Day 24 Jesus Departs from Capernaum Mark 1:35-38; Luke 4:42-43

We begin to see the rhythm and pattern of Jesus’ life and teaching:  Luke does not include this circumstance. 

Guided reflections:

1. After a big evening of healing and success, Jesus gets up early in the morning and gets alone to pray… a lonely place, away from the distractions of the day.  How do you begin your morning – especially after a successful day before?
2. If I had been in that town, I would not have wanted Jesus to leave – what if I got sick again?  But Jesus said he had to go to other towns… he states his mission as bigger than just a one night event.  Mark reads that Jesus said “This is why I came out”.   Jesus came out in the open to begin his earthly ministry to preach the good news.  Jesus is clear about his purpose.  What is your purpose in life?   Why were you sent here?

Guided Prayer:

“Loving God, teach me to live in the rhythm of Jesus – helping others, getting alone to pray and regroup, and then go and do what I am called to do.  Help me to know what my purpose is.  At this moment, I let go of the distractions of life and just concentrate and bask in your love.  Allow me to live my day out of that center.  Amen”

Day 23 The Sick Healed at Evening Matt 8:16-17, Mark 1:32-34, Luke 4:40-41

Guided reflections:

1. “When the sun was setting…”  Have you ever noticed that when the evening comes, a cold or flu bug seems to get worse?  Isn’t it just like Jesus to heal in the evening, when folks are anxious and in pain? 
2. What is your family routine in the evening, as the sun is setting?  What are you doing, watching, how are you acting toward each other?  Maybe you could start a tradition that when the sun begins to set, the family gathers to give to God the concerns of the day, the fears of tomorrow.  Would that bring peace to your home?

Guided Prayer for Day 23:

“ O calming Spirit,  we give you this day – giving thanks for all we accomplished, asking forgiveness for where we missed the mark (list them)… and asking for your peace this night as we prepare for a new day.  Calm our fears about tomorrow (List them)   Amen” 

Day 22 Healing of Peter’s Mother –in Law Matt 8: 14-15, Mark 1:29-31, Luke 4:38-39

We never hear of the families of the disciples and we wonder about their family life – especially when they just up and left their fishing nets and just followed Jesus for 3 ½ years.  Here we find that Peter has a mother-in-law – which means he had a wife!  

1. Wouldn’t you like to have a conversation with her?  What would you ask her?
2. We begin to see Jesus as one who heals and comforts and does not leave people in their distress.  If Jesus came to your house today, where do you think he would begin the healing process in your family?

Guided Prayer:

“Healing One, come to my house and heal us:  (List the places:___________________)  And when I enter another’s home, may I be a messenger of hope and healing as well.  Amen”

DAY 21 Jesus in the synagogue at Capernaum Matt 7:28-29, Mark 1:21-28, Luke 4:31-37

Jesus begins to speak with authority as one who knows and understands the scriptures – even in the synagogue where others were threatened by his self acclaimed authority.

Guided Reflections:

1. Have you ever had a professor or teacher who taught the material in a book… and then had one who didn’t need a book – they loved the topic? It is like someone reciting the 23rd Psalm, word for word versus someone who knows the Good Shepherd.

2. When Jesus, the Son of God, came into the presence of evil and unclean spirits, Jesus rebuked them. Have you ever come in contact with what felt evil?

3. Can you just imagine the awesome show it must have been to observe the showdown between Jesus and the unclean spirits? Jesus became famous over night – without internet or TV or reporters! What kind of news do you report?

Guided Prayer:

“O Spirit of the Living God, help me to know you, not just about you. May my very presence in a situation bring a sense of hope and healing and hospitality… and may my words and actions be visible examples of a person set free. Amen”

Day 20 Matt 4: 18-22, Mark 1: 16-20 Calling the 1st Disciples

Only Matthew and Mark tell about the calling of Peter, Andrew, James and John. 

Jesus has started his preaching ministry, now he must begin his leadership development and mentoring of disciples…succession planning. 

1. What were these four doing when Jesus called them?  How did Jesus relate what they knew to what He wanted them to do as his disciples?
2. I love Mark – everything is done “immediately”…. Watch for that word as we read Mark.  Notice, no hesitation on following Jesus – “immediately they left their boats and their father…. Totally changed their focus.  What “nets” might you need to drop so you can follow your call?

