Mark 14 This chapter is a greater reminder of how the Bible has both divine and human origins. While I fully believe the Bible is inspired by God, I also believe He allowed the original author's voices to be heard in the text. To fully appreciate Mark 14, you have to understand its origin. Mark, the author of the Gospel of Mark, was a companion of the apostle Peter. I...

Mark 13 The Gospel of Mark moves so quickly. If you were to read it in a single sitting, it would only take you about 45 minutes. Just 45 minutes to tell us the story of the most significant person in the history of the world. These 16 brief chapters walk us through the 3-year ministry of the Savior. As the story reaches its climax, there is a shift in the tone. Jesus i...

Mark 12 "Do you all want to be known as liars? Is that what you aspire to? Because as I see it, if we sell a product with no intention to support it -- that's what we are!" That's a paraphrase of a challenge that lives on in the "lore" of the company I work for and that marks a stark turning point in our company mindset. The man who delivered it was a subordina...

Mark 11 Jesus instructs two of His disciples to go into a nearby village and get a colt (or donkey) for him to ride. This is reference back to Zechariah 9:9 which states: 9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!Behold, your king is coming to you;righteous and having salvation is he,humble and mounted on a donkey,on a colt, the foal ...

Mark 10 Jesus continues to speak with authority to the real issues of the day in Mark 10. Whether it is the heart issues that surround marriage and divorce, the value of each child to their Heavenly Father, the pride that comes from making our own way, making our own righteousness, or striving for position, Jesus nails it with truth and the ability to see within our heart...

Depending on which translation you're reading, you may have one of two questions while reading Mark 9: Either: Why are verses 44 and 46 missing? Why do verses 44, 46, and 48 all say, "Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched"? If you're reading the King James Version of the Bible or the New King James Version of the Bible, you might have asked t...

Mark 9 As you've probably noticed, Mark's gospel moves REALLY fast! This chapter goes in so many different directions that I could have written six very different blog posts. I chose to look at the section you're probably the most familiar with. Lose It! Mark 9 42 "If anyone causes one of these little onesthose who believe in meto stumble, it would be better for ...

Mark 8:1-38 I am so thankful that the perfect scriptures honestly record the imperfections of its people. (Mark 8:4) - The disciples want to send away 4,000 hungry people, even though Jesus had already proved (Mark 6) that He could feed 5,000. (Mark 8:16) - Jesus warns them about the heart attitude (leaven) of the Pharisees and the disciples think He's upset tha...

Mark 7 Mark 7 is all over the place, so to follow suit here is a side note before we even jump in something cool is happening when Jesus gathers a crowd here in Mark 7:14. It seems as if the people who are listening to Jesus are aware of the fact that they are unclean. We call that Common Grace. If you feel that, it's not necessarily a bad thing. That awareness, that we...

Mark 6:1-56 In Mark chapter 6, Jesus goes to His hometown with His disciples and begins to teach in His own synagogue on the Sabbath day. This is a great opportunity for Jesus to be a blessing to those who have known Him the longest. (Small town boy makes it big!) (Mark 6:2) and many who heard Him were amazed. "Where did this man get these things?" they asked. "What's ...