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After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them.
Mark 9:2

Remember Who Our God Really Is

Do you wonder why Jesus chose to bring his disciples to that mountain and briefly reveal his true glory to them? We find a clue in the first three words of today’s verse: “After six days.” As we look at this event, God wants us to keep in mind what had happened six days earlier. And what was that?

Six days earlier, Jesus told his disciples that he was soon going to die by crucifixion. At this point, Jesus is nine months away from his death, and he knew his disciples were going to see it happen. He knew they were going to see some very difficult things that were going to challenge their faith and make them wonder if following Jesus was worth it. So Jesus showed them a glimpse of his true glory. He gave them a reminder of how different and beautiful our God really is.

Based on what they were going to see, that was an important reminder for them, just as it is for us. We also have times in life when it doesn’t seem like anything good is happening, when our faith is challenged, and when the troubles of this world make us wonder if we have the right to expect anything glorious from the God who promises us so many good things.

The day of Jesus’ transfiguration is a reminder that we do. Just as Jesus bolstered the fragile faith of his disciples with a brief reminder of his glory, he invites us to find strength for our journey by remembering, moment-to-moment, who our God really is. He invites you to look past the human skin and see the glorious identity of our Savior, always eager to love, always ready to forgive, always ready to sacrifice whatever is necessary to be there for you when you cry out to him.

Prayer:
Father in heaven, help me to remember everything Jesus is and everything Jesus did so that I will never forget that I am your own child through him. Amen.

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
2 Corinthians 4:3,4

The Gospel Is Veiled

A man recently bought a home in Chicago. The house was a fixer-upper and in need of extensive rehabilitation. As the man began tearing into walls and removing floorboards, he discovered something he wasn’t expecting. Cash. Lots of cash. In various places throughout the house, behind walls and underneath the flooring, the man discovered multiple envelopes, each filled with money. Altogether, the cash totaled more than $10,000.

He didn’t know the cash was in that house when he bought it. Yet it was. The money was real, and it was there, even if he wasn’t aware of it.

The Bible reminds us that we already possess something far more valuable than $10,000 in cash. We possess the gospel. The gospel is the good news that God has already found you and, through the life and death of Jesus, has placed into your future the eternal wealth of heaven.

Yet, it’s not always easy to live as though that good news really exists. The Bible tells us why: “The god of this age has blinded” many eyes from seeing it. The good news of the gospel is often veiled behind the ongoing work of Satan, behind the abundance of his temptations, and even behind the eagerness of our own hearts to give in to them. Based on the darkness we see, either in the world or in our hearts, we can wonder if the gospel is real or if it applies to someone like me.

But just because the gospel is sometimes hard to see doesn’t mean it isn’t real or doesn’t apply to someone like you. Even Jesus knows this dark world will always make it difficult to see good things. It’s why he came. Jesus came to give us a light that would keep shining no matter what this dark world did to him; so that anyone who has trouble seeing good news would always be able to find it.

Prayer:
Father in heaven, open my eyes each day to the reality of the gospel so that I follow the one true Light through this world’s deep darkness. Amen.

After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.) Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”
Mark 9:2-7

Preparation of the Transfiguration

Last week, millions of people watched one of the greatest sporting events of the year—the Super Bowl. For people like us, who merely watched the game, the event lasted a few hours. But for the players and coaches who participated, the event was the culmination of days of preparation. Practices were held, the game film was watched and meetings were attended—all to be prepared for the biggest game of the year.

On the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus prepares us for an even greater challenge than the Super Bowl. He prepares us to face life in this sin-filled world. In this world, Jesus’ glory will not always appear as clearly as it did on the mountain that day. There will be trials and temptations and times when we will wonder where our Jesus is.

When facing these difficult days, glance back at the Mount of Transfiguration. See your Jesus and the glory that is his alone. Remember that he is the Almighty and was willing to go back down that mountain so he could be crucified on another. There on the hill called Calvary, Jesus’ glory shone most brightly. Beneath the blood and sweat and horror, you see the glory of his love for you—a love that paid for your sins so that one day you can experience the glory of the transfiguration forever.

