TheHighCalling.org: Daily Reflections

Who Is This Man?

Mark D. Roberts — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:00:00 GMT

We don’t know exactly what the disciples of Jesus thought about him in the early stages of his ministry. They had followed him because he was a man of authority and power. It’s likely that they considered him to be the Messiah, the one anointed by God to reestablish God’s kingdom in Israel. But, as Mark 4:35-41 reveals, the disciples really didn’t know whom they were dealing with when it came to Jesus.

The story begins with Jesus and the disciples taking a boat from the west side of the Sea of Galilee to the east side. While they were on the water, a fierce storm began, with powerful winds and threatening waves. Yet Jesus, no doubt exhausted from his recent ministry efforts, was sleeping in the back of the boat. His sleep was interrupted, however, by the yelling of the disciples, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” (4:38). Jesus awoke and ordered the wind and waves, “Silence! Be still!” (4:39). As the storm abated, he turned to his disciples and asked, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (4:40). In response, “The disciples were absolutely terrified. ‘Who is this man?’ they asked each other. ‘Even the wind and waves obey him!' " (4:41).

The disciples knew that Jesus could do certain kinds of miracles. They had seen him heal the sick and cast out demons. But they had no idea that he might also have power over natural elements. They were truly amazed by this new realization, and even terrified. What had they gotten themselves into? Could Jesus be even more than the Messiah? And, if so, just who was he?

I have been a Christian for forty-six years. There have been times along the way in my journey of discipleship when I have become comfortable with Jesus. It seems like I have him all figured out. But then he breaks out of the mold, sometimes stunning me, sometimes confusing me, sometimes frustrating me, sometimes overwhelming me with his grace. I come to see Jesus with new eyes, realizing that he is far more than I had previously thought. All of us, I think, need sometimes to ask, along with the disciples, “Who is this man?”

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: Have you had experiences of Jesus that remind you of this story from Mark? When? How has your understanding of Jesus grown since you first put your faith in him?

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, what a joy and privilege to have walked with you for forty-six years! How blessed I am to know you and call you my Lord!

Yet, even though I do know you, I have so much to learn about who you really are. Help me, Lord, to know you more truly so that I might trust you more completely and follow you more faithfully. Where I have misunderstood you, point out my errors. Where I have failed to comprehend your grandeur, open my eyes to see your glory. May I be continually surprised by you as I come to know who you really are. Amen.

P.S. from Mark

In February, Laity Lodge will be hosting a retreat for pastors and church staff members. The Pastors’ Sabbath Retreat will begin on Monday evening, February 8, and will conclude on Thursday, February 11, at noon. As you can tell from the title of this retreat, our emphasis will be on rest and restoration. That will be the theme of our speaker, Dr. Rod Wilson, President of Regent College. Music and worship will be led by Jeff Johnson. The whole retreat will be structured so as to maximize the physical, emotional, and spiritual refreshment of participants.

If you are a pastor or church staff member, please consider joining us in February. If you know of a pastor who might benefit from this retreat, please tell your pastor, and give us your pastor’s email so we can send an invitation. You can send the email address to Jessica, our Laity Lodge Program Manager.

For more information about this retreat, check out this web page: Laity Lodge Pastors’ Sabbath Retreat. To register or if you have questions, please contact our Registrar, Ann (AnnJack@laitylodge.org; 830-792-1207).

READ Mark 4:35-41

The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”

Mark 4:41

Honey from the Rock

Mark D. Roberts — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 06:00:00 GMT

In Psalm 81, the Lord invites Israel to receive the very best of his blessings. “Open your mouth wide,” he says, “and I will fill it with good things” (81:10). In order to receive this bounty, God’s people need only to listen to his words and walk in his paths (81:13). Then, the Lord promises, “I would feed you the finest wheat. I would satisfy you with wild honey from the rock” (81:16).

“The finest wheat,” literally in Hebrew, “the fat of the wheat,” is that from which one makes the best bread and other baked goods. That which comes from the finest wheat is both tasty and healthy. “Wild honey from the rock” adds some zest to the bread. The psalmist may envision a bees’ nest under some rocky crag, from which one takes delicious honey.

As I think about Psalm 81:16, I’m impressed by God’s offer of wild honey. To be sure, honey has some nutritional benefits. But, unlike wheat, it is meant mostly to delight the one who eats it. Honey adds sweetness and joy to eating. So, without pressing the imagery of this verse too far, I think it’s true to say that God offers, not only nutrition, but also pleasure to those who hear and do his words. Sometimes we think of obeying God so much in terms of what we must give up that we fail to remember the rewards of obedience. Our God, who created honey and our ability to enjoy it, wants us to live a full, rich life, a life of genuine pleasure. This comes as we seek the Lord and follow his ways.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: Do you tend to associate pleasure and enjoyment with God? Why or why not? When has obedience led to joy for you?

PRAYER: Dear Lord, today I hear your invitation to Israel as if it were for me. You are urging me to hear and follow your words, to walk in your ways. I’m to do this, not only because it’s right, which would be reason enough, but also because it leads to the best possible life. Obeying you is the way, not only of righteous and significant living, but also of joyful and truly pleasant living.

Help me, Lord, to delight in your good gifts, to enjoy them, and to give you thanks for them. Remind me even to savor my food, to relish the varieties of flavors you have created, yes, even the tastes of good bread and honey.

Thank you, gracious God, for your goodness to me, for filling my life with your grace. Amen.

P.S. from Mark: For a fascinating series of photos depicting the taking of honey “from the rock” in Nepal, check out this website.

READ Psalm 81:1-16

"But I would feed you with the finest wheat.
I would satisfy you with wild honey from the rock.”

Psalm 81:16

Turn Us Again!

Mark D. Roberts — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 06:00:00 GMT

The words of verse 3 serve as a refrain in Psalm 80, appearing again with slight changes in verses 7 and 19. The first request in this chorus is “Turn us again to yourself, O God” (80:3). Some translations prefer “Restore us,” but the Hebrew verb literally means “turn us around.” Asaph, the author of this psalm, assumes that the Israelites have gone in the wrong direction and need God to reverse their course.

The second imperative in this verse reads, “Make your face shine down upon us” (80:3). In this image, God is rather like the shining sun or perhaps a parent beaming at a child. God’s shining face represents, not just his presence, but also his blessing.

Psalm 80:3 ends with the hoped-for result of God’s turning and shining: “Only then will we be saved.” Asaph recognizes that God alone can deliver his people from their devastation and sorrow. This will happen as God turns them back to himself and chooses to be present with them and to bless them.

We also need God to turn us to himself and to make his face shine upon us. This happens with eternal impact when we first put our faith in Christ. Yet, as Christians, we persist in walking off the trail and losing sight of the Lord. Thus, like Asaph, we cry out for God to turn us around so that we might live for him and in his presence. We yearn for his presence and goodness. Only when we live in the light of God’s grace will we experience the reality of his salvation today even as we wait for the fullness of salvation that is still to come.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: Have you ever prayed along the lines of Psalm 80:3? When? What happened? How did God turn you around and make his face to shine on you? Do you need God to do this again in your life today?

PRAYER: O Lord, today I echo the prayer of Asaph in Psalm 80. Turn me again to yourself, O God! Though I haven’t wandered far from you today, I still need you to reorient my life, to keep me walking in your path.

Moreover, I ask you to make your face shine down on me. I want to experience your presence in a fresh way today, Lord. And I do depend upon your blessing each day.

Only by your grace and power am I saved, dear Lord. How I thank and praise you for your salvation. You save me, not only from sin and death, but from so many messes I make because of my sin. Your forgiveness and restoring power are amazing.

All praise be to you, O God, because you are my Savior . . . the Savior of the world! Amen.

READ Psalm 80:1-19

Turn us again to yourself, O God.
Make your face shine down upon us.
Only then will we be saved.

Psalm 80:3

The Mustard-Seed Kingdom

Mark D. Roberts — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:00:00 GMT

In one of the parables of the kingdom of God in Mark 4, Jesus compares the kingdom to a mustard seed. Like this seed, the kingdom of God is quite small. But, even as the mustard plant grows to a prodigious size, so it is with the kingdom of God.

We must remember that the phrase “kingdom of God” did not refer to a place, but rather to the reign of God. His reign was truly present in the ministry of Jesus. But its impact was relatively insignificant at the time. Yes, Jesus stirred up the crowds and distressed many Jewish leaders. Yes, he was popular among common people, especially those who needed healing or deliverance. But, for the most part, Jesus didn’t even show up as a blip on the radar screen. As ancient Roman historians recounted the key events and people of the first-century A.D., Jesus received only the tiniest mention. Though God’s reign was truly present in the ministry of Jesus, it was small and apparently inconsequential. In time, however, it would make its full impact known.

