Mark 1:14-15 By faith in our salvation we redeem our souls.

Ephesians 1:10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him

Jesus, King of the Jews, came to the world in fulfillment to the promises given to the forefathers in the Old Testament. It was finished. 

Mark 1:14-15 Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

After their refusal to accept Jesus as their Redeemer King the world and all of its inhabitants were given redemption. It is now up to us to choose who we will serve! By faith in Him we are redeemed. Carla

As soon as John the Baptist is arrested, Jesus emerges from the wilderness to declare the arrival of God’s kingdom on earth. In this context, the Greek word used here for time, kairos, indicates a period of time predetermined by God. The Greek word used here for kingdom, basileia, can denote a geographical territory or the reign of a particular monarch. 

The kingdom of God refers to God’s reign over all of creation and humanity. Jesus’ teaching in Mark reveals that members of the kingdom of God are marked by childlike humility (Mark 9:33–37; 10:13–16), concern for the poor (10:21–31), sacrificial service (10:42–45), and love for God and neighbor (12:28–34). 

The language Mark uses to describe God’s rule demonstrates its dynamic character: The kingdom comes (verses 15; 9:1;15:43), it grows like a seed (4:26, 30), and people can enter it, but only by responding to God’s will (9:47; 10:15, 23–25; 12:34). 

The Old Testament often speaks about God’s everlasting and worldwide rule (Psalm 9:7; 47:8; 145:11–13). Yahweh is described as enthroned in heaven and in His temple in Jerusalem (Psalm 9:11; 11:4; Isaiah 24:23; Ezekiel  20:33–40; 43:1–7; Micah 4:7–8; Isiah 66:1–2). It is this reign that Mark’s Gospel affiliates with Jesus. Jesus’ ministry involves the cleansing of Yahweh’s temple (the symbol of His earthly presence), and Jesus Himself is the epitome of that presence: His body is described as God’s temple (Mark 11:15–19; 14:58; John 2:19–22). 

The Old Testament also affiliates God’s reign with the Davidic dynasty (1 Chronicles 28:5) in parallel, later in Mark’s Gospel, a crowd proclaims that Jesus has inaugurated David’s kingdom (Mark 11:10; 2 Samuel 7:13–16). 

There are obvious examples in history before this time of Yahweh reigning on earth, such as when Israel was established in the promised land or when Yahweh’s temple was built in Jerusalem. However, God’s full reign—as seen in the garden of Eden shortly after creation—had not existed since sin entered the world (Genesis 2:4–9, 3; Revelations 22:1–5). 

Jesus’ proclamation suggests that the time of God’s full reign on earth is near. God’s presence on earth has arrived in the flesh in Jesus. Jesus is saying that since that has occurred, it is only a matter of time until the justice and order that mark God’s reign are in place over all the earth (Isaiah 9; 66:15–24). 

The kingdom of God is described as near (present) but not fully arrived because its full arrival on earth takes place upon Jesus’ second coming (1 Corinthians 15:20–28). Since Jesus announces the advent of a new kingdom, belief in the gospel entails allegiance to the new king, Jesus. Faithlife Study Bible

Mark begins his account of Christ’s ministry with events after John was put in prison, as do the other synoptic Gospel writers. John is the only writer who informs us of a number of events that took place before John the Baptist’s imprisonment (John 3:24). 

Jesus proclaimed the kingdom of God. It was the subject of much Old Testament prophecy, and the theme was familiar to Jesus’ listeners. 

Repent, and believe are both acts of faith. When a person accepts the only true and worthy object of faith, that person readily turns from inferior substitutes. The NKJV Study Bible

Matthew 3:1–2 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” 

Matthew 4:12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, He departed to Galilee. 

Matthew 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. 

Galatians 4:4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 

Here’s the deal: We do live in the real world, where many choices, and behaviors go off the rails, and real people pay the price.

A real world, where pain and cruelty and anguish are very real, and where the gift of hope has a mighty and restorative healing power.

And, speaking of witnesses and hope, Jane Goodall—UN Messenger of Peace and world-renowned ethologist, conservationist, and humanitarian—died yesterday. And I was grateful for a column from José Andrés today, “She was a very positive person to be around,” José said, “and she didn’t think hope is wishful thinking, she thought it was about action.”

“I see us as a species,” Jane told me on a podcast we did together, José goes on, “which is at the mouth of a very long, very dark tunnel. And right at the end, there’s a star shining, and that’s hope. But we can’t sit at the mouth of the tunnel and wonder when that star will come! No, we have to roll up our sleeves and we have to crawl under, climb over, work our way around all the obstacles that lie between us and the star.”

