Saturday Morning: 11 May 2019 – Mark 9:14-29 ~ The Problem of Weak Faith

Saturday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (A Collect for Sabbath Rest – Saturday)

Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and set aside a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared to meet you in worship, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
__________

Morning Reading – Mark 9:14-29 (NLT)

Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Boy

When they returned to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd surrounding them, and some teachers of religious law were arguing with them. When the crowd saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with awe, and they ran to greet him.

“What is all this arguing about?” Jesus asked.

One of the men in the crowd spoke up and said, “Teacher, I brought my son so you could heal him. He is possessed by an evil spirit that won’t let him talk. And whenever this spirit seizes him, it throws him violently to the ground. Then he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast out the evil spirit, but they couldn’t do it.”

Jesus said to them, “You faithless people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”

So they brought the boy. But when the evil spirit saw Jesus, it threw the child into a violent convulsion, and he fell to the ground, writhing and foaming at the mouth.

“How long has this been happening?” Jesus asked the boy’s father.

He replied, “Since he was a little boy. The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.”

“What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”

The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”

When Jesus saw that the crowd of onlookers was growing, he rebuked the evil spirit. “Listen, you spirit that makes this boy unable to hear and speak,” he said. “I command you to come out of this child and never enter him again!”

Then the spirit screamed and threw the boy into another violent convulsion and left him. The boy appeared to be dead. A murmur ran through the crowd as people said, “He’s dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and helped him to his feet, and he stood up.

Afterward, when Jesus was alone in the house with his disciples, they asked him, “Why couldn’t we cast out that evil spirit?”

Jesus replied, “This kind can be cast out only by prayer.”
__________

Morning Reflection:

The Problem of Weak Faith

“What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked.
“Anything is possible if a person believes.”

The father instantly cried out, “I do believe,
but help me overcome my unbelief!” – Mark 9:23-24

Faith in Jesus Christ is an adventure that includes its ups and downs. And failed attempts at healing bring us down. That seems to be the case when Jesus arrives on the scene. A father has brought his son to Jesus for healing, but since he wasn’t there at the time, the disciples attempted to deliver the boy who was terrorized by a demon. But to no effect.

What was the problem? Weak faith – including the father, the crowd, and the disciples on the scene. And the disciples’ failed attempts only served to weaken the father’s confidence in Jesus himself. That’s why his plea for help included “if you can.”

But the problem wasn’t with Jesus – he certainly had the power – the problem was the weak faith, or lack of faith, of everyone else involved. Did the father believe that Jesus could heal his son?

Notice the issue is not would Jesus heal his son, but could Jesus heal his son. Jesus is the focus of healing faith – it’s in Jesus that we trust without setting any limits on his power as the Son of God.

Without hesitation, the father voiced his confidence in Jesus, imperfect as it was. And his son was healed.

Questions for consideration:

Do you believe that anything is possible if a person believes? Please explain.
Why is it important to make God, through his Son Jesus Christ, the focus of our belief? Please explain.
Why is it important to ask in Jesus name? How does that align our requests with the will of God? Please explain.
Why do you think Jesus cited prayer as the key to casting out this evil spirit? Please explain.

_________

Morning Prayer:

Prayer for the practical needs of persecuted believers:

Heavenly Father, our provider and sustainer: Attend to the needs of your family suffering great hardship and persecution, especially –

+ That they would have access to a Bible…
+ That they would have the courage to remain in their homeland…
+ That those rejected by their family and friends would be welcomed into your family where they are loved and supported emotionally and physically…
+ That socially vulnerable women and those who have lost custody of their children would be protected and their children returned…
+ That those who are destitute would find jobs and safe places to live…

Heavenly Father, you know each one of your children by name: Have mercy on them and attend to their needs. I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

My Prayer:

Heavenly Father: Nothing is impossible for you; your loving-kindness is boundless, your faithfulness is endless, your mercy is renewed every morning. Thank you for including me in your family through faith in your Son, Jesus Christ. Help me to be faithful in prayer that I might align my heart, mind, and spirit with your Word and Spirit. Strengthen me in faith and give me wisdom and sound judgement that my petitions and intercessions might further your Kingdom purposes now and forever. I ask this in Jesus’ name, and for your glory. Amen.
__________

“Oh My Soul” – Casting Crowns

__________

Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Friday Morning: 10 May 2019 – Mark 9:2-13 – “Listen to him.”

