Category: Bible Studies

Fear of anything but God the Father is death. Fear of God = REVERENCE…

Mark 15:1-15
Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, made their plans. So they bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate.

2 “Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate.

“You have said so,” Jesus replied.

3 The chief priests accused him of many things. 4 So again Pilate asked him, “Aren’t you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of.”

5 But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.

6 Now it was the custom at the festival to release a prisoner whom the people requested. 7 A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising. 8 The crowd came up and asked Pilate to do for them what he usually did.

9 “Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate, 10 knowing it was out of self-interest that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead.

12 “What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?” Pilate asked them.

13 “Crucify him!” they shouted.

14 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.

But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”

15 Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.

The mob mentality. Clarity can become fogged over as we are surrounded by throngs of people if you don’t know God is with you. We must be reminded as we swim in this world of sin, that the only way through it, the only way to make the right decision, is by asking God to help. By fostering a deep personal relationship with the Holy Spirit.

The crowd had not known this, although Jesus had taught to them, spoken to them, and warned them, they refused to listen. Fear can be powerful. It is apparent that those standing in the mob before Jesus, asking for Him to be crucified, were scared. Fear filled them. Fear of what others would think. Fear of the “What-if”.

Here is what is perhaps the most amazing part of this entire scene, at least in my mind. This was how it was to play out. This is the plan put into action. The fear of man, placed in the crowd’s hearts by the evil one, became the way in which Jesus would put into action God’s perfect plan. It is through the weakness of man that God’s Will was carried out.

When I first read this as a young boy I thought, how could they do this. I wondered why they would not let Him go. Wouldn’t the world be a much better place today if He had not been crucified? I soon realized that this was His plan. His time to save us. This needed to happen. Sin was carried to the cross at Calvary, never to return. Jesus said, “It is finished.” Friends…it is finished. Now thank Him. Every single day…thank Him!

Happy New Year! Jesus loves you! Invite Him into your life this year. Become a friend of Jesus TODAY! Give us this day our daily bread. #JesusSaves

Amen
DK

Mark 14:66-72
66 While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him.

“You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said.

68 But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway.

69 When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” 70 Again he denied it.

After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.”

71 He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.”

72 Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

For Peter, this must’ve wounded him deeply. Jesus knew him so well. He knew that Peter would do this on this night at this time. But rather than be angry with Peter, Jesus let it happen. Why? Why let him suffer?

The answer is this…God knows us. He knows everything about us. He knows every move we are about to make and will ever make for the rest of our lives. The answer is that He wants us to know ourselves. It is through this pain that we are able to learn who we are. To know who we are down deep…To our core. To our soul. To our hearts.

God allows the hard things to happen to us because He sees us as Sons of God. As His own sons. And in doing so, He does what every good father should do. Discipline us, and punish us. The same way that a father must discipline his children. It is for our own benefit. As we go through this crucible of sanctification, we are given the opportunity to press towards God. To hand our lives over to Him so that He can be glorified, and that we can receive grace and mercy.

Through this denial of Jesus three times, Peter learned about himself and he was broken. Jesus will come back and pick Peter up and give him three chances to rebuild himself. Jesus did this for Peter. He did this for us on the cross. Step toward Jesus now. His forgiveness is waiting. #JesusSaves

Amen
DK

More effort was taken by man to remain in unbelief than given to believe…

Mark 14:53-65
53 They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together. 54 Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.

55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. 56 Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree.

57 Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.’” 59 Yet even then their testimony did not agree.

60 Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 61 But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.

Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”

62 “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

63 The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. 64 “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”

They all condemned him as worthy of death. 65 Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him.

The extent that man will go in order to save face in front of man often exceeds what is done to simply love. This is evident in the conduct of the teachers of the law in these verses. In order to gather so many in an attempt to sink Jesus would have required copious amounts of time and energy. Time that would be wasted.

Which brings me to this question: How much time have you wasted trying to be right as opposed to simply listening, waiting, and receiving the love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? Don’t answer. We live in a state of distraction and sin. We are human. Not only that, Jesus wants us to question, inquire, and seek. It sparks the relationship that is key to our faith. It is Sanctification.

As we move toward Him, the layers of our lives are peeled back to reveal truth. The peeling back of those layers is painful, but necessary. Many will seek immediate help. Alcohol, drugs, and destructive codependent relationships are the obvious ones. Sometimes they aren’t so obvious unless you look for them. Whichever they may be in your lives or the lives of those you love, know that God is with you and them most closely at this time. It is the process.

Jesus loves you more than you can imagine. There is nothing you could ever do to change that or push it away. Stop fighting it. Give Him the keys. He knows what He’s doing. God bless you. #JesusSaves

Amen
DK

Mark 14:43-52
43 Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders.

44 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” 45 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. 46 The men seized Jesus and arrested him. 47 Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

48 “Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? 49 Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” 50 Then everyone deserted him and fled.

51 A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, 52 he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.

It all played out the way that Jesus knew it would. It still came with some shock, as He told them that they did not need to come with swords. He let them know that He was the same person that they just saw in previous days teaching at the temple. Why now?

Judas had betrayed Jesus with a kiss. Now His followers were scared. They ran, some so fast they ran clean out of their clothes. I realize that Jesus knew He would be betrayed, but to have all of His followers leave Him at such a time. That must’ve been devastating.

Jesus’ answer was nonviolence. He knew it was the only way, and it was an incredibly difficult thing for His followers to understand. I read it now, and I have trouble understanding it sometimes. My emotions do that to me sometimes. They blind my sound judgement based on faith. They block my connection to Him.

