Be Still…

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.

Read Mark 6:45-57

Today’s reading is said to come “immediately” after “this”, this being when Jesus wowed everyone by feeding the 5000 with five loaves and two fish. Now the people had been fed, both in Jesus’ teaching and by God’s mighty provision of food. Jesus sent his disciples away for a quick exit, said his farewells to the people, and then he retreated for quiet time. I always like to set the scene whenever possible to make God’s word come alive.

There are two other gospels that recount this story, Matthew and John. Matthew’s account is actually my favorite because it involves Peter in the story. We all need to be Peter and have that challenge before us. I’ll reserve this for another blog post.

I do have some questions about Mark’s text. Feel free to put your thoughts and ideas in the comments below. First, why did Jesus send his disciples on ahead? Why did Jesus “intend” to walk past them?

I can understand why the disciples were terrified when they saw Jesus walking on water. I don’t know about you, but I’ve never witnessed such a thing, and I’m sure the disciples hadn’t either. They were also still a little confused about what had just happened the previous afternoon as they witnessed five loaves and two fish multiply into enough food for that huge crowd.

It Bible says, “[T]heir hearts were too hard to take it in.” I think that happens to us sometimes. We are so caught up in what we expect to happen that we can’t think in extraordinary terms. We may find ourselves settling for the mediocre.

I heard a sermon this week that caused me to pause. God doesn’t use the mighty for mighty things. He uses the weak to accomplish the great. Why? So that people will know without a doubt that it was God that triumphed. We need to allow ourselves to think BIG, even if we don’t know how are we are going to get there. God can make the way, there is nothing too big for God.

We can’t question ourselves because it is not up to us. God wants the best for us. Stepping outside our comfort zones can be scary. Let Jesus’ words here comfort you.  “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage! I am here!” Say those words over and over, claim this truth and feel God’s peace wash over you. Rest in this peace for a couple minutes (or as long as you have time).

Let’s pray. Father God, I thank you that you have my best interests in mind. I thank you that I can boldly walk in your love and grace to be a shining light to those around me. Forgive me when I fall short. Forgive me when I question you. Forgive me when I doubt and beat myself up. I want to be excellent for you. I yearn to put a smile on your face. I dream of the day when you tell me I have done well with what you have gifted me with. I thank you for your help and guidance today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Read Mark 6:30-44

I would rate this passage as one of the most commonly recognized stories in the Bible. This is a great example of how God truly thinks outside the box. His provision has no boundaries. That bit of truth should give us all more than enough hope for the situation we may be facing today.

Imagine you were a disciple in today’s story. What has this particular day looked like for you? You have gotten up, probably a bit exhausted from all the previous days of travel, crowd control and living in amazement at what you are watching Jesus do. But today, you were thinking it was going to be quiet, even Jesus was tired and wanted to rest.

But, no! There were more people. Where do they all come from? How do they all know where you are? It’s not like you have a location app on your cellphone or anything! You watch Jesus graciously go to Plan B, and you follow suit!

Then when your stomach starts to growl, you figure it’s time the people should be disbursing. When Jesus says to feed them, you think he has totally lost his mind, sleep depravity or something. But he is dead serious. So you obey, gather the few items of food you can find, and trying to hold back a snicker, you deliver them to Jesus.

What happens next will rock your world. You shouldn’t have been surprised. Jesus has a way of working all things for good, for making beauty out of ashes, for doing the extraordinary.

So, as we sit here today in 2017 (or whatever year it may be as you read this devotional), what nuggets from this story resonate with you? I like the disciples obedience and trust. Even though it looked hopeless that ALL the people would be fed, the disciples trusted Jesus’ command.

I also liked how the disciples were able to be flexible. Their day didn’t go as they had planned or wished. Yet, they let God use it, and use it he did. Have you ever had a day when your plans got botched? How did you respond?

Let’s pray. Father, your multiplication in this story has always amazed me. I come to you today and pray for that same multiplication in my life. I may feel weak and weary, but you are mighty and strong. Fill me with your power as I give you control. I ask you to show me what mighty deeds you have planned for me. Don’t let me get to the end of my life and look at where you REALLY wanted me to be. I want to be there and be your shining light along the way so that everyone will say, God is sure working in her. Lord, I ask humbly for you to lift me up and to show me my path. In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Read Mark 6:14-28

Have you heard this common saying, “be careful what you ask for”? In today’s reading, Herod was wishing he could take back the offer to his daughter. How was he to know that she would counsel with her mother and make such a request! To save face with his court, he had to follow through. Do you see a parallel to what happens at the end of Jesus’ life?

Ponder that for a moment.

Another thing we see here is a flashback. The reading starts out with Herod hearing of references about Jesus. He also concluded that Jesus must be John the Baptist raised from the dead. Up to this point in Mark’s gospel, we had only briefly, almost in passing, heard of John’s arrest back in Chapter 1. It was “later on” after Jesus’ own baptism, and right before Jesus went to preach. Here we learn that it was a “favor” for Herod’s wife. Now we step back and hear how the execution took place.

John had pointed out that Herod’s marriage to her was not lawful. This angered Herod’s wife,  Heroidias. What do you think Herod felt? Guilt? Have you ever felt guilt over something you did or didn’t do? Don’t hold on to that – ask for forgiveness and let it go!

John had been in shackles this whole time as Jesus was doing miracles and teaching about the area. Apparently, from the flashback, we learn that Herod and John had had conversations. Likely these preceded the imprisonment, and Herod, even though challenged by John’s words, respected John and wanted to protect him. Did Herod’s relationship with John move him closer to having a relationship with God, too?

Herod’s guilt was only magnified when he was “forced” to kill John. This was not what he had planned or expected. He was under fire to act. Have you ever been in the hot seat, forced to make a decision or take action? How did it feel? Did it turn out favorably? Isn’t it better to have time to counsel with those you respect and be sure of God’s will for you?

Let’s pray. Lord, thank you that you are always listening for my call. When a hard decision or situation presents itself, I have the assurance that you are there to help me figure it out. Protect me from evil desires and influences. Thank you that you give me the tools I need to stand firm for you. Watch over friends who are struggling now with the natural disasters that are filing the news: hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires, floods. Protect them and give them hope. In Jesus’ name. Amen.