Category: Mark

Mark 15:16-32 – Getting Worse

Read Mark 15:16-32

People can be so hurtful. We hear so much about bullying these days, it’s frightful. Kids can be so mean to each other. Why is that? And in today’s story, I always puzzle at the shouts and taunts of the people. So crude and rude. But there was one hero in the crowd that day, Simon. He took the weight of the cross off Jesus’ weary shoulders. He may have been “forced” but I imagine he was also blessed.

Jesus wasn’t your common criminal. He wasn’t a criminal at all. Yet here, even the criminals ridiculed him. Oh the ignorance.

As we’ve been walking with Jesus through the book of Mark on his journey to Jerusalem, I hope that you, too, have taken a fresh look at a familiar story. I find myself expecting to see Easter lilies and pastel colors in the stores. Yet as I write this, we are approaching Thanksgiving, and instead poinsettias are all around.

The truth is that we should have Easter faith year round. To muster up the joy and gratitude, we first need to walk with Jesus and remember. The Easter story is so much more powerful when we recall the extreme struggle, the torture, the bullying, not to mention the pain and agony that came first. We need to really feel it along with Jesus, just like he has experienced and felt all of our emotions firsthand.

Jesus came to earth stripped of his divinity but was majestic until the final moment. He took our sins, our guilt, and our shame respectfully to the cross. He did not put up a fuss, he did not lash out, he simply went. He went to the cross for us.

Let’s pray. Father I really struggle with those final moments of Jesus’ earthly life. But it was all part of your plan in some way. Your Word was being fulfilled all over the place. It’s good for me to remember how this chapter closes. I come with a grateful heart, struggling to find words to describe the depth of my devotion, thankfulness and trust. Guide me this day. Watch over my wonderful family today and bless our time together in the days ahead. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mark 15:1-15 – Condemned

Read Mark 15:1-15

Our walk with Jesus to the cross continues. In today’s reading we meet a perplexed Pilate, the Roman governor. He’s not sure why these religious leaders have brought Jesus to him. He questions Jesus’ identity as King of the Jews. The Jewish people had no current king, and the Romans were in control. He probably wanted to make sure Jesus wasn’t planning a takeover.

Pilate must have also been astonished at Jesus’ silence in the face of all the accusations. Most people I know would be trying to defend themselves or at the very least making excuses. Right? If you were accused of something you didn’t do – what would it take for you to stay silent and accept the consequence?

Love and devotion. Jesus was so focused on the godly love he had for mankind that he stood bravely by while his earthly life hung in the balance. Super significant. This was his mission. He knew it and would not deviate from it.

Meanwhile, Pilate was seeing right through to the hearts of the religious leaders. They were jealous. They were frightened by the numbers of people listening to and following Jesus. They were feeling undermined and less important. Their eyes were blinded by this fear.

Has this happened to you? You are so focused  on a problem that you miss the beautiful reality blooming around you? I think we have all had times in our life when we have put too much of our time and energy into something that was not in our best interest. It’s sad to think what we may have missed out on because we let our problems overtake us. Instead, we should be striving for God’s will–that’s the best place to be.

Troubles will come, but they will also go. Sometimes it’s hard when we are in the midst of a trial or struggle to think beyond the moment. We may feel like we are stuck in the mud, unsure of how we will ever manage to get back on track. Thankfully, we have been redeemed, and Jesus is there to pull us out of the muck. We just need to take his hand. Why do we resist that sometimes?

Whatever you may be struggling with right now, remember it’s not too big for Jesus. He is standing by ready to rescue us. Taking Jesus’ stoic example, we stay calm, and we stay focused on the fact that God is in control.

Finally, we see the people pleaser side of Pilate. He knows full well that Jesus is innocent, but to pacify the crowd, he orders cruel physical abuse and death. This crowd had to have believers and followers in it, don’t you think? The riled ones, thanks to the religious leaders, had bigger voices. I’ve even seen it depicted that the followers and supporters of Jesus were pushed farther back and their voices unable to be heard. Imagine how frustrated they were. They couldn’t save their friend and teacher. They didn’t realize that wasn’t ever the plan.

This unfolding story involves many active participants. Are you able to see yourself in each of them: jealous leader, people pleaser, rebel for a cause, silent worshiper?

Beyond that, Jesus’ fate has been sealed, and the torture and death to follow is cruel beyond imagination. Stay tuned as the story continues.

Let’s pray. Lord I come with a heavy heart as I think through the horrible things you experienced in your final hours. That you would do that for me? You were sinless and not deserving of this. Yet for sinners like me you gave your life. I can’t even find the word to describe my love and admiration for you. Forgive me for being worried when I know you have things in  control. Forgive me for wanting to please everybody, when the only one I should be concerned with is pleasing you. Thank you for what you are doing in my life to mold me in to the best me possible. In Jesus name. Amen.

Mark 14:53-65 – Fake Trial

Read Mark 14:53-72

Jesus is on trial, but what a laughable trial.  No preparation, only jealous rage. So much perjury. But, I suppose you can’t lie under oath if you don’t swear an oath in the first place. Where did all these witnesses come from? And, when truth was spoken by Jesus, it was deemed blasphemy. Jesus was in no way insulting God, his Father!

