Author: pastorjonathan

Christian,Husband, Dad, Pastor, Mentor, Volunteer.

No Patches Here (Mark 2:18-22 Devotion)

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The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were fasting. Then they came and said to Him, “Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?” 19 And Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. 20 “But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days. 21 “No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; or else the new piece pulls away from the old, and the tear is made worse. 22 “And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins.”

– Mark 2:18-22 (NKJV)

One of the unique challenges of pastoring is dealing with so many people who are facing different challenges and joys in life. The other day in the matter of a few minutes I went from sharing a gospel message with a group of teenagers to praying with someone facing a serious surgery. On my prayer list is a family joyfully expecting a baby and a friend who is possibly entering into hospice care. One Saturday last year, I wrapped up speaking at a graveside service for a dear friend and drove straight across town to do a vow renewal service for a sweet couple. These are all real folks facing real things and I’ve had to learn how to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. It is okay for people to have different seasons in their life.

In today’s passage, John’s disciples wonder why Jesus’ disciples don’t fast like they do. Perhaps they think there is some sort of spiritual benefit that Jesus’ disciples are missing out on, or more likely, they see themselves as superior for the extra discipline they have demonstrated. Jesus uses this illustration of seasons of life to explain… They knew according to their social customs that even if you are in the midst of a fast, but you are at a wedding, you break the fast for sake of being a good guest (that was actually a rule on one of their own books). To not celebrate the joy of the bride and groom because you are “fasting” wasn’t being ultra spiritual, it was being ultra rude. Anyone can deny themselves food. The mere act of self denial alone doesn’t make you closer to God, it’s the attitude of the heart that matters. Fasting for fasting sake doesn’t get you any closer to God.

There would be plenty of time for the disciples to fast later. The moment they were living in called for celebration. Jesus was with them, it was a time to celebrate.

We should be careful of judging someone else’s spirituality based on their current disposition. We all go through seasons of growth and we shouldn’t expect people to be just like us. The old restrictions and fasts wouldn’t make sense for the season the disciples were in, it would be like trying to force a square peg through a round hole. (You can do it, but you’re going to cause a lot of friction and shave some edges off in the process). We don’t need to needlessly create friction or tears in the fabric of our relationships by judging others by outward measures. The heart is what matters. There would be plenty of time for the the disciples to fast after Jesus had ascended, but for now it was rude not to celebrate what He was doing by healing people etc.

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. Thank you for the various seasons we go through in life. Thank you for placing people in our path that can help us rejoice and lament in the proper times of life. Help us to be there for others and place no expectation on them other than that their hearts are genuinely turned towards you. Please guide us in your will and direction. In Jesus Name, Amen.

He’d Sit With You (Mark 2:13-17 Devotion)

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Then He went out again by the sea; and all the multitude came to Him, and He taught them. 14 As He passed by, He saw Levi the [son] of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed Him. 15 Now it happened, as He was dining in [Levi’s] house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him. 16 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, “How [is it] that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?” 17 When Jesus heard [it], He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call [the] righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

– Mark 2:13-17 (NKJV)

If you are unfamiliar with Jesus, Christianity, or church you might be interested to know the type of people that Jesus called to follow him. We already saw that he called some fishermen to follow after him, but today he calls a tax collector to join the ranks of his disciples.

You might be surprised by the type of people Jesus would hang out with. It wasn’t always the respected religious leaders. In fact the religious leaders quite often rejected Jesus! We find in the gospels that Jesus would hang out with people who were the outcasts or marginalized by society. In this passage he is sitting by tax collectors (who would have been wealthy, but rejected by mainstream society because they both represented an oppressive government and were often accused of leveling unfair or “extra” taxes in order to make a tidy profit).

What was His rational for receiving these sort of people to follow him? It was because they needed him. Like a sick patient needs a doctor, those who knew they were sinners needed Jesus to help them come to a place of repentance. The really sad thing it that the religious leaders really needed him too. Their hearts were sick and corrupt as anyone else’s, but their sins seemed more respectable in their society… but they weren’t in God’s eyes.

