Reading 20 (Mark 14:1-11) Wednesday March 31

For NIV reading, click here
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%2014:1-11&version=NIV

Much shorter reading today, so we can all take a breath.

We see the way in which some of the leadership of Jesus' day deals with those who threaten their ways...a bit Mafia-like.

And the beautiful story of the woman who pours over Jesus' head expensive perfume. Responding from a heart of pure adoration, she gives generously by worshiping passionately, not caring about other more 'useful' ways of investing the expensive stuff she had. This angers some of Jesus' followers who rebuke her 'harshly.' But Jesus says that His presencce makes the occasion one in which usual ways of operating are suspended (see our discussion on fasting). After all, in Jesus' person He has ushered in God's Kingdom!

The very same day, Judas works out a deal to oust Jesus, and he earns some coin for it. While the woman is pouring out expense to adore Jesus, the religious leaders are pouring out expense to kill Jesus.

Much symbolism here too.

Thoughts, questions, applications...

(sometime we can go back to Mark 13 and a few more thoughts)

Reading 19 (Mark 11:20-13:37) Tuesday March 30

For NIV reading click here
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%2011:20-Mark%2013:37&version=NIV

This is the longest section of our readings as it includes extended sayings. Keep in mind Jesus has come to Jerusalem to go public with who He is and to confront the religious atmosphere that had failed, knowing that this all leads to His death. But Jesus sees this all as something God will fully redeem (resurrection) and something that will make a way for our freedom (Mark 10:45). Chapter 13 is particularly difficult and perhaps has to do with the destruction of the temple as well as future events. You may want to focus in on just part of today's reading.

Reading 18 (Mark 11:12-19) for Monday March 29

For NIV reading click here

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+11%3A12-19&version=NIV

Two of the stories many consider a bit disturbing (cursing the fig tree and the temple incident). What do you make of them?

Reading 17 (Mark 11:1-11) for March 28 Palm Sunday

For NIV reading click here
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+11%3A1-11&version=NIV

This day begins the final week of Jesus' earthly life. He approaches Jerusalem with crowds shouting all around him 'hosanna' and 'blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'

Hosanna originally was a prayer or cry "Save us now!" but had become a word of praise. The Galilean crowds following Jesus had begun to see who he was, but like the two blind men in chapters 8 and 10, they didn't see clearly until Jesus changed things. The Jerusalem crowds will shout 'crucify him' because they didn't want Jesus messing up their religious life.

We cannot see Jesus clearly apart from the cross and resurrection...but that means letting Jesus mess up our religious life...and everything else to establish God's rule in us.

Thoughts, questions, applications...

Reading 16 (Mark 10:31-52) Saturday March 27

For NIV reading, click here
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%2010:31-52&version=NIV

This is the final section before the last week of Jesus' life. The last week in Mark takes up about 1/3 of the whole gospel reminding us of the importance of these events.

Today's readings include the 3rd foretelling of Jesus' mission which involves His death and resurrection...it comes through in a stark way in Mark 10:45.

It also includes James and John's desire to be 'great' and to have seats of power and status. How do we still reflect this desire in our personal lives, in our faith, in our church ministries, etc.

Finally, the whole section from 8:22-10:52 wraps up with another healing of a blind man, once again suggesting that though the healing is real, it also points to spiritual vision/blindness. In what ways do we still have trouble 'seeing' and need the touch of Jesus?

Thoughts, applications...

Have an awesome day!

Reading 15 (Mark 9:42-10:31) Friday March 26

For NIV reading click here
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%209:42-10:31&version=NIV

Today's readings include a warning about causing others to fall away as well as one's own falling away, a hard saying about divorce when tested by some Pharisees, and sayings about receiving the Kingdom like a child, finally wrapping up with another Kingdom teaching warning about the power of wealth.

Let's prayerfully converse and apply.

There is also a new page to the right with additional readings for Holy Week from a daily lectionary if you're interested.

Reading 14 (Mark 9:2-41) Thursday March 25

For NIV reading click here
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%209:2-41&version=NIV

Several happenings in today's reading:

The 'transfiguration' of Jesus
The healing of a boy with an unclean spirit
Disciples argue about who is the greatest

This all takes places as Jesus is on the way to Jerusalem with His disciples, teaching them about what it means for Him to be the Christ, the Son of God, and what it means to follow. Lot's of material here for our own learning and discipleship.

