Mark 12:17

February 12, 2026 by Leave a Comment

Mark 12:17

“Jesus said to them, ‘Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they marveled at him.”

This was Jesus’ answer to a trap question. They marveled at Him because he never fell prey to their trap questions. The reason he never fell into their trap wasn’t merely that he was more clever, but because he dealt with the heart.

Notice that he doesn’t say, “Don’t pay your taxes.” He goes to the heart. “Give to God what belongs to Him.” The application is if you belong to God, give yourself – all of yourself – to Him.

What is more important, Caesar or God? Notice that in rearranging the question, he not only addressed the more pressing issue, but he also avoided offending Rome.

Father, please help me remember to whom I belong. Then, help me be more faithful in rendering myself to you. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Gospels, Mark

Mark 11:25

February 11, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses” (Mark 11:25).

This verse seems to say that if we don’t forgive others, we will not be forgiven by God.

Sometimes I don’t realize that I’m holding something against someone. At other times, I enjoy holding something against others because I think they deserve it.

In addition to the above challenges, it is not clear how to practically apply forgiveness to those who have hurt us but do not acknowledge their wrong. Are we obligated to forgive them? If yes, are we obligated to tell them that we forgive them? Are we obligated to hang around them as if they didn’t offend us?

I know the Lord’s heart is for forgiveness, so I should shape my heart toward forgiveness, too. I also know that the Lord will mete out justice, so no one is simply off the hook. How can I build up trust in the Lord to manage those who have hurt me?

Father, please grow my heart to be more like yours. Help me to excel in forgiveness. Please help me to grow in my trust in you for the more difficult cases. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, forgiveness, Gospels, Mark, Prayer

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
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