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Category Archives: Mark

Peter & John — Mark 6:7-13

25 Sep

And He *summoned the twelve and began to send them out in pairs, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits; and He instructed them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a mere staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belt— but to wear sandals; and He added, “Do not put on two tunics.” And He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave town. 11 Any place that does not receive you or listen to you, as you go out from there, shake the dust off the soles of your feet for a testimony against them.” They went out and preached that men should repent. And they were casting out many demons and were anointing with oil many sick people and healing them.

Mark 6:7-13

Dear God, I must confess that I’ve always thought I would have hated this assignment given to the disciples by Jesus. At least he sent them out in pairs.

It leaves me wondering about how Jesus buddies them up. Did he keep Peter and Andrew and James and John together as brothers or did he mix it up. Maybe Peter and John went together. And who was Judas’ partner. And did everyone exhibit the power to heal and cast out demons, or just one in the pair?

Finally, I wonder what their conversations were like as they walked along. “Can you believe what’s going on?” Can you believe we just healed that lady,” or, “cast out that demon?” To quote the musical “Hamilton,” “Look around, look around at how lucky we are to be alive right now.”

I’m trying to put myself in their shoes. I suppose that as a believer in you now, I am on a journey—and you have given me fellow sojourners. First, there is my wife. You have linked us together until death do us part. And then I have the people in my church and the things that we do together. There are my coworkers and the board of directors. In fact, I have a couple of committee meetings of the board this morning. I don’t think I’ve ever thought of us in this context before, but I guess we are.

Father, give me the courage I need to have to do the job you have given me to do. Love through me. Draw others to yourself through me. Help me to lean into you for the strength I need to do what you have called me to do.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 25, 2018 in Mark, Peter and John

 

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Mark 5:22-43

24 Sep

One of the synagogue officials named Jairus *came up, and on seeing Him, *fell at His feet and *implored Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death; please come and lay Your hands on her, so that she will get well and live.” And He went off with him; and a large crowd was following Him and pressing in on Him. A woman who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years, and had endured much at the hands of many physicians, and had spent all that she had and was not helped at all, but rather had grown worse— after hearing about Jesus, she came up in the crowd behind Him and touched His cloak. For she thought, “If I just touch His garments, I will get well.” Immediately the flow of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. Immediately Jesus, perceiving in Himself that the power proceeding from Him had gone forth, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My garments?” And His disciples said to Him, “You see the crowd pressing in on You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’” And He looked around to see the woman who had done this. But the woman fearing and trembling, aware of what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your affliction.” While He was still speaking, they *came from the house of the synagogue official, saying, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the Teacher anymore?” But Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken, *said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid any longer, only believe.” And He allowed no one to accompany Him, except Peter and James and John the brother of James. They *came to the house of the synagogue official; and He *saw a commotion, and people loudly weeping and wailing. And entering in, He *said to them, “Why make a commotion and weep? The child has not died, but is asleep.” They began laughing at Him. But putting them all out, He *took along the child’s father and mother and His own companions, and *entered the room where the child was. Taking the child by the hand, He *said to her, “Talitha kum!” (which translated means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!” ). Immediately the girl got up and began to walk, for she was twelve years old. And immediately they were completely astounded. And He gave them strict orders that no one should know about this, and He said that something should be given her to eat.

Mark 5:22-43

Dear God, according to this telling of the story, he didn’t even let anyone else go to Jairus’ house with him besides Peter, James and John. I’ve never had this thought before, but I wonder if he left the other nine disciples behind to keep everyone else from following him. Why did he take three of them? Why these three? I suppose he needed witnesses and maybe even a little bit of physical presence beyond being alone against mourners who were about to get angry with him.

Of course, I’m completely guessing on all of this. What I do know is that Peter, James and John had front row seats to this miracle. I wonder how they reacted internally when this happened. I suppose witnessing something like this would either inspire me and completely affirm my decision to follow Jesus or it would scare me and I would take off. Why do I get the feeling that it would have scared me?