Yes. Hope fueled by intention and choice. And presence. To be a witness. “Sabbath Moments”

Romans 12:2 (ESV) "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

The Apostle Paul also understood the gospel's ability to radically change lives. Paul went from persecuting the Church to pastoring it (Acts 8:3; 1 Timothy 2:7). But this didn't happen automatically. Transforming into the likeness of Christ happens not by chance but by choice: God choosing us by His grace and us choosing Him by faith. 

Romans 12:2, also highlights how we can choose to pursue "the renewal of [our] mind."

When Paul wrote to the church in Rome around A. D. 57, the city's culture was mainly pagan and polytheistic, worshipping false gods.Though the church was in a relatively peace-filled season, societal influence was pressuring Christians to compromise their faith. And in A. D. 64, Emperor Nero would begin persecuting Christians.

Paul therefore taught believers to "discern what is the will of God" (Romans 12:2) instead of caving to cultural pressures, following his previous exhortation "to present your bodies as a living sacrifice" (Romans 12:1). This implies dying to sin and laying down our lives as an offering to our world-saving God.

Our lives reflect Jesus' greatness as we are "transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another" (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Since this is a supernatural change, we need supernatural help! God provides this abundantly through the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to believe and live out a biblical mindset. Scripture tells us "we have the mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:16): the God-given ability to think what Jesus would think. We can purposefully allow the Spirit to teach us His way to process our thoughts and internalize gospel Truth.

By God's grace, He will meet us on our renewal journey. As God transforms our minds, His Spirit flows into our hearts, purifies our thoughts, and pours out into the way we live. 

Everything God does is good because He is good (Romans 8:28).

Everything God does is acceptable because He is wise and all-knowing (Proverbs 2:6).

Everything God does is perfect because He is holy and above reproach (1 Peter 1:15-16).

In a beautiful connection, as we allow the Holy Spirit to renew our minds in accordance with God's will, we become walking testimonies of God's grace and never-ending faithfulness. This will always be a part of His good purpose. First5

2 Corinthians 3:14-18 The truth is now ours to accept or reject.

John 8:32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

In the sacrifice of the Cross, Jesus removed the veil  that separated us from God, it was torn in two. We can now stand in His righteousness in the presence of the Father. All who believe in Him  have our eyes opened, allowing Holy Spirit to reside in us, to shine the light of His truth into the darkness.

2 Corinthians 3:14-18 But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. 15 But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. 16 Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

It is finished in Jesus. The truth is now ours to accept or reject. He fulfilled all the requirements and promises of the Old Testament. We can now live and abide in the freedom that only He can provide. Precept by precept we are changed. Carla

The veil on the face of Moses reminded Paul of another veil. As Moses’ veil concealed the fading glory of his ministry, so there is a veil on the hearts of people concealing the fading away of the old covenant. 

Whenever Moses turned to the Lord, he took off the veil (Exodus 34:34). Likewise, we find freedom in Christ by looking to Him. 

The Holy Spirit is God Himself, like the Father and like the Son. The Spirit gives us freedom from sin, death, and the condemnation of the law (verses 7–12). 

All believers behold the glory of the Lord in the Scripture and are transformed into the image of God. Christ is the image of God (4:4). 

As believers behold the glory of God in the Word of God, the Spirit of God transforms them into the likeness of Jesus Christ. This is a description of the gradual process of sanctification. The NKJV Study Bible

The minds hardened represent God’s judgment. He hardens the minds and hearts of those who suppress His truth and revelation (Exodus 32:9; 33:3; 34:9; Romans 1:28). 

Many Israelites rejected God’s word in the law and the prophets (Isaiah 6:9–10; Jeremiah 5:21–24; Romans 11:7–8, 25). Paul encountered opposition from Jews who denied the gospel message as the fulfillment of the old covenant. He concluded that their hearts were hardened (Acts 28:26–27; Romans 15:21). 

Jews typically heard the Law read every week in the local synagogue (Luke 4:16–17; Acts 13:27; 15:21; 17:2–3).  Mose is read aloud refers to the law that God gave to Moses (Exodus 24:12). Moses covered his face with a veil because of the radiance of God’s glory (Exodus 34:33–34). This veil represents the Jews’ hardened hearts and their inability to grasp the gospel message and refusal to obey God.

