Author: Dana Hagstrom

Read Mark 8:22-26

Aren’t we all a little blind? Don’t we all need Jesus to open our eyes?

Our healing story today is of a blind man. On the first attempt he sees something, but Jesus wasn’t satisfied. He took a second opportunity to help the man really see.

How many attempts would be needed for us? How has the world blinded us to the truth?

I’ve just spent the last several days in the home of a beautiful woman. She was walking through some pretty horrific things as the love of her life had just suffered a stroke. While that is horrible in and of itself, the fact that she doesn’t know Jesus is even more devastating. How many more people are there in the world struggling and suffering today, alone. Without the hope Jesus gives us?

They are not alone, in the sense of the word, as there are plenty of doctors and nurses, friends and family, as well as acquaintances and passers by to keep them company. But I can’t imagine not having Jesus in the midst of my trial. True peace exists in the knowledge that God is control and that life is not over when we take our final breath.

I’ve really struggled these past several days. God has put me in this place. Why? When believers face life and death situations, it’s a little easier because we are surrounded by other believers to lift us up and encourage us, remind us that God is love. If you’ve been following this blog for any time, you’ve heard my prayer to be used by God to share his love with those who are blind to him. He has answered my prayer.

Here in our story today, the blind man brought by friends for healing. The first attempt didn’t work, entirely. I’m still not sure how the blind man knew what trees looked like. Perhaps he’d not been blind from birth. That aside, it took Jesus several attempts to break through the walls the man had put up that kept him from seeing the truth.

Our trip is now over, and I know I didn’t break through this woman’s walls of unbelief. I do pray that God used my feeble attempt as the first attack on her blindness and that God will work with that. She will forever leave a mark on my heart. I wonder if Jesus felt marked by each person he was able to help?

Let’s pray. Father God I thank you for the people you bring in to my life every day. Continue to use me as your light in this troubled world. Help me to reconcile with the frustration I feel when my light doesn’t ignite the heart of an unbeliever. Bless my words and my actions. Heal my heart from feeling discouraged. Bring miraculous healing to those you desire. I pray for the souls of those who do not know you yet. As I have prayed before, use me, fill me with your Spirit, and lead me in your ways. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Read Mark 8:11-21

In today’s reading we continue to see patterns that are developing in Mark’s gospel. The Pharisees are now pushing Jesus for a miraculous sign. It’s almost like they want him to perform a magic trick on the spot, hoping that they’ll catch him off guard and he won’t have his props ready to sneak up his sleeve.

How did Jesus respond? Our text says he “sighed deeply in his spirit.” This may not have been audible, I don’t know. I’m guessing it was more an inward sort of frustration that Jesus didn’t let on to those watching the scene. Have you ever encountered a situation where you wanted to scream on the outside but chose the more refined silent treatment instead? I think we have all had this happen to us on occasion. It may have even happened subconsciously.

In any event, after Jesus questioned why they needed such a thing or had much such a request, he got back in the boat and left. He was asking the question but never intended to wait for or expect a response. It could well have been an “under the breath” sort of statement.

The scene then shifts to the disciples and what do we see – they are fixated on the bread again. So when Jesus warned them of the yeast of the Pharisees, their minds went immediately to the bread they had forgotten. I suppose there was some guilt in there, and possible hunger. But they didn’t get that Jesus was talking about “real” bread, or yeast, here, was he? Jesus was talking about the words of the Pharisees, or their thoughts and actions toward Jesus. Jesus could clearly see through them, and he was warning the disciples to do the same.

The disciples’ memory seemed to be in tact as they could remember the number of leftover baskets they picked up in two of our recent Bible accounts. But we’ve also seen how they are just a little “slow” on picking up the message they should be getting loud and clear. Jesus is the real deal and is worthy of our praise.

Do we struggle with having more than a blind faith? Do we need to see a miracle like the Pharisees? Or, do we need to be reminded again and again of the greatness of Jesus and how much he provides for us? Think about it. What if Jesus were to show up at your door today. How would you respond? Would you drop every plan you have to spend time with him?

