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The people whom you would have expected to have been Jesus' most keen supporters were opposed to Him. It is a surprise. They were antagonistic. The religious leaders did not welcome the Messiah. Here we see the contrast between Christianity and religion. This is not a religion - and we need to be reminded of that and people need to hear this truth. Chapter 7 of Mark's Gospel has much to say to us about the danger of becoming over familiar with the things of God. The Pharisees were like a political party in Israel. They were a very strict…  ( Click for more )

Jesus has just been teaching the people and feeding 5,000 men. We saw how Jesus satisfied these men and women. They were taught and fed and filled and satisfied. That is our task as Pastors and Teachers of the Word of God. We are in Mark Chapter 6 and verse 45. Jesus sent the disciples off in a boat to make their way to Bethsaida, while Jesus went to pray. There was another wind blowing trouble on these waters. Jesus saw the trouble and difficulty the disciples were in and Jesus left His time of prayer and walked down the hillside and kept…  ( Click for more )

Jesus Christ sees people as sheep without a shepherd. We see that more and more today. It is much more common than when I was 'ordained' into 'the ministry' in 1968. Many people had a 'church connection' at that time. I know not what it meant - but God knew - and God cared - and God saw the need. We come to Mark Chapter 6 and verse 34. Jesus sees these people in real need - they need care - guidance - protection - the help which only the loving Shepherd can give. Many people discover where Jesus and the disciples have gone and they make their way there. …  ( Click for more )

Jesus is constantly on the move – travelling quite a bit in these Chapters in Mark’s Gospel. We move onto Mark Chapter 6.

Jesus was so misunderstood, and Jesus continues to be misunderstood. Did Jesus become lonely? He was popular to a degree. His popularity was quite limited.

We may have been taught that Jesus was quite nice to everybody – and that is not true – and we may have been taught in early days or heard that everyone was quite nice to Jesus and that was so wrong too.

I do not remember hearing some of the passages we are read…  ( Click for more )

Have you noticed that in each section of Mark’s Gospel, Mark reveals a little more about Jesus – His power – His purpose – His self understanding of who He is.

We said it was a story – and more than a story – but Mark is an expert story teller – but at the same time Mark is a faithful reporter.

The Sea of Galilee is some 700 feet below Sea Level. This is the lowest place on the face of the earth.

The cold air from the mountains falls down upon the warm waters and there are thunderstorms and squalls.

Fishermen were used…  ( Click for more )

A prominent citizen is in need – a ruler in the local synagogue – and there is a need in his family – his 12 year old daughter – and a girl of 12 was like what our 21 used to be. She could become engaged and ready to set out on life. We are in Mark Chapter 5 at verse 21.

My daughter is in need of help – come and help – come and heal – he is quite specific. There are times when in prayer we have to be quite specific.

Jairus would be a man of understanding in the community and a man of devotion to God – and for some reason…  ( Click for more )

Jesus and His disciples have sailed across the Lake of Galilee following that sudden storm. They have emerged from what was a real moment of danger. We move on to Mark Chapter 5.

There are towns on the tops of the hills – we are in the region of the Decapolis, ten cities east of the Galilean Lake – but in the cliffs there are caves – and there were very needy people living in these caves – away from society – isolated – alone.

This man comes screaming. There is a supernatural strength here – and supernatural knowledge –…  ( Click for more )

Life is not always calm and still. Our lives are not always filled with peace.

We face various storms – and globally, storms appear to be increasing in intensity and severity. There are now storms where previously there were hardly any storms.

We move from the parables in Mark to the miracles – from words to works, and we come to Mark Chapter 4 at verse 35. Do read the text. Always check the text.

Four miracles follow – and Jesus Christ is in control of these troublesome situations – dangers – demon influences – and disease…  ( Click for more )

We are reading through Mark Chapter 4 having looked at why Jesus used Parables in His teaching, and if we turn to John Chapter 8 and verse 45, we learn that it is the truth that blinds, or deafens, or hardens!

Jesus will not cast His pearls before swine.

2 Thessalonians 2 verses 10,11 teach us that people perish because they refuse to love the truth and so be saved. God can send a powerful delusion so that some people will believe a lie.

Believe the truth. Do not delight in wickedness.

Jesus reveals things hidden in Scripture. The parables speak of this…  ( Click for more )

We move on into Mark Chapter 4 at verse 1. Jesus had no props and no Powerpoint when He was teaching, but Jesus used what was around Him.

Jesus used parables – and it is an amazing tool – like a children’s address in a way, but occasionally people will remember the Children’s Address but not the lesson!

A parable is a story. A children’s address, if it is a story, will even make people smile or laugh, but it is not entertainment.

A parable is more than a story with a moral. They are stories with a meaning – the word means –…  ( Click for more )

We are in Mark Chapter 3 at verse 20 and reading something of the initial reaction of Jesus’ family.

Some saw Him as a fanatic – “beside Himself” – meaning a split personality. That is what they were saying about Jesus. They came to have Him quietly put away.

Family does not always give us the best advice. There may be other motives.

Jesus was disturbing people – risking His life – and perhaps not looking after His business, back in Nazareth, as they saw His business.

Acts 26 verse 24 – They said the…  ( Click for more )

We come to Mark Chapter 3 and verse 7. People had been plotting the death of Jesus and He knew it, and Jesus had to do all that God wanted Him to do.

There is a lesson here on how to live and cope when pressurised. Jesus knew how to handle ‘stress’.

Jesus is unhurried. There is no panic and no feverish activity. Jesus moves among people to do what He knew He had to do.

Jesus withdrew with His disciples. This is an important priority.

That is one reason why Jesus brings us together regularly. It is important – much more important than…  ( Click for more )

In Mark Chapter 3 verse 6, we learn that there is a plot to kill Jesus. The Pharisees got together with those who were around Herod – a puppet king. In Herod’s palace there had been a man called John the Baptist.

