Mike's 40 Day Journey

This is a tough passage today! There are so many questions deserving of study really before making a paraphrasical conclusion. For example, is James really talking about the physical death of a believer (he is afterall talking about a believer)? Or is he referring to saving the brother from losing his salvation (whose sin would otherwise go uncovered)? These are difficult questions.

Looking at the context, however, reveals that James is referring to those who are sick (whether physically or emotionally is not stated). He essentially says that it is important to confess sins to one another and the implication is that sickness will be healed as needed and prevented in the first place. This seem to indicate that James is referring to physical death – that the believer could actually have his life cut short by continual sin. If this is the case, then it seems likely that the “covering over a multitude of sins” refers to the sins that would have been committed had it not been for the correction. With this in mind, a paraphrase might look like this:

“My brothers, if you should help a follower of Christ turn back to Him, if you should help the prodigal child so to speak, you are doing a great thing for him! When you do this, you may be literally preventing his death and at the very least preventing him from continuing to walk a life of sin.” (James 5:19-20)

Regardless if I have misinterpreted this passage, the thrust of the passage is an encouragement to be my brother’s keeper. It is a good thing to help turn a fallen believer back to God. I know that is difficult. I know that from personal experience. Confronting someone on misbehavior is a difficult thing to do. It requires humility and courage – something I lack! Sadly, I have allowed people to walk apart from God because I was afraid to confront.

My prayer is that I would have the courage to this thing that I absolutely know is a good thing for the fallen. Lord, give me courage to confront!

James 4:10

“He is God. The Creator of the Universe. The Author of my salvation. He can do all things. And when I go to Him, He can raise my spirits. He can raise me from my pit of despair and sorrow. He can bring me to a place of peace.”

When I think of this verse, I remember Job. He was brought so low – lower than I could bear to imagine. And after much haggling with God, God fired back in a way that humbled Job before God. And I realize that Job was humbled in a less than ideal way – he was kind of forced – he nonetheless saw God for who He was. God honored that humility and raised Him from his awful situation and blessed him tremendously.

Lord, when I am down and troubled, it is so easy to want to seek encouragement and a lifting of my spirits from other people or from things or from the pleasures of life. Lord, help me to seek You for what my soul ultimately needs. Help me find living water in You and through You.

Brothers, here’s my advice to you: seek to listen above all else, and then when it comes to speaking, think carefully about what you say. Finally, don’t be easily provoked to anger, but remain self-controlled because anger is not God’s way of accomplishing His purposes. (James 1:19-20)

When I consider this verse, this is an area that I definitely need to grow in. So often I am quick to speak – so opinionated that I have something to say it seems like for everything. And really, this is such a problem of pride. Someone who is quick to listen is someone who is humble and cares more about what others think rather than getting their own thoughts across. And as I think about this more, another reason for speaking so quickly is because I’m always wanting to move things along faster. It drives me crazy sometimes when things are processing so slowly, and I have much to do. Pride – it’s my source of speaking first and listening last. It’s also the source of anger – not getting one’s way and getting angry ultimately to achieve a personal objective.

Lord, I pray that I might humble myself in order to listen better, in order to gain patience, and when I speak to encourage and edify.

Mark 16:1-20

¹ When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. ² Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb ³and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”

⁴ But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. ⁵As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.

⁶ “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. ⁷But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”

⁸Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.

[The earliest manuscripts and some other ancient witnesses do not have Mark 16:9–20.]

⁹ When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. ¹⁰ She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. ¹¹When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it.

¹² Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. ¹³These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either.

¹⁴Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.

¹⁵ He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. ¹⁶ Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. ¹⁷ And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; ¹⁸ they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”

¹⁹ After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. ²⁰ Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

*****
It has to be noted that vs. 9-20 are often bracketed in Bibles to indicate these verses are not contained in the earliest manuscripts. At some point these verses were included, and so they were probably understood to be a true account at certain points in history. It would probably be safe to say that even if the recorded event was questionable, the point of the story is nonetheless true. I notice also a lot of similarities in this account as some of the other gospel accounts, so it is possible that with this story circulating that it was added later perhaps partly to bring closure to Mark’s gospel. Without these verses, Mark’s gospel ends abruptly without having even recording an eyewitness account of Jesus after His resurrection.

