Cover-to-Cover

Mark 2   Mark writes about Jesus healing the paralytic, choosing a tax collector as one of the twelve disciples, and then He is questioned about fasting and the Sabbath.    In verses 21 and 22, Jesus speaks about putting new wine into new wineskins. If you put new wine into an old wineskin, the container will burst. You can’t put a new patch of fabric on an old garment...

Mark 1:23-45   In verses 29-31, Mark wrote about Peter’s mother-in-law’s healing, writing that her fever “immediately” left her. Mark used the word “immediately” forty-two times in his book, more than all the New Testament combined. Her healing was instantaneous and complete! She was sick one moment and fully healed the next, getting up and serving her guests!   Mark also writes about healing after the Sabbath sunset, preaching in...

Mark 1:1-22   The author of this book is not named; however, from early church history, it was accepted that Mark wrote this Gospel. Mark, also known as John Mark, was a close associate of Peter (1 Peter 5:13) and a companion of Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey. In 64 AD, Nero set the city on fire and blamed the Christians. This caused an uprising in persecution...

Matthew 28   It was Sunday, the day after the Jewish Sabbath (Saturday). The stone in front of the tomb had been sealed. An earthquake occurred and opened the seal. An angel came to roll away the stone, opening it for the resurrected Christ to walk out. The guards that were watching the tomb were in shock! Can you imagine? Their orders were to watch the tomb because Jesus said...

Matthew 27:32-66   Part of the crucifixion process was for the condemned person to carry his own cross from the place of judgment to the place of death. Carrying the cross made the person feel the weight of their punishment because execution. The Romans had a man named Simon to carry the cross for Christ. Perhaps Christ was beaten so badly, He was unable to bear the cross the full...

Matthew 27:1-31   In Matthew 27, Jesus is handed over to Pontius Pilate, the governor of Rome. He was the only one who could execute a death sentence. Jesus faces Pilate starting in verse 11. Pilate watched and listened as the chief priests accused Jesus. In verse 14, it says Pilate marveled greatly that Jesus would not speak up for Himself. After all, Pilate was the one who could have...

Matthew 26:57-75   In verses 57-67, Jesus faces the Sanhedrin. No one could find fault in Him, other than some thought when Jesus spoke of destroying the temple and rebuilding it in three days, Jesus was threatening to destroy the actual temple. He was referring to His body, but Jesus also spoke in parables, looking for people who would rely on the Holy Spirit for interpretation. I’m sure many were...

Matthew 26:17-56   In verses 17-25, Jesus celebrates the Passover feast with His disciples in Jerusalem. HE was the fulfillment of this prophetic event, the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. How significant this is!    In verses 26-30, Jesus institutes communion. Then they went to the Mount of Olives, which is also significant. It was customary to sing the Hallel Psalms at Passover, Psalms...

Matthew 26:1-16   The religious leaders were the ones who plotted to have Jesus crucified by the Romans. They would let the foreign government do their dirty work. However, when Pilate washed his hands and asked the Jews who to set free, it was the Jews who put Jesus on the cross. Jesus was put to death by His own countrymen. I have a Jewish friend who was concerned that...

Matthew 25:31-46   In verses 31 – 46, Jesus speaks about judging the nations at the end of the millennial reign. We often refer to this passage for today, serving Jesus by serving people (and it is for Jesus); however, the context of this portion of Scripture is for the Millennium.    In verse 31, we see that Jesus has come in His glory, with His angels with Him, and...

Matthew 25:1-30   As in chapter 24, Jesus is telling us to be ready for His coming. In verses 1-13, the parable is about ten virgins waiting for the bridegroom. In verses 14-30 it is a parable of the talents, telling us to be faithful with the kingdom until the King returns. Many believe this is specific to those living through the Great Tribulation, especially the Jews. Stay faithful! The...

Matthew 24:23-51   In verse 23, Jesus warns of deception, telling them NOT to believe news of the christ showing up here and there. Jesus makes it clear how He will gather His saints in the SKY in verse 29. He makes it clear how He will return to the EARTH, on the Mount of Olives. There is a distinction between the rapture and the Second Coming.    His coming...

Matthew 24:1-22   Jesus knows the time is drawing close to His mission of going to the cross to pay for the sin of humanity. Between the Triumphal Entry and the crucifixion, Jesus is very active – openly healing the sick, condemning the religiously proud, teaching and prophesying about what’s yet to come.    In Matthew 24, Jesus left the temple and went up on the Mount of Olives, probably...

Matthew 23:23-39   Jesus continues to warn the people about the religiously proud people. One reason is simply because of the death they bring to the grace of God. A second reason is because they have been and will be one of the greatest enemies to the kingdom in those days, attempting to suppress the move of God. A third reason is because whatever generation that has followed, including today,...

Matthew 23:1-22   In chapter 22 we see where the Pharisees and Sadducees tried to debate and fault Jesus, but they gave up trying. In chapter 23, Jesus speaks to the crowds and to the disciples about the religiously proud. They can talk about what is right in God’s eyes, but they can’t live it themselves. Why? Because they aren’t living by a reliant faith; they are attempting to live...