Mark’s gospel: Days 11-20

Hello
You could jet off around the world, win an Oscar, earn your millions, but to your family, you’ll always be that snotty little kid who used to be afraid of the dark. Well, there’s a bit of that going on for Jesus at the start of Day 11’s reading. This local-boy-made-good isn’t impressing the old neighbours with his new fancy talk. They think there’s no need to listen to his message.  

Read
Today’s reading is from Mark 6:1-29.

Think
No more sitting back watching The Miracle Man show – it’s time to step out in faith. As the rubber hits the road (or the sandals meet the stones), God’s kingdom breaks out. With no time to pack a toothbrush, the disciples are thrown head-first into signs and wonders of their own. They’re sent to preach a message for people to turn back to God before it’s too late. They’ve studied the teacher; now it’s time to take the test. Will people still listen when Jesus isn’t around? Being a friend of Jesus is always a team sport, and he’s looking for more than armchair supporters. Instead of just reading your Bible, you can start practising it. You might want to begin by deliberately being generous to someone, volunteering time for a local worthy cause or some other way of showing God’s kingdom breaking out.

Pray
Rather than sit back and be an armchair Christian, ask God for opportunities to get out there and share your faith.

Live It
On top of reading your Bible you can start practising it too! You might want to begin by asking to pray for someone. You could share the wealth next time you find someone worse off than you. It might be something as simple as signing up for the church ‘tea and coffee rota.’ Whatever you do, do it with a smile on your face.  

Repeat
The gossips have already begun: who is this Jesus? Is he Elijah or some other prophet? Herod is understandably nervous, as he’s chopped off John the Baptist’s head. Could this be John’s ghost come back to haunt him? One thing’s for sure: if John lost his life for not backing down on the truth, Jesus is sure to follow suit.

Say What?
What’s a prophet? Today we heard that some people thought Jesus was a prophet. The Bible is full of these characters known as ‘prophets.’ We have folk like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Micah and Jonah. They are famous for predicting the future, but their main job was to call people back to God. We see prophets warning, directing, teaching, interceding and counselling. It was often dangerous as they were mocked, imprisoned, and sometimes killed for bringing the word of God.

Hello
Quick, someone phone Uber Eats, there’s a growing football crowd outside who want feeding! Day 12 is all about Jesus’ most famous miracles. As if feeding 5,000 with a small packed lunch isn’t enough, Jesus goes to walk it all off with a casual stroll on the water. (Now that’s just showing off.)

Read
Today’s reading is from Mark 6:30-56.

Think
Let’s deal with the miracle of the tuna baguette first. What does it mean? Is Jesus just very nifty at making a meal stretch? No. Again, we’re witnessing God’s kingdom breaking out. The ‘wow factor’ of the story is found in Jesus’ supernatural power but the meaning of the story is found in his compassion. He sees the crowd’s hunger and his heart breaks. He must do something. Jesus invites his disciples into the miracle: ‘You give them something to eat,’ he says. Jesus says the same to us today. OK, we can’t just rustle up a meal for 5,000 with a click of the fingers, but we can donate a tin of beans to a food bank or buy a homeless person a sandwich. Now let’s look at miracle number two: water walking. On a boat on the choppy waters, already seasick, the sight of a ghost wasn’t exactly what the disciples needed to settle their stomachs, except this wasn’t a ghost – it was Jesus. Again, the miracle seems to be for other people’s benefits not Jesus’. The panic of the disciples dies out when Jesus walks into the picture. When we are fearful, it affects how we see everything. The disciples saw a ghost. What do you see during life’s storms? Hopelessness? Failure? Panic? Keep your eye on Jesus. Trust the one who can calm your storms. Know him who gets in your boat.

Pray
Later in the Bible, in 1 John 4:18 says, ‘perfect love drives out fear.’ Next time you feel overwhelmed pray for Jesus’ love to calm your fears.

Live It
The disciples didn’t bring much to Jesus. A few loaves and a couple of fish. We might look at ourselves and think we have very little to offer our community. How can little old me change anything? Don’t worry, God isn’t expecting you to save humanity. That’s Jesus’ job. Just bring the little you can and watch him multiply your efforts.