S – is there a sin to confess? The sin of unbelief. The disciples didn’t believe Mary Magdalene’s story or of the two men walking in the country. Thomas isn’t the only one who doubted according to this account!

P – is there a promise to claim? Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved. Whoever does not believe will be condemned. Signs to accompany those who believe – drive out demons, speak in new tongues, pick up snakes, not be harmed by drinking deadly poison, heal sick people.

A – is there an attitude to change? Jesus rebukes them for their stubborn refusal to believe.

C – is there a command to obey? Go into all the world and preace the good news to all creation.

E – is there an example to follow? The disciples after Jesus ascended.

P – is there a prayer to pray? No.

E – is there an error to avoid? The women were told to tell the disciples that Jesus had risen. Instead they were afraid and told no one (until apparently later). The obvious sin of disbelief by the disciples. Rather than checking it out for themselves (except Peter and John), rather than believing the women who had been with them through it all, they chose to disregard their words.

T – is there a truth to believe? Jesus died and rose and ascended to the Father’s right hand. I see also that after Jesus ascended, that as the disciples preached the gospel, “the Lord worked with them” (v. 20). Jesus continues to work with us as we also preach the gospel.

S – is there something to praise God for? Jesus is alive! Hallelujah!

As I read this account, I find that I have to get over the hurdle that this passage is not found in the earliest manuscripts. I sort of feel like the disbelieving disciples who have a hard time believing the women. But there are overarching truths here that cannot be ignored. Jesus is alive. He has called His followers to spread the good news. He is working with us from the Father’s right hand (a symbol of power). This pretty much sums up the purpose of Jesus’ mission and the gospel accounts. Everything culminates in these very truths.

My prayer is that I might believe these truths so much that I will preach the gospel boldly and with confidence knowing that He will accompany these efforts with the power of the Father’s right hand.

Today’s devotion was done in the book, but I found it to be convicting regarding the actions of the man who gave Jesus the wine vinegar to quench his thirst while hanging on the cross. For details on the account, see Mark 15:33-39.

Mark 14:3-9

³While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.

⁴ Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? ⁵ It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.

⁶ “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. ⁷ The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. ⁸ She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. ⁹ I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

*****
Wow – Jesus says this story will be right up there with the gospel when preached around the world. That tells me this is a very significant event in Jesus’ eyes – and therefore, an important one for me as well. 

S – is there a sin to confess? Perhaps letting a worldly perspective on money creep into my views of how people handle money in the kingdom of God. Something tells me that the heart of giving is the main thing – more than the giving itself and the effects of the giving. Am I guilty of looking at the ends more than the means as some of the critics did that day? 

P – is there a promise to claim? Not really. 

A – is there an attitude to change? Don’t judge what others do in their worship of God/Jesus. Who am I to know what pleasure God receives from someone’s sacrifice/offering to God?

C – is there a command to obey? “Leave her alone.” Let people do as they see fit to worship the Lord.

E – is there an example to follow? Follow the woman’s lead. She is giving Jesus her best. She is doing what she can to show her adoration and worship of Jesus.

P – is there a prayer to pray? Not in the passage.

E – is there an error to avoid? Don’t judge. Don’t stop people from giving what they want, how they want in worship to God.

T – is there a truth to believe? Not per se.

S – is there something to praise God for? Praise Him for always giving me something I can worship Him with. Just like the woman, I can do what I can to worship Him. He not only lets me, He wants me to give my best to Him. Thank You, Lord, for accepting what the world might see as foolish, but You see as worship.

God has given everyone things of great value in our eyes and yet they are more valuable when we give them back to God. God has given me things that give praise to Him directly. I’m not thinking of indirect worship (as in everything we do is a form of worship). I’m thinking of face-to-face acts of worship like this woman. Whether it’s our talents, our money, our time, or whatever, we can give it right back to Him in ways that are direct worship to Him. You know the world can look at the things we give back to God and think we are foolish. But God takes great pleasure when I choose to give my best to Him. I remember Rick Warren saying that when we do our quiet times, we should do them when we are at our best. That’s my prayer, that I might give my best to Him even as the world looks, even as my tempting heart questions if this is the best use of my resources. There is nothing more valuable to God than a heart that gives to Him sacrificially.

Mark 11:25

“And whenever you stand praying, forgive if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your transgressions.”

