Daily Encouragement

January 18, 2009 - From Partial To Full Understanding

Meditation on Mark 8

The content of this chapter is similar to some passages from Matthew 15 to 16. Please look up these devotional thoughts in the archive on our website (December 28-29, 2008) or your own email record if you store up our devotions in the past. But let us deal with one question which may be a puzzle to some of us. That is the passage from Mark 8:13-26. When Jesus warned the disciples that they should be cautious and beware of the leaven of Pharisees and of Herod, they thought that Jesus was referring to their lack of bread.

Jesus went on to point out the disciples' lack of understanding and perception about him. I asked myself this question: Why is it that they still could not understand the divinity and power of Jesus? Why could not they trust in Jesus' provision of bread even after the two great miracles of feeding the five thousand and the four thousand? I find the answer from the following account of Jesus' healing of the blind man at Bethsaida. (v. 22-26)

This record is in Mark only. Instead of healing the blind man instantly, Jesus restored his sight gradually through steps. First, he brought the blind man out of the village by His hand. Mark said "Then He spit on his eye and put His hands on him. He asked him if he saw anything. And he looked up and said, 'I see men like trees walking.' Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly." (v. 23-25 NKJV)

The disciples were like this blind man. They were touched and taught by Jesus. They saw the miracles. But they still could not see (understand) Jesus too well, in other words they only understood Jesus partially up to that time.

At the next incidence when they got out to the town of Caesarea Philippi, Jesus taught them more through question. From Peter's answer, (which was revealed through the heavenly Father, Matthew 16:17) they then completely understood who Jesus was. -That Jesus was the Christ.

Some of us may have partial understanding of some teaching in God's Word or about God Himself. We may still have a lot of questions. Then we need to pray for God's spiritual touch step by step through His word, the Bible. When our spiritual understanding is opened fully, we will see God's power and program in this world and our life a lot more. As a result, we will follow him gladly and serve Him gladly.

January 19, 2009 - The Absolute Seriousness Of Sin

Meditation on Mark 9

In this chapter, we see the detailed description of Jesus' transfiguration. His clothes became shining, exceedingly white. Though the three disciples saw the appearance of Moses and Elijah at first, a cloud came and overshadowed them. God's voice told them to hear Jesus, the beloved Son of God. And the disciples saw only Jesus was left with them. God's son was far above the representation of the law and the prophet. (v. 1-13)

We also learned from the account of Jesus' casting out a torturing demon from a child that we could only accomplish that by fasting and prayers. (v. 14-29)

Then Jesus foretold His death and resurrection. But the disciples missed the significance of it and argued among themselves who was the greatest. So Jesus taught them servanthood in His kingdom. (v. 30-41)

The follow up warning by Jesus is so serious that we must pay attention today. Since the little ones are so important in His kingdom, those who cost them to stumble would have committed a great sin punishable by a death sentence. Jesus went on to emphasize that a hand or a foot should be cut off if it cost us to sin. And an eye should be plucked out if it cost a person to sin rather than having two eyes to go into hell. These words are to be taken figuratively since we know that self-mutilation would have no effect to deal with sin because it is an issue of the heart. We must deal with sin because hell is real and the punishment there is eternal. Three times Jesus described hell in this passage: "Their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched." (v. 44, 46, 48 NKJV)

That is why Jesus had to be nailed to the cross and died for the penalty of our sins so that we can be delivered from the torment of hell. Would you accept Him as your Savior and ask Him to forgive your sins? And do not engage in the habit of sinning anymore.

January 20, 2009 - Jesus Or Riches

Meditation on Mark 10

From all the precious and sacred passages here, let us just focus on the account of the man who came running to ask Jesus, "Good teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" (v. 17 NKJV) From Matthew 19 and 20, we find out that he was a young man. Luke 18:18 indicates that he was a ruler. Mark showed the humble attitude of this young ruler: he knelt before Jesus. He also recognized that Jesus was good. From that Jesus also hinted to him that He was God. (Matthew 19:17) When Jesus questioned him, he told Jesus that he had been faithful keeping the Ten Commandments. He certainly was a law abiding Jews. The most striking thing was that Jesus Looked a him and loved him. Here it seemed to have the best candidate for inheriting eternal life. Isn't it?

But when Jesus told him to sell all he has, give to the poor and take up the cross to follow Jesus. He was sad and went away sorrowful because he had great possession. Obviously he loved his riches more than following Jesus.

Why was it that Jesus demanded this rich young ruler to sell all his possession and follow Him in order to have eternal life? I believe that it is because he wanted this young man to take Him as Lord and therefore the priority of his own life over riches which had been the most important thing in his life. When a person would declare Jesus as his own Lord and Savior by word and action, certainly he is saved and inherits eternal life. (Romans 10:9-10)

Do you accept Jesus as the Lord of your life today? To you, may be your number one thing in life is not riches but something else. But when you accept Christ as your personal Savior, you also need to realize that He must be the Lord over all and that He is your first priority.

