ON YOUR MARK: WEEK 1 DAY 6

MARK 1:35-39

JESUS PREACHES IN GALILEE

35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. 36 And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, 37 and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.”38 And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” 39 And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.

When my kids were little I remember a particular season where I was never apart from them for several months. While I do not think it was particularly good for any of us, there were specific circumstances that led to it and God used that time to teach me a profound lesson.

With little kids there is always someone needing you. They call you, pull on you, even climb on you to get your attention, and get their needs met. It is so wonderful and so exhausting all at the same time. The one great reset in the day was nap time. Now, practicality would have told me that was the time to clean the house, mow the lawn, or do laundry, but instead the first thing I would do was sit down and open my Bible. Those precious moments with the Lord gave me the strength to face the rest of the day. 

We need time with the Lord if we are going to care for the world around us. Jesus knew this and we must follow His example.

Re-read Mark 1:35-39, and then take time to quietly listen to what God wants to say to you today. 

COMMUNION

At the worship service this week, we will be celebrating the Lord’s Supper, or communion. While Jesus was celebrating the Passover meal, the night before his death on the cross, he instituted a new practice that we who believe in Him are to observe. It is an important part of Christian worship. Taking part in communion helps us remember our Lord’s death and His resurrection. It also helps us anticipate His future return. Paul carefully instructed the members of the Corinth church. 

1 CORINTHIANS 11:23-29 23

For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. 27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 

The phrase an unworthy manner, is one for us to consider carefully before participating in communion. Participating in “an unworthy manner,” includes taking the supper in an irreverent manner. For instance, in the Corinthian church they were holding a love feast before taking part in the Lord’s Supper. But instead of br inging uni ty to thei r community, it was causing divides, and treating communion lightly. In this case, during what was supposed to be a potluck, the rich were bringing tons of food and drink, and flaunting it in front of the poorer members. Rather than sharing, some were left hungry while others were drunk! It was this contentious environment that preceded taking communion. No one’s hearts were in the right place.

We can learn from Paul’s corrective word to the church in Corinth, and work to make sure we are participating in communion in a godly way. Here are a few steps to help you prepare your heart. 

1. Spend some time thinking about the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual suffering Jesus endured on the cross.

2. Reflect on the forgiveness you have received through Jesus’ sacrifice.

3. Invite the Holy Spirit to show you if you are holding onto any unconfessed sin, and if there is anyone you need to forgive. 

1 JOHN 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

MATTHEW 18:35

“So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.” 

4. Finally, take a moment to reflect on the fact that Jesus rose from the dead. He has defeated the power of sin and death! And he will return again to bring us to eternity with Him.