Going on day 9, and what I’m noticing is that the weekends disrupt the consistency and continuity of my quiet times. I need to figure something out for this…
Mark 3:1-6
1 Another time he went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. 2 Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. 3 Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.”
4 Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?”But they remained silent.
5 He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. 6 Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.
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With which character do you most relate?
As sad as it seems, I might relate a little with the Pharisees. I can limit what I believe God will do because I confine Him to my limited knowledge of the Scriptures. I can box Him in theologically and when there is something done in the name of the Lord, and if it doesn’t fit my notion of God, then I am skeptical. At least, though, I think I don’t look at Jesus or my limited notion of Him as an enemy of God. I think cautiously, but I don’t think I would plot to kill Jesus – at least I hope not.
Be the man with the shriveled hand: Are you incapacitated in any part of your life?
Of course! The unfortunate part is that I am so blind to these areas. Yes, I am aware of them, but they are such a natural, though fleshly, part of my being that if I am not watching for them, I can do or say some things not very pleasing to God. I am also very aware that these are things – despite my awareness of them – that I cannot handle on my own. I need to go to God to give me the strength to correct them. The very nature of my incapacities are so ingrained in my thinking (e.g. insecurities), that I need to continually correct wrong thinking in me.
Be the Pharisee: Are you disturbed when Jesus breaks religious rules or does something out of the ordinary?
As I mentioned earlier, it’s not so much the religious rules, but maybe something out of the ordinary. I am a natural skeptic. Not a good thing when God is trying to get through.
This week we are going to watch the Ugandan children’s choir at a very charismatic church. I was so concerned about the theology and overemphasis in certain areas that I watched some video of their worship service before deciding. Part of the reason for that was wanting to protect the church, but really, what’s the big deal? God works through different people differently. And if I’m totally honest, God probably wants to show me a thing or two through this group of chosen.
Lord, open my eyes to the wonder of your law. Open my eyes to your fullness and let me not be restricted by my limited picture of You.