May this reality prepare you for the valleys you will walk through in this world. May it make you all the more eager to view his glory in heaven where he is preparing a place for all his believers.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for using your transfiguration to prepare me for the valleys of this life. When I am tempted to doubt your power and glory, turn my eyes back to that mountain and renew my strength. Amen.

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
Mark 1:35

Routine

Consider this. You and I face an assault against our prayer life every day. That assault may begin the moment we awake. On goes the radio in the bedroom. On goes the TV in the kitchen. Now it’s time to check my social media. Now it’s time to scroll through my texts. From there it’s time to climb into my vehicle to listen to a podcast on the way to work. After work, I swing by the grocery store with soft rock pulsating from the store loudspeakers. I catch up on the news over dinner. I listen to my playlist as I go for a walk. I pull up something to watch on Netflix before I turn in. The next morning on goes the radio in the bedroom.

When you and I consider how Jesus starts his day in Mark chapter one, the difference is stunning. When Jesus gets up, the first thing he does is go off to a solitary place, a place free of distractions, free of interference, free of competing sounds and voices. He goes there to pray and raise his voice to heaven. He goes there to open up to his heavenly Father.

Let’s give ourselves a moment of candor. You and I must confess to our Lord and each other that there have been all kinds of ways by which we have often allowed the noises and bells and whistles of the day to swallow precious minutes—precious minutes we might otherwise have spent talking to our good and gracious God. This is to our shame. And for it, we deserve God’s eternal contempt.

But that is not how God has dealt with us. Instead, he sent Jesus. On our behalf, Jesus maintained his prayer life as a constant, perfect priority. And at the cross, Jesus bled and died for all of our wasted moments—every single one. Now, through faith in him, all is forgiven, all is restored, all is well.

All of which empowers us to look at tomorrow’s routine with a fresh set of eyes.

Prayer:
Lord God, in Jesus I am forgiven. Move me to seize moments to talk to you in prayer. Amen.

I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
1 Corinthians 9:23

Mileage

In the classic adventure film, “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” there’s a scene where Indiana Jones is feeling all his aches and pains from his countless escapades. At that moment, he groans, “It’s not the years. It’s the mileage.”

The apostle Paul could have said something similar. If you had met him near the end of his life, what would you have seen? Perhaps a limp from some broken bone that never healed properly. Or scars on his skin from the beatings he endured. Or callouses on his hands from his work of tentmaking to make ends meet. And if you looked carefully, perhaps you would notice Paul sighing some heavy sighs and wiping away a tear as the desperate needs of souls weighed on his mind.

Was it all worth it, Paul? Was it worth the years? Worth the hardships? Worth the hostility? Worth the heartaches? Worth the mileage, callouses, and scars?

Throughout the New Testament, the Holy Spirit empowered Paul to answer such a question many times. In 1 Corinthians chapter 9, Paul simply said this: “I do all this for the sake of the gospel.”

Through all the mileage and wear-and-tear, Paul never forgot what the gospel has done for him. He never forgot that, even though he, Paul, had been living a life in dark opposition to God’s truth, nevertheless God the Son came for him in the person of Jesus Christ. In place of Paul’s life of sinful arrogance, Jesus lived a life of perfect, humble service. Then he carried every last one of Paul’s sinful failures to the cross, washing them all away.

Through faith in his living Savior, Paul never forgot this. He lived to share the gospel with others. That’s how valuable the good news about Jesus is. Whenever and wherever you can learn more about it so that, like Paul, you can share in its blessings.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, grant me opportunities to learn more about what you have done for me and continue to do for me. Amen.

My life is but a breath.
Job 7:7

A Breath

In October of 1989, a sportswriter by the name of William Nack leans against a wall in his hotel room and sobs. He’s heard some news. A racehorse by the name of “Secretariat” is dead.

Flashback. It is the summer of 1973. Secretariat has taken the United States by storm. So thrilling and dominant are his victories that, in one week, he makes the cover of Sports Illustrated, Newsweek, and Time. And through it all, a young William Nack is right there as a sportswriter, covering the races, talking to the owner, talking to the trainer, talking to the jockeys and grooms. He has a front-row seat to history in the making, and he knows it.

