Category: Daily Reflections

“When His family heard of this they came to take charge of Him, saying, ‘He is out of His mind.’ ” –Mark 3:21 Jesus’ relatives said He was crazy (Mk 3:21) after He had become so popular that the crowds surrounding Him made it impossible to get food to Him. Were Jesus’ relatives concerned about Him getting proper nutrition? Or were they jealous of His popularity? The religious leaders of Jesus’ day said Jesus was worse than crazy. They accused Him of being demon-possessed. They “asserted, ‘He is possessed by Beelzebul,’ and ‘He expels demons with the help of the...

David said: “I decided, ‘I will not raise a hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed.’ ” –1 Samuel 24:11 David spared Saul’s life when he had a perfect chance to kill his tormentor. Now David was a seasoned warrior who had killed many opponents (e.g. see 1 Sm 23:5; 30:17ff). The only reason David held back his hand was because Saul carried the anointing of leadership from God. Saul had been chosen by God (1 Sm 10:1). Jesus “summoned the men He Himself had decided on” (Mk 3:13). It wasn’t that the twelve apostles were especially...

“Saul was very angry and resentful of the song, for he thought: ‘They give David ten thousands, but only thousands to me.’ ” –1 Samuel 18:8 King Saul won a great victory in battle through the catalyst of young David’s courageous defeat of the fierce Goliath. When the cheerleaders greeted the victors with the fight song, Saul was given opening honors and credit for thousands (1 Sm 18:7). Because of his pride, however, all Saul could focus on was that David received more credit than he did (1 Sm 18:8). He was jealous of David and could feel no gladness...

“When the Pharisees went outside, they immediately began to plot with the Herodians how they might destroy [Jesus].” –Mark 3:6 What on earth were the Pharisees doing working together with the Herodians? The Herodians were supporters of King Herod and his policies. Herod was likely more concerned with currying the favor of Rome than of observing the laws and traditions of his Jewish roots. The Pharisees were Jews committed to following the Jewish laws. Jesus commented on the outstanding holiness of the Pharisees (Mt 5:20). The Herodians had compromised their Jewish faith and lifestyle; the Pharisees were known for their...

“Stop! Let me tell you what the Lord said to me last night.” –1 Samuel 15:16 Saul “erected a trophy in his own honor” (1 Sm 15:12), though he was little in his own esteem (1 Sm 15:17). People who are proud of themselves often hate themselves. Proud people act like gods, and of course they do a very poor imitation of God. So they hate themselves for failing. If they don’t repent, they lie to themselves and others about failing. Then they hate themselves for being phonies. Proud people try to compensate for their failures by doing more of...