Your ruminations, wonderings, and ways you might live something of these stories...what is God speaking into your heart through these passages?

Reading 13 (Mark 8:22-9:1) Wednesday March 24

For NIV reading, click here
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%208:22-9:1&version=NIV

The whole next section through 10:52 is framed by two healings of blind men. They are real and yet point to a deeper and more universal significance than two men with a particular disability.

How might the story of the healing inform the story of Peter and his confession of Jesus? What's the significance of the whole Peter-Jesus interaction and what might it mean for our understanding of Jesus as we answer His question to us: Who do you say that I am?

Thoughts, questions, applications?

Reading 12 (Mark 8:1-21) Tuesday March 23

For NIV reading click here
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mark%208:1-21&version=NIV

Two stories about bread: the first is another feeing miracle similar to the feeding of the 50oo; the second is a warning passage to Jesus' disciples about the Pharisees and Herod.

What do you make of these? There importance for us? How do we live them out?

A couple of cautions for us as we read...be sure to let the text speak for itself...and more importantly, for God to speak through the text as it is. Most of us have a tendency to read into the text what we assume it to mean and we sometimes miss the meaning and power of the passage in front of us. So, linger in the text for a bit. And always ask how we can 'put it on' - that is, how we can embody and live something of the text in our daily wanderings.

Reading 11 (Mark 7:24-37) Monday March 22

For the NIV reading, click here
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+7%3A24-37&version=NIV

Two stories:

the first about Jewish priority (God sent Jesus first to the Jews and then to everyone else - also seen in Paul's letters) and yet how Jesus is not rigidly bound but responds genuinely to human need; some very interesting stuff in this story.

the second, another healing, that leads to people's amazement which won't be contained though Jesus hushes them repeatedly

Thoughts, questions, possible applications?

Reading 10 (Mark 6:53-7:23) Sunday March 21

For NIV reading click here
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%206:53%20-%207:23&version=NIV

Begins with a short summary of Jesus' ministry.

Moves on to Jesus who begins to confront the religious community, especially the leadership who place more weight on the patterns of faith they have gotten used to than the very presence of God's appointed Messiah...who does things only God can do (the religious leaders have already said that).

In what ways do I/we give authority to our assumptions, traditions, familiar practices that potentially get in the way of Jesus' leading?

Reading 9 (Mark 6:1-52) March 20

For NIV reading click here
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%206:1-52&version=NIV

The first three stories center around the (as always) different responses to ministry and Mark describes them as issues of faith. They included resonses to Jesus himself, the disciples, and looking back, John the Baptizer.

It wraps up with two more miracles that Mark binds together by the theme of bread.

Your thoughts...and how might you apply part of this passage.

Reading 8 (Mark 5:1-43) Friday March 19

For NIV reading click here
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mark%205:1-43&version=NIV

More healing and hushing...

In the first story, verse 17 pushes us to ask what sort of things Jesus might do (or tell us to do) that would make us want him to leave.

The second story is actually 2 stories, one of them sandwiched within another story.

At the end of both stories, Jesus once again hushes people.

Your thoughts...

Reading 7 (March 4:35-41) Thursday March 18

For the NIV reading click here

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+4%3A35-41&version=NIV

Thoughts on how this story is meaningful and helpful to you...

READING 6 (Mark 4:1-34) Wednesday March 17

For NIV reading click here
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+4%3A1-34&version=NIV

Today we read several parables Jesus told: about hearing the good news, about sharing the good news, and ending with parables about the Kingdom of God and ways people responding to it.

What do you make of the 'secret of the kingdom?' (vv. 10-12)

Happy St. Patrick's Day.

Reading 5 (Mark 3:13-35) Tuesday March 16

For NIV reading click here
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%203:13-35&version=NIV

People struggle to make sense of who Jesus is; they offer irrational explanations ("he's got a demon!") and make emotional outbursts (his family says "he's a bit loopy"). Jesus continues to talk about the good stuff of God's Kingdom and those who recognize how much they need it crowd around Jesus to hear. What do we do? What do we do with Jesus when he pushes up against our expectations and assumptions and agendas?

