LookingtoJesus

February 27

Bible Reading: Mark 13

Mark 13:31, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” 

We live in uncertain times. Things are changing fast.  Efforts are ongoing to rewrite history and cancel important aspects of our culture. The changing tides of cultural norms are sweeping away much of what has held our society together.  The world is becoming increasingly unstable, with nation rising against nation and wars and rumors of wars making the news. How are we to keep our bearings? How are we to distinguish between truth and error? What are we to believe?

It’s important to note the context of this verse.  Jesus was speaking of the events that would accompany His second coming.  The chapter warns of unprecedented times of trouble—wars, earthquakes, and great tribulation.  The sun and moon will be darkened and “the stars will be falling from heaven” (Mark 13:25).  But juxtaposed to this, Jesus’ words “will not pass away” (Mark 13:31). 

Only a few things are eternal—God Himself, the souls of men (though their eternal destiny will vary depending on their response to the gospel; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10); and God’s eternal Word.  All else, including this very planet on which we live, and the heavens we look up to, will be destroyed (2 Peter 3:10).

The Apostle Peter wrote to persecuted Christians who likewise lived-in uncertain times.  His counsel to them has relevance to us: “And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19).  It has been said that the Bible offers to us “Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth,” and that’s a good way to think about it, but Peter’s analogy leans more to that of a lamp.  We are compelled to pay attention as we navigate our lives through a dark and hazard filled world making our way to our heavenly destination.  The Word is like a lamp (Psalm 119:105).  And as long as we pay attention to its instruction, promises, and warnings we will be kept safe along the way.  We will be well served if we approach our reading and studying of the Word with an “as if our lives depend on it” way of thinking.

The story is told of Voltaire, a well-known French infidel, who said: “While it took 12 men to write Christianity up, I will show that it takes but one man to write it down!”  He predicted that within 100 years of his time, Christianity would be swept away from existence and the Bible would pass into the obscurity of history.  Yet 50 years after his death in 1778, the Geneva Bible Society used his house and printing press to produce stacks of Bibles! Voltaire’s house was used by the Geneva Bible Society as a distribution center for Bibles.  Indeed, since Voltaire’s death, millions of copies of the Bible have been printed.

God’s eternal Word is trustworthy in all it says—every prediction proven, every truth confirmed, every prophesy fulfilled, every promise and warning upheld.  We do well to “pay attention” to it, especially in these dark days.

Much in our world has changed and is changing fast, but God’s Word doesn’t change.

Last eve I passed beside a blacksmith’s door
And heard the anvil ring the vesper chime;
When looking in, I saw upon the floor,
Old hammers worn with beating years of time.
“How many anvils have you had,” said I,
“To wear and batter these hammers so?”
“Just one,” said he; then with a twinkling eye,
“The anvil wears the hammers out, you know.”
And so, I thought, the anvil of God’s Word,
For ages, skeptics blows have beat upon;
Yet, though the noise of falling blows was heard,
The anvil is unharmed – the hammers gone.

February 24

Bible Reading: Mark 12

Mark 12:18, “And Sadducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection. And they asked him a question…”

The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection (Mark 12:18).  That was why they were “sad, you see.”  Sorry, I know, you’ve probably heard that one before.  But it is the truth.  It is a sad religion indeed that offers no heavenly hope.

The Sadducees were made up of aristocrats.  They held power in the Sanhedrin.  The desire to preserve their wealth and power motivated them to do all they could to keep their nation peaceable and thereby avoid trouble with the Romans.  They denied the resurrection.  D. A. Hagner commented on this: “It is immediately obvious how this denial intensified an already this-worldly perspective which the Sadducees had by virtue of their position.  If a man must be content with the present life alone, he is bound to capitalize on any present advantages he may enjoy.  And this appears, in fact, to have been the practical philosophy of the Sadducees.  It may be added that the Messianic hope played no role in the Sadducean perspective.”

