Mark 1-2 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is Mark 1:1-2:28.

“And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners’” (Mark 2:17).

Can you imagine going to the doctor because you are not feeling well, but covering up the festering wound that is the heart of the infection because it embarrasses you to actually be sick? That would be ridiculous. And yet, that is exactly what I want to do with Jesus.

I need to rethink the advice I hear from my constant internal image consultant. That little inner voice tells me I need to cover up my sinfulness. I need to hide it. I need to present myself as righteous. I need to demonstrate that I’m good enough. Then Christ will want me. But that is not at all what He says. He wants sinners.

That is great. That means He is calling me. I can run to Him. I can show Him my sins and He will work on them. I can let Him in to see the real me. More than that, I can let me see the real me. I can pull off my blinders, take a long hard look at what I need to hand over to Jesus to clean up.

He is not asking for the few, the proud, the righteous. He is calling those who will admit they are sinners in need of a Savior.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading? Click here to add your input.

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*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.

Today’s reading is Mark 1:1-2:28.

“And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, ‘Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous but sinners” (Mark 2:16-17).

At times, I can hardly fathom that Jesus would want anything to do with me. I keep thinking that I need to work more righteousness in order to attract Jesus to me. But exactly the opposite is true. If I were righteous on my own, then Jesus would go spend His time somewhere He was needed. Instead, He came into the world and continues to work in the world to be with people just like me: sinners.

As He spends time with me, I will become righteous. But I do not have to become righteous to get Jesus to spend time with me. My sins are why He came to earth in the first place.

I think today, I’ll spend some time with Jesus. I know He’ll want to.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading?

Today’s reading is Mark 15:1-16:20.

“And the soldiers led him away inside the palace (that is, the governor’s headquarters), and they called together the whole battalion. And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on him. And they began to salute him, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ And they were striking his head with a reed and spitting on him and kneeling down in homage to him. And when they had mocked him, the stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. And they led him out to crucify Him.”

Mark 15:16-20

This passage really moved me today. I couldn’t help but think about what that day would have been like for Jesus if He had stayed in heaven. That day would have looked a lot more like Revelation 5. Instead of mocking homage, He would have received real worship. Instead of soldiers twisting a crown of thorns and placing it on His head, kings would have cast down their own crowns at His feet. Instead of being beaten about the head, He would have been kissed on His feet. Instead of being showered with spit, He would have been showered with praises. Had Jesus stayed in heaven, His deity would have been evident, the penultimate beings in the universe would have bowed before Him demonstrating His ultimate power and majesty. His radiant garments would shine. His words would have been commands for complete surrender and obedience. Angels and heavenly beings would have honored Him that day, if He had stayed in heaven.

But He didn’t. He left heaven. He left its glories. He left its worship. He set aside the appearance of deity. He came down here and became one of us. Therefore, on that day, He was beaten, mocked, spit upon, berated, degraded, and ultimately crucified. 

I can hardly fathom the love that would make that choice. Jesus had a totally different day than I would have opted for. Why? Because He loves me. If Jesus had chosen the day that would have been better for Him, He would still be worthy of all praise and glory because He is the divine creator. However, I would be lost and without hope.

Thank you, Jesus, for your choice.

***Question: What can we do to mirror Jesus’ choice, to sacrifice ourselves for others?

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

Today’s reading is Luke 17:1-18:43.

In Luke 18:15, folks were bringing children, even infants, to have Jesus lay hands on them. The disciples just couldn’t imagine why that would be important at all. They began to rebuke the people. But Jesus took the situation in hand and explained that He had time for them.

In Luke 18:35-39, a blind beggar began to call out to Jesus. The crowd around him rebuked him and told him to be quiet. They just couldn’t imagine why Jesus would waste any time with that guy. But Jesus took the situation in hand and healed the beggar. Jesus had time for the beggar.

In Luke 18:18, a rich young ruler came to Jesus and asked a question. Jesus, of course, had time for the rich young ruler, but what stands out is how nobody rebuked this man. The disciples, the crowds looked at this man as worthy to approach Jesus and ask questions.

How easy it is to look at these externals. How could God have time for little children? How could He have time for beggars? He’s got too much to do with the important people. Interestingly, it was the important one who went away grieved. Jesus had time for him, but he did not have time for Jesus–not really.

The take away for me is when I feel childish and beggarly, when I think I’m not worthy of God’s attention, I can be sure that God does not feel the same way. God has time for me. I can always go to Him and receive comfort and help.

***Question: What are some aspects of Jesus that make you thankful?

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

Today’s reading is Luke 7:1-8:56.

In Luke 7:36-50, the woman was so sinful, Simon refused to touch her. In fact, she was so sinful, Simon believed Jesus must be a sinner simply because Jesus would let her touch Him. The fact is there will always be people who look down on us. We will always deal with people who believe they’ve got it all together and they feel they must condescend to the rest of us because we are just not so good. We sin.

Here is what I can remember. No matter who else rejects me. No matter who else disdains me, no matter who else looks down their nose at me, Jesus will touch me. Jesus will let me come to Him. He will hold me. He will heal me. He will love me.

Today, I rest in that thought.

***Question: What about Jesus provides you comfort in your daily walk?

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC