Day 1 Mark 1
As we begin our Lenten journey together we are reminded of one of the main purposes of Lent which is the ashes of repentance. In Mark’s gospel the very first words from Jesus are “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15). In this Jesus connects the Good News, the Kingdom of God, repenting and believing as all being a part of faith.
The Greek word for repentance is metanoeo which means an inward change and implies for the better. It lends itself to a concept of stopping the bad and changing directions toward the good of God.
As we begin our Lent journey let us value the necessity of personal examination before God, repenting and responding to God’s call to change as the way of connecting to His Kingdom, which is His purpose for our lives. May Lent intentionally provide each of us with a precious time of consideration, evaluation and responsiveness to God.
Day 2 Thursday Mark 2
In Mark chapter 2 we are greeted quickly with the shocking behavior of Jesus not just healing a paralytic but in the process, stating that the man’s sins were forgiven. Some immediately accuse Him of blasphemy for claiming to forgive sins. Jesus responds by proving His authority by completing the miracle of healing the paralytic. Everyone present is stunned by what they witnessed.
The scene is immediately followed by Jesus approaching the tax collectors office and calling out to the tax collector Levi (probably also known as Matthew) and calling him to follow Jesus. Shockingly Levi rises and leaves his life of corruption and follows Jesus into a “new life”.
Quite often the world is shocked by a changed life. Some sadly even seem to root for a relapse of the person that seeks the new life. Lent calls us to consider the hope of a new life for me and you and everyone for this is the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The call is given from Jesus still, to every soul, “Follow Me”! Do you know anyone who needs to hear these words? Perhaps even you?
Day 3 Friday Mark 3
In today’s scripture from Mark chapter three there is a number of things that take place when the chapter concludes with Jesus’ family coming to Him and calling for Him.
Jesus responds to that with a rhetorical question, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” He looks around then and finishes His point. “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother, and sister and mother.” (Mark 3:33-34)
The Greek word for will is thelema and it means will, pleasure or desire. In essence Jesus is saying that His family are those who seek and do the will of God. In this it is clear that a Jesus follower is to seek to know and to seek to do the will of God because they understand that God is the Author of life and the Governor of the most loving interaction among humankind.
In this teaching we see again that one who does their own will instead of God’s is not seeking to be an active part of the family that God intends. We daily see the results of both sins that are mistakes and those that are purposeful disobedience. The great warning here is to recognize that one who purposely does not seek to foster God’s kingdom will instead foster their own kingdom. The consequences of such a false and foreign kingdom will leave one at odds with God and other humans. The results will be a corrupt, violent and selfish world. The consequences of which will heap damage and destruction upon multiple generations.
Day 4 Saturday Mark 4
On this day we see at the end of a chapter on hope and faith a record of a powerful and convicting event. After an evening of teaching Jesus and the disciples get into boats and begin to cross the Sea of Galilee to the other side.
As Jesus falls asleep in the boat a great storm comes up on the sea and the disciples unable to wrestle the boats from the grip of this terrible storm head to where Jesus is sleeping and wake Him with a question, “Teacher don’t you care if we perish?”
It seems that Jesus simply rises without response and faces off with the beastly storm with the three simple words. “Peace! Be still!” Immediately the frantic beast is tamed and there is calm. He then asks a penetrating question regarding the disciples’ fear and faith. This event leaves the disciples in awe asking each other “Who is this that even the wind and sea obey Him?” (Mark 4:35-40).
The story though quite literal also lends itself to the obvious symbolism of our lives, our storms and an invitation to give Him our fears and to pray for a faith that seeks Him even in the face of those fearful storms.
Perhaps the meaning of this passage is an invitation to not pray for fewer storms but instead for more of the active faith that just keeps seeking the presence of the One who calms the storms. Lent is a wonderful time to make sure that Christ is the captain of our boat.
Day 5 Monday Mark 5
In our lesson today we find three unexpected miracles piled on top of each other. A demon possessed man is set free. A long suffering woman with a bleeding problem is healed. A little girl who had died is raised from the dead.
In the first case a man possessed by demons approaches Jesus. Jesus casts them into swine and the swine crash into the sea. Sadly the town’s people upon the discovery beg Jesus to leave because of fear.
In the second example a woman who has had a bleeding problem for years secretly approaches Jesus. Unloved and unclean for years she has probably known a life of frustration and isolation because of her bleeding, she would be considered unclean by the law. But in the tiniest glimmer of hope she bravely risks enough to touch Jesus’s garment and finds healing.
Lastly Jairus the ruler of the synagogue approaches Jesus. His high position perhaps at risk by appealing to Jesus reveals his desperation. His precious little girl is near death, it is imminent.
