Morning Grace

One sabbath he was going through the grainfields; and as they made their way his disciples began to pluck heads of grain.  The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?”  And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need of food?  He entered the house of God, when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and he gave some to his companions.”  Then he said to them, “The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath;  so the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.” ~ Mark 2:23-28 I remember going into the grocery store on Sundays when I was a kid growing up in Texas, and large drop cloths were placed over sections of the shelves on certain aisles. Everything that was considered "general merchandise" was off limits, as were unnecessary food items.  And you couldn't even dream of getti

- Re-read the Mark 2:1-22 from this week's devotions. - Read the passage again and identify a word or phrases that jump out at you. - Read the passage again, and if possible read from a different translation ( biblegateway.com  has many translations you can choose from). Identify where this passage might be touching your life today. How is this relevant to your life? - Read the passage a third time, again in a different translation if possible. Ask yourself what God is calling you to do or to be from this passage. What change might God be moving your toward? - Close with a silent prayer, listening to God rather than speaking to God. What actions will you take today based on this prayer? - Recite the Lord's Prayer.

Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting; and people came and said to him, “Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?”  Jesus said to them, “The wedding guests cannot fast while the bridegroom is with them, can they? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.  The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day. “No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old cloak; otherwise, the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made.  And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost, and so are the skins; but one puts new wine into fresh wineskins.” ~ Mark 2:18-22 More issues about eating with the Pharisees! This early in Mark, we who have not read other gospel accounts of Jesus, don't yet grasp what he means by the bridegroom being taken away. We can't know that Je

And as he sat at dinner in Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were also sitting with Jesus and his disciples—for there were many who followed him.  When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, they said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”  When Jesus heard this, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.” ~ Mark 2:15-17 Jesus runs into controversy many times throughout the gospel when he is confronted by Pharisees or Scribes. They have an understood way of doing things based on the law. Jesus seems be be flouting that every time he turns around. It must be frustrating for them. For them, the law is sacred. The law gives order out of chaos.  The law makes things and people pure. The law is of God. But have they put so much stock in the law that they have stopped seeing people? Individuals? Have they los

Jesus went out again beside the sea; the whole crowd gathered around him, and he taught them.  As he was walking along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him.    ~ Mark 2:13-14 The next boundary Jesus crosses is in calling an outcast as one of his followers. There were few, other than the occupiers themselves, who were more loathed than tax collectors. Levi (Matthew later), collected taxes for Herod (Antipas): the king who was for all intents and purposes in league with the Romans. Levi then was a man who took money from his own people and gave it to those who ruled over them. He wasn't simply like an IRS man working for a democratically elected government. He was a man collecting money for tyrants. More than that, however, tax collectors were hated for how the system worked. Each region was assessed a fixed sum. Anything the tax collector collected beyond that was profit. So calling a man like Levi as

When he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home.  So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them.  Then some people came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them.  And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay.  When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”  Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts,  “Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”  At once Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions among themselves; and he said to them, “Why do you raise such questions in your hearts?  Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and

- Re-read the Mark 1:29-45 from this week's devotions. - Read the passage again and identify a word or phrases that jump out at you. - Read the passage again, and if possible read from a different translation ( biblegateway.com  has many translations you can choose from). Identify where this passage might be touching your life today. How is this relevant to your life? - Read the passage a third time, again in a different translation if possible. Ask yourself what God is calling you to do or to be from this passage. What change might God be moving your toward? - Close with a silent prayer, listening to God rather than speaking to God. What actions will you take today based on this prayer? - Recite the Lord's Prayer.

A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, “If you choose, you can make me clean.”  Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, “I do choose. Be made clean!”  Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.  After sternly warning him he sent him away at once,  saying to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”  But he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the word, so that Jesus could no longer go into a town openly, but stayed out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter. ~ Mark 1:40-45 The first thing I notice in this passage is that Jesus was moved with pity. He has healed many at this point in this first chapter. But this is the first time we really get any emotion from him or description from Mark as to how he is feeling. Another thing to notice Jesus here is his willingn

In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed.  And Simon and his companions hunted for him.  When they found him, they said to him, “Everyone is searching for you.”  He answered, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.”  And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons. ~ Mark 1:35-39 At this  point, Jesus has earned some alone time I'd say. As a teacher, healer, preacher, he knows the value - the necessity - of time to pray. Time alone to connect with God and to revive the spirit. Yet he isn't left alone for long. At this point, notice that Mark hasn't called Simon and the others "disciples." They are companions. They are following Jesus, but don't yet have that intimate title we are used to hearing from them. But already they know the work Jesus does is important (

That evening, at sunset, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons.  And the whole city was gathered around the door.  And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. ~ Mark 1:32-24 The Sabbath has just about ended - or just ended - and there are more healings to happen. Who is it that brought all these people to be healed?  And notice how quickly Jesus' fame has risen. Why, you could say it was immediately! Can you imagine the whole city gathered outside your door for healing? Another theme of Mark enters in this passage. The Messianic Secret. As Mark progresses we will see over and over that Jesus tells those who know who he is to be quiet about it. Only the readers and the supernatural characters are let in on the secret so far. For those around Jesus, it isn't time yet. So far, we don't know why that is. Why does Jesus want to keep his identity secre