Herod could not stand rivals and Herod could not stand preachers.

Amazing coalitions take place when hatred enters men’s hearts.

They would not touch the sinners. They would not touch the tax collectors, but they would join up with Herod’s people.

It began in thought. It moved on into words, and then onto deeds and action.…  ( Click for more )

In Mark Chapter 2 at verse 13, following the healing of the paralysed man, Jesus went on to call Levi – Matthew.

Matthew followed immediately without any cajoling or persuading.

Imagine the situation Levi was in. He was collecting taxes for Rome – the Roman occupiers.

Imagine if Islam took over in this country and someone local was appointed to collect the taxes for the new authority – for the Sharia Courts. That could separate you, and cut you off from others.

‘Sinners’, at that time, meant people who were cut off from their local…  ( Click for more )

We come to Mark Chapter 2. “If ever a perfectly good man appeared on earth he would be murdered” – so said Socrates!

Why did this happen to Jesus? Who was behind it all?

Three years after His appearing, Jesus Christ was nailed to a Cross.

Mark helps us understand when the opposition came, and who started it.

People hated Jesus, and Jesus later said, “If they have hated me they will hate you”.

We read in verse 2, that a crowd gathered, and as this crowd gathered around Jesus, Jesus preached the word. People came from all…  ( Click for more )

Jesus Christ began this exciting world changing ministry, with a group of quite ordinary men, who soon would be leading extraordinary lives. Now, there were deeply religious people around at that time - educated leaders in Jerusalem - and down at the Dead Sea at Qumran, there was a community of holy Jewish people - the Essenes. Jesus did not go for them. Jesus made a demand and an offer - Follow me and I will make you. You will still be fishermen, but you will catch men. A wife and home and father had to be left behind. They did not have…  ( Click for more )

By Mark Chapter 2 people are saying - "We have never seen anything like this." There are some thirty healings in the Gospel of Mark. This is the beginning of a journey for these disciples who are to become so involved with this Good News. When Jesus called James and John to leave their father and follow Him, remember Jesus had already left His Father. In Mark Chapter 1 verses 35 to 38, Jesus is up early and praying, and when He hears of the crowds He refused to enjoy this moment of popularity. He had to move on elsewhere. There was work to…  ( Click for more )

We return to the text of Mark's Gospel in Chapter 1 verse 15 where we have the first recorded words of Jesus. This is the first time we hear Jesus Christ's voice - "Repent and believe the good news". Turn around - turn away and go in the opposite direction - in the Bible it is turn away from those things Jesus hates, to the things Jesus loves. The Gospel was and is good news of some event that changed things in a meaningful way - and it is an announcement - a sharing of this message of something that is done for you that changes history - and that changes circumstances…  ( Click for more )

We have read these opening words of the Gospel of Mark, but who exactly was Mark? It can be good to take a moment to consider who this important biblical character might be. It has been conjectured that Mark's mother was one of the Marys - a wealthy woman - with a house in Jerusalem, and with a room large enough to hold many. Acts Chapter 12 verse 12. Who was this Mary? Well, that too gives rise to conjecture but it is indeed interesting. Mark was a cousin of Barnabas - Colossians 4 verse 10 - and Barnabas was a Levite from Cyprus. Some suggest Mark…  ( Click for more )

Jesus was more than a good man - a healer - a teacher - Jesus is the Saviour and Lord - Jesus Christ - the Saviour who is anointed with the Holy Spirit. The Queen was anointed with the CHRISM - with oil - to be Queen - and to reign. Jesus is the anointed king - anointed with the Holy Spirit. We have looked at the opening words of the Gospel of Mark. This is Mark's account of the Good News - the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There is not one opinion in this whole book. This is where it all began, and this has transformed thousands of lives…  ( Click for more )

We turn to read and study the Gospel of Mark, having been in the first eight Psalms over these past three months. We are dealing here with the text of what has been regarded and accepted as the first account of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Mark can be a neglected Gospel. It is probably the earliest Gospel, having been accepted as the first for many years. Matthew and Luke both used Mark's Gospel. Mark was a friend of both Peter and Paul, and it has been suggested that his Jerusalem home might have been the possible venue of the Upper…  ( Click for more )

David begins to think of the vastness of Creation - the work of the fingers of God. "Fingers" was used for an embroiderer. We speak of someone having nimble fingers or being clever with their hands. God knits everything together in Creation. We are in Psalm 8 and at verse 3. As a shepherd, David would look up and see the sky and the stars, and he had received this insight as to how it all came about, and it is in very simple language. Verse 4 - What is man that You are mindful of him and the son of man that You care for him? God cares immensely for man,…  ( Click for more )

There is power in the Name of Jesus Christ. Hold the Name of Jesus high, and treat His Holy Name with reverence and respect, no matter how people around you may be abusing the very name of our Saviour and Lord.

We come to Psalm 8. O Lord Jesus, our Saviour and our Lord and King, Your Name is precious to us.

There is power in the Name of Jesus – read Mark Chapter 16 verses 17,18.

In the Name of Jesus we can pray and ask and receive. Read John Chapter 14 verses 13,14.

In Acts Chapter 3 we read of Peter and John meeting that lame man and Peter says to him…  ( Click for more )

If I have done wrong then let the enemy pursue me. He has every right to. We are in Psalm 7 and at verses 4,5, reading of one of King David’s very real battles.

Integrity involves - doing no injustice - not harming a friend – and not taking advantage of someone.

Jesus says to us - Love your enemies - Bless them that curse you - Do good to those that hate you.

If you know of anyone who is cursing you, just seek to bless them.

Pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you.

When someone really despises you, pray for the individual.…  ( Click for more )