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Reading the Gospels in 2026: (4/17) Luke 11:1-13

Apr17

A 5-day per week study.

April 17 – Reading Luke 11:1-13

Read and believe in Jesus.

“Lord, teach us to pray…”  Luke 11:1

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The Gospel according to Luke

Review – Last time, Jesus visited two sisters in Bethany. Martha is anxious because there is “so much to do.” She commands Jesus to tell Mary to help her! Jesus, kindly but firmly, says no. Mary’s choice to sit and listen to his teaching was a good one. Rebuked … what did Martha do?

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Vss. 11:1-4.

We don’t know where this happened, but somewhere, the disciples quietly watched Jesus as He prayed. After He finished, they asked Him to teach them to pray.  And Jesus did.

This is a shorter version of the “Lord’s Prayer” that Jesus taught the crowds in the Sermon on the Mount. At that time, He’d instructed them…

  1. NOT to stand up to pray in the synagogues or on street corners to be seen by others, but to go into their room, shut the door, and pray to God in secret. God will hear that prayer.
  2. NOT to “heap up empty words” when they prayed as the pagans did. God knew what they needed even before they asked.

Here, Jesus gave them a simplified version.

  • Whom to pray to: the Father,
  • Worship/adoration: hallowed (holy) is Your name.
  • Humble submission to His will: (may) Your kingdom come.
  • Looking to Him for our needs: give us each day our daily bread,
  • Confession: forgive us our sins
  • Repentance: as we forgive everyone indebted to us.
  • Dependence on Him for holy living: lead us not into temptation.

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Vss. 11:5-7.

Jesus encourages His disciples not just to recite a prayer, but to be serious and urgent in their praying. We aren’t to kneel for a 5-minute morning prayer and a few “table graces” and think that is all we need.

Jesus then tells the disciples a parable to illustrate the persistence they should have in prayer.

The scenario Jesus paints is that of a man surprised by a friend who arrives very late at night from a long journey. The man wants to feed this tired and hungry traveler, but there is nothing in the “fridge.”

Even though it is late, he goes to his neighbor, who is also a friend. And, although this neighbor and his entire family have long since blown out the lamps and gone to bed, our guy pounds on the door.

“Please lend me three small loaves for a surprise visitor!”

“What? Are you serious? We are all in bed! I can’t get up to give you any bread!”

Knock, knock, knock. “Please! Just a few loaves!”

“Go away!”

Knock, knock, knock. “Please, I have nothing to give him at all!”

Silence.

Knock, knock, knock. “Please, neighbor! I am desperate. I have nothing!”

Silence.

Then a click and a creak as the door is opened.  A basket of bread is shoved out. Our man takes it and begins to thank his neighbor profusely, but the door closes.

Nevertheless, he joyfully returns home. He has something to feed his exhausted and hungry long-distance visitor.

(No, this is not teaching us to simply “bother God” with constantly repeating requests. Or that God is begrudging with His answers.  But with another’s need in mind, and with a selfless, dependent attitude, we are to be persistent before the throne of grace.)

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Vss. 11:8-10.

So, Jesus encourages His disciples in TWO WAYS to –

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 

“For everyone who asks, receives, and the one who seeks, finds, and to the one who knocks, it will be opened.”

That almost seems like ‘carte blanche’. But note the examples of requests that Jesus gives in the next section.

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Vss. 11:11-13.

“If a son asks for a FISH (to eat), will the father give him a snake instead?

If a son asks for an EGG, will the father give him a scorpion?

If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give THE HOLY SPIRIT to those who ask Him?”

 

 

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (4/8) Luke 8:40-56

Apr8

A 5-day per week study.

April 8 – Reading Luke 8:40-56

Read and believe in Jesus.

“Do not fear, only believe.”  Luke 8:50

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The Gospel according to Luke 8:40-56

Review –

Jesus reacted to family (natural & spiritual). Jesus slept during a storm but awoke and calmed the wind and sea. Across the Lake, Jesus calms a different kind of whirlwind and raging sea, that of the demon-possessed man. Pigs are involved, and a former demoniac becomes an evangelist in his hometown.

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We’ve already studied these next two side-by-side incidents in Mark.  Let’s see how Dr. Luke tells them.

It’s interesting how he writes the stories in pairs.  First, the Centurion’s servant and the widow’s only son were cured/resurrected. Then the raging wind and sea calmed, mirroring the raging madness and deliverance of the demon-possessed man.  Now two “daughters” are cured and restored to “life” at twelve years.

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Vss. 40-42.

Jairus’ VERY sick daughter.

As soon as Jesus crosses back over the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum, a prominent, important leader of the synagogue falls at His feet, begging him to come heal his daughter of 12 years, who is at the brink of death.

“I will,” says Jesus, and goes with Jairus.

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Vss. 43-48.

A VERY unclean “daughter” of Israel.