Father, these three men were put into a unique situation. I cannot imagine seeing what they saw and then being asked to do what the were asked to do. I’m grateful for all of them. These events shaped who they became in the early church. You are shaping me too. Please shape me into the man you need me to be.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 24, 2018 in Mark, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Mark 3:7-19

23 Sep

Jesus went out to the lake with his disciples, and a large crowd followed him. They came from all over Galilee, Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, from east of the Jordan River, and even from as far north as Tyre and Sidon. The news about his miracles had spread far and wide, and vast numbers of people came to see him. Jesus instructed his disciples to have a boat ready so the crowd would not crush him. He had healed many people that day, so all the sick people eagerly pushed forward to touch him. And whenever those possessed by evil spirits caught sight of him, the spirits would throw them to the ground in front of him shrieking, “You are the Son of God!” But Jesus sternly commanded the spirits not to reveal who he was. Afterward Jesus went up on a mountain and called out the ones he wanted to go with him. And they came to him. Then he appointed twelve of them and called them his apostles. They were to accompany him, and he would send them out to preach, giving them authority to cast out demons. These are the twelve he chose: Simon (whom he named Peter), James and John (the sons of Zebedee, but Jesus nicknamed them “Sons of Thunder” ), Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus, Simon (the zealot ), Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him).

Mark 3:7-19

Dear God, is it bad that I never have learned the names of all 12 disciples? If pressed I could probably name nearly all of them, but I’d have probably missed that there were two names James.

I wonder why Jesus referred to James and John as the sons of thunder. Was that a comment on their personalities or on their father’s. Since we don’t really get an indication that John was a very intense or even angry person, I’m guessing this was a reference to their father (or maybe even their mother).

This list is obviously in a specific order that ranks them since Andrew and SImon (a.k.a. Peter) are separated by James and John. If Mark is writing this, then this is the specific order he gave them. Traditionally, I think that Mark’s gospel is thought to be Peter’s telling of the story to Mark, so that might be a reason that Simon comes first. I don’t suppose any of this makes a difference in the grand scheme of things. It’s just interesting.

The thing that really hits me about this passage, I suppose, is that these were the 12 that were picked. There were others hanging around, but there was something that Jesus saw in these 12. He took the time to teach them a little extra. He equipped them. He sent them out. He spent more time with them. There was something about each of them that Jesus needed and that the beginning church needed.

Father, I’m in my late 40s and I am still learning what all you need from me. I am about to go and lead a Bible study/Home Church for some strangers. I am acquainted with a couple of them, but, for all intents and purposes, we are strangers. But they are coming together to worship you. Use me tonight. Use me to speak to them. Help me to be loving and merciful. Help me to be pastoral and what they need. Give me your words for them. Give me your eyes so that I can see them as you see them. Be very present with all of us tonight. Enter the world through this home and let your Kingdom come on earth as it is in Heaven through what you do among and in us tonight.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 23, 2018 in Mark, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Mark 1:35-39

22 Sep

35 Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. 36 Later Simon and the others went out to find him. 37 When they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you.”

38 But Jesus replied, “We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came.” 39 So he traveled throughout the region of Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and casting out demons.

Mark 1:35-39

 

Dear God, it looks like Simon was already showing his propensity for leadership among the group, even at this early stage. Some people are just built that way.  

One thing that I suppose your grace does is it enables you to look beyond the actions and see the natural gifts and talents below. For example, Saul (of the New Testament) did some awful things. He was zealously hateful of Christians, to the point of arresting and killing them. He had blood of your faithful on his hands. But Jesus’ death and resurrection allows you to look beyond the killing and the hate, and see what you can use for your kingdom. In Saul’s case, you could use his zeal and tenacity to spread your message to Rome and set the stage for Christianity’s growth throughout the world.

Simon is the same way. He was an obvious leader. Even in this early story, he led the others outside to find Jesus. He had a lot to learn. He was arrogant and brash. He was also very impetuous. But you refined that out of him. You built the foundation of the church through him. He might not have had as much to do with its growth as Saul would eventually do as Paul, but Paul could never have done what Simon later did as Peter.

Father, help me to play the role you have me to play as well as I can. Use my strengths for your kingdom while you take my weaknesses and shape my ministry through them. You have given me an audience tomorrow night for some of the things you have taught me through my weakness. Help me to tell them what you would want them to hear, but help me to do it through the humility of acknowledging my failures and embracing the grace given to me and the lessons I have learned. And I pray the same thing over my children. They are adults, but they are still maturing, as am I. My temptation is to evaluate them through their weaknesses, but they both have so many strengths. Help me to look at them the way you look at them. Take who they are and use them for your kingdom’s glory.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 

 
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Posted by on September 22, 2018 in Mark, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Mark 1:29-31

21 Sep

After Jesus left the synagogue with James and John, they went to Simon and Andrew’s home. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. They told Jesus about her right away. So he went to her bedside, took her by the hand, and helped her sit up. Then the fever left her, and she prepared a meal for them.

