Monthly Archives: September 2025

MARK’S GOSPEL…LOVE AND OBEDIENCE – 29

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Mark 12:28-34 NIV

“One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” 

“Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.”

Once again, Jesus was on the witness stand! The judge and jury, His perpetual opponents, the religious leaders, were on His case from morning until night, trying to catch Him unawares.  They were waiting for Him, in an unguarded moment, to incriminate Himself by His words. One word out of place would be enough to destroy Him. 

So, they schemed, they plotted, they questioned Him on every subject that could get Him into trouble. Taxes to Caesar was a hot potato! What about marriage in heaven?…Then, the greatest commandment.  If He was parading the idea that He was the Son of God, what, to Him, was the greatest commandment? Where did He fit in?

Jesus unerringly quoted the Shama, Israel’s declaration of faith. To be sure, without actually saying so, He is an integral part of “the Lord is one”, since He is of the one God in three persons. 

The command to love God wholly and completely is, however, part of the Mosaic Covenant that Israel found impossible to obey. Only one, Jesus Himself, ever and fully obeyed this commandment as He did every other commandment that constituted perfect righteousness according to the law. He alone was the only human ever qualified to stand in the presence of the Father as fully righteous by His obedience to the law. 

So, what Jesus accurately quoted as the greatest commandment,  and its companion, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself,” was the summary of all 613 commandments of the Old Covenant. What we, as participants in the New Covenant need to understand that this commandment, as all-encompassing as it was, became obsolete with all the other laws of the Mosaic Covenant. 

“For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another. But God found fault with the people and said: “The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah.” 

…By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭8‬:‭7‬-‭8‬, ‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Before you argue with me about the eternal nature of this commandment, let me assure you that Jesus introduced His “new commandment” replacement for this law. 

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.””

‭‭John‬ ‭13‬:‭34‬-‭35‬ ‭NIV‬‬

And…in summary, the greatest commandment of the New Covenant…

“And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭3‬:‭23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The Apostle Paul confirms John’s words…

“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭13‬:‭8‬-‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Our love to Jesus is only real if and when we obey His commandments…

“Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

…and, again…

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters…Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬, ‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God’s Word is simple and clear. The greatest commandment in the New Covenant is to love one another in deed and truth. Only in this way can we truly show our love for Jesus because all who believe in Him are “in Him” as members of His body. It is, therefore, impossible to love Him without loving His body. 

To the teacher of the law who asked Jesus the question, “ What is the greatest commandment?” Jesus’ reply was given in context…not the all-encompassing requirement of the Old Covenant. It was part of that which would be replaced by His new commandment to love one another, which the Jewish religious leaders failed to do. 

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MARK’S GOSPEL…THE POWER OF WORDS – 28

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Mark 11:12-14, 20-23 NIV

“The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it…In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!” 

“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.”

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What puzzling behaviour! What had the fig tree done to deserve being cursed? In the course of nature, it was not the time for fruit, so why destroy it for that?

Jesus had other ideas. Always alert to opportunities to teach His followers spiritual truth, He did a symbolic act as a visual aid for them to remember. 

The first mention of the fig in Scripture was in Genesis…after Adam and Eve’s defection. They tried to cover their nakedness with fig leaves, but they could not hide their sin from God.

So, not only was the effort of Adam and Eve to cover their sin with fig leaves futile, but the story of the whole nation of Israel was also that of a barren fig tree. 

“When I found Israel, it was like finding grapes in the desert; when I saw your ancestors, it was like seeing the early fruit on the fig tree. But when they came to Baal Peor, they consecrated themselves to that shameful idol and became as vile as the thing they loved.”

‭‭Hosea‬ ‭9‬:‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As a healthy fig tree, God had expected Israel to bear the luscious fruit of obedience to His covenant but, instead, their “fruit” was disobedience and idolatry. 

Therefore, just as the fig tree Jesus cursed was barren, so, the first pairs’ self-effort to cover their unrighteousness was useless and Israel’s disobedience left them spiritually barren. 

In a vivid demonstration in nature, Jesus showed His disciples the fate of those who bore no fruit for God. Israel’s religion bore no righteousness and must die. 

 We must understand Jesus’ next words in the context of His action. 

“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭11‬:‭22‬-‭24‬ ‭NIV‬

The disciples were astonished that Jesus’ words had produced such a radical result. Not only had the tree died at His word, but it had died so quickly. Overnight, it had dried up from the roots!

“Why are you so surprised?” Jesus responded. “Don’t you understand the power of words?” In context, Jesus’ words to the tree had produced death. Their words, spoken in faith, could also produce miraculous results. Look at the scope of believing prayer…if anyone says…whatever you ask for… can prayer be more all-encompassing than that?