Let’s pray. Lord, forgive me when I get busy and distracted. I definitely do not want to be like a Pharisee that needs a sign to believe. I know without a doubt that you are there, that you love me and others,and that you stand on the ready to rescue me when I fall. Forgive me when I fall short of where you want me to be. I long to help others and draw people back to you. I’ve not encountered many non-believers, and I thank you for the opportunities you have placed before me.  I pray that you will use my grace and integrity to draw attention to you. It is all from you, after all. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Read Mark 8:1-10

Does today’s reading look a little familiar? The location has changed, and the number of people is a bit smaller. It is incredulous to me that the disciples had to even ask Jesus, “How are we supposed to find enough food to feed them out here in the wilderness?” 

Were they not just witness to a miraculous multiplication of bread and fish previously? What is wrong with them? Maybe it had been a few months or something. Maybe the fact that it had been three days with the same people made it so they didn’t see the connection. No matter, Jesus remained calm, didn’t he? Jesus simply asked a question, “How much bread do you have?” 

You may have already noticed this common theme so far in the gospel of Mark. The disciples are a little hard headed and their hearts are not open. I’m not sure how, but I have heard it said that sometimes the closer we are to something the harder it is for us to see. This is an excellent example of this phenomenon. I’m sure God had something to do with it, too.

We can be close minded at times, yes? We can be a little hard headed and stubborn, yes? It’s easy for us to point fingers now at the disciples and wonder how they could not see. We have the benefit of God’s word. We see how God’s love story has played out from the beginning. As the Old Testament begins in Genesis with creation, the fall, the rise of judges, kings, and prophets, the beautiful story unfolds and points directly to Jesus.

So what is your take away today? Provision. God provides. He always shows up for us like he did in this example.

We may be going through something so much bigger than ourselves. We may feel afraid, lost, alone. Or we may feel empty, like something is missing. If this is happening to you, remember the bread. Thank God for your life, broken pieces and all, and God will bless you to bless others. You will have enough. God is enough for us all.

Let’s pray. Father God I thank you for the provision in my life. Forgive my wandering heart and bring me back to you. Thank you for the patience you have with me as I grow closer to you. You are such a wise God and you are able to use all of my missteps and turn them into dancing. I pray for others who are walking down the wrong path, feeling lost and empty. I know you are stirring in them. Use me and others to be your ambassadors to bring them peace and to show them the way back to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Read Mark 7:24-37

The healing accounts go by so quickly. It’s easy for us to read them and simply acknowledge it was a nice and wonderful thing. We have built up an immunity, so to speak, as to the immensity of what is happening in these accounts.

Think of the woman, for example. If you have children, remember what it feels like when they are sick. Just sick. You feel helpless. You want to help them. You’d rather take on their illness than have them suffer. Now imagine your child is possessed with a demon! They have been taken over by something horrible and who knows what they are doing to themselves. That woman was desperate.

But she was also Gentile. But Jesus didn’t immediately rush to her aid. Why? Because Gentiles and Jews were not the best of friends. His words, “my own family” would suggest he was serving the Jews first. While it may have been a test, she did not retreat but only pushed further to plead her case. She had to. Her daughter was at home out of her mind.

We see here that Jesus is for everyone, Jews and Gentiles alike. We just need to have faith and come to him boldly with open hearts.

Let’s not just read these miracle stories for what they are on the surface but really see the beauty and significance. We also have a deaf man in today’s reading. The people had his back here because he probably couldn’t hear all the commotion of Jesus’ arrival or passing by.

I’m not sure why Jesus took him off to be alone. I would suppose that it was for the man’s own good. Imagine not ever hearing a single sound, and now imagine the roar of the people he’d hear in response to the miracle. Frightening? Indeed. How much better to have the first thing he hears be the soothing voice of Jesus?

Take a moment to reflect on these stories and how lives were changed. Jesus is still changing lives today. He is stirring in each of us believers, we just need to be still and listen.

Let’s pray. Father God you are so good. Every detail of your word speaks to us in different ways. The same passages can bring new meaning with each reading. Thank you that we are securely positioned in your kingdom. As I look around me, I see so many people that are living apart from you. How will you use me Lord to bring them back to you? I want to be your instrument to bring these people back. Prepare their hearts and then lead me. Show me. I thank you for the courage you are giving me to speak out and be your light in this world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.