Mark 2:23-3:6 “Notice what you notice.” And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart… (Mark 3:5). I remember commenting back on January 17 how Mark was the only writer who noted that Jesus was “moved with compassion…” over the plight of the leper (Mark 1:41). Now we see the …
Author Archives: Fred
February 26 / Matthew 12:1-14
Matthew 12:1-14 “Notice what you notice.” ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice…’ (Matthew: 12:7). As soon as I read Jesus quoting Hosea 6:6 it struck me that we had read this verse not long ago. And sure enough, just one week ago today we saw this quote in Matthew 9:13, when Jesus was eating in …
February 25 / Luke 5:33-39
Luke 5:33-39 “Notice what you notice.” Even in my pain-med fog…! And no one after drinking old wine desires new, for he says, ‘The old is good.’ (Luke 5:39, ESV) Other translations say “The old is good enough” (NASB) and even “The old is better” (NKJV). Which translation we use is not so crucial. Even …
February 24 / Mark 2:18-22
Mark 2:18-22 “Notice what you notice.” Back home from the hospital and a 5-verse reading from Mark. It turns out that I have something to say about “new wine in old wineskins”. As many of you know I am a beer homebrewer – over 12,000 bottles capped in 20+ years. So here’s a bit of …
February 22-23 / Mark 2:13-17; Luke 5:27-32
Mark 2:13-17 and Luke 5:27-32 “Notice what you notice.” OK, so I missed my first day of posting this year. But hopefully you can forgive me. Up at 4:30 am, UK Hospital at 6:00, hip replacement surgery, then grogginess, nausea and sleep all day. Just didn’t happen…! So today will be another light day, looking …
Continue reading “February 22-23 / Mark 2:13-17; Luke 5:27-32”
February 21 / Luke 5:17-26
Luke 5:17-26 “Notice what you notice.” Today we have Luke’s coverage of the healing of the paralytic. Why is it so often the case with me that something jumps out at me in the first verse of the reading for the day??!! Obviously, again today: …Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there, who …
February 20 / Mark 2:1-12
Mark 2:1-12 “Notice what you notice.” Today we have Mark’s coverage of the healing of the paralytic. On a first-time reading of this event, the item that is most shocking/surprising to most people is the lowering of the paralytic through a hole in the roof. I can clearly recall my early (and continuing) thoughts on …
February 19 / Matthew 9:1-17
Matthew 9:1-17 “Notice what you notice.” Today we have three events taking place at Capernaum – the healing of the paralytic, the calling of Matthew/Levi, and the issue of fasting. Today’s reading covers all three of those events in Matthew’s Gospel. The next six days will break down each of these events into Mark’s and …
February 18 / Luke 5:12-16
Luke 5:12-16 “Notice what you notice.” Luke has two items that are not included in Matthew or Mark, and both jumped out at me. In verse 12 the man who approached Jesus was full of leprosy (NKJV, ESV). And verse 16 says that Jesus …would withdraw to desolate places and pray. What to make of …
February 17 / Mark 1:40-45
Mark 1:40-45 “Notice what you notice.” I’m developing a new respect for Mark’s Gospel. A few days ago he added while it was still dark (v. 35) that the other writers had omitted. Today he adds Moved with compassion/pity… (v. 41) at the plight of the leper and his approach to Jesus – kneeling before …