But He is stopped by an unnamed woman who has been ceremonially unclean with an “issue of blood” for as long as Jairus’ daughter has been alive.  She cannot worship in the synagogue, be among “clean” women, or be touched by anyone without infecting them with her “uncleanness.”  And she is now destitute because she’s spent ALL her money on doctors to cure her, but NONE were able to help her.

(I bet that made Dr. Luke feel bad!)

In the crowd following Jesus, this “outcast” woman sneaks up and touches the fringe of Jesus’ prayer garment – one of the four corner tassels with blue threads woven through it. IMMEDIATELY, healing power flows into her, and she is HEALED!

Healed, yes.  But NOT RESTORED (cleansed) in the eyes of Israel.

“Who touched me?” Jesus asks.

“Are you serious, Jesus. All these people are crowding around you. EVERYONE is touching you!” says Peter.

“Someone touched me for healing, for I perceive that POWER has gone out from  me.”

Then Jesus SAW the woman.

She saw she could not hide and came trembling to Jesus. And IN THE PRESENCE OF ALL THAT CROWD, she declared WHY she had touched Jesus, AND that she’d been cured.

(Even today, those who are redeemed by the grace of God should not remain silent, but testify to all how Jesus saved them!)

Not in a rush, not stressed by the anxious Jairus pacing nearby, Jesus looked at the woman and said, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”

Daughter. No longer an outcast. She now has the same standing as Jairus’s own innocent little girl.

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Vss. 49-56.

A VERY dead little girl.

Jairus is torn apart with anxiety and dread while Jesus ministers to the woman.

After all, HIS DAUGHTER is more worthy of Jesus’ attention; she’s an innocent little girl.  And HE, the leader of the synagogue, is surely more important than that woman. His daughter deserves Jesus’ attention more than she does.  HIS situation is more dire. That woman has waited twelve years; let her wait a few more minutes!!!

“I’m sorry, Sir,” whispers one of his servants. “Your daughter has died.  Bother the Master no longer.”

And like that, this important man’s world has ended. He falls to his knees with a deep wail of sorrow and “if only…”

Did he now feel the hopelessness and loss of all joy that the woman had felt for twelve years?

“Do not fear, only believe, and she will be well,” came Jesus’s words through his bitter anguish. He looks up through tears.

Numb, he stumbles along beside Jesus and approaches his house – so very close! (if only…)

Already, the paid mourners are weeping and wailing out front.

“Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping,” Jesus said.

And taking Peter, John, and James along with the girl’s parents, Jesus goes into the house, where the body of the little girl lies. He takes her by the hand.

“Child, arise,”  Jesus says, and the little girl’s spirit RETUNS to her. (Yes, she WAS dead.)  She sits up at once, and Jesus directs that some food be brought to her.

(If she’s been sick a while, she NEEDS food.  But also, at least with Jesus and the disciples after HIS resurrection, eating food is proof positive that indeed the dead one has been brought back to life.)

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And so, there was joy in two households that day. Two daughters had been restored to life. One goes back to a normal way of living, loving, enjoying fellowship, and the other goes back to literal breathing and eating.

JESUS IS the Resurrection and the LIFE.  PRAISE HIM!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (3/25) Luke 5:12-26

Mar25

A 5-day per week study.

March 25 – Reading Luke 5:12-26

Read and believe in Jesus.

“Lord, if You will, you can make me clean.” “I will. Be clean.”  Luke 5:13

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The Gospel according to Luke 5:12-26

Review – In the last study, we saw Jesus in an empty, cleaned fishing boat.  He taught the crowd, then told Simon Peter to “catch some fish.”  But they’d fished all night with not a sardine! Nevertheless, Peter pushed out into deep water and threw the freshly washed nets over the side.

And fish!!! So much so that, even with the help of other boats, they couldn’t hold them all. A picture of evangelism in Jesus’ Kingdom, when obedience is before human wisdom.  You will be “fishers of men,” Jesus told them.

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Vss. 12-16.

Jesus is now teaching in another town. A leper approaches Him, saying,“If You will … You can make me clean.”

Those with leprosy in that day had to stay far away from healthy people.  They had to cry out, “Unclean, unclean!” whenever people passed by as a warning of their contagion.  Dr. Luke describes this man as being “full of leprosy,” so this was an advanced case. 

The man had been suffering for a long time. He was desperate.  He’d heard one of the “reports” about Jesus, how He was healing ALL diseases and casting out demonic spirits.  A glimmer of hope had sprung up.  And then He SAW Jesus.

He didn’t run to Him; perhaps his feet were so diseased that he couldn’t.

He simply fell … on his (mutilated) face … and begged.

“Lord! IF YOU WILL, You can make me clean.”  There was no doubt of Jesus’ ability. Leprosy was no match for this Healer.  But WOULD He? Would He have mercy? 

And then came the TOUCH.  Jesus TOUCHED the fully leprous man.

“I will,” Jesus said.“Be clean.”

Four words, and the leprosy was gone.  Such power in the WORDS of Jesus.