Much of what is peddled as Christianity today is of the same nature.  There is a lot of “earthbound” preaching and teaching that goes on.  Religious liberalism focuses on improving society.  The health, wealth, and prosperity gospel is concerned with how to improve one’s lot in this life.  Self-help messages speak about “how to be a better you.”  The Reconstructionist movement emphasizes the need to work to restore our country.  Much religious effort is spent, in the name of Christianity, in a “this-worldly” in focus.  While many in these movements would not deny a future resurrection, they show little concern for it.  And while the visible church concerns itself with earthly affairs, the gospel is set aside, dust-covered, and irrelevant.  The gospel is a heaven-sent message that speaks of a heaven-sent Savior who saves sinners from hell to heaven.  There is no question that Jesus works to improve the earthly estate of the born-again, but the ultimate focus of His saving work is heavenward.

It was earthly concerns that contributed to the Sadducean antagonism towards the Lord Jesus.  He was a threat.  So, they asked Him a question.  An unlikely scenario was suggested.  A wife had seven consecutive husbands.  Whose wife then, in the resurrection, would she be? (Mark 12:23).  Jesus’ answer: “You do not understand the Scriptures, or the power of God…For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven” (Mark 12:25).  The Scriptures declare the resurrection.  God’s power is demonstrated in the resurrection.  We are raised to a radically transformed environment.

The believer in Christ is to be a heavenly minded person.  The church in Corinth was confronted with false teachers who likewise denied the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:15-19).  But Paul affirmed both the truth and the importance of it.  Christ has been raised!  We, as believers, shall be too (1 Corinthians 15:20-22).  False teachers “set their minds on earthly things,” but “our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself” (Philippians 3:2-21).

Happy indeed is the believer in Christ who has his sights set on “the blessed hope” (Titus 2:13)!  No journey will meet with a finer end than the heavenly one (2 Timothy 4:18).  No home will be better furnished, than the one that God has prepared (2 Corinthians 5:1).  No sight will be more glorious (1 John 3:2; 2 Thessalonians 1:10), no reunion more joyous (2 Thessalonians 4:17), no occupation more rewarding (Revelation 5:13-14)—than that which we will experience in His presence.  Happy, you see, is the believer who has his mind set on such things!

He who died for our sins and rose from the dead is coming again.  He is our reason for hope!

One day the grave could conceal Him no longer,
One day the stone rolled away from the door;
Then He arose, over death He had conquered,
Now is ascended, my Lord ever more!

Living, He loved me; dying, He saved me;
Buried, He carried my sins far away;
Rising, He justified freely, forever;
One day He’s coming: O glorious day!

February 23

Bible Reading: Mark 11

Mark 11:15-17, “And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. And he was teaching them and saying to them, ‘Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.’”

Jesus entered the temple, drove out the buyers and sellers, overturned the tables and chairs, and put an end to all of commerce (Mark 11:15-18). In righteous indignation Jesus zealously intervened to cleanse the temple from all merchandising. What are we to make of this? Jesus Himself explained His actions: “My House shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations, but you have made it a den of robbers” (Mark 11:17). The temple was for worship, they were using it for their own monetary gain. He cleansed the temple at the start of His ministry (John 2:14-17), He cleansed it again in the end.

Temples are for worship.  The priests were to lead the people in worship.  The sacrifices were to be offered in worship.  Humble prayer was to characterize such activities.  Worship of God was to happen there (Psalm 84:1-4).  Simeon and Anna knew that (Luke 2:25-37).  Others too, no doubt, but the religious leaders had no heart for worship (Matthew 15:8-9), and they wielded much influence (Matthew 27:20; 23:13).  In its commerce and corruption, the temple had become as worthless to its purpose as a fig tree without figs (Mark 11:12-14).

Jesus’ activity in the temple was wholly consistent to the prime purpose of His ministry.  As A. W. Tozer once wrote, “Why did Christ come?  Why was He conceived?  Why was He born?  Why was He crucified?  Why did He rise again?  Why is He now at the right hand of the Father?  The answer to the question is, “In order that He might make worshipers out of rebels; in order that He might restore us again to the place of worship we knew when we were first created.” Jesus is in the temple-cleansing business. 

God created each of us to worship Him.  That is the reason for our existence.  What is the chief end of man?  “To glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”  Rebel sinners have no heart to worship God.  The heart of the rebel sinner merchandizes in sin.  Much activity goes on, some perhaps under the guise of religion, but it never constitutes true worship.  A cleansing work of one’s heart is necessary.

