Reflection on Luke 17

Reflection on Luke 17

Luke 17: 1-4

17 Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. 2 It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble. 3 So watch yourselves.

“If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them.4 Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”

Jesus is the BETTER forgiver

Jesus ALWAYS rebukes those who sin and enables us (makes us able) to live lives that please God and fight against sin.

We don't always rebuke sin in our lives and in the lives of others well. We are very tolerant of sins in our lives and make excuses to justify ourselves while being very judgmental and brutal with sin in other people.

Jesus ALWAYS forgives all those who repent and enables us to be reconciled to God

We don't always forgive ourselves well and we don't always completely forgive those who have hurt us in ways that lead to a reconciled and healed relationship. May perceive how Jesus has forgiven us in a way that opens up a completely reconciled and healed relationship with God and live it out in our relationships.

Luke 17: 7-10
7 “Suppose one of you has a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Will he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’? 8 Won’t he rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’? 9 Will he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? 10 So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”

Jesus is the BETTER Servant

Jesus is the only servant who obeys God's orders perfectly. 
Jesus is the only one who has properly done his duty in God's eyes.

May we rest in the service Jesus has performed on our behalf. May we rest in the fact that Jesus has served God in the way we could not serve God. We could not and will never perform well enough to please God.

May our love for God and relationship with God be rooted in the fact that Jesus loved us more than we love God. May we see that the ways we love God only for what He gives us and not for who He is are sin.

May we see that through Jesus' birth, life, ministry, death and resurrection, he pleased God and now God welcomes us when we are IN Jesus...not on the basis of our own performance or our own attempts to serve or please God.

Reflection on Luke 16

Reflection on Luke 16

What do you value highly? What is the object you think is the "worthiest" thing you own?
Who is the person you live like is most worthy of all your time, all your attention and all your love?

Jesus is WORTH everything in God's sight.
Jesus is the MOST WORTHY person and the MOST WORTHY possession to be possessed by.

Do not allow your heart and mind to be possessed by the worldly things that keep us in bondage to money systems, making money, buying and selling to make money and be defined by our relationship with money.

Luke 16: 13-15

13 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

14 The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. 15 He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.

May we put all our worth in Jesus and see him for all he is worth. 
No one on earth is more worthy than Jesus and nothing in the universe is of comparable worth.

The world does not value Jesus or see him as MOST worthy and this is wrong because what people value highly is detestable in God's sight!

May we stop putting so much worth in what the world says is worthy...because what people value highly is detestable in God's sight!

The systems that primarily try to define people by how we look, how much we earn, where we live, how much we weigh and what we wear are all ways in which the world devalues what God has created. DO NOT live by the world's system of worth-iness, look at God's MOST worthy.

Reflection on Luke 15

Reflection on Luke 15

Luke 15: 1-7---- The Parable of the Lost Sheep

Jesus is the BETTER shepherd
He faithfully seeks out every lost sheep and carries us back into the fold where we are protected from being out of communion with God.

We must stop idolizing individualism and following the urge to fulfill SELF-ISH desires. May we find satisfaction in Jesus who lived in community with his disciples and encourages us to live in communities where we help each other to grow. Let us learn to forgive each other through even the messiest and most painful fights. Jesus is the better shepherd who wants every sheep to be in the fold not out on their own.

We must stop idolizing groups and cliques. May we stop finding our primary identity in our races, genders, income level, level of education or denominations. May we find ultimate identity in the fact that we are redeemed by God. May the way we look at ourselves be firstly through the eyes of Jesus NOT the world.

We were lost sheep who Jesus carried back into the fold so that our primary identity is WHOSE we are: We are his! He has bought us with a price. Jesus has sacrificed his own life so that we don't worship our own.

Luke 15: 8-10------ The Parable of the Lost Coin

Jesus is the BETTER steward
He lovingly looks for every lost coin and returns them to the treasury of God who is the father who created us and gives us worth.