Leprosy (a picture of sin in the world) did not infect Jesus. His cleanness “infected” the man.

Oh, what grace! Oh, what deliverance! Oh, what joy!

(This is such a vivid picture of a sinner coming to Jesus. He’s heard that He CAN save sinners, that He DOES save sinners, but WILL He save this one?  Will He save me?  [See Romans 10:9-13, John 3:16-19, Acts 16:30-31)

Jesus instructed the man to do what the Law of Moses demanded when a person was healed/cleansed of leprosy. They were to go to a priest, show their “clean” skin, wait a period, and be examined again. And if the priest declared it so, they would offer a sacrifice. (Leviticus 13:1-46)

Luke doesn’t say that the man didn’t tell everyone he knew that he was healed.  But they could SEE. The formerly leprous man had clean, whole skin. He again had fingers and toes, ears and nose.  Amazement abounded.

And the “report” of Jesus’ teaching, healing, and casting out demons expanded to include the cleansing of leprosy.  Great crowds of needy, hurting people gathered to hear Him and be healed.

And Jesus withdrew to desolate places to pray.

(Wow. If the perfect, powerful, sinless Son of God found the time, place, and opportunity (and the NEED) to quietly pray to His father … how much more should this be true of us.)

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Vs. 17.

On another occasion, as Jesus was teaching … Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there.  They’d come from every village of Galilee, Judea, and even Jerusalem to “check Him out.” The reports of Jesus were spreading. These “hawks” were watching Him critically.

We don’t know exactly where Jesus was, but He was inside a building, maybe someone’s house, large enough to hold such a “convocation” of Jewish hierarchy.

“And the power of the Lord was with Him to heal.”

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Vss. 18-20.

And still, the needy crowds flocked to Jesus.  A group of men, friends of a paralyzed man, heard where Jesus was and loaded up their friend on a stretcher-like mat.  The house was crowded, and people massed outside, listening to Jesus teach.  How would they reach Him with their friend?

  • Four sets of eyes raised to the roof, and the stairs leading to the “outdoor” room behind the parapet.
  • They carried their helpless friend up, laid him down, and began dismantling the roof.
  • Tiles were pried up and carefully laid aside, exposing the wood rafters.
  • Eventually, dust and pieces of “grout” filtered down inside the house.
  • All inside looked up, and the men lowered their friend’s mat, JUST IN FRONT OF JESUS.

Jesus looked UP and saw THEIR faith, and said to THE MAN, “Your sins are forgiven.”

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Vss. 21-26.

Of course, the hyper-religious Pharisees jumped on these words. In their hearts, they were condemning Jesus of blasphemy. WHO can forgive sins but God?  Is this man saying He is … GOD??

“Why do you question in your hearts?” Jesus knew their thoughts.

“Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ Or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?

But so that you may KNOW that the Son of Man HAS authority on earth to forgive sins…”  Jesus turns to the man who was paralyzed and says, “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.”

Immediately, the formerly paralyzed man rose up, picked up what he’d been lying on, and went through the door and home, glorifying God (with his four friends, I’m sure). 

(Yes, I believe that later, they returned and, when the house was empty, repaired the roof.)

And amazement seized all who witnessed and heard of this miracle, and they glorified God, and were filled with awe, saying, ”We have seen extraordinary things today.”

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(Did the religious leaders also glorify God?  Or did they feel outrage at Jesus’ words and actions? Was the darkness of murder already filling their hearts and minds? This was only the beginning of clashes between Jesus and those who were supposed to lead Israel in holiness.)

 

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (3/23) Luke 4:31-44

Mar23

A 5-day per week study.

March 23 – Reading Luke 4:31-44

Read and believe in Jesus.

“I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well, for I was sent for this purpose.” Luke 4:43

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The Gospel according to Luke 4:31-44

Review – In the last lesson, Jesus announced His ministry and Messiahship by reading and claiming Isaiah 61 in His hometown synagogue.  At first, the men of Nazareth were amazed, but then they remembered that Jesus was “just Joseph’s son” and did not believe Him.  They even tried to kill Jesus, but He escaped.

Jesus traveled about 50 miles to Capernaum and established His headquarters there.

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Vss. 31-37.

On the next Sabbath, Jesus taught in the synagogue in Capernaum. The men were astonished at His teaching, “for His WORD possessed authority.”

While they were there, a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon yelled out, “Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?  Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are – the Holy One of God.”

But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent and come out of him!”  The demon twisted the man and came out of him.

All who were there were amazed and said to one another, “What is this WORD? For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!”

And reports about Jesus went out into every place in the surrounding region.

(The Words of Jesus were powerful and came with His authority.  Just as the Word of God, our Bible, also has power and authority.  It was “breathed out” by God Himself. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) and can teach, correct, scold, train, and equip us for every good work.  It’s true. We can believe it, trust it, teach it, and share it with confidence.  THANK YOU, Lord, for Your Word!  Oh, let us not neglect so great a gift.)

