Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+1.1-8

Scripture

John told the people, “Someone more powerful is going to come! And I’m not good enough even to stoop down and untie his sandals.”

Observation

The Good News starts with the appearance of John in the desert preparing the way of the Lord. His message is simple: “Turn back to God, be baptised and your sins will be forgiven.”

John also tells the people that someone is coming who will be more powerful. John baptises in water but coming one will baptise with the Holy Spirit.

Application

Despite his boldness in telling people of all classes, even King Herod, to repent of their sins, John the Baptist was a humble man. He recognised that his ministry was not about him, but about Jesus. On one occasion Jesus said, “I must decrease and Jesus must increase.”

Our culture does not do humility well. From an early age we are told that we can do anything, be anyone. We are told to push ourselves forward and be self-confident.

The way of God, though, is to be God-confident, trusting the Holy Spirit to promote us when necessary.

How many ministers could say, in all sincerity, with John “I’m not worthy to stoop down and untie his sandals”? How many of us even think in these terms?

To be a follower of Jesus means that we are obedient to His call and to His commandments. He is the one who is greater than all of us.

We are accustomed to thinking of ourselves as equal to everybody else. Our classless democratic society tries to pull down all distinctions except those it approves of.

Jesus is in another class altogether. He is the one and only Son of God. He truly is greater than us and worthy of all praise.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, please give me a revelation of your glory and help me to worship you as you truly are. Amen.

Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+13.24-37

Scripture

“No one knows the day or the time. The angels in heaven don’t know, and the Son himself doesn’t know. Only the Father knows.”

Observation

Jesus tells His disciples about the end times. The powers of the sky will be shaken. Then the Son will return in glory with the angels.

Just as we know when trees sprout leaves and blossoms that summer is on its way, we need to be alert for the signs of Jesus’ return.

No one knows the day or the time- not even the angels of heaven or Jesus Himself. Like servants overseeing a household while their master is away, we need to be diligently serving the Lord.

Application

No one knows the day. I get frustrated when I see a new prediction, always false of course. No one knows when this will be except our Father.

Jesus tells us that it could be any time so we need to live in eager expectation of His coming.

In this season called Advent, we prepare ourselves and wait expectantly to celebrate Jesus’ first coming. Although we assign a date to this event, we don’t really know the date of Jesus’ birthday. How much more then should we approach the timing of His return in humility and accept that we aren’t meant to know?

We know that He will come back to judge the living and the dead. We know that He will reign over all of creation and that the great enemies of mankind- sin and death- will be finally vanquished.

So we must wait expectantly. We must go about the Lord’s business each day serving Him as faithfully as if He was right here with us in visible form. He is right here with us (Immanuel- God is with us), but we sometimes forget.

If we daily live in submission to the Holy Spirit, we will be ready for Christ’s return whenever He comes.

Prayer

Come Lord Jesus come! May I be found diligently and joyfully serving your purposes when you do return. Amen.

Scripture
Then Jesus began to say to them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he’, and they will lead many astray.”

Observation
The disciples marvel at the Temple, its size and splendour. But Jesus says, “Not one of these stones will be left upon another.”

They go to the Mount of Olives and the disciples ask Jesus when these things will happen and what will be the signs that they are near. Jesus says they must be careful that no one leads them astray. There will be wars, earthquakes, and famines but these are the beginnings of the birth pangs.

Application
The disciples look at the Temple as a magnificent creation but Jesus warns them that it will soon be utterly destroyed. A few decades later in 70 AD the Temple was totally destroyed, never to be rebuilt.

The Old Covenant with its system of sacrifices has been replaced by the one true sacrifice of Christ. The two covenants cannot coexist, and God allowed the old Temple to be forever destroyed so that there could be no more repetition of vain sacrifices.

We must take heed of of Jesus’ warning not to be led astray by false messiahs, and others claiming to have the latest revelation.

Hold firm to Christ, even in the midst of disaster, desolation and trauma.

Prayer
Father please help me to stand firm in Christ, to not be side tracked or deceived by anyone. Amen.

Scripture
“Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and be greeted with respect in the market places.”

