Author: David Worcester

Lead Pastor of Compass Church http://CompassChurchSD.com #Jesus, #Family #ChurchPlanting #CollegeMinistry. #Missions http://GospelAppointments.com @collegiatecoll

Why Did God Choose Mary To Give Birth To Jesus? – Luke 1:21-38

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From my reading in Luke 1:21-38 in the One Year New Testament.

Why Mary?

Mary just got done hearing what would be the most life changing news of her life! The angel Gabriel just finish telling her she would have a son by the Holy Spirit and this was her response.

“I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” Luke 1:38

I believe this attitude is one of the reasons God chose Mary for this noble task. She was a servant. Mary was humble and willing to accept whatever God had for her. This allowed her to trust God even for the most miraculous of events.

Mary is a great example of humble service of God. If you want to be used by God in powerful ways you must be willing to accept whatever the Lord brings you.

Are you open to God using you, even to do something unusual?

5 Things That Make The Gospel Of Luke Unique – Luke 1:1-20

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From my reading in Luke 1:1-20 in the One Year New Testament.

Luke starts off with an introduction that explains his approach to the gospel.

“Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us. They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples. Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write a careful account for you, most honorable Theophilus, so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.” Luke 1:1–4

1. Luke Acknowledges Other Eyewitness Sources 

By mentioning that other people have written eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ life we can assume that Luke had seen other gospels and draws some of his information from them.

2. Luke Carefully Investigated His Gospel

Luke was a doctor and approached his writing in a very meticulous way. He investigated everything himself, and likely talked to actual eyewitnesses.

3. Luke Carefully Wrote His Gospel

Luke was also very careful and exact in what he wrote down. As you will see in the coming chapters, Luke is the most comprehensive gospel as well as the most scholarly. Luke took care to include the most important parts of the story including the most thorough story of Jesus’ birth.

4. Luke Wrote To “Theophilus” 

We don’t actually know who Theophilus was but we do know that his name literally means “friend of God.” Luke also addresses Theophius as the recipient of the book of Acts (see Acts 1:1)

Some have speculated that Theophilus just means any friend of God or Christian. I don’t think so though.

He uses the “most honorable” as a title for him, which seems to indicate that he held a position of importance.

5. Luke Wrote To Solidify Theophilus’ Faith In The Truth

Luke wrote the gospel in order to fill in the gaps of what Thoeophilus already was taught about Jesus.

I encourage you to let the gospel of Luke fill in the gaps of your knowledge of Jesus. 

Let’s dive into the gospel of Luke together and allow God to teach us more about Jesus!

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Who Was The Other, Other, Mary? – Mark 16

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From my reading in Mark 16 in the One Year New Testament.

Have you ever noticed that besides Mary mother of Jesus and Mary Magdalene there was another Mary who was one of the first to see Jesus’ empty tomb! (Actually there were several other Marys.)

“Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome went out and purchased burial spices so they could anoint Jesus’ body.” Mark 16:1

She didn’t have any extra-ordinary role but she was a part of the story. She was one of the women who followed him in Galilee and even helped support his ministry!

“Some women were there, watching from a distance, including Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James the younger and of Joseph), and Salome. They had been followers of Jesus and had cared for him while he was in Galilee. Many other women who had come with him to Jerusalem were also there. Mark 15:40–41

She was not a big name in the Bible but she played an important role. There will be other people more famous or popular than you. There will be people who get a lot of credit for what they do.

The question is are you willing to participate in what Jesus is doing even if you don’t get much air time?

Am I willing to be the other Mary?

We all have a part to play, and it is God’s choice who will be lifted up and who will simply get to be a part of what He is doing.

I pray that I will be content experiencing the power of the resurrection and being a faithful servant, even if that means living in obscurity.

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Why Mention A Curtain In The Temple Tearing? – Mark 15:26-47

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From my reading in Mark 15:26-47 in the One Year New Testament.

After being placed on cross, Jesus was finally ready to surrender his life for us.

‘Then Jesus uttered another loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.” Mark 15:37–38

The moment that Jesus died a curtain separating the “Holy of Holies” in the temple from the rest of the temple was torn from top to bottom. Here’s what that shows us…

Through Christ’s death on the cross we can have direct access to God!

The Day of Atonement

In the Old Testament era the Holy of Holies was only entered one day out of the year on “the day of atonement.” On this day only the high priest was allowed to enter and make a sacrifice. I heard that they even put ropes on his ankles just in case he had unconfessed sin in his life and dropped dead in God’s holy presence! The high priest would enter to make a sacrifice for all the people.

Jesus became our high priest who by making the ultimate sacrifice for our sin on the cross.

“With his own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever.” Hebrews 9:12

Because of this sacrifice we can now enter God’s presence unhindered!

“And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus.” Hebrews 10:19

 Through Jesus’ death on the cross we get to experience our greatest joy and privilege in life…

Experiencing God’s presence! 

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I am Barabbas – Mark 15:1-25

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From my reading in Mark 15:1-25 in the One Year New Testament.

Pilate gave the crowd an opportunity to set one prisoner free as a last attempt to release Jesus. Instead of setting Jesus free the crowd wanted a man named Barabbas.

“But at this point the leading priests stirred up the crowd to demand the release of Barabbas instead of Jesus. Pilate asked them, “Then what should I do with this man you call the king of the Jews?” They shouted back, “Crucify him!” “Why?” Pilate demanded. “What crime has he committed?” But the mob roared even louder, “Crucify him!” So to pacify the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified.” Mark 15:11–15

Jesus was crucified and Barabbas walked free. In a similar way Jesus died for us even though he was innocent.

Barabbas is a great example of the effects of substitutionary atonement. Jesus was punished for our crimes and we received Jesus’ clear record and can walk free.

