All posts by Gordon Nesbitt

Mark 2

Mark 2

Mark 2:3-5 NIV

[3] Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. [4] Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. [5] When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

I am impressed by the faithfulness of the four men to the paralyzed man. They actually had to lift him up on the roof, dig a hole in the roof, and then lower him down in front of Jesus. How many people are you willing to exert so much effort for so that they can be reconciled with Christ?

Mark 2:5-7 NIV

[5] When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” [6] Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, [7] “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

It is interesting to me that in this instance the man is healed not due to his own faith but by the faith of his friends.

The teachers of the law realized that by forgiving sins Jesus was claiming to be one with and have the power of God.

Mark 2:16-17 NIV

[16] When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” [17] On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

How easy it is to socialize and get together with our friends, neighbors, or others like us. Much more difficult to have a heart for the downtrodden, the homeless, the needy, those with AIDS or other communicable diseases.

Mark 2:21-22 NIV

[21] “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. Otherwise, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse. [22] And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins.”

Jesus is indicating here that the Pharisees that are against him are like the old wine skins and will not accept his new teaching. People still struggle today with his teaching and invent ways to earn their way into heaven when all they have to do is accept the free gift of his death and resurrection for eternal life.

Mark 1

Mark 1

Mark 1:1 NIV

[1] The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God,

How straight to the point is the author of the Gospel of Mark. “The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.”  The first statement in this Gospel declares that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God.”  The good news is defined by John 3:16-17 NIV

[16] For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Mark 1:8 NIV

[8] I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Only God is able to pour out or baptize with the Holy Spirit. Mark is again signifying that Jesus is the Messiah.

Mark 1:11 NIV

[11] And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

Mark makes it very clear in the first 11 verses that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God.

Mark 1:35 NIV

[35] Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

Even Jesus needed time alone to pray and be in community with God.

Mark 1:41 KJV

[41] And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.

To touch a leper made one unclean and unable to participate in religious or social events but Jesus did not hesitate to touch the man because “He had compassion for him.”  I wonder how many people would be attracted to Christianity if believers showed more compassion and less judgement and condemnation?

Matthew 24

Matthew 24

Matthew 24:4-8 NIV

[4] Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. [5] For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. [6] You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. [7] Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. [8] All these are the beginning of birth pains.

From these verses it sure seems like the end of times are here but theses things have been happening since Jesus’ death. In fact, statistics show the generally the world is the most peaceful it has ever been.   I was approached I Boston by some young men who told me that Christ has indeed risen again and was a Korean man. I remembered verse 4 & 5 and ended the conversation there. I later did an internet search and there is indeed a movement claiming that this man is Jesus come back to earth. It is unfortunate that many are deceived in this way by this man and others who also claim to be the Messiah come back to earth. How easily we are led astray.

Matthew 24:9 NIV

[9] “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.

Christians around the world are facing this type of persecution. How lucky we are that we currently live in a nation that does not persecute believers in this way.

Matthew 23

Matthew 23

Matthew 23:11-12 NIV

[11] The greatest among you will be your servant. [12] For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

The Bible mentions in many places that we should be humble and serve others. The latest style of leadership, “Servant Leadership,” probably comes from this.  This is the opposite of Western culture where meek is seen as weak and few are humble. Yet Jesus humbled himself so much that he died a criminals death on the cross to redeem us from our sins.

Matthew 23:23 NIV

[23] “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

It seems like many in society today are also neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness.

Matthew 23:28 NIV

[28] In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

Beware those that pretend to be followers of Christ but are not filled with his love.

Matthew 22

  • Matthew 22

    The parable of the wedding banquet

    The king sent three separate invitations. God has sent us an invitation to join him in heaven — his only begotten son Jesus Christ. Have you accepted his invitation?

    Matthew 22:7 NIV

    [7] The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.

    Revelation foretells the end of times when Christ will return with his army to defeat Satan and separate his followers forever from God. Through belief that Jesus is the Christ we will be saved from this fate. 

    Matthew 22:14 NIV

    [14] “For many are invited, but few are chosen.”

    The invitation to come to Jesus is available to everyone. Apparently, few will accept the invitation. 

