Day 68 Bible Reading - Mark 14: 72 (ESV)

Leviticus 19 & 20, Mark 14: 43-72, Psalm 36

Mark 14: 72 (ESV)

“And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.”

Whenever I read verse 72 from Mark 14, I often wonder how Peter felt. Jesus had told him what would happen, and he didn’t believe him despite having seen all the miracles and healings that Jesus had performed. I’ve been listening to David Guzik’s bible commentaries, and he said that Peter made the mistake of not praying before answering Jesus. Would Peter’s actions have changed had he prayed? Did he even have time to pray in the moment? Peter comes across as a passionate guy and I’m not sure he’s the type of person who would have stopped and prayed before he spoke? But I think David Guzik has a point nonetheless. Before we speak or do anything, we need to pray. In prayer we may come to know our own mind better, and may make different decisions, different choices. Maybe not but I like to think it might make a difference.

Getting Caught Up - Day 67 Bible Reading - Mark 14: 27 (ESV)

I've had a rough weekend, so I fell behind in bible reading posts and am getting caught up.

Leviticus 17 & 18, Mark 14: 17-42, Psalm 35: 19-28

Mark 14: 27 (ESV)

“And Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.”

I was listening to a commentary from David Guzik on verse 27 from Mark 14, and he said when Jesus made this prediction to his disciples it was because he knew their minds and what they would do before they did. It made me wonder if Jesus knows the minds of all of his followers like he knew the minds of his disciples. Does he know what we’re going to do before we do it? Does he see all of our choices and waits to see what choices will we make? I like to think Jesus knows my mind, but I’m also of the opinion that he waits to see if I will make the right choice. He is so patient with me. More patient than I am with myself. And when I make a mistake, he leads me to ways of repentance with kindness and firmness. That’s my experience of Christ at least. What is yours?

Day 66 Bible Reading - Mark 13: 32 (ESV)

Leviticus 15 and 16, Mark 13: 32-37, Mark 14: 1-16, Psalm 35: 11-18

Mark 13: 32 (ESV)

“But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”

I was listening to a discussion today on the hypostatic union which is the idea that “Jesus Christ is true God and true man”. Or in other words, Jesus Christ is fully human and fully divine that these two natures cannot be separated. Verse 32 from Mark 13 was cited as evidence for the idea of the hypostatic union, because even Christ said he himself does not know everything that God knows. Only God knows everything or is omniscient. I like the idea of Christ being fully human because that means he knows everything about being human because he has experienced it for himself.

Day 65 Bible Reading - Mark 13: 31 (ESV)

Leviticus 14, Mark 13: 1-31, Psalm 35: 1-10

Mark 13: 31 (ESV)

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”

I like verse 31 from Mark 13. Jesus’ prediction about his words have certainly come true. I find it so interesting that the Bible is still alive and well long after his death on the cross. There were many men who claimed to be the “Messiah” in the time when Jesus was alive. But only the true son of God prevailed out of all those who were claiming to be the Messiah. Even if you have no belief in God, you have to give credit to the Christian religion and how it was spread all over the globe. People only resonate with what they consider “truth and authenticity”. There must be something to the Christian religion to give its longevity, despite all the forces that have tried to stamp it out today and in the past. No one can convince anyone to believe in God, the Christ, and the Holy Spirit. It’s something you have to experience it for yourself. And when you have an experience of faith, it will change your life forever.

Day 64 Bible Reading - Mark 12: 42-44 (ESV)

Leviticus 13, Mark 12: 28-44, Psalm 34: 11-22

Mark 12: 42-44 (ESV)

“And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.””

I love these verses from Mark 12 because Jesus puts into perspective how much money they contribute to the church. People of wealth can contribute much money to the church, but the sum of their contribution doesn’t make them better. Jesus is telling us if can contribute everything we can, and in the case of this widow everything she had to live on, God will be contributing as putting in more than a person with a large amount of contribution.