Dana Hagstrom – Page 440

Mark 11:27-33 – God’s Authority

I’m trying to picture today’s reading taking place. Because of all the movies that have been made over the years, I have a real good picture of what the dress of the priests and teachers of the day would be wearing. Then comes Jesus, dressed not as elegantly, yet he is the king of all.

We can be easily deceived by appearances, can’t we? Sometimes we take the liberty to judge others based on appearance alone. I’m not saying this is what the priests and others were doing here; they were troubled by what Jesus was saying and doing. They questioned his authority for it was new and different, and it threatened all that they held dear and sacred.

But did it really? Jesus was God after all, and they were in the business of believing and teaching about God, were they not? But they were blind. Jesus, the Lord himself, was standing in their midst. They should have been bowing down and exalting him. But that was not how the story was set to play out. Jesus would not be able to take on the sins of the world if he had been made top dog in those circles.

Again here, in Mark’s account, we see Jesus with a bit of an attitude. Obviously we don’t know Jesus’ proper inflection or tone, but I get the impression he was keeping his posture, despite their attempts to trap him. Genius. Do you think if Jesus had answered, “by God’s authority” they would have believed him? How do you think the scene would have played out then?

I don’t want to be blind to Jesus and his working in my life. I’m sure you don’t either. We may be placed in situations that are uncomfortable. We may encounter people that don’t look like us or act like us, and that’s okay. God can see within, and we can trust God to bring us to the people he wants for us spend time with, to help, to look out for. On God’s authority, we can stand strong to fight the battles of this world together.

Let’s pray. Lord thank you that you have given me eyes to see and ears to hear your voice. Help me to slow down and take you all in. I pray for all those people who are still running the rat race of life at an unhealthy pace. Watch over and protect them, especially those I hold dear in my heart. Help me to see with your eyes those who need a word form you. Don’t let me close in on myself and not venture out to enjoy your beautiful creation. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mark 11:12-25 – Glad I’m Not a Fig

Read Mark 11:12-25

Well, the scene I was expecting in yesterday’s reading happened today. I didn’t read ahead! Sometimes we look ahead to see what’s coming and that can ruin the story for us. Have you ever read the last chapter in a book to see how it ends? Here, it doesn’t matter, we know how it ends. When all is said and done – Jesus is VICTORIOUS!

The money changer story had to be there as it was a pivotal point. The Mark tells us the Pharisees ‘began’ to plan Jesus’ death. They were seriously afraid, most likely threatened, because people were following Jesus and their authority was being questioned. Have you ever been in a place where your authority was questioned? How did that feel?

The story about the fig tree has always amazed me. It seems like it can only be conceptual and not actual. It is probably both, I just need to open my mind. I certainly wouldn’t want to have God’s condemnation on me and my bearing fruit.

Personally, I feel I am just now coming “into season.” All those years up to now have been my planting and watering years. I have been growing steadily, from a seedling to a young tree.

Having planted a bit of an orchard when we lived in Wisconsin, I know that the fruit doesn’t show up for several years after planting. Even then, there is care required to make sure the branches are pruned and ready for the fruit to arrive. As I look back on my life, I have been pruned well, felt pain often, and now I am ready to bloom.

Having moved away from our orchard before the years of plenty, I was always curious about how ‘our’ fruit turned out. We visited our old neighborhood recently. There was fruit everywhere. One of the trees had grown so big the branches were literally falling over and laying on the ground. It was sad. Clearly, that poor tree had not been pruned, and so much of the fruit laid rotting on the ground.

So let that be a lesson to us, pruning is helpful. Our struggles and pain can be just what we need to prune us and ready us for what God has planned for us.

Jesus used this example as a teachable moment for his disciples as well. The poor fig tree was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Jesus believed that his words would not be empty and that God would move. No one will ever eat of that tree’s fruit again. He spoke it, believed it, and it came to pass.

