Category: MARK

RE Verse reading–Mark 14:1-9 (day one)
“And they rebuked her harshly.”  (vs 5)  Sad.  People are often critical of others on religious grounds.  We second guess the songs they sing, the emotions they express, the liturgy they use.  The irony (often) is that the critic is more deserving of rebuke than the one being criticized.  Mark 14 tells the story of a simple (extravagant, yes, but still simple) act of worship by Mary toward Christ.  She opens an expensive jar of perfume and pours it out on His head and feet.  She is harshly criticized for it.  How typical.  How sad.  “Do not judge lest you be judged. . .why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?  You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, then you will see clearly (and compassionately–ed. note) to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”  (Matthew 7:1,3,5)

RE Verse reading–Mark 12:28-34 (day seven)
“Well said, teacher,” the man replied.  “You are right in saying that God is one . . .To love Him. . .and to love your neighbor. . .is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”  (vs 32-33)  I am impressed with this scribe.  Jesus was too.  He was more open and honest than his culture and colleagues.  Not controlled by the prejudice of the crowd or tradition.  How does this happen?  The work of God.  “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent me draws him.”  (John 6:44)  Christ notices this man’s spiritual appetite. He spots “one in the crowd”.  All of us should be so sensitive.  Even on stressful days, we are likely to encounter people in whom God has been at work.  Our task is to watch and be ready.  He gives openness to people not yet in the Kingdom.   He gives opportunity to us to help them get all the way in.

RE Verse reading–Mark 12: 28-34 (day six)
“Well said, teacher,” the man replied.  “You are right.”  (vs 32)  Jesus is brilliant.  Morally.  Spiritually.  “O how I love Thy law.  It is my meditation all the day.  Thy commandments make me wiser than my enemies.”  (Psalm 119:97-98)  His answer to the scribe’s question was breathtaking in balance.  It perfectly diagrammed the duty of man.  First we are to look upward to God.  Worship.  As we perceive His character we are to emulate.  “You be Holy, because I am Holy”.  Second we are to look outward.  If God is love then we must love.  Him and others.  The opposite of self-centeredness.  Third we are to look inward.  Our obedience must be in the heart rather than an outward conformity to rules.  What perfect perspective the Lord has on true life!  What practical wisdom He has for all who declare Him Lord!  May we all say with the scribe, “Well said, teacher, you are right!”

RE Verse reading–Mark 12:28-34 (day five)
As a child I asked this question a million times. As a parent I’ve answered this question a billion times. Jesus’ words to this religious leader in verse 34 of this passage are both encouraging (maybe the kindest words He ever spoke to any Pharisee- “You are not far from the Kingdom of God”) and haunting (He basically tells this man “You are not there yet”). My kids raise their version of this question often in reference to time. The follow up question is frequently “How much longer?” Entry into the Kingdom of God is not marked by time or location. Rather entry is indicated by a changed heart that demonstrates evidence of the Work of the Holy Spirit in reshaping our thoughts, attitudes, behaviors, motives, desires, passions, and so much more. (Galatians 5:22-23) Arrival and residence in God’s Kingdom will result in a new perspective and passion that seeks to trust, honor, and serve The King.

RE Verse reading–Mark 12:28-34 (day four)
Jesus was in dialogue with the religious leaders.  They knew the law…they knew the source of Jesus’ authority, but they refused to accept it.  When asked if John the Baptist’s message was from God or from man, they knew the correct answer but would not believe it…so they said they didn’t know.  They were so disoriented to God that their hearts and minds were hardened to the truth.  Now in verse 28, one of the Scribes came to Jesus and recognized that He was answering correctly.  The Scribe’s heart was open to truth.  Jesus said, “you are not far from the kingdom of God”.  How far are we?  We spend day after day in the world…assaulted by its attacks on truth…becoming completely disoriented in our heart, mind, soul, and strength.  That is why God gave us one day a week to pull aside and refocus on Him.  Do you acknowledge the authority of Jesus?  How have you responded to that authority?

