Hypocrisy denounced by “woes” Matthew 23 Key Verses: 3, 5, 12, 17, 24, 28, 33, 37 It is easy to have a double standard in life, one standard we expect from other people, and one standard we apply to ourselves. We expect other drivers to use their turn signals and provide adequate braking space whenContinue reading “Day 162”
Tag Archives: Mastering the New Testament
Day 173
Inheritance for persistent faith Hebrews 6 Key Verses: 1, 7, 11, 18, 19 These first few verses lay out some of the most basic topics we need to understand if we want to conduct our lives the way Jesus wants us to live. Notice that we must understand who Christ is first and foremost. ThenContinue reading “Day 173”
Day 260
Tomb is found empty Mark 16 Key Verses: 1, 7, 18 Rituals around death are almost universal. Preparing the body for burial was an important part of saying goodbye. We have relegated this to “professionals” at the funeral home. In Jesus’ day the close women relatives would do the job. Since Jesus was rushed toContinue reading “Day 260”
Day 259
Narrative of Jesus’ death Mark 15 Key Verses: 1, 5, 15, 26, 32, 39, 44, Sometimes burning the midnight oil is not a productive thing. Jesus was arrested after dark, probably rather late in the evening. He was led for His first questioning, during which time Peter denied knowing Jesus three times. I imagineContinue reading “Day 259”
Day 258
Agony experienced at Gethsemane Mark 14 Key Verses: 2, 3, 7, 13, 18, 25, 29, 34, 44, 52, 61, It almost seems strange to write about Jesus’ last days on earth when we celebrated His first day only yesterday. I pray that you were able to keep Him central, even in the middle of theContinue reading “Day 258”
Day 257
Violent destruction of temple Mark 13 Key Verses: 2, 10, 13, 14, 20, 22, 26, 29, 33 If you were to go to Jerusalem today you could see these stones still piledwhere they fell almost two thousand years ago. For those of Jesus’ day this would be unthinkable. The Temple had been the centerContinue reading “Day 257”
Day 256
Resurrection queries are answered Mark 12 Key Verses: 6, 14, 17, 27, 33, 37, 40, 43 It continues to amaze me that we can have such evil motives hidden in our hearts. Notice that I said “we”. I am included in this group. Almost daily I am struck by the remnants of sin thatContinue reading “Day 256”
Day 255
Entry into Jerusalem triumphant Mark 11 Key Verses: 6, 8, 10, 17, 24, 33 Well, if you are reading this, the world didn’t end! So much for the Mayans ability to tell the future! Chalk one up for the foolishness and gullibility of humans to believe even the most foolish things rather than believeContinue reading “Day 255”
Day 254
Servant attitude is mandatory Mark 10 Key Verses: 3, 9, 11, 15, 22, 27, 45, Command V Permit. The battle to define the edges of morality continues today. In Jesus’ day human excuses put down in their guiding principles allowed them to divorce their wives for very small meaningless infractions, like burning the toast.Continue reading “Day 254”
Day 253
Elijah at the transfiguration Mark 9 Key Verses: 2, 7, 19, 25, 26, 37, 42 The kingdom of God coming in power. We so often think of this as something in the future only. But the disciples experienced it in their present, our past. The glory manifested in those moments was indicative of theContinue reading “Day 253”