Jesus - in the way only he can - teaches about pride. In doing so he outlines polar opposites when it comes to mission and motives.

To the most significant question (how we can be saved?), Jesus gives the clearest answer (receive the gift of eternal life with child-like dependence). 

God’s way is always the best way. Nowhere else is that tested than when it comes to the topics of Hell and divorce and remarriage. 

Up until this point, the Gospel of Mark has been pointing us towards one thing, and one thing only. Who is this Jesus person? If chapter 8 is the crescendo, this high point of the Gospel – where we’ve finally figured out who Jesus is – the Messiah, the question then becomes: But what does that mean? What does it mean for Jesus to be the Messiah? What does that mean for you sitting here today?

Peter is a classic example of it’s not enough to simply know the right answer to the question: “Who is Jesus?”. More than it being an intellectual activity, claiming Jesus as Messiah involves total and complete life-change. The way of the Messiah, is the way of the Messiah’s people.

People don't reject Jesus because of a lack of evidence. Rather, Jesus reveals our hard heartedness towards him, yet still calls us to follow him. How will you respond?

Us humans can be too clever for ourselves when it comes to approaching God. Jesus here in Mark 7 makes it very easy when issues a blanket invitation to any and all to approach him. Jesus includes the excluded and he touches the untouchable

Jesus takes a mundance topic like the handwashing. And turns it into a deeply profound diagnosis about the true spiritual condition of every human heart. Our problem is not external but internal! 

When Jesus makes an incredible offer to come to him, it comes with an incredible promise of rest attached. In the end Jesus shows us he has a heart unlike any other and offers a trade to good to refuse.

If you want to get prayer right, you need to get Jesus right. Jesus not only invites us to align ourselves with God’s heart. He also invites us to pray about anything and everything. 

In a world of broken leadership and empty promises, where do we find true care and security? In Mark 6 we meet Jesus, the compassionate Shepherd King, who teaches with truth and feeds with abundance. He is the faithful leader our hearts long for—the Lord himself—worthy of our trust and devotion.

The Sunrise After the Long Night

God unveils the details of the who, what, how and when of his promised rescue plan. In the process, we see a model response from Mary - one who takes God at his word, and responds in praise. 

By flagging that the end of all things is near, Peter gives a glimpse of what life can look like in the meantime while we wait. First he outlines how our relationships are to be other-person centred. Then, he describes how Jesus still cares for his church. 

Deep down, we’re all afraid of something. But Peter writes to assure us that in Jesus, we’ve got nothing to fear - even if we get harmed for doing good. 

The call of 1 Peter is to live such good lives to a watching world. This can be displayed in our relationship with authorities, between slaves and masters and with an unbelieving spouse.

Peter challenges us that because we are different thanks to Jesus, we’re to live differently. Specifically, how we hope is different, how we live is different and how we love is different. 

Knowing who you shapes the way you approach life

Putting God first part is a non-negotiable for a follower of Jesus. But we all know it's easier said than done. Haggai helps us hear the importance of this again with clarity and urgency - that God is to be loved first and He’s to be loved best!

Loving others well is difficult. Every day we either fall into old unloving behaviours or we make completely new mistakes in how we treat others. 3 John is God’s call for us to have a love for others that is grounded in the truth, is consistent and is incredibly practical.