Verses 1-9
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Verses 1-5. When we look at the sins of others, it's easier for us to see their sins as worse than ours.
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However, no matter our sins, if we do not turn from them, we cannot be saved.
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Understand that repentance is necessary for salvation. No matter how much a person thinks they believe in Jesus, without turning away from sin, they will be condemned to hell the same as anyone else.
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Verses 6-9. If we are truly believers, we will bear fruit of repentance (Matthew 3:8)—evidence showing that we are truly believers.
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Anyone who does not show repentance in their actions is given time. God is patient with us.
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In the end, if we don't have good fruit, judgment will come, and we will be cut down and thrown into the fire (Matthew 3:10).
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So, be serious about turning away from sin! See Mark 9:42-48.
Verses 10-17
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See teaching on Mark 3 for additional insights.
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Verses 10-13. Notice about this healing that the woman had a “spirit of infirmity”—a demon had caused her ailment. Satan had bound her (verse 16).
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Remember that the devil, even demons, can cause sicknesses directly. Just be aware of this.
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Just as anyone would labor to bring relief to an animal on the Sabbath, if it were suffering, how much more important is it that people are relieved from suffering on the Sabbath?
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Even so, bringing rest and healing to others is always important, and at any time!
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If you create an excuse to avoid helping a person who needs help, and that excuse is based on something religious—like a day of rest—you are being a hypocrite.
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God always wants you to help people, so always be ready! Serving others is the most God-honoring thing you could do! See James 1:27.
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Verses 18-21
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See teaching on Matthew 13 and Mark 4 for commentary.
Verses 22-30
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Few people are saved! There will even be people who wanted to be saved, and tried to be saved, but nevertheless are condemned. How could this be?
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Many people believe they're familiar with Jesus. They would say that they know Jesus, and would say that Jesus knows them. This it typically because they frequented their church, they hung out with believers...they even prayed regularly.
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And yet, they were not saved because they did not truly repent and believe, showing it by their action behind closed doors.
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Understand that being associated with the church or with believers does not make you a believer.
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Know also that being saved means going the hard way—the hard and uncomfortable way of turning away from sin. If it's not uncomfortable, it's not the way of salvation or obedience. Remember this!
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Verses 31-33
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The Pharisees tried to use a fear-tactic to get Jesus to leave, and likely because they didn't like what He was saying.
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But Jesus responded boldly, telling them that He was going to continue His work regardless, and that He was going to walk right into the place where He would be killed (where all the prophets were killed), and without fear.
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Always continue what God's Word tells you to do, and don't let critics or persecutors stop you or slow you down.
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Jesus finishes by saying that God has always wanted to bring the Jews to salvation, but they were unwilling.
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This supports a doctrine of free will. We have to choose to be willing to be saved, as a starting point.
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Verse 35. Jerusalem would be destroyed and made desolate, Jesus prophesies here (this happened in 70 AD).
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He also reveals that He will not be seen again until He returns for His Second Coming.
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This is one of a few verses that tells us that Jesus does not and will not physically appear to people until He returns (Acts 3:21). Keep this in mind and consider it a red flag if a person claims to have seen Jesus.
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