How does it make you feel to knowing how our Lord spent his final hours on earth? He warned us, as the prophets had, it wouldn’t be pretty. Despite the heads up, it’s still hard to imagine.

Meanwhile, the text says, Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard of the very house where Jesus was being assaulted. It sounds like he just sort of cozy-ed up to the guards to keep warm by the fire. Did he think he’d go unnoticed? What was he thinking? That could be the topic for a whole devotion in itself.

Then it happened. Jesus’ prophetic words came true. Peter must have had an evil spirit overtake his words on his final, very strong, denial of being associated with Jesus. Almost like a dream where you see yourself saying or doing something, but you’re only watching from a distance. But it wasn’t a dream. Jesus was right. Peter denied him and the despair at the thought left him sobbing.

Have you ever had a moment like Peter just did? Have you said or done something for which you would give anything to take back? Maybe you’ve wished for a do-over? We’ve all done those things. And, we all sin and fall short of the glory of God. It happens, yet we don’t like it.

God doesn’t either, and that’s exactly why he sent Jesus to die for us. Jesus is the bridge that brings us back to the father when we are separated by our sin. It’s better to focus on what God is doing for us, loving and forgiving us, then to dwell on the bad stuff. Ask for forgiveness, and be done. Forgive others, and be done. Simple but not easy.

Do you feel separated from God right now, or are you on fire and burning bright? Maybe somewhere in between? Doesn’t matter. God’s got your back. Relish this true with a grateful heart.

Let’s pray. Lord I don’t like when I feel apart from you but I know that you are always there to reel me back in. Forgive my heart when it is selfish and self-serving. I don’t want to be caught up in the world’s trap. Restore my servant heart. May it beat along with yours. Guide my steps this day, and I thank you for your protection. I am safe in your arms, and safe as I fall at your feet. What peace you give. May I spread your peace in this world for you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mark 14:43-52 – Noooooo!

Read Mark 14:43-52

Each time I read the account of Jesus’ arrest I feel so helpless. I know in my heart that it HAD TO happen this way. But in my head, I know it is truly God’s hand at work to blind the chief priests and scribes, and all those “churchy” folks. It is also God to scatter Jesus’ closest friends when he needs them the most. After all, they gave Jesus their word.

Was there something in today’s passage that stood out in some way? I know for me it’s the naked man. (Gotcha – if you haven’t read the  passage yet, now you must!) What is his significance here? Who is he? Those are the questions that have made many curious over the years. Speculation exists, of course, and one interesting idea (not necessarily the one I resonate most with) is that it’s the scribe for Mark, putting his/her own “signature” on this gospel.

Don’t let that cloud what the message we take from today’s passage. It starts, “And immediately” which would suggest that it flows right from what we read in the last post, Jesus had been in the garden praying, very distraught, and then finds his disciples have already fallen  away because they fell asleep when he asked them to remain awake and in prayer with him. And immediately, he looks up and he’s surrounded.

Close your eyes and picture that moment. Breathe in and out slowly. The Savior of the world. Loves you. You.

Jesus has been deserted three times. By his sleepy friends, by Judas, and then by all of them as they flee for the hills. His steadfastness reflects a God who holds to his saving purpose despite all that humankind does to the contrary. Do we flee like the disciples from Jesus’ saving grace? God is faithful. How do we respond?

Let’s pray. Father forgive me when I fall short of your perfect will for me. Thank you for the opportunities you give us each day to serve others. Today the kiddos at the children’s home showed me such grace and love. I pray that my giving to them also blessed them in return. Help me to be the light in this world that you want me to be. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mark 14:32-42 – Wake Up!

Read Mark 14:32-42

None of us can begin to imagine the agony Jesus was feeling in the garden. A different kind of desperation than we’d ever seen. His life on earth was coming to an end, he knew it, and he longed to be close to his Father in  those final moments. A bargain, a pleading, a comfort. The plan was set, yet Jesus laments.

Jesus own words are a good model for us when we cry out in prayer. “Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” We shouldn’t want the easy way out, but God’s way for us. We should be on our knees, like Jesus, in our times of trial.

Here’s a beautiful song to listen to to get your heart into this moment.  Realize the beauty that is unfolding here for Jesus and for us.

Listen HERE.

God is in the business of healing broken souls. He does bring hope for this fallen world. He never leaves us. Jesus’ own  disciples, after vowing they would stand by him, could not keep their eyes open. One simple request. Jesus’ last request of them.
He wanted them close. He knew that history was being made and they needed to know how important their lives had become. Their witness would have to be enough. If only they could stay awake!
Are we asleep? Are we not listening to Jesus’ words to us? His request that we love him first, and tell others about him! Our faith needs to rise up like ivy. We need to acknowledge the stirring deep inside.
Our fears are crushed, because Jesus overcame. We are redeemed, because Jesus overcame. We are who we are, because Jesus overcame.
Are we going to stay sleeping?
Let’s pray. Father God, thank you for the wake up  call. Thank you for the reminder that we come to you at all times, in times of torment, in times of struggle and in times or rejoicing. You are there. May it be my heart’s desire to  want your will for me and not mine. Your will is perfect. May I not cling to my old life but reach for the new life you are preparing for  me. So much lies ahead, and I want to dream with God-size dreams. Lord, enlarge my reach so that I can serve who you want for me to serve. I ask these things in Jesus name. Amen.
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