Mark Week #4 - Devotional

Day 1: Tearing Apart Old Realities
Sermon Reflection:  In Mark's Gospel, we witness Jesus as the one who tears through the fabric of first-century cultural and religious norms. The image of the heavens tearing open at Jesus' baptism is a powerful symbol of the irrevocable change He brings.

Scripture Reading:  Mark 1:9-11, Isaiah 64:1

Questions for Reflection:
1. Reflect on the baptism of Jesus and the symbolism of the heavens being torn open. How does this image speak to the transformation Jesus brings?
2. Isaiah longed for God to tear open the heavens and come down. How do you see this desire fulfilled in the person of Jesus?

Prayer Focus:  Pray for an openness to the transformative power of Jesus that can tear through your old ways of thinking and living, making way for His kingdom to manifest in your life.


Day 2: The Compassion of Jesus
Sermon Reflection: Jesus demonstrates a radical compassion as He reaches out to the marginalized, such as healing a leper, which went against the social norms of His day.

Scripture Reading:  Mark 1:40-45, Leviticus 13:45-46

Questions for Reflection:
1. Compare the Old Testament instructions for lepers with Jesus’ response to the leper in Mark. How does Jesus’ action challenge the status quo?
2. Reflect on areas of your life where you may have kept others at a distance. How can Jesus’ example move you to greater compassion?

Prayer Focus:  Ask God to fill you with the same compassion Jesus showed, enabling you to reach out to those who are often excluded or marginalized.


Day 3: Authority to Forgive
Sermon Reflection: Jesus did not just heal physical ailments but also forgave sins, demonstrating His divine authority and upsetting religious leaders of the time.

Scripture Reading:  Mark 2:1-12, Psalm 103:2-3

Questions for Reflection:
1. How does Jesus’ healing of the paralytic show the connection between physical healing and spiritual forgiveness?
2. Consider the times you have experienced forgiveness. How has it transformed your life?

Prayer Focus:  Pray for a deeper understanding of Jesus’ authority to forgive sins and the impact this truth has on your life and your interactions with others.


Day 4: The Call to Radical Living
Sermon Reflection:  Jesus calls His followers to a life of radical change, exemplified by how He lived and interacted with those around Him.

Scripture Reading:  Mark 2:13-17, Luke 5:31-32

Questions for Reflection:
1. Jesus called Levi, a tax collector, to follow Him, breaking social barriers. How is Jesus calling you to live counter-culturally today?
2. Reflect on Jesus’ statement about coming for the sick, not the righteous. How does this shape your understanding of His mission and your own?

Prayer Focus:  Ask God to help you live a life that reflects the radical nature of Jesus’ ministry, breaking down barriers and inviting others into His grace.


Day 5: A New Kingdom Reality

Sermon Reflection:  The arrival of Jesus marks the establishment of a new kingdom that challenges the existing order and invites us into a life transformed by His power and love.

Scripture Reading:  Mark 1:14-15, 2 Corinthians 5:17

*Questions for Reflection:
1. How does the proclamation of the kingdom of God in Mark's Gospel challenge you to view your personal transformation?
2. As a new creation in Christ, what old things have passed away in your life? What new things have come?

Prayer Focus: Thank God for the new reality He has ushered in through Jesus. Pray for the courage to live out this new kingdom reality in every aspect of your life.