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Vss. 38-39.

After attending synagogue, Jesus and a few early followers went to Peter’s home. Peter’s mother-in-law was sick with a “high” fever, and he and his wife appealed to Jesus to heal her.  Jesus stood over her and “rebuked” the fever.  And it left her. (Just like the demon in the man that Jesus rebuked. There is authority in Jesus’ words.)   It was such a complete healing that Peter’s mother-in-law immediately got up and served them a simple Shabbat meal.

(As we study through the Gospel of Luke, watch how Luke describes illnesses and healings.  Matthew and Mark both tell of Peter’s mother-in-law, but only Luke says it was a HIGH (dangerous) fever.  And only Luke tells how Jesus healed her.  Remember, Luke is a doctor.)

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Vss. 40-41.

When the Sabbath was over (at sundown), “all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to Jesus.  He laid his hands on every one of them and healed them. And demons also came out of many, crying, “You are the Son of God.”  But Jesus would not allow them to speak.”

(Yes, Jesus is the Son of God.  Yes, He is the Christ.  But who needs demons to testify for him?  Let those who are healed, and we, who are saved, be the ones to testify.)

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Vss. 42.

“When it was day, Jesus departed and went into a desolate place.”

Mark tells us that it was “very early in the morning,” and that Jesus went there “to pray.”

(If the Son of God desired a quiet time with His Father, shouldn’t we, His children, yearn for this too?  Healing power went out from Jesus over and over that last evening.  He spiritually battled demonic spirits many times.  Jesus needed the refreshing, restoring communication with His God. Don’t we?  Jesus wanted to thank and praise God, and pray for direction, all things we can do in prayer, too. 

Lord, wake me “early in the morning” to meet with you. What a privilege.

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Vss. 43-44.

Peter and some others looked for Jesus and finally found Him. They wanted Jesus to stay in Capernaum to teach, minister, heal, and cast out demons. His audience was growing.  The sick and oppressed needed Him.

But Jesus told them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the OTHER towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.” 

Yep, He had surely received direction from His Father while He prayed.  He was to go to other places too.  And, so He did, preaching in the synagogues.

 

 

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (3/13) Luke 2:22-40

Mar13

A 5-day per week study.

March 13 – Reading Luke 2:22-40

Read and believe in Jesus.

“…my eyes have seen Your salvation that You have prepared in the presence of all peoples.”  Luke 2:30

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The Gospel according to Luke 2:22-40

(Review)  In the last study, we read the familiar story of Jesus’ nativity. Everything pointed to a lowly birth, except for one thing that happened in the middle.  It began with the long trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem, then no room to lodge in the usual places, and finally settling in a stable, where Jesus’ first “crib” was a feed trough.  Afterwards, the group of sheep-smelling men came to ooh and aah over the baby and tell their tale of a vision.

But right in the middle, Heaven couldn’t contain itself.  Jesus, the second person of the Trinity, who sat at the Almighty’s right hand, had made it safely to earth and mankind.  The glorious work of salvation – stolen from man in the Garden of Eden – was about to take place.  And… a Heavenly Host burst out in a song of praise, “Glory to God in the Highest!”

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Vss. 22-24.

At the end of yesterday’s study, the first “rite” of babyhood took place. At eight days old, Jesus was circumcised (initiated into the Community of Israel) and given His name. (which Gabriel has told Mary)

Now, at about 6 weeks, there were two more Jewish rites written in “the Law of the Lord” that had to be fulfilled.

  1. The Rite of Purification. (Leviticus 12:2-4)  When a woman had a baby boy, she was considered “ceremonially unclean” for 40 days. After that, she was to bring a lamb and a pigeon or dove (or two pigeons or 2 doves, if she was poor) to the priest, who would make an offering for her, and then she would be “ceremonially clean” and able to worship, fellowship, and partake in marital relations.  (Mary and Joseph’s offering was two birds.)
  2. The Dedication (and Redemption) of the Firstborn Son.  (Exodus 13:2, 12-15 and Numbers 18:16)  Because the LORD freed the Israelites from slavery with the death of Egypt’s firstborn sons, He claimed all the firstborn males of Israel to be HIS (man and beast). The animals would be sacrificed, but the baby boys were to be ‘redeemed’ or bought back.  The amount was five silver shekels.

Joseph and Mary faithfully performed these rituals according to “the Law of the Lord.”  Right from His beginning, Jesus fulfilled ALL the Law perfectly – for us – so He would be the perfect “spotless” Lamb of God sacrifice.

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Vss. 25-35.

Simeon, a special old man (not a priest), who was righteous, devout, and waiting (longing) for “the consolation of Israel” (a messianic title derived from the O.T., like in Isaiah 40:1-2).   The Holy Spirit had revealed to Simeon that he would not die until he saw the Messiah with his own eyes.

(Wow!  Can you imagine a promise like that?)  What hope and expectation he must have had!)