That God desires such worshippers should encourage us.  John 4:23-24, “But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers.  God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”  A thorough cleansing by Jesus takes place at the moment of saving faith: “How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God” (Hebrews 9:14).  A cleansing of the heart from dead works coincides with a renewed desire to serve the living God.  Jesus alone can do such things!  And He works such a change with the same zeal he revealed in the cleansing of the temple.

Many would prefer a more tolerant Jesus, a Jesus who might wink at sin or excuse and tolerate it.  But one lesson we should take from this account is that Jesus is zealous to cleanse from sin.  The born-again believer is a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19), a living stone in “a dwelling of God in the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:12).  The temple, His Church, exists for the purpose of worshipping Him.  To this purpose we are called (Ephesians 1:6,12,14), to this eternal occupation we are destined (1 Timothy 1:17).  We have been cleansed for this purpose and are being cleansed still (Ephesians 5:26).  The Holy Spirit who indwells us is zealous in this cause (James 4:5-8).  Jesus cleansed the temple.  He cleanses them still.  One day soon there will be no further need for cleansing—in that place “where righteousness dwells,” (2 Peter 3:13).  The redeemed with gather round the Throne and worship the Temple cleansing Jesus.

We were created to worship; Jesus alone can work to cleanse us from sin that we might fulfill our God-given purpose.

Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole;
I want Thee forever to live in my soul,
Break down every idol, cast out every foe;
Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.
Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow,
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

February 22

Bible Reading: Mark 10

Mark 10:32-34, “And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, ‘See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise.’”

Why did Jesus die?  Who killed Him?  What difference does it make?  People have a lot of different opinions regarding the cross.  To the unsaved, the cross is a foolish thing, but to the saved, it represents the power and wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:23-24).  Many suppose it to be the tragic and premature end to a good man’s life.  But that’s not what happened. 

That which occurred upon the cross represents the most significant event in the history of man.  At the cross, the true nature of God is revealed.  Through the cross, salvation has been made available.  What you think about the cross matters! 

The cross was no accident.  It was according to the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God (John 3:16; Acts 2:23).  The Father purposed to send Jesus to the cross, Jesus fully submitted Himself to the Father’s plan.

The events of Mark 10:32-34 occurred after the raising of Lazarus from the dead.  That amazing and undeniable miracle caused quite a stir.  Many of the Jews who witnessed it believed in Jesus (John 11:45).  The chief priests and Pharisees convened a council and decided from that day to plot together to kill Jesus (John 11:53).  They gave orders “that if anyone knew where (Jesus) was, he should let them know, so that they might arrest him” (John 11:57).  They even took counsel to put Lazarus to death (John 12:9-11).  So deep was this hatred of Jesus that even disharmonious foes—the Pharisees, Herodians, and Sadducees—found common ground in it (Matthew 22:15-16, 23).

So as Jesus was making His way to Jerusalem the disciples were “amazed” (Mark 11:32).  Why were they amazed?  They were amazed, knowing full well the hazards associated with Jesus’ return to Jerusalem, that Jesus was purposefully headed there.  The others who were accompanying Jesus “were afraid” (Mark 11:32).  The disciples were amazed, and the crowds of people were afraid, but Jesus was undeterred.  He typically walked amongst his disciples, but here he is out front leading the way.  According to Luke’s gospel, “When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51).

Perhaps, you say, he was unaware of what lie ahead?  He knew!  He had told them before, and He told them again of that which awaited Him in Jerusalem (Mark 8:31-32, 9:31-32, 10:33-34).  He knew full well the extent of the sufferings He would face.  He had said, “I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished” (Luke 12:50).  He would later say, “My Father, if it be possible, let his cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39).

In making His way to the cross, Jesus courageously and obediently purposed to fulfill the Father’s will.  The cross was no accident.  He was aware of His betrayal before He was betrayed.  He acquiesced to the arresting mob, though He had the power to collapse them all to the ground (John 18:6).  He could have called on “twelve legions of angels” to rescue Him, but how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled (Matthew 26:53-54)?  He remained silent when questioned and “when he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly” (1 Peter 2:23; Isaiah 53:7).  He “humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:9).  All this to rescue lost sinners (1 Peter 2:24-25, 3:18)!  He knew full well what lay ahead, but in loving obedience and compassion for lost sinners, He deliberately headed for trouble.

“(He) loved me and gave himself for me.” – Galatians 2:20

He left His Father’s throne above,
So free, so infinite His grace;
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race;
‘Tis mercy all, immense and free;
For, O my God, it found out me.
Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me!

