February 1 | Mark 6:6-13

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DAILY READING

Mark 6:6-13

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REFLECTION

Behold, I Have Given You Authority

by Kristin Schoeff

Imagine the flurry of excitement when word got out that Jesus was coming to YOUR town or village! Word had spread that wherever he went, miracles happened! The sick were healed, lepers cleansed, the blind received their sight, and those oppressed by evil, impure spirits were set free! And when he taught from the scriptures, there was a different quality of power and authority—Jesus HAD authority and used it to bring God’s Kingdom to earth.

The word “authority” is defined in Webster’s New World College Dictionary as “the power or right to give commands, enforce obedience, take action or make final decisions.” As I read today’s passage, I was struck by the fact that Jesus not only used his authority as God’s Son here on earth to fulfill God’s original plan for blessing and wholeness in his creation, but he shared his authority with his disciples. (Mark 6:7) When Jesus first called his inner circle in Mark 3:13-15, we’re told “He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.” Jesus called his disciples and trained them by example to preach repentance and then to heal and free people from demonic oppression. Then he sent them out to do the same, empowered by his authority. He didn’t wait until the end of his earthly ministry to turn things over to them and have them multiply the impact of his presence. He entrusted this power to those he had called and trained while he was still with them.

Reading and reflecting on these early chapters in the Gospel of Mark, I see Jesus working through those who are his disciples—who believe in him and are students of his teaching, his Word. This may be a big leap for you, but I believe he calls us as well, if we have put our faith in him and are taught by his Word, to do the work he began when he walked on this earth and he will equip us with the wisdom and the power we need to participate with him. As I studied this passage, I saw how Jesus chooses to use those devoted to him to do his work—by sharing the very authority that he has over the enemy. I John 3:8 tells us that “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.” His promise in John 10:10 is that “The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy. I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly.” (NASB)

Just think how the deliverance and freedom that Jesus promised could be multiplied through this world as we his followers trust him, submit to him, and pray and act in line with his will and with his authority.

PRAYER

Dear Lord Jesus, we pray you would send us in your power to minister freedom and healing to those in need around us. In your mighty name we pray, Amen.

January 31 | Mark 6:1-6

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DAILY READING

Mark 6:1-6

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REFLECTION

How would you act?

by Kim Starr

Recently, I watched a movie about two women who had been best friends since high school. They’d gone to college together, graduated, moved to the Silicon Valley, and created a very successful app which had been written about in prestigious news publications. Over the holidays, they went home and ran into some of their high school classmates. This made both quite anxious because, back in high school, they did not feel like they fit in; they weren’t in any clubs, they didn’t participate in sports, and they did not go to school events, like dances.

Their surprise at being welcomed by their former classmates made them even more uncomfortable, primarily because they couldn't believe the classmates even knew who they were. It turns out that their classmates now see them as human beings, appreciate them for who they are, and enjoy their company. The classmates don’t even talk to them about their app, but simply want to include them in the town’s and classes’ holiday festivities. Once the two friends get over the shock of being treated so nicely, they remove their preconceived notions about their classmates, get to know them better, and enjoy their time celebrating the holidays with them.

Jesus did not have the same reception when he went home. Jesus had been preaching in the area, so it was natural for him, and his disciples, to continue his ministry trip in Nazareth. However, unlike the girls’ classmates in the movie, the townspeople of Nazareth treated Jesus

with scorn and disbelief.

While they realized Jesus had extraordinary wisdom and power, they could not get over the fact that Jesus was simply a carpenter’s son who grew up in their midst. They could not get past the little boy they remembered and accept him for who he was: the son of God. They were offended by him, and believed Jesus had no right to teach them, accuse them, tell them to repent, or encourage them to believe in him. As a result, most of the Nazarenes rejected Jesus and chose not to believe in him.

When you are in a situation like the classmates or the Nazarenes, how do you choose to act? Do you scoff, rebuke, or criticize? Or do you welcome, reassure, or bolster? Jesus did not let the Nazarenes’ rejection of him hold him back. He left Nazareth and continued his mission of teaching, healing, and ministry.

PRAYER

Dear Jesus, thank you for continuing your endeavors to bring people to you. Thank you for showing us how to keep our eye on the main goal. Thank you for showing us how to persevere, even when we’re hurt. When given the opportunity, help us be more like the classmates in the movie than like the Nazarenes. Accepting people, enjoying them, and learning from them is a far better choice. Amen.

January 30 | Mark 5:35-43

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DAILY READING

Mark 5:35-43

REFLECTION

How Will You Respond?

by Julie Ogg

In this account of Jesus and Jairus, I am struck by how different people respond to Jesus, and how I have responded similarly in my life. To read the full account, skip back to Mark 5:21-24 and then resume with 35-43.  

"Jairus, 'one of the synagogue leaders,' comes forward, falling at Jesus’ feet, and explains that his daughter is dying and asks Jesus to come and heal her." (v. 23)

Typically, Jesus is not well received by the religious leaders of His day. In fact, they are some of his harshest critics. Jairus, however, was not just a synagogue leader, but also a father. He was seeking Jesus because he recognized his need. When we are in need and feeling helpless, our need often draws us to Jesus. This could be one reason that people who live in relatively comfortable surroundings can ignore their need for a Savior. Our need, whether emotional, physical, relational, material, or otherwise, reminds us we need Jesus. Can you remember a difficult time in your life that caused you to seek God with particular urgency? If so, you can relate to Jairus.

Jesus agrees to go with Jairus, but in the meantime, some people come from his house and say, “Your daughter is dead. Why bother the teacher anymore?” (v. 35) These people felt Jairus was “bothering” Jesus. Sometimes we too might feel like we are bothering God with our prayers, but this is not what Jesus models for us. He is never impatient with those who are genuinely seeking him. Paul reminds us in Hebrews 4:16, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Our Savior extends an open invitation to us, his children. Don’t hesitate to go to Jesus with anything.

When Jesus arrives at the home of Jairus, the people were “crying and wailing loudly." Jesus went in and said to them, “The child is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. (v. 39-40) Yes, they laughed at Jesus! These people could grasp only one reality—the child is dead. After death, to them there was no other possibility. They didn’t realize that Jesus is a fountain of possibility! Have you ever had trouble praying about a situation because you couldn’t even imagine how God could intervene? Then you can understand these people’s response. We limit the infinite God with our finite perspective. Ephesians 3:20 reminds us that “(He) is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…”

Jesus goes into the room, takes her by the hand, and tells her to get up. “Immediately the girl stood up…” (v. 41) I want to respond to Jesus immediately, not after weighing the pros and cons, and not after having all my questions answered. I want to be so close to Jesus that my natural inclination is to follow where he leads. How about you? How will you respond?

PRAYER

Lord, thank you for assuring us we can come to you with anything. Help me respond to your invitation immediately believing you can do more than I could ever imagine. Amen.