MARK 3-4: DAY 84 JOURNEY THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
March 25, 2023
MARK 3-4
DAY 84 JOURNEY THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Click here for the reading
Focus Verse For Today: 3:23-29
Today we return to the Gospels. The Gospel of Mark, Mark chapters 3-4, to be precise. We will see people who are resistant to change, the Pharisees and the Herodians. People will be in awe of the miracles that Jesus performs. We will encounter people who are confused by what they were taught by their parents and at the temple with the teaching of the Living Word, Jesus.
Take a few moments to seek God’s understanding and guidance on our journey through Mark 3-4. Read chapters 3-4 of Mark. Let’s journey!
Mark 3-4: As we begin our journey, Jesus encounters a man with a shriveled hand at the temple. It is the Sabbath. Tension builds. The Pharisees watch Jesus carefully. The Pharisees seek the Herodians to plot to kill Jesus. The Pharisees, if they genuinely knew the law, they did not know how to apply the law to daily living: they did not understand the relationship. Jesus called them “stubborn.” Crowds begin to follow Jesus. Jesus is accused by the Pharisees of being possessed by the devil. Jesus’s family finds themselves confused. Jesus teaches His disciples and the apostles, through parables, about their mission and what the Kingdom of God is like. Chapter 4 contains the Parable of the Sower, the Parable of A Lamp on a Stand, the Parable of the Growing Seed, and the Parable of the Mustard Seed. Our reading today concludes with Jesus calming a storm on the Sea of Galilee, showing the Apostles that He is God. In one short moment, Jesus slept as man and awoke to command the sea to calm. What do you think the Apostles were thinking? (Mark 3:1-4:41)
Our focus verse for today:
23So Jesus called them over to him and began to speak to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? 24If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. 27In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man’s house. 28Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, 29but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.”
(Mark 3:23-29, NIV)
If you are reading this and thinking that there is no way God will save me. YOU ARE WRONG! If you are capable of recognizing that God exists; if you realize that you are a sinner; if you feel sorry for the sins you have committed; if you want God to help you turn away from leading a life ruled by sin; if you want to exchange your life of sin for a life ruled by God; if you feel any of the things mentioned above, you have not committed the unpardonable sin! The only thing left for you to do is turn it all over to Jesus. Remember Mark 4:35-41. The Apostles couldn’t stop the storm; however, they knew Jesus could so they turned it over to Him. Say this prayer with all your heart: Jesus, I am a sinner. I believe You are the Son of God, who died on a cross at Calvary and rose from the dead, defeating death and sin so that my sin is forgiven through your shed blood at Calvary. Jesus, direct my steps as I begin a new journey, the journey of following you. Amen.
Godspeace!
For more information regarding how your financial support can help, please click here.