February 21

Bible Reading: Mark 9

Mark 9:33-35, “And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, ‘What were you discussing on the way?’ But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest.  And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, ‘If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.’” 

“I – ME – MINE – MYSELF. Those four words stood out in bold print.  They appeared as if they were forming an enormous monument, each letter seemingly chiseled out of granite.  At the base of this strange ‘monument’ were hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people with their arms held up high, as if worshipping at a shrine.  And then in very small letters, this caption appeared at the bottom of the editorial cartoon: ‘Speaking of American cults…’” (Chuck R. Swindoll; Improving Your Serve; 1981 Word Publishing, p 28).

Self-worship is the norm to which we all gravitate.  Sin is the cause.  The lust of the flesh, the lust of eyes, the boastful pride of life—demand attention–instructing us to always do that which is best for “self.”  “Looking out for number one (i.e., self)” is the mantra of lost humanity. 

The disciples were not understanding what Jesus was talking about when He spoke of His pending sacrifice (Mark 9:32).  He was their Master—what were these words of suffering and death?  They had heard Him speak of the same things before. That was when “Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him” (Mark 8:32).  But they did not understand and remained ignorant until after His death.  They were not setting their minds on God’s interests (Mark 8:33).  They were not thinking of things from God’s perspective.  Jesus’ servant-minded manner of life and ultimate act of self-sacrifice are diametrically opposed to the spirit of this world.

Jesus was teaching His disciples about sacrifice; they were arguing amongst themselves about greatness.  They had a discussion about it (Mark 9:34).  On a future occasion, after He humbly washed their feet and shared a supper, partaking together of symbols which spoke of His pending sacrifice, they would argue again about the very same thing (John 13:1-15; Luke 22:14-24). 

What criteria did they espouse as a basis for measuring such a thing— Good looks, athletic prowess, superior intellect, cleverness?  How are we to measure true greatness?  Our society puts forth movie stars, rich folks, athletes, and famous people as the truly “great” people.  Children are taught to aspire to greatness in these ways.  The world says that greatness is found at the top.  But what does God say? 

Jesus said, “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all” (Mark 9:35).  True greatness is measured in terms of God’s standard and was revealed to us in the person of Jesus Christ.  He, the greatest of all, came as the servant of all (Mark 10:45).  He left His Father’s throne above and came to dwell among lost and needy sinners.  The way up was down. 

In God’s economy true greatness is serving others to the glory of God.  Jesus has worked, through His death, to save self-centered sinners that they might be forgiven of sin and transformed to walk in newness of life.  His greatness is made manifest in their lives as they follow in His steps, taking on His same self-sacrificing nature.  Donald English, “At the source of all Christian service in the world is the crucified and risen Lord who died to liberate us into such service” (Philippians 2:3-5).  Jesus died and rose again to deliver and transform sin-selfish rebels into God-glorifying servants.  True greatness is measured and founded in the One who came to serve.  He once declared “But I am among you as the one who serves” (Luke 22:27).  God measures true greatness in one’s capacity to serve others. 

Having the mind of Christ means living according to a “I am among others as one who serves” perspective—in your marriage, home, church, job, community.

May the mind of Christ, my Savior,
Live in me from day to day,
By his love and pow’r controlling
All I do and say.

May the love of Jesus fill me
As the waters fill the sea.
Him exalting, self abasing:
This is victory.

February 20

Bible Reading: Mark 8

Mark 8:34 “And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’”

Jesus had some tough words for any would-be followers when He said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Mark 8:34).  It’s important to understand the context of Jesus’ challenging invitation. 

When Jesus asked His disciples who they thought Jesus to be, Peter responded with the correct, Father-revealed truth, “You are the Christ” (Mark 8:29; Matthew 16:16-17). Jesus then began to teach them about His pending sufferings and death (Mark 8:31).  He was stating the matter plainly (Mark 8:32).  Peter was correct about Jesus’ identity, but did not understand how Jesus, the Christ, could suffer.  “Peter took (Jesus) aside and began to rebuke him” (Mark 8:32).  In a dramatic turn of events, Peter, having just been proclaimed “blessed” by Jesus (Matthew 16:17), was rebuked, and called “Satan” (Mark 8:33).  Jesus went on to explain: “For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man” (Mark 8:33).

