Everyone in this parable hears the Word. The difference comes in what happens next.

The first one doesn’t understand what they’ve heard. (This is where good, biblically sound teaching and preaching comes into play.)

The second one doesn’t accept it for themselves. (This is where we need to be praying and studying for ourselves so that we can hear God speak to us.)

The third one doesn’t cling to it when faced with the temptations and trials of the world. (This is where a community is helpful. We can encourage one another, hold one another accountable and be a source of support.)

The fourth understands it, accepts it and clings to it.

You are loved. <3

In just the first week of being in the New Testament, we are seeing for the third time one person desperately pleading with Jesus on behalf of another.

First, we had people praying for Simon’s ill mother in law in Mark.

Then, in Luke, we had friends literally carrying their friend to Jesus – bearing the physical burden for someone who did not have the strength to carry himself to the healer.

Now, we have the centurion pleading with Jesus on behalf of his servant.

💕

Also, in today’s reading, we have John asking his disciples (from prison) if Jesus was the one for whom they had been waiting. Jesus could have gone himself but he tells the disciples to go and tell what THEY had seen and heard.

People need to hear what we have seen God do in our lives and what we have learned.

💕

Both of these (praying for others and sharing our testimonies) show that we are meant to live in community. We need one another!

Gospel living is “go and tell.”

I had a former boss who always said, “Be kind to everyone because everyone’s having a hard time.”

And, no wonder. Scripture tells us that, in this world, there would be trials and suffering. Just in our little corner of the world, we have encountered death and pain in recent months.  It would be overwhelming, indeed, to focus only on those things. Perhaps that’s why Paul tells us to focus on things above.

Jesus promises plenty for those who are poor, joy for those who mourn, satisfaction for those who hunger and a seat at the table for those who have been excluded and rejected because of Him

These men in Mark 2 literally carried their friend to Jesus. Through the crowd and through the roof – nothing was going to stop them. When is the last time I was that intense and intentional about bringing others to Christ? What if someone else’s healing and/or forgiveness was dependant on my faith?

<3

Have you ever read about Jesus reclining at a meal with sinners and tax collectors and thought, “Isn’t that just a beautiful picture of mercy?” What occurred to me today is that it takes no less mercy for Jesus to welcome me at the table. It isn’t sinners and tax collectors being invited to dine with Christ and me.

It’s the fallen and the forgiven invited to sit with Him. It’s the wrecked and the redeemed, both undeserving, yet breaking bread together with Jesus. It is only the mercy of God that offers me a seat.

<3

You are loved.

Does anyone else ever struggle internally with where they are in life? Maybe you thought you would have done more, seen more, accomplished more? Have you ever asked, “Is this all there is for me?”

It’s okay; you don’t have to raise your hand. I can say that, after turning forty a couple months ago, I had some of these thoughts.

This often happens when we get gospel living backward. We spend our days attempting to increase ourselves and, in the process, decrease God’s presence and power in our lives. And a decreased presence of the One who satisfies will always lead to discontentment in our lives.

<3 You are loved.