The Everyday Prayer

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

One of the men in my circle said this week that the verse that spoke to him the most was Mark 7:18, “Are you so dull?”

We don’t usually imagine Jesus being frustrated with His disciples (or with us).  But, there it was, a comment from Christ that suggests the opposite.

In Mark 9, Jesus says something similar.  “O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you?  How long will I put up with you?”–v 19.

Probably we don’t see our lives with the same urgency that Christ does.  We assume we have a long time.  He doesn’t!  He knows the time is short.   To be honest, we probably are much slower in our responses and progress than He desires.  Could I learn faster/better if I paid better attention?  Yes.

It’s a sad image.  Motivating.  A facepalm in heaven–the faithful (and frustrated)  Lord saying to his slow children, “Why are you so dull?”

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

“Get thee behind Me, Satan; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”–v 33.

Most moderns (materialists, we are) don’t believe in Satan, anymore.  Jesus did.

He knew the voice of His enemy.  The well-worn strategies.  The proposal of an “alternative wisdom” that over the years has proven so effective with foolish and unfaithful men.  “Hath God said?” he whispers constantly in our ears.

Jesus recognized this malignant source even in the voice of His friends.  It doesn’t matter who says foolishness, it is still foolishness.  Jesus didn’t believe that truth was relative, that all opinions are legitimate.  He believed that some truth came directly from Satan and was to be confronted.  Wisely.  Firmly. Without apology.

“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with great patience and instruction.”–2 Timothy 4:2

Easy work?  No.  Necessary work?  Yes.  Lord, please make us like you!

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

When Peter makes the great confession, there were assumptions that go along with it. Jesus will be a king, a shepherd, and redeemer. Yet they missed the parts of scripture that prophesied of His affliction, suffering, and death. (Isaiah 52-53) Jesus begins to teach them what it really meant for Him to be Messiah. They were thinking/believing that the weapon that would establish and grow the Kingdom of God would be the sword. Then Jesus clears their confusion. When Jesus begins talking about His own suffering and death, maybe the disciples concluded that they would probably meet the same fate. Fear, uncertainty, and self-preservation quickly took over. Peter speaks (rebukes) in strong reaction.

Jesus then describes the strategy and weapon that will establish and grow God’s Kingdom- the Cross. “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.” The weapon needed is not the sword (political and social revolution), but rather the Cross (humility, sacrifice, suffering, and obedience).

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

V. 27 – “Jesus went out, along with His disciples, to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way He questioned his disciples,”

In this chapter, Jesus begins to focus on His disciples.  V. 27 says “and on the way…”  Jesus was the model teacher.  He took every opportunity to teach God’s ways.  Often, we get so busy getting from one place to another, or from one job to the next, that we forget to model and teach those around us God’s Word.  Jesus was investing His teaching in those who would carry on His message after He was gone.

We are called to do the same.  We are to train the next generations to love God, to know His Word, to be faithful and obedient, and to serve God with a whole heart.  If we want our children and grandchildren to walk in a manner worthy of God, then we must train them. It will not happen by accident.  On the way…teach and train!

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

“The Son of Man will be ashamed…” Shame seems to have become little known in our current society. How quaint a notion it is. Surely we’re more authentic, honest, and accepting now, whereas our forebears denied their feelings, repressed their desires, and shunned those who violated arbitrary behavioral standards. Religious talk of shame such as this verse just seems to cement the perception of shame as a tool of the powerful to force the weak to tow the line. But it’s really all of us who detest weakness–that very avenue that Jesus said is the only way to strength and life. We’re so ashamed that the Savior would live a weakling’s life and die a weakling’s death that we attempt to reimagine God in our own heroic image. And the Lord says, “I never knew you.”

Re:Verse reading–Mark 8:27-38 (day two) “But who do you say that I am?” vs. 29b

In our reading last week Jesus condemned the Pharisees for saying things with their lips, but having a heart far from him (7:6). This week we read of a more personal encounter with his disciple. Those who know Jesus, who read about him, worship him, and place our hope in him; who do we say that he is? When asked to give an account for the savior, what is your answer. There is no equivocating. He either is or isn’t the Christ. Our hearts must be turned to him, and what flows from our mouths must reflect that dependency on Jesus. Check your heart, and let your praise flow.

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

“He began to teach them that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected. . .and be killed, and after three days rise again.”–v 31.

It was a turning point.

Some talk of “progressive revelation”.  Things true and obvious to New Testament believers were not clear to the Old Testament saints.

In many ways, God follows the same pattern with the development of each individual believer.  Once Peter confesses Christ (see v 29), Jesus begins to tell them of the coming cross and resurrection.  Previously only hinted at, the cross now becomes the subject of intense and plain instruction.  They were ready.

“Whoever has, more shall be given” says Jesus in Matthew 13:12.  One of the prerequisites of learning more about God is to pay careful and faithful attention to what He is presently saying.  To be ready for the “next thing”, I have to pay attention to the “now thing”.

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

“The Pharisees. . .did not eat unless they carefully washed their hands.”  v 3.

When I was a kid, there was a character on a TV commercial. Buff.  Bald.  White T-shirt and pants.   I still remember the jingle.  “Mr. Clean gets rid of dirt and grime and grease in just a minute.  Mr. Clean will clean your whole house and everything that’s in it.”  The appeal to women was obvious.  Handsome guy.  Does housework!

But clean to Christ wasn’t about hygiene.  It was (still is) about holiness.   About a heart surrendered to God. Wash your hands all you want, said Jesus, but until your heart is obedient to God you are not clean.  Religion’s only value is to help you see the real problem.

Puts a new perspective on worship, doesn’t it?  At the end of the hour this morning, will your heart be soft?  Will your courage be strong?  Will you be clean?