Sometimes we Christians forget the image of the mustard seed and the encouragement it brings. We look at huge, successful ministries and discount the importance of our local churches. Or we see a few Christians who impact millions of people and figure that our contribution doesn’t count. In fact, however, God has chosen to use that which appears to be inconsequential in the work of his kingdom. Our calling is not to make a big splash for God, but rather to be faithful in our part of the world. The mustard seed of God’s reign will grow through us in our workplace, family, school, community, church, and society. We may not see it. We may not think we’re making a major impact. But God will be at work in and through us, extending his rule in our world.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: Do you ever discount your contribution to the work of God because it doesn’t seem big enough? How is God using you these days in his kingdom work? How might you be more faithful in your part of God’s world?

PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank you for this encouraging image of the mustard seed. You know how easy it is for us to get caught up in the idea that bigness is what really matters in your work. Then we look at our efforts and they appear hopelessly puny and insignificant. They look, well, like some tiny mustard seed.

Indeed, it may well be that our efforts on behalf of your kingdom won’t ever win prizes or sell thousands of books or make headlines. But the mustard seed of your kingdom is nevertheless present in our lives, as you extend your reign through us.

So help us, Lord, to be faithful in small things. Use us for your purposes. Glorify yourself in us and all that we do in every arena of life. Amen.

READ Mark 4:21-34

[The Kingdom of God] is like a mustard seed planted in the ground. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows long branches, and birds can make nests in its shade.”

Mark 4:31-32

Watch Out for the Thorns!

Mark D. Roberts — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:00:00 GMT

In Mark 4, Jesus tells a series of parables that reveal something of the nature of the kingdom of God. The first of these parables is usually called The Parable of the Sower, though it might well be entitled The Parable of the Soils. It does feature a farmer who sows seeds. Yet the focus of the parable is not so much the act of sowing as on the various soils onto which the seeds are sown. On hard soil, rocky soil, and thorn-covered soil, the seed fails to flourish. But on the fertile soil, the seed grows abundantly, producing a lavish harvest. Jesus interprets this parable for his disciples. He explains the meaning of the different types of soils, which represent people who respond in various ways to the good news of the kingdom of God.

I am particularly drawn to the image of the seed falling among thorns. The thorns, according to Jesus, are “the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things” that choke out the growth of the seed (4:19). Why am I drawn to this particular image? Partly, it reflects my pastoral experience over many years. In my church in Irvine, for example, I had many members whose growth as Christians was stunted because they were so preoccupied with worries and wealth, to put it bluntly. They spent vast amounts of energy working, far beyond what was needed for a very comfortable life. And they fretted about many things, such as their physical appearance or their children’s future.

But, to be fully honest, the image of the thorn-infested soil captures my attention because it depicts the tendency of my own discipleship. I can easily fill my consciousness with desires and concerns that drain my energy and attention away from the kingdom of God. Beneath the thorns that threaten the vitality of my faith there is fertile soil, because I truly wish to grow as a disciple of Jesus. But I must choose to prune back that which saps my strength and time so I can give the Lord my prime turf.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: Which of the soils best describes you? Or are you a combination of one or more of the soils? How might you become a more fertile soil for God’s work?

PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank you for the parable of the sower and the soils. I need this reminder today! Even though I’ve followed you for most of my life, I can still let the cares and desires of this world choke out our kingdom. I can give so much of myself to things that really don’t matter. Forgive me, Lord, for being less than optimal soil.

I ask, Lord, that you’ll help me to weed my garden, or to trim away that which limits the growth of your kingdom in my life. May I be fertile soil for the seed of the kingdom. And may the roots of your reign grow deeply into my heart, so that I might live my whole life for you.

I pray that, by your grace, I might not only be fertile soil for you, but also that your kingdom plant might flourish in my life. May I bear rich fruit for you, Lord! Amen.

READ Mark 4:1-20

The seed that fell among the thorns represents others who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced.

Mark 4:18-19

A New Kind of Family

Mark D. Roberts — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:00:00 GMT

One of the striking and, frankly, sad aspects of Mark’s Gospel is the description of Jesus’ relationship with his natural family. Mark does not give us any account of Jesus’ birth. The first mention of his family comes in Mark 3:21: “When his family heard what was happening, they tried to take him away, ‘He’s out of his mind,’ they said.” The people who had been closest to Jesus did not understand what he was doing and why. Knowing that he was endangering his life through his ministry, they wanted to get him back to their village before it was too late.

A little while later, Jesus’ mother and brothers came to visit him, no doubt to try and dissuade him from continuing his scandalous work. While they waited outside of a home for Jesus, somebody reported their presence and desire to speak with him. Jesus’ response was, no doubt, surprising to all: “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” (3:33). Then he added, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother” (3:34-35).

In a culture that prized family above just about everything, these words must have been shocking. Not only did Jesus fail to honor his family in the expected way, but also he spoke of family in radically new terms. True “family” is not a matter of blood relationship, but of kinship in obedience to God. This kinship begins by God’s grace in Christ, when he adopts us into his family (see Romans 8:15-23).

This statement of Jesus challenges me to look afresh at my own life: Am I living as a brother of Jesus? Am I doing the will of God . . . really? Am I living out my true identity as a child in the family of God? Am I so focused on my natural family that I neglect the needs of my Christian family? Am I living as a brother in the family of God?

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: So, what about you? Are you seeking to do God’s will in your life? How are your relationships with your brothers and sisters in the family of God?

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, how blessed I am to be part of your family! Thank you for adopting me as your child! Thank you for the incredible privilege of calling you “Father”!

Help me, gracious God, to live as a member of your family. May I faithfully obey your will, seeking always to honor you as my Father. May I embrace my sisters and brothers in your family, caring for them and sharing life with them. Amen.

READ Mark 3:31-35

Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.

Mark 3:35

The Unpardonable Sin

Mark D. Roberts — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:00:00 GMT

This passage from the Gospel of Mark has worried Christians for centuries. It speaks of a sin that will not be forgiven, often called the “unpardonable sin.” As a pastor, I have counseled with people who feared that they had committed this sin and that God would never forgive them. Today I’ll share with you what I have said to them.

Mark 3:28-29 comes in a passage that describes various criticisms of Jesus. His family, for example, thought he was out of his mind (3:21). The religious teachers from Jerusalem offered another explanation for Jesus’ behavior: “He’s possessed by Satan” (3:22, literally, “He has Beelzebul”).

Jesus countered this attack in two ways. First, he explained that it made no sense if he were casting out demons with demonic power (3:23-27). Logically, the power of Jesus must have been opposed to and greater than the power of Satan. Second, Jesus delivered the bad news, namely, that someone who “blasphemes the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven” (3:29). Most narrowly, this referred to the accusations of the Jewish leaders, who attributed the work of God to Satan.

Blaspheming the Holy Spirit is not a matter of a mistaken comment here or there. Rather, it is persistent, intentional rejection of God’s work and God’s grace. It isn’t just attributing the work of the Spirit to Satan, however. It is also choosing to resist that work in one’s own life. To put it most bluntly, the unpardonable sin is rejecting the very grace that pardons. It is saying “No” to God’s offer of forgiveness.

In my experience, those who worry about the unpardonable sin are not anywhere close to committing it. If anything, what they lack is not openness to God’s forgiveness, but rather an ability to believe the good news of Mark 3:28, that “all sin and blasphemy can be forgiven.” Here is the good news writ large. If you will only be open to God’s work in your life, God will forgive. Remember the encouragement of 1 John 1:9: “[I]f we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” From all wickedness!

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: Have you ever wondered if God can forgive all of your sins? Are you resisting the good news of God’s forgiveness? What reassures you that all of your sins are forgiven?

PRAYER: Dear Lord, today I want to pray, first of all, for people who worry about the unpardonable sin. You know who they are, Lord. You know their inner turmoil and confusion. Please break through with your truth. Reassure them and comfort them. Let them know with confidence that, if they have turned to you through Christ, they are forgiven.

I want also to pray for those who are resisting the work of your Spirit today. Though they may not be attributing your actions to Satan, they are nevertheless saying “No” to your grace. Help them, gracious Lord, to be open to you and the renewing work of your Spirit.

Finally, I want to thank you for the extraordinary gift of forgiveness. Thank you, Lord, for wiping my slate clean. Thank you for taking my sin upon yourself and giving me the gift of life in return. How good you are to me! Hallelujah! What a Savior! Amen.

READ Mark 3:20-30

“I tell you the truth, all sin and blasphemy can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. This is a sin with eternal consequences.”

