November 3 - Mark 11; John 12: Jesus would be Lifted Up to Shine Light to the World

Today’s Reading: Mark 11; John 12

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

When Jesus is lifted to give light to the world, they can set things right.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Mary, Lazarus' sister, anointed Jesus' Feet with oil. This infuriated Judas, who was embezzling money and preparing to betray Jesus.
Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey to a fanfare.
Jesus threw merchants out of the Temple.
The Apostles could do great things if they embraced the God-life.
Jesus trapped His opponents when they questioned His Authority.
The Time to fulfill His Purpose had come. "I must be lifted up to draw everyone to Me. Believe in the Light."
Many leaders believed but in secret to keep their positions.
Jesus taught, "If you do not believe, My Words will judge you."

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

Jesus told His Apostles to pray for everything in faith.

As I mentioned earlier, I am not very good with prayer. This passage is difficult for me to do because in this section Jesus tells His Apostles that if they pray with the outcome expected that God would do it.

That’s why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you’ll get God’s everything. (Mark 11:24, The Message)

God's Chosen People should pray for everything because we should submit everything to God.

Judas, though an Apostle hand-picked by Jesus, was not dedicated to setting things right.

Jesus prayed all night before choosing the 12, yet one of them betrayed Him. The reason was not limited to the need for Jesus to be crucified. Judas was not dedicated to setting things right because he allowed his heart to serve money, not God. He used the poor as a club to guilt-trip people into giving to his purse, which he liberally took a piece of. Beware people who complain that you are not giving them enough under the guise of helping the poor. Their motives may not be good—although we should not become paranoid that all charities or social programs are corrupt.

Unless we die, we cannot gain Eternal Life.

"[A]nyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you’ll have it forever, real and eternal " (John 12:25). We must give up on our lives and allow God to direct them. Until then we cannot set all things right.

If Jesus is raised, many people see the Light and set things right.

Jesus came to be the greatest example of God setting things right. This would be done by sacrificing himself. By telling the crowd that He must be lifted up He told them how He would die. Since Jesus is the Light, putting Him high shines light on the largest area. Jesus wants His Disciples to be Children of Light—shining God's Light into dark places. If God's Chosen People lift the Light, All People will have a chance to set things right.

There will be no subjective judging by God. Either you set things right or you did not.

Jesus told the crowds that He would not judge everyone. Instead, His Words would judge everyone. We will not have a chance to sweet-talk our way out of punishment. Nor will we need to prove our case. Either we set things right or we did not. It makes obeying Jesus a lot less mysterious. Listen to Jesus' Words. They will show you how to set things right.

Do you lift Jesus for the world to see His Light?

October 29 - John 11: Jesus Shows a Sample of the Resurrection

Today’s Reading: John 11

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

Jesus is not some distant, aloof god. He joins in the weeping over the death of a friend.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Jesus' friend Lazarus was sick, to show God's Glory given to God's Son. Two days later, Jesus informed His Disciples, "Lazarus is dead and I will wake him."
Lazarus' sisters were distraught. Jesus told Martha, "I am the Resurrection. Anyone believing in Me will live."
As Mary ran to greed Him, Jesus wept.
Jesus called Lazarus out of the tomb. Many believed.
Jesus kept performing miracles—the Pharisees' worst nightmare. One man suggested Jesus become a martyr. Unbeknownst to them, they were preparing a world-wide sacrifice for sin.
Jesus and His Disciples went into seclusion.
The Passover came once again.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

Lazarus' death was meant to show Jesus' Glory given by the Father.

Jesus' miracles were meant to help others believe in Him. In this instance, He gave a clear sign that He was from the Father—He did something no other person could do.

Lazarus' resurrection provided an object lesson into how God will make all things right in the end.

Jesus wanted everyone to know He is the Resurrection and the Life. He had the power to take away death and return life. His Resurrection was meant to give hope that one day we, too, would be given life again. It is this Resurrection that makes Christianity worthy of its sacrifice.

The Pharisees set up the ultimate irony—their political move to martyr one to save their power was used to set relationships around the world right with God.

John is not a great storyteller if you love suspense. He adds commentary which gives the end of the story. In this case, the cat is out of the bag—Jesus is going to be murdered for the salvation of the world. The Pharisees, on the other hand, do not know this and think their prudent action to sacrifice one to save their power will work. It shows a great truth about God we saw way back in Joseph's day—God can use acts meant for harm to set things right. The greatest act to set things right was meant to hold power in one group's hands.

How has God used harmful situations to set things right in your life?