MONDAY, February 20
Reflect
This passage confirms Jesus’ destination of Jerusalem. Once again, Jesus takes time to provide His disciples with more information than He gives other followers. This short passage reminds me of what happens when we go for ‘pre-op’ consultation with a doctor in anticipation of surgery, say a hip replacement. In order to alleviate some stress and anxiety, the doctor will call you into the office and describe what will transpire on the day of surgery. This information helps, but there is really no way you can totally comprehend what the doctors will be doing to you while you are under anesthetic! In this situation, Jesus outlines what we refer to as ‘the passion’: He will be betrayed, sentenced to die, be handed over to Gentiles, mocked, spit upon, flogged, killed and then resurrected (v. 33-34). Mark doesn’t tell us how the disciples reacted to this synopsis, but Luke does: “The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about” (Luke 18: 34).
Apply
I attended the Break Forth Conference a couple of weeks ago, and was reminded of what ‘information overload’ feels like – taking a drink from a garden hose! Maybe that is what the disciples were experiencing! Read verses 33-34 slowly several times and let this truth sink in as we continue to read the last chapters of Mark’s gospel.
Pastor Sharon
Pray
- Pray for Pastor Lyle, for his family and his ministry.
- Pray for Eric Peters, Facility Manager; Custodians, Adit Gamble, Stan Goodnough and Anne King; Maintenance, Joe Richards.
- Pray for our Church Board members: Nick Mitchell, Matt Barker, Julie Leverette, Mike Pedde, Nicole Pedde, Hal Reirson, Marv Schneider, Bee Stiansen, Darryl Sparling, Matt Chute, Barbara Whidden and Cam Klapstein.
- Pray for our office staff: Robin Radke and Naomi Voss; Bookkeeper Lynette Carlson.