Remembering God’s Passion
Week Starting Sunday, February 20, 2005
This Week’s Scripture Reading
Mark 2:13-17
13 "Then Jesus went out to the lakeshore again and taught the crowds that gathered around him. 14 As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at his tax-collection booth. 'Come, be my disciple,' Jesus said to him. So Levi got up and followed him. 15 That night Levi invited Jesus and his disciples to be his dinner guests, along with his fellow tax collectors and many other notorious sinners. (There were many people of this kind among the crowds that followed Jesus.) 16 But when some of the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him eating with people like that, they said to his disciples, 'Why does he eat with such scum?' 17 When Jesus heard this, he told them, 'Healthy people don't need a doctor -- sick people do. I have come to call sinners, not those who think they are already good enough.'"
Prayers for the Week:
Sunday |
Dear Lord, I thank you for saving and making me whole. Just as you passed by Matthew, I ask that you would pass me by today. I ask that you would fill me with your love and grace so that I may be a witness to others. In Jesus' name I pray. . . amen. |
Monday |
Dear Heavenly Father, I am so thankful that you overlooked my past mistakes and forgave me anyway. Your grace and mercy is so abundant in my life. Help me to be able to extend it to others this day. . I ask this in Your Son's name. . . amen. |
Tuesday |
Dear Jesus, Thank you for calling me to be your own. You have given me purpose and hope in life. Without your call I would be lost in my own sin. I praise your name for who you are and what you have done in my life. . . In Jesus' name. . .amen. |
Wednesday |
Dear Lord, I thank you for leading me into your plan for my life. Help me to obey you fully in all that I do. I want to be like Matthew when he obeyed. Let my life be an example to others of what your grace can do. In Jesus' name. . .amen. |
Thursday |
Dear Heavenly Father, I worship and adore your name. Thank you that you have called a sinner like me your 'friend.' It is amazing to think that you want me to know you. Help me today to develop my friendship with you. . . In Jesus' name. . . amen. |
Friday |
Dear Jesus, I praise you. You are the greatest example to me in how I should live. Just as you faced persecution, I know that I will to. Grant me the grace to stand in the midst of persecution and still reach out to others. . . I ask this in Your name. . .amen. |
Saturday |
Dear God, I want to say thank you for healing a sick and sinful person like me. You indeed have been a doctor to my wounded spirit. You have given me the hope of eternal salvation, and I worship you. Show me how to extend your healing to others this day. . .In Jesus' name I pray. . . amen. |
Background on the Text
In the first twelve verses of chapter 2, we see that Jesus' ministry was beginning to spread quickly. Jesus was becoming so popular among the people, that houses were not able to contain all that wanted to listen to the words of Jesus (2:2). In order to accoommodate the number of people, Jesus began preaching outside along the Sea of Galilee. These open air meetings attracted vast amounts of people, including some of the religious leaders (the Pharisees), who opposed Jesus. There was a series of five different incidents which Jesus comes into conflict with the religious leaders in Capernaum. Mark 2:13-17 is the second of the five.
Monday
Observation: What does the text say?
Tuesday
Interpretation: What do these verses mean?
Wednesday
Application: How can I respond to the text’s insights and teachings?
Thursday
After reading and studying this text, reflect on the following discipleship growth points:
Encouraged and strengthened me by:
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Fallen short areas
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What will I do with these insights?
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Friday
After reading and studying this text, reflect on the following discipleship growth points:
What did God say to me this week?
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Share insights and growth points
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Changed/transformed how?
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Saturday
Reflective Thoughts