S – Don’t you yourselves know that you are God’s temple and that the Spirit of God lives in you?
1 Corinthians 3:16 CSB
O – This had a collective and individual meaning. Paul wanted the Corinthian Christians to recognize that they were the church, not a building. Also, individually, each person had the indwelling of God’s Spirit. Both cast a sober responsibility to use our physical bodies and minds in a way that honors the spiritual presence within us.
A – If we think, speak or act today knowing that God’s presence was standing next to us, would it change the expression? Would we invite Him into it or would it embarrass our relationship with Him? We are not perfect but we continue to grow.
R – Lord, you are gracious in your desire to be present with us. We invite you into all we think, say and do today. Your presence is a precious gift you give us each day. Help us to leverage that into a growing, vibrant relationship with you.
S – Now God has revealed these things to us by the Spirit, since the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.
1 Corinthians 2:10 CSB
O – Commentary:
revealed … by … Spirit— The secrets of revelation are secret to some, not because those who know them will not reveal them (for indeed, the very notion of revelation implies an unveiling of what had been veiled), but because those to whom they are announced have not the will or power to comprehend them. Hence the Spirit-taught alone know these secrets (Ps 25:14; Pr 3:32; Jn 7:17; 15:15).
unto us—the “perfect” or fully matured in Christian experience (1 Co 2:6). Intelligent men may understand the outline of doctrines; but without the Holy Spirit’s revelation to the heart, these will be to them a mere outline—a skeleton, correct perhaps, but wanting life (Lu 10:21).
the Spirit searcheth—working in us and with our spirits (compare Ro 8:16, 26, 27). The Old Testament shows us God (the Father) for us. The Gospels, God (the Son) with us. The Acts and Epistles, God (the Holy Ghost) in us [Monod], (Ga 3:14).
deep things of God—(Ps 92:5). His divine nature, attributes, and counsels. The Spirit delights to explore the infinite depths of His own divine mind, and then reveal them to us, according as we are capable of understanding them (De 29:29). This proves the personality and Godhead of the Holy Ghost. Godhead cannot be separated from the Spirit of God, as manhood cannot be separated from the Spirit of man [Bengel].
A – This is a great description of the working of the Holy Spirit. God’s word and will is in plain sight to all people. It is words, principles and anyone can understand it. Yet, all of us are spiritual beings. The Holy Spirit works in us to “bring life” to the same words and it brings us to an ongoing relationship with God, through Christ. We need to invite the Holy Spirit to do this each day so our relationship will grow.
R – Lord, I thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. I invite the Holy Spirit to bring to life your words. and help me to grow in my relationship with you. I ask for you to unveil the mysteries that I need to comprehend so that I will grow in my wisdom, understanding, compassion and empathy. Bring to life the things in my life that are dormant and quiet anything that would bring opposition.
S – Yet to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God, 25 because God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.
1 Corinthians 1:24–25 CSB
O – Commentary:
called— The same class as the “us which are (being) saved” (1 Co 1:18); the elect, who have obeyed the call; called effectually (Ro 8:28, 30).
Christ—“Crucified” is not here added, because when the offense of the cross is overcome, “Christ” is received in all His relations, not only in His cross, but in His life and His future kingdom.
power—so meeting all the reasonable requirements of the Jews who sought “a sign.” The cross (the death of a slave), which to the Jews (looking for a temporal Messiah) was a “stumbling-block,” is really “the power of God” to the salvation of all who believe.
wisdom of God—so really exhibiting, and in the highest degree (if they would but see it), that which the Greeks sought after—wisdom (Col 2:3).
foolishness of God—that is, God’s plan of salvation which men deem “foolishness.”
weakness of God—Christ “crucified through weakness” (2 Co 13:4, the great stumbling-block of the Jews), yet “living by the power of God.” So He perfects strength out of the weakness of His servants (1 Co 2:3; 2 Co 12:9).
A – Jews sought a sign and power and Gentiles wisdom. And we can still do this today. We want to see what God can do and want the wisdom to validate how special we are. Christ was killed in humility and simplicity yet He possessed all the glory and wisdom. When we walk like Christ, we will confound others in our “approach” but they will not be able to deny His substance.
S – But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see him there just as he told you.’ ”
Mark 16:7 CSB
O – Commentary: The women were given a task. They were to go and tell Jesus’ disciples that they would be reunited with Him in Galilee. The words and Peter, unique to Mark, are significant since much of Mark’s material likely came from Peter. He was singled out not because of his preeminence among the disciples but because he was forgiven and still included in the Eleven despite his triple denial (cf. 14:66–72).
“Mark,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
A – Peter is called out by God. When we are in our lowest, God meets us there. When He still believes in us that there is more, He is there. God had a plan and a purpose for Peter and he was thinking he was done because of his denial. We all have done stuff that brings distance from God…He closes the distance.
R – Lord, thank you that you do not want any separation from us. You desire a relationship even when we don’t deserve it. You forgive and restore. Help me to accept that forgiveness and move towards you instead of away. Let me accept your grace and peace today.
S – When the centurion, who was standing opposite him, saw the way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”,
Mark 15:39 CSB
O – Commentary: Truly this man was God’s Son Jesus’ identity is fully revealed upon His death (compare note on Isa 53:12). At three key events in Mark’s Gospel—Jesus’ baptism, transfiguration, and crucifixion—a voice confirms that Jesus is God’s Son. Here, it is no longer God the Father proclaiming Jesus’ identity, but instead a non-Jewish person—confirming Jesus’ ministry and mission to Gentiles (see note on Mark 13:10).
