Contemplative Bible Reading

Mark 9:25 (New International Version 2011) When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” Jesus casts a demon or impure spirit out of a person. Note the instruction that Jesus […]

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Mark 4:1 (New International Version 2011) Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water’s edge. I guess we could start a […]

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Mark 6:36-37 (New International Version) 36 Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” 37 But he answered, “You give them something to eat.” These statements are part of Mark’s recording of the feeding of 5,000 men. Verse 36 is what the Apostles […]

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Mark 9:9-10 (New International Version) 9As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant. This is a classic example of Jesus saying […]

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Mark 10:27 (New International Version) Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” This was Jesus’ answer after his followers had asked Him who could be saved. Oh course, this is it, all things are possible with God. We believe this – […]

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Mark 6:30-31 (New International Version) 30The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. 31Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he {Jesus} said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get […]

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Mark 10:21 (New International Version) Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” He said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me. Jesus is talking to the person known as “the rich young ruler.” This rich person went […]

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Acts 4:20 (New International Version) For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard. Two items struck me about this verse. What we have seen and heard First, “what we have seen and heard.” This is the answer to the “data question.” That is, what have you seen or heard to lead […]

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This note differs from most of the others. In it I am looking at the different translations of one verse – Mark 14:1. What grabbed my interest is the use of the work sly in the New International Version. I don’t recall seeing that word in many Bible passages. How did the other versions render […]

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Mark 1:34 (New International Version) and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was. The demons knew who Jesus was. They knew he was the son of God. I believe that spiritual beings recognize one another. […]

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