 Jesus was crucified so that we could be set free!

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Are You Following Jesus At A Distance? – Mark 14:54-72

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From my reading in Mark 14:54-72 in the One Year New Testament.

Jesus had just been arrested and Peter wanted to see what happened to Jesus, but didn’t want to get in trouble for following him.

“Meanwhile, Peter followed him at a distance and went right into the high priest’s courtyard. There he sat with the guards, warming himself by the fire.” Mark 14:54

Peter Followed Jesus At A Distance

He followed as long as it was safe. Perhaps it was this desire to be safe that caused Peter to deny Jesus three times that night. Granted, as far as we know, he was more bold than the rest of Christ’s disciples. But even though in the safety of the upper room he desired to stay strong and suffer with Jesus, when it came down to it he chickened out.

Many Christians follow Jesus from a distance. They follow him as long as it does not effect their comfort or safety. But Jesus called us to “take up your cross and follow me.” If we want to follow Jesus closely we must be willing to follow him even into dangerous or uncomfortable situations.

Are you following Jesus at a distance?

Are you only following Jesus when it is safe or convienent for you? 

Or are you following Jesus closely regardless of the consequences?

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Streaking in the Bible? – Mark 14:27-53

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From my reading in Mark 14:27-53 in the One Year New Testament.

This is one of those verses in the Bible that shows the awkward humanity of those who followed Jesus.

“One young man following behind was clothed only in a long linen shirt. When the mob tried to grab him, he slipped out of his shirt and ran away naked.” Mark 14:51–52

It is hypothesized that this “young man” was Mark himself because why else would Mark include these weird couple of verses. Walford and Zuck write in the Bible Knowledge Commentary,

“This unusual episode, unique to Mark, supplements verse 50 emphasizing the fact that all fled, leaving Jesus completely forsaken. Most interpreters believe that this young man (neaniskos, a person in the prime of life, between 24 and 40 years of age) was Mark himself.”

Even if the young man was not Mark, these verses show detail about an event that if it was not true would no have been included.

It is stories like these that give the Bible interesting details and additional authenticity. 

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What Is A Covenant? – Mark 14:1-26

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From my reading in Mark 14:1-26 in the One Year New Testament.

At the first “Lord’s Supper” Jesus mentions how his blood confirms the covenant between God and people.

“This is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice for many.” Mark 14:24

The Louw Nida Lexicon defines the term covenant here…

“to make a solemn agreement involving reciprocal benefits and responsibilities—‘to make a covenant, to covenant together, making of a covenant.”

A covenant it is an agreement between two parties promising commitment.

Marriage is a great human example of covenant.  Marriage is a promise of commitment and faithfulness between two people.

What is the Difference Between the Old and New Covenant?

Jesus’ blood was a symbol a “new covenant” between God and people. Pastor Mark Driscoll said this about the difference in the Old and New Covenant.

“One noted theologian on the law said that the New Testament “clearly teaches that Christians are no longer under the law covenant instituted under Moses.” This is why, when the Bible speaks of the “old covenant” in comparison to the “new covenant,” it is showing us that we are no longer under the law and obligated to it. He goes on to explain, “Romans 10:4 asserts that Christ is the end of the law. . . . Christ is the goal to which the law points; and when the goal is reached, the law also comes to an end.” The entire book of Hebrews is in large part devoted to explaining how Jesus has brought an end to the old covenant law, which is why we do not need a high priest, temple, sacrificial system, and the like. Jesus is our High Priest, the presence of God, and the payment for sin.”

In summary the Old covenant required many ceremonial sacrifices and practices that are no longer needed because in the new covenant Jesus himself is the ultimate and only necessary sacrifice!

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One Of The Best Ways To Invest In Eternity – Mark 13:21-37

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From my reading in Mark 13:21-37 in the One Year New Testament.

Eternal Words 

In the middle of Jesus’ discourse on the end times he includes this powerful statement.

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” Mark 13:31

This is one of the most powerful statements Jesus made about importance of his words. Jesus’ words will last forever! By saying this, he was basically saying  his words are on an equal level as the rest of the Bible.

” The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” Isaiah 40:8

When we read, hear, or study the God’s word we are investing in something eternal.

Three Things That Will Last Forever

In the campus ministry I was a part of at OU there was a popular phrase. 

There are three things that will last for eternity, God, His Word, and the souls of people.

What better way to spend your life than to invest in those things?

How can you make learning God’s Word more of a priority in your life? I encourage you to make a plan and do it with someone to help keep you on track.

Invest in eternity, learn your Bible!

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What Is The Abomination of Desolation?- Mark 13:1-20

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From my reading in Mark 13:1-20 in the One Year New Testament.

In the middle of his discourse on the end times Jesus adds a warning about “the abomination of desolation.”

“But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.” Mark 13:14 ESV

This is not a phrase I use every day so I wondered what it means. I looked it up in a greek lexicon and the phrase literally means, “an abomination (either an object or an event) which defiles a holy place and thus causes it to be abandoned and left desolate.”

After reading some commentaries I believe the phase “abomination of desolation” refers to a point after the temple is rebuilt in which the Antichrist either literally stands in the temple or places a sacrilegious image in the temple and urges people to worship him. This act is referred to in Daniel 9:27,

“He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.” Daniel 9:27 NIV

It seems Daniel is also predicting that someone (the Antichrist) will set up a sacrilegious object that causes desecration and it will remain until the Antichrist is finally destroyed.

The application Jesus gave the Jews living in Judea was that when they see this sacrilegious act happen in the temple they are to flee to the nearby mountains.

Those of us not living in the area should also be alert and take wise steps to be safe wherever we live.

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