Mark 3:28-29

Being with Jesus

Mark D. Roberts — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:00:00 GMT

As Jesus preached the good news of the kingdom of God and healed the sick, his popularity grew. He was being followed by those he had specifically called and many others as well.

One day, Jesus went up a mountain and called out twelve from the larger group of his disciples. These would be apostles because Jesus would send them out to preach. (The word “apostle” comes from the Greek word meaning “one who is sent.”) But the twelve whom Jesus identified were not just entering a preacher’s training program. At the center of their calling, they were to “accompany” Jesus. The Greek reads more simply, that they were “to be with him.”

This passage underscores the relational core of discipleship. We who follow Jesus are to learn his teaching. We are also to learn how to do his works. But the center of discipleship isn’t gaining theological knowledge or practical ministry skills. Rather, it is being with Jesus.

Sometimes we Christians forget this. We can get so wrapped up in learning about Jesus that we neglect to spend time with him in prayer and worship. Or we get so involved in the good works of the Christian life that we don’t have time to be quiet in the presence of Christ. Theological growth and acts of love are essential to the full Christian life, but they only find their rightful place in the context of a central, vital relationship with God through Christ.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: How do you spend time with Jesus? What aspects of life, even of the Christian life, can take away from your relationship with God? What helps you to know God more deeply and truly?

PRAYER: Dear Lord, today I’m reminded that the core of being a Christian is relationship with you. Even as you once called the twelve to be with you, so you have called me. What a joy and privilege! Thank you.

Of course, I can’t spend time with you in the flesh. How I wish I could! You are with me in different ways today: in worship services and small groups in Bible study and prayer, in works of charity and service, in the loving community of your people. Help me, dear Lord, to be aware of your presence in these and other contexts. Keep me from becoming so wrapped up in ideas or actions that I neglect my relationship with you.

Thank you, Lord, for your Spirit, who dwells within me. Though you are not physically present with me, you are here, so that I might be with you. What a gift you have given me! Amen.

READ Mark 3:7-19

Then he appointed twelve of them and called them his apostles. They were to accompany him, and he would send them out to preach.

Mark 3:14

The Wrath of God

Mark D. Roberts — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Most Christians I know don’t like to think about the wrath of God. We rarely hear this language in worship services or small group conversations. It isn’t part of our daily devotions. The idea of God’s wrath seems foreign to the God whose love is revealed in Christ. And surely we don’t want to think of God’s wrath applied to us personally. Moreover, when Psalm 79:6 calls upon the Lord to pour out wrath on the nations that refuse to acknowledge him, this seems politically incorrect in the extreme. It sounds like the kind of rhetoric that enflames our world and leads to all sorts of terrors.

So when we read verses like Psalm 79:6, we are understandably uncomfortable. How are we to understand God’s wrath? How could we use this psalm in our devotions? Should we pray for God’s wrath to be poured out on pagan nations?

As you might expect, I can’t answer these questions adequately in this reflection. But I do want to make a few relevant observations. First, the wrath of God refers to God’s righteous judgment, not primarily to his feelings of anger, though the word “wrath” has this connotation. To call for God’s wrath is to ask him to execute justice on those who deserve it.

Second, God’s wrath, in this sense, rightly falls upon all human beings. As we read in Romans 1:18, “But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness.” Later in Romans we learn that we ourselves are worthy of God’s wrath: “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard” (Rom. 3:23). This is bad news, to be sure.

Third, the bad news leads to good news. Jesus Christ took God’s wrath upon himself, dying in the place of sinful humanity. Thus Romans 5:9 proclaims, “[N]ow that we have been justified by his blood, we will be saved through him from the wrath of God” (NRSV). Because Jesus drank the cup of God’s wrath, we are able to drink the cup of salvation.

Therefore, in our prayers and in our actions, we continue to seek God’s justice. But, recognizing that the nations who reject God are also those for whom Christ died, we pray for their redemption. In particular, we ask that God’s grace in Christ will be poured out on all people, including those who reject him.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: How do you understand the wrath of God? What feelings does this language evoke in you? Do you pray for those who don’t acknowledge the Lord? Are there people like this for whom you want to pray today?

PRAYER: Lord, you know how difficult it is for many of us to read passages like this one. Our tendency is to ignore them, to hurry on to something more palatable. Forgive us for failing to take seriously the full breadth of your revelation. Help us to know you more truly and completely.

Dear Lord, we do ask you today to execute justice on this earth. We think of nations where people are trapped in oppression and poverty, of tyrants who wield their power for their own personal advantage. We think of companies that ignore the needs of people in the greedy quest of profits. We remember fellow believers in countries where they can be imprisoned or killed because of their faith. In these situations, and so many more like them, we ask for your justice.

But, indeed, as we point the finger at others, we acknowledge our own sin and guilt. We have sinned, Lord, and are worthy of your judgment. Thus we rejoice in the good news of your grace through Christ. Thank you for giving us, not what we deserve, but that which flows from your boundless love.

As those who have received your grace, we pray for others who have rejected you. May they experience your justice in cross of Christ. May they be overwhelmed by your grace, turning from their sin and embracing your righteousness.

All praise be to you, God of justice and mercy, God of judgment and love. Amen.

READ Psalm 79:1-13

Pour out your wrath on the nations that refuse to acknowledge you—
on kingdoms that do not call upon your name.

Psalm 79:6

Telling the Next Generation

Mark D. Roberts — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Psalm 78 focuses mainly on the sad history of Israel’s persistent rebellion against the Lord. Though he showed them mercy time and again, and though he disciplined them for their disobedience, the children of Israel regularly turned away from God and failed to keep his covenant.

Yet Psalm 78 holds out hope that the future for Israel might be better than the past if those who are mature teach the next generation to know and serve the Lord. In particular, the younger folk need learn about “the glorious deeds of the LORD, about his power and his mighty works” (78:4). Then the next generation will “set its hope anew on God” (78:7).

This psalm reminds those of us who are mature in our Christian faith that we have the responsibility of passing on our faith to the next generation. Studies show that this is not happening effectively, that increasing numbers of people under 30 are rejecting the faith of older generations. From my experience as a pastor, I know the pain of parents whose children turn away from the Lord. Yet I have also rejoiced with parents as their children and grandchildren come to renewed faith in Christ.

Psalm 78 urges us to be attentive to the next generation. Are we, in our churches, telling the story of God’s wonders in a way that communicates with the next generation? Are we willing to be stretched in order to speak the language of younger folk? Moreover, in our own lives, we should check to see if we are telling our own children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews about our experience of God’s love and grace. Are you passing on the story of what God has done in Jesus Christ, and through him in your life?

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: In what ways does your church seek to reach the next generations with the good news of Christ? In what ways do you sense resistance to speaking in the idiom of younger people? How do you share the good news with younger people in your life?

PRAYER: Dear Lord, today I’m reminded of my responsibility to share your wonders with the next generation. Indeed, it’s not mine alone, but something I share with all other mature believers. So I pray today for my church, that we will find creative and effective ways to share the good news with younger folk. Help us to make this a priority, to stretch ourselves for the sake of the next generation.

Help me, Lord, to be faithful in this endeavor in my own life. With my children and their friends, may I share my faith in word and deed, doing so in a way that is authentic and open. May I live my faith in such a way that the younger people in my world see your reality in me, so they might be open to hear me speak of your grace. Amen.

READ Psalm 78:1-72

We will not hide these truths from our children;
we will tell the next generation
about the glorious deeds of the LORD,
about his power and his mighty wonders.

Psalm 78:4

The Purpose of the Sabbath, Part 2

Mark D. Roberts — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 06:00:00 GMT

This story from Mark 3 begins with Jesus in the synagogue on the Sabbath. When a man with a deformed hand approached Jesus for healing, his opponents watched to see if Jesus would heal on the Sabbath, a clear instance of working, according to their interpretation of Sabbath law. Before healing the man, Jesus confronted his adversaries with two questions: “Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?” (3:4). Yet the opponents of Jesus didn’t answer.

The Pharisees could have answered Jesus’ questions in a way that expressed their convictions: “The law does permit good deeds on the Sabbath,” they might have said, “but only certain kinds. We’re not permitted to do good deeds if they are work. We can save a life on the Sabbath, even if this requires work. Of course, we’re not supposed to kill.” The Pharisees might have continued, “Jesus, this man is not in a life-or-death situation. You can wait until tomorrow to do the work of healing.” Yet Jesus would not have agreed because he saw the purpose of the Sabbath more broadly. It was a day not just for saving life in the most literal sense, but also for doing that which enriched and enhanced life. It was a day for wholeness.