But now the great Secretariat is dead, and William Nack sobs. He later explains why. It’s not just his respect for the horse or Secretariat’s place in history. It’s personal. Secretariat, he says, reminds him of a short era in his life when he had no real heartaches, no real griefs, no big problems. When Secretariat died, he realized those days were over and how quickly they had come and gone.

Do you ever have a moment like that? You hear about the passing of a famous figure, and somehow the news hits you hard. What hits you, however, is not so much the passing itself of the famous figure, but the era in your life that that figure represents. In that moment, you experience a jarring truth: My time on this earth is short. The days come and go. Or, as Job said, “My life is but a breath.”

Sin has done that, of course—your sin and mine. It brings heartache, problems, and grief to the few days we are on this earth. It also brings death.

But that’s why Jesus came. The eternal Son of God invaded our broken world of short, passing days. On our behalf, he lived the sinless life you and I have failed to live. At the cross, he suffered and died for our every wrong. Then he rose. And now, everyone whose faith is in him stands forgiven and inherits eternal life. And the best days are yet to come.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, my life here is but a breath, but in you the best days are still to come. Thank you. Amen.

At once the Spirit sent him [Jesus] out into the desert, and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.
Mark 1:12,13

Temptations

Jesus knows what it’s like to be tempted. He began his public ministry this way. The Holy Spirit sent him into the desert where Satan tempted and tempted and tempted Jesus. The good news is that Jesus never once gave in to any of those temptations. He knew that doing so would be wrong and a sin against God. If he did, he would fail to be the Savior. It didn’t matter if no one else was looking. Sin is still sin whether someone sees our sin or not because God sees all.

Jesus lived each day as a sinless one, overcoming every temptation. The good news is that Jesus lived this perfect life in our place. The blessed result is that through faith in Jesus, God sees us clothed in the perfect righteousness of Jesus, our Savior.

Such a wonderful message not only lifts us up when we’re mindful of our many failings, but it also strengthens us with the resolve that we, by God’s power, can overcome temptations. God gives us the strength to walk away. God empowers us to say “No,” even when no one is looking. And when we fail, God’s promise of his full forgiveness strengthens us to return once again to the fight, knowing full well that Jesus has defeated the tempter, who has no power over us.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, when my thoughts, words and deeds become impure, have mercy when I become defiled. Forgive, lift up, restore me, your child. Amen.

So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world” and that “There is no God but one.” For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.
I Corinthians 8:1-6

Jesus Frees Us From Petty Rules

During the time the apostle Paul lived, it was common practice for people to sacrifice an animal to an idol and then for the meat from that animal to be sold in the marketplace to eat. There were many new Christians who wondered if it was acceptable to eat that meat. They worried that eating it would mean they had participated in worshipping that idol.

Paul set their consciences at ease, assuring them that “An idol is nothing at all in the world,” that “There is no God but one,” and that “food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.”

People today may not be wondering whether it’s ok to eat meat taken from an idol temple. But plenty of people still wonder which of the many gods and religions in this world is the true God and true religion. The apostle Paul answers this question in no uncertain terms. “…there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.”

Do you want to get to know the God who made you, who cares for you, and who loves you more than you can imagine? Then get to know Jesus. Read of his life and work in the words of the Bible. There you will discover the God who will change your life now and promise you eternal life after. Thankfully, this is the one true God!

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, help me get to know you better as the one, true God. Amen.

They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”
Mark 1:21-24

You Can Trust Jesus Power

It must have sent a tingle up the spine of anyone who was there to hear it. The voice of an evil spirit spoke through the mouth of a demon-possessed man.

Those of us who live in the twenty-first century Western world don’t discuss demons very often. Many people are convinced they simply don’t exist. The Bible tells us differently. In fact, it tells us of many occasions when Jesus confronted evil spirits. In our Bible reading for today, we are told that an evil spirit was in control of a man’s body or at least his mouth. What a terrifying state of affairs!

But notice that the evil spirit was not more powerful than Jesus. Not even close. In fact, it had to acknowledge that Jesus was the Holy One of God.

What are you afraid of this day? What troubles you? What makes you worry? Whatever it is, it cannot be more powerful than Jesus. He is all-powerful. The one who could cast that demon out of that man can conquer anything that frightens you. He has already conquered your sin when he went to the cross. He already conquered death when he rose from the dead. So, you can be sure he can and will do what is best for you now and take you to himself in heaven one day. Aren’t you glad your Jesus is so powerful?

