Author: pastorjonathan

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

God of the Possible (Mark 10:23-27 Devotion)

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Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! 25 “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, “Who then can be saved?” 27 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men [it is] impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”

– Mark 10:23-27 (NKJV)

The rich young ruler was seeking eternal life, but when Jesus told him to sell all that he had, he went away sorrowful. In short Jesus asked for a total commitment of his heart, but the man loved the comfort of his wealth more than he desired to follow Jesus. For this man the cost of discipleship was too much. The cost wasn’t in what he would have to pay, but what he would have to give up to follow Jesus.

The disciples marveled because they saw this man as having a great advantage to knowing God… his wealth. He must be liked by God to be so wealthy… right? But what the disciples saw as an advantage, Jesus saw as a disadvantage. This man’s wealth held him back.

Ponder this for a moment. Who has more to give up to follow Jesus, a rich man who must give his money away so he isn’t tempted to trust in his own riches when the going gets tough, or a child who completely depended on others anyway? Jesus is helping the disciples see that kingdom of God isn’t something to be achieved, but received.

Yet, as impossible as it seemed for rich men to come into the kingdom of God, there would be many. They would realize the surpassing value of knowing Christ as Lord and Savior and they would give all, many including their very lives, to follow after Jesus. It’s clear when God get’s ahold of our hearts because our dependence and our nature changes. One of the rich men who came into the kingdom despite his riches was a tax collector named Zacchaeus! His whole attitude towards money changed the day that Jesus came to his house. How has Jesus changed your perspective on things?

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. There are things that seem impossible to us, but are possible through you. It seems contrary to think that someone would give up their love of money and possessions to follow you, but there are many who have. Help us to see people the way you see them. Let us show grace to those who trust you easily and let us pour out our hearts in prayer who come to you through many struggles. Give us discernment as we apply your word to our lives. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Rich Young Ruler (Mark 10:17-22 Devotion)

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Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” 18 So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one [is] good but One, [that is], God. 19 “You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ” 20 And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.” 21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” 22 But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

– Mark 10:17-22 (NKJV)

There is a genre of video games out there where the character has a pack of items he can collect/ purchase along the way. Some of the items are really cool and are rare or expensive. Other items are common stuff, but they might come in handy in a pinch. The character usually has a limited capacity backpack. So if you go to pick up a new item and the pack is already full, the game will say that you can’t add anything else until you get rid of something else in your pack. If the item you were trying to pick up was more valuable than the stuff you already had, you would gladly throw out what you had to get the new item.

As Jesus deals with the rich young ruler, it becomes apparent that this guy seems to have it all… and that was the problem, he had too much. Too much confidence in his own ability to “do” something to merit eternal life. This guy didn’t need to “do” anything, he just had to receive what Jesus would do for him. The problem is that he didn’t have any room to receive what Christ had done. The only way that he would be able to embrace eternal life was to let go of the stuff he was holding on to. (not because Jesus wanted his money, he said to give it all to the poor!) The only way we can approach Jesus and it do us any good is to come humbly and empty so that he might fill us.

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. We are grateful that eternal life isn’t something we merit or achieve, but something given to us by grace. Please don’t let us hold on to anything so tightly that we miss what has been so freely done and given for us. Give us grace to receive what you have done for us and walk in faith today. Give us discernment as we apply your word to our lives. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Childlike Faith (Mark 10:13-16 Devotion)

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Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought [them]. 14 But when Jesus saw [it], He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 15 “Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” 16 And He took them up in His arms, laid [His] hands on them, and blessed them.

– Mark 10:13-16 (NKJV)

The disciples didn’t value children the way that Jesus did. They thought that kids were getting in the way of the “real” work of ministry. They saw them as a waste of Jesus’ time and theirs. But Jesus saw things differently. He has put a child in their midst and encouraged the disciples to look out for the least of these. They should be learning this lesson by now.

Jesus goes further than to say that he values children, he says that his kingdom is made up of children. Furthermore that whoever would become a part of his kingdom must receive it as a child. Children don’t have a lot of skills or ability, but one thing they do have is the ability to depend on someone else. What is viewed as weakness in this world is a real strength when it comes to the kingdom of God.

Sometimes we are tempted to think that the more we know about Jesus, the better Christians we will be. While it is helpful to know about Jesus, that isn’t how we grow in a relationship with God. Trust/ Faith is how you grow in a relationship with God.

There are some folks who come to faith in Christ as a child. They may not know much, but they do know that they are trusting Jesus. How wonderful that the way we receive the kingdom of God isn’t through our own intellectual abilities or good deeds, but through the simple matter of trust. That is something that even a child can do!