May we stop selling ourselves short and letting our worth only be found in buying and selling to satisfy what the world tells us is worthy: Beauty, education, wealth, fame, popularity.

May we remember that we are minted by a God who breathed life into us and made us in his own image to live as his children forever. We do not have the stamp of Caesar or the dollar sign. We are God's currency.

We are not created to buy and sell and be defined by how much we buy, how much we sell or how much we make. God has saved us from the slavery to Pharaoh who defines us by how many bricks we make.

Reflection on Luke 14

Reflection on Luke 14

What is a disciple? What does it mean to follow Jesus? To really walk in his footsteps every day...

Who is a disciple? Who can truly walk throughout life with Jesus? Living like him in every way...

Jesus shows us the cost of being a disciple. Jesus shows us clearly the cost of following him.

Luke 14: 25-33

25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. 27 And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

28 “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? 29 For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, 30 saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’

31 “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32 If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. 33 In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.

34 “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? 35 It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out.

“Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”

Jesus is the BETTER guest. 

Who humbles himself from the greatest throne in the universe, to sit with the lowliest on earth.

Jesus is the BETTER host. 

Who invites all "the lowest people" in the world to the greatest feast in the universe.

Luke 14:7-14

7 When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: 8 “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. 10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. 11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

12 Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

We must walk in humility and be hospitable.
We must stop craving for wealth, fame and popularity and going for the best places at a party or a feast.

We must stop wanting to always be pampered and treated as very special and very important compared to everyone else.

We must always humble ourselves and exalt God and then let that teach us to lift up and encourage those who the world oppresses and pushes down.

We must stop the urge to always have the "best" places in society...the "exalted" places in communities.

The urge to sit first-class, the urge to go to the "best" schools, wear the "best" clothes, drive the "best" cars.
After all, this is the world's definition of "best" ...mainly due to marketing in order to sell a script of how life should be. But God has defined the BEST for us. The BEST is Jesus. He is our reason for living and our example for how we should think about "our place in society"

We must taste the fullness of God's love and power IN Jesus Christ and let that satisfy us; instead of always wanting to be very important and very special in the eyes of other people.

Reflection on Luke 13

Reflection on Luke 13

Who is the narrow door?
Jesus is the NARROW DOOR and the only way to have access to God and have relationship with God.

There is no other way to have a TRUE life that your heart was created for and a REAL life that your soul craves.

Do not strive hopelessly trying to live for people to satisfy you and always relying on others to make you feel "special". Romantic love, friends, clothing, houses and cars are not the way and they will NOT satisfy.

Your heart will only be satisfied when it is finally fed by being in communion with Jesus daily.

Do not endlessly go from one addiction and temporal high to the next trying to fulfill your life-long 'thirsts' and 'hungers'.Wealth, career, fame, popularity, are not the way to live a TRUE life and they will not satisfy.

Your soul will only be satisfied when it is finally fed by being in communion with Jesus daily.

Luke 13:22-30

22 Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. 23 Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?”

He said to them, 24 “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. 25 Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’

“But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’

26 “Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’

27 “But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’

28 “There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out. 29 People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. 30 Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.”

Reflection on Luke 12

Reflection on Luke 12

“Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time?"
(Luke 12: 41-48)

Jesus is the BETTER faithful and wise servant. 
Jesus is the faithful servant who knows God's will and does it perfectly.
Jesus is the wise servant who cares for his master's servants and does everything at the proper time.

May we rest in the faithful and wise work of Jesus. May we find complete satisfaction in Jesus and plant ALL our ultimate trust in Jesus. No one else and nothing else can satisfy and give us redemption.




Jesus teaches us WHO to fear. Fear God and be in awe of God.
Do not fear or be in awe of any man or any principality or power.

“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
(Luke 12: 4-7)



Jesus teaches us WHO to trust. TRUST God. 
Do not put your ultimate trust in worldly systems in powerful or wealthy men or women. Do not put your ultimate trust in smart, popular or famous people

Do not be afraid and anxiously live always comparing and always lusting for what the world says will satisfy.