Reading 4 (Mark 2:23-3:12) Monday March 15

For the NIV reading click here

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%202:23-3:12&version=NIV

More confrontation between Jesus and the Kingdom of God values with the current religious climate of Jesus' day, and more crowds who see good news in Jesus...at least for the time being. Jesus gets pretty much left alone a few short years later!

As we read, keep in mind Sabbath wasn't just a petty religious observance but central to their faith. We tend to easily condemn the Pharisees, yet we are often as 'hard-hearted' as they are (for example, Communion or Baptism must be done a certain way). But, Jesus authoritatively brings them to the heart of God's will and thus challenges their faith. Jesus claims Lordship over their faith.

Reading 3 (Mark 2:1-22) Sunday March 14

For the NIV reading, click here http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+2%3A1-22&version=NIV

Here we'll keep seeing what it looks like for God's Kingdom to be suddenly present through Jesus - healing, forgiveness of sins, breaking religious assumptions and traditions, etc.

Reading 2 (Mark 1:14-45) Saturday March 13

For the NIV reading, click here http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%201:14-45&version=NIV

As you read this passage, a few things to mention: notice that 'good news' shows up again (as do other important words/concepts) and this reminds us to read ALL of the Gospel of Mark as good news. Also, this is the first time 'Kingdom of God' is mentioned, though it will appear repeatedly, not least in Jesus' parables. Mark 1:14-15 are very key verses for the whole book. Once again, keep in mind that who Jesus is and what that means are major concerns for Mark, so how does this passage help fill that out. And last, as always, how do we embody this text in our own lives?

Don't forget to post your comments/questions for others to read.

READING 1 (Mark 1:1-13) for Friday March 12

For the NIV reading click here http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+1%3A1-13&version=NIV

Questions I'm thinking about for this first reading:

Answering who Jesus is and why he is so important are two main concerns for the whole Gospel of Mark. As you read 1:1-13, how would you begin to describe who Jesus is and why he's so important? Why do you think verses 2-3 important? Verses 4-5 are fascinating to me becuase it implies something has gone wrong with God's people in Jerusalem that require returning to God/repenting. What would it mean for us to take verse 11 seriously, that God loves Jesus, sees Jesus as His Son, and is well-pleased with him? In verse 12 why would Jesus immediately be sent (Greek word is 'cast out') into the desert being tempted by Satan? How am I going to apply/embody this text as God's good news to me/for me?

What are you thinking about/wondering as your read 1:1-13?

Opening Questions

As we get ready to read Mark, we'll notice Mark begins the story of Jesus by saying it is 'good news.' [By the way, the word translated 'good news' is the word gospel...in Greek it is euangelion=evangelism!!! I think one of the most helpful ways of evangelizing is simply to share what is so good about Jesus, which we all can do - evangelism does not necessarily mean preaching 'repent or die' and trying to 'get' someone to pray a salvation prayer.]

So here are a few questions: is the story of Jesus good news? How is it good news? And, good news for whom? How have we personally experienced the story/person of Jesus? Has it always felt like good news?

The Gospel According to Mark it is...

OK, I'm leaning toward Mark...he's sitting next to me in the library and has chocolate chip cookies.

OK, really, I think we'll start with Mark and I'll plan to get us reading on Friday the 12th. I'll include a suggested reading outline that will be heaviest near the end so that we are following Mark's presentation of Jesus' final week during our Holy Week...that will be cool. In fact Mark is intentional and explicit about leading us from day to day during that final week.

Keep in mind that chapters and verses for the Bible came long after the Bible was written, so the sections we read won't necessarily line up neatly that way.

After Easter, we'll switch it up and start with something different.

Keep in mind, I'm open to suggestions, fruitful rabbit trails, and interesting biblical texts that are on your mind.

Until Friday, I'll pray about our experience together, and look forward to our exchanges!

First Things - Where to Start...

First we need to pick some portion of the Bible to start reading together and studying. We could start with the Old Testament in Genesis, or with the New Testament in Matthew. Or we could perhaps read Mark which might be helpful during the rest of the Lenten Season. Or we could jump around based on interesting or difficult passages. I'll be thinking and praying through this...open to your suggestions and interests.