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. Thank you for loving children. Thank you for the simplicity of the gospel message that makes it so powerful that even a child can recieve it. Give us wisdom as we seek to encourage and tell others about you. Give us your heart for children and help us grow in our simple trust in you. Give us discernment as we apply your word to our lives. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Marriage (Mark 10:1-12 Devotion)

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Then He arose from there and came to the region of Judea by the other side of the Jordan. And multitudes gathered to Him again, and as He was accustomed, He taught them again. 2 The Pharisees came and asked Him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce [his] wife?” testing Him. 3 And He answered and said to them, “What did Moses command you?” 4 They said, “Moses permitted [a man] to write a certificate of divorce, and to dismiss [her].” 5 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Because of the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. 6 “But from the beginning of the creation, God ‘made them male and female.’ 7 ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, 8 ‘and the two shall become one flesh’; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 “Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” 10 In the house His disciples also asked Him again about the same [matter]. 11 So He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. 12 “And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”

– Mark 10:1-12 (NKJV)

One of the first institutions we read about in the bible is the institution of marriage and family. You don’t get far in the scripture before you hear about God’s design for life. When asked about divorce, Jesus goes back to Genesis to talk about marriage.

Some people mistakenly say this passage is about divorce. That is only partly true. The question that came from the Pharisees was about divorce, but the answer that Jesus gave was about marriage. Jesus reminded the Pharisees that in order to talk about divorce you must talk about the institution of marriage. Since marriage was God’s design, he has the final say in how we should treat it.

Jesus doesn’t set us up to examine the legitimacy for getting a divorce in this passage as much as he points us to the legitimacy of a biblical marriage. Notice a few of the things that Jesus states about marriage in this passage:

  • God intentionally created only two sexes, male and female
  • Marriage is between one Man (Male) and one Woman (Female)
  • A Marriage constitutes a brand new family unit
  • Marriage is a lifelong commitment
  • Marriage is an institution designed by God and blessed by God
  • It is a serious to break up a marriage

Jesus talks about marriage in such a clear and concise way that it not only answers the questions of the Pharisees but addresses issues our culture has in trying to redefine marriage today. Jesus doesn’t push some radical new agenda here. He argues for holding the biblical institution of marriage in high regard because it was created and ordained by God.

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. Thank you for the wonderful institution of marriage. Thank you that you created us male and female and you created the intimacy of marriage. I pray that we honor you in our thoughts and actions regarding our marriages. Where there is sin, we ask for your forgiveness and grace. Where we have been sinned against we ask for the grace and ability to forgive. Where there is hurt we ask for healing. Where there is sorrow, we ask for hope. Give us discernment as we apply your word to our lives. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Sin is Serious, Flee Temptation (Mark 9:42-50 Devotion)

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“But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea. 43 “If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched– 44 “where ‘Their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched.’ 45 “And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched– 46 “where ‘Their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched.’ 47 “And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire– 48 “where ‘Their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched.’ 49 “For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. 50 “Salt [is] good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.”

– Mark 9:42-50 (NKJV)

I was just a little boy when I found dirty magazines an older male relative of mine thought he had hidden. He thought no one else would ever know of his secret sin. Yet, when I discovered his magazines, my little impressionable eyes came across images that I never should have seen.

I am sad because my relative didn’t flee like he was supposed to. He treasured these materials and when I found them as a child, I was exposed to his sin. I witnessed the genuine sorrow cross his brow when he learned that I had destroyed his dirty magazines. Sin had so calloused his heart that he wasn’t sorry that I had seen them, he was sorry that his “treasure” had been lost.

One of the conclusions we can draw from this passage is that sin is serious. It has a way of effecting those around us. If we really want to honor Jesus we will treat sin as serious and flee when temptation comes. Sometimes to fight something serious like cancer a doctor will cut off part of your body to make sure the cancer doesn’t spread. It takes drastic measures to fight against something as horrible as cancer. Our fight against sin in our lives should be no less drastic. The analogy that Jesus uses here is to cut off body parts for the sake of preserving the whole. We should flee sin in our lives not only for our own sakes, but for the sake of those around us.

Rather than taking little ones for granted, we should honor the Lord by living the truest and best example we can before them, that includes going to war with sin in our lives. When it comes to things like social media and entertainment apps I have the strictest restrictions in my family set on my phone (and I don’t have the password). I don’t particularly struggle with sin in that area, but I want to live above reproach. As a parent I don’t want to institute parameters that I myself am not willing to submit to.

Keeping the context of this passage in mind from yesterday, I think it’s important that we especially be on the guard for jealousy, divisiveness, hatred, and lack of humility in our lives. This flows from a long rebuke to John to be careful who he condemns. Jesus ends the passage and thus I think brackets this whole conversation with the charge to live at peace with one another. Certainly that calls for real and biblical discernment, but it also calls for humility and the willingness to fight sin in your own life.

