Scripture: Mark 11:15-18 Then they came to Jerusalem. And Jesus entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling and those who were buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves; and he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. He was teaching and saying, “Is it not written,
Scripture: Mark 11:12-14 On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see whether perhaps he would find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And
Scripture: Mark 11:9 Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!” Thought for the Day: Though the word Hosanna is found in the Greek New Testament, it is in fact a Hebrew word. Actually, it is two Hebrew words combined: Yasha (be delivered) and Na’ (please or we pray). It is a
Scripture: Mark 11:7-8 Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. Thought for the Day: Tomorrow is Palm Sunday, one of the marvelous days in the life of the church year. There will be opportunities for children and
Scripture: Mark 13:7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. Thought for the Day: These are some of the apocalyptic words from Mark’s Gospel, though too often they are read through 21st century understandings of what apocalyptic literature was attempting to communicate – an understanding that does not take seriously the
Scripture: Mark 13:1-2 As he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!” Then Jesus asked him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.” Thought for the Day: It’s interesting how the Gospel writer is writing this after the destruction of the
The word why appears often in the Psalms – In a week when the news has reported so many stories of pain – especially the suffering and death of children – I echo the words of Psalm 42, “…God, our rock, why have you forgotten us?” PRAYER: O Kind and Gentle God, you are the One who promises to be our God in all situations and circumstances. As
Scripture: 1st John 2:7-8 Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word that you have heard. Yet I am writing you a new commandment that is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. Thought for the Day: As I
Scripture: 1st John 2:6 …whoever says, “I abide in him,” ought to walk just as he walked. Thought for the Day: I love Jesus, and as one who claims to love Jesus, I ought to walk just as he walked. There are days when my walk should have had a quicker pace or a slower pace had I truly been walking as he walked. Without thinking much, we
Scripture: 1st John 2:5 …whoever obeys his (Jesus Christ the righteous) word, truly in this person the love of God has reached perfection. By this we may be sure that we are in him… Thought for the Day: Most folks get a little nervous around the word perfection. Most of us would have moments when we might use words like good or even great to describe our attempts