Today’s reading: Mark 3:31-35, 4:1-25

“Then Jesus asked them, “Would anyone light a lamp and then put it under a basket or under a bed? Of course not! A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine. For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭4:21-23‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We are seed sowers.

We are light reflectors.

God, use us to seek out those whose hearts are ready soil for the gospel. Send us out.
Produce the crop!

Today’s reading: Mark 3:7-30

“When his family heard what was happening, they tried to take him away. “He’s out of his mind,” they said. But the teachers of religious law who had arrived from Jerusalem said, “He’s possessed by Satan, the prince of demons. That’s where he gets the power to cast out demons.”” Mark‬ ‭3:21-22‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It hurts when family member identify us as crazy. What was this like for Jesus? Hard to imagine Mary misunderstanding what Jesus had come to do, but it seems all of them were confused. Jesus wasn’t what anyone was expecting, but he was everything they were needing.

Today’s reading: Matthew 27:15-31

“And all the people answered, "His blood be on us and on our children!"
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭27:25‬ ‭ESV‬‬

This crowd had no idea what they were saying or participating in, really. They saw Jesus as a threat (verse 18) to their religious way of life, their culture and heritage.

They would be unfortunate to be called out by Peter on the day of Pentecost for these very actions. He would say, “You crucified Jesus.” (Acts 2:23) Yet this evil was to be redeemed by the grand plan of God. They would be fortunate to have His blood 🩸 be upon them and their children. Makes me think of Acts 2:39.

God, we want our legacy to be about clinging to this precious blood of Jesus. 🙏

Today’s reading: Matthew 26:69-75, 27:1-14

“Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus said, "You have said so." But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate said to him, "Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?" But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭27:11-14‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Jesus is not a fancied myth. He is confirmed here by historical documents, arguably the documents with the most historical integrity of all time. This is history.

In this history, Jesus had one mission. It wasn’t to defend himself to a faux ruler. It wasn’t to get himself off the hook and to be free (yesterday’s reading). His mission was to die, then raise. His mission was one of rescue, for all the world.

I raise my hand as one of those who have been rescued and am being rescued. 🙋‍♂️

Today’s reading: Mark 4:26-41, 5:1-20

“When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. ‭‭Mark‬ ‭4:39-41‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I’ve read many things as to why Jesus was sleeping in the midst of this storm.

Was he exhausted from the intense time of teaching and ministering to the people?

Was he just not anxious about the storm?

Or...was he sleeping to test the faith of the disciples to see how they would react for the sake of teaching them more of who he was in relation to who they were?

Regardless, we know that there is no storm or difficulty or trial or test or professor or co-worker or family member or class that has Jesus worried. He isn’t anxious or frantic when it comes to seeing what we are facing. He’s waiting on us to cry out in faith so that he can do the impossible.

“So Joseph returned immediately to Israel with Jesus and his mother.” - Matthew 2:21

Joseph (1:21, 2:21, 2:23) is given three warnings/commands concerning the care of his new little family.

He chooses to obey and not to give into his fear.

God, help us to keep this kind of record when it comes to your commands. May we choose obedience to your commands over our own fear.

Increase our faith! (Mark 9:24).

✊

Today’s reading: Matthew 1, 2:1-12

"Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." - ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭2:2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

The Magi came to Jesus for one reason: to worship.

Why have I been allowed to live into 2020? What does God have in store for me, for all of us, this year?

I have been spared and called in order to worship:

1) To bow down (surrender my mirage of control).

2) To give back God’s gifts He’s given me.

Hello, 2020. My job this year is to “come to worship”. 🤲 If I’ve done this I’ve been successful.