BibleVersity

"...They began to discuss with one another the fact that they had no bread...  And He was saying to them, "Do you not yet understand?"  (Mk. 8:14-21, NASB)    The disciples were so . . . human. When we read the gospel accounts we see a group of men that dealt with the same struggles, temptations, and weaknesses that we do. I am not sure if that brings us comfort or not, but it does remind us that we am not alone.    In verses mentioned above, the disciples were a little concerned because they jumped on the boat with only one loaf of bread. Why is this such a big issue? Well, they wanted to eat just like everyone else. So they are just a little concerned that there will not be enough to go around. Here's the real problem though: they still did not get just who Jesus was. Up to this point they had watched Jesus heal people from various diseases and infirmities, and watched Him perform various other miracles including walking on water. In chapter six, the d

"Jesus took him aside from the crowd, by himself, and put His fingers into his ears, and after spitting, He touched his tongue with the saliva; and looking up to heaven with a deep sigh, He said to him, ' Ephphatha!'  that is, ' Be opened!'  And his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was removed, and he began speaking plainly." (Mk. 7:33-35, NASB)     On Sunday nights at our church I am preaching through the book of Mark, and I have been looking forward to this text. When I read this passage, I am struck by the unique manner in which Jesus healed this man. Throughout the gospels Jesus healed people by speaking to them or about them, touching them, or commanding them to go and do a certain task. Some were healed when they approached and touched Jesus. There was also one incident in which Jesus smeared a mixture of dirt and His own saliva on the eyes of a blind man. And yet, among all of the recorded acts of Jesus in the gospels, this

    But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.  (Is. 53:5, NASB)    I believe in supernatural healing. Period. The Bible tells us that God is the God who heals. (Ex. 15:26) He was healing people in the OT, Jesus and his followers healed in the NT, and countless testimonies of a Divine touch from God have been recorded through history. In addition, I have, with my own eyes, seen men and women supernaturally healed. However, there is a reality that we must face: Every person for whom we pray for healing will not be healed, at least in the manner we were expecting.    As a pastor I have been asked this question many times. The exact words are different, but the question is still the same. The answer is not a simple one and, quite frankly, there are some very poor reasons that well-meaning believers often cite that cause great harm to those who have no

 "When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it," (Lk. 19:41, NASB)  "Jesus wept." (Jn. 11:35, NASB)    Here we have two verses of Scripture, with a grand total of only fourteen words, but so much is contained within them. It is interesting to me that on two separate occasions that Jesus, who is all-powerful, all-knowing, and  transcendent over creation as sovereign LORD, would shed tears.     In John's account, Jesus is seen deeply moved by the scene. Lazarus has been dead for four days, and Mary and Martha, although respectful, cannot understand why Jesus did not show up earlier. He cries at the tomb, but not because Lazarus is dead. John records  "When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled..." (11:33, NASB) He was moved at the pain and suffering of His friends. He alone knew that the plan was not to heal Lazarus, but to raise h