Many times in Scripture we see comparisons made to light. In this passage, Jesus explains to us how to stay out of darkness. “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (John 8:12 KJV) We know he was not talking about the physical light and darkness that our eyes can see, but a more important light. His light…
Scribes and Pharisees brought to Jesus a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They questioned Him on whether or not they should stone her as punishment. “So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” (John 8:7) This was not the only time that Jesus warned about looking too hard at other people’s sins and missing our…
Often times when someone does us wrong, the first thing we want to do is go complain to someone else about it. Scripture tells us that there is a different way to handle this type of situation. “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.” (Matthew 18:15) It is not an easy thing to do, but it is God’s way. His…
In this section of scripture Jesus again speaks to His disciples about their level of faith. “He said to them, ‘Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.’” (Matthew 17:20 ESV) If the disciples who were right there with Jesus every day had to be…
Jesus asked the question, “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36) That is a pretty easy question to correctly answer, right? But have we ever been guilty of letting something of this world get in the way of our service to God? We cannot hide what means the most to us. “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Luke 12:34) Today’s reading: Matthew 16; Mark 8
When questioned by the scribes and Pharisees about His disciples eating their food with defiled hands, Jesus gave them a straightforward answer. He reminded them that these ceremonial hand washing rules were man’s tradition not a commandment from God. “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; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments…
When Jesus walked on water toward His disciples, they were afraid. “But he said to them, ‘It is I; do not be afraid.’” (John 6:20) That was not the only time that He told them to not be afraid. “And be not afraid of them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28) If our focus is living like Christ, there…
When Jesus walked on water, it was dark and the disciples were unsure if it was truly the Lord. Peter spoke to the One they saw, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” When Jesus told him to come, Peter was able to walk on the water! As the wind was blowing, Peter became afraid and began to sink. Jesus let Peter know what He thought about that. “Jesus immediately reached out his…
When Jesus was seen eating with sinners, the Pharisees questioned why He would associate with this type of people. His answer points to why we all need Him. “But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.” (Matthew 9:12 KJV) We will never be sinless and perfect, but we have One who is and who died for us! “For all have sinned, and come short of the…
Here we read about some of Jesus’ miracles. Casting out demons, healing sick, raising the dead to life, feeding thousands of people, and walking on water are just a few of the miraculous things that Christ did in His short time here on earth. What was the purpose of miracles during the time of Jesus and His Apostles? It was not for notoriety because at times Jesus told those involved to not tell anyone what He had done. (Mark 5:43,…