REST and TRUST in God's satisfying love through Jesus Christ.

VS. 22-23:
Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 

VS. 32-34:
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Reflection on Luke 11

Reflection on Luke 11

Luke 11

Jesus shows us BETTER happiness.

When Jesus had said this, a woman spoke up from the crowd and said to him, 'How happy is the woman who bore you and nursed you!' But Jesus answered, Rather, how happy are those who hear the word of God and obey it. (Luke 11:27-28)

May our joy and happiness come from the wonder-full privilege of hearing, understanding and obeying God's word. It is truly life's greatest gift to have hearts and minds open to the gospel and living out its truth daily. 

May we not neglect reading, meditating, listening and obeying what God commands us to do.

Reflection on Luke 10

Reflection on Luke 10

Luke 10

Jesus shows us the BETTER way to appreciate miracles and spiritual gifts.

The seventy-two disciples Jesus had sent out come back rejoicing that the demons obeyed them when they commanded them in Jesus' name. Jesus reassures them that he saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven and He has given the disciples authority to overcome all the power of the Enemy. However he emphasizes that they should rejoice in BEING IN GOD'S PRESENCE rather than only in God's miracles.

“But don't be glad because the evil spirits obey you; rather be glad because your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10: 25)

May we find ultimate joy in being in relationship with God because of how amazing, loving, great and holy He is.

May we not only rejoice in all that he does for us and gives us, especially his miraculous power.

May we primarily rejoice in who God is to us and who Jesus is to us. Our Loving Father and Saviour.

Reflection on Luke 9

Reflection on Luke 9

Luke 9

Jesus has BETTER self-control.

John tells Jesus that they saw a man who doesn't belong to their group driving out demons in Jesus' name and told him to stop.

Jesus tells John NOT TO STOP the man and tells the disciples “because whoever is not against you is for you.” (Luke 9: 49-50)

On his way to Jerusalem, Jesus sends messengers to go ahead of him into a village in Samaria to get everything ready for him. The Samaritans would not receive him, because it was clear that he was on his way to Jerusalem and the Samaritans and Jews have an ongoing feud. James and John ask Jesus if they should call fire down from heaven and destroy the village.

Jesus TURNS TO James and John AND REBUKES THEM...then leads the disciples to a different village.

(Luke 9:51-55)

May we look at how Jesus controls his temper and doesn't hastily and immediately destroy or kill people who displease him, reject him, dishonour him and anger him. 

May we embody the way Jesus forgives and seeks reconciliation. 

May we never forget that we have been forgiven much and we must also forgive those who hurt us.

Reflection on Luke 8

Reflection on Luke 8

Luke 8

Jesus shows us a BETTER Freedom. A freedom that releases us from any and all types of bondage.

Luke 8: 26-39 => Jesus heals the naked demon-possessed man who lived in the burial caves in Gerasa.

27 When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs.28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me!”29 For Jesus had commanded the impure spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places.

35 and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 36 Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured. 37 Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left.

Jesus is proclaimed. God's healing power is proclaimed.

Salvation from bondage to sin and suffering is proclaimed.

Freedom from demonic infestation and enslavement is proclaimed.

New life and resurrection from death is proclaimed.

Reflection on Luke 7

Reflection on Luke 7

Luke 7

Jesus is a BETTER Prophet; who doesn't come only predicting doom and punishment but embodies the only way to escape God's judgment through being our means of reconciliation.

Then he walked over and touched the coffin, and the young men carrying it stopped. Jesus said, 'Young man! Get up, I tell you!'

The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother. They were all filled with fear and praised God. ' A great prophet has appeared among us!' they said; 'God has come to save his people!' This news about Jesus went out through all the country and surrounding territory.

(Luke 7: 14-17)

May we accept God's gift of reconciliation through Jesus Christ and live controlled by His spirit in all we say and do.

Reflection on Luke 6

Reflection on Luke 6

Luke 6

Jesus teaches us a BETTER happiness. A Happiness that lasts through painful and sad circumstances.

