Category Archives: Opening the Bible

On The Mountain With Jesus

Here’s some verse on the events of Mark 9:2-8. On The Mountain With Jesus Up the high mountain the four of them went, Peter, James, John, and the One heaven sent. There He was transfigured before their eyes, His appearance became luminous and glorified. Then Elijah and Moses came into their view, They were thereContinue reading “On The Mountain With Jesus”

The Messy Messiah

Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do people say I am?” (Mark 8:27). When Christ asked questions, it wasn’t for the reason that we usually do. We ask questions to get information; He asked questions to help people find answers. Here, He wanted His disciples to see and understand that despite all the positive responses HeContinue reading “The Messy Messiah”

Caesarea Philippi

Here’s some verse from Mark 8:27-35. Caesarea Philippi At Caesarea Philippi He asked them one day, how others saw Him—what did they have to say? A prophet of some kind, a man to revere, but beyond that the people weren’t sure—it just wasn’t clear. He might have paused for a moment to take this inContinue reading “Caesarea Philippi”

I Can’t Believe Jesus Said That! (2)

One of the things Mark shows us in his gospel is how Jesus challenged people. When He told His disciples, “Let us go over to the other side” of Lake Galilee (4:35), they experienced a “furious squall” while He was asleep in the boat. I don’t think we’re to understand that the One who controlsContinue reading “I Can’t Believe Jesus Said That! (2)”

I Can’t Believe Jesus Said That! (1)

First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs. (Jesus in Mark 7:27). Jesus spoke these words to a Greek woman from Syrian Phoenicia. She had come to see Him because a demon possessed her young daughter. Without context,Continue reading “I Can’t Believe Jesus Said That! (1)”

Mark’s Kingdom Forecast

Jesus is not acting very Jewish in Mark 7! The Pharisees and teachers of the law come down from Jerusalem on a “fact-finding” mission (Wessel and Strauss). They are keeping their eyes on Jesus and are quick to point out any error or inconsistencies in His teachings. They think they have found something significant inContinue reading “Mark’s Kingdom Forecast”

Outsider Insight

Here’s some verse from the powerful story of Jesus’ encounter with the Syrophoenician woman in Mark 7:24-30. Outsider Insight With His disciples somewhere near Tyre, A retreat for renewal perhaps their desire. But it wasn’t to be— His presence became known, A woman came to Jesus, Fell at His feet like a stone. She pleadedContinue reading “Outsider Insight”

When Jesus Spoke At His Home Church

I grew up in a small town of a couple thousand people. Everyone there knew everyone else. If you were out goofing around and doing something you shouldn’t—your parents knew about it before you got back home. All twelve grades were in one school building. Like I said, it was a small town. After IContinue reading “When Jesus Spoke At His Home Church”

When Jesus Went Home

Here’s some verse that encapsulates Jesus’ return to Nazareth and the reception He received to a message He shared in the synagogue on the Sabbath. Back home in Nazareth. Comfortable places, familiar faces. Home church in Nazareth. Where everyone knows the story of you— Or at least they think they do. Message from God shared.Continue reading “When Jesus Went Home”