He is with us though. That battle between faith and sight exists in all of us. Persevere. When you fall…get up. I do it every day. Many of us do. Don’t give up 5 minutes before the miracle. #JesusSaves

Amen
DK

Mark 14:32-42
32 They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”

35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36 “Abba,[f] Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

37 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? 38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

39 Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. 40 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.

41 Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

The agony. It is so evident. Such a sweet and patient man Jesus was. To have to deal with all of our inability and shortcomings. What a man He was.

This passage brings me sorrow, as I can feel His anxiety and pain. It is all for us. All for our salvation. He is such a loving and gracious host. Why many do not accept Him as their personal Lord and Savior is beyond me. He is so Holy and Worthy of all praise.

I want to say that if I had been in the garden with Him that I would have stepped up to the plate and stayed up praying with Him. But chances are, I would be dozing off also. I would not have the strength that night. Yet I know one thing is for certain…Jesus still loves me. He always will.

Jesus loves me not because of what I did yesterday. What I will do tomorrow. Or what I am doing. He simply loves me. No strings attached. No, I don’t assume it is a green light for whatever I want to do, but it is a relationship of trust. A relationship where I know that He will take care of me no matter what.

Wake up friends. Pray for Him now. He has given everything for your soul. #JesusSaves

Amen
DK

Truth. Truth spoken like a double-edged sword…

Mark 14:27-31
27 “You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written:

“‘I will strike the shepherd,
    and the sheep will be scattered.’[d]
28 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

29 Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.”

30 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice[e] you yourself will disown me three times.”

31 But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same.

Such tragedy for Peter. So many had to endure so much. Jesus took the brunt of it all when He conquered death and sin, but others were feeling the weight of their sin just before Jesus took it with Him to the cross.

Peter would later be given an opportunity by Jesus to answer what he had done. Peter would shine in that instance also. We are all given another chance. As many as you need, in fact. No, this does not imply a free pass. But Jesus does not withhold love as punishment, rather He pours it on. More than you can handle, in fact. All that is needed is for you to cry out His name. Cry out to Jesus.

All that failed previously will become monstrous successes. Try it for a week, if you don’t like it…well, prayer is powerful. Let me know if you need some. Chances are I pray for you anyway. #JesusSaves

Amen.
DK

The end seems to come quickly for us as we read. Jesus knew what was coming though, and He gave Himself freely for us…

Mark 14:12-26
12 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”

13 So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. 14 Say to the owner of the house he enters, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 15 He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.”

16 The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.

17 When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. 18 While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.”

19 They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, “Surely you don’t mean me?”

20 “It is one of the Twelve,” he replied, “one who dips bread into the bowl with me. 21 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”

22 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.”

23 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it.

24 “This is my blood of the[c] covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. 25 “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

26 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

The preparations made for The Last Supper are nothing short of amazing. Each piece had been prepared and set in place so that the gift of Salvation would be given in the perfect way at the perfect time, just as prophecy had predicted.

Jesus has allowed us to eat with Him. Although we are the reason that He came to earth, and that reason was for our salvation, He still came and saved all of us. He still broke bread with those that would kill Him. He loved even those that sought to hurt Him. Why?

Love. Pure and unconditional love. A love that is so unfathomable that it brings man to their knees. It’s a blinding love. One that requires only one thing to receive it. Say the name of Jesus. Cry out to Jesus, from your heart.

Last night my daughter and I gave it a shot together. We held hands and she cried out to Him. She immediately felt His presence. She believed before, but she came to speak with me later and said she felt Him with us. She was giddy with laughter. The Holy Spirit was with us. He is always with us. We only need to ask for His help.

Today, when you are out and about, lift your hands high to the Lord God the Father, and profess your love for Him. It may feel strange the first time. It did for me, but that will pass. He just wants your heart. Give Him your heart today. #JesusSaves

Amen.
DK

Nothing given to Him or for Him is a waste. Our eyes will always betray us in this regard…

Mark 14:1-11
Now the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. 2 “But not during the festival,” they said, “or the people may riot.”

3 While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.

4 Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? 5 It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages[a] and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.

6 “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7 The poor you will always have with you,[b] and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. 8 She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. 9 Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

10 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. 11 They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

We remember this woman not because of her waste, which Jesus clarified that it was not. We remember her for the amazing example of worship and love for our King and Redeemer she displayed on that day. This is the example of how to worship God. Give what you have to God. It does not matter if the gift is expensive or not. It only matters what it means to you. It matters what is in your heart. Jesus knew her heart, as He knows ours. I believe this is where the saying, “It’s the thought that counts,” comes from.

This Christmas, tonight, as we celebrate the birth of the man that saved us from eternal death and destruction, let us learn from this woman. Let us learn to give to one another from what we have. Learn to give from our hearts. If I sit and relax and think, I can recall the times that I have given from all I had. I need to do that more often. I need to strive to be like Jesus. I need to give like this woman did.

Christmas is a time to put down the troubles of the day and simply bask in the understanding that because Jesus arrived on earth in that manger in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago, today I am saved. Today I walk with my God, my Shepherd, my Father, my Redeemer. He walks with us always. Emmanuel…God with us! #JesusSaves

Amen.
DK 

The only one to know when The End Times are upon us is God Himself. There is another that can know this…

32 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. 34 It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.

35 “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”

Here is that instance when FEAR=REVERENCE, only as it applies to God. Fear of all else is death. As we begin to know God through Jesus Christ, a clarity will come to your mind, heart, and Spirit. It is TRUTH that is cleaning you out. However painful it is, this process of sanctification must occur within all of our bodies. Do not be misled.

There are quite a few that have come before and have manipulated people to belief in false prophets. Jesus does not mince words. He gives them #truth. #JesusSaves

Amen
DK