We are obsessed with temporal joys and fleeting celebrations but he shows us the richness of eternal happiness and everlasting joy.

“Happy are you poor...the Kingdom of God is yours!

Happy are you who are hungry now; you will be filled!

Happy are you who weep now; you will laugh!

Happy are you when people hate you, reject you, insult you and say that you are evil, all because of the Son of Man! Be glad when that happens, and dance for joy; because a great reward is kept for you in heaven. For their ancestors did the very same thing to the prophets. (Luke 6:20-23)

May our ultimate happiness be rejoicing in the promises of God. 

Reflection on Luke 5

Reflection on Luke 5

Luke 5

Jesus is the BETTER leader. He befriends and equips those he calls to live for greater purposes than they had envisioned.

He calls fishermen to become fishers of men (Luke 5:1-11)

'Jesus said to Simon, “Don't be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.”

and

transforms Levi's life when he calls the tax collector to follow him and be a part of his ministry.

...“After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting in his office. Jesus said to him, 'Follow me.' Levi got up, left everything and followed him. Then Levi had a big feast in his house for Jesus, and among the guests was a large number of tax collectors and other people... (Luke 5:27-32)

May we rest assured that Jesus calls us to follow him whole-heartedly because he loves us and wants the best for us. 

May we be confident in the fact that Jesus will lead us as we follow him and be with us through the toughest and roughest seasons of our lives.

Reflection on Luke 4

Reflection on Luke 4

Luke 4

Jesus is the BETTER interpreter of scripture. He uses the word of God against the Devil to resist temptation, to correct the Devil and to attack and defeat the Devil by glorifying God and not idolizing greed, wealth, or power.

...But Jesus answered, 'The scripture says, 'Human beings cannot live on bread alone.' ” (Luke 4:4)

...Jesus answered, “The scripture says, 'Worship the Lord your God and serve only him!' ” (Luke 4:8)

...But Jesus answered, “The scripture says, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.' ” (Luke 4:12)

May our hearts and minds be immersed in God's word...every moment of every day.

May the truth of God's promises give us hope, faith and understanding to resist evil every day.

Reflection on Luke 3

Reflection on Luke 3

Luke 3

Jesus is the BETTER Baptizer; whose baptism gives us the power of the Holy Spirit.

Luke 3:16

“So John said to all of them, 'I baptize you with water, but someone is coming who is much greater than I am. I am not good enough even to untie his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. He has his winnowing shovel with him, to thresh out all the grain and gather the wheat into his barn; but he will burn the chaff in a fire that never goes out.”

May we always rest in the presence of God's spirit living in us. May our lives be baptized in the death of Jesus and resurrected in the gift of His eternal life ONLY Jesus can give us.

May we experience God's spirit actively enabling us to act and speak like Christ-like sons and daughters who have been 'born again'

Reflection on Luke 2

Reflection on Luke 2

Luke 2

Jesus is the BETTER Saviour; who rescues us from eternal damnation and reconciles us to God.

Luke 2: 25-32

“25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 

26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.

27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 

28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
    you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
    and the glory of your people Israel.”

(NIV)

May we keep our eyes focused on Jesus and the complete and everlasting salvation he offers. 

May we not seek satisfaction in anything else or redemption by anyone else.

Reflection on Luke 1

Reflection on Luke 1

Luke 1

Jesus is the BETTER David; whose kingship and kingdom cannot be destroyed by a human being and whose reign is eternal.

Luke 1:31-33

“ You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High God. The Lord God will make him a king, as his ancestor David was, and he will be the king of the descendants of Jacob for ever; his kingdom will never end!”

May we rest all our hopes in the kingship and kingdom of God and not on the kings and kingdoms of the world which are corrupt, frail, weak, inefficient and temporary. Only Jesus' kingdom will last forever.

Reflection on Mark 16

Mark 16: 1-19

Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.
He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons;they will speak in new tongues;
they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.
Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it. (vs. 16-20).