The comfort that we can draw from this passage is that if we can recognize ourselves as sinners, then there is hope for us to be found in Jesus. When we recognize we need him, we can call out to him and he will be there. What kind of people did Jesus sit with? He sat with people like me and you. You can call on him.

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. Thank you that you are a friend of sinners, because we are sinners. Sometimes we try and pretend that things aren’t that bad, but we know you see our hearts. So we boldly call out to you and ask you for your grace today. Please guide us in your will and direct our paths. In Jesus Name, Amen.

He Can Forgive Sins! (Mark 2:1-12 Devotion)

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And again He entered Capernaum after [some] days, and it was heard that He was in the house. 2 Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive [them], not even near the door. And He preached the word to them. 3 Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four [men]. 4 And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” 6 And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this [Man] speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, “Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? 9 “Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘[Your] sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’? 10 “But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”–He said to the paralytic, 11 “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” 12 Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw [anything] like this!”

– Mark 2:1-12 (NKJV)

Mark two begins with the account of the how Jesus heals a paralytic man. The man’s friends show amazing faith by tearing up the roof and dropping the man in above Jesus. (Let’s just agree that this was a pretty radical and bold move on the part of his friends. They must have really loved him.) So then, Jesus sees the great faith these guys demonstrate and he tells the man that his sins are forgiven. And it stuns the crowd! They were expecting a healing! This man’s handicap is what seems to be his most glaring need. Yet Jesus doesn’t just see the outside, he sees this man’s heart and what this man (and all of us) really need. Some of the people who are there are doubtful that Jesus can even forgive sin. Jesus sees their doubt and authenticates his statement by healing the man.

This man’s greatest need was for the forgiveness of his sins. I wonder if his friends knew this? I wonder if they would have been as aggressive to get him to Jesus if Jesus would have forgiven his sins, but left him a paralytic? I wonder if we sometimes look at our neighbors, coworkers, and friends and don’t really see that their greatest need is to trust in Christ for the forgiveness of their sins? The good news is that Jesus forgives the sins of those who repent and turn to him. Who are you telling today?

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. Thank you that you saw this man’s greatest need. Thank you that you gave him more than he wanted and searched deeply within his heart to provide that which he needed most. Forgive us of our sins and help us see the real needs of other around us. We want to follow you. Please guide us in your will and direction for us. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Who are you following? (Mark 1:39-45 Devotion)

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And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons. 40 Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” 41 Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out [His] hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” 42 As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed. 43 And He strictly warned him and sent him away at once, 44 and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” 45 However, he went out and began to proclaim [it] freely, and to spread the matter, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places; and they came to Him from every direction.

– Mark 1:39-45 (NKJV)

Jesus heals a man and urges him not to tell others, but rather go fulfill the customs and obligations of the day. The man ends up telling people and Jesus becomes famous. Jesus wasn’t looking for fame, Jesus was looking to honor the father. I’m sure to this one who was so miraculously healed it seemed contrary not to tell the whole town, he went with his gut instead. Sometimes if we aren’t careful we will follow our gut rather than obeying the Lord. How about you? Are you trusting the Lord? Are you trusting what God says about relationships? Money? Work? Etc…

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. Your way is better than our way. Help us to be obedient to you in moments where everything makes sense and in moments where we just don’t understand. Please guide us in your will and direct our steps today. May we listen and be obedient to you. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Early Morning Prayer (Mark 1:29-38 Devotion)

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Now as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once. 31 So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. And she served them. 32 At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed. 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34 Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him. 35 Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. 36 And Simon and those [who were] with Him searched for Him. 37 When they found Him, they said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.” 38 But He said to them, “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.”

