'Jesus' Tagged Posts
Daily Devotions
I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows.” vs. 2 2 Corinthians 12:2-5 Many Jews believed that when a righteous person died they would be taken to a garden called Paradise, a place similar to the Eden that was well-known from the Hebrew Scriptures. Paul claims in this boasting section of his letter to the Corinthians that…
Daily Devotions
He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.’” vs. 34 Mark 5:24-34 When the woman with the flow of blood was healed by touching Jesus’ garment in the midst of the crowd, he assured her that it was her faith that had made her well. We’re not surprised by his words; he regularly credits trust as a major factor in his healing ministry. It’s no wonder then that…
Daily Devotions
And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?’” vs. 41 Mark 4:39-41 Mark concludes this little story of the stormy sea with a question and his intention in using it is clear. Centuries before in Psalm 107 the psalmist had written, “Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out from their distress; he made the storm be…
Daily Devotions
But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’” vs. 38 Mark 4:35-38 The disciples weren’t sleeping during the windstorm on the Sea of Galilee. The boat was bouncing on the waves, and they feared for their lives. But when Jesus was somehow able to sleep, they woke him up, somehow assuming that he didn’t care that they were about to…
Daily Devotions
We have spoken frankly to you Corinthians; our heart is wide open to you. There is no restriction in our affections, but only in yours. In return—I speak as to children—open wide your hearts also.” vss. 11-13 2 Corinthians 6:7-13 Just because Paul had lived in Corinth and had faithfully proclaimed the gospel to the congregation doesn’t mean there were no difficulties between him and the people. We don’t know precisely what the issue was, but we do know that…
Daily Devotions
With what can we compare the kingdom of God…It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs…” vss. 30-32 Mark 4:30-34 When Jesus came into Galilee he proclaimed that the kingdom of God was at hand, and he then devoted his teaching to describing the nature of that kingdom and how its power…
Daily Devotions
He also said, ‘The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how.’” vss. 26-27 Mark 4:26-29 Jesus frequently talked about the kingdom of God in his teaching. He understood it as a present reality in our world and used parables to describe what it was like. Those parables frequently used metaphors about ordinary things that…
Daily Devotions
So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!” vs. 17 2 Corinthians 5:14-17 One of the reasons for Paul’s confidence was his belief that Jesus’ resurrection was also his resurrection. His future life in the Lord was his present reality. He already had received what would one day be his. In fact, he says that’s the way it is for all who are in Christ. We are…
Daily Devotions
So we are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord—for we walk by faith, not by sight.” vss. 6-7 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 Paul told the people in the Corinth house church that when he died he would be at home with the Lord. He’s not alone in expressing that sentiment. In fact, there are many among us who believe the same thing. Like Paul they have…
Daily Devotions
If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.” vss. 24-25 Mark 3:20-30 Abraham Lincoln quoted this verse when he launched his campaign in 1858 as the Republican candidate for the United States Senate from Illinois. These words opened his speech and were a direct reference to the impending division of the United States that had been triggered by a massive controversy…
Daily Devotions
He looked around at them with anger; he was grieved at their hardness of heart and said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He stretched it out, and his hand was restored.” vs. 5 Mark 3:1-6 Standing with a crippled man in front of the Pharisees in the synagogue, Jesus asked them a straightforward question, “Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save life or to kill?” And the Pharisees were silent.…
Daily Devotions
One Sabbath he was going through the grain fields; and as they made their way his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. The Pharisees said to him, ‘Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?’” vss. 23-24 Mark 2:23-28 There was a time when faith communities encouraged believers to observe the Sabbath by refraining from work on Sundays. Obviously there were some things that needed to be done, e.g. taking care of livestock and preparing…