Mark’s Hidden Gems: Abiathar the High Priest?

“Have you never read?” Last time we discovered, through Mark’s ingenious literary links, that Jesus, the Son of Man, is ready to do miracles for us. He has authority on earth to forgive sins! Praise God for that! He miraculously heals our spiritual paralysis so we can walk in obedience to His commands. Mark alsoContinue reading “Mark’s Hidden Gems: Abiathar the High Priest?”

Mark’s Hidden Gems: Have You Never Read?

Reading the Bible is a big part of cultivating our relationship with God. But how we read is of utmost importance. Is the Bible boring to you? It probably has a lot to do with how you’re reading. Even more critical is reading wrongly. Conceptualizing God wrongly has disastrous consequences for how we live ourContinue reading “Mark’s Hidden Gems: Have You Never Read?”

Mark’s Hidden Gems: Sons of Thunder is Not a Nickname!

I’d always imagined James and John, the Sons of Thunder, as these brash, swashbuckling, Elijah wannabes itching to call down fire from heaven on people. That’s why Jesus called them Sons of Thunder, right? But as I’ve been carefully reading Mark’s Gospel, I’m seeing it far more momentous than a witty nickname. Here’s the sceneContinue reading “Mark’s Hidden Gems: Sons of Thunder is Not a Nickname!”

Mark’s Hidden Gems: Tax Collectors or Gift Givers?

Has the name Levi the son of Alphaeus caused you to marvel at Jesus Christ? Who? He’s better known as Matthew. Recently I’ve been plying the waters of Mark’s Gospel, stunned by spectacular gems hidden in the seabeds of masterfully crafted literary designs. Mark’s buried treasure in this Levi son of Alphaeus is super cool!Continue reading “Mark’s Hidden Gems: Tax Collectors or Gift Givers?”

Sweat for the True Bread

God delights to turn curses into blessings! Even in severe judgments He remembers tender mercies. Mercy triumphs over judgment (Jas 2:13)! We can see His shining heart of mercy right from the earliest glimmers of His relating to mankind. Adam and Eve’s terrible tragedy plunged the whole human race into chaos, darkness, and ruin forContinue reading “Sweat for the True Bread”

The Right Hand of Faith

Faith. In the Bible faith is never defined, only described. What about Hebrews 11:1, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”? “See, there faith is defined.” Even that is a description. Faith cannot be defined because the object of faith, God, is so infinitely vast that it takesContinue reading “The Right Hand of Faith”

Shorts: Awake, O Sword, Against My Valiant Shepherd

“Awake, O sword, against my shepherd,against the man who stands next to me,”declares the Lord of hosts. “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered;I will turn my hand against the little ones. – Zechariah 13:7 (ESV) Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane, applied this to Himself, stating, “Strike the shepherd, and the sheepContinue reading “Shorts: Awake, O Sword, Against My Valiant Shepherd”