3/3/24 – 3/9/24

“The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” is the way the first gospel account begins (Mark 1:1 NRSV). Yet this beginning does not include Jesus’ birth, but John the baptizer “preparing the way of the Lord” out in the wilderness where he is “proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Mark 1:3-4 NRSV). This preparation for the Lord then quickly transitions from the one who is preparing the way for the Lord to Jesus coming from Nazareth to be baptized by John in the Jordan River (Mark 1:9). Mark wants the hears of the good news to recognize that Jesus is God in the form of a human being. Biblical scholars believe that The Gospel According to Mark was written before the other three gospel accounts that are included in The New Testament of The Bible. Mark seems to want to quickly jump into the story that he describes as “good news”! This good news is specifically about Jesus of Nazareth, the long-awaited Jewish Messiah, who is also the Son of God. Matthew and Luke include details in their gospel accounts that are not found in Mark, yet the first gospel writer wrote a masterfully written story of the ministry, passion, death, and resurrection of the Son of God, Jesus the Christ. Mark intentionally emphasizes Jesus’ humanity, the centrality of the cross, secrecy during Jesus’ ministry in regard to his identity as the Messiah, and the proclamation of the kingdom of God. Like the Son of God, we who are Jesus’ followers are invited by Christ in Mark’s Gospel to deny ourselves, humbly serve as an expression of loving our neighbors, and take up our cross as a form of self-sacrifice (Mark 8:34).

 

This week we will begin our journey with Jesus through The Gospel According to Mark. If you have time, you are invited to listen to chapters 1 through 15 of Mark’s Gospel before you begin reading and studying it. Listening to the entire account of Jesus’ ministry, passion, and crucifixion will help you to understand more clearly Mark’s version of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Our journey of reading and studying Mark’s Gospel will continue through the first week of April. The format of this plan is designed for you to use as much or little as you have time to use each day. Below is a guide for the daily use of this devotional:

Each Day

• Lenten Invitational Prayer
• Read a centering verse for the week
• Meditation letting the message from the verse roll around in your mind
• Read part of the Nicene Creed as a declaration of your faith
• Listen to and/or sing a worship song or hymn
• Read part of Jesus’ story in Mark’s Gospel
• Answer the question(s) using a journal or notebook, talking to someone else about them, or simply think about your responses
• Prayer of the Day
• Live in response to Jesus

 

LENTEN INVITATIONAL PRAYER:

Dear God, my Savior, I rise from my rest today to adore you, to live for you, to serve you as I work with the people of your church in building your kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. Help me to take up my cross today, to forgive as I have been forgiven, to love others as I am loved by you, to seek peace for the world, and to share the message of reconciliation.

I humbly offer myself to you to suffer if necessary, with the hope that good will come from it, just as there was good brought forth from the suffering Christ endured. Help me to know the power of the cross of Christ. Prepare my heart and mind for the message you have for me today. Yes, speak to me, Lord, for your servant is listening. In the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit of the living God I pray. Amen.

 

DAILY CENTERING VERSE:

Each day read the centering verse to begin your time set apart to be with and encounter the living God revealed in and through Jesus Christ:

 

“The time has come,” Jesus said. “The kingdom of God has come near.

Repent and believe the good news!” – Mark 1:15 NIV

 

MEDITATION:

You are encouraged to spend a few minutes quietly alone with God after reading the verse. You may find it helpful to sit, kneel, lay down, or walk as the message rolls around in your heart and mind.

 

DECLARATION OF FAITH:

Read a portion of the Nicene Creed as a declaration of your faith:

 

We believe in one God,

the Father, the Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth,

of all that is, seen and unseen.

 

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,

the only Son of God…

For us and for our salvation

he came down from heaven…

 

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,

who proceeds from the Father and the Son,

who with the Father and the Son

is worshiped and glorified…

 

VIDEOS TO WATCH:

You are invited to watch the Mark video on Sunday using the YouTube link or visiting the Bible Project website for an overview of the gospel before you begin listening to it, reading, and studying it:

Mark by The Bible Project (on Sunday)

 

You are invited to watch the Gospel of Mark Summary video on Monday using the YouTube link or visiting the Bible Project website.

The Gospel of Mark Summary by The Bible Project (on Monday)

 

LISTEN to and/or SING a Worship Song or Hymn to help you respond to God to express your gratitude and adoration for the Lord. You may find it helpful to use the same song each day, or a different one on some or all of the days.

 

DAILY BIBLE VERSES TO READ & STUDY:

Sunday – Mark chapters 1 thru 15 (Watch the Bible Project video for Sunday about “Mark”. If you have time, consider listening to chapters 1 through 15 of the gospel straight through to hear the full story as preparation for studying it during the next four weeks. Stop the audio before the resurrection account in Chapter 16.

You can listen to an audio version of Mark’s Gospel using the YouVersion Bible App or an Audio Bible on the BibleGateway.com website.)

Monday – Mark 1:1-2:12 (Read the introduction from the Study Bible, then watch the Gospel of Mark Summary video before reading the verses.)

Tuesday – Mark 2:13-3:35

Wednesday – Mark 4:1-34

Thursday – Mark 4:35-5:43

Friday – Mark 6:1-6:32

Saturday – Mark 2:27-28 (The Sabbath theme for this weekend is, “The Sabbath was made for people.”)

 

QUESTIONS:

You may find it helpful to read the verses a second time as you ask yourself these questions while pondering about God’s message to you. You may find it helpful to write your responses to the questions, or talk about them with a family member, friend, or your small group, or to simply think about them:

 

What is the gospel writer revealing about Jesus in these verses?

 

What do these verses reveal about Jesus’ followers?

 

What is God’s specific message for me from what I read?

 

How should I respond to the Lord’s message to me today and this week?

 

How will I prepare to observe a full or partial Sabbath day of rest and worship this weekend?

 

PRAY:

You may find it helpful to use the daily suggestions as you pray:

Sunday – Praise the Lord for his love, Jesus, your life & family, and Mark’s Gospel. And pray for the people of Jesus’ Church throughout the world, including Catholics, Orthodox believers, and other Protestants.

 

Monday – Lift up the people you will be with, or have already been with, today.

And pray about what you will do, or have already done, today.

 

Tuesday – Confess your sins and failures and ask for forgiveness.

 

Wednesday – Lift up the worries and concerns you may have for yourself and others you know, as well as the woes of the world, to the throne of grace and mercy.

 

Thursday – Offer thanks to God for the many blessings you have been given and continue to receive.

 

Friday – Pray for your family members and friends.

 

Saturday – Pray a memorized prayer such as the Lord’s Prayer, or the words of a Psalm.

 

*If you do not have a Bible, consider downloading the YouVersion Bible App for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play for your smartphone or tablet. You can also use k www.BibleGateway.com to look up and read various translations of Bible verses online.