40 Days in the Word - Day 19: Mark 14:3-9

[above] Painting of Mary Magdalene by Guido Reni

Verse 3
Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard. She broke open the jar and poured the perfume over his head.

My Thoughts: Jesus defended this woman’s actions by telling those who criticized her that she was preparing his body for burial (vs. 8). Who was this woman and did she really know ahead of time that Jesus was going to die? It is recorded in Matthew’s account of this event that right before, Jesus had said that he was going to be crucified (Matthew 26:2). There was a high possibility that she was traveling with Jesus and heard Him say this (Luke 8:2). Also in Matthew’s account, we find out that it was Jesus’ disciples who were the critical ones (Matthew 26:8). Why did this woman understand what was about to happen to Jesus and His own disciples did not? I believe the identity of this woman is Mary of Magdala, also known as Mary Magdalene. She was believed to have been a prostitute whom Jesus cast out seven demons from (Luke 8:2). She was one of the most celebrated disciples of Jesus and the most important female disciple in the movement of Jesus. We also know she intently sat at Jesus’ feet when he taught (Luke 10:39). Along with John, She was the only other disciple to stay close to Jesus through His trial and remain at the foot of the cross of Jesus’ crucifixion (John 19:25). She also was the first disciple to witness Jesus’ resurrection (Mark 16:9). Because Mary was a devout disciple, she knew Jesus was about to be handed over the Pharisees to be killed.  This is the very reason Jesus proclaimed for all time and throughout the world, the deed of Mary here in the home of Simon the leper would be told and discussed (vs. 9). In light of this, Mary inspires me and challenges me to be a disciple of Jesus just like her. I want to daily sit at the feet of Jesus by reading and studying His word and allow Him to speak into my heart so that I honor Him just as Mary did.

Application: Discipleship. These verses impact my heart, soul, and mind.

40 Days in the Word - Day 18: Mark 11:24-25

I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you've received it, it will be yours. But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too."

My Thoughts: This is one of those verses easy to read but hard to live. There are people in my life who have done me and my family seriously wrong. Do I hold a grudge against against them? To the sense that it consumes me with hate and ill will towards them? No. However, to the sense that I ruminate about them from time to time? Yes. To the point that I don't want them back in my life? Yes. So, am I still holding onto a grudge against them? I’d like to say no, but on the other hand, I can’t give a definitive yes. Do I think, however, I am living in un-forgiveness with God? Not at all. God’s mercy is new every morning and when I am tempted to to let an emotional wound take root in my heart, I have a Savior in Jesus, who can listen with perfect empathy towards me and heal me and forgive me. Therefore, whenever I am in communication with God and those feelings of betrayal and hurt comes into my mind, it is a great opportunity to process them with the One who went through the ultimate betrayal and hurt, Jesus.

Application: Relationships. These verses impact my heart and soul and mind.

40 Days in the Word - Day 17: Mark 10:17-31

10/5/2012 - Mark 10:17-31

Verse 27
Jesus looked at them intently and said, "Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God."

My Thoughts:  In Jesus’ response to this rich man as to gaining eternal life, Jesus gives a partial list of commandments. Jesus leaves out some commandments and in particular:

1. Do not worship any other gods besides Me
2. Do not make idols of any kind

Jesus exposes two commands which the rich man could not keep when Jesus says to this man,  “Go and sell all you have and give it away to the poor and then follow me.” This rich man’s security and faith was in his riches and not in God. This man was unwilling to let go of all he possessed in order to follow God with all his heart, soul, and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5). His possessions had taken the place of God and had become his idol. Is there anything in my life that I am unwilling to trust into God’s hands in order to follow Him completely? Can I give up wanting what the Jones have? Am I holding onto bitterness towards a parent? Is there something or someone in my life that takes the place of God? As I look at the list, it is obvious that there are areas which still seem impossible to let go of. The disciples reaction to Jesus' response to the rejection of this rich man (verses 23-24) was, “Then who in the world can be saved?” Jesus’ answer to them is the key to obtaining eternal life. Salvation is an act of God and not man. There is no one who is perfect except God and Jesus declares himself God to the rich man before He answers him (verse 17). Jesus was sinless and took the penalty of our sin to the cross so that we could obtain eternal life through His sacrifice (Romans 3:23-26; Romans 6:23).

Application: Every area of my life. These verses impact my heart, soul, mind, and body.

40 Days in the Word - Day 16: Mark 9:33-35

After they arrived at Capernaum and settled in a house, Jesus asked his disciples, "What were you discussing out on the road?" But they didn't answer, because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve disciples over to him, and said, "Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else."

My Thoughts: I can remember as a young boy hearing the term “public servant” in reference to a government leader, like the president. You don’t hear that term anymore. All you hear is their title or the word “politician.” Jesus was the author and example of a servant leader. Jesus not only told His disciples to be a servant to everyone, but Jesus lived it. The disciples had been arguing about entitlement. Who should be first in line or sit in the best seat or be over everyone else. Jesus’ response was to introduce the concept of leading by serving. We use the term “servant leader” to describe this concept. Jesus, who is the creator of all (John 1), demonstrates this when He washed the feet of those He created (John 13:1-17). In the areas in which I lead, my family; my church; my job, do I serve those I lead or do I lord over them? Do I power up in order to get my way or do I humbly yield in order to listen to the other side of a debate. In other words, do I see my leadership roles as entitlement or as a responsibility to serve and care for others?

Application: My family, my relationships, and my jobs. These verses impact my heart and mind.

40 Days in the Word - Day 15: Mark 8:34-38

Verse 35
If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.

My Thoughts: This is a perplexing statement which I call, Jesus’ paradox. If you hang onto your life, you will lose it, but if you will give up your life, you will save it. What? It seems to contradict itself. In Luke 17:33, it does not record the phrase, “for my sake and the for sake of the Good News” and in Matthew 10:39, it only records, “for my sake.” Since the resurrection of Jesus, some have interpreted this to mean, martyrdom and during the Dark Ages, priests would beat themselves trying to lose themselves. In today’s church many interpret this to mean giving up all you giving up everything in order to preach the Gospel. Jesus makes two sayings after verse 35, which brings some understanding to this paradoxical statement. First, Jesus asks the question, “Is anything worth your soul?” Then, next he states, “If anyone is ashamed of me and my message...I will be ashamed of that person....” To identify with Jesus is to become like Him. Jesus was not a self serving person. He lived to love and serve. Jesus is saying your soul was made in the likeness of God (Genesis 1:27). Sin is to turn away from God’s likeness to do anything that contradicts the likeness of God. How do we know what the likeness of God is? We look to Jesus, who is the perfect reflection of God (Colossians 1:15). God is love (1 John 4:8) and Jesus perfectly reflects who God is. Our true self was created to reflect this benevolence in all we say and do. On the other hand, our mean spirited, selfish, and sinful self, is the opposite of the image and likeness of God. In order to discover our true identity, we must die to our sinful and selfish self. How do we do that? Reflect the characteristics of God’s love in all we say and do. What are the characteristics of God’s Love? 1 Corinthians 13:

Application: My entire life. These verses impact my heart, soul, and mind.

40 Days in the Word - Day 14: Mark 6:45-51

Verses 47-49
Late that night, the disciples were in their boat in the middle of the lake, and Jesus was alone on land. He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves. About three o'clock in the morning* Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. He intended to go past them, but when they saw him walking on the water, they cried out in terror, thinking he was a ghost.

My Thoughts: Whenever I read this passage, the phrase, "He intended to go past them," always catches my attention. Why was Jesus going to go past them instead of to them? I chuckle to think that maybe Jesus was just messing with them. To see what their reaction would be. At first, they believed they were seeing an apparition not recognizing it was Jesus. His response to them is very interesting. He uses the same word God spoke to Moses, at the burning bush, to identify Himself to the disciples: “ I AM.” (Exodus 3:4)

Jesus said to the disciples in the midst of their trouble, Don’t be afraid, God is here (vs. 50). He climbs into the boat with them and immediately, the Sea of Galilee calms completely down. The disciples had so soon forgotten the miracle of the loaves and fish. By this time, it seems, they would of known Jesus is God, the creator of all things, the everlasting One, the great I AM.

Each day is full of challenges and sometimes overwhelming events. Where is Jesus in the midst of my day? Do I recognize Him as LORD of lords and KING of kings? Is He God to me or some frightening apparition passing me by? A distant memory or an ever present help? Jesus, I need You in my boat with me today and everyday. I need You to calm the waves of doubt and fear that beat against my heart. I need You, the great I AM.

Application: My everyday life. These verses impact my heart and mind.

40 Days in the Word - Day 13: Mark 6:35-44

10/1/2012 - Mark 6:35-44

Verse 37
But Jesus said, "You feed them."
 "With what?" they asked. "We'd have to work for months to earn enough money to buy food for all these people!"

My Thoughts: I find myself feeling the way the disciples did as I follow Jesus. Many times, Jesus has given me directions in my life that seemed impossible and way more than I could ever afford to do. I have felt overwhelmed and totally inadequate for the task. I wonder how many miracles I have missed when those feelings have kept me from that task? Yet, I know the times I have obeyed Jesus’ directions in my life have always, when all is done, yielded miraculous results.

Application: Relationships, Family, and Work. These verses impact my heart and body.