– Mark 1:29-38 (NKJV)

I have a planner that I look at each day. In my planner I have written some goals. Things that I think I need to pursue in my life right now. I begin part of my day by looking at my planner and reminding myself of my goals. As small as this step is, it is really helpful in keeping my focus where it needs to be. For example when I remind myself that one of my goals is to eat healthy and lose a certain amount of weight by a certain day, it helps me to discipline myself and stay away from sweets. By focusing early in my day on my goal, it effects my direction for the rest of the day.

Way more important than any goal we’d set for ourselves is to seek and understand God’s will for our lives. We do this through prayer! We can pray about the people and situations that are in our lives and seek God’s purpose and will. The more people we see, places we go, and things we have to do, the more important it is that we seek God’s will in those areas.

Jesus was very busy at this point in his ministry, but he knew that busyness doesn’t always mean success. Just like all growth in a plant doesn’t lead to fruitfulness, sometimes it takes away from fruitfulness and so some plants need to be pruned. Jesus sought God the Father early in the morning, on a busy day so that he’d know where to go and what to do next. He wasn’t caught up in the tyranny of the urgent, he was passionate about pursuing the father’s will.

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. As our schedules get filled with more and more activities, it’s important that we submit our busy lives to your will. We ask for your direction and purpose today. We want to follow you. Please guide us in your will and direction for us. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Authority (Mark 1:21-28 Devotion)

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Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught. 22 And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 23 Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 24 saying, “Let [us] alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are–the Holy One of God!” 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” 26 And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him. 27 Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? What new doctrine [is] this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.” 28 And immediately His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee.

– Mark 1:21-28 (NKJV)

The other day I was discussing why I hold to the Christian faith. My response could be summarized in two points. I believe first on an intellectual level. The literature of the bible compared to everything else I’ve read makes the most sense to me about why the world is the way that it is and so I choose to place my confidence in the bible and what it teaches. While there may have been a time where I held to the Christian faith for merely intellectual reasons, I also have another reason for my faith… my experience. As I have placed my faith in the Lord through what the scripture teaches I have experienced many of the things I have studied and know them to be true by my experience.

In today’s reading, Mark wants us to know that when Jesus enters the scene, he does so with a recognized authority. His authority stretches to these two realms. On the one hand, Jesus’ teaching and doctrine are noted by the crowd as coming from one who has authority. He is able to reason according to the scriptures better than the scribes. The other place of authority comes on an experiential level. It is here that the doctrines that Jesus is teaching are put to the test. He is able to cast out evil spirits.

Those observing Jesus then as well as those of us reading these accounts now have opportunity and reason to trust Jesus. We can trust Jesus because it is reasonable to trust him, but as we trust him and see his work unfold in our lives we can trust Jesus also because we experience his truth as we put his word into practice. Most of us will never be called on to cast out demons, but we will experience His word when we love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us and obey other such similar commands.

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. I thank you for the authority that Jesus demonstrated in Mark. Help me to study your word that through it I might know you better. We ask you to guide us in your will. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Follow Me (Mark 1:14-20 Devotional)

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Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” 16 And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 17 Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 They immediately left their nets and followed Him. 19 When He had gone a little farther from there, He saw James the [son] of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also [were] in the boat mending their nets. 20 And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after Him.

– Mark 1:14-20 (NKJV)

A few years ago I took my kids on a hike through the woods. They were both eager to get ahead on the trail and they were arguing over who would lead. I had told them that I would lead us on the trail and that they needed to follow me. My warnings had fallen on deaf ears as we were coming around a bend in the path something caused me to instinctively throw my hands back and as I did I caught a kid on each side trying to pass me. I had grabbed them and stopped them in their tracks. There in front of us was a large snake that looked somewhat like a root slowly crossing our path. If either one had been in the lead they would have found the snake by stepping on it! Needless to say, both kids were eager to follow me the rest of the way and no one tried to strike out and lead.