Friday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (A Collect for Endurance – Friday)

Almighty God, whose beloved Son first suffered pain and crucifixion before entering into glory: Mercifully grant that we, walking in his footsteps, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
__________

Morning Reading – Mark 9:2-13 (NLT)

The Transfiguration

Six days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed, and his clothes became dazzling white, far whiter than any earthly bleach could ever make them. Then Elijah and Moses appeared and began talking with Jesus.

Peter exclaimed, “Rabbi, it’s wonderful for us to be here! Let’s make three shelters as memorials—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He said this because he didn’t really know what else to say, for they were all terrified.

Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him.” Suddenly, when they looked around, Moses and Elijah were gone, and they saw only Jesus with them.

As they went back down the mountain, he told them not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept it to themselves, but they often asked each other what he meant by “rising from the dead.”

Then they asked him, “Why do the teachers of religious law insist that Elijah must return before the Messiah comes?”

Jesus responded, “Elijah is indeed coming first to get everything ready. Yet why do the Scriptures say that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be treated with utter contempt? But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they chose to abuse him, just as the Scriptures predicted.”
__________

Morning Reflection:

If ever there was a validation of Jesus’ person and mission, this was it.

Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said,
“This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him.” – Mark 9:7

The transfiguration was a fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy in Mark 9:1. It was a prophetic view of the glorious risen Christ – the glorious risen Christ who is coming again in great power.

“I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die
before they see the Kingdom of God arrive in great power!”

But what was the point? Threefold –

To assure believers that Jesus is God’s beloved Son.
To persuade believers to listen to, and obey him.
To provide believers with a foretaste of his glorious return.

Questions for consideration:

Do you believe that in every circumstance, no matter how bleak, God always has the last word? Does the transfiguration bolster that perspective, or not? Please explain.
What’s the difference between listening to Jesus and obeying him? Please explain.
Do you believe that Jesus is coming again in glory? What difference does it make to you? Please explain.
Do you anticipate a glorious future with Christ in his coming Kingdom? Please explain.

_________

Morning Prayer:

Prayer for world leaders to fight against Christian persecution:

Sovereign Lord: All authority vested in governance comes from you and is accountable to you. Stir the hearts of every world leader to carry out their responsibilities justly and peacefully with special attention to Christians who are defenseless, in need of protection. Give them the wisdom to enact the necessary policies and procedures to make a lasting, global difference. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

My Prayer:

Heavenly Father: Thank you for this vision of the risen Christ you have given us in the Gospels. Fill me with wonder and confidence that you are the Sovereign Lord over all of human history. Open my heart, mind, and spirit to not simply listen to your Son, but to obey him – to follow him come what may. And thank you for the assurance of a place in your coming Kingdom through faith in him – who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
__________

“This Kingdom” – Darlene Zschech

__________

Closing:

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Thursday Morning: 09 May 2019 – Mark 8:27-9:1 ~ What’s your perspective?

Thursday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (A Collect for Guidance – Thursday)

Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: We humbly pray you so to guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our life we may not forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
__________

Morning Reading – Mark 8:27-9:1 (NLT)

Peter’s Declaration about Jesus

Jesus and his disciples left Galilee and went up to the villages near Caesarea Philippi. As they were walking along, he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”

“Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other prophets.”

Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”

Peter replied, “You are the Messiah.”

But Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.

Jesus Predicts His Death

Then Jesus began to tell them that the Son of Man must suffer many terrible things and be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but three days later he would rise from the dead. As he talked about this openly with his disciples, Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things.

