New Testament in a Year

Mark 7:1-23
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Today’s readings in Mark are about “Clean and Unclean” and we read about Jesus confronting the Pharisees about their “own traditions”.  I read in NIV Study Bible and OYB Companion commentaries that after the Babylonian exile, Jewish rabbis began to make meticulous rules and regulations governing the daily life of people.  And that these rules were added to God’s law and essentially elevated to the same sacred status by the Pharisees.  In 200 A.D. these traditions of the elders were put into writing in the Mishnah. I think what Jesus gets at here in this chapter is that the Pharisees were allowing the “rules & regs” to overshadow the spirit of God’s law.  They were not honoring their parents because of the practice of Corban – giving $ to the temple.  Which is a good thing… but at the expense of a great thing of caring for your parents?   I know we all could probably go round and round on what is the greatest good – how should we spend our time and our money and our lives.  I like that Jesus basically takes us to the heart.  What is the heart of the matter?  No matter what the matter is – taking care of your parents, giving to your church, following God’s laws, receiving God’s grace – what is the heart of the matter?   One thing that I have been so blessed to learn over the past few years is that the condition of our hearts matters.  Immensely.  The motives of why we do something – anything – matters.  Immensely.  We are called in Proverbs to “guard our hearts, for it is the wellspring of life.”   If we do not care for the state of our hearts, we can become very regimented or insensitive in our thinking and doing.  We might even get to the point in verse 8 of this chapter where Jesus quotes from Isaiah – “`These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far away.”  How is the state of your heart today?  Is it close to God?

Jesus continues to speak about the importance of what is in our hearts in verses 20-23 today –  “It is the thought-life that defiles you. For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, eagerness for lustful pleasure, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you and make you unacceptable to God.”  I think this takes us back again to the Sermon on the Mount – where Jesus teaches us in one example that yes, it is wrong to commit adultery.  But, if you commit adultery in your heart, it is just as wrong.  Because if you commit adultery in the heart, you have essentially defiled your own heart.  And from the heart could come the actual act of committing adultery – which would then shatter several lives.  But it all starts in the heart….   So – the good news?  Jesus can heal our hearts!  Jesus is in the business of heart-healing!  Maybe in your life, you might need to refocus a little bit less on some external actions and start focusing on the state of your heart?   Maybe by focusing on what’s going no inside your heart, the external actions will ultimately change?   Maybe allow Jesus to heal your heart – and then your external life will be healed as well?  I’m not sure you can go about this the other way – trying to work from the outside back in…  I think you may need to start on the inside first and work your way out.  But don’t do this alone – let Jesus walk this healing path with you.

Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of the song “Be Thou My Vision.” Here’s a great live version by Shane & Shane:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgLHar8VWJI

Who or what is your vision? Click here for your eternal vision!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on four verses of Scripture today: “He (Jesus) went on: “What comes out of a man is what makes him ‘unclean.’ For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man ‘unclean.’” Mark 7:20-23 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that your heart is clean. Clean of all evil thoughts, sexual immorality and folly.

Comments from You –  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

Love, Trust, and Obey Jesus,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Mark 6:30-56
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Today we read in Mark Chapter 6 verse 46: “Afterward he (Jesus) went up into the hills by himself to pray.” What a beautiful verse for each of us to meditate upon! Jesus went by himself to pray to God. It is interesting to note that this took place just after Jesus fed the 5,000. Jesus had been working hard – he is God and yet he still felt the call to pray to the Father. I think this verse is such a great reminder that you and I need to follow Jesus’ example in this verse. And we’re so not God! 🙂 So, think about how much more crucial it is for us to pray. Jesus knew that God was his source of strength. His comfort. His wisdom. And prayer was the one sure fire way for Jesus to really connect and spend time with God. How is your prayer life these days? Are you finding a good amount of time each day to be by yourself and pray? If not, can you schedule this time into your calendar each day?

Worship Video: Today’s readings in Mark 6 about Jesus praying reminded me of the Casting Crowns song “What If His People Prayed.” Here’s a great live version:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lF-lXgjEHo0

Are you praying? Click here and pray!

Comments from you:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Mark 6:1-29
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Today we read in Mark Chapter 6 verse 4– “Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family.” This verse reminds me that sometimes when we really move forward in our faith, our friends (“hometown” from the verse above) and our relatives can sometimes not understand what is going on with us. I think there are phases of our walk with God where really it becomes very personal – between us and God – and through that process God will transform us. And our friends and relatives sometimes may not appreciate our change for various reasons – just as Jesus’ friends and relatives did not appreciate his ministry in this verse. I hope that this verse can be of comfort to you if by chance you are having challenges reconciling your faith and your changed heart with your friends & relatives expectations of who you were in the past. Know that you are on the right path. As long as you are staying focused on God and his will for your life, you may have to accept some loss of “honor” (per the verse above) in your status with your friends and relatives. You may not seem to be as “cool” or “fun” as you once were in your friends’ eyes. But – if in God’s eyes you are loving Him with all of your heart and you are loving your neighbors as yourself, then you are eternally cool and fun in the Kingdom of Heaven. And that’s where it really counts. Where are you seeking “honor” in your life today? In the eyes of your friends and relatives – or in God’s eyes?

