Category: Can salt be made salty again? Mk 9:50

Today’s scripture: Mark 9:50 At the end of the day Jesus gave an exhortation for the disciples to (1) have salt in themselves, and (2) be at peace with each other. They certainly hadn’t been much of a peaceful bunch throughout the day. And salt was seriously lacking, not just where they traveled, but even among themselves. If credibility is[…]

Today’s scripture: Mark 9:42-49; Romans 12:1; Numbers 18:19 Toward the end of the day, Jesus gave the disciples some extreme instructions: If you cause a little one to sin, it would be better to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around your neck. And cut off your hand or foot if they cause you to sin.[…]

Today’s scripture: Mark 9:38-41; Galatians 5:19-20; Proverbs 27:4 Remember earlier in the day when the disciples were unable to cast the demon out of the young boy? Jesus resolved the situation by delivering the boy and instructing the disciples about prayer and fasting. Later in the day they came across a man who was successful in driving demons out of[…]

Today’s Scripture: Mark 9:33-35, Philippians 2:3 Would you ever have the nerve to debate among your friends which of you is the greatest? It sounds a little absurd, doesn’t it? Apparently not to the disciples, though, because they openly bickered over that very thing within earshot of Jesus! Maybe Peter, James, and John thought they were greater because they were[…]

Today’s Scripture: Mark 9:28-29; 1 Timothy 4:7b  When the disciples were baffled because they couldn’t cast the demon out of the young boy, Jesus told them they needed to fast and pray—two key spiritual disciplines with which people often struggle. Spiritual disciplines are activities we practice regularly until they become a natural part of our behavior. Consistent reading of the[…]

Today’s Scripture: Mark 9:9-10; Proverbs 20:19 More than once in scripture, Jesus instructed people who had experienced a miracle to not say anything to anyone (see Matt. 8:4; Mark 1:44, Luke 5:14). Some believe He gave these orders because He didn’t want the person to experience persecution for having been with the Messiah. Others think Jesus wanted to avoid the[…]

Today’s Scripture: Mark 9:2-50; Leviticus 2:13 Have you ever had one of those days where anything that could go wrong did? Mark dedicated an entire chapter to one of the worst days the disciples experienced. The day started out on a high note when Jesus took Peter, James, and John to the mountain where they witnessed the transfiguration. But, once[…]