Peter had his mind set on the things of man.  He was thinking of things in “man” terms.  He had thought that Jesus had come to soon establish His Kingdom (Luke 24:21).  He couldn’t comprehend how His suffering and death could possibly fit into God’s plan. Peter was not alone, none of the disciples could understand Jesus in His “cross-talk” (Mark 9:31-32).

How foreign was the life and ministry of Jesus to our natural way of thinking about things!  As Martin Luther once said, “The mystery of the humanity of Christ, that He sunk Himself into our flesh, is beyond all human understanding.”  That Jesus, the Divine Son of God, would purpose to be born in such lowly circumstances, that He would live the life of a servant, that He would allow Himself to be betrayed, arrested, unfairly tried, and brutally beaten, scorned, and crucified—these matters transcend our understanding because they are foreign to our way of thinking about things and about God and His ways (Isaiah 55:8-9).

It is in that context that Jesus offered His invitation, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Mark 8:34).  Adam’s kin are all, by nature, “broad-path” travelers.  “The gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many” (Matthew 7:13).  The broad way is easy. Travelers face few obstacles and little opposition.  The gate is wide, no limitations are put upon the wayfarers.  They can believe whatever they want to believe and behave however they want. Broad way travelers encourage one another along the path in a hell-bent pursuit of fame, fortune, and fun (Romans 8:32, 1 John 2:15-16), naïve as to the path’s ultimate destination—destruction.

Jesus was a narrow way traveler.  He marked out the path for others to follow.  The “way is hard,” but it “leads to life” (Matthew 7:14).  It is contrary to man’s way, and therefore “those who find it are few” (Mark 7:14).  Jesus’ invitation to His disciples and the multitudes was to join Him in the path He was on. 

The narrow way is not an easy path, it involves self-denial.  To deny self is to disown or disassociate self with regards to one’s own prerogatives.  It is to abandon self-effort, self-confidence, self-agendas, and self-will.  This hard way also involves suffering.  The people of Jesus’ day knew about crosses, they’d seen many of them.  To follow Jesus is to embrace the prospect of suffering, with the realization that to lose one’s life in the physical sense is to find one’s life—spiritually speaking—with God (Mark 8:35; Philippians 1:29).  The cost of discipleship is high, but what is the alternative?  A man’s soul is of such value that nothing on earth should hold him back (Mark 8:36).  The demands of the narrow way are difficult, but Jesus died and rose again to save and empower His followers to walk in the same manner in which He walked (1 John 2:6; Galatians 2:20).  It is in losing one’s life, in following Jesus, that true life is found (2 Corinthians 5:14-15; Romans 12:1-2).

“He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.”—Jim Elliot

Embrace the cross
Where Jesus suffered
Though it will cost
All you claim as yours
Your sacrifice will seem small
Beside the treasure
Eternity can’t measure
What Jesus holds in store

Words and music by John G. Elliott. Copyright 1989 LCS Songs (a div. of Lorenz Creative Services)/Charlie Monk Music/Pamela Kay Music.

February 17

Bible Reading: Mark 7

Mark 7:20-23, “And he said, ‘What comes out of a person is what defiles him.  For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.  All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person’.”

Much attention is given in our day to the need to live in a “heart healthy” manner. Some say that it is imperative for us to eat “heart healthy” foods and maintain a “heart healthy” exercise regimen. A myriad of drugs are advertised and available to improve our heart condition. Doctors have countless procedures that they utilize to deal with a plethora of heart problems.

There is another problem of the heart that is usually left undiagnosed. And even if diagnosed, wrong treatment options are typically applied. The misdiagnosis and ineffective treatment of this heart problem is at the heart of man’s problem.

The Jews of Jesus’ day were careful to wash their hands. They washed other things too including their “cups and pitchers and copper pots” (Mark 7:4). They did so religiously and methodically. Their hand washing was done according to a carefully prescribed pattern. A particular method and exact amount of water was prescribed. These traditions were not about cleanliness (a good thing), they were a part of their religious ritual—they did such things to keep from defiling themselves (Mark 7:15,18). They supposed that the careful adherence to their religious rituals could somehow make them righteous before God.

