32 And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.”Continue reading “Mark 14: 32-42….Jesus the Man – Born to Die!”
Category Archives: character
Mark 14 26-31….New Year’s Resolutions!
Introduction:After about five weeks of dealing with Advent, Christmas and the Gregorian New Year, I am returning to my Mark, Isaiah, Psalms rotation of devotional readings (except for Epiphany in a few days). The next passage in Mark serves very well as a stimulus for us to think about ‘rash words’ and ‘broken promises’! TheContinue reading “Mark 14 26-31….New Year’s Resolutions!”
Various passages: The Silent years!
Almost certainly Jesus didn’t play soccer! According to Richard Prabhakar about the time of Jesus ‘They used to play outdoor games, mainly with stones, pebbles and ropes, Plus in some of the words in the scripture I have seen them play sophisticated games like chess and chinese checkers on the ground by drawing the boardsContinue reading “Various passages: The Silent years!”
Luke 2: 41-52….An amazing Child!
Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to beContinue reading “Luke 2: 41-52….An amazing Child!”
Mark 12: 35-44….Intensive teaching in the week before the Crucifixion.
35 And as Jesus taught in the temple, he said, “How can the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David? David himself, in the Holy Spirit, declared,“‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet.”’David himself calls him Lord. So how isContinue reading “Mark 12: 35-44….Intensive teaching in the week before the Crucifixion.”
Amos 5: 21-24 & 8: 1-6….Justice!
5: 21 “I hate, I despise your feasts,and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.22 Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings,I will not accept them;and the peace offerings of your fattened animals,I will not look upon them.23 Take away from me the noise of your songs;to the melody ofContinue reading “Amos 5: 21-24 & 8: 1-6….Justice!”
Psalm 55: 12-23….David’s prayer continues!
12-15 For it is not an enemy who taunts me— then I could bear it;it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me— then I could hide from him.But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend.We used to take sweet counsel together; within God’s house we walked in theContinue reading “Psalm 55: 12-23….David’s prayer continues!”
Psalm 55: 1-11….A prayer fit for world leaders of today!
Comment: This Psalm is entitled a Maskil of David. So we know the author (King David) and a maskil is a wisdom psalm. We are looking at the first half of the psalm today. There are three divisions in today’s portion. 1 Give ear to my prayer, O God,and hide not yourself from my pleaContinue reading “Psalm 55: 1-11….A prayer fit for world leaders of today!”
Psalm 54: 1-7….An Appropriate Prayer
Comment: The Psalm heading refers to this passage from 1 Sam 23: 19 Then the Ziphites went up to Saul at Gibeah, saying, “Is not David hiding among us in the strongholds at Horesh, on the hill of Hachilah, which is south of Jeshimon? 20 Now come down, O king, according to all your heart’sContinue reading “Psalm 54: 1-7….An Appropriate Prayer”
Psalm 53: 1-6….This psalm is the same as Psalm 14! Why?
1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity; there is none who does good. Comment: Firstly an assessment ‘They are corrupt’ – is it David’s or God’s assessment? This is followed by a judgement, which we as humans would on the whole argue with, when/if weContinue reading “Psalm 53: 1-6….This psalm is the same as Psalm 14! Why?”
As I read it! 