Observation
Jesus warns against the religion of people who teach for selfish reasons and who use their status to draw attention to themselves.

While watching people bring their offerings to the temple, Jesus comments on the relative sacrifice being made by rich and poor people. The rich people give a small fraction of their wealth, but a poor widow who gives two small coins is giving everything she has to live on.

Application
The Lord judges our words and actions differently to us. We tend to look at the outward appearance and make judgements. But God looks at our hearts and what really motivates us.

Any work that we do, or any gifts that we give, for the Lord must be done with an honest heart. Are my prayers in cell group really an expression of the hopes of my heart, or are they to impress other people? Do I give generously and sacrificially for church, missions and the poor, or is it spare change that I might just as easily spend on coffee?

Prayer
Lord, examine my heart and enable me to see my true motives in serving you and in giving to others. Cleanse me from every impure motive. Amen.

Scripture
“To love him with all your heart, with al your understanding, and with all your strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

Observation
A teacher of the Law hears Jesus debating with various religious leaders. He asks Jesus which commandment is the most important.

Jesus replies that there are two: to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself.

The teacher recognises that this is a good answer- to love God and neighbour is more important than all sacrifices. Jesus sees his heart and tells him he is not far from God’s kingdom.

Application
A teacher of the Law comes to Jesus to ask questions, but unlike other leaders, he is not looking to trick Jesus or to justify himself- he just wants to please God the best way he can.

There is a profound difference in heart attitudes between those looking for religious knowledge or brownie points to assuage feelings of guilt, and those who genuinely love the Lord and desire to please Him.

This is the fundamental key to walking in the ways of God.

Prayer
Lord you have shown us that love for you and love for people are at the heart of your kingdom. Help me to walk in the way of love today. Amen.

Scripture
“Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

Observation
Jesus an His disciples pass through Jericho on their way to Jerusalem. On the outskirts of the town, a blind man named Bartimaeus is sitting begging. When he hears that Jesus is passing by, he calls out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

The crowds try to hush Bartimaeus, but Jesus stops and calls him over. Jesus asks him what he wants. “I want to see” is the reply. Jesus tells Bartimaeus that his faith has healed him. Bartimaeus receives his sight and follows Jesus.

Application
We instinctively feel that god’s grace is in short supply and must be rationed out. The crowd thinks Jesus doesn’t have time, power or the desire to heal a mere beggar. We often put restrictions on grace in the same way, expecting that only certain people will be healed (and then only by the mighty anointed man of God) or that salvation is only available to some classes of people.

The grace of Jesus is bigger than our puny limitations. Jesus heals believers and atheists, thieves and kings.

Bartimaeus had faith in Jesus. Jesus had ample grace for this man’s needs. With Him there is always enough.

Jesus said, “Your faith has healed you,” but here the verb also means “saved.” Bartimaeus was healed by Jesus and also saved by Him, and he went on to follow Jesus along the road.

Saving faith, healing faith. Both require a trust in the power and the goodness of God.

Prayer
Lord you are the God who saves and the God who heals. May every part of my life be transformed by your touch. Amen.

Scripture

“Instead, whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.”

Observation

James and John come to Jesus and ask if they can sit on either side of Him- that is have the places of power- when Jesus comes into His glory. Jesus responds that there is a cup to drink and a baptism to receive. But it is not up to Him to grant this request.

The other apostles are indignant at James and John. Jesus tells them that to rule over the others they must become a slave of all. Jesus Himself did not come to rule but to serve and lay down His life.

Application

For many people, it is natural to seek promotion. We are told from an early age that we need to put ourselves forward.

Jesus’ kingdom is different from the world. For Jesus, influence and promotion come through serving others, not through self-centred methods.

Actually this is the way it works, even in the world. Career advancement comes through serving the needs of the employer. Even political leadership rests ultimately in serving the needs of the voters.

Serving others does not come naturally to most people, even christians. We must learn to look to what the Holy Spirit is asking us to do, regardless of the inconvenience, and to the needs of the people around us.

Prayer

Lord help me to absorb the truth that the way up is down, the way to influence is service. Please show me today who I am to serve and what tasks I need to do. Amen.