January 21 - Prayer and Forgiveness

Meditation on Mark 11

You may have been blessed greatly by some of the accounts in this chapter. Today, let's also meditate upon the cursing of the fig tree by Jesus. (v. 12-14, 20-25)

Jesus found no fruit in the fig tree, he then curse it to never bear fruit again. The next day Peter found the tree withered away to its root. There are two lessons we can learn from this incidence.

First, the fig tree had leaves. Though it was not the season for fruit yet, it still should have edible buds. Therefore the tree had the appearance of good growth on the road side but in reality it was not a good tree. Jesus hated hypocrisy. We should be aware of that.

The second lesson is most important. Jesus was trying to teach his disciples about faith through this fig tree. The immediate result of the complete withering was astonishing. Jesus told the disciples that if we have faith even the mountain can be removed. We may have impossible hardship ahead of us; it will be taken away for sure if we pray in genuine faith.

But there is a very important qualification. Jesus pointed out that when we pray we must forgive. Unwilling to forgive is the hindrance to our prayers be answered. So faith and forgiveness is linked. When we pray in faith, it is assumed that we already have forgiveness toward others as well as we have asked for forgiveness from our Heavenly Father. So let us have forgiveness in our hearts as well as faith. Jesus said, "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." (v. 24 ESV)

January 22, 2009 - One Thing Jesus Would Watch

Meditation on Mark 12

In this chapter, Jesus spoke to the people a parable to indicate the rejection of the servants of God and even the son of God by the Jews then. He also answered the questions of paying taxes, whether there was resurrection, and what was the most important commandment. Jesus then silenced His critics by asking them a question they could not answer. (cf. Matthew 22:45)

After he warned the people against the hypocritical teachers of those days, he sat down opposite the treasury to see how the people put money into it. From this record, we can see that Jesus was interested in observing how people gave offering. Our Savior today I believe is still watching how much we give to His course.

When He saw the rich gave much but a widow gave just two mites, Jesus called His disciples to Himself and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood." (v. 43-44 NKJV)

That widow's giving demonstrated not only her worship and devotion to God, but also her complete trust in God for provision in her life. She had given her all! Jesus said that she had given more than all others. We can be sure that her treasury in heaven is rich.

Another principle we can learn from Jesus' comment is this: God's calculation on the amount of our giving is not how much we have given but how much we have left for ourselves.

May God grant us the joy of giving.

January 23, 2009 - Keep Watching

Meditation on Mark 13

As Jesus predicted the destruction of the temple, the disciples asked him two questions: When would that happen and what would be the signs of His coming back? Please see our devotion on similar account in Matthew 24 from our archive.

The date of the return of Jesus will never be known by human as Jesus had said so. But He said "Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is." (v. 33 NKJV) He wanted us be ready for His coming back. He continued, "Lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!" (v. 36-37)

As we watch the world scene, we see numerous of wars and fighting between nations and tribes. We see more and more earthquakes and famines and troubles such as diseases and environmental chaos. We see Christians are being persecuted and prosecuted here and around the world. The current climate of U.S. and the world indicated that the leaders are looking for a united order which will pave the way for the dictator mentioned in verse 14 and in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 to come. Jesus is coming back soon.

Let us keep watching.

January 24, 2009 - Salvation For Human Corruption And Weakness

Meditation on Mark 14

Here Mark recorded some of deepest problems of human kind.

The religious and political leadership of Jesus' days were corrupted to the core. They plotted and used trick to try to kill Jesus who brought nothing but good to the Jews. (v. 1-2)

Later they arrested Jesus at night and conducted an illegal trial and beating against Jesus. (v. 53-65) No wonder God allowed Jerusalem to be destroyed completely in 70 AD by the Romans.

Then the disciples instigated by Judas criticized a woman for her anointing Jesus with expansive oil with perfume in the name of wasteful spending. (v. 3-9 cf. John 12:4-5) When Jesus was arrested, even though they all had pledge their loyalty to Jesus, they all forsook him and fled. (v. 50-51)

The most tragic of all, Judas betrayed his teacher and mentor for money. (v. 10-11, 43-49) Peter, the out spoken disciple, denied Jesus three times even with cursing and swearing.

We can also lament the fact that the three closest disciples of Jesus were too tired to pray for Him in his greatest hour of need. (v. 32-42)

These sinful problems and weaknesses of man could only be saved by the body and blood of Christ. That is why we ought to remember regularly the sacrifice of Jesus on our behalf. He has prepared and instituted the Lord's Supper for all disciples to remember to go to Him for our forgiveness and strength. We must thank Him for his shedding of blood for our awful sins. And we must accept his offer for His new covenant of love. (v. 12-31)