I wonder if the Pharisees chose not to answer Jesus, not because they didn’t have what they believed to be a theologically compelling response, but because they knew very well what was coming. One can debate the theology of the Sabbath all day, but when one of the debaters heals a deformed hand by the power of God, that rather ends the debate and crowns the winner.

The question and the action of Jesus make it clear that the Sabbath is a day for saving life, not just in the particular sense of rescuing someone from a life-threatening situation, but also in the larger sense of bringing people to wholeness. However we understand Sabbath-keeping, surely we would all do well to set aside a regular time each week for doing that which contributes to wholeness, both of ourselves and of others. Yes, yes, we should be doing this sort of thing all week. But the demands of work, broadly defined, sometimes keep us from doing that which contributes to wholeness in ourselves, our families, our neighborhoods, our friends, our churches, and our communities. One purpose of the Sabbath, according to Jesus, is to save life in a broad, wholistic sense.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: Do you set aside regular time each week for doing things that contribute to wholeness? Why or why not? How might you do this in your life? What would help you to fulfill this purpose of the Sabbath?

PRAYER: Gracious Lord, thank you for being a God who values life, who saves life. Thank you for all you have done to help me to be whole. Thank you for doing this same work in countless millions of people, from those in my family to those across the world.

You have set apart a day each week for doing that which “saves life.” Help me to know what this means for me and my life. Give me the courage, Lord, to look at my life from your perspective. Teach me how I should think about the Sabbath as a day for saving life. Help me to know how I might faithfully honor this purpose of the Sabbath, without falling into legalism that extinguishes the very life of the Sabbath.

Finally, dear Lord, may I be someone who “saves life,” not just in special times, but in all times. Help me to be a channel of your healing power in every aspect of my life. To you be the glory. Amen.

READ Mark 3:1-6

Then he turned to his critics and asked, “Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?” But they wouldn’t answer him.

Mark 3:4

The Purpose of the Sabbath, Part 1

Mark D. Roberts — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Jesus and the Pharisees often disagreed on what it meant to keep the Sabbath. When the disciples of Jesus broke off some grains in a field on the Sabbath, the Pharisees considered this to be work—a clear violation of their interpretation of the Sabbath. But Jesus didn’t accept the Pharisaic view of things. He pointed to the example of David who broke the ritual law by eating bread reserved for the priests. Then he added, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath” (2:27). More literally, this verse reads, “The Sabbath was made for humankind, not humankind for the Sabbath.”

For centuries, Christians have debated the issue of the Sabbath. Is it something Christians should honor? Or is it merely optional? Or is it a part of Jewish tradition that we should forget about? Or . . . ? There is no way that I can deal with such big questions here. But I do want to draw our attention to what Jesus actually said about the Sabbath. It was made for people. The NLT rightly renders the sense by translating, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people.”

And what are these needs for which God made the Sabbath? Rest from regular work. Enjoyment of creation. Feasting with family and friends. Time for the renewing of primary relationships. Worship. Prayer. Spiritual, physical, emotional, and relational refreshment. Some rabbis even encourage married couples to have sex on the Sabbath. God set aside a day for rest so that people might enjoy him and the goodness of his creation.

It seems to me that no matter how we Christians work out the specifics, the teaching of Jesus about the purpose of the Sabbath speaks to us today. In a world so filled with busyness, where electronic communication invades every moment, where people are running ragged and neglecting their most important relationships, we need the gift of rest. We need to set aside time on a regular basis to stop our normal activity so that we might enjoy God and his good gifts. The Sabbath, says Jesus, was made for our own good.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: How do you think about the Sabbath and its relevance for your life? Do you set aside time on a regular basis for rest? Have you ever thought about the possibility that God made the Sabbath for you?

PRAYER: Dear Lord, as you know, the issue of Sabbath is one we Christians aren’t quite sure about. In fact, there is widespread disagreement among us about whether we’re to keep the Sabbath or not. Those who advocated some kind of Sabbath-keeping disagree substantially on what this means. Clearly, we need some extra help with this one.

That’s true, Lord, not just in the larger arena of Christian theology and practice, but also in our own lives. Most of us live such frantic and full lives that we rarely set aside time for intentional rest. We don’t know how to stop. So help us, Lord, to discover your gift of rest in our personal lives. Preserve us from the legalism that so easily develops when people start talking about Sabbath. May we learn to live in your grace more fully by setting aside regular time for resting in you. Amen.

READ Mark 2:23-28

Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath.”

Mark 2:27

The Taste of New Wine

Mark D. Roberts — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Yesterday I offered some reflections on Mark 2:22, a verse that speaks of wine and wineskins. Today I want to add some additional thoughts before I move on in the Gospel of Mark. I simply must say something about The Taste of New Wine.

First, a little history. Laity Lodge was founded by Howard E. Butt, Jr., in 1961. Shortly thereafter, Laity Lodge called its first director, Keith Miller. Keith was a businessman who had had a powerful experience of God’s grace and had begun to share this with others in a ministry of speaking, retreat leading, writing, and small group-facilitation. As a layperson committed to spiritual renewal, Keith was well-suited for Laity Lodge.

During his years as director, Keith was working on a book, one that significantly reflected his experiences at Laity Lodge. This book was published in 1965 as The Taste of New Wine. Soon it became a major bestseller, read by millions of people throughout the world. This book, along with the cutting-edge ministry of Howard Butt, helped to “put Laity Lodge on the map” of spiritual renewal.

My parents were among those who were powerfully impacted by The Taste of New Wine. I remember my dad reading this book when I was about ten years old. I asked him about it because I thought it was actually about wine. I was confused because my dad didn’t drink. Why read a book about new wine? He explained the real meaning of the title and mentioned that it was an excellent book. Soon, my parents were in a small group with other Christians, learning to experience “the taste of new wine” in their own lives.

Over four decades later, people are still tasting the new wine of God. It begins when we hear and respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Yet that’s not the end, but just the beginning of drinking in the new wine of the kingdom. God wants to do a new work in and through us each day. If we make ourselves available to him, if we open our hearts and minds, if we allow him to direct our paths, then we will be supple wineskins for God’s new wine.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: Have you tasted the new wine of God? When? What helps you to be open to God’s renewing work in your life each day?

PRAYER: Thank you, dear Lord, for the early ministry of Laity Lodge and Keith Miller. Thank you for the way that you used The Taste of New Wine in millions of lives, including the lives of my own parents. Thank you for your ongoing work of renewal, for offering us the new wine of the Gospel each day.

Help me, dear Lord, to be open and available to you. May I be a ready, flexible wineskin for your new wine. By your grace, may I let go of the old skins that can no longer hold the wine of renewal.

I would also ask, Lord, that Laity Lodge continue to be a place where people drink in your new wine. May many come to know you for the first time at Laity Lodge. And may many others experience the renewing, empowering work of your Spirit in this place.

Finally, I thank you for the opportunity to share the essence of Laity Lodge through other media. Keith touched so many lives through his writing. May this also happen through the ministry of TheHighCalling.org and these Daily Reflections.

All praise be to you, God of the new wine! Amen.

READ Mark 2:18-22

“And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the wine would burst the wineskins, and the wine and the skins would both be lost. New wine calls for new wineskins.”

Mark 2:22

Beware! This Passage Could Change Your Life

Mark D. Roberts — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 06:00:00 GMT

In the context of explaining why his disciples did not fast, like so many other faithful Jews in his time, Jesus used the analogy of wine and wineskins. On a literal level, what Jesus said in Mark 2:22 would have been common knowledge. When people in his time wanted to make wine, they would put grape juice into a carefully prepared animal skin. Then, when the fermenting wine expanded, the skins would stretch. Old wineskins would already have been stretched. Thus if one tried to make wine in an old skin, it would burst.

Of course, Jesus was not teaching a lesson in oenology (the study of wine-making), but rather a lesson in what it means to be open to the kingdom of God. The presence of the kingdom demands new expressions and new forms. This is just as true today as in the first century. If we are going to be truly open to God’s work in us, we must be prepared for something new, even for unexpected surprises. Too often, however, we cling to that which is familiar and comfortable, essentially rejecting the “new wine” of God’s kingdom.

Almost three years ago, I preached a sermon on this theme to my congregation at Irvine Presbyterian Church. I hammered them hard (in love, of course) about how easy it is for us to hang onto the old wineskins, thus having no room in our lives for the new wine of the Gospel. One week later, I was speaking to a church retreat at Laity Lodge. During this retreat, Laity’s director, Dave Williamson, asked me if I was ready to come join them on staff. Dave knew that I had brushed off a similar invitation several months earlier. As Dave spoke, I realized that I had a choice. Either I could take the advice I had so passionately given my congregation a week earlier and be open to the new wine of God, or I could say “no” and be a hypocrite. So I told Dave that though I could not imagine ever moving to Texas, and though I was not looking for a new job, I knew I had to be open to the possibility of God doing a new thing in my life. Well, one thing led to another, and here I am in Texas as Senior Director of Laity Lodge. Frankly, I’m thrilled by both the new wine and the new wineskins of my life. But the decision to move my family to Texas and the transition to our new life here were not easy, to say the least. Hence my warning: Beware! This passage could change your life.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: How has the new wine of God made a difference in your life? Are there old wineskins that you are clutching such that you are not open to the new wine of the kingdom of God? Are you willing to trust God enough to be open to his new wine?