Now, before we go off at a tangent by speaking words that fall outside the context of Biblical prayer, we must understand that prayer has definite and specific boundaries, which we can glean from many other parts of Scripture. 

…”In my Name”…”according to His will”…”in the Spirit”…are some protections, as well as the motives and attitudes prescribed in the Word. However, in this context, the prerequisite is “faith in God”.  These three words open up a whole new window on prayer too big to deal with here.

However, to summarise, words spoken from God’s mouth, under God’s authority, have the power to achieve what God says. 

“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Believing prayer, then, is not merely about blurting out anything that comes to mind. Believing prayer is about speaking what God has already spoken. These words carry the weight of His authority, if we speak them from hearts that are fully submitted to Him. God acts when we relay to earth what has been spoken in heaven.

MARK’S GOSPEL…PANDEMONIUM – 27

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Mark 11:15-18 NIV

“On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭11‬:‭15‬-‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

In an instant, Jesus’ peaceful donkey-ride into Jerusalem turned into chaos. What did He think He would was doing? He was supposed to be leading a celebration, claiming the title of “King of the Jews”, and setting up His rule of righteousness and peace over His people but, instead, He was literally setting the cat among the pigeons. 

A one-man show! His disciples were aghast! They could not believe what they were seeing…sheep and goats running wild, birds flapping and flying in glee, men diving after coins rolling everywhere, chairs and tables tossed about like matchboxes…and Jesus was acting like He was having fun!

Except He wasn’t! He was angry, livid in fact, shouting as He sent animals, birds and furniture flying, and men scattering, “Get out of here! This is a ‘house of prayer’. How dare you turn it into a market, you bunch of thieves!”

What was Jesus’ case…this “gentle Jesus, meek and mild”? Has he suddenly morphed into a revolutionary? Yes, in a sense He had but no, not in the sense we humans think! 

From His earliest years, Jesus had always been “about His Father”. He was indifferent to people’s opinions. He had a one-track mind. No one was going to trample on His Father’s honour, not even the highest authority in the land, without His reaction. 

It was quite clear that these people who were bargaining and bartering right in the temple courts were there by permission. The religious authorities were in cahoots with them, obviously getting their cut of the profits. Jesus was not fooled by their so-called “service” to the people…declaring the sacrificial beast “imperfect”, confiscating it to sell to the  next worshipper…guess what, yes, the very animal previously confiscated and declared “unfit” for sacrifice! It was a clever, money-making racket…carried out in the only part of the temple where Gentiles were permitted to come and pray, and Jesus saw through it. 

Do you suppose, for a moment, that the religious hierarchy would let this challenge to their authority pass without reacting? Would they perhaps ignore this terrible exposure, embarrassment, humiliation…let it pass without reaction? Not a bit of it! They were nailed and Jesus must pay! 

“The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.”

Knowing full well that His action would have drastic consequences, Jesus did what He had to do! This was no act of uncontrolled rage. Jesus’ anger was righteous and justified. His Father’s “house”, intended to be the place where Gentiles could also connect with God through sacrifice and prayer, had been degraded into a shop run by crooks. 

And so, the die was cast. Jesus must die, and He knew it! Once again, He was working in tandem with the Father’s plan and timetable, not a random act of emotion but a calculated  response to evil that would trigger the countdown to the cross. 

Passover, in a few days time. was the moment when history, prophecy, time, and eternity would meet at 3 pm, when the Passover lamb and Jesus would die in perfect synchrony to take away the sin of the world. 

MARK’S GOSPEL…HOLLOW PRAISE – 26

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Mark 11:7-10 NIV

“When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!””

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What do we make of this episode in Jesus’ life? Was He excited because it was yet another prophecy coming true? Was it a deliberate act to fulfil prophecy as though He were following a script? What did He think, and feel about the people’s response? Was He happy or skeptical?

Let’s follow the process. 

First, Jesus sent His disciples to fetch the donkey as though it were pre-planned. The donkey was where He said it would be. The bystanders responded as He said they would, asking the question He said they would ask. 

It was as though Jesus were following the scene He saw happening in His mind. How uncanny! History in advance!

“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭9‬:‭9‬ ‭

And so, the people rejoiced as the Word predicted! Why did they rejoice? What was their expectation? Let’s look at their words. 

“Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

Clearly, the common people thought that this was Yahweh’s moment. Finally, at last, their longings, their hopes and dreams were about to be fulfilled. How they relished the anticipation that their hated oppressors would be supernaturally driven from their land! After all, hadn’t Jesus insisted that He was the Son of God, their longed-for Messiah?Hadn’t He demonstrated His power over disease, demons, and even death? They were convinced that He could get rid of the Romans as well. This was their moment of triumph. Freedom at last!

