Episode Archives

In Mark 7:9-23, Jesus challenges the religious leaders’ emphasis on human traditions over God’s commandments. He teaches that what truly defiles a person comes not from external impurities but from the evil intentions within one’s heart. Jesus lists examples of sins such as theft, greed, deceit, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness, indicating these are the real issues that separate people from God. This passage emphasizes the importance of focusing on internal purity and spiritual integrity rather than outward religious appearances.

This podcast episode challenges believers to reflect deeply on the authenticity of their faith, emphasizing that true devotion to God transcends superficial religious practices. This passage highlights Jesus’ critique of the Pharisees, who were more concerned with outward rituals than their hearts’ condition. It serves as a potent reminder that our relationship with God should be rooted in sincere love, humility, and an inward transformation that aligns with His teachings. This scripture calls Christians to ensure their external expressions of…

Reflecting on the verses in today’s study, we’ll learn the wisdom and guidance for navigating today’s storms. We’ll seek to understand the fear that grips us and learn to hear the calming reassurance of Jesus’ voice, saying, “Don’t be afraid,” guiding us to a place of peace and recognition of His presence in our daily lives.

Today’s study shows one of Jesus’ most memorable miracles – feeding a large group of people with limited resources. Seeing this crowd as “sheep without a shepherd,” Jesus felt compassion and miraculously multiplied five loaves and two fish to feed everyone. The disciples’ skepticism at the feasibility of feeding such a multitude is met with Jesus’ demonstration of divine abundance. Ultimately, not only were the people fed, but twelve baskets of leftover pieces highlighted the overflowing provision of God’s care.

In our study of Mark 6:14-29, we encounter the distressing story of the martyrdom of John the Baptist. John, known for his unwavering faithfulness and commitment to truth, provoked the ire of Herod Antipas and Herodias due to his denouncement of their unlawful marriage. When Herod makes a rash oath at a banquet in front of many witnesses, Herodias seizes the opportunity to rid herself of John. These passages illustrate John the Baptist’s steadfast faith, even in the face of…

Our study today teaches the importance of faith and dealing with spiritual opposition. Jesus returns to His hometown of Nazareth, where He teaches in the synagogue and is met with disbelief from locals. They struggle to reconcile the wisdom and miracles of Jesus with the familiarity of His ordinary upbringing. Jesus then sends out His twelve disciples, two by two, entrusting them with the authority to preach repentance, heal the sick, and drive out demons. But He also warns them…

Faith and humility are intertwined virtues essential to believers. In our study today we this demonstrated through the healing of a sick woman and resurrection of a young girl. This faith, coupled with humility, empowers believers to withstand ridicule, bear fearless testimonies, and recognize their role in glorifying God’s magnificence and limitless love.

In Mark 5:1-20, Jesus travels to the Gentile region of the Gerasenes, where he encounters and heals a man tormented by an unclean spirit. Once healed, this man wanted to accompany Jesus but instead was told to go home and tell them what God had done for him. These passages remind us of Jesus’ power over the forces of evil and the freedom we can experience through Him, encouraging us to share our personal stories of transformation and deliverance to…

Mark 4:26-41 illustrates two parables and a miracle of Jesus, highlighting the Kingdom of God and Jesus’ authority over nature. The Parable of the Growing Seed and the Parable of the Mustard Seed illustrates how the Kingdom of God grows and expands beyond human comprehension. The calming of the storm portrays Jesus’ miraculous power, demonstrating His authority over nature. This section concludes by encouraging the disciples … and us to have faith, even amidst the storms of life.

The parables of Jesus are much more than simple stories. They are spiritual tests. We see that Jesus reveals only two choices when understanding who He is. There are those who believe in Jesus … and those who don’t. Those are the only choices. There is no sitting on the fence. You believe, or you don’t. As Christians, the Parable of the Sower is a call to self-evaluation. It encourages us to evaluate our hearts and to answer the question:…

With any disagreement, there are always two things going on. First, there’s the problem, and then, there’s the real problem. For the Pharisees, the real problem was that Jesus was a threat to their power. Today’s study will show how far they will go by leveling a vicious and outlandish accusation. All in the name of protecting their authority. We will also see through Jesus’ words a sense of unity and inclusiveness in the Christian faith. Jesus makes it clear…

Jesus leaves the shore of the Sea of Galilee and travels up to the mountainside. In this place, He selected twelve men for a significant purpose. But who were they? And better yet, why these twelve? They came from a wide range of backgrounds and life experiences, and we’ll discover that we have some of the same characteristics they had.

Jesus is going to take on the Pharisees, who are so determined to find fault with Him. And what we’re about to see is that not only will His miraculous healing of a man prove His power, but it will also serve as an example of His compassion and mercy. And even though the Pharisees complained because this healing took place on a Sabbath day, the real issue is they know this miracle was going to jeopardize their authority in…

Jesus continues to teach His followers the importance of living a life of faith. He explains that the Pharisaic religious laws of the time were not necessarily binding. Instead, Jesus encourages his followers to focus on the spirit of the law and not the letter of the law. He emphasizes that true faith is based on love and mercy, not on obedience to laws and rules. This lesson shows us that Jesus was always looking for ways to help people live…

Thank goodness that all people are welcomed at the table of Jesus. Thank goodness that Jesus welcomes all people into fellowship, regardless of who they are. And that’s a lesson for those who might try to consider themselves spiritually elevated above other people. Because when you see the example of Jesus, when you understand what God has taught us since the very beginning of Creation, the lesson of love and respect should never grow stagnant. Praise be to God there…

Some friends knew their friend needed physical healing. But when they get to the house where Jesus is staying, it is already crowded with people, and there is no way they can get in through the front door. So, they get very creative. And Jesus was impressed with their faith and their tenacity. On the scene were a few “teachers of the law” that had been dispatched from Jerusalem. They came to check out this Jesus they’d heard about by…

Jesus is traveling throughout Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and healing. In doing so, He is bringing both word and deed. It’s an amazing thing to see how this affects the world; even today. Because Jesus never separated His words from His actions. And that’s profound thinking. That we would actually follow through, and do, what we say we will do. That we would live … as we claimed to believe.  But Jesus was doing both. Bringing wholeness and wellness,…

Jesus and His disciples travel to Capernaum where He will continue to battle Satan. And the battleground, of all places, will be in a house of worship. As Jesus arrives and begins in the synagogue on the Sabbath day, the people are “astounded at His teaching, for He taught them as One having authority.” What authority did the people see in Jesus that they did not see in the other teachers? Jesus’ motives and actions were in perfect harmony. Jewish…

When Mark speaks of the good news, you need to know, right up front, that those who are closest to Jesus will struggle to understand what He’s all about. The disciples don’t get it. The religious leaders, the Pharisees, and Sadducees don’t get it. His own family doesn’t get it, and they even try to restrain Him and take Him back home. So what’s the good news about all this? And here’s what we need to know. The real heroes…

Welcome to this introduction to the Gospel of Mark. As we prepare for our study, we first need to understand the circumstances in which this gospel was composed. Mark’s story will show Jesus’ sense of intentionality in His teaching of the crowds, the training of the disciples, and the completion of His mission, the Cross.