Daily Readings (Page 285)

“Who are my mother and my brothers?” [Jesus] asked (v33). These are deep family relationships. What is Jesus’ answer?

What is the point in Jesus’ rebuttal of his opponents’ accusation? What strong warning has Jesus issued to them?

What did the teachers of the Law from Jerusalem identify as the source of Jesus’ powerful public ministry? What are they effectively calling Jesus?

Why do those supposedly closest to Jesus in his life and ministry react against his public demand? What tension does that surface?

This is not just a list of twelve names – ordinary individuals though they are. What binds them to Jesus? Why is Judas Iscariot singled out in verse 19?    

The title ‘apostle’ is used here to refer specifically to the twelve disciples of Jesus. What is their commission? How are they prepared to serve?

What have you learnt regarding the hardness of our human hearts?  If you have a similarly hard heart, ask Jesus to soften it so that you may be receptive to God’s prompting.

Why did the Pharisees remain silent (v4)?  What were they admitting in their silence?

What did David’s breaking of the Sabbath (vv25-26)have to do with His teaching that “the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath”(v28)?

What principle was Jesus reiterating when He spoke about David not only eating the consecrated bread which was lawful only for the priests to eat but also giving some to his companions (v26)?