The Everyday Prayer

RE Verse reading–Mark 2:13-17 (Day Three)
“…for there were many who followed him.” The “many” in this case refers to tax collectors. The entire culture in which Jesus was raised steeped him in ethnic and nationalistic separateness and exclusivity. There were plenty of reasons for Jesus and Roman loyalists to keep their distance from each other. And yet, “there were many…” These fraternizers with the Empire would not have been many if they did not believe Jesus wanted to be around them. For Jesus not only to eat with socially shunned people, but actually to enjoy their company, was a slap in the face to those who longed to be free of Caesar’s dominion. And yet, a refusal to love people is a slap in the face to God. At the end of the day, Jesus knew whose kingdom mattered most.

RE Verse reading–Mark 2:13-17 (Day Two)
“I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Call to what? Was Jesus calling this room full of tax collectors to give up their careers and follow him? Likely not. It seems that Levi was the only one who received that invitation (14). Was he calling them to the great celebration dinner of the Messiah (I know it seems obscure, but some Jews thought the Messiah would throw a big party when he conquered the oppressive, foreign rulers)? Likely not. At this point in Mark’s story, Jesus’ identity as Messiah is still secret. So what did he call these “sinners” too? “Repent and believe” (1:15) was Jesus’ reoccurring theme. The message was no different that day. What was different was the audience–social deviants and outcasts not religious people “prepared” for the Messiah. “Good news of great joy” really is for “all people” (Luke 2:10)…even those people whom you’d never invite over for Christmas dinner.

RE Verse reading–Mark 2:13-17 (day one)
“While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and ‘sinners’ were eating with Him”  (vs 15)  The first Christmas must have been a strange collection of people.  Shepherds who smelled of sheep dung.  A teenage girl exhausted and filled with hope.   An older husband watching with concern.  It is a characteristic of Christ that will show up later in His life–inclusiveness.  We see it this week in Mark 2.  When Jesus gave Levi (a tax collector) the same call that He had given to Andrew and Peter (follow me),  He opened the door to every person.  Declaring clearly that ALL suffer from the same illness and, therefore, ALL need and benefit from the same treatment (ie. connection with God through faith/union with His Son)  From this time forward, outreach to outsiders (unlikely candidates for spiritual life) is a mark of true Christianity!  It is characteristic of Christ to include outsiders in His story.

RE Verse reading–Mark 1:19-20, 3:13-17, 10:35-45 (day seven)
“You don’t know what you are asking,” said Jesus.  “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”  (10:38)  Jesus was very patient with James and John.  With us as well.  Even when we make imperfect and naive requests, He responds with helpful instruction.  How many times does a child have to be taught before she learns an important lesson?  The Lord’s challenge to them (us) has to do with suffering that must be endured.  His image is “the cup”.  Normally it was a symbol of blessing (“my cup overflows”)  Jesus, however, took this familiar symbol and filled it with additional meaning.  For Him, it stood for suffering.  “If possible, let this cup pass from me.”  (Matthew 26:39)  Whenever we pray, we must take into account that an answer from God may require us to drink from a cup of suffering and stuggle.  Are we prepared?

RE Verse reading–Mark 1:19-20, 3:13-17, 10:35- 45 (day six)
“They replied , ‘Let one of us sit at your right hand and the other at your left IN YOUR GLORY.’ ” (10:37)  If the Mayan calendar is correct the end of the world is just days away.  Yep!  January 21, 2012.  It is all over.  If you are interested in a second opinion on this important subject, I recommend the Bible.  At least James and John got this part right.  Their concept of the future was glory, the glory of Christ.  Pretty amazing considering the difficult days that Jesus and His disciples were facing.  Jesus had recently predicted His death to be followed by His resurrection.  Whatever else you think of James and John for their self-centeredness, their strong faith regarding the future was admirable.  They believed Jesus and saw clearly that the coming days were in His hands.  Let’s see. . .the pessimism of the Mayan calendar or the promises of God?  I know where my heart is.  You?

