S – When Jesus heard this, he told them, “It is not those who are well who need a doctor, but those who are sick. I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Mark 2:17 CSB

O – Commentary:

Jesus answered their criticism with a well-known proverb (recognized as valid by His opponents) and a statement of His mission which vindicated His conduct. The words, the righteous, are used ironically to refer to those who saw themselves as such, namely, the Pharisees (cf. Luke 16:14–15). They saw no need to repent and believe (cf. Mark 1:15). But Jesus knew that everyone, including “the righteous,” are sinful. He came (into the world) to call sinners, those who humbly acknowledge their need and receive His gracious forgiveness, to God’s kingdom. This was why Jesus ate with sinners 

“Mark,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – The irony of this proverb is that the righteous think they are well, don’t know or acknowledge their sickness while the “doctor” is right there able to “heal” them.  We can be the same way.  Whether before salvation or even in our daily walk, God is ready to act on our behalf and we choose to say “We are good.”  True change happens when we acknowledge our “sickness” (sin) and invite Jesus to heal us.

R- Heavenly Father, you are Jehovah Rapha, our healer.  We invite you to search us and reveal any sin or sickness in our lives.  We move towards you for healing and forgiveness.  We choose to humble ourselves, recognizing we cannot do this on our own.

S – They were astonished at his teaching because he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not like the scribes.

Mark 1:22 CSB

O – Commentary:

His hearers were amazed (exeplēssonto, lit., “astounded, struck out of their senses, overwhelmed”; also in 6:2; 7:37; 10:26; 11:18) at the manner and the content (cf. 1:14–15) of Jesus’ teaching. He taught with direct authority from God and had the power to evoke decisions. This contrasted sharply with the teachers of the Law (lit., “scribes”) who were schooled in the written Law and its oral interpretation. Their knowledge was derived from scribal tradition, so they simply quoted the sayings of their predecessors.

“Mark,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

“Authority” – ĕxŏusia:  privilege, i.e. (subj.) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (obj.) mastery  delegated influence:— authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength.

The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words 

A – Jesus interacted with people with the power and privilege to move toward decisions.  We have that same power through the Holy Spirit.  The same Holy Spirit that descending upon Jesus after his baptism is in us today.  Our words and actions will move people closer or farther from Christ.  It is important that we live a life that cultivates other’s desire to choose Him as their Lord and Savior.

R – Heavenly Father, you are unlimited in your power and love for us.  Empower us today to live in alignment with your character and Word through the power of the Holy Spirit.  We have the same authority in you and want to walk in ia way that brings you honor and glory.  We can approach today with confidence and humility that you are with us.

S – For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.

Ephesians 6:13 CSB

O – Commentary:

Ancient exhortations regarded retreat and wounds in the back as disgraceful (note that none of the following armor covers the back). In the day of battle, Roman soldiers were to stand their ground, not retreat. As long as they stood together on a flat, open field and did not break ranks, their legions were considered virtually invincible

The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament

A – God knows that the enemy is going to attack.  Jesus did not go find the devil after he was baptized, the devil found him.  Jesus did what Paul is encouraging us to do – stand against the evil with the word of God and faith. It is a sober yet encouraging directive.  We know the enemy will attack and tempt us each day to sin.  Yet, God has given us the tools to thwart each attack and win the battle.

R – Heavenly Father, you are all knowing and omnipresent. You know and see all things that we go through. Thank you for the weapons to resist the devil and cause him to flee from us.  Give us the courage to use our weapons from a place of victory. Clear away any doubts or distractions of what you can do in our lives.

S – To sum up, each one of you is to love his wife as himself, and the wife is to respect her husband. 

Ephesians 5:33 CSB

O – “Love” – agape love:  selfless and giving form of love

       “Respect” – reverence; admiration felt or shown for someone or something you believe has good ideas or qualities.

Cambridge Dictionary

A – A husband should love his wife like Christ loved the church – giving of himself to serve and empower his wife.  The wife should hold her husband in a place of esteem.  Both attitudes bring strength to the spouses’s weakness.  A wife desires security and a husband desires admiration and appreciation.  

R – Heavenly Father, you are the one, true God.  Thank you for our spouses who provide so much to us.  Help us to grow in our ability to serve and empower our wives and for wives to respect their husbands.   You gave us a great example in Christ in how we can serve and love one another.

S – “And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ,”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭CSB‬‬

O – God appointed the roles of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers – all to equip the church to grow and mature the church.

A – There are many roles in the body of Christ. These come with calling and anointing and the specific purpose of growing the church members. God loves all the members the same – none are exalted above another. It is an extra portion the Lord has give them but it also comes with a higher responsibility and scrutiny.

R – Heavenly Father, we worship and surrender to you.   Thank you for the entire body of Christ and all of its members.  None are greater than any other and we are grateful for the love you show us each day. Give us the strength and courage to use the gifts and calling you give us.

S – “I pray that he may grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with power in your inner being through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love,”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭CSB‬‬

O – Paul is praying for the believers to grow in their resilience and strength in their soul and faith.  This is a work of the Holy Spirit.  Also, we would recognize that Christ is with us all the time in a relationship.  This is God’s work of love with us.