An image for verses 18 & 19: “John kept telling Herod, “It is illegal for you to marry your brother’s wife.” Herodias was enraged and wanted John killed in revenge, but without Herod’s approval she was powerless.” –

Worship Video: Our readings today reminded of Brandon Heath’s great song about being changed by Jesus called “I’m not Who I Was”:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1ZgtCRO-KY

Are you who you were? Click here to be made clean!

Comments from you:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

Love, Trust, and Obey Jesus,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Mark 5:21-43
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The structure of today’s readings in Mark chapter 5 are amazing!  The narrative starts with Jairus asking Jesus to heal his daughter who is about to die – but, then, in the middle of the narrative Jesus’ journey is stopped by a woman who simply wants to touch Jesus’ robe so that she will be healed from a 12-year suffering.  And verse 34 in this portion is just so beautiful as Jesus says to the now healed woman: “”Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. You have been healed.”” 

Then, the narrative cuts back to Jairus, but it sounds like it’s too late for Jesus to come to the house.  Messengers report that the little girl has died.   Jesus simply tells Jairus in verse 36 – “Just trust me.”  (which is something so powerful that I believe Jesus says to you and me today too – “Just trust me.”  Don’t worry about anything else in this passing life.  “Just trust me.”)  And then in verses 40 & 41 we read: “Then he took the girl’s father and mother and his three disciples into the room where the girl was lying. Holding her hand, he said to her, “Get up, little girl!” 

Commentary from Bob Deffinbaugh at bible.org on today’s readings in Mark chapter 5 entitled “Where there is Death there is Hope” is at this link.

Worship Video: Based on our readings today here’s an amazing live worship performance by Chris Tomlin of the song “Holy is the Lord.”  Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jbSNwvMDz8

Do you often cry “Holy?” Click here for Holiness!

Comments from you: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

Love, Trust, and Obey Jesus,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Mark 4:26-5:20
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I love the parable of the growing seed in Mark chapter 4 verses 26-29.  This parable only occurs in the Gospel of Mark.  I equate the seed to be the Gospel, which is filled with so much power and truth and life that “the seeds sprouted and grew without the farmer’s help, because the earth produces crops on its own.”  The Gospel message is so powerful on its own that it will produce a bountiful crop.  Or – maybe the Bible is another way to look at the seed.  Reading and studying the Bible will ultimately produce a bountiful crop in our lives.  It can’t help but not do so.  What do you think the seed represents in this parable?  I’ll share with you that I have been thinking more and more about farming these days – and the wisdom in how farming works.  You plant, you water, you care for the soil, you wait, the plant grows.   And this takes time.  You reap what you sow.  And I contrast this with our society today – or myself – and how everything moves so fast.  We want instant gratification.  Now!  🙂  We don’t like to wait on anything.  We don’t like the concept of farming…  and I’m afraid that this speed of life today can really be unhealthy – or maybe superficial is the word I’m looking for.  In any case, I think the patience and process of farming is something that has so much value for us still today.  If we are struggling with sins or sadness or whatever, I think we absolutely need to take these things to Jesus for healing – but, we would do well to realize that Jesus may want to do some farming in our hearts.  He may want to plant some seeds, and give the seeds some time to grow.  Sure, maybe sometimes we’ll get an instant gratification healing or answer. But I think more often than not we should be ready for some farming to occur in our hearts.  And to thank God for the wisdom of this process!

I think my little tangent on farming and being patient during the process, above, might play in well to Jesus’ next parable of the mustard seed in verses 30 through 32: “Jesus asked, “How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it? It is like a tiny mustard seed. Though this is one of the smallest of seeds, it grows to become one of the largest of plants, with long branches where birds can come and find shelter.””  I think if we can have faith in the seed that Jesus plants in our hearts – be it the Gospel, the Bible, healing, patience, faith – we will see an amazing plant grow that will ultimately bless others.  From the tiniest beginnings, with patience and faith, can come the largest of plants.  Will you let Jesus plant a needed mustard seed in your heart?  And will you be patient and allow the seed time & space to grow?

