Reflecting the Image (by Carla Sunberg)

Scripture: Deut. 5:32  ¶     So be careful to do what the LORD your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. Deut. 5:33 Walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess. Observation: The law of God is being presented a second time to the Israelites.  They have wandered in the wilderness for forty years and it is time to cross over the Jordan and seize the land God promised to them, but they are also to understand what it means to be the people of God.  There is obedience required by his people.  We know that the Israelites were constantly drawn away by the distractions of foreign gods.  Even in the wilderness, as God provided for them, they were known to look off into the distance and wish they had a different set of circumstances.  God wanted them to understand that they were not to wander off into the direction ...

Scripture: Deut. 3:23 ¶ At that time, too, I entreated the LORD, saying: Deut. 3:24 “O Lord GOD, you have only begun to show your servant your greatness and your might; what god in heaven or on earth can perform deeds and mighty acts like yours! Deut. 3:25 Let me cross over to see the good land beyond the Jordan, that good hill country and the Lebanon.” Deut. 3:26 But the LORD was angry with me on your account and would not heed me. The LORD said to me, “Enough from you! Never speak to me of this matter again! Deut. 3:27 Go up to the top of Pisgah and look around you to the west, to the north, to the south, and to the east. Look well, for you shall not cross over this Jordan. Deut. 3:28 But charge Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, because it is he who shall cross over at the head of this people and who shall secure their possession of the land that you will see.” Deut. 3:29 So we remained in the valley opposite Beth-peor. Observation: Moses was coming to the end of his leadersh...

Scripture: Mark 12:35  ¶ While Jesus was teaching in the temple, he said, “How can the scribes say that the Messiah is the son of David? Mark 12:36 David himself, by the Holy Spirit, declared,     ‘The Lord said to my Lord,     “Sit at my right hand,         until I put your enemies under your feet.” ’ Mark 12:37 David himself calls him Lord; so how can he be his son?” And the large crowd was listening to him with delight. Observation: These few little verses paint a picture of the peoples' understanding of Jesus.  There were varying opinions and that was part of the problem.  Jesus would often discuss the issue with those around him in a manner that would make them stop and think.  Now, he's having a discussion in the temple about the "Son of David."  There have been a number of times when people have declared that he is the "Son of David."  But what exactly does that mean?  Most religious le...

Scripture: Mark 11:27 ¶ Again they came to Jerusalem. As he was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to him Mark 11:28 and said, “By what authority are you doing these things? Who gave you this authority to do them?” Mark 11:29 Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Mark 11:30 Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin? Answer me.” Mark 11:31 They argued with one another, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ Mark 11:32 But shall we say, ‘Of human origin’?”—they were afraid of the crowd, for all regarded John as truly a prophet. Mark 11:33 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.” Observation: Unfortunately the religious leaders, the chief priests, the scribes and the elders had become political in their leadership st...

Scripture: Mark 10:51 Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” Mark 10:52 Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way. Observation: The blind man, Bartimaeus was sitting on the side of the road begging.  Suddenly there was a lot of commotion and Bartimaeus wondered what was going on.  Someone explained to him that it was Jesus from Nazareth who was entering the town.  Bartimaeus may have been blind but he had been listening.  Word of this man Jesus had reached his ears and what he had heard had him excited.  This man was able to perform miracles so he began to cry out, "Son of David, have mercy on me."  This very cry of Bartimaeus revealed his faith.  Somehow he comprehended that there was something unique about this rabbi.  He called him the "Son of David" -- could it be that he realized that Jesu...

Scripture: Mark 9:22b        But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” Mark 9:23  ¶     “ ‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.” Mark 9:24  ¶     Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Observation: Here we find the father of a child that has been afflicted with terrible convulsions.  Can't you just imagine the pain of this parent,  watching his child suffering day after day!  Finally word reaches this father that there is a man who is able to heal all kinds of illnesses and cast out spirits.  He thinks there is a possibility that this could be the solution for his son.  He presents his son to Jesus in hopes that something can be done.  Of course there is a hesitation because by this time he has probably tried every type of cure known to mankind.  Therefore he says, "If you can do an...

Scripture: Mark 8:14 ¶ Now the disciples had forgotten to bring any bread; and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. Mark 8:15 And he cautioned them, saying, “Watch out—beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.” Mark 8:16 They said to one another, “It is because we have no bread.” Mark 8:17 And becoming aware of it, Jesus said to them, “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Mark 8:18 Do you have eyes, and fail to see? Do you have ears, and fail to hear? And do you not remember? Mark 8:19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?” They said to him, “Twelve.” Mark 8:20 “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?” And they said to him, “Seven.” Mark 8:21 Then he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?” Observation: Just a couple of days ago we were talking abou...