Jesus is the BETTER resurrection: He gives us “life after life after death” (N.T. Wright quote)

Jesus calls us to preach a BETTER message to the world: Not sharing, tweeting, blogging and advertising worldliness but preaching the goodness of the good news of God.

May we always boldly and loudly declare to the whole world that Jesus' life, death and resurrection.

May we urgently declare a new way of living and being and the right way to speak, live and thrive in a world that is broken by sin, pain, suffering and dis-ease.

Reflection on Mark 15

Mark 15: 1-47

They crucified two rebels with him, one on his right and one on his left.

Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself!”

In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself!

Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him. (vs.27-32).

Jesus is the BETTER Messiah whose death conquers death and gives life to those he loves and those who kill him.

Jesus is the BETTER Redeemer whose blood washes away ALL the sin of the world.

Jesus is the BETTER Saviour who does not save himself by coming down the cross but saves the whole universe by staying on the cross.

Reflection on Mark 14

Mark 14: 1-26

Jesus celebrates the Passover meal with his disciples connecting the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread with HIS coming torture, execution and death as THE Passover Lamb.

Jesus is the BETTER Passover LAMB who dies and sacrifices his life not just for the Israelites but also for the Egyptians, therefore showing us God's heart of reconciliation that rescues BOTH the oppressor and the oppressed from bondage to pride, wealth, power, slavery and sin.

Jesus is the BETTER Passover host, who feeds us with eternal nourishment that will sustain our bodies, minds, spirits and souls forever.

Jesus is the BETTER Passover BREAD which feeds us with an everlasting satisfaction that nothing else on earth can fulfill.

Jesus is the BETTER Passover BLOOD which washes away all sins conclusively and eternally.

Mark 14: 32-42

They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples,“Sit here while I pray.” He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”
Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will. (vs. 32-36).

Jesus is the BETTER Pray-er because he accepts and embodies God's word as he listens and obeys despite being abandoned by his friends who he asks to stay awake and pray with him.

He NEVER gives up on those He loves.

He NEVER lets down those close to Him even when they deny Him.

Reflection on Mark 13

Mark 13: 1-37

“Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. (vs. 12-13)

Jesus is the BETTER friend: He will faithfully rescue all who have placed their lives in his hands.

The troubles and persecutions of life will be distress-ful and it will seem like all is lost, but Jesus has redeemed and will sustain ALL who have trusted Him with their existence.

“At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens. (vs. 26-27).

…...

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. (vs.31).

Jesus is the BETTER promiser: Who keeps ALL his promises, whose prophecies come true and who does not lie or give false hope to anyone.

May we see the glory and power of the promises Jesus has made and lean on them throughout our lives.

Reflection on Mark 12

Mark 12: 1-12

“A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a pit for the winepress and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place. At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants to collect from them some of the fruit of the vineyard...(vs. 1-2)

Jesus is the BETTER vintner: He takes care of everything and everyone God has entrusted into his care. He does not misuse, abuse or waste the opportunities, privileges and responsibilities God has given Him.

Jesus is the BETTER tenant: Who takes perfect care of everything the owner has given him.

May we allow Jesus to take care of us as his vineyard, may we give stewardship of our whole existence and everything we have into his hands, because He will take better care of us than we can.

Mark 12: 13- 17

Jesus is the BETTER interpreter of Church vs. State laws and obedience to earthly governments:

He shows us how much more powerful and mighty God is compared to all earthly rulers and kingdoms...without encouraging us to disregard and disrespect earthly authority.

(Matthew 22- especially the question about whether Jews should pay taxes to a heathen-Roman-occupying-colonialist)

The powerful way he emphasizes that the Emperor should ONLY get what ONLY TRULY belongs to him ("his coins")

MUST remind us that in reality everything the State has and the Emperor claims, all commitment, duty and loyalty the State asks us to give whole-heartedly is in God's hands.