One turns to the Lord refers  to conversion and the reception of the Spirit. The veil is removed signifies that nothing stands between believers and God. Through Christ, God has reconciled the world to Himself, bringing freedom and forgiveness (2 Corinthians 5:18–21). 

Similarly, when Moses returned to speak with Yahweh, he removed the veil from his face (Exododus 34:34). 

Paul may be identifying Christ with the Spirit—particularly in terms of their roles—while also distinguishing between them. Jesus and the Spirit are elsewhere identified with each other (Romans 8:9; Philippians 1:19; 1 Peter 1:10–11). It also is possible that 2 Corinthians 3:17 clarifies verse 16, where “the Lord” refers to God the Father. 

In this case, Paul’s point is that the Lord of the Old Testament  narrative mentioned in verse 16 (Exodus 34:34) is the Spirit of God (2 Corinthians 3:3, 6, 8). Either way, the Spirit’s role in lifting the veil is central to Paul’s message. The ministry of the Spirit (verse 8) brings freedom from the power of sin and death—those things that the law could not free people from. 

Unveiled face represents freedom and confidence to enjoy God’s presence. The same image refers to the image of Christ that believers bear (Colossians 3:10; Genesis 1:26–27). 

Paul suggests that believers will progress through ever-greater degrees of glory (doxa in Greek). This may mean that they will learn and grow more in their relationship with Him over time. Alternatively, this progress may begin with the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit and culminate in the transformation of the physical body into a glorious one (1 Corinthians 15:50–54). Faithlife Study Bible

2 Corinthians 4:4–6 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake…

Exodus 34:34  But whenever Moses went in before the LORD to speak with Him, he would take the veil off until he came out; and he would come out and speak to the children of Israel whatever he had been commanded. 

Romans 11:23  And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 

1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

This week, our invitation: to be a witness. To be present, and let grace and healing and kind-heartedness—“This little light of mine”—spill.

And we can do this because, in the life-giving words of John Lewis, “Every human personality is something sacred, something special. We don’t have a right, as another person or as a nation, to destroy that spark of divinity, that spark of humanity, that is made and created in the image of God.”

It is no surprise that I am frequently drawn to the story of the good Samaritan. And I like Thomas Merton’s take, “Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy. That is not our business and, in fact, it is nobody’s business. What we are asked to do is to love.”

I choose to be a witness.

I choose to be a peacemaker.

I choose to be a bridge-builder.

“Here's to the bridge-builders, the hand-holders, the light-bringers, those extraordinary souls wrapped in ordinary lives who quietly weave threads of humanity into an inhumane world. They are the unsung heroes in a world at war with itself. They are the whisperers of hope that peace is possible. Look for them in this present darkness. Light your candle with their flame. And then go. Build bridges. Hold hands. Bring light to a dark and desperate world. Be the hero you are looking for. Peace is possible. It begins with us.” L.R. Knost. “Sabbath Moments”

Today's passage addresses how to handle anger in a way that honors God and respects others. When Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus, "Be angry and do not sin" (Ephesians 4:26), he echoed words from Psalm 4:4 to reorient their hearts toward obeying God even in frustrating or unjust situations. This phrase informs us that we are not to rage with outbursts, nor are we to repress our emotions.Instead, we can process the anger we feel in a healthy way "and give no opportunity to the devil" (Ephesians 4:27).

From a biblical perspective, there are two types of anger:

1. Righteous anger comes from a hatred of sin, not a hatred of people (Psalm 59:12-13; Isaiah 66:15). When we act in righteous anger, our goal is to lead others to repentance and obedience to God. We confront sin while demonstrating love, honor, and grace to the sinner.

2. Unrighteous anger, on the other hand, is not about justice but about personal revenge and resentment. Paul warns us to be careful of behaviors such as slander, malice, and unforgiveness that come from an offended heart (Ephesians 4:31-32). Unrighteous anger breeds sin and hurts others, causing tension and forging a path for the enemy to enter into our relationships. 

Satan will use our anger to harm our relationships because he himself is wrathful (1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 12:12). When we resist revenge, our actions display the love of Christ to the world. First5

John 9:18-39 We once were blind but now we see!!

Faith is not from the traditions of man but from the very hand of God. He is no respecter of persons but all are welcomed into His house. He meets us where we are and then changes us precept by precept into the character of His Son.

