September 14 - Asleep on the Job

Mark 14:32-42

And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour?" (Mark 14:37 ESV)

I'm not overly fond of sleep. It usually strikes me as a huge waste of time. I do a lot of my writing at night just before bed. This is also when I do a good bit of reading and study. I'm just wired a little differently and tend to think more clearly in the moments leading up to slumber. However, there are times when I hit my pillow and feel sleep begin to edge it's way in. This doesn't discount my eagerness to tackle my daily routine of reading, writing, and study, my spirit is indeed eager and willing; but sometimes my flesh is weak.

I wonder, how often do we find ourselves asleep at the wheel? What garden has Jesus drawn you into? Where has He asked you to post up for prayer, to sit, and pray, and watch? Did you fall asleep on the job? Sometimes we shut our eyes and drift away, even as our destiny is unfolding just a few feet away. It's not an issue of unwillingness or disbelief, it's a matter of laziness. What if we didn't fall asleep on the job?

Jesus, Help me to love you, to listen to you, and to follow you better. Lead me into the garden of your choosing. Strengthen me to stay the course. Embolden me to zeal for your charge, your love, and your will. Amen.

September 13 - When They Sang

Mark 14: 26-31

And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. (Mark 14:26 ESV)

Since the beginnings of Christianity believers have come under fire for their worship. Worship has long been a chief means of showing devotion and love for God. Often there is nothing more powerful for advancing your trust in God than uninterrupted worship.

I love that the last recorded activity involving Jesus and his entire entourage of disciples is a moment of collective singing to God. They worshipped God, togethers with the Son of God. For you and I that should highlight just how critical worship is for our spiritual well-being. Jesus, knowing he was soon to enter a time of intense difficulty and torment, chose to worship one final time with his friends.

Moments of private worship are enjoyable, and connected with prayer and reflection they are wonderful opportunities for development. But joining in with a group of friends to lift up your voice to heaven is a beautiful experience. It is a safe place. Because the reality of our hard world is sometimes waiting just on the other side of a song.

August 27 - Is it I?

Mark 14:17-25

They began to be sorrowful and to say to him one after another, “Is it I?” (Mark 14:19 ESV)

Jesus had forewarned his disciples of his approaching trials and death multiple times. They never quite seemed to understand what he was referring to. But when he made the announcement that he would be betrayed they all perked up. They were all concerned it would be them.

Their response reveals a common idea. It is something I have noticed a lot over the years, and have struggled with myself at times. We are afraid of letting God down. We are woefully uncomfortable with the possibility of our own inadequacy. That's not a bad thing.

Still, the truth is that we really are incapable of doing it on our own. We do fail. We do let God down when we choose to sin. And that is a betrayal of all that He is and does for us.

That sounds pretty harsh doesn't it?

The good news, The Gospel actually, is that in spite of our failings, conformities, and bad decisions—our betrayals are the whole reason why Jesus died. It is our sin that His death overcomes. Yes, we may fall short of the hope God has for us, but he is big enough and good enough to make up the difference.

August 23 - They Prepared

Mark 14:12-16

And the disciples set out and went to the city and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover. (Mark 14:16 ESV)

Jesus told his disciples that if they went to a certain house and asked for it to be made available to them the owners would accommodate them. It worked out exactly like he had said. Interestingly, the Scriptures record that the disciples then prepared the Passover meal.

I don't know how familiar you are with Passover but it is a long meal. It can last upwards of four hours and is quite the experience. Passover was a big deal for the Jews. Jesus took the opportunity at his final such meal with his disciples to reinforce some ideas. It was their final hours together as a group before his arrest. And the disciples prepared the Passover.

You see sometimes before God can do the work He wants to do, we have to prepare for it. Not that He needs us, or couldn't work without us, but He chooses to accomplish things through us. Sometimes that season of preparation, no matter how long or short, is exactly what we need to experience us to position us for the great work God is about to do.

July 17 - What She Could

Mark 14:3-9 She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. (Mark 14:8 ESV)

As Mary anointed Jesus with the costly perfume people grumbled at the apparent waste of such an action. Jesus chastised them, declaring her sacrifice to be a beautiful and selfless act of worship. She had done what she could with what she had. It was her way of offering all that she had to God.

What does God ask from us? Better yet, what has God already done for you, or given to you, that He might be asking for you to use for His Kingdom? Mary did what she could, whatever she was able to do she did for Jesus. Furthermore, her faithful act of worship had a part to play in God's work of salvation.

What can you do? I think it's high time that we in the American Church stop showing up to sponge off of the insight and experiences of the few. God still speaks to us, He still reveals Himself to our hearts, He still challenges us to take up His cause. What are we going to do about it? When will we cross the line and stop merely being consumers?

Mary did what she could. I don't know what we can do, but I think it's time we found out.