On that day, when Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple to “redeem” Him, Simeon “just happened” to be there. The Spirit of God indicated somehow that THIS BABY was the Messiah Simeon had been looking for.  Simeon walked over to the couple, took baby Jesus up in his arms, and praised God.

“Lord, now you are letting your servant 

depart in peace,

According to Your word;

For my eyes have seen Your salvation

that you have prepared in the Presence

of all peoples;

a Light for revelation to the Gentiles,

and for Glory to your people Israel.”

 

Mary and Joseph stood there and marveled at what Simeon said about Jesus.  Then this dear old man blessed them.  He also warned Mary that “a sword will pierce through your own soul.”

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Vss. 36-40.

There was also an eighty-four-year-old prophetess named Anna in the Temple that day.  She had been married only seven years before becoming a widow.  Now, she didn’t leave the Temple area, but worshiped with fasting and prayer night and day.

When she saw the parents and Jesus, she began to give thanks to God and to speak of Him to all who were “waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.” (Those who looked forward to the Messiah)

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(What a wonderful thing that God included these two old people early in the life of Jesus.  Yes, God still has a use for seniors.  Just think how grandparents and great-grandparents can have a godly influence on our children today!!  Thank You, Lord!)

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(NOTE:  Luke omits the visit of the Magi when Jesus was around 2-years old, and the flight to Egypt for a time, and picks up when they are heading back home.  Finally.)

The family travelled to Nazareth after years away.  They were a family now. Did anyone remember when Mary left in disgrace as an unwed mother?  (Well, yes. Some did.)   They settled back into the familiar patterns, and Jesus grew up.  He became strong and filled with wisdom.  And the favor of God was upon Him.

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Jesus fulfilled everything according to the Law, even when He was an enfant and couldn’t do it Himself.  He did what WE never could do – not sin, EVER.  And all that God required in the Law, it was done. Jesus lived sinless, in perfect harmony with His Father in Heaven.  Then He died – the spotless Lamb of God – to take away the sin of the world.  He paid sin’s debt = death.  For us.  THANK YOU, Jesus.

 

 

 

 

 

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Vss.

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (3/11) Luke 1:67-80

Mar11

A 5-day per week study.

March 11 – Reading Luke 1:67-80

Read and believe in Jesus.

“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High.”  Luke 1:76

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The Gospel according to Luke 1:67-80

In the last study, we saw Elizabeth giving birth to a baby boy. Since Zechariah was still mute (and possibly deaf), SHE announced his name at the circumcision ceremony.  He would be JOHN.  Of course, the family objected, saying he should be Zechariah Jr.  Nope!

The old priest took a notepad and clearly wrote out “His name will be called John.”  And immediately Zechariah’s speech returned.  Everyone was excited and eagerly listened to his account of all that had happened in the Temple with the angel, Gabriel.

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Vss. 67-75.

And now, the old priest is filled with the Holy Spirit and begins to speak forth God’s words and prophesy.  (Zech is really happy to be speaking again, I think.)

First, he praises the Lord God of Israel.  He recalls all the promises of God from Abraham onward and tells how God has now fulfilled them.  The LORD God has redeemed His people and raised up a “horn of salvation” in the house of His servant David… just as the prophets foretold.

Then Zecharia looks towards his son, perhaps laying his hand on the baby boy’s head, and by the Holy Spirit says, “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare His ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins.”

And then, “The sunrise (Messiah) shall visit us from on high to give Light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,  and to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

What a benediction!  What a way to end ten months of inability to utter one word!

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Verse 80.

“And the child (John) grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.”

Out in the danger and loneliness of the desert, filled with the Holy Spirit from birth, John probably prayed long prayers and recalled the scriptures he’d learned as a youth in a priest’s house. Like Elijah, he was tough and lived on what the desert could supply.

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How did John know when he would begin his ministry and start baptizing and preparing the people for the Messiah?   

We will get into that in Chapter Three, but if you want to peek, see Luke 3;1-3.

 

 

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (2/4) Mark 9:14-29

Feb4

A 5-day per week study.

February 4– Reading Mark 9:14-29

Read and believe in Jesus.

“And Jesus said, ‘All things are possible for the one who believes.’”  Mark 9:23

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The Gospel according to Mark 9:14-29

Jesus and the “inner three” disciples have come down from Mount Hermon, where Jesus had been transfigured.  Those disciples had been stunned by the vision of Jesus in all his Heavenly glory, talking to Moses and Elijah.  When Peter tried to say something smart, the mighty voice of God broke through, saying He was very pleased with His Son … and told Peter (and us) to listen to HIM.

The atmosphere was quiet as they hiked down the mountain. Jesus had told them not to tell anyone about this incident until AFTER he’d been raised from the dead.  Not knowing how to respond to THAT, they thought of seeing Elijah and asked whether the prophet was yet to come.  Jesus told them yes, and no, so it was still as clear as mud to them.

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Vss. 14-18.

Reaching the end of their hike down, Jesus and the three saw a great crowd and some scribes clustered around the other nine disciples.