As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.  Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once.  He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them. ~ Mark 1:29-31 As soon as... At once... Synonyms for immediately! There it is again. Jesus is again on the move. And on the move quickly. This Jesus just doesn't stand around. This is a Jesus of action. (I've seen an action-figure Jesus doll. Maybe this is the version of Jesus he's based on?) Not a lot of unnecessary dialogue either for Mark. The action here is what's important. We are only 31 verses in and Jesus has already healed two people. There is nothing here about the faith of the person being healed. Nothing about the reactions of the disciples. Only further testament to John's initial prophetic words about the power of the one to come after him. It is also likely s

- Re-read the Mark 1:12-28 from this week's devotions. - Read the passage again and identify a word or phrases that jump out at you. - Read the passage again, and if possible read from a different translation ( biblegateway.com  has many translations you can choose from). Identify where this passage might be touching your life today. How is this relevant to your life? - Read the passage a third time, again in a different translation if possible. Ask yourself what God is calling you to do or to be from this passage. What change might God be moving your toward? - Close with a silent prayer, listening to God rather than speaking to God. What actions will you take today based on this prayer? - Recite the Lord's Prayer.

They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught.  They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.  Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit,  and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.”  But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!”  And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him.  They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.”  At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee. ~ Mark 1:21-28 What does it say about tradition for Jesus' first act of public ministry? His first act takes place in a synagogue. It would be like someone starting their ministry at our church -

As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen.  And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.”  And immediately they left their nets and followed him.  As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets.  Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him. ~ Mark 1:16-20 Do you see it there? Immediately #2 pops up and we are still in Chapter 1. This is a typically abrupt introduction to these two pairs of brothers who are the first of the disciples. There is little clarification or description. Jesus walks up, says 'follow me," and IMMEDIATELY they do: presumably that means leaving all financial and familial obligations behind.  What would make someone do that? The disciples are big characters in this gospel. Watch their behavior going forward

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God,  and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” ~ Mark 1:14-15 Jesus seems to be taking off right where John left off. (although, note that nowhere in the gospels do we ever read or hear of an example of Jesus actually baptizing anyone). But the theme of repentance has been made clear from John, and is now being taken on by Jesus.  We also get our first announcement of the Kingdom of God. What is it? What does it mean that it's come come near? Might that have something to do with the heavens being torn apart? It is as if the Kingdom of God has invaded. The time has come for God to stop messing around. God's decided, "That's it. I'm coming down there!" And makes it so that there is no going back. The skies aren't going to gently close again.  God is here to stay. And so repent. Repent - metanoia is the Gree

And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness.  He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him. ~ Mark 1:12-13 Remember how I said Mark was an active gospel?  Remember how I said to look for the word "immediately?" Well, here's the first one. Look at everything that has happened up until now (and we are only on verse 12). In a few dramatic verses, John the Baptist came on the scene, then Jesus did, and then Jesus was baptized and proclaimed God's son by the Holy Spirit. You can almost hear Mark saying: And THEN a voice came...and THEN he was driven into the wilderness...and THEN he was tempted... It's something isn't it, that we go from the voice of God saying: You are my Son, to IMMEDIATELY, the Holy Spirit driving him into the wilderness? Not sending him, but driving him. Forcing him. Pushing him. There isn't any detail about what happens once he gets to the wilderness -

- Re-read the Mark 1:1-11 from this week's devotions. - Read the passage again and identify a word or phrases that jump out at you. - Read the passage again, and if possible read from a different translation ( biblegateway.com  has many translations you can choose from). Identify where this passage might be touching your life today. How is this relevant to your life? - Read the passage a third time, again in a different translation if possible. Ask yourself what God is calling you to do or to be from this passage. What change might God be moving your toward? - Close with a silent prayer, listening to God rather than speaking to God. What actions will you take today based on this prayer? - Recite the Lord's Prayer.

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.  And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him.  And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” ~ Mark 1:9-11 Mark is almost always abrupt. We just got to meet John the Baptist, and here comes Jesus onto the scene. Out of nowhere! There is a lot to talk about in these short three verses. And lots of questions it raises. So, I'm going to ask you some just to get you thinking about it: - Why is Mark's very first story about Jesus' baptism? What does that say about baptism? - Why did Jesus come to John? How did he know about him? (remember, it is only in the gospel of Luke that we are told they are cousins, and even then that doesn't guarantee they knew each other).  - Here's a big one: why does Jesus need to be baptized for the forgiveness of sin? Did he really? I

John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.  And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.  Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.  He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals.  I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” ~ Mark 1:4-8 Ah...so is this who we are waiting for? The prophets have just introduced a character onto the stage. A strange man wearing camels hair. He lives out in the wilderness, so he has to have a wild look about him. But if Isaiah (and Malachi) were introducing him, who is he introducing? Someone even bigger. Someone clearly important. A king? A mighty warrior? And this baptism