Danny Panter – Page 37 – The Everyday Prayer

Mosaic of Wrongs

Re: Verse reading–Mark 14:43-52; 15:1-15 (day six)

“Why, what evil has he done?”-Pilate

That was Pilate’s immediate response to the frenzied cries to crucify Jesus. At best it was a half-hearted defense of Jesus; an effort to talk sense into the crowd. Everybody knew Jesus was innocent; the crowd, the Pharisees, Pilate, Herod, everyone knew he had done no wrong, he had done nothing worthy of capital punishment. Pilate did not know just how right he was though; Jesus had done no wrong EVER, not once had he sinned. The irony in this narrative is that it is everyone else’s “wrong” that stands out, not Jesus’. Judas’ betrayal, the Apostles’ flight, Pilate’s crowd-pleasing capitulation, the angry crowd, all a mosaic of wrongs.

Perhaps, one of the purposes of this narrative, is not for us only to see Jesus laying down His life, but to see ourselves for who we truly are, to see ourselves in the mosaic.

Gospel Depth

Re:Verse reading–Mark 14:12-31 (day six)

Mark is coming to a close, but it is a Gospel after all, and thus rapidly moves towards the Cross. In this narrative we have the securing of the upper room, the enunciation of a new covenant, the prediction of betrayal(s), followed by immediate denials (they were all wrong; perhaps most of all Peter). All narratives that we seem so familiar with. How do we look at these in a fresh way that doesn’t seem trivial? I suppose the best reminder is that we never graduate from the Gospel, nor those particular events leading up to the Cross. Every so often in ministry, I have heard the occasional mantra, “I want something deeper.” As if the Gospel is wading through shallow waters, no in fact, there is nothing more profound and worthy of contemplation.

Bountiful

Re: Verse reading–Mark 11:12-33 (day six)

In the beginning God invited Adam and Eve to eat of all the fruit of the garden, save one. That fruit would only bring suffering and death. Jesus came that we might have life and life abundantly; he came that we might be free again to know the bounty of good fruit, to taste and see that the Lord is good.

I know you know this, but it must be said, Jesus desires that you bear much fruit, he died in fact, and rose again, that you might. He beckons you to believe, to listen to His voice and obey, and to pray for Kingdom fruit. Is that not what he told his Apostles, “Abide in me and you will bare much fruit,” and “whatever you ask of God and believe, it will be yours.” The invitation is true and clear, will you taste the bountiful fruit of God, will it manifest in your life and others? You can even today.

Lift

Re:Verse reading–Mark 9:14-29 (day six)

“Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.” Mark 9:27

Amidst the arguing scribes, the father who struggled with unbelief, the disciples who lacked faith was a boy, a young man. As far as he could remember he had no control over his own life, but only knew slavery to an evil spiritual force. For all practical purposes he was dead, numb; it was how it had always been…until Jesus. The moment Jesus was near a battle had begun in his body and mind. The evil one tugged and pulled inside his body in a different way then he was used to, as if to back away, to turn around; it had never felt like this before. And then Jesus’ words came like hammer blows against the internal shackles, and he was free. He had never known freedom; not that he could remember. He lay still, at peace, so still he heard whispers, “He is dead.” In that very moment Jesus’ hand wrapped around his own, strong, not like stone, but like a father’s embrace. In Jesus’ strength he rose to his feet, as new found strength returned to sinew and bone. And he believed.

You don’t work for great faith, you receive it, as from a strong and mighty hand that lifts you up.

Seeing

Re:Verse reading–Mark 8:27-38 (day six)

Jesus wanted Peter to see, not in part but the whole of things. That’s why this moment between Jesus and Peter is one of grace; it was spittle gently applied to his eyes (much like he did with the blind man). All he could see was blurred images, but soon he would see clearly.

What was true for Peter is true for us. Jesus desires that we not only see Him for who He is, but also see clearly the nature of God’s Kingdom. It is nothing like the Kingdom of men that fight for self-preservation at the expense of their own souls. No, we lose our life to Jesus because it is in Him that our eternal lives and joy rest most secure. Do you see?