The Great Physician diagnosed their condition (Jeremiah 17:9-10). It was far more serious than they had supposed. The heart of the problem is the heart itself. Adam sinned against God and unleashed a contagion of sin (Romans 5:12). Hereditarily, a “heart condition” has been passed on to every man (Romans 6:19).

The symptoms of the heart problem are alarming and touch on every part of our being—evil thoughts, deeds, and words flow forth from the heart in a myriad of damning and ugly vices. Dishonoring to God and destructive to others, a sin-contagion flows from the heart and infects the whole being. No amount of religious effort can restrain it. And man has tried them all. They are all but “fig-leaf” religions and are of “no value against fleshly indulgence” (Colossians 2:23).

A heart transplant is what is needed. A complete rebirth.  That is something Jesus alone can do. It is what He prescribed to Nicodemus (John 3:7). No one but Jesus can heal us of all “our soul’s diseases.”  He is of sin the “double-cure.” Through His work on the cross He grants, to the believer, both forgiveness and heart-change. Sin’s power is broken. The heart is changed and renewed and made healthy in Him (2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:10).

“He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5). The new birth is a wonderful thing! Christ Himself takes up residence in the heart of the believer. And His glorious presence there shines forth in wonderful ways. Sinful words and deeds are put off, supernatural virtues take their place. By a work of the Spirit, these Christ-like virtues usher forth from within the born-again believer. A host of damning vices are replaced by glorious and compelling virtues (Galatians 5:22-23). The good heart bears good fruit (Luke 8:15).

We are all born with a heart problem.  Countless remedies are suggested and applied to no avail.  The Great Physician is both willing and able to diagnose and treat the problem.  He alone can make us “Heart Healthy.”

What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought
Since Jesus came into my heart!
I have light in my soul for which long I have sought,
Since Jesus came into my heart!

Since Jesus came into my heart,
Since Jesus came into my heart,
Floods of joy o’er my soul like the sea billows roll,
Since Jesus came into my heart.

February 16

Bible Reading: Mark 6

Mark 6:27-29, “And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother.  When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.”

“There came a man sent from God, whose name was John” (John 1:6).  That God-sent man had quite a ministry!  As the forerunner of Christ, he was sent “before the Lord to prepare His ways” (Luke 1:76; Matthew 3:3).  He preached in the wilderness of Judea (Matthew 3:1).  His message?  “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”  His manner?  He wore “a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey” (Matthew 3:4).  But he had a huge following: “Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins” (Matthew 3:5).  Thousands were baptized by him, including Jesus Himself (Matthew 3:14-16).

John “was a righteous and holy man” (Mark 6:20).  All indications are that he fulfilled his God-given ministry to the fullest (Matthew 11:11).  And he was bold in his preaching.  He did not shrink back from declaring the truth.  And so, when King Herod was to be married to his brother’s wife, John spoke up, saying, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife (Mark 6:18).”  To appease his angered wife, Herodias, Herod “sent and seized John and bound him in prison” (Mark 6:17).  For a time, Herod kept John safe in prison—he was glad to listen to him, though perplexed by what he heard (Mark 6:20).

King Herod celebrated his birthday with a banquet.  He invited all the VIPs.  Herodias’ daughter danced for Herod and the guests and pleased the King.  He then offered to her a gift, “up to half of my kingdom” he pledged.  She went and asked her mother what to ask for.  Herodias held a grudge against John the Baptist—he had had the nerve to speak the truth about her illegal marriage.  She was embittered against him and wanted him dead.  She seized the opportunity and instructed her daughter to ask for John the Baptist’s head—on a platter.  Reluctantly, Herod ordered it done.  And that gruesome gift was then presented to the daughter and then to Herodias. 

It is a sad end to the remarkable life of one of the Bible’s most important characters.  It is hard to come to terms with the injustice of it all.  Herodias got her way.  Her bitter hatred was assuaged in that despicable act (though later both she and her husband would both be exiled).  But what about John the Baptist?  How are we to come to terms with his fate?  It is important for us to keep in mind that there is more to this sad story than mere human drama or intrigue.  John was a warrior in the battle for truth.  He served on the front lines.  He did not shrink back from declaring his message.  He was unwilling to compromise and even challenged the King. 