They sang and danced with abandon because they were fully convinced that miracles were about to happen. They celebrated Jesus as their Deliverer, the Son of David. Their long-awaited king! 

But wait! Why was He moving towards the temple? Why not Pilate’s palace…to give Pilate and his cronies their marching orders and to set up His government over  His own people?

Jesus deliberately turned towards the temple, the seat of His Father’s government. Rome was not the real problem. Rome was an intrusion, an interim plan to prepare the hearts of His people for the real thing…not an external force controlling the people but a new ruler on the throne of their hearts. 

As much as Jesus taught and showed them that the real enemy was inside their own hearts, the less they understood that their captor was sin, not Rome. Yes, He had come to deliver them, but not in the way they expected. 

In His debate with His enemies, He could not have expressed His intention more clearly…

“Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

‭‭John‬ ‭8‬:‭34‬-‭36‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Everything He told them fell on deaf ears. 

So, He followed the script with accuracy because it had to be. He was neither surprised nor alarmed at the unfolding events. He was a purposeful player in God’s story. 

The hollow praise of His people turned to bitter disappointment, and murderous cries as they turned on Him, only a few days later, condemned Him to death, and joined their religious leaders in forcing the hand of Pilate!

Then, just when they thought that they had rid themselves of this imposter, He reappeared… from the tomb, of all things, to do what He said He had come to do!

“This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him…“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” …Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭23‬-‭24‬, ‭36‬, ‭38‬ ‭NIV‬‬

No, Jesus was not fooled by the people’s hollow praise. This was all part of the divine blueprint. Step by step as it unfolded, He  carefully followed the script, from “Hosanna” to “Crucify”, from glory to Golgotha, from death to life. With the process came the real deliverance, not from Rome but from eternal death for those who believe in Him. 

MARK’S GOSPEL…BARTIMEUS – 25

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“Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭46‬-‭52‬ NIV

Another of the stories we love, but much packed into it that can elevate our understanding and hone our faith. 

Jesus and His disciples, engulfed by a crowd of excited spectators enjoying the entertainment Jesus provided for them, were on their way out of Jericho. Sitting by the wayside was a “nobody”, a blind beggar with his begging bowl in his hands and his beggar’s cloak around his shoulders…a pitiful picture of poverty and despair. 

No one noticed him or cared about him as they rushed past, bumping and trampling him in their excitement until he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Treating him as nothing but a nuisance, “Shut up,” they kept yelling at him, but he refused to be quiet. There was no way that he was going to lose this opportunity. 

Then the crowd came to a sudden stop. A voice rang out above the hubbub. “Call him!”

The people suddenly changed their tune. “So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.”

Let’s examine this little scenario. First, the beggar shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” What was he saying? Son of David…he identified Jesus as the anticipated Messiah.

Google explains…

  • “Messianic Title: The title “Son of David” was a well-known reference to the Messiah, who was prophesied to come from King David’s line. 
  • Appeal to Authority: By calling Jesus the “Son of David,” the blind man was acknowledging Jesus’ divine authority and the messianic power to bring healing and salvation.”

Second, “Have mercy on me.”

Mercy, in Hebrew…” chesed” was an appeal to God’s covenant commitment His people. 

“And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin…”

‭‭Exodus‬ ‭34‬:‭6‬-‭7‬a NIV‬‬

Imagine that! In the face of the unbelief of the religious leaders and the superficial “faith” of the crowd, this despised, nobody, beggar recognised Jesus for who He was and called on Him in faith to do what he believed He would do!

Third, the man stood up, tossing aside his beggar’s cloak, his licence to beg, and pushed through the crowd to Jesus. In this gesture, he was declaring, “ I’m done with begging! I don’t need to beg any more.” So secure was he in the outcome of his faith that he cut loose from his past before it happened.

Now let’s look at Jesus’ response. The interaction between them was simple. Knowing full well the blind man’s need, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to for you?” Such a simple but such a loaded question! The request offered the beggar the opportunity to ask for anything he desired. This was Jesus, Son of David, in front of him, opening a door to the world for him. 

His sight, uppermost in his mind, would mean real life for him. Everything else he desired would follow. So, his answer was simple. “I want sight, Lord! That’s all for now.”

And Jesus said, ”Go!” With a simple affirmation, “Your faith has healed you.” What did Jesus mean? Was faith the means by which he was healed or was his faith the gossamer thread that bound the man to Jesus along which the healing power flowed? Authority…Son of David! Faith…My sight! Done…Go! 

Amid all the foolishness of the religious elite and the common people, this blind beggar understood the truth and acted on it. 

And, in the hullabaloo, Jesus heard his cry!