In Mark 11 Jesus rides into Jerusalem to the shouts of Hosanna, curses the fig tree, drives out money changers in the Temple, teaches on prayer, and has His authority tested by the Jewish leaders.  The unfruitful fig tree was a picture of the nation of Israel that was unfruitful, even with all that the LORD had done for them.  Jesus’ cursing of the fig tree, symbolized the LORD’s cursing of Israel for its unfruitfulness and rejection of HIM.  This is followed by Jesus finding the temple being misused and abused, which was proof of Israel’s unfruitfulness.  When Jesus kicked them all out of the Temple and the Jewish leaders were upset and sought for a way to kill HIM, it further showed how unfruitful the nation of Israel had become.  When people reject the LORD’s grace in Jesus, they reject HIM and will be unfruitful.  LORD, thank You for saving me by Your Grace through Jesus, so that I might bear fruit for Your glory.

– Bryan McKenzie

In Mark 9 the Transfiguration is recorded, Jesus heals a demon possessed boy, tells of his death and resurrection, ministers to children, exhorts the disciples to receive those that minister in His name and warns about causing others brothers and sisters to stumble. The thing that stands out to me most in this chapter is Jesus’ teaching on faith/belief. The disciples need their faith strengthened, the crowd needs their faith strengthened, the Jewish leaders need their faith strengthened, and the father of the demon possessed boy needs his faith strengthened. Jesus intended on healing the boy to strengthen everyone’s faith in HIM, therefore in verse 19 He commands them, “Bring him to Me!” After the demon throws the boy around and Jesus inquired as to how long this had been happening, the father said in verse 22, “But if You can do anything, take pity on us!” Jesus answered, “If You can?” – as if to say my ability to heal is not in question here, of course I can heal. The thing in question was the father’s faith, which was representative of everyone else’s faith gathered around. Jesus assures him, “All things are possible to him who believes.” The fathers response was, “I do believe; help my unbelief.” The father’s response was true of everyone standing around. They all seemed to have some measure of faith, but it needed to be strengthened so as to trust in Jesus alone. I too need my faith strengthened and I am so thankful that the object of my faith, Jesus, is the only one who can and will strengthen it. Lord, I believe, help my unbelief.

– Bryan McKenzie

In Mark 7 Jesus is challenged by the Pharisees about ceremonial washing, He teaches on the importance of the heart, He minsters to a Gentile woman and heals her daughter, and He heals Gentile man.  The rejection of Jesus by the Pharisees is immediately followed by ministry to Gentiles, thus showing that Jesus’ mission was to all peoples.  The Pharisees show that they have elevated themselves and their traditions above the word of God.  In fact Jesus says in verse 13 that they invalidate the word of God by their traditions.  They were more concerned about appearance than they were about a changed heart.  Jesus lets the crowd know that what matters is the heart.  The new covenant promises a new heart for all those who trust Jesus as their Savior and Lord.  This new heart desires to do what is right and has the power to do so.  Lord, may I never place tradition or preference over Your Word.  Help me to always make the heart the issue.

– Bryan McKenzie

In Mark 5 Jesus continues to show His power over everything as he heals the Gerasene Demoniac, the woman with the hemorrhage and raises Jairus’ daughter from the dead. The before and after condition of the Gerasene Demoniac is dramatic.  Before Jesus cast the demons out of him, he was out of control.  After Jesus had cast the demons out of him he was said to have been “sitting down, clothed and in his right mind.”  His transformation was total and the people could see it, so much so that they were afraid.  When Jesus gets hold of someone’s life, there will be such a transformation that others will notice.  Also, the former demoniac began telling others “what great things Jesus and done for him.”  This is the natural response of all who have been transformed by Jesus.  Lord, by Your grace may I be about intentionally telling others of the great things you have done for me in transferring me from the kingdom of darkness into Your kingdom.

– Bryan McKenzie

In Mathew 28 Jesus is risen from the dead, appears to His disciples and gives them the great commission to make disciples.  In Mark 1, Mark begins his gospel with John the Baptist followed by the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry.  Jesus’ resurrection in Matthew 28 shows that His death on the cross was not in vain and His payment for sin was accepted by the Father.  His victory over death shows that He indeed was who He said He was, God in the flesh who came to redeem all who would trust in Him as Savior.  Based on His Authority, He commissions the disciples present and those who would follow them to make disciples of all the nations.  This is the mission of the Church, to make disciples.  Lord, help me always be about the mission for which you have called your Church, the making of disciples.  In Mark 1, the word “immediately” stands out, for it is used 10 times in this first chapter.  “Immediately” is used 40 times in the book of Mark.  Its as if Mark, at the very beginning of His gospel, wants to stress a sense of urgency concerning the mission of Jesus. Lord, may I live with an urgency in making disciples by Your grace and for Your glory.

– Bryan McKenzie