Ask specifically

March 5

Daily Bible Reading: Mark 10:32 – 52

Verse of the Day: Mark 10:51 – “And Jesus answered him, and said, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? And the blind man said unto him, Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.”

I have often thought about this passage, and wondered why Jesus would ask a blind man what he wanted Him to do. Don’t you think this would be obvious?

However, as I have pondered this over the years, I have come to the conclusion that Jesus was not seeking what the man wanted, He was wanting the man to ask for what he wanted. Jesus knew. Being a beggar, it was not unusual for them to call out to those passing by for mercy (wanting money). Jesus wanted this man to show his faith in Him that he would ask for the very thing he needed most. Sight. Jesus then gave it to him.

Today, when you pray to Jesus for something, be specific in the request that you make. He is waiting for you to ask.

Prayer: Jesus, I come to You in full assurance that You hear and answer. Amen.

Bring, not hinder

March 4

Daily Bible Reading: Mark 10:1 – 31

Verse of the Day: Mark 10:14 – “But when Jesus saw it, he was moved with indignation, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me; forbid them not: for to such belongeth the kingdom of God.”

Are we guilty as the disciples of trying to make the way to Jesus complicated and for those who are what we would consider appropriate to come to Him? In the preceding verse, it states that Jesus was moved with indignation at them. The Greek word used here is made up of two words that mean “much grief.”

We can make it hard for someone to come to Jesus by being in his or her way. We could do that by our actions or our words. We can set standards that they could not meet, or we could simply not tell them about Him.

Today, watch whether we are standing between someone and Jesus, and seek to remove any hindrance from their way.

Prayer: Jesus, I do not want to cause You grief, help me to bring others to You. Amen.

Hyperbole

March 3

Daily Bible Reading: Mark 9:30 – 50

Verse of the Day: Mark 9:43 – “And if thy hand cause thee to stumble, cut it off: it is good for thee to enter into life maimed, rather than having thy two hands to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire.”

Does Jesus mean for us to literally mutilate ourselves because of sin? Some religions teach this concept, but we can understand from all of Christ’s teachings that his is an account of hyperbole (when more is said than literally meant). It is a form of exaggeration used to emphasize the point being made. It is making a superlative degree of implication.

Jesus wants us to understand that sin and Hell (Greek gehenna) are so hideous that one should take great lengths to avoid them. Avoiding sin can require drastic action on our part. Today, meditate upon the sin in my life, and how I must seek to avoid it at all costs.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, too often I do not see the utter hideousness of sin. I do not realize the depth of depravity and punishment that it can bring. Help me today to focus on Jesus and His ability to cleanse and restore. Amen.

Prayer [and Fasting]

March 2

Daily Bible Reading: Mark 9:1 – 29

Verse of the Day: Mark 9:28 – “And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, How is it that we could not cast it out?”

In our reading today, we go from the Mountaintop to the valley. From seeing the revelation of God’s glory in Christ to the ineffective work of the disciples. Having watched Jesus as He released people from sickness and demonic holds, they were able to understand why they were so ineffectual at this time.

Jesus in reply stated that we must rely upon prayer (and some manuscripts add fasting) to prevail in particularly difficult circumstances. It is imperative that we, as disciples, understand that anything we do is only through the will and power of God. Prayer is our means of both requesting and hearing from God, while fasting helps to focus us on what we are seeking.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, let me never forget that all Power and work comes only by Your Will in our lives. Let us seek to focus upon You and what is Your purpose and plan. Amen.

Leaven problem

March 1

Daily Bible Reading: Mark 8

Verse of the Day: Mark 8:15 – “And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.”

Jesus speaks to His disciples and warns them against ζυμης, leaven. Leaven is used to cause dough to rise – we call it yeast. A little pinch of yeast will quickly spread throughout the entire ball of dough.

In Scripture it can mean yeast (as in the Old Testament Passover where they were told to use only unleavened bread – bread without yeast), or it can be used metaphorically to stand for mental and moral corruption, viewed in its tendency to infect others.

Jesus is warning his disciples against the false teachings of the Pharisees that will infect them, and spread throughout the teachings of the church.

Prayer: Jesus, give me wisdom to see and reject the error that is so easily infecting our churches today. May I discern and hold to Your Truth and Your Truth – Jesus – only. Amen.