Tag Archives: discipleship

Jesus Meets His Critics

Posted on June 11, 2014 by Don Merritt

Mark 2:1-12 Parallel Texts: Matthew 9:2-8; Luke 5:17-26 In this passage, Jesus has returned to Capernaum from His Kingdom Tour, and the people are excited to have Him back in town. During this period, Capernaum is His ‘home base’. As the crowd … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

The Kingdom is at Hand

Posted on June 11, 2014 by Don Merritt

Mark 1:29-45 Healing People Mark 1:29-34 Parallel Texts: Matt. 8:14-17; Luke 4:38-41 Galilee Touring Mark 1:35-39 Parallel Texts: Matt. 4:23-25; Luke 4:42-44 Growing Crowds Mark 1:40-45 Parallel Texts: Matt. 8:2-4; Luke 5:12-16   If Jesus were to make a tour … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Bonus Post: A question about baptism

Posted on June 10, 2014 by Don Merritt

The other day, Meredith posted this comment on the post about Mark 1:1-8 in which Mark is talking about John the Baptist: Would you comment on the passages of scripture here and in Acts 2:38, and the many that don’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Tagged , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Jesus in the Synagogue

Posted on June 10, 2014 by Don Merritt

Mark 1:21-28 Parallel Text: Luke 4:31-37 Jesus went to the synagogue at Capernaum and taught there. Mark doesn’t tell us what He taught, just that He did teach; the exact content isn’t the issue in this text, the reaction of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Ready aaannnd…ACTION!

Posted on June 10, 2014 by Don Merritt

Jesus Tempted in the Wilderness Mark 1:12-13 Parallels Texts: Matthew 4: 1-11; Luke 4:1-13 Jesus Returns to Galilee Mark 1:14 Parallel Texts: Matthew 4:12; Luke 3:19-20; John 4:1-4 Jesus Teaches in Galilee Mark 1:15 Parallel Texts: Matthew 4:17; Luke 4:14-15 … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Jesus is baptized

Posted on June 9, 2014 by Don Merritt

Mark 1:9-11 Parallel texts: Matthew 3:13-17;  Like 3:21-22 Mark continues the action, after having described briefly the ministry of John the Baptist, here comes Jesus down from Nazareth to be baptized by John. Since John was operating near Jerusalem, Jesus … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Bonus Post: Mark Got to Write a Gospel?

Posted on June 7, 2014 by Don Merritt

How did that happen? Unlike Matthew and John, Mark was not an eyewitness to most of the scenes he described, in fact there is only circumstantial evidence that he was present at any of them. He was not an apostle, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Mark Begins With John the Baptist

Posted on June 7, 2014 by Don Merritt

Mark 1:1-8 Gospel Parallels: Matthew 3:1-12; Luke 3:1-18 As you can see, Mark doesn’t get into the birth of Christ, or the genealogies or anything else, he jumps in right where the action begins with John the Baptist preparing the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Introduction to Mark

Posted on June 6, 2014 by Don Merritt

Having completed Jude and James, it’s time to move on here… what do I write about? I’ve  quite enjoyed just going through New Testament books with you over the past few months, so that seemed natural enough to continue, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , | 24 Comments

Reflections After 70 Years

Posted on June 6, 2014 by Don Merritt

There will be many posts today that recall the tremendous sacrifice of those brave and courageous men who stormed the beaches of Normandy 70 years ago today. Many of those will include the tactical details of the assault, many will … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Life | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments