Mark 10:17-34: Follow Jesus

1 Samuel 6-8, Psalm 97, Mark 10:17-34, 2 Corinthians 2 Mark 10:17-34: A rich man—all in a rush with business—runs up to Jesus and asks Jesus the question of all questions. “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” The rich man gets right to the bottom line. What’s the most important question here, let’s cut to the…

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Mark 10:1-16: Let the Children Come to Me

1 Samuel 3-5, Psalm 96, Mark 10:1-16, 2 Corinthians 1:12-24 Mark 10:1-16: As was Jesus’ custom, when he saw a crowd he taught them (10:1). So many times when we see a crowd, our desire is for them to be entertained or motivated or inspired. But Jesus was a teacher and a preacher. And as such, when he…

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Mark 9:33-50: Salt and Peace

1 Samuel 1-2, Psalm 95, Mark 9:33-50, 2 Corinthians 1:1-11 Mark 9:33-50: In this astonishing and famous section of Mark’s Gospel, it is important to picture Jesus—as it were—holding one of these “little ones” in his arms as he discourses about trials and tribulations of what we would call “church politics.” To begin with, the disciples are having…

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7 Ways the Resurrection Can Change Your Life

by Dr. Josh Moody At Easter, we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. All around the world, Christians gathered to remember, record, and recount the story of Jesus’ death, the empty tomb, and his coming back to life again. It is a glorious story with a more than relevant message to us…

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April 26-30, 2025

In keeping with the Bible reading plan we are using, the last days of each month are designated as “free days.” April 26-30 then are intended to allow you to catch up on reading you may have missed or to study passages more in depth that intrigued you during the first 25 days of the…

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Mark 9:14-32: Impossible? Pray

Ruth 4, Psalm 94, Mark 9:14-32, 1 Corinthians 16 Mark 9:14-32: To descend from the mountaintop and find such a commotion! And apparent failure on the part of his disciples. They “were not able” to cast the evil spirit out of the afflicted child. Jesus sighs in exasperation, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with…

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Mark 9:1-13: Listen to Him

Ruth 2-3, Psalm 93, Mark 9:1-13, 1 Corinthians 15:29-58 Mark 9:1-13: Mark 9 verse 1 may refer to the transfiguration, which immediately comes after the otherwise enigmatic statement of verse 1, or it may refer to the kingdom of God that is inaugurated (though not fully) with the death and resurrection of Jesus. Given that Jesus refers to…

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Mark 8:31-38: Take Up Your Cross

Ruth 1, Psalm 92, Mark 8:31-38, 1 Corinthians 15:1-28 Mark 8:31-38: Remember the healing that began this section of Mark? The man who was blind, was first partially healed, and then fully healed so he could see completely. Similarly, Peter (yesterday) gave the right answer to the question about the identity of Jesus. And yet it now becomes…

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Mark 8:22-30: The Christ

Judges 20-21, Psalm 91, Mark 8:22-30, 1 Corinthians 14:26-40 Mark 8:22-30: This section is the first half of an enacted parable and section of teaching about spiritual sight. The blind man (8:22-25) first does not see at all. Then he sees partially. Finally, he sees “clearly” (8:25). A similar pattern is experienced by Peter. He sees that Jesus…

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Mark 8:14-21: Yeast of Pharisees

Judges 19, Psalm 90, Mark 8:14-21, 1 Corinthians 14:1-25 Mark 8:14-21: Having forgotten to bring bread with them, Jesus uses their lack as an object lesson for a moment of teaching. “Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” This statement or principle evidently confuses the disciples, or their minds start to…

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