Jesus turned around and looked at his disciples, then reprimanded Peter. “Get away from me, Satan!” he said. “You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”

Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

Jesus went on to say, “I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Kingdom of God arrive in great power!”
__________

Morning Reflection:

What’s your perspective?

As they were walking along, he asked them,
“Who do people say I am?” – Mark 8:27

In today’s reading, Jesus is viewed from three perspectives – popular, revelation, and human. Let’s look at each of these perspectives.

+ Popular opinion – What’s the buzz? What are people saying about me? (Mk 8:27) The social media of the day assigned Jesus the prophet’s role of preparing for the Messiah. But few people apparently believed that he actually was the Messiah, in spite of what they had seen and heard.

+ Revelation – “But who do you say I am?” Matthew’s version of the event adds further insight –

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John,
because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you.
You did not learn this from any human being.” – Matthew 16:16-17

Peter’s confession of faith was God-given (not something he came up with himself). Since Jesus was the Son of God, He was the Messiah, the King over the long anticipated earthly kingdom; Jesus was both Messiah and God. This confession marked a turning point in the disciples’ recognition of Jesus.

+ Human -The disciples apparently agreed with Peter’s confession of faith, but they were unprepared for Jesus’ further revelation that as Messiah he would suffer, die, and rise again. They understood what Jesus was saying, but they couldn’t reconcile it with the popular view of Messiah ushering in an earthly kingdom. Jesus’ rebuke is strong – using the word for silencing demons. Satan attempted to distort the disciples’ understanding of Jesus’ true Messianic mission.

Questions for consideration:

In light of the different perspectives listed above. who do you say Jesus is? Please explain.
What influence do popular, or human, perspectives have on your understanding of Jesus? Please explain.
What is the significance of Jesus’s prediction of his suffering, death, and resurrection? Please explain.
How does this affect your understanding of what it means to follow Jesus? Please explain.

_________

Morning Prayer:

Prayer for churches to rise up:

Lord Jesus: Awaken your church to the critical needs of believers around the world who are suffering calamity and great persecution. Grant that we would be faithful in prayer, and generous in our giving for physical support. Rally your church around those who are suffering for your name’s sake. And empower us by your Spirit to engage our political leaders, especially here in America, in order to remind them that Christian persecution is a real issue that must be addressed in our time. I ask this in your name, and for the Father’s glory. Amen.

My Prayer:

Heavenly Father: Reveal to us, once again, the identity of your Son, Jesus Christ, and the significance of his Messianic mission to suffer, die on the cross, and be raised to life – all so that we could enter into your promised Kingdom – now on earth, and forever in heaven. Drive out any fear or anxiety that we may have about our future; and empower us with your Holy Spirit to love you wholeheartedly, and follow you unreservedly. I ask this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
__________

“This I Believe” – Hillsong Kiev

__________

Closing:

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Wednesday Morning: 08 May 2019 – Mark 8:10-26 ~ on demanding miracles

Wednesday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (A Collect for Grace – Wednesday)

O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, you have brought us safely to the beginning of this day: Defend us by your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin nor run into any danger; and that guided by your Spirit, we may do what is righteous in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
__________

Morning Reading – Mark 8:10-26 (NLT)

Immediately after this, he got into a boat with his disciples and crossed over to the region of Dalmanutha.

Pharisees Demand a Miraculous Sign

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had arrived, they came and started to argue with him. Testing him, they demanded that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority.

When he heard this, he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why do these people keep demanding a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, I will not give this generation any such sign.” So he got back into the boat and left them, and he crossed to the other side of the lake.

Yeast of the Pharisees and Herod

But the disciples had forgotten to bring any food. They had only one loaf of bread with them in the boat. As they were crossing the lake, Jesus warned them, “Watch out! Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod.”

At this they began to argue with each other because they hadn’t brought any bread. Jesus knew what they were saying, so he said, “Why are you arguing about having no bread? Don’t you know or understand even yet? Are your hearts too hard to take it in? ‘You have eyes—can’t you see? You have ears—can’t you hear?’ Don’t you remember anything at all? When I fed the 5,000 with five loaves of bread, how many baskets of leftovers did you pick up afterward?”