John 9:18-39 But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind and received his sight, until they called the parents of him who had received his sight. 19 And they asked them, saying, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” 20 His parents answered them and said, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; 21 but by what means he now sees we do not know, or who opened his eyes we do not know. He is of age; ask him. He will speak for himself.” 22 His parents said these things because  they feared the Jews, for the Jews had agreed already that if anyone confessed that He was Christ, he  would be put out of the synagogue. 23 Therefore his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.” 24 So they again called the man who was blind, and said to him,  “Give God the glory!  We know that this Man is a sinner.” 25 He answered and said, “Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see.” 26 Then they said to him again, “What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?” 27 He answered them, “I told you already, and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become His disciples?” 28 Then they reviled him and said, “You are His disciple, but we are Moses’ disciples. 29 We know that God  spoke to  Moses; as for this fellow,  we do not know where He is from.” 30 The man answered and said to them,  “Why, this is a marvelous thing, that you do not know where He is from; yet He has opened my eyes! 31 Now we know that  God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him. 32 Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind. 33  If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing.” 34 They answered and said to him,  “You were completely born in sins, and are you teaching us?” And they  cast him out. 35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had  found him, He said to him, “Do you  believe in  the Son of  God?” 36 He answered and said, “Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?” 37 And Jesus said to him, “You have both seen Him and  it is He who is talking with you.” 38 Then he said, “Lord, I believe!” And he  worshiped Him. 39 And Jesus said,  “For judgment I have come into this world,  that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind.”

Sometimes the troubles of this world seem too much to bear. God grant us the faith to stand firm in times that would love for us to submit to the hatred that surrounds us. I once was blind but now I see! Carla

The Jews in this case were the Pharisees. 

The blind man concluded that Jesus was a prophet. This does not mean he had decided that Jesus was the Messiah (1:20, 21; 6:14).

To be put out of the synagogue was to be excommunicated. The Jews had three types of excommunication: one lasting 30 days, during which the person could not come within six feet of anybody else; one for an indefinite time, during which the person was excluded from all fellowship and worship; and one that meant absolute expulsion forever. These judgments were very serious because no one could conduct business with a person who was excommunicated.

The command to Give God the glory was a solemn charge to declare the whole truth (Joshua 7:19; 1 Samuel 6:5). Attempting to put words in the man's mouth, the Jewish leaders said they knew Jesus was a sinner. In their view, healing on the Sabbath was breaking the Law. So to them, Jesus was a sinner (5:16).

The healed man had not claimed to be Jesus' disciple. He only asked the Jewish leaders if they were interested in this case because they wished to become Jesus' disciples (verse 27).

Faith must have a proper object. Jesus, not faith, saves. 

Faith is only a channel to the worthy object, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Note the progression throughout this chapter of the healed man's understanding of the person of Christ. First, he called Jesus “a Man" (verse 11); then "a prophet" (verse 17); and finally he realized that Jesus is the Son of God (verses 35-38).

For judgment I have come into this world. Jesus did not come into the world to execute judgment (3:17). Nevertheless, the inevitable result of His coming is judgment, because some refuse to believe (3:18). As the light of the world, Jesus came that the blind might see and those who think they can see will be made blind. The NKJV Study Bible

God does not listen to sinners The man offers the experts in the law his own interpretation. God listens to the righteous, not sinners, so the man who healed him cannot be a sinner.

The self-styled experts bristle at the man's spiritual insight and resort to an appeal to the traditional theology linking his disability with sin.

The formerly blind man is the only one to respond appropriately to Jesus. His journey from physical blindness to sight also symbolized his transition from spiritual darkness to finding the light of the world. Faithlife Study Bible.

John 9:15–16  Then the Pharisees also asked him again how he had received his sight. He said to them, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.”Therefore some of the Pharisees said, “This Man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath.”Others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” And there was a division among them.

Joshua 7:19 Now Joshua said to Achan, “My son, I beg you, give glory to the LORD God of Israel, and make confession to Him, and tell me now what you have done; do not hide it from me.”

John 5:22–30 For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him…

John 8:14–15 Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from and where I am going. You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. 

Psalm 34:15–17  

The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous,

And His ears are open to their cry.

The face of the LORD is against those who do evil,

To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth

In yesterday’s Sabbath Moment I mentioned the recent shootings. And how sometimes, with the violence in the news, it’s as if my heart, literally, stops. And I know that religious platitudes don’t work for me anymore.

But here’s my confession. If I give in to the mental exhaustion (of being overwhelmed), I begin to believe (and internalize) that empathy can be overwhelmed, compassion—and being a witness—can seem helpless, suffering can be too much to comprehend, and the level of public quarrel too much to absorb. Mercy. 

And I take heart in John Lewis’ reminder, “Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.” Sabbath Moments