Devotional
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Daily Readings: Acts 1 and Psalm 65 The disciples returned to Jerusalem in obedience to Jesus’ command, to await their infilling with the Holy Spirit there. They “joined together constantly in prayer”, eagerly anticipating His arrival and, I suspect, praying fervently for His help in the great mission Jesus had left them to complete. During…
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Daily Readings: Luke 24 and Psalm 64 51 While He was blessing them, He left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshipped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God. It’s Ascension Day, and we join the global church in celebrating that Jesus departed from the…
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Daily Readings: Mark 12 and Psalm 63 In Mark 12, Jesus faced hot opposition from various religious authorities due to His dramatic entry into Jerusalem and His cleansing of the Temple. Out of one such interaction, this significant declaration was born: 29 “The most important (commandment) is … 30 Love the Lord your God with all…
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Daily Readings: Mark 11 and Psalm 62 Mark 11 is a dramatic chapter and there is much on which to comment, but for today let’s think about this profound statement: 25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.’ This…
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Daily Readings: Mark 10 and Psalm 61 Jesus had already told His disciples twice that He was going to be put to death, only to rise again (Mark 8:31 and 9:31). Now in 10:33-34 he repeats Himself yet again: 33 ‘We are going up to Jerusalem,’ he said, ‘and the Son of Man will be delivered over to…
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Daily Readings: Mark 9 and Psalm 60 24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!’ The demonised boy’s father was desperate for his son to be healed. He firmly believed that Jesus could bring deliverance and healing to his son. And yet at the same time, he found doubts rising.…
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Daily Readings: Mark 8 and Psalm 59 15 ‘Be careful,’ Jesus warned them. ‘Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.’ In rabbinical writings “yeast” was symbolic of the intentions of the human heart. So, although the disciples misunderstood what Jesus was trying to say, we should apply our minds to it. What common…
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Daily Readings: Mark 7 and Psalm 58 It feels like an awkward interaction and I’m hesitant to focus on it, but my attention keeps being drawn to it. So here goes. Disclaimer: This blog is going to be longer than usual, and its a rambling sort of reflection. But hey, it’s a public holiday in…
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Daily Readings: Mark 6 and Psalm 57 All the miracles we observed yesterday were performed in Galilee, so it’s no surprise that the townspeople of Nazareth had heard all about them. Word of a miracle-working rabbi would have travelled fast in the rural world of Galilee. For example, consider how the people of Gennesaret immediately…
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Daily Readings: Mark 5 and Psalm 56 Jesus had just demonstrated His power and authority over the forces of nature in Mark 4:35-41 by calming a violent storm on Lake Galilee. Now, in Mark 5, Jesus stilled storms of a different kind. First, He stilled a violent demonic storm with His word of command. Next,…