A – A human voice confirms that Jesus is God’s son. Like Peter at Cesarea Phillipi, this centurion recognizes who Jesus is and proclaims it out loud. There is something powerful when we do that in accepting Christ and water baptism. We tell the world I recognize the relationship I have/need with God and I will live it out. This is big!
R – Lord, I proclaim that You are God, Jesus is my Savior and the Holy Spirit is my daily advocate of you that I walk with daily. I am far from perfect – I still make mistakes and sin. But, in You I have hope, forgiveness, courage and strength to walk out what you have for me today. Thank you, God, that you loved me enough for Christ to die for me and for sending the Holy Spirit to help me navigate today.
S – While they were reclining and eating, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.” They began to be distressed and to say to him one by one, “Surely not I?”
Mark 14:18–19 CSB
O – Commentary: One who is eating with Me, unique to Mark, alludes to Psalm 41:9 where David laments that his trusted friend Ahithophel (cf. 2 Sam. 16:15–17:23; 1 Chron. 27:33), who shared table fellowship with him, had turned against him. To eat with a person and then betray him was the height of treachery.
“Mark,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
A – To spend years with Jesus and betray him or even deny him shows the human frailties we face today. We are tempted, challenged in our faith and left with questions of faith that challenge our relationship with God. Even in our deepest intimacy with God, we are no stronger than those who lived with him personally. Jesus challenged them to pray to help through these difficult times.
R – Lord, life is not easy. We must know your Word and spend time with you in prayer if we are going to finish the race before us. We don’t want to betray you. Give us courage and strength to face all of these challenges so that we will honor you. We don’t want to run from you…we want to run to you.
S – Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 He will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
Mark 13:26–27 CSB
O – There is a day coming when Jesus will return. It will be a time of gathering while displaying great power and glory.
A – There is a healthy element to live with a sense of anticipation of Christ’s return. If you use that to keep your relationship vibrant and real, it is more of ongoing growth and maintenance. If you are lazy with it, it will be cumbersome to “pick up” a relationship you “know” but haven’t worked on in a long time. If you have chosen not to have the relationship, it will be devastating with little hope for what is to come.
R – Lord, help me to live today with such genuine love for you and others that I am ready for your return. Whether today, tomorrow or whenever, I want my relationship with you to be strong and vibrant. I want to live a life that shines your love so others can have that relationship as well.
S – Jesus answered, “The most important is Listen, Israel! The Lordour God, the Lordis one.30 Lovethe Lord your Godwith all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind,and with all your strength.,,31 The second is, Love your neighboras yourself., There is no other command greater than these.”
Mark 12:29–31 CSB
O – Jesus answers the Scribe’s question simply – Love God, Love People. With over 600 commands, these two are the highest.
A – Our culture likes to rank things. Who, what, where, when…is the best? You see lists all the time. In this, Jesus gives us not only the best, but the foundational commands which all the other commands rest upon. These two supersede the sacrifices that were prescribed for the forgiveness of sins. They are the foundation of what God expects from us today.
R – Lord, thank you for your provision and presence today. I invite you Holy Spirit into every conversation, thought and action I do today. Please use all of that to show my love for you and others. Let me be a light of your love so others will be drawn to you.
S – They came again to Jerusalem. As he was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came 28 and asked him, “By what authority are you doing these things? Who gave you this authority to do these things?”
Mark 11:27–28 CSB
O – Commentary:
As guardians of Israel’s religious life they asked two questions: (1) What was the nature of His authority (cf. 1:22, 27); what were His credentials? (2) Who was the source of His authority? Who authorized Him to do this? “This” (lit., these things) refers to His purging the temple the previous day (cf. 11:15–17) and probably more generally to all His authoritative words and deeds which drew much popular acclaim (cf. v. 18; 12:12, 37
“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.
A – Jesus acted upon the authority given to him by God. He was the Messiah. All of this was scary to the religious leaders because they were they authority. Yet, instead of recognizing what God was doing, they allowed fear to threaten their power and position. We must yield our power and position to God.
R – Lord, today I surrender all that you have given to me. All of it comes from you. As I continue in my roles today, let me be sensitive to the Holy Spirit so that I am yielded and submitted to what your ways and purposes are. Not my own.
S – What do you want me to do for you?” he asked them. They answered him, “Allow us to sit at your right and at your left in your glory.” Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you’re asking. Are you able to drink the cup I drink or to be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”
Mark 10:36–38 CSB
O – Commentary: Jesus told them they did not realize what was involved in their ambitious request. To ask for a place of honor in His glory was also a request to share His suffering since the one is a requisite to the other
“Mark,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
A – James and John are asking for positions in Jesus’ new kingdom. Interesting that Jesus doesn’t challenge them for wanting the new status. Instead, he ponders whether they can pay the price to attain it. There is a cost to having a relationship with Christ. Denying oneself is about submitting all that you have to Christ. Are we willing to surrender all physical, mental, emotional and spiritual “possessions” to God?
R – Lord, thank you for all that you have provided for me. I recognize that it comes from You. I surrender it all to you and your purposes. I invite your Holy Spirit to lead me in how I can use all that I have for your Glory. That includes me. Let me be a vessel of your love and compassion to all people and situations I face today.
Just Add Water . Chris Bonham 