Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 3:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 3:2
"And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him."

I pondered on watching people. They did it so they could find fault and accuse Him.

"They Watched Him", the Greek word translated “watched” implies that the Pharisees were scrutinizing Jesus with malicious intent. They had come to the synagogue not to worship, but to find fault.
(New Testament Student Manual, "Chapter 11: Mark 1-4")

When we watch to find fault we are no better than the Pharisees. I know I have been guilty of this. There is an incredible difference in your spirit and peace when you stop it. There will always be a temptation to judge others. The first step is to realize that is what we are doing.

Day 4084

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 2:15

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 2:15
"And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him."

I hadn't noticed the part of "they followed him". So that means the publicans and sinners in order to follow Christ would have repented. Would the Pharisees feel people could never repent and turn from their past sins?

"In the ancient Near East, sharing a meal with others meant much more than simply eating and drinking together. It was a sign of fellowship; it indicated that a bond of friendship and peace existed or was at least being offered. The Savior often used the occasion of sharing a meal to extend the invitation to repent and obtain forgiveness. On a number of these occasions, pious Jews criticized Jesus for dining in fellowship with people they regarded as sinners.
Those regarded by the pious Jews as “sinners” could have included not only people guilty of breaking commandments but also people who did not live in accordance with the Pharisees’ traditions—people whose daily work was considered unholy (like publicans) and people who were not Israelites (like Samaritans and Gentiles; see Acts 10:28)."
(New Testament Student Manual, "Chapter 11: Mark 1-4")

Day 4083

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 1:14-15

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 1:14-15
"Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel."

I pondered on how the Jews must have felt to hear these words. They had been practicing the law of Moses for almost 1,500 years. The time for it to be fulfilled had arrived. How different this must have all felt to them. Some would not accept Jesus as the promised Messiah, nor his gospel. Yet those that did had to have extreme faith and belief. I know it's hard for me to comprehend how they must have felt. It is fitting that the gospel begins with the baptism of Jesus Christ. The only perfect man to walk the earth, that did not need repentance, yet to not be baptized would not have fulfilled all righteousness. He set the ultimate example.

Day 4082

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 28:6

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 28:6
"He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay."

These are some of the most wonderful words spoken by an angel "he is risen". He is risen as he said he would. The Lord keeps all his promises.

Day 4081