Category Archives: Mark

There is something in most people which craves status and recognition. We want to be first. We want others to acknowledge our importance. We often think we are better than other people. Jesus’ disciples were no different. They, too, wanted to put themselves first. However, Jesus taught that true greatness is measured by service and […]

If You Can (Mark 9:14-32)

Why doesn’t God grant our requests even when we ask for what is good? One of the reasons is that in our heart of hearts we sometimes doubt that God is able to do what we ask of Him. Similarly, why do our attempts to serve God sometimes seem so ineffective? Could it be that […]

Jesus’ Glory (Mark 9:2-13)

It is often difficult for us to see reality. Sometimes our preconceived notions of how things ought to be causes us to have a distorted view of the actual facts. Sometimes we don’t know crucial information which would change how we look at things. But, most importantly, we often forget that the physical and material […]

Seeing Clearly (Mark 8:22-9:1)

Glasses enable those whose eyesight is not clear to see plainly. Without them, objects appear distorted and it is difficult to see things as they really are. It is the same in regard to spiritual things. Without a true understanding of who Jesus is, it is impossible to clearly see spiritual reality. Unless we recognize […]

The Yeast of the Pharisees (Mark 8:1-21)

As anyone who has studied in school knows, sometimes it is necessary to hear a lesson more than once before a person can understand it. Our minds are not always capable of grasping the material the first time. However, there is another reason why people sometimes do not understand – it is because their hearts […]

Foreign Miracles (Mark 7:24-37)

Many people feel uncomfortable around others who come from different backgrounds than they, especially foreigners. One reason for this attitude is lack of knowledge. We fear what we don’t know or understand and the other person’s habits and ways of thinking are unknown to us. Even worse, however, is the feeling of contempt we have […]

Clean And Unclean (Mark 7:1-23)

Many religions and systems of belief contradict each other. However, one thing about which most religions agree is the need for cleansing. God is pure and we who are impure cannot worship Him or come into His presence unless we have been cleansed. The question is what makes a person “clean” or “unclean”? An even […]

A Feast In The Wilderness (Mark 6:30-56)

Everyone needs to rest on occasion. Even God rested after He created the universe. In the Gospel account which bears his name, Mark tells us what happened one time when Jesus wanted some rest. In chapter 6, verses 30 through 32 he writes, “The apostles gathered themselves together to Jesus, and they told him all […]

A Birthday Gift (Mark 6:14-29)

Jesus’ teaching and the miracles He performed were a source of controversy. People were divided about where His power came from. They were confused about who Jesus was. The common people were not the only ones who were confused. There was a king who had a special reason to wonder who Jesus might be – […]

A Prophet Without Honor (Mark 6:1-13)

We tend to dismiss advice and calls to righteousness from “our own.” Our attitude is, “Who are you to tell me what to do?” It is far easier to accept instruction from someone on the outside than it is from someone we know. Jesus ran into this phenomenon when He visited the village where He […]