Pastor Kim Riddlebarger discusses the irony we find in the Gospel of Mark: The irony here is important to understand because this proves Jesus’ point made back in the previous verses of chapter 7. The biblical distinction between clean and unclean has to do with the condition of the sinful human heart (which renders all people, Jew … More Irony in Mark
Nothing is as big an impediment to the preaching of the gospel as religious “know it alls” who self- righteously pronounce judgment upon others. And yet Jesus singles these people out for the harshest of criticism. He calls them hypocrites. They pretend to be one thing, but are really something else. They claim to be righteous and yet … More Do you worship in vain? Kim Riddlebarger on Mark 7
J. C. Ryle on Mark 6:35-46 Of all our Lord Jesus Christ’s miracles, none is so frequently described in the Gospels, as that which we have now read. Each of the four Evangelists was inspired to record it. It is evident that it demands a more than ordinary attention from every reader of God’s word. … More Creative Power Beyond all Question
The Impotent King Pastor Coty Pinckney: Mark [chapter 6] now provides us with a striking contrast between the disciples and Herod. The disciples: in the eyes of the world, weak and powerless, yet through God’s enabling exercise great power; Herod, in the eyes of the world the most powerful man in the region, yet … More The Impotent King
J.C. Ryle on Mark 6:5-6 And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief. how exceedingly sinful is the sin of unbelief. Two remarkable expressions are used in teaching this lesson. One is, that our Lord “could do … More Unbelief
“Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” Mark 5:34 J.C. Ryle, in his commentary on Mark, reminds us how faith is such a precious grace, or gift, from God: Of all the Christian graces, none is so frequently mentioned in the New Testament as faith, and … More Faith brings an empty hand, receives everything, and can give nothing in return.
Mark 5:18-20 As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged him that he might be with him. And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy … More Go home!
J.C. Ryle comments on “The Parable of the Seed Growing” in Mark 4:26-28 And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then … More Grace Beyond our Comprehension and Control
J. C. Ryle on Mark 4:1-20 These verses contain the parable of the sower. Of all the parables spoken by our Lord, none is probably so well-known as this. There is none which is so easily understood by all, from the gracious familiarity of the figures which it contains. There is none which is of … More The Parable of the Sower
What, then, should we take with us from this section of Mark? [Chapter 3:20-35] The very fact that so many different and diverse people witnessed the miracles of Jesus with their own eyes and yet did not understand his mission or understand who he was, should remind all of us that unless God grants us understanding of … More Grant Us Eyes to See Jesus!
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 