In today’s passage, Jesus invites his disciples on a journey of discipleship. The formula was simple. These men just needed to embrace the simplicity of following Jesus. Their transformation from fishermen to fishers of men was something Jesus would do! He told us as much when he said, “And I will make you become…” All that was really required of these men was for them to follow Jesus. He would take care of the transformation. There were a few instances where Peter tried to get out ahead of the Lord, but Jesus was always swift to put him back in his place.

Sometimes I too am tempted to complicate things in my relationship with Jesus. Instead of looking to follow him, I often try and strike out to get ahead. I mistakenly think that if I read enough books, take enough classes, attend enough conferences, and listen to all the right podcasts that somehow I’ll be well on my way to achieving a high level “fishers of men” certification. I forget how simple the formula really is. All that is required is for me to follow Him and He will make me into what he wants me to be.

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. Thank you the transforming power of the gospel. Make us into your image today. You are the potter, we are the clay. We ask you to guide us in your will. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Testified and Tested (Mark 1:9-13 Devotional)

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It came to pass in those days [that] Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. 11 Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” 12 Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness. 13 And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him.

– Mark 1:9-13 (NKJV)

My truck has a knob that can turn it from 2 wheel drive into 4 wheel drive. I hadn’t used the 4 wheel drive feature that much until a few years ago I had mistakenly gone off road on a very tall mountain in Wyoming. I almost got the truck stuck miles from civilization. But then I realized that I could transition my truck to 4 wheel drive and once I did, we were able to drive off the mountain in relative ease. If you had asked me before that moment about how good the 4-wheel-drive feature was on trucks like mine, I probably would have just shrugged my shoulders. But if you ask me the same thing now, I will share my story of how it worked to get me out of a jam. I have a testimony of how I used the 4-wheel-drive feature.

The author of Mark wants us to know that we can trust Jesus to bring us to God. He wants us to know that Jesus is the one that John the Baptist was talking about. He gives us two very good reasons to trust in the authenticity and authority of Jesus in this passage. One, he highlights the testimony of God the Father who speaks of Jesus that, “You are my beloved son in whom I am well pleased.” We also see the presence of the Holy Spirit who comes down in the form of a dove. (So we see the trinity here together testifying to the ability of Jesus).

The second is that Jesus is “immediately” whisked away to the desert to be tempted. He is tempted by the devil and comes out unscathed. (Don’t forget that Jesus has been fasting, and that there are wild animals in the area either.) Jesus withstands all the temptations the devil musters. In these short verses, we see Jesus is endorsed by heaven and tested and proven faithful in the face of fierce opposition.

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. Thank you that you sent the best when you sent Jesus. We are grateful that he was perfectly obedient to you even to the point of temptation as we see here and ultimately death on the Cross. We are grateful that we can trust Him to bring us to you. We ask you to guide us in your will. In Jesus Name, Amen.

John the Baptist (Mark 1:1-8 Devotional)

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The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in the Prophets: “Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.” 3 “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight.’ ” 4 John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. 5 Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, “There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose. 8 “I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

– Mark 1:1-8 (NKJV)

Several years ago I had a really bad infection in my heart. It was so bad that I had to be on powerful antibiotic medicine three times a day for a week. The medicine helped fight the infection, but the doctor said the infection was so bad that it had damaged part of my heart and I needed surgery.

In today’s reading we see people coming to John the Baptist in repentance for their sin and being baptized. John helped them recognize that this was a good first step, but they really needed more. He recognized that he had been sent by God to prepare the way for people to come to God, but he knew that someone else was coming who would bring God, the Holy Spirit, to the people. John could offer water, but what everyone really needed was the Holy Spirit.

The word baptize literally means “to come into” or immersion. We see that picture in the water when someone is immersed or baptized into the water. We can also understand that it is by Jesus that we can be baptized or “brought into” the family of God through the Holy Spirit (John 3).

As we embark on this journey of reading through Mark, I am struck by the ministry of John. He was preparing the way for Jesus. He knew he didn’t have the one thing people really needed, only God did, and so he preached to prepare the way. I am grateful for those whom God has used in my life to prepare the way and point to the work of Jesus.