Commentary from Bob Deffinbaugh at Bible.org on Mark chapter 4 titled “The Meaning of the Miracles” is at this link.  Commentary from Bible.org on Jesus healing a demon possessed man in Mark chapter 5 titled the “Gerasene Demoniac” is at this link.

Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of the song “Legacy” by Nicole Nordeman:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ah1COE39ARs

Do you know your eternal Legacy? Click here to meet your Legacy Maker!

Comments from You & Question of the Day – What do you think of my farming analogies in the eflections above?  Has our modern world forgotten about some of the principles of farming the land?  Have we forgotten that we reap what we sow?  Have we lost our patience, to the point where we will not even wait for the harvest to come in at its appointed time?  Are we trying to control things in our modern day life that aren’t controllable?  Such as the “pace” at which a seed grows into a plant and a plant into a full harvest?  In losing some of our knowledge of the principles of farming and growing, are we at risk of losing ourselves?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

Love, Trust, and Obey Jesus,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Mark 3:31-4:25
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New Testament – Mark chapter 3 verses 33-35 make an impact on me each time I read it: “Jesus replied, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” Then he looked at those around him and said, “These are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”  This last sentence is a powerful proclamation from Jesus.  If we are obedient to God’s will in our life we are brothers and sisters and mothers of Jesus.  Pretty amazing to think about!  Jesus is not only our savior – but our brother.  And later he calls us friends.  Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary puts it this way – “It is a great comfort to all true Christians, that they are dearer to Christ than mother, brother, or sister as such, merely as relations in the flesh would have been, even had they been holy. Blessed be God, this great and gracious privilege is ours even now; for though Christ’s bodily presence cannot be enjoyed by us, his spiritual presence is not denied us.”

Mark chapter 4’s parable of the Farmer scattering seed is a parable that I am sure can convict each of us in various ways.  Verses 16 through 18 I am afraid can sometimes represent all too well the “soil” of our hearts… “The rocky soil represents those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But like young plants in such soil, their roots don’t go very deep. At first they get along fine, but they wilt as soon as they have problems or are persecuted because they believe the word. The thorny ground represents those who hear and accept the Good News, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for nice things, so no crop is produced.”  The crowding out of the Good News by the cares of this life and the desire for nice things is where I am afraid we miss the mark too often.  And when we succumb to theses cares & desires, indeed, no crop is produced.  However – I do pray that there are moments in life where we can see the amazing power & truth in verse 20: “But the good soil represents those who hear and accept God’s message and produce a huge harvest–thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted.”   I just pray for more consistency in our lives to live in verse 20 than in the previous verses…  How is the soil of your heart?  Which verses in this parable are you living in these days?  Are you receiving God’s Word into your heart?  Will you allowing God’s Word in your heart to produce a huge harvest?

Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of the Big Daddy Weave song “Redeemed:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzGAYNKDyIU

Have you been redeemed? Click here for Redemption!

Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

Love, Trust, and Obey Jesus,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Mark 3:7-30
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In Mark chapter 3 verses 7 & 8 show how Jesus’ ministry was quickly being noticed from all over Israel: “Jesus and his disciples went out to the lake, followed by a huge crowd from all over Galilee, Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, from east of the Jordan River, and even from as far away as Tyre and Sidon. The news about his miracles had spread far and wide, and vast numbers of people came to see him for themselves.”   And now today think about how far and wide Jesus’ ministry has gone.  Worldwide.   Why do you suppose Jesus’ ministry gained such notice during his lifetime?  Why do you suppose that Jesus’ ministry continues to gain such notice today?  Could it be that there is true power in Jesus’ ministry?  Could it be that Jesus changes lives?  Heals people – teaches people – loves people – forgives people….  Could it be that Jesus is the Savior of the World?

In Mark 3:28-29 we read about the unpardonable sin of blaspheming the Holy Spirit. A great website link with tons of great info about the context of these verses and what it means to us today is at this link:
https://www.gotquestions.org/unpardonable-sin.html.

Worship Video: All of our readings and reflections about the Holy Spirit today reminded me of the Francesca Battistelli song “Holy Spirit:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoZd7ZXh9yY

Do you know the Holy Spirit? Click here to Know Him!

Comments from You – What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

Love, Trust, and Obey Jesus,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Mark 2:13-3:6
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Today we read about Jesus calling Levi / Matthew from his tax collector booth.

Here is a creative 3 minute video from The Chosen of Jesus calling Matthew from his tax collector booth:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IUL9yq0We8

Jesus’ teaching in Mark chapter 2 verse 27 is very wise for each of us to keep in mind: “”The Sabbath was made to benefit people, and not people to benefit the Sabbath.”

Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of “Your Love, Oh Lord” by Third Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oP_Q4z0x_Fw

Do you know the Love that reaches to the heavens? Click here and meet the One that created the skies!

