The Parable of the Lamp and the Growing Seed (Mark 4:21-29)

The Parable of the Lamp and the Growing Seed (Mark 4:21-29)

What do we truly want? We want to know. Everyone has their own fields of interest. Stocks, employment, sales, tourist attractions, and restaurants are common interests for many. However, God is the source of all knowledge (Proverbs 2:6). Furthermore, God delights in making things known to us (James 1:5; Colossians 1:9-10). What God gives us is the truth.

In Mark 4:21-29, Jesus tells the Parable of the Lamp and the Parable of the Growing Seed. Here, He teaches the secret of what the Word of God is and how the sown Word grows.

A Lamp on a Stand (Luke 8:16-18)

21 He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand? 22 For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.” (Mark 4:21-23)

The Parable of the Lamp reveals the role of God’s Word. God is light, and His Word is a lamp. The Word of God is the key that unlocks the secrets of the Kingdom of God. These secrets include the secrets of humanity, evil, Christ, redemption, and bearing fruit.

It reveals where humans come from and where we are going; how we fell and how we reach salvation; how we grow; why pain and suffering continue; why there is a gap between our desires and reality; and what the true hope of humanity is.

Furthermore, it reveals how God created man, how and why He saves fallen man, how He loves us, why He refines us, and for what purpose He allows hardship and pain. Above all, it reveals the heavenly inheritance God has given to those who believe.

The Word of God is a lamp. A lamp is not intended to be hidden under a bed, but to be placed on a stand. A lamp illuminates dark places. God’s light fills all creation (Genesis 1:14). By day the sun shines, and by night the moon—reflecting the sun—shines over the darkness. The sky is filled with countless stars that embroider the dark night.

Therefore, nothing can be hidden or concealed before God. Everything is laid bare before Him.

13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:13)

God observes all things with eyes like blazing fire, and He knows the hearts of all people (Revelation 2:18; John 2:24-25). God shines His holy light into the human heart.

People think they can hide things, but they cannot. There is a Korean proverb that says, "Birds hear the words spoken by day, and mice hear the words spoken by night." It means there are no secrets in this world. How much more is it true that nothing can be hidden from the Creator God who made all things?

2 There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 3 What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs. (Luke 12:2-3)

How Does God Speak?

God reveals His divine power and glory through His creation and through our bodies (Romans 1:19). God also reveals His grace and kindness through the hardships, pain, and sorrows of life (Isaiah 30:20-21; 1 Peter 4:12). The pain and suffering that everyone experiences is an expression and evidence of God’s holy love (Hebrews 12:6). He reveals His holy glory even through disasters like floods and through wars.

Most importantly, Christ who dwells within us guides, teaches, and protects us (Colossians 1:27). God sends the Spirit of truth, the Holy Spirit, into us; He gives us the power to obey by faith and pours out the grace to repent and turn back to Him. Also, when we open the Bible to read and meditate, He pours out the grace of understanding and inspiration.

Therefore, anyone can believe in and rely on God, who is present throughout all creation, and place their hope in the Lord (Psalm 19:1; Ephesians 1:23). God dwells in the hearts of believers, guiding, leading, and protecting them daily through His Word. Although we face tribulations in this world, we hope for the Kingdom of Heaven, which God has given as a promise.

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

The Secret of Growth: Hearing and Obeying

"Consider carefully what you hear," he continued. "With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them." (Mark 4:24-25)

Humans are constantly listening. As children, we listen to our parents; in school, we listen to teachers. We even listen to the internal monologue within ourselves. However, not everything we hear is the truth. In particular, there is the whispering voice of the devil—the "ruler of the kingdom of the air" and the father of lies (Ephesians 2:2). The devil’s voice isn't always a 100% lie; it is often cleverly mixed with truth (Genesis 3:1).

