Day 5- Mark 1:29-34 (Sunday, February 28)

The healing that we saw in yesterday’s reading was clearly very powerful. However, what we see today is more than powerful; it is also very personal. In the midst of the strangers and the nameless people that were brought to Jesus for healing, we read about a house call that Jesus makes for one of his disciples. It seems that Simon’s (soon to be Peter) mother-in-law was in bed with a fever. We don’t know how sick she was, but we do see for the first time how Jesus clearly cares for those who were close to him.

I don’t think we have to imagine how much this would have meant to Peter. He has dropped everything to go and follow Jesus, yet Jesus cared enough to go and show compassion upon his mother in law. My guess is that Jesus’ actions built even deeper loyalty within Peter than what Peter had for Jesus before.

It would be wise for us to reflect on the times that God has ministered deeply to us in our past as well. Was there a time when you sensed God coming very near to you to minister to your family? Was there a time in your life when you needed help, and God sent someone your way to encourage you? When have you seen God use the church to reach out and minister to you? Reflect on these times and let them compel you not only to a life of thanksgiving, but also to have eyes of compassion. Look around you and see who needs to be helped or encouraged, and reach out with the power of God and do it!

Day 4- Mark 1:21-28 (Saturday, February 27)

In today’s reading we first encounter one of the dominating themes throughout the book of Mark: the people are constantly amazed by Jesus, but yet they fail to recognize who he is. Only the demons truly recognize him. However, we also see repeated twice that Jesus’ teaching had authority behind it, unlike the teachers of the law. This is not merely religious teaching that Jesus brings with him. He brings with him the power of God.

In this passage, we see that this power is made clear as Jesus frees those who are demon-possessed. In other accounts, we see Jesus freeing people from sickness and disease. If we are to teach with the power of Jesus, we must ask ourselves what social ills in our culture Jesus longs to heal. Religion is not enough to stand against addictions to alcohol and drugs, the decay of the family, and the poverty that we see so rampant in our community. People need the power of God. People need Jesus.

Ask yourself these two questions today: First, Am I living with the power of God, or am I merely being religious? Secondly, who am I overlooking or writing off that truly needs the power of God?

Day 3- Mark 1:14-20 (Friday, February 26)

There is an immediacy to following Jesus that we must recognize. Throughout the book of Mark, we continually see that both Jesus and his followers take action ‘immediately’, ‘at once’, or ‘without delay’. Unlike the other gospels, we have no indication here as to how much these men really understood who Jesus was, or how much interaction that they had with him prior to their calling. We must assume that there was some. All we know is that they dropped their nets, along with their livelihood, and yes, even their families to come and follow Jesus.

I do not think that Mark is encouraging us to merely be free spirits here who leave our lives behind at the drop of a hat. However, I do believe that Mark is using the story of the immediate response of these men to show us just how powerful the message of Jesus really is. If these men were willing to leave so much behind so quickly, then we must consider the importance of this man as well.

While these men did not fully recognize who Jesus was, they did know that his message was not only what they had been waiting for their entire lives, but also what Israel had been waiting for hundreds of years. We must also recognize that what we have is not merely a religious figure, but we have Jesus, who has brought with him the kingdom of God. Along with Simon, Andrew, James, and John, he has also called us to drop everything and follow him.

Day 2- Mark 1:9-13 (Thursday, February 25)

I must admit that Mark has always been my least favorite of the four gospels. However, today’s account brings out something that isn’t brought out in Matthew. When Matthew tells the story of Jesus’ baptism, he tells us that God the Father spoke from heaven to the people that were there and said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (Matt. 3:17). It makes sense. Matthew wants those who are reading his gospel to know just who Jesus is. However, Mark’s account is much more personal for Jesus. Rather than the crowd hearing the voice, God’s affirmation is directed only to Jesus. He hears, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased” (1:11).

God the Fathers affirmation of Jesus helps us to connect with Jesus by seeing his true humanity. So often we hold Jesus on such a high level in our minds that we forget that he was every bit as much human as you and I are today. He was a person who faced the same temptations that you and I face, yet was without sin. He also was a person who needed and longed to hear his Father’s affirmation.