PRAYER: Gracious God, thank you for the new wine of your kingdom, for new hope, new meaning, new power, new identity. Thank you for offering this new wine to me, for the new thing you want to do in and through me.

You know, Lord, how my soul is split when it comes to your new wine. Part of me yearns for the adventure of serving you in new ways, and the other part of me clings to what is old and familiar. Give me confidence in you to be open to your new wine. In trusting you, may I be unafraid of the new wineskins you have for me. May I live into all that you have planned for me. To you be all the glory! Amen.

READ Mark 2:18-22

“And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the wine would burst the wineskins, and the wine and the skins would both be lost. New wine calls for new wineskins.”

Mark 2:22

Why Does He Eat With Such “Scum”?

Mark D. Roberts — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 06:00:00 GMT

When I was the pastor of Irvine Presbyterian Church, I once got into considerable trouble with a man who was upset with me for saying something like, “Why did Jesus eat with scum?” My critic’s point was that Jesus didn’t think of people in this way, and he was right, of course. This disgruntled church member failed to hear the irony in my usage of “scum.” I wasn’t speaking from my own point of view, but rather from that of the religious leaders in the time of Jesus, especially the Pharisees.

In fact, the word “scum” isn’t found in the original Greek of Mark 2:16. It was added by the translators in an effort to convey the sense of their question, which reads literally, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” In the culture of Jesus, table fellowship signified deep intimacy. To eat with people was to share in their life and to allow them into yours as well. The Pharisees, who were committed to the highest standards of ritual purity, would never eat with people who were soiled by their impurity. They would have expected Jesus to do as they did, keeping plenty of distance between themselves and questionable types who might compromise Jesus’ apparent holiness.

Jesus ate with “scum” because he didn’t see people as essentially filthy. Nor was he concerned about preserving the appearance of religiosity. He ate with obvious sinners because they needed his help, and because they were open to receive it.

This story challenges me to think of my own attitudes and behavior. Am I more concerned about what people think of me than I am about people in need? Am I willing to “get my hands dirty” by entering into relationship with people who aren’t so neat and tidy? Am I willing to be like Jesus? Or am I more like the Pharisees?

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: What about you? Do your selfish attitudes sometimes keep you from reaching out to people? Are their people in your life whom you might reject as “scum,” even though you might never use this kind of language? What would it mean for you to follow the example of Jesus in this story in your workplace? your neighborhood? your church?

PRAYER: O Lord, first of all I want to thank you for being willing to eat with “scum,” because that means you’re willing to have relationship with me. Oh, I might look pretty good on the outside. But you know my heart, Lord. You see all that is truly sinful in me. Yet you are willing to have deep fellowship with me, even to invite me to your table. How I thank you for your exceptional grace!

Help me, dear Lord, to imitate your example. Keep me from the pretense of not sharing life with people who are “questionable.” Help me never to think of anyone as “scum,” but instead to see them as you see them. Give me boldness to reach out to all with your love and grace, no matter how others might think of me. Amen.

READ Mark 2:13-17

But when the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him eating with tax collectors and other sinners, they asked his disciples, “Why does he eat with such scum?”

Mark 2:16

Has God Forgotten to Be Gracious?

Mark D. Roberts — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Psalm 77, written by Asaph, begins with a profound expression of anguish. The psalmist has found himself in a terribly difficult and painful situation. He has cried out to God, even shouting and praying all night. When he thinks of God, he moans with unfulfilled longing (77:1-3).

Then Asaph begins to ask questions that are stunning in their honesty: “Has the Lord rejected me forever? Will he never again be kind to me? Is his unfailing love gone forever? Have his promises permanently failed? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he slammed the door on his compassion?” (77:7-9). These six questions all can be answered by the simple word “No.” No, God has not rejected Asaph forever. No, God will not “never be kind” to him again. And so forth and so on. After all, when God revealed his essential nature and hallowed name to Israel, he made it clear that he is “The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness” (Exo 34:6). So why would Asaph wonder if God had forgotten to be gracious? And why would this question show up in the Psalms, the inspired word of God?

Psalm 77 models for us exceptional honesty in prayer. It shows us that God cares more about our openness with him than that we get all of our theology right when we talk with him. Oh, to be sure, orthodoxy matters a great deal. But sometimes our efforts to say all the right things in prayer compromises our genuineness. The Psalms in general, and Psalm 77 in particular, encourage us to pray with “no holds barred.” We don’t have to be afraid of asking God tough questions, or even of challenging his goodness. What God wants from us, is not all the right words, but us . . . our full, true selves. God wants relationship, not with some whitewashed image of ourselves, but with us.

When we pray honestly, holding nothing back, we enter into a deeper and truer relationship with the living God. In the context of this relationship we will discover, again and again, that God has not forgotten to be gracious. Yes, sometimes his grace seems strangely hidden. But we who know God through Christ can always be sure that nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s love and grace.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: Have you ever prayed like Asaph in Psalm 77? When? What happened? Do you feel free to express what’s really going on inside of you in prayer? Why or why not?

PRAYER: Thank you, dear Father, for the example of Asaph. His honesty inspires me to tell you the truth, not only when I’m rejoicing, but also when I am hurting, worrying, or doubting.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for being our great High Priest. You understand our weaknesses and temptations. Because of what you have done for us as Priest and Sacrifice, we have even greater reason to come before the Father with boldness, confident that we will find mercy and grace at his throne.

All praise be to you, Triune God, because you will never forget to be gracious! Hallelujah! Amen.

A P.S. from Mark

My book No Holds Barred: Wrestling With God in Prayer explores the themes of this reflection in much greater depth.

READ Psalm 77:1-20

Has God forgotten to be gracious?
Has he slammed the door on his compassion?

Psalm 77:9

More Dazzling Than Mountains

Mark D. Roberts — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Psalm 76 celebrates the justice and strength of God, who “breaks the pride of princes, and the kings of the earth fear him” (76:12). He is truly “glorious,” “even more majestic than the everlasting mountains” (76:4). The word translated here as “glorious” means, literally, “lighted up” or “shining.” God’s glory glows even more stunningly than the mountains at sunset.

I love mountains. I love hiking in them, climbing them (as long as the trail is not too treacherous), and peering down on the world from the top of them. Most of all, I love gazing at them. Something about their bigness and beauty captures my soul. Mountains make me yearn. Their majesty humbles and inspires me.

But mountains are not there simply to impress us with their own glory. Rather, they point to the One who made them, whose magnificence exceeds them beyond all measure. No doubt, God has given us the wonders of the natural world to delight us. Yet these gifts also serve to remind us of the even greater wonder of the Creator.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: Which elements of the natural world inspire you most? How can these glories point you to the glory of their Creator?

PRAYER: O God, how I thank you for the majesty of the natural world. Not only that, I thank you for creating me with the ability to perceive and enjoy such beauty.

Yet may I always remember that nature is your canvas. The excellence of art points to the even greater excellence of the artist. Indeed, dear Lord, you are glorious, more majestic than the highest mountains. So, even as I delight in the dwarfing grandeur of the mountains, or the resplendent glow of a sunset, or the calming rhythm of a gentle surf, may the eyes of my heart always look up to you, the all-powerful, all-glorious Creator. Amen.

READ Psalm 76:1-12

You are glorious and more majestic
than the everlasting mountains.

Psalm 76:4

Being Mat Carriers

Mark D. Roberts — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Mark 2:1-12 paints a powerful picture of how you and I can care for the people in our lives who are suffering. This story begins with Jesus preaching in a house in Capernaum. His popularity has grown to the place where the crowd exceeded standing room only. People were even jammed outside of the door, trying desperately to hear Jesus. Four men approached the house, “carrying a paralyzed man on a mat” (2:3). Seeing that there was no obvious way for them to get their friend to Jesus because of the crowd, they carried him up onto the roof, and dug a hole right through it. Roofs, in Capernaum, were made of branches and dried mud. When the opening in the roof was large enough, they lowered the paralyzed man down in front of Jesus. He did not rebuke the men who had temporarily ruined the roof. Rather, “Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, ‘My child, your sins are forgiven' " (2:5). This unexpected response led to a debate about the authority to forgive sins between Jesus and the Jewish leaders who had gathered . Jesus, as the Son of Man, claimed such authority, and proved his point by healing the paralyzed man.

