verseoftheday

Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. Mark 4:37-38 NLT This cushion has been bugging me. Why is it mentioned? Is it like an embroidered pillow? Is it the only pillow on the boat? Does Jesus just look cute or something? Or is it that Jesus is at complete rest in the storm. The only time (I think) that Jesus is really concerned about what's going on is in the garden of Gethsemane and he is contemplating that coming storm. When all the sin of mankind will be smashed into him. He'll face that storm so that we don't have to. But here, in the boat, with the storm raging and water coming in he's not worried at all. Go way back to Daniel Ch3 and the boys are facing a death sentence and they're confident that God can save them. "But even if He doesn't..." are their words. They had a confident hope. We have a living hope, who is OK with the storm no matter what, and wants us to be too. Even in the storm you can find...

High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. Mark 4:37-38 NLT We're in the mega-storm, the boat is under threat and Jesus is taking a nap. And what's with that detail "with his head on a cushion". Why did Mark include that? When we're in the mega-storm sometimes it feels like God is taking a nap with his head on a pillow... What would Jesus team be thinking? What are we doing here... are we gonna make it? Who's idea was this? Where is Jesus? And what would they be feeling? Failures? Disheartened? Angry? All of the above? Ever felt like that? When we're in the mega-storm and it's not going well it's easy to lose heart. Ultimately we know how the Big Story ends, but how will this one go? To who else should I turn? He has the words of eternal life. In Him I live, and move, and have my being. In Him, I have hope. I will stand on the F...

As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's cross to the other side of the lake." So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Mark 4:35-37 NLT Not only was the timing inconvenient. Not only was it going into the dark But Jesus led them into the storm. The Greek word here for how big the storm is "megas". It was a mega-storm. It's threatening to destroy the boat (their business asset) and threatening their lives. A mega-storm. They were in the dark, heading "to the other side" wherever that was, and now at risk of losing their lives. And Jesus had led them there. In all the drama and the noise and the immediate urgent challenges of staying afloat, in the dark, in the unknown, it would have been easy to forget Jesus call and instruction. And so do I. Trusting ...

As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's cross to the other side of the lake." So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). Mark 4:35-37 NLT I wonder what happened to the people in the other boats. Those who weren't called but went anyway. (There's probably a book in that..."Folly of Following without a Call") Jesus did call his disciples. At an inconvenient time. To go somewhere else. You couldn't book accommodation or even phone a friend, Jesus just said "let's go". Sometimes Jesus does that. Asks us to go, or brings someone into our lives when it feels really inconvenient. Couldn't that just wait? Til tomorrow? Until I finish my _____? Lord this goes against the grain for me, I like to plan, know where I'm going. The "other side" seems too vague for me. And it's getting dark. Are you sure the timing is right? Will I follow...

Jesus used many similar stories and illustrations to teach the people as much as they could understand. In fact, in his public ministry he never taught without using parables; but afterward, when he was alone with his disciples, he explained everything to them. Mark 4:33-34 NLT Favourite movie quote? Shrek: "Layers. Onions have layers. Ogres have layers. Onions have layers. You get it? We both have layers." With Jesus there are layers. He met people where they were and taught in ways they could understand. And he meets us where we are. That's grace. He shrunk himself to become one of us, slowed down to our pace, and walked with us. And He does the same today. He calls us to walk with one another. That may mean slowing down. Meeting people where they are at...but remembering that people have layers. We have layers Jesus has layers And He wants us to peel back the layers and dig deeper into Him. Slow down Peel back the layers #layers #gospelofmark

Friday! Proverbs! A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle. Proverbs 18:19 ESV Ain't this the truth! People are SO unyielding when they get their nose out of joint (where did that saying come from?) I can't get through to them. So true. But It's me I'm like that. Easily offended by someone. And I'm always right. So my heart seems to say The classic is when I'm driving and someone else (never me) does something dumb. All I can see is the action as it affects me. I can't see their intention. Or know their heart. And usually, when I think about it, I've done a similar thing without any intent to disrupt... Ouch. This proverb is describing me. Are there times when we should be more unyielding than a strong city? How about when we do know the other person's intent? When their actions are repeated they know the harm or hurt they're causing. When someone else is affected. ...

Again he said, "What shall we say the kingdom of God is like... It is like a mustard seed...when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade." Mark 4:30-32 NIV The word translated "perch" here is "kataskenoo" which means to: Pitch one's tent To encamp To dwell It's something that you do. Set up camp Because this is where I want to stop This is where I want to stay In the shadow of the Mustard seed tree. There is shelter from the thoughts and feelings that can rage around in my heart, there is rest there, there is healing, nourishment, and peace there. A taste, a glimpse, of how it should be, a glimpse of the Kingdom that is to come... Choose to set up camp there. #gospelofmark #wordsofJesus #somethingtochewon