A – These are fundamental concepts in a believer’s relationship with Christ.  When things get challenging or even routine, it is good to go back to the fundamentals.  The basic understanding of our relationship with Christ should recalibrate us and bring gratitude for all that He has done for us.

R – Heavenly Father, you alone are worthy of praise and surrender.  Thank you for your presence and power that you deposit in us each day. You are with us at all times.  The journey is long, with many victories and challenges.  Empower us to persevere in tough times and be grateful for all things.

S – “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭CSB‬‬

O – God’s mercy and love saved us from our sins.  We did not earn or deserve such grace.

A – When we realize the gulf between us and God was bridged by his love for us, it is humbling.  It is amazing how our steps seem small compared to the effort Jesus did on the cross. Yet, the struggle is real because it isn’t a one time decision.  It is a lifetime of surrendering our will to God’s will.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the a holy and just God.  Thank you for your love for us displayed on the cross.  We will never fathom the depth of your mercy, grace and love. Empowering us to show our love to you in tangible ways today.

S – In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed. ¹⁴ The Holy Spirit is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory

Ephesians 1:13–14 CSB

O -Commentary

The last part of verse 13 is literally, “They were sealed in Him [Christ] with the Holy Spirit of promise.” The word “seal” indicates security (Matt. 27:66; Eph. 4:30), authentication and approval (John 6:27), certification of genuineness (John 3:33), and identification of ownership (2 Cor. 1:22; Rev. 7:2; 9:4). God is the One who seals, Christ is the sphere in which the seal is done, and the Holy Spirit is the instrument of the seal. “The promised Holy Spirit” refers to Christ’s promise to His disciples that He would send the Spirit (Luke 24:49; John 14:16; 15:26; 16:13; Acts 1:5).

The Holy Spirit who seals is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance. The “deposit” is more than a pledge which could be returned; it is a down payment with a guarantee of more to come (cf. “the firstfruits of the Spirit,” Rom. 8:23). “A deposit guaranteeing” translates the Greek arrabōn (used elsewhere in the NT only in 2 Cor. 1:22; 5:5). It guarantees believers’ “inheritance” of salvation and heaven (cf. 1 Peter 1:4). (See comments on “inheritance” in Eph. 1:18.) In essence, the “deposit” of the Holy Spirit is a little bit of heaven in believers’ lives with a guarantee of much more yet to come.

“Ephesians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – When we believe Jesus as our savior, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit.  Not only does it signify ownership, it also denotes that we are not owned by anyone else (the devil.). We should walk confident in our relationship with God knowing whose we are and the victory from what we are not.  There should also be a sense of humility – Jesus paid the price for us and we did nothing to deserve it but believe on him.

R – Heavenly Father, you are Alpha and Omega.  Thank you for the price Jesus paid for us.  It gives us security knowing that we are yours and that our relationship is secured by the Holy Spirit.  Help us to walk confidently and in humility with you today.

S – Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. ⁴⁶ He also said to them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead the third day, ⁴⁷ and repentance for forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Luke 24:45–47 CSB

O – Commentary:

In other words He showed them from different parts of the Old Testament (e.g., Deut. 18:15; Pss. 2:7; 16:10; 22:14–18; Isa. 53; 61:1) that He is the Messiah and that He must suffer and rise from the dead (Luke 24:46; cf. v. 26). Because of His death and resurrection, the message of repentance and forgiveness of sins could be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem for they were witnesses of His death and His rising from the dead.

“Luke,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – Like the disciples, we need “open our minds” to the scriptures.  God’s word and the Holy Spirit empowering us are two resources we have daily to walk with him.  We are God’s mouthpiece to share forgiveness for everyone.

R – Heavenly Father, you are holy.  Thank you for the sacrifice of Jesus so we can walk in forgiveness of your sins.  Empower us through the Holy Spirit to share the good news to everyone that they can have a relationship with you.  We are grateful for your love for us.

S – It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three, ⁴⁵ because the sun’s light failed. The curtain of the sanctuary was split down the middle. ⁴⁶ And Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I entrust my spirit.”^, Saying this, he breathed his last. 

Luke 23:44–46 CSB

O – A couple items stand out in this scripture.  Darkness overtook the light of day during a time when it was normally daylight.  The darkness of evil was “winning” in the spiritual realm.  The curtain in the temple that distinguished God’s presence separate from man was torn down the middle.  This left no doubt that God was approachable by everyone, not just the high priest to make sacrifice for everyone’s sins.  God’s sacrifice for all mankind was on the cross.  Jesus willingly gave up his life quoting Psalms 31:5.  In all of this, Jesus used the word in his greatest time of distress.

A – We all face difficult experiences in our lives.  Sometimes, there are miraculous wins and dramatic changes happen to bring victory.  Other times, we go through them and the results are challenging.  Jesus had a bigger goal than his physical body and blood being spared.  In the darkest hour, He wanted man have a relationship with God, who was now accessible to everyone.  He trusted God and his plan again and gave his life for ours.  

R – Heavenly Father, you are holy and just.  You are faithful and true.  Thank you for Jesus’ willingness to endure the cross.  Thank you for his willingness to give his life for ours.  Empower us with courage to step deeper into an intimate relationship with you.  The price has been paid – let us humbly approach you with our love, honor and gratitude.