Prayer:
Jesus, when I am tempted to tremble in fear, remind me of your almighty power. Amen.

As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
Mark 1:16-18

God Has Chosen You

Jesus saw Simon and Andrew as he walked along the Sea of Galilee. They were fishing, and he said to them, “Come, follow me.” It seems like a simple request. But then the question comes to mind, “Why?” What was it about these men that made Jesus choose them over all the other people along the Sea of Galilee? Jesus could have chosen the rich, or the highly educated, or the influential, or the officials of his day. But he didn’t. He found common fishermen and chose them to follow him so that they could be trained for three years to become fishers of men instead of fishers of fish. But it wasn’t anything about those two fishermen that caused Jesus to choose them. It was simply God’s grace that was poured out on Simon and Andrew.

You could ask the same question about yourself: What does God see in you that would lead him to call you to follow him? If you are honest with yourself, you have to admit there is no reason that he would have to call you. You are not good enough, smart enough, perfect enough, or deserving enough to make Jesus call you. But in his grace, Jesus calls you to be his disciple. He removed the obstacles separating you from God when he paid for your sins. Now he calls you to follow him just as he called Simon and Andrew so many years ago.

What a great privilege and gift from your Savior! He has chosen you to follow him.

Prayer:
Dearest Jesus, I give thanks that you have called me to be your disciple. Give me the strength to follow you all the days of my life. Amen.

As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
Mark 1:16,17

Fishing For Souls

They were fishermen. They had spent countless days and nights out on the water, casting their nets into the sea, hoping for a catch. Sometimes the nets were full. Other times they were empty. Even the most experienced fishermen aren’t successful every single time.

Jesus is a fisherman too. But he doesn’t use physical nets or a rod and reel. His net is the simple message that he came in love to free those held prisoners by their guilt and sin. He came to heal those wounded by their own failures. He came to rescue those threatened by death.

When he was on earth, Jesus cast the net of that beautiful, saving message into many places—into ponds that looked promising and into waterholes that looked hopeless. He cast his net where crowds gathered and where individuals were all alone. Some listened. Some didn’t. Some followed. Others refused. Some received eternal life; others rejected that life and received eternal death. But, because he loved sinners, he kept on fishing.

Jesus equipped Simon and Andrew with that same simple, joyful message when he called them to fish for people. Some days, just like on the water, they would be successful. Other days, the nets would come back nearly empty. The patience and persistence they learned on the lake would come in handy in their new fishing role.

Jesus still loves sinners. And so, he still sends out men and women to fish for sinners’ souls—including yours. May you be caught up in his promise of forgiveness and eternal life.

Prayer:
Thank you, Jesus, for sending your spiritual fishermen to capture my soul with your saving Word.

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said . . . At once they left their nets and followed him.
Mark 1:17,18

Follow the Leader

“Follow the Leader” is a popular game with children. One child leads the other children around the area where they are playing. Each of the other children tries to do exactly what the leader is doing—walking a certain way, navigating around obstacles, or doing whatever the leader chooses. The more creative the leader, the more challenging and fun the game can be.

Simon and Andrew were fishermen, a good middle-class job in first-century Palestine. Then one day, they heard about a prophet named John. They went to listen to him and were intrigued by what he said. His message held such promise. The kingdom of God is near, he told them. The Savior God has promised is on his way! Get ready! Believing John’s message, Simon and Andrew became his followers.

But John was eventually arrested and thrown into prison because of what he taught. Now whom would Simon and Andrew follow? Who would be their leader?

The question was soon answered when Jesus called out to them one day as they were fishing. “Come, follow me.” And what did they do? They didn’t hesitate. They didn’t ask for time to think about it. They believed he was their Savior. They left everything to listen to him, to worship him, and to serve him. They followed him.

Jesus wants us to follow him too. He knows it won’t always be easy. Not everyone will like what we say and do when we imitate him. But it will be worth it! Following Jesus means following the one who forgives our sins and promises us eternal life in heaven. It means following the one who gives our lives meaning, purpose, and hope. And that is a leader worth following.