Repeat
Did you feel like you needed to rub your eyes reading today’s stories? Jesus did what?! But that’s impossible! Yup. Mark’s gospel is raising the stakes. If you find it hard to believe these stories wait until you reach the end – that’s what Mark seems to be saying. How is this all going to end? Where are we heading? Keep on journeying with us to find out.

Hello
Something’s got the Pharisees’ knickers in a twist. Day 13 begins, and the religious leaders are more interested in clean hands and germs than clean hearts before God. Don’t be surprised if you’re feeling confused, the Pharisees seemed to have a knack for complicating things.

Read
Today’s reading is from Mark 7:1-23. 

Think
So, it seems the Pharisees won’t sit down to eat without a full health and hygiene certificate. Is that what Mark’s gospel is getting at? No. The real issue here is purity, decency or integrity. The Pharisees might look ‘holier-than-thou’ on the outside but inside they are far from God. No amount of scrubbing fingernails or palms is going to wash their hearts clean. The Pharisees had hearts which pumped out bad motivations leaving them with bad blood. They twisted and turned around God’s laws to suit their own needs, leaving the vulnerable to fend for themselves. This isn’t the way of Jesus. The challenge of the gospel is to please God by loving him in what we do and how we do it.

Pray
Psalm 139 says, ‘Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you and lead me along the path of everlasting life’ Ask God to show you if there is anything in your heart that needs cleaning up.  

Live It
Try reading the whole of Psalm 139 which is like a prayer asking God to examine your every thought, belief, attitude, decision, and action.

Repeat
Let’s end today by asking, ‘How healthy is your heart?’ Do you help people out because you like being needed or do you want to see them better off? It’s good to examine your motives now and again, otherwise, Repeat: Live it: Pray: Say what: you might end up with your knickers in a Pharisee twist.

Say what?
What do we mean by heart? The Bible mentions it nearly a thousand times – clearly, it’s important. First, let’s state the obvious: we’re not talking about the vital organ or the sentimental gush of love songs. In Scripture, ‘heart’ is a poetic way of describing the core of a person – emotions, desires, longings. In the Old Testament, David is called ‘a man after God’s own heart’ because he longed for what God longed for: love, justice, purity. God is in the business of creating a new heart in us – filling our core with new ideas, new desires, new longings.

Hello
Dog crumbs, deafness and dribble is where we’re heading on Day 14 of Mark’s gospel. Yesterday we go all OCD with those clean-freak Pharisees, today Jesus gets deep, down, and dirty with the flob of God.

Read
Today’s reading is from Mark 7:24-37.

Think
This is a first for Jesus: he’s a bit reluctant to heal a woman’s daughter at first. Is he too tired? Have his powers been finally outmatched by an illness? And what’s with the name-calling: dogs! How very rude! No, Jesus isn’t having a bad day at the office – it’s all to do with his mission. Jesus is first sent to preach good news and perform wonders to people of the Jewish faith. But here’s a woman who isn’t Jewish. What’s a Messiah to do? Well, he’s being careful not to be distracted into other areas away from his difficult and dangerous task of walking to the cross. But nevertheless, Jesus is impressed by her faith and starts to tear down the old barriers. God isn’t just being revealed to people of the Jewish faith anymore, he’s being revealed to everyone!  

Pray
In the second story today, Jesus helps a deaf man hear. Ask God to help you hear what he is saying to you.  

Live It
Life is never boring when Jesus is around. Things happen that make your jaw drop. So why is religion seen as mind-numbingly dull these days? Write a list of the things you think churches should be doing to match the ‘wow’ of Jesus.  

Repeat
Jesus orders the deaf man not to tell anyone about how he found his hearing. Perhaps he is buying time to help more people before the inevitable road to the cross? Mark isn’t clear on Jesus’ motives; however, we soon find out word is spreading quick about the famous healer man.

Say What?
What is a gentile? The Jews divided the world into Jews and non- Jews. The non-Jews were known as gentiles. Non-Jews were also sometimes called ‘dogs’ in New Testament times. Woof!