His story reminds me of the account of Hugh Latimer’s sermon before King Henry VIII.  King Henry was greatly displeased by the boldness in the sermon and ordered Latimer to preach again on the following Sunday and apologize for the offence he had given.  The next Sunday, after reading his text, he thus began his sermon: “Hugh Latimer, dost thou know before whom thou are this day to speak?  To the high and mighty monarch, the king’s most excellent majesty, who can take away thy life, if thou offendest.  Therefore, take heed that thou speakest not a word that may displease.  But then consider well, Hugh, dost thou not know from whence thou comest–upon Whose message thou are sent?  Even by the great and mighty God, Who is all-present and Who beholdeth all thy ways and Who is able to cast thy soul into hell!  Therefore, take care that thou deliverest thy message faithfully.” 

John the Baptist and Jesus shared much in common.  Both came to proclaim the truth.  Both were conspired against.  Both suffered punishment by the hand of the King.  Both were put to death, though neither had done anything to deserve it.  In all these ways, and Jesus preeminently so, they exemplify what happens when light confronts darkness.  John the Baptist died at the pleasure of an earthly king, but ultimately won the reward of his heavenly One.  Likewise, heaven’s reward awaits all of those who speak and contend for truth in His name (Acts 20:27, 2 Timothy 2:8-13; Jude 3; Revelation 1:9, 6:9).

“Contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3).

Who is on the Lord’s side? Who will serve the King?
Who will be His helpers, other lives to bring?
Who will leave the world’s side? Who will face the foe?
Who is on the Lord’s side? Who for Him will go?
By Thy call of mercy, by Thy grace divine,
We are on the Lord’s side—Savior, we are Thine!

Fierce may be the conflict, strong may be the foe,
But the King’s own army none can overthrow;
’Round His standard ranging, vict’ry is secure,
For His truth unchanging makes the triumph sure.
Joyfully enlisting, by Thy grace divine,
We are on the Lord’s side—Savior, we are Thine!

February 15

Bible Reading: Mark 5

Mark 5:25-29, “And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment.  For she said, ‘If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.’  And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease.”

I love some of the names of the churches I have visited in Uganda.  Names that speak to a Biblical truth, like “People of the Way Church,” “Victory Church,” and “Jesus Loves You Church.”  One of my favorites is “What Doctors Cannot Do Jesus Can Church.”  It’s kind of a long name, but it’s clever, and speaks to the truth of the passage before us.

The account of the healing of the woman with a hemorrhage is sandwiched between the report of Jairus’s daughter’s illness and Jesus’ raising of her to life.  The woman suffered with some sort of 12 year-long chronic bleeding problem.  We are not given the exact cause or nature of the bleeding, but one would suppose that it was both physically debilitating and emotionally embarrassing.  Beyond that, according to OT Law, it also caused her to be considered “unclean” (Leviticus 12:3-8; 15:19-27).  She would not have been allowed to go to the synagogue or temple.  Anyone she touched would have been deemed unclean.  She had been an outcast for 12 years.  One can hardly imagine how desperate she must have been for help.

Apparently, she tried everything she could.  She “had suffered much under many physicians” (Mark 5:26).  Given the state of medical expertise in those days it is likely that the many physicians did more harm than good.  She “had spent all that she had and was no better but rather grew worse” (Mark 5:26).  In her desperation to be healed, she had pursued every possibility and exhausted all her resources. 

But “she heard the reports about Jesus” (Mark 5:27).  She had no doubt heard of how others had been healed.  A flicker of hope gave rise to a plan born out of her desperation.  She thought, “If I touch even her garments, I will be made well” (Mark 5:28).  Her plan was not without obstacles.  She was not accustomed to touching or being touched, she would encounter both in making her way through the crowd.  She was unclean, others would be rendered unclean in the process.  More than that, what would Jesus say were He to know that an unclean woman touched His garments?  So, the goal was to do so unnoticed. 

All went according to plan. She “touched his garment” and “immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease” (Mark 5:27,29).  But Jesus perceived that power had gone out from Him.  He “turned about in the crowd and said, ‘Who touched my garments’ (Mark 5:30)?”  The woman heard him.  “Knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth” (Mark 4:33).  She trembled in fear, wondering about his response—would he rebuke her?  Would he undo what had been done?  How precious then must have been His reply, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease” (Mark 5:34).  By faith in Jesus, she was made well.  In so doing she marked out a path for other desperate souls to follow.