Mark 1:29-31

Dear God, this was quite a day for James and John. Not only did they see Jesus authoritatively rebuke a demon at the synagogue, but then they saw Jesus heal Simon’s mother-in-law. What was this new world they had gotten themselves into?

I also kind of wonder what this home was like and who all loved in it. Mark indicates that it was both Simon’s and Andrew’s home. Since Peter had a mother-in-law we can infer that he had a wife—possibly children too?

There is so much we think we know about the Bible, but the truth is that our knowledge is limited and flawed. We have incomplete pictures is these people and their lives. We are just left to try to learn what we can from what we do have.

Father, it’s obvious that These first four disciples were key. After all, both Matthew and Mark specifically refer to their recruitments. Help me gain insights into myself by learning from them. Be glorified in my life so that others might see you and follow you.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 21, 2018 in Mark, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Mark 1:16-20

18 Sep

One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him. A little farther up the shore Jesus saw Zebedee’s sons, James and John, in a boat repairing their nets. He called them at once, and they also followed him, leaving their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired men.

Mark 1:16-20

Dear God, I wonder what it was that Jesus saw in these two sets of brothers that made him want to call them to be part of the 12. And I wonder what what going on inside them that they accepted.

I think it partly goes back to the idea of what are we selling when it comes to you and evangelization. Here were some guys who fished for a living. Simon and Andrew were probably not as well off as James and John, but I’m guessing they all felt a certain level of hopelessness. They were obviously hungering for something since they dropped what they were doing to follow Jesus. Jesus was calling people to repent and live holy lives. Is that what they felt they were missing?

Father, help me to be more sensitive to calling people to you. And help me to be more responsive to repenting for my own sins and embracing your grace. Help me to live the life you call me to live so that I might find your peace and be the best ambassador for you that I can.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 18, 2018 in Mark, Peter and John

 

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Pressed but not crushed

15 Jul

Dear God, over the last couple of days, I’ve spent a lot of time delving back into some stuff that was important to me back in the 90s. One is the music of Rich Mullins. The other is a book called The Tale of Three Kings. The latter is a simply written book looking at King Saul, King David, and Would-be King Absolom.

I was in my 20s back then and life looked very different to me. I have scars now that I didn’t have then. I have some wisdom that was learned by being pressed but not crushed (2 Corinthians 4:8-10). It seems, however, that I laid enough foundation in my faith to have kept me here, praying to you. For that, I’m very grateful.

And now I’m watching my kids enter their 20s. One of the hardest things to do as a parent is let them grow and walk in the path you have for them when it looks so different than the path you had for me. I remember when they were in high school and telling a friend that I don’t know what it looks like to “turn my children over to God.” I’m still not where you draw that line as the parent of a teenager. It’s easier for me to find now, although I do find myself tempted to intervene.

I’m re-reading The Tale of Three Kings and the basic thesis of the book is that you used Saul and his treatment of David to mold David into your king. The suffering David experienced at Saul’s hand made him a better king than he ever would have been on his own. As I look at my life, sure, I’ve suffered at times, but I still have enough perspective to acknowledge that my suffering has not been beyond what I could bear, or close to what others have suffered. But I can say with certainty that it was the low times that taught me the most about loving you.

Father, help me to keep from getting in the way of anything you are teaching my children. As I bless them and turn their paths over to you, help me to have faith in you that it’s all okay. Like the father who cried out for his child, my words to you are, Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief. (Mark 9:24)

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on July 15, 2018 in 2 Corinthians, Mark

 

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Mark 6:1-13

04 Jul

1He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. 2On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! 3Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. 4Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” 5And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. 6And he was amazed at their unbelief.

Then he went about among the villages teaching. 7He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; 9but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. 10He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. 11If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” 12So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. 13They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

Mark 6:1-13

 

Dear God, the other side of the “prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown” thing is that perhaps sometimes we ascribe too much awe to the people who come to us out of nowhere.