“Twelve,” they said.

“And when I fed the 4,000 with seven loaves, how many large baskets of leftovers did you pick up?”

“Seven,” they said.

“Don’t you understand yet?” he asked them.

Jesus Heals a Blind Man

When they arrived at Bethsaida, some people brought a blind man to Jesus, and they begged him to touch the man and heal him. Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. Then, spitting on the man’s eyes, he laid his hands on him and asked, “Can you see anything now?”

The man looked around. “Yes,” he said, “I see people, but I can’t see them very clearly. They look like trees walking around.”

Then Jesus placed his hands on the man’s eyes again, and his eyes were opened. His sight was completely restored, and he could see everything clearly. Jesus sent him away, saying, “Don’t go back into the village on your way home.”

__________

Morning Reflection:

on demanding miracles

“When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had arrived,
they came and started to argue with him. Testing him,
they demanded that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven
to prove his authority.” – Mark 8:11b

Jesus responds to the religious leaders unbelief with grief and disappointment. His ministry had already included sufficient miraculous signs to persuade open-minded people of his deity; he was not about to “perform” for unbelievers.

Jesus’ miraculous signs were intended to fulfill Old Testament prophecy, e.g.

feeding the multitudes – the Good Shepherd, providing his flock – Ezekiel 34:5
healing the blind – the Messiah, opening blind eyes – Isaiah 29:18.

And they were an expression of God’s love and compassion for those who were helpless and hopeless. Jesus’ performed signs and wonders only in response to what the Father told him to do.

Why is this important? Because Jesus wanted his disciples to understand who he was – both Son of Man and Son of God – so that they could have a realistic and fulfilling relationship with him.

Questions for consideration:

Do you believe that God gives miraculous signs today in order to bolster faith in Jesus Christ? Please explain.
Have you ever witnessed a God-given miraculous sign? How did you respond? Please explain.
Have you ever asked for a God-given sign to bolster your faith? What happened? Please explain.

_________

Morning Prayer:

Prayer for the families and loved ones of those being persecuted:

Heavenly Father: Comfort the families that are affected by the persecution of their loves ones. Open up safe channels and opportunities for them to support and/or visit those who are imprisoned, or otherwise detained. Empower them by your Spirit to remain faithful to you and to their loved ones, even as they wait patiently for deliverance and release. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

My prayer:

Heavenly Father: Open my heart and mind to your Kingdom presence around me. Give me eyes to see and ears to hear of the life-giving presence of your Son, Jesus Christ, through the work of your Spirit moving among us. Have mercy on me and all those who need help, hope, and healing. Make me a channel of your blessing to others, and may I always point them to Jesus – the true source of any goodness that may result. It’s in his Name I ask it. Amen.
__________

“Make Me a Blessing” – SERAPHS Official

__________

Closing:

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Tuesday Morning: 07 May 2019 – Mark 7:24-8:9 ~ on feeding the dogs

Tuesday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (A Collect for Peace – Tuesday)

O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
__________

Morning Reading – Mark 7:24-8:9 (NLT)

The Faith of a Gentile Woman

Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre. He didn’t want anyone to know which house he was staying in, but he couldn’t keep it a secret. Right away a woman who had heard about him came and fell at his feet. Her little girl was possessed by an evil spirit, and she begged him to cast out the demon from her daughter.

Since she was a Gentile, born in Syrian Phoenicia, Jesus told her, “First I should feed the children—my own family, the Jews. It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.”

She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even the dogs under the table are allowed to eat the scraps from the children’s plates.”

“Good answer!” he said. “Now go home, for the demon has left your daughter.” And when she arrived home, she found her little girl lying quietly in bed, and the demon was gone.

Jesus Heals a Deaf Man

Jesus left Tyre and went up to Sidon before going back to the Sea of Galilee and the region of the Ten Towns. A deaf man with a speech impediment was brought to him, and the people begged Jesus to lay his hands on the man to heal him.

