The Everyday Prayer

Re:Verse passage – Mark 1:21-35 (day three)

“Immediately on the Sabbath [Jesus] entered the synagogue and began to teach.”

Jesus would have delivered the brief homily that members of the community or itinerant rabbis were encouraged to give after the reading of the scriptures. Brief indeed. Mark doesn’t present that sermon here, but the one that Luke records in chapter 4 of his gospel amounts to less than 130 words in English. “No one’s ever heard a bad short sermon,” goes the old saying. The congregation in Luke apparently disagreed; that sermon ended with the attempted murder of the preacher. Words have power. No one knew this better than Christ himself, through whom all things were made with a word. The words Jesus preached were met variously with anger, elation, fear, hope, puzzlement, and faith. At issue is not whether a person will respond to Christ’s words, but how.

Re:Verse passage – Mark 1:21-35 (day two) Just then there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,  saying, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” vs. 23-24

Recognition and surrender are not the same thing. Think about it for a moment. More than once in scripture demons recognize the divinity of Christ, and that does little to save them. Are we trying to hang our salvation on a basic acknowledgment of Jesus, or have we surrendered completely to his Lordship over our lives? Consider doing a spiritual inventory over the next few days or weeks. As you examine your routine ask yourself, and the Lord, if your walk reflects a surrendered heart or one that simply acknowledges Jesus. This is a good exercise for all of us.

Re:Verse passage – Mark 1:16-20 (day seven)

I love to fish. I specifically love fly fishing. I do not do it enough to be good at it, but being out in the water, surrounded by nature, away from the hustle and bustle of life, fishing provides an escape. It also provides a challenge. There is an art to understanding how the fly will hit the water, how much the current will impact it, and how to hook the fish. Fishing can be challenging, and yet, it can also be rewarding. For me, fishing is just a hobby. For these men, fishing was a livelihood. It was more than a sport. It was their food, salary, and currency. However, I reckon they felt similarly about the challenge and escape that fishing provides, which is why this was so appealing to hear,

“Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”

There is an art to being a fisher of men. It takes practice and time, but it is also tremendously rewarding. Instead of being an escape for you, you show others how to escape the brokenness of this world. That is greater than any catch that will come out on the water.

Re:Verse passage – Mark 1:16-20 (day five) “Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭1:18‬.
None of us are very patient. (Standing in line at the grocery store- not fun.  Being placed on hold when trying to order or purchase something- bothersome. Waiting for a table at a restaurant- exasperating.)  Yet, often when we feel the prompting of the Spirit (witnessing opportunity, prayer moment with someone, serve or minister to others, giving resources to bless), we suddenly develop a sense of “unurgency”.  We feel the need to slow down- process, pray over, etc.
To be fair, there are moments and seasons when that is exactly what the Lord would have us do. “Test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” ‭‭1 John‬ ‭4:1‬ ‭ “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise… do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Ephesians‬ ‭5:15, 17‬.
To be honest, there are other moments when delayed obedience would be disobedience. “I hastened and did not delay to keep Your commandments.” Psalm 119:60 “Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” Luke‬ ‭19:5

Walking in-step with the Spirit demands we obey- sometimes  with urgency and other times  with patience. Good News… God promises to help and guide us with direction and timing. 

Re:Verse passage – Mark 1:16-20 (day four)

Jesus came to preach the gospel…to say the kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe the gospel.  His mission, or call, was to bring salvation to the world.  Jesus chose to use a team of 12 disciples.  Where would you go to find the best men to change the world…a University town, a large city with many opportunities for cultural exposure, a well-known city for influence, or a seat of political power?  Jesus went to a small, rural town on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.  Of the 12 disciples He chose, 5 came from this small town of about 200 people, Bethsaida.

No formal training in the world’s wisdom, no financial base for great achievement, and no influence in the power centers of the world…these men certainly had no resume’ to impact the world.  Have you ever felt that you had nothing to offer to change the world for God?  Following a sermon in the temple, Peter and John were being questioned by the Jewish leaders.  Acts 4:13 says they began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.  Let’s follow the lead of the fishermen!

Re:Verse passage – Mark 1:16-20 (day three)

“Immediately they left their nets and followed him.”

Jesus had stirred in Simon and Andrew a curiosity about a world larger than the one they inhabited. That’s not to say they considered their society unenlightened or that they longed for “freedom” in the way we would think of that concept today. Spiritually, they would not have yearned for an end to religious rules. They weren’t looking for “grace” so they could be “freed from the law.” Such ways of thinking are later developments that came through Holy Spirit-inspired reflection on Christ and his work. But Simon and Andrew were curious about what Jesus knew of the world. What did his words about God mean? Where did he get his confidence? How did he exude such peace? He wasn’t calling people who would give answers. He was calling people who would ask questions.

Re:Verse passage – Mark 1:16-20 (day one)  Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. vs. 18

There was likely further discussion than what is recorded in the gospel narratives, but the heart of what was said was clearly recorded. This was not a transactional conversation. What these men got out of following Jesus was not necessarily clear. And yet, they followed. I think there are times that we forget the authority with which Jesus spoke, and still speaks. Imagine the absolute certainty that he exuded as he confronted these men. Follow me, and your lives will change, and this journey will be worth everything you are giving up and more. Friend, that message has not changed. May we never forget that when we meet Jesus we cannot leave unchanged. Whatever lies before us is infinitely more navigable with Jesus leading. Where has he called you? What has he asked you to give up? Are you still struggling with things that matter more than Jesus? Follow him; fully.