I was reading a memoir recently by someone who used to work at the highest levels of government. He said that once during one of his first high-level security meetings in the Oval Office with President Bush, the Vice President, the National Security Advisor, etc. shortly after 9/11, he looked around the room and considered that all of these important decisions were being made by humans who were much like anyone else. This wasn’t a knock against those in the office. He admired them. But still the fact remained that these were humans who were very capable of making mistakes, missing a detail, or drawing the wrong conclusion, just like the rest of us. In that moment, he felt a new sense that problems on this scale are often handled by common people who, through accomplishment and experience, worked their way into uncommon positions.

I say all of this because I think there is a tendency on my part sometimes to ascribe too much authority and power to those I don’t know. For example, if I write a book on a certain subject then all of a sudden I can somehow pass myself off as an expert on that subject. Even something as trivial as the football coach for a team I like can generate awe from me instead of just evaluating him as a human. A great example for me is Rich Mullins (Mother Teresa is another one). He was a Christian singer/songwriter who died over 20 years ago. I had a chance to meet him once and slobbered all over him. I literally felt sorry for him as we visited because he was having to deal with me and my fanboy-ness. But he was just a flawed guy who followed you. But he had his doubts, his vices, his selfishness, etc. Brennan Manning was another one. He had some great books about your love and grace, but when I met him at a retreat, he turned out to be really moody and could be mean. But to his credit, when he caught himself being mean, he apologized to the person publicly. And the story of Mother Teresa’s spiritual struggles and doubts are well-documented since her death. We are all just your people.

Father, as I prepare this sermon for Sunday about David and his life, one of the things I’m seeing is that he was just a common boy out in the field. He got up one morning and went to work. By the end of the day, Samuel had anointed him as king over Israel. What set him apart was his love for you and desire to serve you. But he certainly was not above vanity, lying to priests, vowing vengeance upon his enemies, murder, adultery, etc. Like other believers, he is worthy of our love, but he is also worthy of our skepticism and he is worthy of our prayers for him to work out his faith with fear and trembling like the rest of us do.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on July 4, 2018 in Mark, Uncategorized

 

Mark 8:34-37

20 Jun

Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?

Mark 8:34-37

Dear God, this is my prayer for others like my children when I pray for them—that they would let go of their lives and the things they think they have to protect and hold dear. Whether it’s their selfish desires, their own plans for the future, their secrets, or their sin, what they don’t know is that there is so much freedom and joy waiting for them. It won’t solve all of their problems, but it will change how they see their problems.

Of course, it’s not enough to let go and take up your cross. That’s the critical first step, but there are several more steps. The next big one is to follow you through relationship and spiritual growth. And one of the ways we do that is through embracing community with other believers. If we don’t pursue you and get into fellowship and community with other believers then it will be like the seed that is scattered on the path or the rocky soil. Either the birds will take it away or the seed will shoot up, have no roots and die fast.

Father, I pray over my own life that I would have good roots. And I confess that I cannot do it without community. If it’s just me alone then there are too many dangers. Even if I keep pursuing you, without others to check me Satan can deceive me and lead me down the wrong path. Of course, Satan can deceive groups too, and there are things about which I might be deceived of now, but I have a better shot at figuring them out in community than I do sitting here only by myself. So please help me in my pursuit of you, my giving up my own life and taking up your cross.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 20, 2018 in Mark

 

Mark 3:20-29

04 Jun

Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.” And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.” So Jesus called them over to him and began to speak to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26 And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. 27 In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man’s house. 28 Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, 29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.”

Mark 3:20-29

Dear God, there are so many times that we just don’t know what is going on. How can we? The only way is divine inspiration, but we have to be silent enough to hear the Holy Spirit speak to us. And we have to be willing to let go of our own paradigms and preconceptions.

I confess that it would have been hard for me to accept what Jesus was doing back then. I would have questioned and rejected, but not out of disdain for him as much as love and defense of you. When he did things that didn’t fit what I thought he should do—what my paradigm from years of living told me he should do—then I would have rejected him and told others they should do the same.

So how do I let my paradigms get in the way of the Holy Spirit’s instructions and directions now? Do I let it influence my politics? My social service? How I judge others? I’m sure that I get in your way a lot.

Father, give me ears to hear, eyes to see, and a heart to discern. Help me to be motivated into action and love others through me.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 4, 2018 in Mark

 
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