Jesus led him away from the crowd so they could be alone. He put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then, spitting on his own fingers, he touched the man’s tongue. Looking up to heaven, he sighed and said, “Ephphatha,” which means, “Be opened!” Instantly the man could hear perfectly, and his tongue was freed so he could speak plainly!

Jesus told the crowd not to tell anyone, but the more he told them not to, the more they spread the news. They were completely amazed and said again and again, “Everything he does is wonderful. He even makes the deaf to hear and gives speech to those who cannot speak.”

Jesus Feeds Four Thousand

About this time another large crowd had gathered, and the people ran out of food again. Jesus called his disciples and told them, “I feel sorry for these people. They have been here with me for three days, and they have nothing left to eat. If I send them home hungry, they will faint along the way. For some of them have come a long distance.”

His disciples replied, “How are we supposed to find enough food to feed them out here in the wilderness?”

Jesus asked, “How much bread do you have?”

“Seven loaves,” they replied.

So Jesus told all the people to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves, thanked God for them, and broke them into pieces. He gave them to his disciples, who distributed the bread to the crowd. A few small fish were found, too, so Jesus also blessed these and told the disciples to distribute them.

They ate as much as they wanted. Afterward, the disciples picked up seven large baskets of leftover food. There were about 4,000 men in the crowd that day, and Jesus sent them home after they had eaten.
__________

Morning Reflection:

Good News for Gentiles

“Good answer!” he said. “Now go home, for the demon has left your daughter.”
And when she arrived home, she found her little girl lying quietly in bed,
and the demon was gone. – Mark 7:29-30

Looking up to heaven, he sighed and said, “Ephphatha,”
which means, “Be opened!” Instantly the man could hear perfectly,
and his tongue was freed so he could speak plainly! – Mark 7:34-35

In today’s readings, Jesus has moved away from the conflict of Galilee and traveled northwest to the Mediterranean coast into the Gentile world of Tyre and Sidon – ostensibly to get some rest. But his reputation has preceded him and Gentiles come to him for healing.

The Gentile Woman: Her persistent request for help for her demonized daughter demonstrated her faith in Jesus – she believed he could, if he would. And her repartee with him showed that she was fully aware that she was a beggar – without rights or standing – depending solely on Jesus’ mercy and grace. And when she went home her daughter was healed.

The Gentile Deaf Man – He was brought to Jesus by his friends – again Gentiles who believed in Jesus’ healing power. Was the man himself a believer? We don’t know, but Jesus took him away from the crowd and dealt with him personally, using signs to communicate what he was doing. And the man was healed instantly.

Jesus rewarded Gentile faith as well as Jewish faith. Jesus had come to deliver both Gentiles and Jews.

Questions for consideration: In the cases cited above, family and friends plead with Jesus for healing on behalf of a loved one.

Do you have a loved one who needs healing and/or deliverance? Please explain.
Do you believe that Jesus can, or will, heal that person? What’s the difference? Please explain.
Have you prayed for that person to be healed, or delivered? What has been the result? Please explain.
At this point in time, what more can you do – persist in prayer, believe that it is done, thank God for working wonders, something else? Please explain.

_________

Morning Prayer:

Prayer for those who are doing the persecuting:

Merciful God: Open the eyes and soften the hearts of the people who have brought unfathomable suffering and abuse upon Christians around the world. Remind us again that you sent your Son to save the whole world, and that you don’t want anyone – even these people – to perish. I ask this in Jesus’ name, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

My prayer:

Heavenly Father: Have mercy on me, my loved ones, and friends – especially those who desperately need your forgiveness, healing, and deliverance. Make a way where there is no way and change their lives. Show them your loving-kindness in ways they never before imagined, that they may be completely amazed and give glory to your Name, through Jesus Christ your Son, my Savior. Amen.
__________

“I’m Amazed” – Jason Crabb / The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
[Live at Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola]

https://youtu.be/u49OdvlaUlU?rel=0
__________

Closing:

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen