3/10 – 3/16

Last week we began reading The Gospel According to Mark. According to an early Christian historian named Papias, a believer named John Mark heard Peter’s eyewitness testimonies about Jesus and eventually compiled them into the account we know of as The Gospel According to Mark. Because he is mentioned by name in other documents of the New Testament, we know that Mark was a coworker and traveling companion of the apostle Paul on his first missionary journey, the cousin of Barnabas, and someone the apostle Peter referred to as a “son,” which may mean that they had a close relationship much like a mentor and mentee (Acts 12:12, 12:25, 13:13, 15:37-39; Colossians 4:10; Philemon 1:24; 2 Timothy 4:11; 1 Peter 5:13). Mark rapidly moves those of us hearing and reading the “good news” about Jesus through the story, which is emphasized by how often he uses the word “immediately.” Perhaps he doesn’t want us lingering too long in the details of the account, but instead to move as quickly as possible through the multiple years of Jesus’ ministry to the most important part of his life and ministry, the final week leading up to the crucifixion of Christ. As you continue reading and studying it, notice the stories and details within the gospel account that intentionally emphasize Jesus’ humanity, as well as which one’s reveal his divinity as the Son of God.

 

In the chapters for this week, we will travel with Jesus as he ministers to those who are not Jewish. Although it must have seemed strange to the disciples at the time described in the verses we’ll read in Mark’s Gospel, his ministry among the Jews and Gentiles reminds all who follow Jesus that he came “to call…sinners” (Mark 2:17). And who are sinners? “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23 NRSV). Yes, Gentiles and Jews are all “sinners.” Yet praise be to God that we are forgiven and saved by God’s grace through faith in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9)!

 

If you did not read Mark 1:1 through 6:32 last week, you are encouraged to read or listen to those chapters and verses before you begin reading, studying, and listening to the verses for this week. Remember that 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:

 

Jesus said this about himself, “For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many.”

– Mark 10:45 NRSV

 

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 Lord, Jesus Christ,

the only Son of God,

eternally begotten of the Father…

true God from true God,

begotten, not made,

of one Being with the Father;

through him all things were made.

For us and or our salvation

he came down from heaven,

was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary

and became truly human…

 

VIDEOS TO WATCH:

If you didn’t watch the videos last week, you are invited to watch the animated Mark overview video and the Gospel of Mark Summary video using the YouTube links or visiting the Bible Project website:

Mark by The Bible Project

 

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 – 2 Corinthians 5:17-19 (Reconciliation)

Monday – Mark 6:30-56

Tuesday – Mark 7:1-23

Wednesday – Mark 7:24-37

Thursday – Mark 8:1-13

Friday – Mark 8:11-8:21

Saturday – Mark 3:1-5 (The Sabbath theme for this weekend is, “Healing & Good Deeds.”)

 

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 www.BibleGateway.com to look up and read various translations of Bible verses online.