Mark 10:20-22

February 10, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“And he said to him, ‘Teacher, all these [commandments] I have kept from my youth.’ And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, ‘You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.’ Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions” (Mark 10:20-22).
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This story is frightening and hits close to home. I’m amazed at man’s capacity to feel self-sufficient. Me included. We have an amazing ability to convince ourselves that we are better than we are.

While this man focused on externals, Jesus probed to the heart. While I tend to focus on external performance, Jesus focuses on my heart performance. In other words, Jesus isn’t satisfied that I don’t touch another woman. He wants my heart to be pure and committed to my wife alone. This is the distinction between the letter of the law and the spirit of the law. Jesus focuses on the latter, and men tend to focus on the former.

When Jesus told the man to sell his stuff, he was probing the heart and applying what He said in the Sermon on the Mount. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭21‬). The man went away sad because Jesus had touched on his treasure.

I am as susceptible as anyone to this deception and must guard my heart and quickly repent when I realize that I am treasuring anything but Jesus.

Father, help me to see through my self-deception. Help me to have a pure heart toward you. Amen.

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

Mark 9:30-32

February 9, 2026 by Leave a Comment

Mark 9:30-32

“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, after three days he will rise.” But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him.”

Two things stand out here. First, this is the second time in this book that Jesus mentioned his coming death and resurrection. (He first mentioned his death and resurrection in 8, and will do so again in 10). Now it seems that Jesus was mentioning this event regularly while moving about the Galilee. Clearly, He wanted them to understand what was coming.

However, and this is the second thing that stands out to me, “they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him.” From where we sit, it seems crystal clear what he meant. But it was not clear to them. But why? And why were they afraid to ask? They had Isaiah’s word about the suffering servant (Is 53). Why were they puzzled about his death? Interestingly, Isaiah says, “Who has believed what he has heard from us? (53‬:‭1‬) So, it wasn’t a matter of revelation. It seems to be a matter of the heart. Are there things I am not getting/understanding because of my heart?

Father, help me to see with eyes of faith. Amen.

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

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
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