God’s hand is mighty. We need to believe in it 100%. He will act. Our part is to forgive others so that we can be set free. When we are harboring negative emotions, we are not truly cleansed and open for the work God has for us. We cannot fully trust in his provision or plan. What are you holding on to? Who do you need to forgive?

Let’s pray. Lord, forgive me for my lack of focus and the stronghold my emotions have had on me this week. You have given me such a beautiful purpose, but my humanity has gotten in the way. Help me to let go of the hurts of the past and truly forgive those who have hurt me. Help me love on those around me as they deserve. My pity party is over! Thank you that you are already pulling back the curtain and letting the light back in. These dark days are over because of what did and how much you love me. You have given me a job to do. Thank you for the opportunity to shine once again for you and make you proud of me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mark 11:1-11 – All the Bells and Whistles

Read Mark 11:1-11

When reading today’s passage, I felt like it should be Spring, preparing for Easter. Did you have that same sense? This is one of the four accounts of Jesus’ entry to Jerusalem that my church tradition, at least, celebrated as Palm Sunday.

All through Mark’s gospel, Jesus has been looking ahead to Jerusalem. He knew that that was where his fate would lead him. If you have read the other gospel accounts of this Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem, you may notice that Mark seems a little more low key than the others.

Another striking difference is that while Jesus goes directly to the temple, in Mark’s account he simply looks around and leaves. You may recall it is at this moment, in other gospels, that Jesus encounters the money changers and other vendors in the temple which infuriates him. This is the temple for heaven’s sake, not the Walmart! We almost expect that scene here, and when it doesn’t happen it seems odd. To me, at least.

Mark’s focus on Jesus’ road to Jerusalem has been more human and purposeful. We have already seen Jesus angry, frustrated and a little put out with his disciples. We have seen his humanity. Mark also downplays the pomp and circumstance of Jesus’ arrival in comparison to the other gospels. Yes, there are shouts of praise and honoring behavior, but maybe less intense.

Jesus certainly does deserve our shouts of praise. Unless you are reading this for the first time, you know how the story goes and what Jesus has done for us. He’s been telling the disciples all along how the story is going to play out. A bit of foreshadowing I suppose. We’ll be walking through that later in the posts to follow.

Did Jesus march triumphantly into your life or has he always been there as a close companion? Maybe there have been times in your life when you, like the disciples, have been a little confused by what is happening in your life. Many times we ask ourselves, “Why me?” Once on the other side of a complex situation, I’ve often looked back and seen God’s fingerprints all over. Sometimes you have to look harder than others, but God is constant. He is there in the good times and bad. We can be sure of that, whether we feel him close or not.

Take a moment to re-read today’s text. Picture yourself there, watching Jesus, riding on a donkey, entering a big city with people surrounding him. You know where he’s going. Imagine if he had run the other way? He didn’t. He loves you that much.

Let’s pray. Lord, thank you for marching into my heart and life in a new way each day. You never press in without invitation. Thank you that you are always standing ready. May my heart and mind be welcoming to you. May only praise be on my lips. Help me to not find fault, feel guilt or be in denial when it comes to the beautiful creature you have made me. Rescue me from this pit of uncertainty and self-doubt. We’ve been down this road before and you helped me be victorious. Thank you for the strength I feel brewing inside. I am about to blossom again all because of your love for me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mark 10:32-52 – Almost There

Read Mark 10:32-52

They were on their way to Jerusalem. They are almost there. This was what Jesus had been preparing the disciples for on two prior occasions. Jesus came to earth knowing the road to Jerusalem would be his last journey on earth. He tries again to explain what they should expect.

A good leader always prepares those following to avoid surprises. Being prepared is the boy scout motto, too. I’d much rather go into the taking of a test having studied rather than to go in blind relying on what I think I know. I remember having to take a driver’s test twice because I figured I knew what I needed to know. After all, I had been driving for many years. Those little details will get you!

We see the disciples here seem to be in denial. They don’t want to hear Jesus’ predictions of his death and suffering. Jesus again speaks of his resurrection, but by the time he says anything about that, the disciples have stopped listening. Even if they were paying attention, they were confused and never quite understood the message. You have to admit it all seems a little hard to fathom bearing in mind how popular Jesus has been. How and why would that all change?