Watching

Re:Verse reading – Mark 7:1-23 (day six)

The Pharisees were watching Jesus’ disciples from afar, always bent on finding fault, shortcomings. They came by them easy enough, these were fishermen and tax collectors after all. Point, gasp, sneer, all part of their judgemental vernacular. Look they didn’t wash their hands; can’t even follow the simplest of traditions.

Look, it is easy to find fault in others; it doesn’t take much time or effort. It is easy to point, or roll our eyes, quietly feeling better about ourselves. It takes more effort to encourage others, to be a help not a hinderance, but the gains far outweigh any sacrifice.

What are you watching for? Be careful; the watching can keep you from loving and serving others.

Amazed, Pt. 2

Re:Verse reading– Mark 6:1-13 (day seven)

Jesus marveled because of their unbelief. Mark 6:6

People were amazed by the formerly demon possessed man’s story, the people of Capernaum were amazed by Jesus’ teaching, now it is Jesus’ turn to be amazed, but not by their great faith, but by their unbelief. It begs the question, why was he so amazed by their unbelief? It could be that he was amazed by their hardness of heart.

There is nothing truer, more real, than God. This is why blaspheme is such a big deal, it ascribes evil to that which is clearly of God (the Holy Spirit). It is akin to denying that the source of warmth on your skin belongs to the heat radiating from the Sun, and then denying that the Sun even exists. Jesus’ teaching, healing, and even his very person were literal statements of an obvious divine reality. His hometown would not have it; they denied the Son.

The greatest way we acknowledge the reality of the Son is to enjoy his presence and to do what he asks of us. How can you embrace the truth of Jesus today?

Amazed

Re:Verse reading– Mark 5:1-20 (day six)

People were amazed by the man’s story. Everywhere he went he told his story, and people marveled. This isn’t surprising, after all his story IS remarkable; demon possessed man returns to his right mind after being restored by the Son of the Most High God. Now that’s a story!

What is even more amazing is that Jesus commissioned him to go tell people about his encounter with the Most High God, rather than stay with him. What if his family and friends responses were directly tied to the authority in which he was commissioned to tell his story? What if it wasn’t his story at all, but Jesus at work in those who heard it because he was faithful to tell it.

Here’s the thing, we were not called to linger with Jesus, but to follow Jesus. Our commission is no different than the Gerasene man’s; we too must go and tell our Gospel story. God’s plan for His Kingdom was always predicated on our telling others what He has done; we just might be amazed by peoples responses when we do.

Go tell it on on the mountain…and everywhere.

Opposition

Re:Verse reading–Mark 3: 20-35 (six)

This chapter is full of opposition, and some from the most unexpected places. Every which way he went he faced those who would keep Him from fulfilling His mission. The establishment opposed him, demons opposed him, and even his family opposed him, although in a different way from the first two. Here’s the thing, following Jesus is not the most socially or culturally prudent thing to do; it makes you abnormal, like you are “losing your mind.”

But remember what Jesus said, “whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:39) So go ahead, “lose” your mind; go crazy for Jesus’ sake; upend the status quo. Will you find opposition? Yes, from some unexpected places even, that mean well (just like Jesus’ family meant well), but like many before you, you will discover that real life is not found in the opposition but in Jesus alone.

Kinds

Re:Verse reading–Mark 2:1-12 (day six)

What kind of faith gets Jesus’ attention? What kind of faith merits His forgiveness? Jesus doesn’t always heal in this direction, faith first. He doesn’t always say, “your faith has made you well.” Sometimes he chooses to heal first and faith comes later. But not in this case. So what caught the savior’s eye? What kind of faith pleases God?

Hebrews 11:6 tells us, “Without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would draw near to HIM must believe that HE exists and rewards those who seek HIM.” What is clear is that all their hope began and ended with this man Jesus. They didn’t know all there was to know about Jesus, but they believed in all they knew, all of what he had taught, and all he had done.

How about you? With all that you know about Jesus, this side of the Cross, is your faith pleasing to God?