RE Verse reading–Mark 12:28-34 (day three)
“And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.”  Songwriters often fear performing their songs for an audience.  Painters often dread exhibitions.  Actors languish in profound anxiety waiting on the critical reviews after opening night.  Their music or their canvas or their character are extensions of themselves, and it’s not uncommon for them to view critique of their art as a critique of who they are or who they’re becoming.  So it is with belief.  If we really believe something, that belief is part of who we are.  To understand that we have believed something that turns out to be false is a prospect of which we are very much afraid.  So if we never seek truth from the Lord, we don’t have to fear that we’ve been wrong all along, do we?

Mark 12:28-34 (Day two)
Mark rarely tells of someone from the religious establishment being commended by Jesus. “You’re not far from the kingdom of God” is a glowing commendation. What made him different? Was it his knowledge of the Bible? He clearly knew not only the facts of the Old Testament but also the intention behind it. Possibly. But there were other Jewish teachers who discerned a deeper significance. Mark notes two characteristics unique to this man. First, he is the first of the scribes to approach Jesus alone. Coming to Jesus requires the courage to come alone if necessary. Second, he “heard…and saw that Jesus answered them well.” These details appear insignificant, but they mark out the characteristics of a true disciple. A follower of Jesus must hear, see and understand. Not to have these abilities is evidence of a “hardened,” unbelieving heart (8:17-18). So check your heart. Do you have courage to follow Jesus “though none go with me”? Do you perceive that Jesus answers “well” the questions of our day?

RE Verse reading–Mark 12:28-34 (day one)
“Hear , O Israel, the Lord our God is one.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all of your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”  (vs 29)  It seems strange for Jesus to say that God is one.  Isn’t Jesus the proof that God is two?  Two persons, the Holy Spirit being three as we speak of Trinity?  Jesus means one in essential being, one in life, one in mind, nature and value.  A brief review of paganism (ancient and modern) will demonstrate the importance of this doctrine.  What if attention to “the sun god” had the possiblity of offending the “moon god”?  Endless cycle of jealousy if ultimate reality is many parts.  Jesus declared what the Jews knew.  There is ONLY ONE ultimate reality.  One person to be satisfied.  We do not (and should not) divide our attention. ONE God.  ALL of me.  Simple.  True.  Life-changing.

RE Verse reading–Mark 6:45-52, 8:1-21 (day seven)
“He came towards them. . . walking on the sea.  He intended to pass them by.”  (6:49)  It is not God’s purpose to remove all struggle from life.  Even for His children.  Problems can have positive educational effect.  “If I never had a problem, I wouldn’t know that God could solve them”, sang Andre Crouch.  “Whom the Lord loves, He disciplines”  says the writer of Hebrews.  Not every struggle is caused by Christ, but every struggle is useful to Christ as He conforms us to His image.  Sometimes He intends to pass us by as we stuggle, knowing that the time is not right to remove it.  Our hearts still have something to learn.  In the storm and in the stuggles, we come to know Him better, and ourselves.  “Therefore, I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”  (2 Corinthians 12:10)

RE Verse reading–Mark 6:45-52, 8:1-21 (day six)
“After saying farewell to them, he went up on the mountain to pray”  (6:46)  When Scripture says “be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger”, (James 1:19) it makes a huge requirement.  None of us does this easily.  A certain caution is required.  It makes me wonder.  What was Jesus praying about that night when he sent the disciples ahead?  Just speculation, but surely it was already obvious to Jesus how SLOWLY they were understanding His words.  Was He frustrated?   Was part of the night of prayer dedicated to knowing what He should say and when?  A lesson for both home and church.  I never regret taking time to pray about the things and people who disappoint before I say anything. I appreciate the same when I am the one needing correction.  “I have prayed for you”, Jesus told Peter before his great/public failure.  (Luke 22:32)  A wise step for us all, I think.