*****
A face value, it looks like Jesus is saying God’s forgiveness is conditioned upon our forgiveness of others. I mean that’s what it sort of says, doesn’t it? Well, first SPACEPETS…

S – is there a sin to confess? Is there any unforgiveness in my heart toward someone? If so, that is sin!

P – is there a promise to claim? Not really.

A – is there an attitude to change? Need to have an attitude of forgiveness largely because He has forgiven me (despite the conditional nature of the verse).

C – is there a command to obey? Forgive anything against anyone.

E – is there an example to follow? Not explicitly stated here, but Jesus is our perfect example.

P – is there a prayer to pray? Lord, help me forgive even the most serious offenses against me. And help me see an unforgiving spirit within me.

E – is there an error to avoid? Don’t hold grudges!

T – is there a truth to believe? God forgives as we forgive others.

S – is there something to praise God for? Not explicitly. I do praise Him, though, that He has given me a reason to forgive others.

The idea of conditional forgiveness here has to be understood in light of the rest of Scripture. Scripture is clear that true followers of Christ are forgiven completely – past, present, future – of their sins because Jesus Christ was the perfect sacrifice for us. To say our sins are not completely forgiven would be an insult to God because we would be saying His sacrifice was incomplete and insufficient. So how does this verse fit into this truth? We have to understand it in terms of relationship. We are forgiven by the blood of Jesus on legal terms. We are aquitted of sin. But at the same time there is a relational barrier to overcome. Relationally, when we hold a grudge or when we have an unforgiving heart toward someone, then we are damaging our relationship with God. Yes, He has forgiven me, but my relationship with Him is as hurt as my relationship with an offender against me. So really, what Jesus is saying is that our relationships here in this world are inseparably tied to our relationship with our heavenly Father. When there is unforgiveness in our relationships here, it affects the relational side of forgiveness in our relationship with God. We may have salvation and an eternal relationship with God, but the quality of that relationship is influenced by our relationships with people here. Sooo, all that to say, I need to make sure my relationships here are healthy and full of grace and forgiveness.

I mentioned it earlier, and I will pray it again:  Lord, help me forgive even the most serious offenses against me. And help me see an unforgiving spirit within me.

Mark 10:17-31

¹⁷As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

¹⁸ “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. ¹⁹ You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.’”

²⁰“Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”

²¹ Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

²²At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

²³ Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”

²⁴ The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! ²⁵ It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

²⁶The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”

²⁷ Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

²⁸Peter said to him, “We have left everything to follow you!”

²⁹ “I tell you the truth,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel ³⁰ will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. ³¹ But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

*****
What a full passage this morning! Here’s the thing on this passage that I seem to miss so often: Jesus says these words with love. The passage says that Jesus looked at the rich, young man and loved him. His words weren’t words of condemnation. These were words of help and concern. The rich, young man lacked something in all the things he was doing right. He had difficulty letting go of his possessions. Indeed, his possessions had a hold of him.

S – is there a sin to confess? I am afraid that sometimes I not only hold onto my possessions too tightly, I am often not content with what I have.

P – is there a promise to claim? 1) With God all things are possible; 2) leaving all to follow Jesus will have its reward both now and in eternity.

A – is there an attitude to change? Need to change my attitude toward my possessions. God’s blessings can sometimes become an obstacle for me.

C – is there a command to obey? Not explicitly, but the rich, young ruler is told to sell everything and give to the poor. (Note: Jesus doesn’t tell him to give his things to the poor. Instead, he tells the man to sell everything and, I would presume, give the money to the poor. This tells me that the poor don’t need the material possessions of the wealthy. They need things far more useful to them rather than the luxuries of life.)

E – is there an example to follow? The disciples.

P -is there a prayer to pray? Pray that I would be able to see my things as not my own, but my responsibility to use for the kingdom.

E – is there an error to avoid? Materialism. Who do I serve? God or money?

T – is there a truth to believe? God is the one who saves. He is the God of the impossible. The rich young ruler reveals just how hard it is to be saved – it is impossible on our own. This actually gives hope to the rich young ruler, doesn’t it?

S – is there something to praise God for? Yes – He can save me! I am desperate without Him.

Personally, I do try to have an attitude of “what is mine is yours”. I think God has given me a generous heart (and I don’t say that with any pride). I know that all I have is God’s, and it is given to be shared with others. I pray that God would continue to make that a reality in my life. I think if I take an honest look at myself, I can see that lack of contentment in my life. Always wanting the next cool thing. My problem is not so much generosity; it is a lack of contentment. My prayer is that I would learn to be content with what has clearly been an abundance of blessing from God.