Father, thank you for sending John to prepare the way for Jesus. Thank you for sending people into my life who have pointed me to you and helped me come to know you and trust in you. I humbly ask that you would use me to point others to you. In Jesus Name, Amen.

The Where, Why, How, And Who of Praise (Psalm 150 Devotion)

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PSALM 150

Praise the LORD! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament! 2 Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness! 3 Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp! 4 Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! 5 Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with clashing cymbals! 6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!

PSALM 150:1-6

THE WHERE, WHY, HOW, AND WHO OF PRAISE

Psalm 150 is such a fitting conclusion to the Psalms. Praise for God is the beginning, ending, and middle of this Psalm. The Psalmist shares where we should praise God (v. 1). Why we should praise God (v. 2). How we should praise God (v. 5). And Who should praise God (v. 6)… “Everything that has breath!”

God is worthy of our praise on the good days and bad, happy and sad, in our rejoicing and even through our tears, He is worthy! We can celebrate His attributes. He is a God of Justice. He is Love. He shows us grace and mercy. Our world if filled with metaphors on how he cares for us (like a shepherd, or a mother hen). Even when we are in the dark or feel alone, He is worthy!

The Psalms have served as a guide for all of life to help us see God in every moment of our existence and to move us towards a sincere faith that overflows into worship. As I look back over the last five months I can’t help but feel that my life has been enriched by studying the Psalms. I’ve found myself quoting the Psalms, especially to those who are going through challenging times. and I’ve come to believe that one of the best things anyone can do to get a good understanding of how to trust God in the hard times, and to improve their overall mental health, is to read the Psalms. It has a maturing effect, or at least I feel it has for me in this season.

Speaking of seasons, Summer on the calendar has come and gone. We started early and went late to cover what we have called. “Summer in the Psalms.” We’ve glanced at every Psalm but Psalm 119. We’ll have to save that for another day. Part of me wanted to keep going and break up that Psalm as we went into October, but as the weather started changing this week and our “Alabama Summer” hinted at giving way to Fall I decided it is best to take a break and focus on other things for a while.

Life is like that, it comes and goes in seasons. September through November is a busier season than I had anticipated and so I felt it would be good to step away from writing daily in October in order to focus on a few other things. I plan to be back posting on a regular basis in November, perhaps something different than my devotional reading from scripture or maybe more of the same. I’m not sure yet.

I’ll still be reading and studying by bible daily in addition to reading several different devotional materials. I’ll probably be reading and praying through 1st and 2nd Samuel, just not blogging about it.

I am grateful for this exercise in writing through the Psalms. I hit my goal. I wrote around 500 words a day for 150 days (my original goal was 90). When you add all those words up it’s a good word count for a book. I don’t plan on writing a book any time soon, but now I know that should I be so inclined, I do have the capacity.

I am grateful for the many of you have have followed along and read my posts, put up with a few misspelled words here or there, and some poor, but hopefully improving grammar (I didn’t go back and proof anything). I’ve enjoyed your comments both on this blog and in person. I’ve been encouraged and blessed to see God’s word shape you as it has and is shaping me. May we all be more and more conformed into the image of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you for following along. Lord willing, I’ll be back in some form in November!

PRAYER

Father, Thank you for the wonderful gift of the Psalms. Thank you for what you have taught me about you this summer. Thank you for the gift of studying your word that we might know you better. Thank you for a sense of community and conversation that this has built in my life as I have pondered your word together with others. Thank you for how your word sticks in the recesses of my mind and is able to be called up when it is needed. Thank you that as I’ve read and understood the Psalms better this year that you have allowed me to share what I’ve learned with others. I pray that you would bless us today with more of you. We love you Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I’m reading and blogging the Psalms Through The Summer. I’d love for you to join me. You can find out a little more here.