Every time I read this story, I’m impressed by the men who carried the mat of their sick friend. They showed exceptional kindness in the act of carrying. But then, they went way beyond kindness to boldness. They had no way of knowing in advance how Jesus would respond to their brash destruction of private property. They did know that they might get into a heap of trouble with the owner of the house. Yet, out of a committed concern for their paralyzed friend, these men risked plenty in order to present him to Jesus.

Their action mattered, not only to the paralytic, but also to Jesus. Mark tells us that when Jesus saw “their faith,” he acted to forgive and ultimately to heal the man. We don’t even know what the paralyzed man thought about Jesus. But we do know that the faith of his friends counted with Jesus, and led to the man’s restoration.

You and I have the privilege, indeed, the high calling, of being mat carriers. We do so by reaching out to those in need, kindly and even boldly. We do so when we pray for people with faithful persistence. We are mat carriers when, through word and deed, we help people get to the one who is the true healer and Savior.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: Who, in your life, needs you to carry their mat today? For whom can you pray with extra boldness? Whom can you help to have an encounter with Jesus?

PRAYER: Dear God, thank you for this tender and rich story. Thank you for the faithfulness of the mat carriers. Thank you for their example of persistence and boldness in bringing their friend before Jesus.

Help me, gracious God, to be a mat carrier for the people in my life: at home, at work, at church, in my community, and beyond. Give me eyes to see their need and a heart willing to reach out to them. Help me to be faithful in bringing people’s needs before you in prayer. Grant me the courage to “dig holes in roofs” in order to help people experience your love and grace.

Show me, even today, someone who needs me to help carry their mat. Amen.

READ Mark 2:1-12

Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.”

Mark 2:5

More Than Just Physical Healing

Mark D. Roberts — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 06:00:00 GMT

In this story from Mark, a man with leprosy comes to Jesus for healing. Jesus was his only hope of getting free from the dreaded disease that had cut the man off from society and would one day lead to his death.

In response to the man’s fervent plea, Jesus healed his body. But then Jesus said something that we might find curious: “Don’t tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed” (1:44). The command not to tell anyone reflected Jesus’ concern that word of his power would bring the crowds and keep him from fulfilling his full purpose. Indeed, this is exactly what happened when the healed man disobeyed Jesus and told everyone what had happened to him (1:45).

But why did Jesus tell the healed man to be examined by a priest and present the offering required in the law? For years, the man with leprosy had been excluded from his community, forced to live on the edges because of his disease. Only the priest had the authority to declare that this man had truly been healed. Thus, the priest alone had the ability to restore the former leper in his community. Jesus could heal his body. But the priest could “heal” his relationships. And this is exactly what Jesus wanted for this man.

Jesus still heals bodies, sometimes through the gift of medical science, sometimes through responses to prayer, sometimes with supernatural power . . . and often through a combination of all three. Yet Jesus is not just in the body-healing business. Nor is he just in the soul-healing business, though this is surely at the center of his work. Rather, Jesus seeks to make us whole in every dimension of life. The kingdom of God brings restoration, not just to bodies, but to all that was lost when sin distorted God’s good creation. Though we wait for the full experience of the kingdom, even now God offers to each of us the chance to be made fully whole in every part of life.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: How have you experienced God’s healing in your life? Where do you need healing today? In body? In mind? In relationship? Or . . . ?

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, how I thank you for the compassion you showed this man with leprosy. Not only did you heal his body, but also you made sure that his relationships would be healed. He had a chance for a whole new life, a new whole life.

Thank you for offering the same to me. Though I don’t need dramatic physical healing today—thanks be to God!—I do need healing of mind and heart. I need greater wholeness in my relationships. I need to be healed of fear and selfishness. Continue, dear Lord, your healing work in my life, so that I might serve you as a wounded healer. Amen.

READ Mark 1:40-45

“Don’t tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.”

Mark 1:44

Prayer and Purpose

Mark D. Roberts — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 06:00:00 GMT

In yesterday’s reflection, I noted how Jesus remained faithful to his purpose, even when that meant disappointing the crowds who were clamoring for him. I suggested that you and I need a similar focus on our main purpose(s) in life.

But how can we stay focused in this way? After all, we’re not Jesus. Our communication channel with God is distorted by the static of our sin. Can we ever hope to know our purpose and stick to it?

To be sure, our sin does get in the way of our ability to know and do God’s will. But the example of Jesus points to something we can do to foster clearer communication with God. Mark 1:35 says that Jesus got up “before daybreak” and “went out to an isolated place to pray.” Jesus sensed that he needed some extended time alone with his Heavenly Father. No doubt, in this time, Jesus received additional clarity and guidance with respect to his ministry. Because he had spent quality and quantity time alone with the Father, Jesus was able to reject the temptation to play to the crowds. He could stay focused on his purpose because he had taken time for prayer.

Prayer clarifies purpose. When we pray, especially when we are quiet enough to allow the Father to speak to us, we are able to know why he has put us on the earth and what he wants us to do next. Moreover, prayer enables us to focus on our purpose, rather than become distracted by all sorts of other causes and conditions. So, if we want to be able to live our lives with maximum impact, doing that to which God has called us, then we need, like Jesus, to spend time with our Heavenly Father. Though we may not be able to arise early and go to an isolated place, we need to get away from the distractions of life on a regular basis in order to quiet our hearts before God.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: Do you ever get away from the bustle of life in order to pray? What are the things that keep you from being quiet before God? What could you do in the next week in order to get quality and quantity time with your Heavenly Father?

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, your example in this passage both challenges me and encourages me. If you, of all people, needed to get away in order to spend time with the Father, how much more do I need to do this!

Forgive me, Lord, when I let the demands and distractions of this life keep me from prayer. Put within me a new desire to spend time with my Heavenly Father and help me to act on this desire.

O Lord, may faithful prayer undergird and permeate my life, even today. Amen.

READ Mark 1:35-39

Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.

Mark 1:35

Keeping Focused on Your Purpose

Mark D. Roberts — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Shortly after Jesus began his ministry in Capernaum, he arose early one morning to find an isolated place where he could pray without interruption. That didn’t last too long, however, because his disciples looked for Jesus to tell him what they surely believed to be happy news: “Everyone is looking for you” (1:37). An expanded paraphrase might read, “Jesus, you’ve made it. You’re a hit! Everybody wants more of you. Congratulations!”

Naturally, the disciples assumed that Jesus would leave his solitary place of prayer in order to please the masses. But then he said a strange thing: “We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came” (1:38). Jesus understood that he was not sent only to Capernaum and the immediately surrounding region. Rather, his mission would take him across Galilee, and ultimately to Judea and Jerusalem. Along the way, he would disappoint the crowds who wanted more of him.

Nothing can distract us from our true purpose in life like popularity. Even when we know God has called us to some particular work, we can be tempted to focus our energies on some other venture if that’s what people like. Many pastors, for example, find it easier to preach on what people like than on what they need spiritually. Business leaders sometimes work long hours because the praise they get at work is much more pleasing than the challenges of family life. Popularity is not necessarily bad, of course. But it can be a poor measure of what God wants us to do with our lives.

Jesus did not let his popularity distract him from his true purpose. Rather, he remained faithful in his calling. So he left behind the adoring and needy crowds in Capernaum in order to preach the good news of the kingdom in other places.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: When have you been tempted to focus on what is popular rather than what you’re really supposed to do with your life? What helps you to fulfill your calling in life, even when it is hard, even when it is unpopular?

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, when I read this story from Mark, I’m reminded of how easily I can become distracted from my primary purpose in life. When people want me to do something for them, when I am even popular, I can be led astray, not so much into sin, as into activity that isn’t consistent with what you have called me to do.

Help me, Lord, to do in my work that which is most important, whether or not it is the thing that brings the most praise.

Help me, Lord, to be faithful in my closest relationships, especially with my family. Keep me from getting so wrapped up in work that I forget the relational dimension of my calling.

Above all, may I give first place in life to my relationship with you. May I live for your pleasure most of all. Amen.

READ Mark 1:35-39

But Jesus replied, “We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came.”

Mark 1:38

Suddenly!

Mark D. Roberts — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 06:00:00 GMT

In the Greek original of the first chapter of Mark’s Gospel, the word euthus appears twelve times. This word, a favorite of Mark, who uses it forty-two times in his Gospel, appears as often in Mark 1 as in all the other Gospels combined (Matthew-6; Luke-3; John-3). Talk about emphasis! Mark is hammering home the point that the beginning of Jesus’ ministry is happening euthus.