Just like the spam mixed into our daily emails and texts, falsehoods are blended into our lives. If we listen poorly, we face ruin. Therefore, we must discern what we hear. This is God’s holy promise: those who hear, receive, and obey the word of God’s truth will produce a crop—thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times what was sown (Mark 4:8, 20).

Those who obey God’s Word engrave that truth deep in their hearts as a heavenly blessing. Abraham, who moved to Canaan in faithful obedience, experienced and believed in God as his "shield" and "very great reward" (Genesis 15:1). We cannot obey by knowing every outcome; we do it by faith. Consequently, obedience strengthens that faith, making it deeper and higher.

This is why those who obey by faith continue to receive "measure" (understanding). Conversely, those who lack faith and do not obey lose even what they have. This is the secret of growing in Christ: without obedience, you cannot truly grasp the truth.

God showed us the ultimate model of obedience through His Son. Jesus gave His life to obey the Father’s will (Philippians 2:8). Obedience involves risk. Abraham moved to Canaan, a place where he had nothing to rely on, simply because he believed and obeyed God's promise.

God is eternal. In Him are hidden all the treasures of eternal wisdom and knowledge (Romans 11:33; Colossians 2:3). We are called to a holy journey of discovering these treasures. While this journey is filled with challenges, we do not walk it alone. Jesus Christ, who did not spare His own life for us, is always with us (Matthew 28:20; Romans 8:32).

The Parable of the Growing Seed

He also said, "This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come." (Mark 4:26-29)

The Parable of the Growing Seed reveals a growth process that is invisible to the eye. The Kingdom of God is like the Son of Man sowing seed in the field of the human heart. The seed grows, but we cannot see how it happens. In reality, for a seed to grow, it must first fall to the ground and "die" (John 12:24). It seems dead and buried, but from there, the sprout, the head, and finally the fruit emerge.

While the preparation happens underground, the sprout and the grain eventually become visible markers of growth. Christians may not have a physical "sign" of growth, but the evidence appears as we become more like Christ.

As the years pass in Christ, we find ourselves becoming:

• Less: Angry, shocked, anxious, resentful, and envious.
• More: Forgiving, loving, thankful, hopeful, and compassionate.

We begin to forgive even those who are hard to love. Instead of demanding our rights, we learn to yield and let go. Why? Because Christ loved us that way (Romans 5:8) and because we know our reward is not on this earth, but stored in heaven (1 Peter 1:3-4).

The process of "dying to self," like a seed rotting in the earth, is difficult. It feels like moving a mountain (Matthew 17:20). But for a follower of Jesus, this is not an option—it is essential (Mark 8:34). Just as God raised Christ from the dead, He also brings us to life with Him (Ephesians 2:5).

How Do We Grow?

God created us in His image. He rescues those fallen in Adam and shines the lamp of His truth upon every person. He constantly sows the seed of His Word to produce a hundredfold harvest.

God’s Word is like our breath; without it, we die. It is our food and drink. Jesus taught us to pray for our "daily bread" (Matthew 6:11) to remind us that we must consume His Word daily. To eat and drink His Word is to walk with Him. Apart from Him, we have no life (John 15:4).

God dwells within us forever (John 14:16-17). Following the example of obedience set by the Lord, we fix our eyes on Him and walk the path of faith. We do this knowing that God delights in giving us what we need (John 14:13-14).

"And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." (2 Corinthians 9:8)

"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do." (James 1:5-8)

Amen!

January 18, 2026

Buffalo Livingstone Church ©2026, David Lee Ministries ©2026 – All Rights Reserved.

Scripture quotes are from the NIV.

 

 

The Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:1-20)

 

The Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:1-20)

Among the phrases Jesus repeated often is this one: "Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear." God is the Beginning (Alpha) and the End (Omega), and He is eternal (Revelation 1:8, 21:6, 22:13; 2 Corinthians 9:8). In God, there is no lack; He is abundant (Psalm 23:1; Philippians 4:19). Therefore, those who belong to God continue to be fruitful and bear overflowing fruit (John 15:5).