Jesus healed many of all kinds of physical afflictions and those healings spoke to the truth of who He is— “He is the Christ, the Son of God” (John 20:31).  He came not just to heal broken bodies, but to give life to dead souls (John 3:16, 10:10).  He is the only one who is able to do that. 

I was walking down a road near to “What Doctors Cannot Do Jesus Can Do Church,” when a strange-looking car approached, driving fast along the narrow dirt road.  Music was blaring from the huge loudspeaker that was mounted on its top.  I turned to my friend Paul and asked him what the car was doing.  He told me it was a man driving from house to house to sell a medical tonic that they touted as being able to impart health and healing.  And as Paul was speaking, the car stopped at a house and a transaction was made.  Snake oil salesmen still exist.  But for unclean, desperate sinners looking for sin-healing, there is only One place to go.  Jesus heals from “all our soul’s diseases” with power and compassion.  He can do what doctors cannot, He can cause lost sinners to be born again to a living hope (1 Peter 1:3)!

Too often we pray as a matter of last resort, but Jesus cares and is best able to deal with our troubles, whatever they might be.  Take them instead to Him.  He can do what no one else can.

There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus–
No, not one! no, not one!
None else could heal all our soul’s diseases–
No, not one! no, not one!

Jesus knows all about our struggles,
He will guide till the day is done;
There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus–
No, not one! no, not one!

February 14

Bible Reading: Mark 4

Mark 4:37-39, “And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’ And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.”

In 1986 two brothers, both fishermen/amateur archeologists, found remains of a buried boat on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.  A drought had receded the shoreline and exposed the long-hidden remains.  The boat was determined to be of the New Testament era—the same kind of boat that would have been used by Jesus’ fishermen-disciples.  Once uncovered, it was examined and determined to be 27 feet long, 7.5 feet wide, and 4.3 feet high.  It was of shallow draft and flat bottom that it might be able to get close to shore while fishing.  Great for fishing—not so great for surviving a big storm at sea.

Jesus was in such a boat with His disciples crossing the Sea of Galilee.  “A great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling” (Mark 4:37).  Those disciples were experienced sailors.  They knew how that sea was prone to such sudden changes.  And they knew what to do on such occasions.  But this storm was too great.  And their boat was about to sink.  They feared for their lives.

It was at this point that they cried out to Jesus: “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing” (Mark 4:38)?  They were anxious.  He was sleeping.  “How can He sleep in the midst of this gale?” they must have thought.  Doesn’t He care that we are about to capsize and sink to the depths?

“Do you not care?”  They may not verbalize it, but Christ’s followers are sometimes guilty of such doubts.  “Sin and despair like the sea-waves cold threaten the soul with infinite loss.”  Too often, our response is to curse the storm and try by any means to escape.  The disciples were fortunate to have Jesus in their boat.  The believer in Christ has Him too.  He merely spoke a word to the wind and the sea and there was “a great calm” (Mark 4:39).  Their fear of the storm was exchanged for “a great fear” that caused them to ask amongst themselves: “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” (Mark 4:41).

Does He care?  He has proven that He does, having given His life to rescue us from our sins (Romans 8:32; 1 John 3:16).  Does He care?  He invites us to bring our cares to Him, because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).  Does He care?  Yes indeed!  He may not quiet the adverse winds and waves, but He can impart to our hearts and minds a quiet “which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).

Storms happen.  They touch on every part of the planet.  And the troubles and trials of life affect every soul.  God has a purpose in them—to elicit faith in Him.  The disciples had no need to fear—having Jesus, “the master of the seas,” in their boat.  But they remained anxious ‘til they asked Jesus for help.  The believer in Christ is indwelt with the One who calmed the winds and the waves.  God’s purpose in our troubles is that we might turn to Him for help.  If you have Jesus in your life, you do not need to fear.  He knows all about your troubles.  He can impart His peace to your heart.  He cares! 

Amidst the storms of life, when the winds of adversity blow and troubles mount up as angry waves threatening to undo you, keep in mind that you know the One who calmed the winds and the waves.  You’ve no need to fear if you’ve got Jesus “in your boat.”

I was sinking deep in sin,
Far from the peaceful shore,
Very deeply stained within,
Sinking to rise no more;
But the Master of the sea
Heard my despairing cry,
From the waters lifted me–
Now safe am I.