    Matthew 22:29 NIV

    [29] Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.

    A very strong rebuke for the Sadducees as they were studious if the Hebrew texts.  It is good to know the scriptures but better to know God and have a relationship with him. 

    Matthew 22:36-40 NIV

    [36] “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” [37] Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ [38] This is the first and greatest commandment. [39] And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ [40] All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

    Love is the essence of what God wishes for us and from us. Love for God and love for our neighbors – everyone around us. 

Matthew 21

Matthew 21

Matthew 21:8-9 NIV

[8] A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. [9] The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

The people welcome the king and are excited. Days later the crowd will be begging Pilate to crucify the one they are now cheering for. How fickle we are when things don’t meet our desires. The people wanted a military king to throw off the yoke of Roman oppression. When Jesus did not meet this expectation the crowd turned on him. This was done so that scripture would be fulfilled and the lamb sacrificed for the forgiveness for everyone. 

Matthew 21:12-13 NIV

[12] Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. [13] “It is written,” he said to them, “ ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’ ”

What have we turned God’s house of worship into?  In the book “The Heavenly Man,” the author,a Chinese pastor who has faced great persecution but also seen fantastic miracles, marvels at the size of churches in the west. His comment is that we spend so much money on buildings where in China they meet in houses and spend what little money they have on bibles and equipping missionaries. Maybe we ought to rethink our priorities. 

Matthew 21:21-22 NIV

[21] Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. [22] If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

Sermons discussing these versus sometimes focus on the mountains that we are facing and how prayer can help us overcome the mountains.  I am struck by the planeness of it and the thought that I either don’t have enough faith or I have too much doubt. I continue to pray for healing for the afflicted and for hearts of stone to be broken and hope that my little faith is enough.  I have also read that bringing just one heart to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior is more of a miracle than moving many mountains. 

Matthew 20

Matthew 20

The parable of the landowner. 

Matthew 20:15-16 NIV

[15] Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ [16] “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

It is easy to be jealous of others. There is always someone that has more or bigger or newer. On the other hand there will always be someone that has less. In the parable of the land owner we see people that are angry because those that don’t believe as long and aren’t as involved with the church get the same grace. We should be glad that they are saved and will be with us in heaven. I read somewhere that being able to bring someone to Christ is the biggest miracle that we are ever likely to see. 

Matthew 20:34 NIV

[34] Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.

The first part of this verse sums up one the reasons I am a believer; “Jesus had compassion on them…”. And we are to do likewise. Jesus had compassion for the marginalized. And we are called to do likewise. Who is in the marginalized that would say you had compassion on them?

Matthew 19

Matthew 19

Matthew 19:21 NIV

[21] Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

The rich young man could not let go of his wealth to follow Jesus. What are we afraid to give up in order to follow Jesus?

Matthew 19:24-26 NIV

[24] Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” [25] When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” [26] Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:26 NIV

[26] Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

With God all things are possible. How are we limiting God?  What are we thinking is impossible and therefore limiting God and ourselves?

Matthew 19:28-29 NIV

[28] Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. [29] And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.

This promise, and many others, give us hope that there is something better.  This reminds me of the story of the woman who wanted to buried with a fork. A church functions they always reminded people to keep their fork after the meal because something better was coming. 

Matthew 18

Matthew 18

Matthew 18:2-5 NIV

[2] He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. [3] And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. [4] Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. [5] And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

Watching my grandchildren grow I get to see how curious and trusting they are. My grandson climbs everything and just that’s that someone will be there to catch him when he falls. Too bad that many people lose that wonder and trust in God and become jaded and cynical. No wonder we get stuck in religion with its rules and intolerance and forget the love and mercy shown us by the gift of the baby Jesus. 

The parable of the unforgiving debtor

In Matthew 18-23:35 Jesus tells a parable about a servant who owes him a tremendous debt which the king forgives. The servant then goes and has another servant who owes him a little debt thrown in jail because of this tiny debt. We are like this unforgiving servant when we don’t forgive those that wrong us. God has forgiven our debt of sin, which we could never hope to redeem, and we cannot forgive the tiny sins against us.