Prayer:
Jesus, in your Word, you call me to follow you. Help me to trust your promises and to follow you in faith. Amen.

After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
Mark 1:14,15

Bad Timing for Good News

Timing is everything. Someone looking to start a new business needs to recognize the factors that might interfere with the success of their business. A lemonade stand or ice cream shop isn’t likely to take off in the middle of a Midwestern winter.

What about expanding a preaching and teaching ministry when the previous guy was just put in prison for preaching and teaching? That’s basically what Jesus did.

His predecessor, John, was in jail. John’s message had been clear and consistent: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near!” But many weren’t willing to admit their sins or their need for God’s forgiveness. And they didn’t like John pointing out how they had disobeyed God. This was especially true of the local king named Herod. So the king had John arrested.

This would probably be a time for anyone thinking of preaching a similar message to lay low. Give it time. Maybe people would be more receptive to listening in the future.

But instead, “Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. ‘The time has come,’ he said. ‘The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!’”

By all worldly measures, it was not a good time. But Jesus doesn’t measure by worldly measures. Jesus saw people who needed to hear the good news that God had kept his promises to mankind. God had sent someone to free them from the punishment that their sins deserved. God had sent someone to release them from the burden of trying to earn God’s favor by their own actions. That someone was Jesus himself.

The news was too good to wait! Jesus came to save sinners. He knew that the sinners he came to save would resist and oppose him, but he wouldn’t give up. He wouldn’t turn back or keep quiet. He loved sinners too much.

He still does. He still calls out to you and me today too, “Repent and believe the good news!”

Prayer:
Jesus, lead me to repent of my sins and trust the good news that in you, my sins are forgiven. Amen.

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Matthew 4:18-22

Follow Jesus

They were simple, first-century fishermen, just blue-collar workers going about their blue-collar jobs. Until, one day, Jesus called out and said, “Come, follow me.” They knew of Jesus. They had seen him before and had even witnessed his first miracle. But they could not possibly know what they were in for by following him. They would see him heal the lame, give sight to the blind, and even raise the dead. They would hear him preach and teach like no one before. They would see him arrested, beaten, and nailed to a cross. And they would see him alive again three days later. It would be a journey of highs and lows that they could never have imagined that day when he first called them to follow him.

The same Jesus who called Peter and Andrew, James, and John, calls for you to follow him. Follow his words and promises. Follow his will for your life. Follow him in good times and bad; when it is easy and when it is not. Follow him in everything you do this day and every day yet to come. Like those first-century fishermen, you cannot possibly know what it will mean to follow Jesus.

But you will be so glad you did. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. He is a light shining in this dark world, helping you make sense of it all and see who you really are and who your God really is. Follow him through the twists and turns of this life, and he will lead you to the heaven he bought for you with his blood.

Follow Jesus. You will be eternally thankful you did!

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, I realize that following you will not always be easy. But I know it will always be best. Grant me the willingness and strength to follow you through this life and into the next. Amen.

But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Thessalonians 2:13,14

The Gift of Faith

How does a person become a Christian? Do they need to have an emotional experience in a worship service? Do they need to have all their questions answered? Do they become Christian after they see good examples of other believers?

Those experiences can be important turning points that lead people to be open in hearing the message of Jesus. But one of Jesus’ followers, a man named Paul, said that Christians are made through the “sanctifying work of the Spirit.” That means God, the Holy Spirit, works in a person to want to know and believe in Jesus.

A great Christian reformer named Martin Luther had a tremendous experience that opened him up to the Gospel. But when he explained how a person comes to faith, he didn’t focus on the outward experience. He said it was through the work of God on the inside.

Luther wrote, “I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel…”

That’s why Christians ought to be the humblest people on the planet. Christians don’t come to believe in Jesus as their Savior because of their own intelligence or worthiness. They are not better than anyone else. God, the Holy Spirit, gave them the gift of faith through his mighty power.

If you call yourself a Christian, live a life of humility and thankfulness. If you are still struggling to believe, I pray that the Holy Spirit would move you to see Jesus as your God and Savior.

Prayer:
Holy Spirit, work in my heart to trust that what you tell me in your Word, the Bible, is true, especially when you tell me that Jesus is my one and only Savior and hope for eternal life with you. Amen.