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. We are grateful for all that you have entrusted to us. Let us live lives that bring glory and honor to you. Thank you for the privilege of making an impact in the lives of other people. Please give us grace and humility to serve others well. Give us grace to flee from temptation, take sin seriously and fight it with the shed blood of Jesus. Give us discernment as we apply your word to our lives. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Praise God When Others Do Well! (Mark 9:38-41 Devotion)

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Now John answered Him, saying, “Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. 40 “For he who is not against us is on our side. 41 “For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.

– Mark 9:38-41 (NKJV)

I served on staff with a pastor who got upset when another church baptized folks. He got angry when he heard that they were doing well. It puzzled me because they had the same background and theology that we had. However, in his mind we were in a competition. He saw it as our church vs theirs. So sadly, every time they did well, he felt bad. And he often looked for ways to talk bad about other churches even in their success.

John had a little bit of this spirit in him. He didn’t want someone else going around in Jesus’ name doing things that the disciples were supposed to do! In his eyes they didn’t have the authority that he had or the connection to Jesus… and in a sense he was right, but he was also wrong.

Jesus said that in this instance whoever was doing these things was on his side. They were on the same team. Casting out demons is a pretty big deal. Proclaiming the name of Jesus, which is ultimately what was happening, was a pretty big deal.

So when it came to drawing up sides, Jesus reminds John and the other disciples, that these other folks were on their side. Their actions proved it. You can’t cast demons out of people in Jesus’ name and then speak ill of him. It’s time the disciples learned to work with others who God was already working through.

John didn’t realize it at this moment, but the gospel vision that Jesus had called him to was bigger than just the twelve, or even the two hundred that followed him, or the over 5000 men in the countryside. The vision was to take the gospel message to the entire world and that would take everyone pulling in the same direction.

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. Give us humility and discernment to partner with others to take your gospel to our communities and beyond. Help us know truth from error. Give us grace to not let pride of place come between us and others, but let our hope be surely and firmly set on you. Give us discernment as we apply your word to our lives. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Servant Leadership (Mark 9:33-37 Devotion)

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Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, “What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who [would be the] greatest. 35 And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” 36 Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me.”

– Mark 9:33-37 (NKJV)

I took a group of students on a leadership retreat. In an effort to get as much as we could out of the entire retreat I gave the students leadership assignments on the way up and back from the retreat. One of the assignments was where to stop for lunch. Those making the decision thought this would be great, they would pick their favorite place to eat and no one could do anything about it. So they picked Chick-fil-a… and I told them it wouldn’t work for the group. Then they picked Zaxby’s… and I told them it wouldn’t work for the group. Then they picked Churches Chicken… and I told them it wouldn’t work for the group. Finally frustrated they asked why their picks wouldn’t work. I shared that we had a leader among us who was allergic to chicken and the places they had chosen to eat only served chicken… He wouldn’t have a lunch! They all learned a basic rule of leadership that day, you seldom get what you want when you are making the best decision for “everyone” in the group.

Some of the disciples were arguing about who would be the greatest. That kind of talk didn’t sit well with Jesus and he reminded them that to be first is to be last and to be a leader you really have to be a servant. Serving means we humble ourselves to take care of the needs around us. Often there isn’t anyone more needy and dependent on others than a small child. So Jesus takes a child and puts him in the middle and reminds the disciples that to take care of one of these is as big of a deal as serving the master himself. Doing so, Jesus valued children and encouraged his disciples to be servants.

Serving others with gladness is what we are called to do. The amazing thing is that there is so much joy to be found in serving others, especially those who need the help. The disciples were slow to pick up on the lessons that Jesus offered sometimes, but they would come to value and know the power of being faithful to serve the Lord in small things and as they did, they would be trusted with bigger responsibilities. What about you? Who are you serving in the name of the Lord today?

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. Thank you for your grace to serve others in the name of Jesus. Use us in ways small and big. Let us be faithful in the smallest tasks and among the most needy. Let your grace be given and shine through us in incredible ways. Let us enjoy the grace of how you have called and allow others to serve us. Thank you for the humility to both serve and be served. Give us discernment as we apply your word to our lives. In Jesus Name, Amen.

But They Did Not Understand This Saying (Mark 9:30-32 Devotion)

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Then they departed from there and passed through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know [it]. 31 For He taught His disciples and said to them, “The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him. And after He is killed, He will rise the third day.” 32 But they did not understand this saying, and were afraid to ask Him.

