Studies in Mark
The posts listed here are studies in the book of Mark.
- The Straps of His Sandals – Mark 1:7 (1/19/2023) - How great is Jesus? John the Baptist, whom Jesus identified as the greatest of humans, was not worthy to unfasten the straps of his sandals.
- With the Wild Animals – Mark 1:12-13 (4/18/2022) - During Jesus' time of temptation in the wilderness, he was with wild animals. A situation similar to Adam, but with very different results.
- The Importance of Prayer – Mark 1:35-37 (2/28/2018) - The importance of prayer in Jesus' life is unmistakable. Should it be any less for those who follow him? Spend time in prayer each day.
- Do You Tell What Jesus has Done? – Mark 1:43-45 (7/6/2020) - Jesus has died for us and given us a new life. The most wonderful news in the world. But do we keep it to ourselves? Or tell everyone?
- Eating with the Sinners and Tax Collectors – Mark 2:17 (3/1/2018) - If Jesus paid a visit to 21st century America, who would he be hanging out with? With respectable church folk? Or sinners and tax collectors?
- New Wine into New Wineskins – Mark 2:22 (4/19/2022) - When Jesus enters into our life, he old has to go to make room for the new. It is like pouring new wine into new wineskins.
- Looking for A Reason to Accuse – Mark 3:1-2 (11/11/2022) - The religious leaders of Jesus' day looked for reasons to accuse Jesus and discredit him. Jesus' disciples today can expect the same thing.
- Whoever Does God’s Will – Mark 3:35 (3/2/2018) - Jesus does not abandon family relationships. But he does emphasize a more important relationship; being a part of his heavenly family.
- Why Did Jesus Teach in Parables? – Mark 4:10-12 (10/9/2014) - Why did Jesus teach in parables? It seems they were a way to teach his followers truth that was not revealed to those who did not follow him.
- Thorny Ground that Chokes the Seed – Mark 4:18-19 (5/25/2021) - In the parable of the soils, I find myself challenged by the thorns that choke out the seed. There are so many thorns in my life.
- Consider Carefully What You Hear – Mark 4:23-24 (1/6/2021) - When you read the Bible, or anything else, let it speak to you. And then consider carefully what you hear and how you should respond.
- Who Is This Man that Can Calm Wind and Waves? – Mark 4:41 (3/3/2018) - Who is this man who is able to calm the wind and the waves by command? Jesus is more than just a teacher and healer. He is creator and God.
- Tell Them How Much the Lord Has Done for You – Mark 5:19 (4/25/2021) - As a believer, I should be willing, and able, to tell other people what the Lord has done for me. That requires no training, just love.
- Tell What Jesus Has Done for You – Mark 5:20 (11/15/2022) - You may not be able to answer every question someone might ask. But you tell them what Jesus has done for you.
- Who Is Jesus? – Mark 6:3, 14-15; 8:29 (3/6/2018) - Who is Jesus? Is he a man, a prophet, or the Messiah? Blessed are those who recognize him as Christ, and follow after him.
- Take the Time To Be Alone with God In Prayer – Mark 6:46 (3/11/2019) - I would encourage you to regularly set aside time to be alone with God and share with him. It will make a big difference in your life.
- God’s Commands Verses Human Tradition – Mark 7:6-8 (2/6/2014) - It is easy to allow our human traditions to become a substitute for authentic worship. We should be careful to worship with God all our heart.
- Can Our Social Ills Be Fixed? – Mark 7:20-23 (3/7/2018) - Our society is getting worse and worse. Can anything be done? Yes, but it will require a change of heart that only God can produce.
- The Dogs Under the Table – Mark 7:27-29 (4/21/2022) - Jesus will show mercy to all who come to him. Even the unworthy dogs under the table who seem of no account. Jesus loves us all.
- Get Behind Me, Satan! – Mark 8:33 (2/25/2019) - Get behind me Satan! How shocking these words must have been to Peter. But how often am I as guilty, substituting my plans instead of God's perfect way?
- Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus – Mark 8:34 (3/8/2018) - Jesus invited the crowd to discipleship. But not just to hang around him. His call to discipleship is to take up our cross and follow him.
- Gain the World and Lose Your Soul – Mark 8:36 (9/14/2020) - Jesus warns us about the dangers of trying to gain the things of this world and the possibility that you could lose your soul in the process.
- Listen to Jesus, the Beloved Son of God – Mark 9:5-7 (2/10/2014) - Many people throughout history have had valuable things to say. But none that compare to Jesus. Listen to Jesus and what he has to say.
- To Build Three Tabernacles – Mark 9:5 (4/25/2022) - On the mount of transfiguration, Peter wanted to honor Jesus by building three tabernacles. But God exalted Jesus above Moses and Elijah.
- Everything Is Possible – Mark 9:23 (3/9/2018) - To the one who believes, and does not doubt, everything is possible. Nothing God calls us to do will be impossible for the one who believes.
- Lord, I Believe, Help My Unbelief – Mark 9:24 (3/4/2019) - I believe; at least intellectually. But unfortunately, my belief does not always translate well into practical terms. Lord, help my unbelief!
- The First Must Be Last; the Servant of All – Mark 9:35 (1/20/2020) - Our world measure greatness by power and influence. But Jesus turned that upside down. To be first, you must become last, the servant of all.
- Eliminating the Cause of Stumbling – Mark 9:42-43 (11/18/2022) - Jesus warns us about stumbling. Be careful not to be the cause of another person falling away. And remove all stumbling blocks from my life.
- Receive the Kingdom Like a Child – Mark 10:14-15 (4/26/2022) - We need to receive the kingdom of God like a little child. To embrace it with all that we are, fully engaged and committed.
- All Things Are Possible With God – Mark 10:25-27 (2/18/2019) - All things are possible with God. It makes no difference who or what you are. Trust God, and follow Christ into the kingdom.
- Sight to the Blind – Mark 10:51-52 (3/10/2018) - Jesus gave sight to many who were physically blind. But how much more precious that he will give sight to the spiritually blind.
- If You Hold Anything Against Anyone – Mark 11:25 (3/12/2018) - Hurt is inevitable in our lives. How we respond is not. Do not hold anything against one who has hurt you. Forgive them and find peace.
- Do You Really Know the Scripture? – Mark 12:24 (4/27/2022) - How well do you know the Scriptures? Are they a mystery to you? Do you have a head knowledge? Or have you made them a part of your life?
- Live a Life of Love – Mark 12:30-31 (3/14/2018) - Of all the 613 laws in the Old Testament, which is the most important? Jesus' response was to live a life of love. Loving God, and others.
- The Widow’s Offering: When Less Is More – Mark 12:43-44 (3/18/2019) - How much we give, whether of our money, our time, or our talents, is not important. What matters is the generosity with which we give. The one who gives sacrificially of the little he has, has given more than the one who gives abundantly, but at little real cost to himself.
- Coming with Great Power and Glory – Mark 13:26-27 (3/16/2018) - It has been 2000 years since Jesus left us with this promise. But we should still look to his return for us with great power and glory.
- Before the Rooster Crows – Mark 14:29-30 (5/2/2022) - After the rooster crows, have you realized denied Jesus? Don't let that be the end. In Jesus, there is hope for the broken.
- I Was There – Mark 14:51-52 (3/19/2018) - What's with the naked young man at Jesus' arrest? I believe it is the author of this gospel saying, "I was there". I saw what happened.
- Who Is Jesus? – Mark 14:61-62 (11/24/2022) - Who is Jesus? There are many answers people give. But if you answer that Jesus is the Messiah, and give yourself to him, you will be saved.
- Dying, He Saved Me – Mark 15:31 (3/21/2018) - Jesus was challenged to save himself by coming down off the cross. But it was to save others that he stayed on the cross.
- He Has Risen! He Is Not Here. – Mark 16:6 (3/22/2018) - The women who went to the tomb on Easter received the best news ever delivered. Jesus was not dead. He had defeated death and risen!
