one who for... Read more
“Have you not read this Scripture: “‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?””(Mark 12:10-11) Have you ever stopped to think about how remarkable certain Scriptures really are? Overfamiliarity numbs us to the stark surprising reality. Last night my son George who is just eight commented on the story of Judges. He said something like How could they say, you know how God rescued us... Read more
“And he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.””(Mark 11:17) How quickly my indignation rose when I looked at these words. How easy it is to apply them to someone else. We can all point the finger. Think of ministries who are fleecing the flock of God. Remind ourselves of unhelpful teaching that turns... Read more
“And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.””(Mark 10:51) If you are anything like me, then your prayer life leaves much to be desired. As I once wrote, I am learning but I still have a long way to go. There are many challenges to us praying that come up. Sometimes it’s our theology. We can tie ourselves in knots... Read more
“Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.””Mark 10:15 ESV What matters at the begining of our walk with God also matters every step of the way. Each day as we come to God, how do we come? Do we come quietly confident that we have done enough to please him? Or do we come terrified that our ongoing sins have angered him against us? Or do we... Read more
And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” (Mark 9:35) Leadership is all about servanthood, or so the saying goes. Jesus encourages us to be first at being last. To put the needs of others before our own. To not use people but spend ourselves on their behalf. This means developing the people you are responsible for. It means actually caring for them. It means loving them... Read more
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