Dithyramb (Mark 7.24-37)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is “dithyramb.”  I know that many people have been healed by Jesus, both when he was doing ministry on the earth as well as to the present day. I remember asking why he would want the people that he healed not to say anything. And I guess there are more than a couple of reasons for that. However, for the people that were being healed by Jesus, they had only one thought on their minds.  They were now healed did not have the infirmities or demons that they thought would have to deal with for the rest of their lives.  How would you feel if you were one of these people?

Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” ~Mk. 7:36-37

My question is: Are you excited for what God has done in your life, and how do you express that?  God is very active in our lives today.  A lot of us just don't stop to realize that he is present.  My prayer is that you make the necessary adjustments in your daily routine to reflect your appreciation towards what God is doing.  Even though the people in today's passage were told specifically by Jesus not to go and tell anyone, many of them did so in the form of enthusiastic dithyrambs.  How will you express your appreciation for what God is doing in your life today?

Praying for you,

MO

Tumescent (Mark 12.38-40)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is “tumescent.”  Have you known anyone in your life that just seems to have an opinion for everything?  It could be any subject, at any time, for any reason.  But that person will have some kind of answer.  Well, most of us don’t like when others talk down to us or use unnecessary language.  During Jesus’s ministry he encountered a lot of people who thought he was wrong, or thought he was completely crazy.  He had to battle this day in and day out.  It did not matter how much he pointed to the Scriptures, even those who were the most educated in the law were rude and unbelieving.

 As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.” ~Mk 12:38-40

My question is: where is it that you place your faith?  The Pharisees and other teachers of the law often talked about Jesus with tumescent and contemptuous language.  They do not respect him and were always trying to get him in some kind of trap to say something that would trip him up and make his followers leave him.  The truth was that he was always speaking the truth, and even though the teachers of the law did everything that they could, they could not find anything wrong with the way that Jesus lived or taught.  My prayer is that you hold on to the words of Jesus, and know that he spoke the truth then, and still yearns for an intimate relationship with you.  God will always fight for you.  You need only to trust him.

Praying for you,

MO

Pugilist (Mark 14:43-50)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is “pugilist.”  One of the little known, or at least acknowledged, passages in the Bible comes right before the arrest of Jesus. You can imagine the scene is totally tense. The disciples and others that have been following JC know that it’s all coming to a crazy ending.

Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. The men seized Jesus and arrested him. Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. ~Mar 14:44-47

My question is: how far are you willing to follow Jesus?  Even though this dude who was following JC had the best intentions in mind, Jesus made it very clear that violence was not the answer.  There was no place for pugilists in working towards the kingdom of God.  Jesus brought a message of peace.  And although he appreciated the fervor of those before them, he did not want to lose the message and all of it.  My prayer is that you make the decision to follow Jesus and his teachings in a way that would inspire others to follow as well.

Praying for you

Mo