But what does this mean? If you were to look up euthus in a Greek-English lexicon, you’d find meanings such as “immediately” and “suddenly.” Mark’s unusual repetition of euthus is meant to convey a sense of urgency, vitality, and fast-paced activity. In Jesus, the kingdom of God has drawn near and things are popping! For Israel, the centuries of waiting are over. God is on the move . . . suddenly! And people are responding . . . suddenly! Even the demons are getting into the act . . . suddenly!

The sense of urgency in Mark 1 does not require us to start rushing around in response to the Good News of the reign of God. If anything, some of us need to slow down and spend more time with God rather than always doing for God. Nevertheless, reading Mark 1 attentively should increase our excitement for God’s work among us. The Christian life isn’t a matter simply of waiting around for the Second Coming or preparing for heaven. Rather, it is joining God in the exciting, compelling, transforming work of his kingdom. When we see what God is doing, we won’t want to be left out.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: In what ways are you participating in the kingdom of God in your life? What keeps you on the sidelines of the kingdom? What helps you to get into the game?

PRAYER: Dear Lord, help me to see what you’re doing in this world so that I might get into your work. Keep me from complacency or, worse yet, boredom. Rather, may I be excited about the work of your kingdom, and may I get involved with you.

O Lord, do in my life that which is unexpected! Stir me up, Lord, so that I might serve you with enthusiasm and commitment. Amen.

READ Mark 1:23-34

Suddenly, a man in the synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit began shouting.

Mark 1:23

Drinking the Cup of Judgment

Mark D. Roberts — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 06:00:00 GMT

In Psalm 75:8, the image of a cup filled with wine represents the coming judgment of God. In a time known to God alone, he will judge the wicked (75:2), giving them their due. Those who have defiantly rejected God will drink the wine of his judgment, draining the glass to the very bottom.

This passage in Psalm 75 helps us understand the ministry of Jesus. When James and John asked Jesus if they could share in his kingly glory, he responded by saying, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink?” (Mark 10:38). Jesus would drink the cup of God’s judgment, taking upon himself the penalty for human sin. Yet, in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus wrestled with this very calling: “ ‘Abba, Father,’ he cried out, ‘everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine’ ” (Mark 14:36). In faithfulness to the will of the Father, Jesus chose to drink the cup of judgment, to bear the weight of our sin.

Thus, we do not have to fear the cup of God’s wrath. In fact, Jesus offers us the cup of the new covenant in his blood (Luke 22:20). Through the sacrifice of Jesus—his act of drinking the cup— we are forgiven, if we put our trust in him. Therefore, the next time you receive Communion, remember that Jesus drank the cup of judgment so that you might savor the cup of salvation.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: Do you ever think of Jesus as taking upon himself God’s judgment for your sin? What difference does it make in your life that Jesus drank the cup of judgment for you?

PRAYER: O Lord Jesus, as I reflect upon what you have done for me, my heart is filled with humble gratitude. You drank, not just the cup of judgment, but my cup of judgment. You took upon yourself the just penalty for my sin. How grateful I am for your amazing grace!

Now you offer me, not the cup of suffering, but rather the cup of salvation. In your blood I am forgiven. I have no need to fear the judgment of God because you have taken it, giving me your own relationship with the Father in return. Thank you, dear Lord, for this rich and life-changing gift!

All praise be to you, Lord Jesus, my Savior, Savior of the world! Amen.

READ Psalm 75:1-10

For the LORD holds a cup in his hand that is full of foaming wine mixed with spices.
He pours out the wine in judgment, and all the wicked must drink it, draining it to the dregs.

Psalm 75:8

How Long, O God?

Mark D. Roberts — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Time and again throughout the Psalms, we read the plaintive question, “How long?” When the psalmists are suffering personally, or when they see the pain of Israel, or when they witness the prevalence of injustice, they cry out to God, “How long?”

And so do we. As we live our lives in relationship with the living God, sometimes we are so filled with thanks that we can hardly contain ourselves. But there are other times, times of doubt and discouragement, times when we wonder what God is doing, or if he is still there. In these times, we join the psalmists in calling, “How long, O God?”

I'm sure there have been times when this kind of prayer has received a specific answer from the Lord. But, for the most part, we don’t hear a voice from heaven saying, “Three months and two days.” Rather, our “How long?” question usually receive the response of silence. This can be hard to take! But if we allow ourselves to quiet down, if we let the still, small voice of God’s Spirit whisper in the silence, we will be reassured of God’s love and sovereignty. We may not know how long we’ll have to wait for God’s response to our prayers. But we will know with calming assurance that God is waiting with us.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: When have you cried out to God, “How long?” What happened when you prayed this way? What helps you to wait upon the Lord?

PRAYER: Gracious Lord, when things in my life are going well, I find it easy to acknowledge your gracious sovereignty over my life . . . indeed, over all history. Yet when I’m in a hard spot, when my life is stuck in a rut, when my prayers seem to bounce off the ceiling rather than ascending to your throne, then I join the psalmists in praying, “How long?”

Thank you, Lord, for the freedom to cry out to you. Thank you that I don’t have to censor my prayers for your sake. In particular, I thank you for the encouragement to cry out, “How long?”

Loving Father, I know that a thousand years is like a day to you. But sometimes it’s hard to live according to your timing. Help me, I pray, to be patient. Help me to trust you when I’m afraid. Help me to know that you are with me, no matter what happens in this life. Amen.

READ Psalm 74:1-23

How long, O God, will you allow our enemies to insult you?
Will you let them dishonor your name forever?

Psalm 74:10

Teaching with Authority

Mark D. Roberts — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 06:00:00 GMT

In the time of Jesus, Jewish teachers often focused on the fine details of legal interpretation. They wanted the people to understand, for example, exactly how they must wash their hands in order to follow the Jewish law. Moreover, these teachers would support their conclusions by quoting from other, earlier teachers. Even their verbal teaching included the sort of material we would find in academic footnotes.

It’s no wonder, therefore, that people were amazed by the teaching of Jesus. He spoke plainly of the approaching reign of God, calling people to turn their lives around in response to this good news (for example, Mark 1:15). Jesus taught, not in the mode of the rabbis of his day, but in the dynamic, confident voice of the prophets. Yet he did not preface his instruction with “Thus saith the Lord.” Rather, Jesus spoke with the Lord’s own authority.

Jesus speaks in the same way today as we read the Gospels. His word comes to us, not as one opinion among many options, but as the very word of God. In a day with so many “authorities,” Jesus teaches with “real authority.”

Though, like the people in the synagogue of Capernaum, we might marvel at the teaching of Jesus, this response is just the beginning. His word calls forth belief, as we affirm the truth of what he says. Moreover, it summons us to repentance, as we turn our lives around and follow him.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: How do you respond to the authority of Jesus? In what ways are you seeking to follow him each day?

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank you for the directness and incisiveness of your teaching. You are, indeed, one who teaches with authority.

Forgive me, Lord, when I marvel at your authority, yet fail to believe and obey. By your Spirit, help me to respond to your teaching by turning my whole life around and offering it to you. May I live under your righteous and gracious authority each and every moment of each and every day.

To you be all the glory. Amen!

READ Mark 1:21-22

The people were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike the teachers of religious law.

Mark 1:21

Follow Me!

Mark D. Roberts — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Those of us who are familiar with the ministry of Jesus can take for granted the fact that he called his disciples. But Jesus’ initiative would have surprised people in his culture, and not just those whom he called to follow him. Religious teachers in the time of Jesus didn’t recruit their own students. Rather, they received those who sought them out and asked to become followers. Jesus, by contrast, chose the ones whom he wanted to be his disciples.

When Jesus came upon Simon (whom we know better as Peter) and Andrew, his brother, he called to them, “Come, follow me.” Notice, he did not say to the brothers, “Come, believe in me,” although they wouldn’t have followed Jesus unless they believed that he was worthy of following. Jesus invited Simon and Andrew to take action, to do something in response to his invitation.

Though we tend to think that being a Christian involves our decision to put our faith in Jesus—and, indeed, it does—from another perspective, we belong to Jesus because he sought us out, much as he did with his first followers. Moreover, Jesus invites us to do far more than believe certain things about him. He summons us to follow him, to invest all that we are in the work of Jesus. Most of us won’t end up leaving our work and families in order to be Jesus’ disciples, however. Rather, we will follow him right where we are as we live under God’s kingdom and for his purposes.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: How have you experienced the call of Jesus in your life? How have you responded? Is Jesus calling you to anything specific right now? What will you do?