Comments from you:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Mark 1:29-2:12
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Today in Mark’s readings I noticed that Jesus healed, taught, healed and healed.  3 healings and 1 teaching in today’s readings. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I personally seem to overlook Jesus’ healing ministry.  I pay a lot of attention to what he did on the cross for us.  I pay a lot of attention to his resurrection.  I pay a lot of attention to his teachings.  But his healings?  Not so much.  And if I really stop to think about it, I know that I personally need some healing from Jesus in my life.  I have wounds.  I have issues. I need Jesus’ healing touch in my life.  How about you?  Do you need Jesus’ healing touch in your life?  If so, can you reflect on chapter 1 verses 40 & 41 in Mark’s readings today: “A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you want to, you can make me well again,” he said.  Moved with pity, Jesus touched him. “I want to,” he said. “Be healed!””  What is your “leprosy”?  Do you want to be made well again?    Do you believe that Jesus wants to heal you?

Worship Video:  Our readings in Matthew today about Jesus’ healings reminded me this terrific live Tauren Wells “Worship Medley:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sbuR-fLTgg

Have you worshiped Jesus? Click here and worship Him!

Comments from you:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Mark 1:1-28
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Yesterday I didn’t really get a chance to post up my closing reflections on the Gospel of Matthew this year.  I think the main thing that really stood out to me in the Gospel of Matthew readings this year was how powerfully truthful and insightful Jesus’ teachings are in the parables.  Some of the parables really took on new life & meaning for me this year as I read through Matthew.  It is such an amazing thing – every time I read the Bible – or re-read portions of the Bible I should say – I gain some new insight that I never saw before.  I hope that has been the case for you as you read through Matthew this year?  Please feel free to post up any closing reflections on your reading of the book of Matthew in the Comments below if you’d like.  And today we begin the Gospel of Mark!

~Mark~
Author: Mark
Place: Rome
Date: A.D. 60-65
Content: John Mark was a companion of the apostle Paul. He finally settled in Rome where he wrote down the remembrances of the apostle Peter. Thus Mark’s Gospel reflects the words of an eyewitness of the events he describes. Mark’s purpose was to put together an expanded Gospel message. Hence it centers upon the acts of Jesus rather than his words and devotes a disproportionately large amount of material to the last week of Jesus’ life. Mark’s Gospel begins with Jesus’ public ministry and preaching of the gospel of the Kingdom of God. Several explicit predictions of his coming death are made (Mark 8:31; 9:31; 10:33-34, 45) and then Jesus goes to the cross to die for the sins of the world.
Theme: Mark depicts Jesus as the Servant of God who came to do God’s will. The miracles, healings, victory over demons, and personal power show the world that Jesus was no ordinary servant, but was truly the Son of God (Mark 15:39). Jesus’ resurrection authenticated all that he did, and now we await his return in glory from heaven. Mark also wrote to encourage the Roman Christians in a time of persecution.  (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” pages 21-22)  Excellent commentary on the Gospel of Mark is at this link.

You’ll notice in Mark chapter 1 today that there is no nativity narrative – Mark and John’s Gospels do not have the nativity narrative.  Verse 1 starts off powerfully with: “Here begins the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.”  (Good News = Gospel.  Gospel comes from the Old English word godspel, which means “good story”  or “good tidings” or “good news” and accurately translates the original Greek word: evangelion.)  And what is the Good News?  It is that God has provided salvation through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  This is very Good News indeed!

I know I mentioned this when we read through the Baptism narrative in Matthew, but I think this is so powerful, that I want to mention it again.  All three persons of the Trinity are involved in Jesus’ Baptism – 1.  the Father speaks 2. the Son is Baptized 3. the Holy Spirit descends on the Son.  Verses 10 & 11: “And when Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens split open and the Holy Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven saying, “You are my beloved Son, and I am fully pleased with you.””  Per Tyndale’s commentary today, Jesus was baptized 1. to begin his mission to bring the message of salvation to all people; 2. to show support for John’s ministry; 3. to identify with our humanness and sin; 4. to give us an example to follow.

Worship Video:  Our readings in Mark today reminded me of Jeremy Camp’s song “We Give you Glory:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-T6yGKhxOG0

Who are you giving glory to these days? Click here and meet true Glory!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on three verses of Scripture today: “At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”” Mark 1:9-11 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you would always have faith that Jesus is God and that the Holy Spirit is God and that the Father is God. Pray that you would worship our Triune God, Father, Son and Spirit each and every day.

Comments from you & Question of the Day:  What are some things about the Gospel of Matthew that we wrapped up yesterday that stood out to you this year?  What new thing did you learn about Jesus and his teachings in Matthew this year?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

Love, Trust, and Obey Jesus,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!