Mark 8:27-29

February 8, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way, he asked his disciples, Who do people say that I am?” And they told him, ‘John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.’ And he asked them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered him, ‘You are the Christ’” (Mark 8:27-29).

Jesus asked the disciples a probing question. “Who do you say that I am?” He asks us the same question. I say it is probing because the answer may demand a significant response from us. If we answer as the crowds did on that day – John the Baptist or Elijah, for example – a certain response is appropriate. However, if we answer as Peter did, “You are the Christ,” then a much greater response is required.

If Jesus is God come in the flesh, then he deserves my best. Unfortunately, I think I have responded as if he were John the Baptist or Elijah more than as if he is God come in the flesh. Yikes! He deserves better!

Father, forgive me for treating your son as less than he is. Help me to not only proclaim him as Lord, but to treat him as Lord as well. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, discipleship, Gospels, Mark

Mark 7:6

February 7, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“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’” (Mark 7:6).

Yikes!!! I better be careful with this verse. The old saying is true. “When you point a finger at someone else, you have three pointing at yourself.”

I wish I could point at the Pharisees without pointing at myself. But I can’t. I have certainly been guilty of honoring the Lord with my lips while my heart and mind were far, far away!

Father, help me to set my heart and affections on you. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, discipleship, Gospels, Isaiah, Mark

Mark 6:19-20, 26

February 6, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly” (Mark 6:19-20).

And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests, he did not want to break his word to her” (Mark 6:26).

This story is so interesting (and instructional) to me. John the Baptist had rebuked Herod for taking his brother’s wife. While Herod didn’t like the rebuke, he respected John as a righteous and holy man. Herod’s wife didn’t share the same respect for John and figured out a way to trap Herod into killing John. Although Herod kept his word to execute John, he felt bad for doing so.

Here is what I mean by instructional. I often fear the fallout if I suggest that someone is a sinner, especially if a specific sin is the topic of discussion. I see that John was both able to identify sin AND maintain the relationship with Herod. So much so that Herod felt bad for executing John.

What I learn from this story is that we can both identify sin and maintain relationships. I’m not sure how to do that yet, and I know that not everyone will respect the person pointing out their sin. I want to get better at this.

Father, help me always be faithful to you regardless of the outcome. Please help me to do this in humility. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Gospels, Helping Others, Mark

Mark 5:30-31

February 5, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, ‘Who touched my garments?’ And his disciples said to him, ‘You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’’” (Mark 5:30-31).
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I always marvel at this scene. Lots of people were touching Jesus. But only one was affected. Why? Because she had faith and was intentionally touching him. Bumping into Jesus without intentional faith is meaningless.

Conclusion: You can touch Jesus. Or, you can touch Jesus. There is a difference.

I’m afraid that, too often, I’m in the crowd bumping into Jesus. Seemingly content to be in the crowd around him rather than intentionally straining to touch him.

Father, help me to have the active faith of that woman. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, forgiveness, Gospels, Jesus Said, Mark, Uncategorized

Mark 4:8, 20

February 4, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold” (Mark 4:8).

“But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold” (Mark 4:20‬).

In this chapter, Jesus tells the parable of the four soils. I’m focused on the last soil mentioned, the good soil. The good soil is the heart that hears the word and accepts it and bears fruit.

Narrowing down still, I see that the good soil bears different measures of fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixtyfold, and some one hundredfold. This realization should help us not to compare ourselves with others. We are not in competition with other believers to see who is the best Christian.

We should work together in a movement to know Jesus and make him known. All believers should focus on their own part without comparison with other believers. We should be able to encourage one another to strive to know Jesus better and more faithfully make him known to others. And we should be able to do this without thoughts of ranking who is best.

When we receive the word, we will produce varying levels of fruit. And we do that because of God’s grace.

Father, help me to be more faithful in receiving your word. Help me bear fruit in the amount you desire. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, discipleship, Gospels, Jesus Said, Mark
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