In the Life of Christ “But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin—because they were saying, ‘He has an unclean spirit.’” Mark 3:29–30 Few teachings of Jesus create more anxiety than His warning about the unforgivable sin. Spiritually sensitive people sometimes fear that a careless sentence,Continue reading “When the Heart Calls the Light Darkness”
Tag Archives: life of christ
When Faithfulness Is Misunderstood
In the Life of Christ “Then Jesus entered a house, and the crowd gathered again, so that they were not even able to eat. When His family heard about this, they set out to restrain Him, because they said, ‘He’s out of His mind.’” Mark 3:20–21 There is a particular loneliness that comes when theContinue reading “When Faithfulness Is Misunderstood”
Called Close Before Being Sent Far
In the Life of Christ “Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.” Mark 3:13–15 When I read Mark’sContinue reading “Called Close Before Being Sent Far”
When Need Becomes Pressure
In the Life of Christ “Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed.” — Mark 3:7 When I walk beside Jesus through Mark 3:7–12, I am struck by how little His ministry resembles the peaceful religious scenes we sometimes imagine. Jesus is not sitting undisturbed beside the waterContinue reading “When Need Becomes Pressure”
When Doing Good Draws Fire
In the Life of Christ “Then the Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him.” — Mark 3:6 When I read Mark 3:1–6, I am struck by how quickly a beautiful act of mercy becomes the occasion for hostile opposition. Jesus enters the synagogue and sees aContinue reading “When Doing Good Draws Fire”
The Quiet Grace of Being Made Low
As the Day Ends …He that humbles himself shall be exalted. Luke 14:11 As the day ends, Luke 14:11 invites me to lay down the exhausting burden of proving myself. Jesus spoke these words after observing people choosing places of honor at a meal. He knew how easily the human heart measures itself by recognition,Continue reading “The Quiet Grace of Being Made Low”
When Mercy Refuses to Wait
In the Life of Christ When I walk with Jesus into the synagogue in Mark 3, I can almost feel the room tightening. A man is there with a withered hand, but he is not the only one exposed. The Pharisees are watching Jesus closely, not to learn from Him, but to accuse Him. BibleRefContinue reading “When Mercy Refuses to Wait”
Mercy Under Watchful Eyes
In the Life of Christ “Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. And they watched Jesus, to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him.” Mark 3:1–2 When I walk with Jesus into the synagogue in Mark 3, I am struckContinue reading “Mercy Under Watchful Eyes”
When Rest Becomes a Gift Again
In the Life of Christ And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath. Mark 2:27 When I walk with Jesus through Mark 2, I see Him doing more than answering a complaint about Sabbath behavior. I see Him rescuing the heart of God’s command from theContinue reading “When Rest Becomes a Gift Again”
The Lord Who Breaks Our Chains Without Breaking God’s Law
In the Life of Christ Legalism always looks safer than grace until we notice what it does to the soul. It promises spiritual order, but it often produces spiritual pride. It promises holiness, but it can quietly train the heart to measure itself by comparison rather than communion with God. When I walk with JesusContinue reading “The Lord Who Breaks Our Chains Without Breaking God’s Law”