Sermon Notes; a Daily Devotional

Mark 13:35-37 "35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: 36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch." "Watch." Mark 13, often called the Markan Apocalypse or Olivet Discourse, features Jesus predicting the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem and outlining signs of the end times. Sitting on the Mount of Olives, Jesus warns His disciples that not one stone will be left on another of the magnificent Temple, a prophecy fulfilled by the Romans in 70 AD.  The chapter details various tribulations that will precede the end, including false messiahs, wars, earthquakes, and famines, which Jesus describes as the "beginning of birth pains." Believers are warned of severe persecution, including betrayal by family members and hatred from all nations, but are promised that the Gospel must first be preached to all nati...

Mark 12:43-44 "43 And He called unto Him His disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: 44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living." God sees into our hearts. He knows the widow’s sacrificial giving and each of the encounters we read recorded in Holy Scriptures. And every heart in our world past and future. He is our creator and savior. Mark 11 centers on Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where He rides a colt into the city while crowds shout "Hosanna." He subsequently cleanses the temple by driving out money changers, an act that angers religious leaders. The chapter also features the cursing of a fig tree, which withers overnight, serving as a symbolic judgment on Israel's spiritual barrenness. Jesus uses this event to teach about the power of faith and forgiveness in prayer. Th...

Mark 10:51&52 "51 And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto Him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. 52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way." Mark Chapter 10 details Jesus’ final journey toward Jerusalem, focusing on teachings about discipleship, humility, and the cost of following Him. The chapter is structured around five key events that contrast worldly values with the requirements of the Kingdom of God.  Marriage and Divorce: Jesus refutes the Pharisees’ attempt to loosen divorce laws, stating that Moses permitted it only due to the hardness of hearts. He reaffirms God’s original design for marriage as a permanent union between one man and one woman, declaring that what God has joined together, no one should separate.  Blessing of Children: When the disciples rebuke those bringing children to Jesus, He is...

Mark 9:49-50 "49 For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt. 50 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another." Mark chapter 9 details pivotal events in Jesus' ministry that bridge His identity as the Messiah with the necessity of his impending suffering. The chapter opens with the Transfiguration, where Jesus reveals His divine glory to Peter, James, and John on a high mountain, accompanied by Moses and Elijah, while a voice from heaven declares Jesus as God's beloved Son. Following this revelation, Jesus commands the disciples to remain silent about the event until after His resurrection.  Upon descending the mountain, Jesus encounters a crisis of faith as His other disciples fail to heal a demon-possessed boy. Jesus rebukes the crowd for their unbelief and heals the child, teaching that such spiritual battles require prayer and f...

Mark 8:38 "Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when He cometh in the glory of His Father with the holy angels." Rereading the Gospel of Mark, chapter 8 we reach the pivotal turning point, shifting the narrative from public miracles to the revelation of Jesus’ identity and the cost of discipleship. The chapter is structured around five key events that redefine the nature of the Messiah’s mission.  The Feeding of the Four Thousand: Jesus demonstrates compassion by miraculously feeding a large crowd of Gentiles and Jews with only seven loaves and a few small fish, leaving seven baskets of leftovers. This miracle parallels the earlier feeding of the five thousand but highlights Jesus' provision for the Gentile world.  Confrontation with Religious Leaders: Upon arriving at Dalmanutha, the Pharisees demand a sign from heaven to test Jesus’ authority. Jesus refuses, sigh...

Mark 7:36&37 "36 And He charged them that they should tell no man: but the more He charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it; 37 And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: He maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak." Can you imagine experiencing a miraculous healing? These people's lives were radically changed! Everyone they knew would vicariously share in this experience! No wonder the fame and curiosity about Jesus was growing exponentially. Rereading chapter 7; the first part focuses on a confrontation between Jesus and religious leaders regarding ritual purity, followed by two miracles demonstrating His power and inclusivity.  Tradition vs. Commandment Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem criticize Jesus’ disciples for eating with unwashed hands, violating the tradition of the elders. Jesus condemns their hypocrisy, quoting Isaiah to show they prioritize human rules over God’s commandments, specificall...