Posts from January 2021

Posts from January 2021

Daily Devotions

They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, ‘What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.’” vs. 27 Mark 1:27-28 The crowd recognized that Jesus was teaching with authority and they were amazed. They were well acquainted with authority figures of several kinds. There was that of their Roman overlords, a kind of political authority derived from the emperor. And the scribes too claimed authority–they interpreted the religious…

Daily Devotions

Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.’” vss. 23-24 Mark 1:23-26 According to Mark the demons knew exactly who Jesus was–they spotted his holiness a mile away and called him out. They not only knew his name but they knew his divine origins, and…

Daily Devotions

They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” vs. 22 Mark 1:21-22 According to Mark, Jesus began his ministry in the vibrant little city of Capernaum, at the north end of the Sea of Galilee. Today there are only ruins on the site, but one of the excavated buildings is an old synagogue dating from the first century. Standing inside its confines, visitors can get a sense of the…

Daily Devotions

But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.” vs. 9 1 Corinthians 8:7-13 Jesus came proclaiming liberty to the oppressed and for generations believers have embraced that good news with enthusiasm. It fits our notion of the American dream where life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are the highest aspirations. Some carry this to an extreme and say that there is nothing that can be forbidden to them–they’re inclined…

Daily Devotions

Now concerning food sacrificed to idols: we know that ‘all of us possess knowledge.’ Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” vs. 1 1 Corinthians 8:1-6 The Corinthians were divided between those who thought eating food sacrificed to idols was just fine and those who thought it should be forbidden. Paul’s inclination was to support those eating such food–after all he knew that idols were imaginary, and besides, the steaks at the pagan temples were the best in town. But…

Daily Devotions

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever.” vs. 10         Psalm 111 Over the last decades there has been a steady movement away from religion in our country. Denominations report large membership losses, and while independent churches have picked up many of those folks, reputable polling groups report that in general the number of unaffiliated people is increasing. Many of us can see those trends…

Daily Devotions

I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their own people; I will put my words in the mouth of the prophet, who shall speak to them everything that I command.” vs. 18 Deuteronomy 18:15-20 When the Galileans encountered Jesus and heard his authoritative words some of them believed that he was the prophet spoken of in Deuteronomy, a man like Moses who would speak to them all that God commanded. They were wrong! Jesus did…

Daily Devotions

Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.” vs. 20 Mark 1:19-20 We can’t help but smile a bit as we imagine the scene on the beach outside of Capernaum that day. Zebedee stands with a couple of hired men in the boat, and his boys, the core of the family business, wander off down the beach in pursuit of an itinerant preacher. It’s not a pretty picture!…

Daily Devotions

And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fish for people.’” vs. 17 Mark 1:16-18 Jesus was on the prowl and looking for disciples as he began his ministry along the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. He had no list of qualifications; no advanced degree or seminary education was necessary. The first people that he chose made their living fishing, and he saw a link to his ministry. They’d been catching fish, now they…

Daily Devotions

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.’” Mark 1:14-15 When it comes down to it, the message Jesus had for the Galileans wasn’t much different from that proclaimed by John. “Repent and believe the good news!” It really is pretty basic, and it’s essentially the same message that confronts us when…

Daily Devotions

I mean, brothers and sisters, the appointed time has grown short; from now on, let even those who have wives be as though they had none…For the present form of this world is passing away.” vss. 29, 31b 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 Paul, an unmarried man, had no shortage of advice for the Corinthians about marriage. He admits he’s giving his own opinions, and then goes on to say that it’s far better to be unmarried than married, especially if we’re…

Daily Devotions

Put no confidence in extortion, and set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, do not set your heart on them. vs. 10 Psalm 62:9-12 The psalmist lived under a different economic system than we do. He would not have been familiar with either capitalism or socialism, but he did know the inclinations of the human heart. From the beginning of life in community there have been some who attempted extortion and robbery to get more goods for themselves;…