“RE Verse reading–Mark 1:19-20, 3:13-17, 10:35-45 (day five)
I saw this quote on a friend’s Facebook page this week. “The biggest danger to every human being is located inside of them, not outside of them.” After reading Mark 10:35-45, I left with 2 observations: First, we are SO capable of either steering or being steered off the path of righteousness that it is scary. Qualities that are often applauded and admired (zeal, ambition, and dedication) can lead us away from the will and favor of God. Second, Jesus has NO problem pointing out the weaknesses and sin in the lives of His disciples. I see at work the frailty and depravity of mankind while at the same moment, I observe the firm and fair rebuke of a loving Lord. I am encouraged that sin (my sin) does not intimidate or hinder Jesus’ desire and capacity to challenge and confront my wickedness (whatever its motivation). My heart is both humbled and grateful this morning.

RE Verse reading–Mark 1:19-20, 3:13-17, 10:35-45 (day four)
Jesus was obedient.  Verse 1:10 says, following His obedience, immediately the Spirit of God descended on Him.  It was a spiritual landmark in His life.  Then…there is that word again…’immediately’…immediately Jesus is tested against His commitment to God.  Have you ever experienced that?  You make a significant, life-changing commitment to God…promising to be obedient in a particular area of your life…and immediately you are tested in that commitment.  Satan comes and seeks to steal away your faith commitment.  Jesus gives us the proper way to deal with the temptation…use the Word of God.  Hebrews 4:12 says “the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword…” Satan’s tactics and temptations are the same for you and me, just as they were for Jesus.  Satan is the great deceiver and he knows exactly where your point of weakness lies.  The only offense against his schemes is the Word of God.  Follow the lead of the Savior!

RE Verse reading–Mark 19-20; 3:13-17; 10:35-45 (Day Three)
“Whoever wants to become great among you must become your servant…”  Does Jesus redefine the path to greatness?  No.  He redefines greatness.  Servanthood is greatness.  That’s not some Orwellian oxymoron.  Jesus well knew that serving people means you must get close enough to them to do unto them what you would have others do unto you.  Such a way of life trains your heart to love people.  Jesus has in mind building a community of disciples pursuing such greatness.  That’s the only kind of community—and the only kind of greatness—that will last for eternity.  In order to love, serve someone.  In order to serve someone, learn what Jesus means when he speaks of greatness.

RE Verse reading–Mark 1:19-20, 3:13-17, 10:35-45 (Day 2)
Serve the church?! Why?! Isn’t it full of power-hungry self-promoters? Yes. Hasn’t it broken friendships over petty and ultimately meaningless squabbles? At times…yes. Why serve such a thing? Because Jesus served the church (10:45). How did Jesus respond to power-hungry self-promoters (Mark 10:37)? Jesus doesn’t reject them. He instructs them (10:38-39). Jesus doesn’t lash out at them. He paints a larger picture for them (10:40). Jesus doesn’t walk away from them. He calls them closer to himself (10:42). You may not like the church…and you probably have good reasons. But don’t fool yourself into thinking that you can have Jesus and not have the ones for whom He gave Himself as a ransom. Perhaps there is no better cure for your own power-hungry, self-promoting soul than serving other power-hungry self-promoters in the church near you.

RE Verse reading–Mark 1:19-20, 3:13-17, 10:35-45 (day one)
“Let one of us sit at your right hand and the other at your left in glory.”  (vs 10:37)  The Bible does not speak critically of ambition per se.  “If any man ASPIRES to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do”  (1 Timothy 3:3)  It does, however, speak against “SELFISH ambition” (James 3:16)–desire for recognition or privilege that benefits self, only self, primarily self.  This week we will consider (hopefully with self-awareness and humility) James and John’s request to “sit at the right and left hand”.  Was it selfish?  Yes, at least in part.  The Lord’s refusal of their request, the anger of the other disciples, and the necessary, subsequent teaching all indicate that the “sons of Thunder”  were not yet mature in their desires or their prayers.  They had ambitions that were not like servant-hearted or Christ-like.  Friend, what do you request from Christ?  Do you have godly ambitions?