Guided Prayer:

“I hear your voice calling me, but if I really pay attention I know that I will have to drop some things out of my life so I can focus on you.  (What might those be?  Do you have the courage to name those places?)  Keep calling me, Lord. Don’t give up on me!  Amen” 

Day 19 Luke 4: 16-30, Matt 13: 54-58, Mark 6: 1-1a. Rejection at Nazareth

One of my favorite scriptures is the Luke portion of our reading today.  

Guided reflection:

1. What was it that Jesus read to the people from the scriptures in his home town?
2. What is included in the list of things the Spirit had anointed Him to do?
3. Since we are the hands and feet of Jesus, are these still our “to do list”?
4. How did the people respond?  They took offense!   Why?  They thought he was a nobody…. Ever felt limited because you were considered“less than”? 

Guider Prayer:

“O God, you have anointed us to preach good news, to release the oppressed, heal the brokenhearted… but we hold back and choose not to get involved because we might get the same response Jesus received:  “Who do you think you are?”  We forget that WE ARE THE CHILDREN OF THE LIVING GOD!  Amen!”

Day 18: Matt 4: 12-17, Mark 1:14-15, Luke 4: 14,15 1st Preaching in Galilee

Now that he has completed his time of temptation, he jumps right in and gets started with his mission.  Luke states that he returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee…Jesus is empowered and ready to go!  And, he is “glorified by all” – talk about making a good first impression!

Guided reflection:

1. His cousin, John, has been arrested… and he takes over the call to repent.  That is where Jesus begins with us:  we face ourselves and then we must decide if we want to stay the way we are or if we want to have a new beginning… where are you today?
2. What would be the report of others about the way you live your life?  Would their opinion match God’s?
3. Are you empowered by the Spirit?  What empowers you?

Guided prayer:

“God of wonder, grant us the courage to just get on with our calling instead of waiting until another day.  Empower us with your spirit.  Amen”

Day 17 Matt 4: 1-11, Mark 1: 12-13, Luke 4: 1-13 Temptation of Jesus

Matthew and Luke give us more of the details of Jesus’ temptation.  This was part of Jesus’ wrestling with what it would mean to be the Son of the Living God… was it going to be all about “him”… or about doing God’s will. 

Guided reflection:

1. Notice “the spirit led him into the wilderness”… do you think sometimes it is in your best interest to do some wrestling with the enemy?
2. Make a list of the kinds of things Jesus was tempted by – can you relate to any of these?
3. Notice, Jesus used scripture to counter the enemy… you should feel more empowered to read God’s word for your own “victory!”

Guided Prayer:

“Loving God, we know there are times when circumstances force us to face ourselves when we have to make decisions about what will be most important in our lives.  Forgive us for the times we have not chosen well… and grant us courage to keep growing!  Amen!”

Day 16: Matt 3:13-17, Mark 1: 9-11, Luke 3: 21-22 The Baptism of Jesus

This is the story of Jesus being baptized by John.  Matthew wrestles with us: why Jesus needed to be baptized – was he identifying with us as sinners?  He, who knew no sin, did not need to be “cleansed”.   I believe this was Jesus’ time of identifying himself as the Son of God. 

Guided reflections: 

1.  In Matthew, the voice of God says “ THIS is my beloved son…”   in the other two 

versions, the voice of God says “YOU are my beloved son”.   Do you know that is God’s opinion of you?  Do you know you are “beloved”? 

2.  Do you see the three parts of the trinity listed here – Father, Son, Holy Spirit?

Guided Prayer:

“O God, we want to hear your voice say that we are your beloved.  Help us as we struggle to know our identity in you.  In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen!” 

Day 15: Matt 3: 11-12. Mark 1:7-8, Luke 3: 15-18 John preaches about Jesus

John has no ego in what he is about – he knows he is helping folks get their hearts ready for the main course – he is just the appetizer, but Jesus is the entrée! 

    Guided reflection:

1. If you had been John the Baptist, would you have been able to see your place in spiritual history and focus your “disciples” away from yourself? 
2. What are the two kinds of baptisms John announces?   Consider:  Water washes from the outside in, the spirit cleanse from the inside out!
3. What can you do to help others prepare their hearts for Christ?

Guided prayer:

“All Wise God, help me to know my place in our spiritual history.  Where am I to be helping someone else get ready to launch their ministry?  Help me open doors for others without thinking about what is in it for me.  Amen”