Mark 9:33-35

³³ They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” ³⁴But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.

³⁵ Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

*****
I find it humorous that the disciples were talking about something that they knew probably wasn’t very favorable in Jesus’ eyes. They were caught! Although Jesus doesn’t totally dislike the idea of wanting to be first in the kingdom (remember Jesus didn’t criticize them for it), He does want us to have a proper view of what it means to be first. Once again, Jesus is talking about a future in eternity, not living in the present world.

S – is there a sin to confess? Do my motives for living come out of desire to be a servant of all? Is my serving attitude completely others focused or do I do it for my own personal gain?

P – is there a promise to claim? If I want to be first in the kingdom of God, I must be willing to live as a servant of all.

A – is there an attitude to change? I must have an attitude of humility – putting others before myself.

C – is there a command to obey?  Be a servant of all.

E – is there an example to follow? While not specifically in this passage, we know that Jesus provided the prefect example in this realm. He ultimately died and finished “last” in this world, but certainly resurrected to be the “first fruit” of all who believe.

P – is there a prayer to pray? None given.

E – is there an error to avoid? Don’t seek to be first in this world – meaning, don’t put yourself above other people. Stop believing you’re better than everyone else.

T – is there a truth to believe? If one wants to be first, he must be last here.

S – is there something to praise God for? I am thankful that Jesus did not get angry and rebuke the idea that they were arguing about this matter of prominence. I think Jesus’ silence on this might indicate that this is a worthy aspiration. But like many things in this world. the aspiration might be noble, but we can take the wrong path in trying to achieve it. Jesus tells us that the road to kingdom prominence is really the road less traveled, and it is a road that few are willing to crawl on. That is our calling. My prayer is that I might be willing to crawl on that road, to carry my cross, and to face the earthly consequences in order to achieve an eternal weight of glory.

Mark 8:34-38

³⁴ Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. ³⁵ For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. ³⁶ What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? ³⁷ Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? ³⁸ If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

*****
First off, I read this passage in its context, and it appears to me that Jesus’ frustration is beginning to show. I am not implying that Jesus is impatient, but day after day people are coming to him to be healed – they want to in many respects “save their life”. Even Peter wants to save Jesus’ life as if that’s the most important thing anyone could do. Our lives are so centered on the here and now. So caught up in the idea that our physical lives are the most important thing in the world. And now I see Jesus trying to turn their attention away from healing and the worldly draw that has been created through His compassionate efforts to help the hurting. He has been healing and the people are drawn to the healing activity of Jesus. But that is not what Jesus is about. That is not His mission. I can see now why Jesus may not have wanted the healed men and women to tell people about their healing. His message would get lost in the mode.

S – is there any sin to confess? Oh yes. I cannot say with any confidence that my life exhibits a denial of self and a carrying of my cross. Even as a pastor, the flesh can be strong, and my will weak. I do these things because I think I will find life in my selfish actions and thoughts and words. True life is found in following Jesus.

P – are there any promises to claim? Yes, I will find true life when I deny myself, walk the hard road, and follow after Christ.

A – are there any attitudes to change? My attitude has to be geared toward looking at life not as the world looks at it, but as Jesus promises. I need to have a faithful attitude toward taking the hard road.

C – is there a command to obey? 1) Deny self; 2) Take up my cross; 3) Follow Christ; 4) Proud of Christ

E – Is there an example to follow? Yes, Christ uses His own example when He alludes to carrying the cross. At the time, the disciples had no idea what he was talking about. In hindsight, it is clear that carrying the cross includes so much suffering and all for no just reason.

P – is there a prayer to pray? I would pray that I would actually follow Jesus’ words here.

E – is there an error to avoid? Don’t be ashamed of Christ. Stop living for self.

T – Is there a truth to believe? It is worthless to gain the world and lose my soul. There is nothing worth giving up my soul for.

S – Is there something to praise God for? These are hard words from Jesus. They are a challenge to discipleship. Are they praiseworthy? Yes, but it takes finding the life that Jesus’ promises to give heartfelt praise. I think that is my prayer from this passage. That I might live as Jesus is commanding so that I might bring praise to my heavenly Father, and when He returns, that He might find me worthy.