Reflecting the Image (by Carla Sunberg)

Scripture Mark 14:32 ¶ They went to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” Mark 14:33 He took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be distressed and agitated. Mark 14:34 And said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake.” Mark 14:35 And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. Mark 14:37 He came and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake one hour? Mark 14:38 Keep awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Mark 14:39 And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. Mark 14:40 And once more he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to say to him. Observation Interestingly yesterday's reading in Mark included the encouragement to stay awa...

Scripture Psa. 36:11     Do not let the foot of the arrogant tread on me,         or the hand of the wicked drive me away. Mark 13:33 Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. Mark 13:37 And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.” Observation My husband teases me because there are entire gaps of American culture about which I seem to know nothing because of living overseas.  However, I do remember from time to time seeing the old black and white sci-fi show with the Robinson family.  I believe it was the robot who was always warning Will about the danger that could be lurking. The word of God also warns us of the dangers which may be lurking.  The Psalmist knows that it's easy to be led astray.  There will always be the arrogant around us who may be willing to stomp on us.  Or, looking at it from another perspective, our own arrogance may lead to our own destruction.  Eit...

Scripture When Jesus saw that he had answered intelligently, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that, no one would venture to ask Him any more questions. (Mark 12:34 NASB) Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; (Mark 12:43 NASB) for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:44 NASB) Observation Here in this Gospel passage we find a Scribe talking to Jesus about what is most important, and surprisingly, he really gets it and understands what is the most important and Jesus tells him that he is not far from the kingdom. Jesus is constantly talking about this kingdom -- a new kingdom in which the world's kingdoms would not thrive. It is in this new kingdom that all of life is seen from an eternal perspective, and this is what brings us to ...

Scripture Mark 11:12 ¶ On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. Mark 11:13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see whether perhaps he would find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. Mark 11:14 He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it. Mark 11:20 ¶ In the morning as they passed by, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. Mark 11:21 Then Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” Mark 11:22 Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Mark 11:23 Truly I tell you, if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and if you do not doubt in your heart, but believe that what you say will come to pass, it will be done for you. Mark 11:24 So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Observation All of my life I re...

Scripture But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” (Mark 10:38 NASB) They said to Him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you shall drink; and you shall be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized. (Mark 10:39 NASB) “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45 NASB) Observation The disciples had been arguing about being on Jesus' team and who was going to get to sit next to him in his kingdom. The problem was that they didn't really understand what that kingdom was going to be like. It was an "upside-down" kingdom and Jesus, himself, was pointing the way and living the life of a servant leader. Therefore, those who would participate with him in the kingdom were to be prepared to to drink the cup...

Scripture Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.” (Mark 9:24 NASB) And He said to them, “This kind cannot come out by anything but prayer.” (Mark 9:29 NASB) Observation Jesus was asked to heal a boy who was suffering terribly. His condition was destroying his life. The father, in desperation asked Jesus to heal his son. Jesus told him that he had to believe and I find the response of the father probably quite similar to something we may say. " Oh yes, I do believe -- well, sort of. Okay, maybe not totally. You're probably right that I don't have a lot of faith. Oh Lord, I want to believe that you can heal my son. Please, help my unbelief!" The final tag of that story is that the disciples wanted to understand how Jesus could help this boy. Why could they not help him. Jesus reminded them that it was only possible through prayer. We see that Jesus often took off by himsel...

Scripture Jesus went out, along with His disciples, to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way He questioned His disciples, saying to them, “Who do people say that I am?” (Mark 8:27 NASB) And He continued by questioning them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.” (Mark 8:29 NASB) Observation The disciples had now been traveling with Jesus for quite a period of time. They had seen the miracles and had listened to his teaching day in and day out. They had opportunity to know Jesus more intimately than anyone else in the whole world. Therefore Jesus would use them as a sounding board. He asked them, "Who do others day that I am?" In other words, as we work together day by day ministering to this world of ours, do you think people are getting it? Do they truly understand who I am? That was okay to ask, but then he got personal. But you -- the ones who hang out with me da...