It is only truly God who deserves utmost allegiance and we must choose Him above the State.

Remember, Jesus died at the hands of the "powerful" Roman empire - in reality gave himself up- but now Jesus lives as King and that Roman empire is non-existent.

Reflection on Mark 11

Mark 11: 1-11

Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields.
Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,

“Hosanna!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”

“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve. (VS. 8-11).

Jesus is the BETTER conqueror: Whose triumphal entry into Jerusalem doesn't destroy the people of the city but rescues them from eternal destruction through the temporal destruction of his own life.

Mark 11: 12-19

On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves,

and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts.

And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’ ”

(vs. 15-17)

Jesus is the BETTER worshiper: He shows us that right relationship with God is not creating an economical and political temple system but is reverently loving God through prayer and action.

Mark 11: 20-26

“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered.

“Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” (vs. 22-26)

Jesus is the BETTER pray-er.

Jesus shows us the BETTER prayer of faith: Which does not doubt the God who answers prayer.

Jesus also shows us a BETTER way to pray: By first cleansing sins from our hearts through confession, especially holding grudges, un-forgiveness and bitterness...which hinder our prayers and DO NOT reflect how we want God to treat us when we ourselves sin against him.

Mark 11: 27-33

They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him.“By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?”
Jesus replied,“I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin? Tell me!”
They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin’ …” (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.)
So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”
Jesus said,“Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”
(vs.27-33)

Jesus shows us a BETTER way to confidently address questions about inherent authority.

He does not point to His own authority but points to God's authority, therefore glorifying God.

Reflection on Mark 10

Mark 10: 1-16

“People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them,“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.

Jesus is the BETTER parent: Who welcomes children, opens the kingdom of God to them and blesses them. Jesus does not despise their “smallness” or look down on them.

Mark 10: 17-31

“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’ ” (vs. 18-19)

Jesus shows us how to glorify God. When he is addressed as “good teacher” he points to God as the ultimate GOOD. He shows us true humility by not putting forward His good-ness although He is good.

Mark 10: 32-34

They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. “We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said,“and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.” (vs. 32-34)

Jesus shows us a BETTER way to accept death, even a violent and unlawful death at the hands of enemies

When he tells his disciples “We are going up to Jerusalem” (vs.33)...he is telling them: We are going to my death...we are walking into my execution...

Mark 10: 35-45

Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (vs. 42-45)

Jesus is the BETTER Saviour: Who does not call his disciples to make sacrifices that he has not made himself.

May we always serve instead of demanding to be served and feeling that we are entitled to be served.

May we look to the life of Jesus and the sacrifice he has made as the only reason to be alive.

Reflection on Mark 9

Mark 9: 1-50

“They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them,“What were you arguing about on the road?” But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.

Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said,“Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”
He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them,“Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”

Jesus is the BETTER Leader because he serves and sacrifices His life for those who the world views as “great” and those despised as “the least”

Mark 9: 33-41

Jesus is the BETTER Host who welcomes his enemies and embraces those who hate him. By dying for us and being the only way to full reconciliation beyond sin and hate Jesus shows us how to practice gospel forgiveness.

Mark 9: 42-50

Jesus is the BETTER Salt: Jesus never loses his saltiness and transforms the lives of everyone who comes into contact with him.

Reflection on Mark 8

Mark 8: 1-13

Jesus feeds the 4,000-plus with seven loaves of bread and a few fish.

“During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.”

Jesus shows BETTER compassion that doesn't let people go hungry when we have power and provision to feed them.

May we always care for people going through pain and suffering and help as much as we can.

May we always trust that Jesus sees us and will take care of us in our own pain and suffering.

Mark 8: 27-30

Jesus asks his disciples, “Who do people say I am?”...John the baptist...Elijah...ONE OF the prophets.

Jesus asks his disciples, “Who do YOU say I am?” Peter answered, “You are THE Christ” (Messiah)

Jesus is the BETTER baptizer...Jesus is the one John was pointing to.