Suddenly messengers arrive, “Your little girl is dead.” I can not imagine what Jairus must have looked like at that moment. Jesus responds to him with five loving words, “Do not fear, only believe.” Upon reaching the house Jesus clears away the doubters and goes to the girl. He takes her by the hand and says, Little girl arise.” She sits up life restored. Miracle number three!
In all these life changing interactions only one group of people missed out on the wondrous power of Jesus. The villagers in the first miracle who begged Him to leave. Sometimes people are so afraid of risking the newness of God’s freeing power that they remain where they are even though they are miserable. Perhaps because it is familiar. Perhaps they don’t have the energy to dare to risk the possibility of hope. Sometimes they may even see themselves as deserving their situation and unworthy of something better. Jesus wants everyone to know that He has come to offer hope and a better life. Even as such a possibility may seem extremely frightening, He promises that He will never leave us nor abandon us. He promises to help us find a new way forward. In His words echo hope, “Do not fear, only believe!” Oh God give us the strength to trust in Your hope!
Day 6 Tuesday Mark 6
In today’s passage we have relayed to us a lovely story of God’s compassion for His children as seen through the response of Jesus. We find that in the aftermath of the disciples returning from a missionary journey and the story of John the Baptist’s death that Jesus invites them to go with Him to a lonely place for a well earned time of rest.
As they get into a boat to cross the Sea of Galilee the crowds see where they are going and pursue them. Jesus’ healing miracles, His compassion and His love for the people has created quite a demand. In a world where not much has changed the need was as great then as it is now. His plan for a rest has been interrupted by human needs.
As they arrive at their destination the crowds have already gathered. Would it be so unreasonable for Him to have said, “Not today folks, we need rest. The church will reopen in a few days?”
The writer of Mark’s gospel notes that when Jesus saw the crowds He was moved with compassion. The Greek word is a word that indicates a deep inside feeling. He saw them as sheep that needed a shepherd to keep them from the wolves and guide them to a safe place. Instead of going away He taught them for such a long while that He also had to feed them dinner. A situation that brought about the miracle of feeding the 5000 as a response to their very human needs.
Perhaps you find yourself today a little lost, a little weary, a little hungry or just wondering if anyone cares about you or anything else anymore? I assure you that the One who cared 2000 years ago still feels that deep compassion for you today. Close your eyes and listen as a loving Shepherd is calling your name. He wants you to come away to place of hope far away from the wolves and emptiness of this world. Perhaps this is the day you hear His call and respond to His love for you.
Day 7 Wednesday Mark 7
Today we find that Jesus is talking to a gentile (non-Jewish) woman and the conversation takes a difficult and uncomfortable turn. She asks Him to heal her daughter and He shockingly refuses saying it is not right to give to the dogs what should belong to the children. She wisely responds that, “even the dogs get the crumbs that fall from the children’s table”. He seems to agree and then from a distance and without comment pronounces the child is already healed.
There are many smart people who have provided various explanations for this challenging passage. Perhaps it is as simple as Jesus first gives an answer that many would have expected in that world. Perhaps an answer that she even believed. Maybe one that even some of His disciples who witness this believe. Perhaps He then as an excellent teacher, allows her after some reflection to grasp the correct answer and surprise everyone. Perhaps even surprise and bring some healing to herself by her conclusion. The fact that He healed the child shows His approval of her conclusion – that God really, really does love those that cultures label as the “disposable underdogs”. That He does not consider them “dogs” NO MATTER WHAT. Even if a person fears it might be true and has owned the labels. Jesus assures them their labels are not them. In God’s eyes they matter, therefore in reality THEY ALL MATTER! YOU MATTER! WE ALL MATTER! How the world could be different if this were recognized!
Day 8 Thursday Mark 8
Through eight chapters of Mark’s gospel we have seen Jesus love people, help people, feed people and heal people. He has used His miraculous powers for the good of others time after time. It is no wonder so many people are seeking Him.
Even in this eighth chapter we see more of the same. And then we get to verse 31 where He begins to speak of the necessity of His own death for the sake of the people that God loves so much. Peter shocked by this claim plainly states his objection to Jesus. Peter like most Jewish people at that time hoped that the Messiah would be one that would bring about the Kingdom in the present age. Many hoped that the Messiah would set the Jewish people free from the control of a foreign power and so the concept of Jesus the Messiah dying was unfathomable.
Jesus however knew that God had called Him to be a sacrifice for the sins of all people. That the cross was His destination and that His resurrection would be the final evidence that He was Who He claimed to be. It must have been hard for Jesus to agree to this not only for the obvious physical reasons but also because he had come to love His friends so much. Leaving them would be very difficult to do.
