June 24, 2025
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in 1 Samuel and Mark? Here’s today’s reading:
Mark 3 (NIV)
Jesus Heals on the Sabbath
1 Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. 2 Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. 3Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.”…..Continue Reading
Mark 3
It is amazing that the Pharisees join the Herodians of all people to plot to kill Jesus for healing a person on the Sabbath. It just shows the nature of their hearts. But Jesus still draws crowds because of His teaching and His miracles. And it would be expected that the Messiah would have followers, and so Jesus chooses the 12. What a rag tag bunch they are that shows that God does not call the equipped, He equips the ones He calls. And the Jewish leaders look for anything to question and criticize Jesus. Once Jesus shows that He is not going to fall in line with what they think, they pass everything through that lens and oppose everything. Even His family did not believe at this point. What a great lesson for those rejected by their families, that other believers are truer family than anyone else.
Jesus begins to peal back exactly who the Pharisee and the herodians truly are. Concerned only in their so called prestigious positions. Having people bow before them. As Jesus in anger heals a man on the sabbath to show what’s most important. And then they claim Jesus has broken one of their laws. So they plot Jesus’ murder! That’s not against their law? Jesus always shuts the mouths of demons exposed Their timetable is not God’s timetable. NOTHING happens until God allows!
I love what Pastor said about God does not call the equipped, He equips the ones He calls. Such an honor to be used by God but are we ready like these 12 were? Are we ready to drop everything and follow? It isn’t a matter of I am not ready yet, I need to learn more, or I can not do it because when God calls us He will equip us and provide us with what we need just like He did with the 12 apostles. This was probably something that scared the Pharisees that they recognized the power Jesus had to get things done without whatever resources He had, even a rag tag bunch of guys.
Mark 3
Romans 1-4; Mark 2-3; 1 Samuel 5-6
Jesus was inundated with people because he could heal, and he spoke with power and authority. He had no fear of those who disputed him. He took no measures to hide the purpose of his ministry to care for the people who were seeking restoration. He was very wise, and he found ways to do his work despite the obstacles he faced. And he calls us his family; I just love that. We are all one family, brothers and sisters in Christ. We have a very special bond with each other because of this.
Jesus heals a man with a withered hand on the sabbath in the synagogue. Before healing the man, He looks around at the Pharisees and Herodians with anger right after He has asked Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath or evil? He was angry because He knows their hearts that they are so stubborn and have hard hearts. Perhaps He is hoping that they will see the light. But they don`t so right after Jesus heals the man they go out together to come up with a plan to destroy Jesus. Mark gives a complete list of the 12 disciples although he only gives details on how 5 of them were chosen. The other 7 at least in Mark are not included. Some of the disciples had a few names while others only had one. Some of the names were popular names during the time, Within the group there was two Simons, two Judas, and two James. Here is the list: Simon{Peter, Cephas}, James and John the sons of Zebedee, Andrew the brother of Peter, Philip, Bartolomew{Nathaniel}, Matthew{Levi}, Thomas, James the son of Alpheus{Jame the less or James the little}, Thaddeus{Judas, Jude}, Simon the Canaanite{Simon the Zealot}, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus. With all the power that God gave them to preach, heal the sick, and cast out demons, the disciples still thought that Jesus came here to set up His Kingdom as King, not even realizing that Jesus had to first come as the Saviour. Judas realizing that Jesus wasn`t to set up His kingdom now as he thought, hardened his heart and betrayed Jesus. That`s why all the disciples scattered when Jesus was arrested. Even Jesus’ family didn`t believe He was the Christ except for Mary. They thought that He was out of His mind. That changes latter, for after His Resurrection, some become believers. We know this because two of His brothers, James and Jude wrote two books of the Bible. At least the credit is given to them. God bless you all.
Read this in the car driving to TN. My son asks why the Catholics say Mary didn’t have any more children, when it says here his mother and brothers are looking for him? Then I just read Dennis’ comments and made the point, “not only that but two of His brothers wrote books of the Bible! I didn’t know Jude was His brother, I thought just James.
Mark 3
It’s so hard to believe that watching Jesus perform a wonderful miracle, that they thought they should just turn Him away. I remember Jesus asked all of them if you lost one of your flock, would you not go and look for them? Of course you would. Jesus saw this the same as healing on the Sabbath.