Journey through the Book of Mark

When Jesus calmed the wind and the waves, this told His disciples something about Him that they had not realised before. What was this? And what does this tell us about how we can cope with the storms in our lives? Watch our devotional, “Jesus Calms the Storm” to find out.

With such a hectic schedule, Jesus was in desperate need of rest. But how could He sleep in a boat, while a storm threatened the lives of His closest followers? And what message does this have for us today? Watch today’s devotional to find out!

In today’s episode, we find out that Jesus spoke differently to the crowds who came to hear him publicly, then to his disciples in private. Why was this? And what does that tell us about what will happen as our relationship with God deepens? Watch this devotional to learn more.

Sometimes our problems in life seem so big that by comparison spiritual matters can seem very small and insignificant. I would like to invite you to make sure that you are setting aside time every day to focus on Jesus and His teachings. This will ensure that we receive His blessings as we face the daily challenges of life.

The Word of God is powerful in and of itself. That’s why, once the seed has been scattered, it grows and develops by itself. The lesson of this parable is that if we let God do his work in our lives, there’s no need for us to do the work. If we are willing “the good soil,” then God’s work in our lives will happen “all by itself.”

In this episode, Jesus is still speaking to his disciples about his teachings. He tells them to think very carefully about what he is saying. But, he tells his disciples, you have to do more than just think about his teachings: you actually have to apply them. The more you apply his teachings in your own life, the more that Jesus will be able to teach and bless you. But if you don’t listen to, or...

Jesus tells the disciples that His parables are actually meant to shine a light on things that are hard to understand. He says that his teachings are like a lamp that needs to be lifted up high, so its light might shine everywhere and illuminate every dark corner of our lives. Watch this devotional to learn more.

The parable of the sower is about different soils that represent different kinds of people, and how they receive the word: the Good News about Jesus. The seed is always the same, but the soils are different. Some soils are unproductive, while other soils help the seed produce a good crop. So, which one are you?

Do you have spiritual understanding – spiritual discernment – in your life? That’s an important question. Take a moment right now to pray that God, through His Spirit, will open your mind to spiritual things, so that you may see and understand the heart of God.

The question that this parable asks is, “What kind of life do you want to live?” Do you want to live merely a small life, or do you want to live a life that’s multiplied a hundred times because of the good that it produces? So, where do you fit into this parable?

Have you ever been misunderstood by your family, or perhaps your friends, for your decision to put Jesus first? I’m sure it was difficult. How did you cope? Watch what Jesus says in this video and ask yourself, how does it encourage you?

Look at the positive part of what Jesus said. Every sin can be forgiven. Some people talk about the “unpardonable sin” but actually this phrase does not appear in the Bible at all. The only sin that cannot be forgiven is the sin that you don’t want forgiven: the sin for which you don’t want to repent.

The teachers of the law can’t deny what Jesus is doing; that he really is liberating people from the power of demons. What is the one area of your life in which Satan attacks you the most? Do you realise that the devil lies bound and helpless at the feet of Jesus? Hand this area of your life over to Jesus and ask for his mercy and power.

Why does it so often feel like those who are closest to us are the ones who know us the least? We’ve all had family troubles at some stage or another. Who do you rely on when no-one understands you; not even your family? Have you learnt to rely on your Father in heaven for your identity and strength?

Jesus didn’t choose people who were qualified. He chose people who were willing to say “yes,” and then he qualified them. How does that play out in your life? Are you waiting to become sufficiently qualified before serving God? Maybe sufficiently holy, or sufficiently educated, or sufficiently wealthy? Jesus asks you to serve him now, and he’ll take care of qualifying you.

Jesus has all power in whatever area of your life you might be experiencing weakness. Think about how you have treated Jesus in the past. Have you neglected Him or treated him carelessly? Or have you accepted him as Lord of All and as the Lord of your life?

Have you ever had a moment or a time in your life when you felt that God was so close to you – as if you were touching Jesus? Is it something that you would want to experience? And if you did experience it, how can you respond to it? Remember, Jesus welcomes your touch.

This is the first time that Mark tells us that Jesus was angry. Jesus’ anger stemmed from the misunderstanding of the Pharisees about the purpose of the Sabbath. Take a moment to think about the things that make you angry. How do those things compare with the things that fire Jesus up?

There are people today who say that the Sabbath doesn’t matter. But Jesus said that the Sabbath has been given to us to meet the needs of humanity, to be a blessing. What are the needs that you think it meets?

As you watch this devotional, reflect on these questions: How do you express your Christian beliefs and values in your life? Is Jesus, the Bridegroom, evident in your life? Do others see the joy that comes from walking with Jesus?

As you watch this devotional, take some time to examine yourself carefully. With which of the two sets of characters in the story do you really identify, the confessed sinners who eat with Jesus or the religious hypocrites who are repulsed by His grace and compassion?

Jesus called Matthew. He was attracted to the presence of Jesus that no fame and fortune can equal. He left everything behind just to follow Him. Like Matthew, Jesus is calling you too. Are you also willing to follow?

Often, in our heart of hearts, we think that it’s more difficult for God to forgive us from our sins than to heal us from our physical illness. That’s because we feel unworthy of His forgiving mercy. The paralysed man received it all. And if you trust in Jesus, you’ll have it all as well.

Take a moment to think about the barriers that stand in the way of your friends meeting Jesus. Do you have the kind of faith that will demolish those barriers and bring them to Christ?

Jesus has just healed a man with leprosy. He gave him strict instructions not to speak to anyone about this, but he did. Think about your own religious experiences. Are you as enthusiastic as the leper to tell others about what Jesus has done for you?