One of our consistent Lenten themes is repentance. We must take it seriously. However, we also have the tendency to beat ourselves up and to hold our sins over our heads for years to come rather than to accept God’s forgiveness. When you read this story, don’t forget that our heavenly Father is an affirming father. Just as Jesus was reminded of his Father’s love for him before his own 40 day journey into the wilderness, may you be reaffirmed of God’s love for you on this Lenten journey.

Day 1- Mark 1:1-8

Mark’s writing style is very succinct. When he begins his gospel, he doesn’t waste any time. His readers were probably Christians who already knew the basics of the story, so he starts off very directly: If we are truly going to encounter Jesus Christ, we must be a repentant people. Just as John the Baptist was sent to ‘prepare the way’ for Christ, so must we also prepare the way for the work that God wants to do in our lives. We prepare by repenting.

Repentance is simply defined as ‘changing your mind’. Its goal is that as a result of a changed mind, every bit of us would be changed. We need a change of direction in our lives. That involves our hearts, our minds, and our whole being. Yet emptying ourselves is not enough. In Mark, we see people who repent, but still don’t figure it out. Throughout the gospel they continue to miss the point of the life of Jesus. While we can certainly identify with these folks, I’d suggest to you that Mark would want us to notice something different. He says, “I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit” (1:8). Since we are followers of Christ, we have been filled with the Holy Spirit. He empowers us to live the life that we were previously unable to live because of our sinfulness.

The Holy Spirit works in many ways in our lives. One way is that he convicts us of sin. As we go through this Lenten season, my guess is that the Holy Spirit will convict you of some sins that you’ve never thought twice about before, and maybe some others that you’ve been holding onto with a white-knuckled grip. My advice: let him do his work. It is painful at first, but it will result in you being the person that God has created you to be.

Lent Devotions starting on Wednesday, February 24!

I was first introduced to the idea of Lent when I was growing up. All I really knew about it was that for several Fridays leading up to Easter we were going to have to eat nasty fish patties in the school cafeteria. That didn’t leave me with a very positive perspective. I just assumed it was some kind of torture that the Catholics did because they were kind of odd.

What I’ve realized since then is that we get so distracted by the things of this world that we need special times through the year to refocus ourselves on Christ. In its simplest form, that is what the season of Lent is all about.

You may feel uncomfortable with the name Lent. That’s okay. I’m not thrilled with it either. If you need to call it something else, please do. Several years ago, a pastor named Rick Warren started a program called ’40 Days of Purpose.’ I thought it was a very original idea. What I later realized is that he really just took Lent and repackaged it.

I once asked a wise man to define Lent to me in a sentence or less. He said he only needed three words: repentance, confession, and fasting. So over the next 40 days, that’s how we will work to refocus our lives on Christ. Repenting not only from our sins, but even more so from our sinful selves that have strayed so far from the image of God. Confessing our sin not to beat ourselves up, but rather so that we may find true healing. Fasting so that we would yearn for God in the way that we yearn for whatever else has been filling us, yet keeping us from ever being satisfied.

But first a word about fasting. We’re not going to ask you to fast from eating anything. Rather in the tradition of Lent we’re going to ask you to give up for these 40 days one particular thing that tends to consume your life. If it happens to be a sin, then you should give it up for good, not just for Lent. For example, if you’re having premarital sex, don’t give it up for Lent; just give it up all together. What are some things that you may want to consider giving up for Lent? Here’s a partial list to stimulate your thinking: TV, cell phone, chocolate, soda, coffee, caffeine, texting, facebook, myspace, American Idol, Lost, Sportscenter, Wii, surfing the internet, talk radio, MP3 player, etc. I’m sure you get the point.

Since our purpose is to focus on Christ, this guide will have daily readings from the book of Mark. It is perfect for Lent: it begins with repentance and ends with resurrection! Each day there will be a suggested reading, a devotional thought from the reading, and additional Scripture readings for all of you overachievers!

Enough talking! Let’s get started!