– Mark 9:30-32 (NKJV)

My grandfather asked me one day if I found any “air heads” down by the river. I thought it was strange that my grandpa knew about this wonderful sour candy and thought for sure I had misheard him but I wouldn’t dare ask him to repeat himself because he could get quite angry and so I just said, “no.” I was shocked when I showed him an “arrow head” that I had just found and he got mad at me anyway. Apparently that’s what he was saying all along.

Unlike my grandfather, I think Jesus was clear here when he was speaking with the disciples. I don’t think they had a problem understanding exactly what he was saying. I’m not even too sure that they were afraid of how Jesus would react. They seem to have no problem getting Pete to speak up and ask a question when they have one.

I do imagine the disciples were afraid about what Jesus was saying might mean. He said he would be killed, and that sounds pretty scary. They may have been afraid to dig in on this topic because it was a sad one. Jesus was a little more intentional about being secretive with his works now. I’m sure the air was filled with a little uncertainty on the disciples part.

Never-the-less, Jesus was preparing them for what would happen. They weren’t asking the right questions, but it didn’t stop him from sharing what would happen. They will be taken off guard, but when they regain their senses they will know that he had been preparing them all along. Like a good shephard he was leading them and preparing them for some of the hardest moments of their life.

I am grateful that Jesus is a good shepherd and that whether I recognize it or not, he has prepared me for the challenging moments I will face in my life. I may have been fearful to press in on places where he has worked and spoken in the past, but his grace will prove sufficient when the times of trial and tribulation come. He cares for me enough to speak the truth even when I haven’t been in a great frame to receive it.

This is often how bible reading works for me. I read and study today and glean a little insight, but then several days or weeks later the real application of that passage presses in on my life with urgency. I was prepared yesterday for the events of today and by God’s grace he has prepared me today for my tomorrow.

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. Thank you for your grace that is always enough for every situation I face. Thank you that you have already prepared me for what lies ahead. Thank you for being a good shepherd and leading us in paths of righteousness and preparing us for the challenges we face. Let us receive and count every goodness and grace you have given us along the way. Give us discernment as we apply your word. In Jesus Name, Amen.

More of Him and Less of Me (Mark 9:25-29 Devotion)

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When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it: “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!” 26 Then [the spirit] cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, “He is dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. 28 And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” 29 So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.”

– Mark 9:25-29 (NKJV)

The disciples had cast out demons before. They were puzzled why THEY couldn’t cast this one out. Maybe it was because they forgot who was the one casting them out. They had gotten it backwards. They couldn’t do anything without the LORD. They had put too much confidence in their own ability. The remedy was simple. Come back to the LORD in prayer (and fasting).

It’s easy to read this and criticize the disciples. Of course they should have known to go to the Lord in prayer. They couldn’t cast demons out in their own strength and ability. Such things had become too familiar in their hands. Perhaps there was a sense of “we’ve got this,” and in the middle of it all they forgot what was a stake… A little boy thrown in the fire and water, a distraught father, a criticizing crowd.

Too often we are like the disciples when we set our hands to spiritual tasks. The Lord has used me to deliver countless lessons and sermons, what is one more? “I’ve got this!” Yikes. We don’t want to end up in the same place as the disciples. We must always know where real power comes from. That requires us humbling ourselves and getting on our knees.

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. We humble ourselves and confess that we have no real power to do anything on our own. We are all in desperate need of you to use us today. We can only do what is given by you for us to do. We seek your will and your glory. Use us in such a way that we can point back to you and say, “Glory to God!” Give us discernment as we apply your word to our lives. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Help My Unbelief! (Mark 9:19-24 Devotion)

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He answered him and said, “O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me.” 20 Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth. 21 So He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22 “And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” 23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things [are] possible to him who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”

– Mark 9:19-24 (NKJV)

This man’s son had been caught up as fodder for a theological debate among the scribes and the disciples of Jesus. His curious case of possession by a mute spirit was used to undermine the authority of the disciples and cause them to doubt themselves. Yet, everyone around, scribes, disciples, the crowd, all seemed to be missing the point. This man’s boy still needed to be healed!

So Jesus is ready to heal this boy but he ties it to the father’s belief. It’s no longer about if Jesus can… but about this boy’s father. He has been let down so many times, he doesn’t want to miss this if Jesus is real, but at the same time he doesn’t want to me taken as a fool and so he cries out, “I believe, but help my unbelief!”

If we are honest, this is often how we cry out to God to save us from our sins. Parts of us believe that he can and he will, but parts of us have doubts. So we ask God to give us grace and strength to overcome our doubts.

Of course it is amazing what Jesus can do with just a little belief. Just like multiplying loaves and fish, he can take what little faith we really have and move mountains.

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. Thank you for the freedom we have to place our trust in you. Where we are weak, please give us strength. Please give us discernment as You apply your word to our lives. In Jesus Name, Amen.