Hello
Day 15 is a biggie! We’re slap bang in the middle of Mark’s gospel and Jesus asks, ‘Who do people say I am?’ Has he forgotten? Is he having an identity crisis? Of course not. It’s the million-dollar question even today. What you make of this poor, ragged carpenter from Galilee of 2,000 years ago will seriously affect your life and beyond.

Read
Today’s reading is from Mark 8:27-29.

Think
Caesarea Philippi was a happening place. The Greeks claimed it as the home of their great god, ‘Pan.’ The Romans threw up an enormous statue announcing Caesar as some sort of divine being. Dozens of temples dedicated to various deities were dotted around this place. Amidst the golden idols and false gods, a penniless preacher from Nazareth throws his hat in the ring too. ‘Who do people say I am?’ Cue an awkward silence. Shuffling of feet. Erm… John the Baptist back from the dead? Elijah, maybe? Some sort of prophet? Peter stuns the awkwardness. ‘You are the Messiah!’ Really? This man has no statues. No armies. No festivals in his name. No trumpets announce his arrival. No purple robe or crown. At least not yet. Yet somehow Peter sees through all the worthless pomp and ceremony, instead capturing something of the King of Kings in his eye line. What about you? Who do you see staring back at you from the pages of Mark’s gospel – a fictional character, a myth, a holy man, a teacher, a religious icon, a hippy, lunatic, or the Son of God?

Pray

Throughout Mark’s gospel, Jesus is presented as a healer, miracle worker, teacher, friend to sinners, and in today’s story he’s recognised as the Messiah. Ask God to reveal more signs of his healing and power through Jesus. Pray you’ll understand his teaching and grow closer in friendship. Most importantly, if you haven’t accepted him as Saviour, do so today.

Live It
Peter wasn’t afraid of looking stupid in front of his mates. Nobody else was quick with an answer, but he was. With boldness he puts his head above the pulpit and tells everyone what he believes: Jesus is the Messiah. Be a bit more Peter today. Tell your mates what you believe about Jesus.

Repeat
If Jesus really is who he said he is – what kind of Messiah is he? He’s not a superman-super-god, who zaps the earth’s problems away with a blink of an eye. He doesn’t call us to sit, twiddling our thumbs, waiting for heaven, as the world burns all around us. He’s a King announcing a new kingdom, calling us to help shape it. More of this tomorrow when we find out our part in all of this. Yes, we’re invited to carry a cross too.

Hello
Well, now it’s all kicking off! Poor old Peter’s been called ‘Satan’ in front of all his mates! And Jesus’ teaching sounds a bit backwards – if you lose your life, you’ll find it? Wait, what? It’s all getting a bit confusing at the beginning of Day 16.

Read
Today’s reading is from Mark 8:30-38

Think
First things first, let’s clear things up on Peter aka ‘Mr Satan.’ This isn’t trash-talk. Jesus is telling us, God’s perspective can look very different to our own. Jesus is saying he’s going to lose, and worst still he’s inviting us to come and lose alongside him. The way God is going to work here will be the very opposite to what people expect. Jesus will suffer and die to conquer our sins. Victory will look like defeat for a while. And Mark’s definition of what it means to be a Christian is not a Sunday afternoon in the park. It’s a march into a world of risk and danger. One where to save your life you need to lose it. This doesn’t mean we’ll all end up nailed to a tree, but it does mean sometimes we will have to sacrifice things that matter most to us: our reputation, a relationship, an ambition, a habit. Whatever stops us from making God famous – that’s what must die in us.

Pray
The unhelpful things we do in our lives, such as gossiping, lying, or aching for the wrong things can get in the way of what God wants for us. Ask God if there are any of these things in your life which need to go. Then work with God as he crucifies these things in you.

Live It
Today has been all about thinking in opposites, so why not try living with an ‘opposite attitude.’ For example, if you’re tempted to put someone down, do the opposite and say nice things about them instead. Or next time someone cuts you off in traffic, rather than flipping the finger, try speaking out a prayer of blessing for them. Do the opposite of what everyone else does.