What a wonderful example of God’s love Jesus provides for us. While He lived on earth He served people tirelessly. His final actions would be to finally show His greatest love and service by giving His life for us. Upon His resurrection Jesus was still serving in love by promising to never leave us and to be with us always. His concern was always about loving God and humanity through sacrificial service.
What a wonderful thing to know that He is still there for us. He is still there for anyone, no matter what they have done or where they have been. He spent His life making this known and then after His time on earth, this was the central message of His flowers to a struggling world.
As we start the second week of Lent, I hope that you know He is calling your name. If you are still not sure keep moving forward on this journey. Keep reading this devotion. Perhaps go to church this weekend. Talk with God and ask Him to show you the way. He loves you more than you can imagine, He has purpose for your life and His greatest hope is to be able to be with you now through eternity!
Day 9 Friday Mark 9
In today’s reading Jesus proclaims that there are some there who will not taste death until they see the Kingdom of God coming with power. In all three Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) this passage is immediately followed by what is called the Transfiguration (Mark 9:2-10). The highlighted point of the Transfiguration is not just the miraculous appearance of Moses and Elijah but the boom voice of God saying, “This is My beloved Son, listen / hear Him!”
Many scholars believe that this what Jesus meant by seeing the “Kingdom coming with power.” The powerful Kingdom of God was affirmed with His presence and the effect of salvation was being ushered in through the cross and Easter resurrection. What an experience for Peter, James and John!
The kicker for me is what happens next after they come down off of the mountain in verses 14-29. Reality hits them hard, there is chaos all around and Jesus even sighs over the very real condition of human struggle. They come off the mountain to find the other disciples unable to cast out a demon from a boy.
As Jesus then casts out the demon there are two parts that I want to highlight as deeply meaningful to me. First in verses 23-24 Jesus taches that nothing is impossible with God. However, as he asks the child’s dad if he believes that this is true the dad answers with a prayer that is so applicable to us today. “I do believe, Lord help my unbelief! Wow! Now that is a very honest prayer. One that I find myself uttering often. That is a prayer that says I believe that You God can do anything but as far as it depends upon me I know I sometimes am paralyzed with fear, help me to focus on and trust YOU!
Last thought for today. In verse 29 the disciples inquire about their failure. Jesus says, “This kind can only be driven out by prayer and fasting.” There is great power in prayer and fasting. Lent is a season that invites both. Classic fasting has one intentionally giving up a meal or meals and replace it with prayer and study. Not everyone can fast food because of health situations (Please consult your doctor before fasting food). However, there are other things that can be fasted such as an hour or more of electronic media, tv, social media, etc.. These can then be replaced with something that connects us better to God. Lent is a season that invites us to discover the power of a greater connection with God’s kingdom in the hope that it is something we want to experience even beyond Lent.
Day 10 Saturday Mark 10
In the 10th chapter of Mark we are reminded of God’s calling on our life. To trust Him with the very depth of our heart even as we face difficult tasks and circumstances. We are reminded of the problem of our hard hearts and the need to come to Jesus like a child.
The lesson is plain, nothing can be the desire of our heart more than God. Anything that we would love as much will certainly become an impediment to our childlike trust of Him. We find one (the Rich Young Man) who by all appearances should definitely “be in” shockingly is not. His heart is unable to come with that childlike trust, for that which he loved more is his impediment.
The dismayed disciples hear again, “With men it is impossible, but with God all things are possible” in reference to who can be saved. (v. 27) Then again, comes the proclamation that the “Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.” (v. 45)
We are left with both clarity and confusion. The Gift of Jesus will purchase grace for you and me. It seems so precious and so wonderful to be loved by God so much. But then, the world shows its false treasures. And, even though we know they are finite they can seem so attractive. So many messages, both subtle and overt bid us to notice the glittering pyrite (fool’s gold) of this world – and like it or not, it tempts us. Faltering, we rediscover the very meaning of temptation is that which truly tempts us! We know we struggle with something beyond us.
In that moment if only we can pause and refocus. If only we can allow a moment of true contemplation, a breath of prayer, a moment to hear His voice. The holy reminder, “With humans it is impossible My child. Take My hand, let Me give you strength. Let Me remind you that you are made in the ‘Image of God’. You were created to be God’s child. Wonderfully made and loved. Allow Me to show you a more beautiful way to live!”
If today you find that the “fool’s gold” is still clenched in your weary hand, please know that Christ’s hand is still extended in love to you. However, remember you can’t grasp His hand while you still grip a fraudulent treasure. True wisdom bids us to let go, and take hold of His hand. Why would we retain that which is wasting away while we could hold the hand which gives us life?