Jesus is the BETTER Elijah...He doesn't just warn against evil and point to God.

Jesus is the BETTER Elijah because....He DEFEATS Evil and HE IS God.

Jesus is the BETTER biblical prophet...He is the one every prophet was pointing to.

May we ALWAYS boldly declare that Jesus is THE Christ- THE Messiah

There is no other redeemer of mankind...no superman...no rescuer...who has or ever will conquer sin and death and redeem the whole of humanity and creation form the despair and destruction it is experiencing.

Reflection on Mark 7

Mark 7: 1-13

He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:

“‘These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
They worship me in vain;
their teachings are merely human rules.’

You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.”
And he continued,“You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! (vs. 6-9)

vs. 8- You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.

Jesus is the BETTER interpreter of scripture: He exposes how we intentionally misuse scripture so that we avoid obeying God completely. Jesus explains exactly how we do not take God's word seriously.

May we let God's word expose our sin and may we look to Jesus' life, death and sacrifice as the only salvation that makes life worth living.

Seeking redemption and satisfaction in romance, work, wealth, or fame will never satisfy us

Mark 7: 24-30

Jesus is confronted and persuaded by the Greek woman born in Syrian Phoenicia to heal her daughter.

The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter.
“First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”
“Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”
Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.”
She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone. (vs.26-30).

May we fervently pray and seek Jesus help and healing for us. May we persuade people that no one is beyond God's plan of salvation. May we always ask, beg and plead boldly with hope when we pray!

Mark 7: 31-37

Jesus heals the man who was deaf and could hardly talk in the region of the Ten Cities.

After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”). At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.
Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” (vs. 33-37)

Jesus is the BETTER healer: Who heals our physical ailments AND also opens up our ears to hear and understand Him and opens our mouths to declare His truth and his love to a world looking for healing and restoration from brokenness.

May our ears always be open to LISTENING to God daily in prayer and from His word.

May our mouths always speak the truth of the good news of God rescuing us through Jesus.

Reflection on Mark 6

Mark 6:1-13

Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith. (vs. 4-6)

Jesus is the BETTER Prophet and healer: Who although he is not honoured in his hometown does not 'tone down', 'lay low' or give up dejectedly but empowers his disciples to go out into the whole world with His power.

Mark 6: 14-29

King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known. Some were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”
Others said, “He is Elijah.”
And still others claimed, “He is a prophet,like one of the prophets of long ago.”
But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!” (vs. 14-16)

Jesus is the BETTER Elijah- - who doesn't just face and defeat one evil king and queen but conquers ALL kings and all queens to submit to his authority and lay down the crowns at his feet.

Jesus is the BETTER John the baptizer- - who rises up again after being killed.

Jesus is the BETTER Prophet - - who ALL the prophets in history have been pointing to.

Mark 6: 30-44

When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. (vs. 34).

Jesus feeds the 5,000-plus with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish

Jesus is the BETTER teacher: Who cares for and provides for both the physical and spiritual feeding and nourishment of the people he is teaching...not just information/knowledge for its own sake.

Jesus is the BETTER shepherd:Who has pity on the crowd of people when he sees they have no shepherd.

May we follow him everywhere and trust him completely to feed us and protect us daily.

Jesus is the BETTER pray-er: Who thanks God BEFORE the miracle...BEFORE God answers.

Mark 6:45-52

Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened. (vs. 50-52).

Jesus is the BETTER Encourager: Who COMMANDS us to be courageous and at the same time drives out our fear and calms the storm that is threatening our lives.

May we boldly and bravely go out courageously trusting that Jesus has conquered the fears that were holding is in bondage.

May we see that the storms around us will not kill us, because in the presence of Jesus we will survive the winds of eternal destruction.

Mark 6:53-56

When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed. (vs. 53-56).

Jesus is the BETTER healer:

Whose presence and touch heals us from all our ILL-ness and SICK-ness.

May we touch Jesus cloak, hold onto His power and have all our DIS-ease driven away!