Repeat
What do we expect from a Messiah? Someone to blast all our problems away? Someone cosy and comfortable to give us a cuddle? Jesus gives the word a bit of a facelift as he talks about suffering and death. The second half of Mark’s gospel leads us down the path of suffering as we follow the Son of God to his death. Walk with us tomorrow as the pace begins to speed up.  

Hello
Have you ever Googled the lyrics to your favourite song? They don’t seem to mean as much without the emotion of the music, do they? At the beginning of Day 17, Jesus transforms his words not with music but light! Proving he’s not away with the fairies talking about God’s kingdom, but that he is speaking and embodying God’s truth, Jesus’ whole body backs his words up by glowing like heaven’s own laser-light show.

Read
Today’s reading is from Mark 9:1-29. 

Think
It’s almost as if the giant finger from the National Lottery adverts breaks into our Bible. With a voice booming out from a cloud: ‘This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him.’ God, Elijah, and Moses (two major league players from the Old Testament) all point to Jesus as the answer to the world’s prayers. It’s as dramatic as the first time it happened at Jesus’ baptism in the desert. Jesus warns Peter, James, and John to keep quiet until he’s back from the grave, which leaves them puzzled. Not as puzzled, however, as the disciples who are having a bad day at the office down the bottom of the mountain, struggling with a demon domestic. Why can’t they heal this young boy? It’s never been this difficult before. Faith suddenly becomes hard. Caught in the middle of ‘I want to believe but I can’t’, the boy’s dad gropes around for help. In doing so, his moving words, ‘I do believe; help my unbelief’, become an example of prayer to all of us who struggle with doubts. In the story, Mark is telling us things are going to get harder for Jesus. God’s whole saving package is going to take Jesus to some very dark places. The shadow of the cross looms large.

Pray
Like the man in today’s story who prayed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief’ ask God to help you with any doubts or struggles you might be wrestling with.  

Live It
Doubts are not the enemy of faith. In fact, they can help us draw nearer to God. Bring your scepticism before God and be honest about it. Likewise, choose someone from church, who you trust, to help you talk through your questions.  

Repeat
Sometimes the disciples found following Jesus easy. Other times, they couldn’t grasp what he was saying. Today’s reading is one of those times. It’s as if Jesus is speaking gobbledygook. Faith can be a bit like that. Following Jesus doesn’t always make sense to us. We all have times when everything makes sense, and times when we are clinging on by our fingernails. The important thing is to be honest about your thoughts and feelings.

Hello
Day 18 of our Bible reading kicks off with a bit of testosterone. You know the locker-room banter, who can bench press the most weight… that sort of thing. Well, the disciples have their own version of oneupmanship going on – ‘My faith is stronger than your faith.’ Real mature, boys.

Read
Today’s reading is from Mark 9:30-50.

Think
Competition brings out the best and worst in us. At its best, it drives us to achieve things we didn’t think possible. At its worst, it releases the inner idiot! And here’s a classic case of ‘prat attack’ from the disciples. Arguing about who had the biggest faith muscles. Jesus tells them that to impress God, you need to ditch the macho talk and start behaving like a child. In Bible times, children were not given much respect. Jesus is telling the disciples (and us today) that there is no kudos to be earned following him. Becoming a Christian won’t make us top dog on the estate; it won’t up our followers on social media; people won’t be hanging on our every word. Quite the opposite. Being associated with Jesus often singles us out for ‘special treatment.’ We might become the target of jokes, we might upset people, we might get judged. Following Jesus isn’t the path to Easy Street. Far from it, it’s the road of the cross.

Pray
Jesus is turning the disciples’ brains inside out. Before we start feeling sorry for them in their confusion, we need to ask how confused are we? What areas of our thinking need to be turned upside down? Pray that Jesus will help our thoughts match his thoughts.

Live It
Being a Christian isn’t exactly a step up the social ladder. It can feel like a step down. We’re invited to mix with people who might press our buttons. People we might have little in common with. People who look different, live differently, talk differently to us. The invitation is to push our prejudices aside and get to know them anyway. Not in a ‘grityour- teeth’ and put up with it sort of way. Rather a ‘look for the best in them’ and ‘learn from them’ sort of way.   

Repeat
Jesus ends with some graphic stuff: gouging out eyeballs, slicing off feet, unscrewing hands! Does he need to speak to a trained counsellor? Nope. These words are not to be taken literally. He’s using words like a poet might, to highlight the dangers of walking away from God’s best for us. Today he might say something like, ‘If clicking on certain websites leads you into temptation – set up a web filter.’ That’s it for today. The disciples still have a long way to go in learning God’s lessons, so stick with us.

Hello
Has Jesus ever babysat a group of 10-year olds dosed up on a bag of Haribo Starmix? Clearly not, otherwise he wouldn’t be telling his disciples to let the children in. With their snotty noses, coughs, germs, and dirty fingerprints all over the show. It’s Day 19 and the Son of God thinks we can learn a thing or two from little children.

Read
Today’s reading is from Mark 10:1-16. 

Think
Kids tell it how it is. There’s no sugar-coating the truth. If something is boring, they’ll yawn in your face. If something is fascinating, they’ll drop everything to stare and point. When kids are excited, they’ll jump up and down on the spot with faces wide-eyed in awe. Is it any wonder Jesus encourages us to be more like children? The kingdom of God shouldn’t have you pressing the snooze button on your Sunday morning alarm. It should have you springing up out of bed with the energy and curiosity of a toddler. Quit looking at life like a grown-up. Don’t have everything so neatly planned and boxed away. Instead, see it through the eyes of a child who cannot wait to attack the day. Be as wholeheartedly thrilled as a six-year-old with an ice cream on a sunny day. Play hard, laugh lots, and leave the big worries to your heavenly dad.

Pray
Children don’t hide behind clever words and fanciful phrases. They speak their mind. Try having a simple, honest chat with God. No hiding. No pretending to be something you’re not. Pray as openly as a child would.

Live It
Try putting your name down for the next all-age service team. See those grown-up Bible stories through a child’s eyes and discover the kingdom of God in a brand-new exciting way.

Repeat
What can we learn from children about faith? Tonnes, apparently. Children trust without hesitation, believe without reservation, and love without condition. They don’t need all the answers- just the assurance that they are safe in the arms of someone who loves them. So, let’s trust fully, believe boldly and love wildly too. 

Hello
Day 20 sees Mr Flash-With-The-Cash meet Mr Poor-And-Restore. In Bible times, people thought that those with piles of money must be especially liked by God; wealth was seen as a mark of God’s blessing. But as usual, Jesus turns the thinking upside down by suggesting real blessing comes from helping those less well-off.

Read
Today’s reading is from Mark 10:17-52. 

Think
Talk about getting the wrong end of the stick! Jesus is heading for Jerusalem to his death and two of the disciples are pushing for the best seats in the house: James on his left; John on his right. Little do they know what they’re really asking for – to be nailed up to a tree either side of him! Jesus puts them right. To be first in his kingdom is to be last! The world’s ideas of what makes someone a VIP is being turned upside down. Those famous in God’s eyes are those who put their own agendas aside and get stuck into helping others. Jesus sums it up like this, ‘For even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many’ (Mark 10:45). That’s Christianity in a nutshell: Loving others because God loved us first, demonstrated most powerfully by Jesus’ death on the cross.

Pray
We learned about Jesus’ attitude to money today. Next time money’s burning a hole in your pocket, instead of blowing it straight away, why not ask God to guide you in spending it?  

Live It
There is also a big emphasis on serving others in today’s reading. Think of a way you can serve somebody today. It could be as simple as clearing the chairs away at church.

Repeat
We leave today with Jesus heading for Jerusalem to give his life as a ransom for many. At the cross, he will exchange his own life in payment for sin. On the way, there’s the healing of a blind man. Jesus is about to open our eyes to something incredible too. It’s equally amazing; equally terrifying. If we want what’s on offer, we must follow him. And the journey continues tomorrow.