February 23, 2020
Devotional
“Transfiguration”
Mark 8: 27-9:8
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Monday: “Say That I Am” - Mark 8: 27-30
Jesus invites his disciples into a conversation about who he is by first asking them what everyone else says about him. They are at the ready with many answers. But when he shifted the conversation to who they think he is, only one disciple dared to answer - Peter.
Often it is so easy to talk about what other people think about Jesus. In fact, lots of people both inside and outside of the church have thoughts and opinions about who Jesus is. But we need to take time to look inside of our own hearts to see who we think that Jesus is, personally, for us.
There is a gentleman in this parish who says that no one else can have a relationship with Jesus Christ for you. Peter was only able to declare that Jesus was the Messiah because he had a relationship with him, even if he ultimately didn’t understand exactly what it meant. We, too, need to know Jesus personally in order to declare that he is the Christ?
If someone ask you who do you say that Jesus is, how would you answer?
Prayer: God, give us the time and space to examine our hearts and answer that question that Jesus asked his disciples so long ago - but who do you say that I am? Let us not just give answers of what we have heard others say, but instead come to know you for ourselves. Amen.
Tuesday: “Rebuke” - Mark 8: 31-33
Peter had the right words to say - that Jesus is the Messiah - but he didn’t understand what that meant. His mind and heart had become cluttered with everything that he had heard about who the Messiah would be to the point where it prevented him from hearing, even from Jesus himself, what was to come.
As Jesus told his disciples about his upcoming torture, death, and resurrection, Peter could not hear it. As a result, he rebuked Jesus, which lead to Jesus rebuking him.
When we let our hearts become weighted towards what we have heard about Jesus instead of what we have experienced of Jesus for ourselves, we too can fall into the trap of Peter. We may be able to say the right words, but our hearts still may be far from the Savior.
How can you come to know Jesus for yourself?
Prayer: Lord, help us to have a deep relationship with you. May we come and drink from your well of life and may it transform us from the inside out. Amen.
Wednesday: “Follow Me ” - Mark 8:34-37
Jesus is taking on the role of the teacher in chapter eight of the Gospel of Mark. His disciples had seen him do great things - miracles and healings. But now he wants to take time to teach them more about what is to come.
He is trying to convey that being a disciple is not about what you will get out of it. It’s not about glory, honor, or fame. Instead, it will involve suffering. When Jesus is telling his disciples to take up their cross and follow him, it brings to mind the image of those who would crucified, a horrible way to die, who had to carry their own crosses to the site of the execution.
Yet, Jesus points out that this is the way to life.
How are we called to sacrifice for Jesus today?
Prayer: Almighty God, help us to have the strength to truly follow you. To follow you, not just when it is easy, but even when the path is hard. Let us be willing to give it all for the sake of your Kingdom. Amen.
Thursday: “Ashamed” - Mark 8: 38-9:1
But not everyone will be able to follow Jesus. Some will choose not to. For some they will be ashamed of Jesus.
It is not our job to judge who should and should not hear the Good News. For everyone should have the opportunity to come and know and accept Jesus Christ. However, we also cannot force people. Instead, all we can do, as Jesus’s disciples, is offer to share the Gospel and leave the rest up to the work of the Holy Spirit in people’s lives.
How do you share the Good News with others?
Prayer: God of Grace, thank you for allowing us the opportunity to share you Good News with others. Raise us up as your servants. Send us out to our neighbors - next door and around the world - with the news of your Kingdom. Amen.
Friday: “Three Dwellings” - Mark 9: 2-8
Less than a week later, Jesus took some of his disciples up a mountain. Perhaps they thought that they were getting the opportunity to go and rest - but what happened instead is they had an experience with the glory of God.
But Peter once again missed the point. He wanted to commemorate the experience - building booths that harken back to religious services, instead of letting the experience be lived in him as he went out into the world.
Sometimes it is a lot easier to commemorate an experience than to let it truly change us. It is easier to build a dwelling than to listen to the voice of God. But the transfiguration was something that was to be a witness in the world, testifying to Jesus the Messiah.
How has Christ transformed you?
Prayer: God, free us from a spirit of commemoration to a spirit of obedience. May we follow you, O Lord, to be a witness for you in the world. Amen.
Saturday: Preparing for the Word
You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic to prepare for worship: “First Last and Last First" - Mark 9: 17-31
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