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(NOTE: After a “mountaintop” spiritually uplifting experience with the Lord, always be prepared to face problems in “the valley.”)

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“What’s going on here?”  Jesus demanded, His “mama bear” hackles rising at the possibility of His own being threatened.  And looking right at the learned scribes, Jesus added, “What are you arguing about with them?

But it was a man of the town who spoke up.  “Teacher, I brought my son to You for he has a spirit that makes him mute.  And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid.  So I asked your disciples to cast it out, but they were not able.”

(This is surprising when you think of the things the disciples did on their two-by-two training mission several months back, specifically casting out demons. (See Mark 6:13)

Jesus’ exasperation at the unbelief is shown by his questions, “O faithless generation, how long am I to BE with you?  How long am I to BEAR with you?”

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(NOTE:  So just who was Jesus so upset with?  Them all!  The father, for sure, the nine disciples, the unbelieving scribes who were probably gloating over the disciples’ failure, the crowd, and, yes, with unbelieving Israel in general.  Faith, belief in Jesus, was key to His entire mission on earth!)

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Vss. 19-27

“Bring him to Me,”  Jesus said to the father, and the child was brought.  Instantly, on seeing Jesus, the spirit convulsed the boy. He fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth.”

“How long has this been happening to Him?  Jesus asked.

“From childhood,” the father said.  “And it has often cast him into the fire and into water to destroy him. But … if you can do anything … have compassion on us and help us!”

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(NOTE: The man said, “If you CAN.”  Compare this with others who brought their sick to Jesus, and asked, “If you WILL, have mercy on —.” or “If you WILL, you can heal me.”  Probably, since the other disciples were unable to help his son, the father’s hope had begun to waver. He had started to doubt that healing was possible – much like we do sometimes.)

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Jesus picked up on that word, “can.”  And seeing the man’s faith wavering like a “bruised reed,” Jesus did not break it, but strengthened it.

“‘If you can,'” Jesus quoted the man, then added, “All things are possible for the one who BELIEVES.”

“I believe!!  Help my unbelief!”  the man cried out.

Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, ‘You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again!”

After crying aloud and convulsing the boy terribly, it came out.  But the boy lay still as a corpse.  “He’s dead!” some said.

But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up.  And he arose.  (Does this mean…..?)

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(NOTE:  Jesus often healed those in a crowd without requiring faith.  He has the power.  He can do that.  But sometimes – maybe looking at the man as one who would eventually believe unto salvation – Jesus tested and strengthened his faith.  Or maybe, Jesus glanced at the nine disciples when He said, “All things are possible for the one who believes.”)

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Vss. 28-29.

Later, in the house where they were staying, the disciples asked Jesus why THEY couldn’t cast out the unclean spirit?

“This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer,”  Jesus told them.

  • (NOTE: Both Matthew 17:21 and Mark 9:29b leave out the phrase, “and fasting,” in some versions.)
  • 1)  Perhaps the nine disciples had been overconfident because of past experience. Perhaps they had trusted in their own words and had neglected to draw on the power of the Spirit.
  • 2)  Matthew 17:18-20 says their faith was lacking.   
  • 3)  Some demons are more powerful and obstinate, more resistant to being cast out. (See Matthew 12:43-45)   

 

 

 

 

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Reading the Gospels in 2026: (1/27) Mark 6:45-56

Jan27

A 5-day per week study.

January 27 – Reading Mark 6:45-56.

Read and believe in Jesus.

Immediately, He spoke to them, ‘Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.’ Mark 6:50b.

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The Gospel according to Mark 6:45-56

Jesus has just performed a colossal miracle. A crowd of up to 15K have been fed to their fill by a handful of bread and fish. What if He could do it again? What if He could/would do it always? No one would have to work in the fields or go fishing… wow!

According to John’s account (John 6:14-16), this is basically what the well-fed crowd was thinking. “Let’s make Jesus KING!!!” They weren’t at the point of saying it. They were still thinking of Him as the great prophet Moses spoke about. But Jesus could read their hearts. He sent away his disciples before they could be caught up in the fervor, then firmly dismissed the people. To keep any die-hards from mobbing Him, Jesus slipped away up the mountainside. (The Eastern side of Galilee is mountainous, with steep cliffs and a plateau. Perfect for quiet prayer.)

While the crowd dispersed, the disciples began to row across the unpredictable Sea of Galilee, and Jesus fell to His knees and prayed to His Father. (Praise, fellowship, petition, submission. The hours passed. Oh, to have been there!)

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Vss. 47-48.

Meanwhile, that cranky wind over the Galilean Sea was pushing against the disciples’ progress. The sail was of no use, so they got out the oars. The harder they rowed, the stronger it blew. It felt like they were laboring in the same spot for hours. Arm and back muscles began to sting and weaken.

They were tired, and – unbelievable as it seems – they had forgotten to bring those twelve baskets of bread pieces and fish. They were hungrier than before!! And now it was the “third watch,” somewhere between 3:00 and 6:00 in the morning.