PRAYER: Gracious Lord and Master, what a privilege it is to be called to follow you. Thank you for extending to me this extraordinary invitation!

Help me, Lord, to respond to you, not just with right belief, but also with right action. May I live my life as one of your disciples. May I learn from you how to live each day under the authority of God and for his purposes.

Even though I may not physically go anywhere new today, may I follow you in all that I do. In your name and for your glory. Amen.

READ Mark 1:16-20

Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”

Mark 1:17

Turn Your Life Around

Mark D. Roberts — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 06:00:00 GMT

In Mark 1:15 we read a summary of the Good News preached by Jesus: “The time promised by God has come at last! The Kingdom of God is near!”

How did Jesus encourage people in his day to respond to this good news? How should we respond to it today?

Jesus spelled out how people should respond to the Good News of the Kingdom of God: “Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!” The second part of this imperative is the easiest for us to understand. Jesus was calling people to trust that he was telling the truth. The long-awaited reign of God was at hand in him and his ministry. His proclamation was true and worthy of full acceptance.

Yet it was not something that deserved mere assent. It wouldn’t have been enough if those who hear the Good News of the Kingdom had merely said, “That’s great. How true! Amen. Preach it, brother!” Rather, Jesus’ proclamation of the Kingdom called for a response. It demanded repentance.

The New Living Translation uses the phrase “repent of your sins” to translate the Greek imperative metanoeite. To be sure, repentance involves leaving behind our evil deeds and attitudes. But repentance also includes a new way of thinking and living. To repent is to turn your life around and pursue God and his path. The Gospel of the Kingdom of God calls forth a whole new way of living under the righteous, gracious reign of God.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: Have there been times in your life when you have repented? When? Why? How might your life be different if your whole life was “pointed” in God’s direction?

PRAYER: Dear Lord, as I hear the Good News of your reign, may I respond with all that I am. May I believe this Good News. May I trust you as my king. May I leave behind everything in my life that opposes you. May I embrace a new way of living, one that honors you both in word and deed.

Help me, Lord, to live a life of repentance. Every time sin begins to take hold of me, may I turn away and turn toward you. May I seek you with all that I am, living in the newness and joy of your Kingdom. Amen.

READ Mark 1:14-15

“The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!”

Mark 1:15

The Kingdom of God is Near!

Mark D. Roberts — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 06:00:00 GMT

After announcing that God’s time had finally come, Jesus focused the Good News in a few words: “The Kingdom of God is near!” (1:15). But what did this mean? And how can this be good news for us today?

When we hear the word “kingdom,” we tend to think of the place over which a king rules. But in Aramaic, the primary language of Jesus, the word malku pointed not so much to the place of royal rule as to that rule itself. Where we read “kingdom” in Mark, we might substitute “rule” or “reign” or “sovereign authority.” When Jesus said “The malku of God is near,” he was pointing to the coming of God’s authority and power. He was fulfilling the role of the messenger of Isaiah 52:7: “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation that the God of Israel reigns!”.

Years ago, I used to think that Jesus’ announcement of the kingdom being near meant something like, “You can go to heaven after you die.” Now I realize that I had mistaken Jesus’ primary message. Though his Good News did relate to what happens after death, it also had everything to do with this life. In Jesus, God was beginning to reign on earth in a new way, in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. Under God’s sovereign authority, righteousness would triumph over injustice and multifaceted peace would fill the earth.

Through Christ, you and I can live today under the reign of God, however incompletely. When we seek God’s agenda for our lives, when we live for his purposes and glory, when we bow before him in worship, we are experiencing the kingdom of God, in anticipation of that day when all the earth will flourish under the glorious reign of God.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: In what ways do you experience God’s reign in your life? What would it mean for you to recognize God’s sovereignty when you’re at work? at school? at church? on the soccer field? at a family reunion? etc.?

PRAYER: Dear Lord, what fantastic news you once delivered: The Kingdom of God is near! Thank you for being the one who not only announced the coming of God’s reign, but also inaugurated that reign through your ministry. Thank you, most of all, for opening up to me the possibility of living under God’s rule because of your death and resurrection.

Help me, Lord Jesus, to live each moment as a subject of the King of kings. Guide me, empower me, and use me for your purposes. May the reality of your kingdom be seen in my life each and every day. Amen.

READ Mark 1:14-15

“The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!”

Mark 1:15

God’s Time Has Come!

Mark D. Roberts — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 06:00:00 GMT

After Jesus’ baptism, he was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where he was tempted by Satan. Mark does not supply the details about this temptation that are found in Matthew and Luke. Yet the entrance of Satan sets the scene for the spiritual battle that’s soon to come. Following his temptation, Jesus began his ministry by preaching “God’s Good News” (1:14). Mark provides a succinct summary of that Good News: “The time promised by God has come at last! . . . The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!” (1:15).

For those of us who are used to thinking of the Gospel as a message about salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus, the actual preaching of Jesus can be confusing. What did he mean by saying that the time promised by God has come? What is the Kingdom of God? And why does this news call for repentance? In today’s reflection, I’ll address the first of these questions.

The original Greek of Mark 1:15 reads, literally, “The time has been fulfilled.” The NLT adds a few words to flesh out the meaning, “The time promised by God has come at last!” Rightly, this translation harkens back to the Hebrew prophets, who spoke of a time in the future when God would do a new thing. He would judge injustice, set free the oppressed, and establish a new order on earth. On that day, God’s people would be forgiven and their life under God’s righteous rule restored (see, for example, Jeremiah 31:33-34). Jews in the time of Jesus prayed regularly for the time in which God would restore their nation and rule over them once again. They yearn for the day of God’s salvation.

Thus you can imagine the excitement and perhaps also the confusion that accompanied Jesus’ announcement that God’s time had come. Was he telling the truth? Was God finally going to make things right on earth? Or was Jesus one more messianic pretender with good news based on wishful thinking?

We Christians continue to wait for God to complete the work he has begun in Jesus. Yet because we live on this side of Easter, we can experience God’s salvation today. As the Apostle Paul writes to the Corinthians, “Indeed, the ‘right time’ is now. Today is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2). In Christ, God’s time has come!

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: How would you like to experience God’s presence and power today? How might God want to use you for the work of his kingdom today?

PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, how wonderful and yet confusing it must have been for the people of Galilee to hear your proclamation that God’s time had come. I praise you for being the one who came to fulfill the promises of God, and, indeed, the longings of every heart.

O Lord, may I experience your power today! May your kingdom power be present in my life today. Fill me afresh with your Spirit. Use me for your purposes. May I live today in the joy of knowing that your time had come in Jesus. And may I pass on that Good News to others. Amen.

READ Mark 1:12-15

“The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!”

Mark 1:15

Desiring God Most of All

Mark D. Roberts — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 06:00:00 GMT

This verse from Psalm 73 is one of the most beloved of all the psalms. It expresses the psalmist's recognition of God’s unique value, as well as a passionate desire for God. Asaph, the author of Psalm 73, delights in God more than in anything on earth.

To be honest, I couldn’t always say that. There have been times in my life when I truly yearned for God more than for anything else. But my desires are generally mixed. I want God, and also what God provides: peace, health, significance, love. I’m not suggesting that it’s wrong to long for such things. Indeed, they are good gifts from the Lord. But I wish I could more frequently echo Asaph’s confession, “Lord, I desire you most of all!”

Where does such a passion for God come from? Yes, it surely reflects the truth about God as revealed in Scripture. The more we see God as he really is, the more we will yearn for him. But a fervent desire for God comes, not just from knowing about God in truth, but also from knowing him personally and intimately. The more we experience God as he is, the more we will long for his presence.

And how do we experience God? Through prayer. Through reflecting upon his Word. Through offering him worship and praise. Through the presence of his Spirit both in our hearts and in the fellowship of his people. Through serving him by caring for others. Through paying attention to the manifold but easily overlooked ways God makes himself known to us. And so many other ways.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: How do you experience God’s presence in your life? What increases your desire for God? What competes with God for your ultimate desire?

PRAYER: O Lord, without hesitation I can answer the first question of this verse. I have no one else in heaven but you. No other god vies for my worship. You, and you alone are God, the creator of heaven and earth. You alone are my Savior. You alone are my Lord.

There are times when I desire you more than anything else on earth. In these times I want to know you more deeply, to worship you more fully, to enjoy your presence more completely, and to serve you more faithfully. Yet often I find my desires are divided. I want you, and others things as well. But the more I know you, the more I experience you, the more I desire you above all else.

Nothing else in all creation satisfies my soul the way you do. Thanks, dear Lord, for making yourself known to me. Amen.

READ Psalm 73:1-28

Whom have I in heaven but you?
I desire you more than anything on earth.

Psalm 73:25