April 3 | Mark 16:14-18

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DAILY READING

Mark 16:14-18

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REFLECTION

Whose Power?

by Katie Borden

Do you ever read a story and immediately see yourself in one of the characters? This happens to me often, even and especially when I read the Bible. As a kid, I was tempted to see myself in all the heroes of the stories. But today, more often than not, I look into the “mirror” of Scripture and find the eyes of the betrayer, or the helpless, or the one with “stubborn refusal to believe”

(v14) staring straight back at me.

I’ve probably said this before, and I’m sure I’ll say it again: the longer I live in life with Jesus, the more I am aware of just how much I need Him. And as I read today’s Scripture passage, I am so grateful that the work of the Gospel is so much more powerful than any work I can contrive under my own power.

Notice that, after the risen Jesus rebukes the disciples, he doesn’t tell them to “get their act together” before sending them on the mission he has laid out for them. Jesus puts his finger on the disciples’ lack of faith and then immediately gives them the charge that he knows is impossible for them under their own power. Jesus asks these disciples, who are unworthy of the call, to bear the news of his Gospel to all creation. You and I both know that they’re not up for the task, just as we’re not up for the tasks of being the worthy boss, or worthy spouse, or worthy mentor, or worthy parent–in our own power, we are not up to that for which we have been called.

Thank God that, in Christ and by his Spirit, he regenerates us and makes us worthy. Thank God that he works in and through us, continually forming us into the image of Christ. And when we see the fruit of God’s work in our lives, we can thank him for that, too. 

At the end of the day, it all gives glory to God for his power at work. That mirror we talked about at the beginning? It shows me what I am not so that I can more clearly see God for who he is, and for who he is making me to be, all to his glory. Praise God for his goodness and grace!

PRAYER

Spend some time today in honest reflection with God about who is really in the “mirror” looking back at you. Then thank God for his forgiveness and power that is making all things new–including you.

April 2 Mark 16:9-13

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DAILY READING 

Mark 16:9-13

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REFLECTION

Believe!

by Mary Kate Hipp

Would you believe? In today's passage, we read that Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene and later to the disciples. They all then go and tell others of the risen Lord and none who hear believe. So again I implore, would you believe?

Many who read these devotionals are longtime followers of Jesus who rarely miss Sunday services and who would answer the above question: "I would believe." But would you really? There is a mile between my head and my heart and maybe the same is true for you too. By this I mean, often times I know in my head that God is good and faithful, but in my heart sometimes I doubt. Perhaps in your head you have an abundance of knowledge about God, but your heart is devoid knowledge of the goodness and faithfulness of God.

When I didn't know if I could pay my bills, I knew in my head that the Lord would provide, but in my heart I did not. When I was entangled in depression and anxiety, I knew in my head that the Lord was with me, but in my heart I felt as though he had abandoned me.

So, when the election rolls around, will you believe in your heart that the Lord will provide no matter who is elected into office? When the diagnosis comes back negative, will you believe in your heart that the Lord will be with you? When you stumble in your sin for the umpteenth time, will you believe that the Lord is faithful and just and will forgive your sins and purify you from all unrighteousness?

The Lord is risen! He did just as he said he would! And with that, he has delivered you from your sin, he has freed you from fear and death. Will you believe in your heart that this is true? Would you close the gap between your head and your heart?

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PRAYER PRACTICE

Lord, would you grant us the strength to believe that you are risen indeed? Would you remind us of your resurrection and your sovereignty? Amen.

April 1 | Hosea 13:14

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DAILY READING

Hosea 13:14

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REFLECTION

Mercy Amid Punishment

by Pr. Dave Mann

Today’s text is just one verse from a prophet of the Old Testament – Hosea 13:14. The apostle Paul leans into this verse in 1 Corinthians 15:54-55 to conclude his classic defense of Jesus’ resurrection. Since few believers spend much time in the book of Hosea, allow me to provide a brief overview of this prophetic book. I draw heavily from the introduction to Hosea in Harper’s Study Bible.

Hosea lived in the eighth century B.C. and was a prophet in the Northern Kingdom during the reign of Jeroboam II. His ministry overlapped that of Amos, Isaiah, and Micah during an age that was marked by religious apostasy. Instead of putting their trust in God, the leaders of the Northern Kingdom courted the favor of other powerful nations. In their religious practices, they kept the name of God but adopted the essence of the worship of Baal. There was gross immortality, calling good evil and evil good.  [Sound familiar?]

Hosea writes out of the pain of a relationship with a faithless spouse. He reclaims her after she sins and writes in the heat of severe judgment but also with tender mercy. These extremes are woven together in his writing. Hosea uses his personal tragedy to illustrate the relationship of Israel with God. Hosea’s three children by his harlot-wife are given symbolic names: Jezreel is so named to signify the avenging of the blood of Jezreel on the dynasty of Jehu; Lo-ruhamah signifies “no mercy” for the Northern Kingdom and Lo-ammi signifies “not my people,” a symbol of God’s rejection of the apostate Israelite kingdom. [What names would be apt symbols of the judgment our society deserves today?]

In the midst of scathing rebuke of Israel for her unfaithfulness and dire judgment on his chosen people for their negligence of following God’s law, Hosea slips in verse 14 in chapter 13 – a word of ultimate promise and hope. Even though the people do not deserve deliverance, Hosea announces the final victory over sin, death, and the power of the devil. God himself will enter into the human race and fall victim to the infidelity of his own people, be betrayed, judged, condemned, and then die an ignominious death on a cross. However, Hosea also foretells that in the end God’s grace, mercy, and life will prevail!`

If God can give Hosea faith to believe in the strong goodness of God in the midst of a twisted and perverted society... If God has the power to raise Jesus from the dead... Can we fail to believe that his promises are also powerful, real, and meaningful in our lives?!

PRAYER

Thank you, Lord, for assurance that your grace will prevail in the end.  Even though we deserve your fair and righteous judgment, we count on your mercy, in Jesus’ name, Amen.