February 10 | Mark 8:1-13

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DAILY READING

Mark 8:1-13

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REFLECTION

Fueled by Compassion

by Mary Alice McGinnis

How would you define compassion? Can you describe a person in your life who has shown you compassion? How is compassion different from empathy or sympathy?

The Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology – defines compassion as “that disposition that fuels acts of kindness and mercy. Compassion, a form of love, is aroused within us when we are confronted with those who suffer or are vulnerable.” 

In today’s reading we hear Jesus say, “I have compassion for these people. They have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.” 

Jesus did not have just a deep feeling of empathy or pity for these vulnerable people. Can’t you sense the urgency in His words? The arousal of compassion naturally leads to compassionate action.  Something must be done for them, or they may “collapse.”

It appears the disciples sensed the call to action in Jesus’ words too. Jesus was inviting them into compassionate action. But just like us, they let their lack of visible resources stall them and turn their hearts inward, thinking, “What are we supposed to do about it?”

If you have been reading the book of Mark, you might remember that Jesus had done a similar miracle back in Mark chapter 6, where He fed five thousand. Why does it appear that the disciples so quickly forget? When Jesus' heart is filled with compassion and when He invites us into compassionate action, we need not rely upon ourselves. We only need to allow Jesus to multiply the provision and be willing to distribute what our compassion God provides out of His infinite storehouse.

When the Pharisees come to question Jesus to test him, I can see how often I am stirred by compassion, only to be tempted by ego. Compassion focuses on the needs of others. Ego screams, “I need to do something, so I can prove how good I am.” It makes me focus on ME, my resources, my goals, my plans, instead of leaning on God’s compassionate heart, His plans, His provision, and His Kingdom goals. 

Where do you sense God stirring up His compassion in your heart? What is holding you back? Where has ego been tempting you recently?

PRAYER

Lord, You are the Father of all compassion. Jesus, You are the embodiment of compassion. Fuel me with Your heart of compassion. Help me to rely upon YOU and YOU ALONE for the infinite resources we need to spread Your love to the hurting and vulnerable in our world. Forgive me for turning inward to my ego. Break my heart for what breaks Yours.

February 9 | Mark 7:31-37

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DAILY READING

Mark 7:31-37

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REFLECTION

From God's Mouth to Our Ears

by Jennifer Jerrome

The first time I met a person with profound hearing loss, I was amazed by their ability to communicate using sign language. As a child I didn’t understand that people who can’t hear also have difficulty speaking. It’s not that they can’t, it’s that when you’ve never heard the sounds, it’s hard for your brain to tell your vocal cords what to do.

Babies who are not spoken to on a regular basis often have speech delays. Hearing is crucial to speaking, so how can we expect to speak if we’ve never heard the words? The two are uniquely intertwined.

The same it true for those hearing about Jesus. If they’d never heard His words, then how are they supposed to speak them? Hearing God’s message is crucial to speaking it.

Today’s scripture is about Jesus healing a man who was deaf and mute.

After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” which means “Be opened!” At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly. (v. 33-35)

I find it interesting that before Jesus did anything, he took him aside, away from the crowd. Jesus didn’t perform this miracle to show off in front of everyone. He chose a more intimate interaction. The greatest setting for any relationship is one-on-one.

"Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it." (v. 36)

It's ironic that Jesus gives a man who was mute the ability to speak but then tells him (and the others) not to say anything. No doubt it was hard to keep this man from shouting from the rooftops what had just happened, but Jesus wanted him and those around him to sit with this wonder for a while. Jesus didn’t only come to preach to large crowds, but to take each of us aside, heal us and make us whole so we could engage in a personal relationship with him and encourage others to do the same.

PRAYER

Father, thank you for your words and the ability to hear them and speak them to others. May we know when to get quiet and when to shout the Good News. When our ears can’t listen and our mouths won’t talk, you always have a way of speaking directly to our hearts. You give us the words we need. Amen

February 8 | Mark 7:24-30

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DAILY READING

Mark 7:24-30

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REFLECTION

Parable or Riddle

by Judy Webb

"Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret." (Mark 7:24)

Jesus may have been seeking a place to rest from all the attention. The crowds were tiring, and he had so much yet to accomplish. He and his disciples traveled northwest, into Gentile country. It seems he didn’t go there for public ministry, but for a time of quiet and rest. Having just taught his followers about clean and unclean foods he opened the door to more discussion on difficult topics to grasp.

It is strange that Jesus entered the land of the Gentiles, as the lost sheep of Israel were his focus. It is during this journey, Jesus put to rest, the distinction between Jew and Gentile.

“…a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an impure spirit came and fell at his feet.” (Mark 7:25)

Many of us have found this passage to be confusing and difficult to understand. I have written devotions about it two times before, and yet, as I prepared to compose this one, I felt inadequate and uninformed. I prayed, “Lord, give me Holy Spirit Wisdom to understand and then communicate the significance of it.”

“First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, “For it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” (verse 27) It was now that the woman’s faith took over, and she responded, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”

Was this teaching a parable or a riddle? This is a situation where you had to be there. By that I mean, it is necessary to understand the culture, language, and dynamics of the day. By doing a little research we learn that "children" means Jews, and dogs refers to Gentiles.

This woman had such strong faith in Jesus and his ability to make her daughter well. It was her humble faith as a gentile which Jesus recognized and blessed. From now on, the gospel is not to be limited to Israel, the Good News is for all!

PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father,

What an example this passage is for us. We might have a plan for the day but give us eyes to see the plan you may have. Come, Holy Spirit and impart your wisdom into each of our hearts so we may see truth and follow it.