Jesus saw their plight from the mountain. Not as a speck on the water, but as His own men, struggling, tired, and hungry. So Jesus went to them, walking on the top of the water. Imagine that! The seawater, always yielding to its Creator’s will, supported the weight of Jesus as He went to His disciples.

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Vss 49-52.

In the boat, the men saw what they thought was a ghost (phantom) approaching them. They screamed in fright. They frantically tried to row faster. What else would this endless night bring? But then they heard that familiar voice of their Master.

‘Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

They recognized His voice and His “I AM” authority. What relief when their Master climbed into the boat, and immediately the wind behaved itself, calming to a breeze, and the choppy water smoothed out.

John’s account (John 6:30-31) says that as soon as Jesus got into the boat, they were IMMEDIATELY at the other shore. What? Wow! What kindness the Lord showed to His bone-weary disciples.

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“Come unto Me, all ye who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:29-30

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Vss.53-56.

At Gennesaret (the north-western side of Galilee, south of Capernaum), they moored the boat. As soon as they got out, the people immediately recognized Jesus. They ran throughout the area and began bringing the sick people on their beds to Jesus.

As Jesus and the disciples walked through this town and others in the region, the people laid their sick before Him and begged Him that they might touch the fringe (tassels) of His (prayer) garment, as the woman with the issue of blood had done. And ALL who touched it were made well.

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(Of those who were healed, how many believed in Jesus as Messiah and Savior? Not many. Like the ten lepers who were healed and only one returned to thank Jesus, the people who were made well were excited and happy, but only a few, like the woman with the issue of blood and the demoniac in Decapolis, had faith to believe. After Jesus’ resurrection, only 500 people met Him in Galilee, of all in Israel who’d witnessed or experienced His miracles.

We should be praying for healing, yes, but MORE so for our hearts to be filled with faith and a desire to be with and serve Jesus.)

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (1/26) Mark 6:30-44

Jan26

A 5-day per week study.

January 26 – Reading Mark 6:30-44.

Read and believe in Jesus.

(Jesus) had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd.” MARK 6:34

The Gospel according to Mark 6:30-44

The Twelve had just returned from their mission journeys. They were excited and wanted to tell Jesus all about it, but the crowd in Capernaum was growing. The message spread, “The ‘Teacher’ is back!”  Some wanted to hear more of his teaching. Most needed to be healed.

But Jesus knew the disciples needed time to decompress from the excitement of ministry. He also wanted quiet time to evaluate their experience and encourage them.

Again, Mark writes a “sandwich.”  This section begins with “…they had no leisure even to eat,” and ends with everybody having eaten their fill and the disciples collecting 12 baskets (lunchbox size) of scraps, one for each of them to ‘chow down.’

(Watch for these in Mark’s Gospel.)

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Vss. 31-34.

Jesus said, ”Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while,” and they got into a boat and headed across the Sea of Galilee.

When the boat left, many people observed it, and the able-bodied decided to “run around to the other side and get there ahead of them.” (This was about 4-5 miles on foot.)  Their timing was perfect.  The crowd (probably the younger and more fit) had begun to arrive just as Jesus stepped off the boat.

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Were the disciples disappointed that their time with the Master been preempted?  Perhaps they had been able to talk on the boat trip, as they slowly made their way, with little or no wind. 

Was Jesus upset or even angry? Nope.

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As the verse at the top says, when Jesus saw the bedraggled but excited people, He had compassion on them.  He saw them as sheep without a shepherd.  And HE was “the good shepherd.”

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Vss. 34b.

“Jesus taught them many things.” 

Did He use their eagerness or the surroundings to tell parables? 

Or did He teach them simple truths of the Kingdom, as in the Sermon on the Mount?

Did He call to their remembrance how God had been faithful to them in the Wilderness, that other “desolate” place?

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Vss. 35-38.

The day waned, and Jesus knew the people were getting hungry.

The disciples saw it too.  Or maybe it was THEIR OWN STOMACHS that were growling. 

“This is a desolate place,” they reminded Jesus, “and the hour is late. Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”

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(I can imagine Jesus smiling as He looked around at the crowd. He would teach His disciples a bit about “living by faith.” It would be needed later as they journeyed around the world with the Gospel.)

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“YOU give them something to eat,” Jesus said calmly to His disciples.

They must have stared at Him. “Shall WE go and BUY two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat???

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(NOTE: 200 denarii would be 200 days’ wages for a laborer at that time. For a fast-food worker in California today, that would be about $4,000.)

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“How many loaves do you have?  Go and see,” Jesus told them.  They returned shortly with the little boy mentioned in John’s account. (See John 6:9.)  They now had five barley loaves (rolls) and two fish (think sardines).

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Vss. 39-44.

Jesus told the disciples to have all the people sit down in groups of 50 and 100 for an orderly distribution.  They probably still did not understand what Jesus was going to do.  Nevertheless, they obeyed.  Soon, 10,000-15,000 people (including women and children) were seated, with aisles between all the groups. 

Goodness!  Could you even see the people in the back groups???

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Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked to heaven, and said a blessing.  Then He began breaking the loaves and giving them to the disciples to distribute.  Nest he divided the two fish and gave them to the disciples in the same way.

AND they ALL ate and were satisfied!  All those thousands of hungry people ate to their fill!

AND … there were twelve baskets full of broken pieces and fish LEFT OVER!!

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How did that happen?  Jesus, of course.

“Give us this day, our daily bread,” Jesus taught us to pray.

“He shall supply all your needs, according to His riches in glory.”

Ravens brought bread to the prophet Elijah during a drought and famine.

“Do not be anxious, saying, … ‘What shall we eat?’ … for your heavenly Father knows you need it.”
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They may not have been alone, but Jesus DID teach the Twelve a few lessons they would need when they went out to minister in His Name: compassion, trust and obedience, finding opportunities, order, prayer, and abundance repaid.

 

 

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (1/7) Mark 2:13-17

Jan7

A 5-day per week study.

January 7 – Reading Mark 2:13-17.

Read and believe in Jesus.

“I came not to call the righteous, but sinners”  Mark 2:17b

 

The Gospel According to Mark 2:13-17

Vss. 13-14.

Jesus is again beside the Sea of Galilee (it was near Peter’s home).  The crowd was coming to him, and He was teaching them. (Standing by the water and speaking up the sloping land made for great acoustics. Many people were able to hear Jesus’ voice clearly.) 

Then, Jesus continued along a certain path, but this time He wasn’t looking at the boats.  He knew where He was going and who He would find there. And as he’d specifically called the two sets of fishing brothers to Himself, Jesus now spoke to a Tax Collector sitting at his tax booth.  

“Follow me,” Jesus said, looking into the man’s eyes.  (I almost expected Him to say, “…and I will make you a ‘Collector of Men’,” but of course He didn’t say that.)  The tax collector, Levi, got up, left his coveted Roman franchise booth, where he’d become a rich man at the expense of his fellow Jews, and followed Jesus.  

Don’t you wonder what Peter, Andrew, James, and John were thinking?  Levi had probably extorted money from their family’s fishing businesses many times. And Jesus was calling… him?  How did the richly ornate robe of the Publican blend with the simple attire of local fishermen?  

(I’m so glad that Jesus calls all types of people to follow Him.)

Like with the fishermen, I believe Levi had heard Jesus speak before as He made his way along the shore of Galilee.  Perhaps he’d witnessed miraculous healings too, as he watched from inside his booth.  Whatever he’d seen and heard, Levi’s heart was now toward Jesus.  The instant the Master called, Levi was out of the booth – leaving the quills, ledgers, and piles of coins behind – and walking with Jesus.

(By the way, this man’s other name was Matthew.  And this careful calculator wrote the wonderful Gospel by his name, specifically to the Jews about their Messiah.)

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Vss. 15-17.

Peter had invited Jesus to headquarter in his home. Now, Levi asked Jesus (and disciples) to a feast at his house. He also invited a bunch of other tax collectors (and “sinners”) that he knew. 

(Another tax collector – Zacchaeus – did the same thing in Luke 19.  This is SO like what happens to a person who has truly been converted. They want to share “the good news” with others. They want friends and family to know Jesus, too.)

Jesus, of course, accepted the invitation. He is comfortable with anyone who truly seeks Him.  Did other “sinners” there believe in Him and follow His way too?  

Outside, the Scribes (probably the same ones who’d observed the paralytic man being healed) had sour faces.  “Why does He eat with tax collectors and sinners?”  (THEY would never do that!)

Jesus heard what they said as He left Levi’s house.  He looked these self-righteous men in the eyes and said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick do. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” 

Did they understand what Jesus meant?  What DID Jesus mean? 

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Did He truly see these Jewish rulers as “righteous,” not needing forgiveness and salvation?  Absolutely not.  Psalm 14:2-3 says, “None is righteous (good), no, not one.”  Jesus was speaking about the “self-righteous” who “think” they don’t need a savior.

Later, in Luke 18, we will see that Jesus tells a parable about a Pharisee and a Tax Collector. Was He thinking of Levi and these men?   He told this story “to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and treated others with contempt.”

In the story, the Pharisee stood and bragged of all his good works and accomplishments, and how he had never done such sinful things as the extortioners, adulterers, the unjust, or even… the tax collector…

The Tax Collector, on the other hand, could say nothing but, “God, be merciful to me a sinner.”  (Were those Levi’s words that Jesus quoted?)   Jesus told his audience that the Tax Collector went to his house JUSTIFIED, while the braggadocio Pharisee did not.

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Here, in Capernaum, the Jewish leaders were just beginning to spar with Jesus.  It would get worse. Would any of them recognize their lack of true righteousness before it was too late?