What did you think when James and John asked Jesus the favor? A little self-serving perhaps? It set up a great teachable moment about leadership and accomplishment. It is wisdom like this that has helped my husband and I in our business. We don’t want to flaunt this or that for purposes of recognition, but rather want to serve our team and our prospects. Recognitions will come, but that is not our driving force. We are called to be servants and to put others before ourselves.

Our final story in today’s reading is about a blind man being healed. This will be the last healing in the gospel of Mark. It is a transition story and one we can learn from. Bartimaeus had faith and was persistent. His plea to Jesus was heard and answered. He was asking the right thing. Just moments before Jesus’ followers James and John had asked for something, too. But their answer was different. It wasn’t the right thing to ask.

When we ask God for help, are we asking the right thing? Will God be anxious to answer us because of our faith and because our request aligns with his will? Think about your conversations with God lately. What have you been asking for? How have you been asking? Why are you asking for that?

Let’s pray. Lord, you are genius in how you put all of creation into place. Jesus’ time on earth was also calculated down to the last detail. There are so many teachable moments from your word, I thank you for revealing yourself to me. Forgive me when I ask for things out of selfish ambition and desire. You have such a better plan for me. help me to ask only for your will to be done. May I accept what that is and be certain that I am walking in your will for me. Don’t let the voices of the world penetrate my head and heart and cause me to stumble. I thank you for your presence in my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mark 10:13-31 – How Rich Are You?

Read Mark 10:13-31

Today’s reading would fit nicely with a passage we had not too long ago about children. Jesus truly valued children and we often see him pictured with children. It is important that we keep our expectation and reliance on God (as a child to his/her parents) and devotion to Jesus clear, like a child. In Jesus’ words, “I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”

The scene then changes, and Jesus encounters a man, a rich man. From all appearances, this man is devoted to Jesus. He has been a good man, following all of the commandments since he was young. But what happens when Jesus tells him what he hasn’t yet done? Jesus tells him to sell all that he has, give the money to the poor, and come follow him. The man went away sad.

It’s hard to let go of things, isn’t it? Have you ever had to downsize? If you’re a pack rat like me, it can be hard to part with things that we hold dear. But they are just things. I’m preaching to myself here probably more than anybody. When we prepared to leave the U.S. to move abroad in retirement, we parted with many things. We each had our struggles, and to see our life’s possessions being sold for pennies on the dollar of what we had paid was hard. We didn’t give our money to the poor, but we donated many carloads to those less fortunate. Those transactions were actually easier for me because I felt like I was passing on a piece of me to help another.

Jesus is getting to our hearts here. He goes on to tell us how hard it is to get into the kingdom of heaven. Harder for the rich, why? Is it because they are focusing so much on what they have and accumulating more? Is it because their hearts are not open and accepting of Jesus and his love?

Throughout the moving process, there were times that I wished we could just walk away from it all, get in the car, and move to Mexico with just the clothes on our backs (and our four dogs of course). I often thought of this very Bible story, and at times I was ready to be faithful and respond as Jesus had requested. Then my selfishness set in again and I clung to things. Things.

While it is not practical for every follower of Jesus today to go, sell, give, come, follow, we can clear away the rubbish and keep our hearts open. We can simplify our lives to a place where we have more time for Jesus. We have that control. To say we don’t is a cop-out. We all have the same number of hours in a day, and how we elect to spend them is entirely up to us.

Perhaps we need to stop and re-evaluate. What are we spending the majority of our time doing? Is God getting only our left overs? Are your signs on the spending eternity with God?

Let’s pray. Father God, I thank you for the desire you have placed in my heart to please you. I struggle sometimes with relationships and situations and ask for your hand to bring peace and reconciliation. Help me to part with those things that are not helping me be closer to you. Grant me wisdom to make good decisions. Reflect your love through me today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.