In Mark 4:1-20, Jesus tells the parable of the sower and explains its meaning. Those who hear the word, accept it, and obey it produce a crop—thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times what was sown. Life without fruit is a waste and leads to destruction. Therefore, bearing fruit is essential. Fruits are the evidence of faith.

The Parable of the Sower

1 Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water’s edge. 2 He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: 3 “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.” 9 Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” (Mark 4:1-9)

A parable conveys a deep intended meaning through an easy-to-understand story from everyday life. Jesus taught the secrets of the kingdom of heaven through many parables. For example, He said that it is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. This illustrates the truth that God’s redeeming grace in Christ comes to those who realize they are spiritually ill—trapped in sin.

Jesus sat in a boat and taught the crowds gathered at the shore. Among His teachings, the parable of the sower reveals the secret of bearing fruit in the kingdom of heaven through a story about farming. In this parable, the only ground where the seed produces fruit is the good soil; the path, the rocky ground, and the thorny ground fail to produce a crop.

The seed sown in all four types of soil is identical. However, depending on the soil, it either bears fruit or it doesn't. Fruit is vital. It is a blessing and the evidence of faith. For a believer, this fruit is the fruit of the Spirit, and it is stored in heaven where it cannot be seen (Matthew 5:12, 6:4; 1 Corinthians 3:12-15; James 1:12). The fruit that believers enjoy includes love, joy, peace, and patience (Galatians 5:22-23).

However, failure to bear proper fruit leads to trouble and distress, and ultimately, eternal judgment (Romans 2:8; Matthew 7:19-20). Though chosen as one of the Twelve, Judas Iscariot rejected Christ and bore bitter fruit instead of good fruit. God chose Israel and hoped they would yield good grapes, but they yielded only wild grapes (Isaiah 5:4). Instead of the fruit of justice and righteousness, they produced the bad fruit of oppression and exploitation (Isaiah 5:7).

In His great patience, God desires everyone to repent, turn back, and bear good fruit (1 John 1:9; Acts 17:30; 2 Peter 3:9). Fruit is produced by remaining in Christ, who is the vine (John 15:1-16). All good fruit comes from heaven, not from the earth. Because there is nothing good in human nature, we cannot produce good fruit on our own (Genesis 6:5; Mark 7:21-23; Romans 7:21). Therefore, to bear fruit, we must remain in Jesus Christ, who is goodness itself.

The Purpose of the Parables

10 When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. 11 He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables 12 so that, ‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’” (Mark 4:10-12)

The disciples asked why He spoke in parables and what they meant. Like the disciples, those who want to know the meaning—those who believe in and follow the Lord Jesus Christ—are given the secrets of the kingdom of God. This "secret" is the way of salvation. We understand it only because the Lord reveals it; no one can figure it out on their own. It cannot be understood through wealth, talent, or achievement. Parables are teachings that reveal these secrets. Those who hear and understand are given the kingdom of God.

However, to "those on the outside"—those who do not believe or follow—the parables remain just stories, and the meaning is lost on them. For instance, if a farmer hears this story and dismisses it as something he already knows without seeking the hidden secret, he cannot know the kingdom. This fulfills the prophecy: they see but do not perceive, hear but do not understand, and thus do not turn to receive forgiveness (Isaiah 6:9-10). While parables reveal the kingdom, outsiders remain ignorant because of their hardened unbelief. Because of this lack of faith, they do not reach forgiveness or salvation.

In fact, the Jews of that time saw the miracles performed by Jesus, the Son of God, with their own eyes but did not recognize Him. They heard His divine voice but did not understand. Even in the Old Testament, they heard the words of the prophets but failed to perceive the truth (Isaiah 6:9-10; 2 Chronicles 36:15-16; Acts 13:27). Instead, they preferred the "sweet" lies of false prophets (Jeremiah 23:16, 21; Ezekiel 2:3-7; Isaiah 30:9-11).

The Sower Sows the Word

13 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable? 14 The sower sows the word.” (Mark 4:13-14)

The parable of the sower serves as the foundation for interpreting all other parables. The sower sows the word. The sower is the Son of Man (Matthew 13:37). The word is the truth of God and the key to the secrets of the kingdom of heaven. God’s Word, from Genesis to Revelation, is God-breathed and is "useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

God sows His word of truth into people. This begins with hearing. How do we hear God’s word? We can read it or meditate on it. But that’s not all. God reveals His invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—to humanity through what has been made (Romans 1:19-20). Even for those who haven’t encountered the written word, the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, and their consciences bear witness (Romans 2:14-15).

Seed Sown Along the Path

"Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them." (Mark 4:15)

A heart like the path represents a hard and stubborn lack of faith. It is a heart that refuses to believe in God and rejects the Christ He sent. When they hear the word, Satan comes immediately and steals what was sown. Because this kind of heart doesn't react to the word at all, it produces no fruit. In this parable, the birds represent Satan. This doesn't mean birds are Satan, but that they serve as a symbol for him in this context. Satan refuses to obey God; instead, he opposes Him and tries to exalt himself (Isaiah 14:13). A hard heart that hears the word but does not respond is following Satan.

Seed Sown on Rocky Places

16 "Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. 17 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away." (Mark 4:16-17)

A heart like rocky ground responds to the word with joy. It is moved by the truth and receives grace. It agrees with God’s word, and joy fills that heart. However, the problem is that the ground is full of rocks, so the seed cannot take root. For those who obey God’s truth, trouble and persecution follow (John 15:19), just as the world hated and persecuted Jesus (John 15:18).

They receive the word with joy and last for a bit, but they fall away and bear no fruit when faced with hardship. They stumble because they complain about their troubles. Yet, trials and pain are common to everyone (1 Corinthians 10:13). Until the moment we die, thirst and longing continue. The difficulties we face in life are evidence of God’s holy love—tools of discipline intended to help us take root and bear fruit.

Seed Sown Among Thorns

18 "Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful." (Mark 4:18-19)

A thorny heart hears the word, but worries and greed choke it out. Worry is something everyone is good at without even trying; we are all "pros" at worrying. Anxiety settles in beside us like an unwelcome friend, caused by the uncertainty of the future, the gap between our desires and reality, and the habit of comparing ourselves to others.

Worry doesn't stop there; it brings anxiety, restlessness, complaining, and stress. It is completely unhelpful. These worldly worries swallow up the word before it has a chance to grow. Therefore, God does not rebuke us for our needs but tells us to ask Him, the God who gives generously (James 1:5).

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)

Furthermore, everyone likes money. Money is a necessity and is not wrong in itself. However, "the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil" (1 Timothy 6:10). Relying on money happens because of a lack of trust in God (1 Timothy 6:17-19; Matthew 6:24). God is the Lord of salvation who provides everything in abundance. We came into this world naked and will leave it naked (Job 1:21). Our Creator knows what we need and provides it (Matthew 6:33).

Seed Sown on Good Soil

"Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown." (Mark 4:20)

Seed that falls on good soil produces fruit—at least thirty, sixty, or a hundred times more. A good heart hears and accepts the word. It understands God’s truth and obeys. To those who hear and obey, God continues to give the grace to understand the secrets of the kingdom (Matthew 13:12).

What is obedience? The Lord Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of obedience. He was obedient to the point of death on a cross to fulfill the Father's will. God’s will was to redeem humanity from sin through the blood of His Son. Jesus set aside His equality with God, took on human form, and became incarnate (Philippians 2:6-8). He then offered Himself as the Passover Lamb.

Then, God raised Jesus from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said, and seated Him on the highest throne in heaven (Philippians 2:9-11). Now, whoever believes in God’s Son will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

The path to bearing fruit—thirty, sixty, or a hundredfold—is open to us. That path is to clothe ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ and follow Him down the road of the cross, the road of suffering, forgiveness, and love. Of course, there are challenges and pain. Though Jesus was sinless, He carried a cross of accusation, suffering, shame, and pain. This is the secret of the kingdom of heaven.

No one is "born" with good soil. Instead, everyone became children of God’s wrath (Ephesians 2:2). Anyone who hears the Lord's word, repents, and turns back to Him becomes "good soil." When you turn your heart back to the Lord, you will bear abundant fruit. We cannot help but praise and thank our Father, the God of grace and mercy. Amen!

January 11, 2026

Buffalo Livingstone Church ©2026, David Lee Ministries ©2026 – All Rights Reserved.

Scripture quotes are from the NIV.

 

Jesus Binds the Strong Man with His Blood (Mark 3:20-35)

 

Jesus Binds the Strong Man with His Blood (Mark 3:20-35)

How do we show love? We express it through gratitude, prayer, and gifts. But how did God demonstrate His love? He heard our groans and sighs and did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all (Romans 8:32). God accepted the blood of His Son; now, for everyone who believes, He breaks the chains of sin and death, adopts them as His children, and makes them brothers of Christ—heirs to the kingdom of heaven.

In Mark 3:20-35, Jesus was accused of being out of His mind and of driving out demons by Beelzebul. However, Jesus taught how He frees us from the hands of the "strong man" (the devil). He also taught that whoever does God’s will is His brother and mother. Amen!

Jesus and Beelzebul (Mark 3:20-22)

20 Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. 21 When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.” 22 And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.” (Mark 3:20-22)

Jesus and His disciples didn't even have a moment to eat. Huge crowds kept pressing in because they heard rumors of the great things He was doing and how He healed the sick (Mark 3:8, 10). Strangely, a rumor began to spread that Jesus was "crazy." This wasn't just because He missed a few meals.

Before starting His public ministry, Jesus lived quietly as a carpenter and had not performed miracles. But suddenly, countless sick people were being healed and amazing signs appeared through Him. Furthermore, Jesus didn't shy away from direct confrontations with religious leaders regarding the Sabbath and other traditions. Even the group of disciples He chose was completely unexpected (Mark 3:13-19). News about Jesus quickly became the "national headline."

Because of this, malicious and bizarre rumors spread. To His relatives, who knew Him best, the rumor that He was out of His mind was something they couldn't ignore. So, they went out to restrain Him.

To make matters worse, the teachers of the law from Jerusalem claimed Jesus was possessed by Beelzebul, the prince of demons. It was a baseless accusation: that His miracles didn't come from God, but from the power of demons. They maliciously tried to devalue His work because they did not belong to God, but to the devil.

We believe that demons are real. From Genesis 3 and  Job 1-2, the Bible never hesitates to reveal their reality. Jesus drove out many demons (Matthew 8:16, 12:28; Mark 1:34, 5:1-20). However, the Jews deeply misunderstood them. A demon cannot move a single finger without God’s permission (Job 1:12, 2:6). Demons are created beings—originally angels of light who were cursed after rebelling against God (Isaiah 14:12-17).

Binding the Strong Man (Mark 3:23-27)

23 So Jesus called them over to him and began to speak to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26 And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. 27 In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man’s house.” (Mark 3:23-27)

Jesus answered them: If Satan fights himself, his kingdom falls. History shows that while external invasions can destroy a nation, internal strife and jealousy often do the job first. Therefore, the claim made by the Jews was illogical and nonsensical—it was just stubbornness born of evil intent.

Jesus then used a parable to teach how to defeat the devil. In the parable, Satan is the "strong man." The devil craftily deceived the woman (who was yet without sin), and Adam ate the fruit she gave him (Genesis 3:1-6). Of course, this happened because God allowed it.

Now, God saves fallen humanity. To do this, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ (Genesis 3:15). People in sin are trapped in darkness, bound by the chains of Satan's lies (John 3:19-20; Ephesians 4:18). Those chains are strong and persistent. Without breaking them, there is no salvation. The problem is that no one can escape the "strong man’s" chains on their own.

The only way to be free is to receive forgiveness of sins from God, because the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). However, God cannot simply pretend sin doesn't exist. He is holy, and no evil can stand before Him (Psalm 5:4-5; Habakkuk 1:13).

Therefore, through the sacrificial system given to Moses, God opened a way for people to approach Him through the sacrifice of animals. Through that blood, sins are forgiven, and we are no longer under the power of sin and death but under grace (Romans 6:14). Thus, those forgiven by God can stand boldly before the throne of grace (Romans 5:1-2).

The blood of those animal sacrifices pointed to the blood our Lord Jesus Christ shed on the cross (Hebrews 9:12-14, 10:4; 1 Peter 1:19; Leviticus 17:14). In this way, through His shed blood, Jesus binds the power of the strong man (Satan) and sets the believer free. Jesus healing the sick and forgiving sins was a preview of His death on the cross. Amen!

Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit (Mark 3:28-30)

28 Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, 29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.” 30 He said this because they were saying, “He has an impure spirit.” (Mark 3:28-30)

There is no sin that cannot be forgiven by God's grace. Even the robber on the cross reached paradise by believing in Jesus just before he died (Luke 23:43). God overlooks our sins because of the blood of His Son (Ephesians 1:7; 1 John 1:7).

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)

However, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is never forgiven. What is this? The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth; He does not speak on His own but only what He hears (John 16:13). The Holy Spirit testifies that Jesus Christ, who died and rose again, is the Son of God (1 John 5:6-8; John 15:26). Therefore, blaspheming the Holy Spirit is the act of rejecting Jesus Christ as the Son of God. This is the work of the antichrist (1 John 2:22).

God has sent the Holy Spirit to all who believe (Romans 8:9; Ephesians 1:13-14). How do we know we are obeying the Spirit? We know it when we believe in the Son and follow the path of obedience. When we believe and obey, the Holy Spirit adds assurance within us.

Jesus’ Mother and Brothers (Mark 3:31-35)

31 Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. 32 A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.” 33 “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked. 34 Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mark 3:31-35)

Jesus' family came to get Him because they heard the rumors. They misunderstood Him too. Jesus taught who His true family is: anyone who does the will of God.

Jesus is the Creator God. Yet, He calls those redeemed by His blood His "brothers" (John 20:17; Hebrews 2:11). Who receives this grace? Those who, like Abraham and David, believe in the Son sent by God. Like the twelve disciples who struggled at first but eventually accepted the suffering Messiah through His death and resurrection.

In Adam, we were enemies of God and children of wrath, but through Christ’s blood, we were redeemed and adopted as God's children (Ephesians 2:3-6, 1:5). As Christ's siblings, we not only inherit the kingdom but also share in His sufferings (Romans 8:17).

The New Year 2026 Has Dawned

By God’s grace, we have become His children, brothers, and sisters who inherit the kingdom with Christ. We belong to Him. We have received one-sided, overwhelming grace. Those who belong to Him bear good fruit through obedience (John 15:5).

3 We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. (1 John 2:3-6)

Let us live worthy of that grace this year, participating in the remaining sufferings of Christ with diligence, patience, and obedience (Philippians 1:27). It is possible because we are set free from the bondage of Satan by the blood of Jesus Christ. Living worthy of grace means forgiving and loving our brothers and sisters just as Christ forgave us. Not just once, but seventy-seven times a day (Matthew 18:21-22). I pray that we continue to love and forgive throughout this year.

"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32)

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (Colossians 3:12-14)

Amen!

January 4, 2026

Buffalo Livingstone Church ©2026, David Lee Ministries ©2026 – All Rights Reserved.

Scripture quotes are from the NIV.