And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” —Mark 9:35 Pastor Kim Riddlebarger, at the Riddleblog: From these sayings of Jesus, three important themes emerge. First, membership in the kingdom of God is bestowed upon us, we don’t earn it. The very idea that membership … More The cross comes before the empty tomb
Jesus Again Foretells Death, Resurrection They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he did not want anyone to know, for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, … More Jesus’ Announcement
Pastor Kim Riddlebarger on the Transfiguration in Mark 9: And so, while we look for God’s glory in Christ’s person and work (as Luther put it, in the cradle and on the cross), we also know that one day we will see the kingdom come in power. That will be the day when God raises the dead, … More Messianic Glory
“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit … More The Gallows and the Gift of Life
And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you … More Sovereign God heals in any way he chooses
Now they had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. And he cautioned them, saying, “Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” And they began discussing with one another the fact that they had no bread. And Jesus, aware of … More Ryle: Our knowledge, like all our graces, is always imperfect
J.C. Ryle on Mark 8:1-8- …with Christ nothing is impossible. The disciples said, “But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?” They might well say so. Without the hand of Him who first made the world out of nothing, the thing could not be. But in the almighty hands … More Mercy and grace to spare
And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” But he remained silent and made no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” And Jesus said, “I am, and you … More Ryle: The reality and certainty of Jesus’ second coming
And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of … More Give Me your heart
Mark 6:45-56, our passage for today, contains the section telling of Jesus walking on water: Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. … More “It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 