Clean

"Whoever says bad things against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven," Mark 3:29.

Jesus, you said people can receive forgiveness for all sorts of blasphemies, even for insults against the Son of Man. But not for against the Holy Spirit. That's an eternal sin. So. Movies (and most everybody's everyday usage) show people with expletives as OMG or Jesus Christ, don't they? Blatant, impudent, purposeful blasphemy. But nobody. Nobody. Nobody goes around calling out in a like manner: Holy Spirit! Because everybody's scared to death of that sin, whatever it is. Well. What it is is to assert that Jesus' spirit is unclean.

We visit with a brother or sister today to assert that through the eternal Spirit Jesus offered himself clean to God to purify us. And, together, in this manner, we do not outrage the Spirit of grace, but we praise God who sanctifies us to serve him, the living God.

Committed

"He's out of his mind," Mark 3:21.

That's what they were saying of Jesus. (So his family tried to commit him.) Why did people say he was crazy? Well, he wasn't eating. Why not? because crowds overwhelmed him for healing. Why did they think he could do this? because Jesus healed people and cast out demons. (duh!). So what does that have to do with going mad? Ah! OK. Here's the deal: the leading religionists wanted to put him away. Actually, to kill him. But being too righteous to face him directly, they spread fake news. Like: the Demon Prince powers Jesus. The gospels mince no words about peoples' responses to Jesus: crazy? demon possessed? the messiah, Son of God?

We meet up with a brother or sister today committed to God for choosing Jesus to save us all. And, committed together, we say: Thank you, Jesus, for submitting to human dishonor and dying to forgive us!

Band

"Jesus made twelve be with him, and called them apostles," Mark 3:14.

So early on, Jesus chose the twelve. This band of brothers became his emissaries, his preachers, into the world, eye-witnesses of all the things he said and did. All the things from his baptism, through his death, burial, and resurrection, including him being taken up into the sky. (One of them absented himself from the resurrection and ascension, and, by treachery, lost the place Jesus had wanted for him.) For those who hung in there with him, Jesus placed their testimony, along with prophets, as foundation for the kingdom he established. For the church he built. They, indeed, would eat and drink at his table in the kingdom and would sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And for all who believe in Jesus through their word, glory!

We meet today with a brother or sister because we have come to believe in Jesus through their testimony. And, together, made one by Christ's love, we give heartfelt thanks to God forever.

Fear

"They fell down before him and shouted, 'You are the Son of God!'" Mark 3:11.

That's how unclean spirits greet Jesus. They know. They believe. No contest. A modern song says: I know there ain't no heaven, I pray there ain't no hell. Demons have no doubt about either. All that nonsense seeking to induce fear in humans of evil spirits through sorcery, witchcraft, or whatever occult so-called arts, fails. The devil is not in charge of hell. God is. And demons know this. But humans get deceived about whom to fear. Not so demons: they shudder, hair standing on end. They fall prostrate at the feet of the Son of God. That's what they do.

We visit with a brother or sister today confident in the presence of our God. And, together, we shout praises to our God through his Son, Jesus, the Christ.

Selah

"Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you," Psalm 50:15.

Remember the old days when God used to be in control of the world? Before we humans took over from him? When wars over there weren't that big a deal? And election seasons featured civil discourse? And plagues were for other nations? And the only school children slaughtered were somebody else's? And climate change didn't threaten anybody? And nobody got worried about survival of civilization? Yeah. When God used to be in control. Selah. (That means: Take a measured, deep breath and breathe out slowly. Repeat.)

We meet up with a brother or sister today to call on God assured of his deliverance. And, together, we glorify him for the hope he keeps safe for us in the sky with Christ, the same sovereign Lord today, yesterday, and forever more. Selah.

Rogue

"They watched Jesus," Mark 3:2.

It's a good thing to watch Jesus, to see how he lived life exemplary of a human life to be lived. Yes. We look to Jesus carefully and see what a real human does. But that's not why they watched. No. They watched to see the unruliness Jesus might exemplify if he healed a broken man against religious laws. Then they could accuse him in court as a rogue outlaw. But Jesus asks them a question they can't answer, and he heals the man anyway. So they join their hard hearts with the right political party so as to annihilate Jesus.

We meet with a brother or sister today eschewing political factions to follow Jesus' example instead. And, together, we give thanks that Jesus' heart was soft toward each of us, broken humans.

Brigands

"David ate the bread of the Presence," Mark 2:26.

Who? David, of a thousand years earlier than Jesus. (No, not asking who David was. The Presence - Who's the Presence? - oh, sorry about that, misunderstood.) The Presence. The Presence of God, dude! The bread baked fresh daily, placed in the temple/tabernacle where God's mercy seat was. Holy bread placed in God's own Presence. Special bread to God that the law ordered only priests to eat, not even a king, or going-to-be king, could eat it. But David and his brigands did. So, Jesus went on to say, if David could eat that, then it proved Jesus himself, the Son of Man, could break Sabbath law. He is the Master - not the Sabbath.

We meet with a brother or sister today awed by Jesus, Lord of all. And, on our knees together, we give thanks to God for receiving us into his Presence through the Son of Man, our Lord and Savior.

Bags

"New wine (goes) into new wineskins," Mark 2:22.

Well. OK. So. Jesus: What's with wine and old or new bags? Backstory: In the day, they put freshly pressed grape juice into new, animal skins sealed off as bags. As the juice developed into wine, it created pressure and the skin would stretch to hold it all. But, if new juice were put into a used, already stretched out wineskin, the pressure would explode the bag so as to lose it all. Yeah. OK. But what's your point, Jesus? Jesus brings a radical new to relationship with God. It does not fit into old religion rules and structures. New relationship develops in a new covenant.

We visit with a brother or sister today growing in a new relationship with God. And, together, we give thanks as we eat bread and celebrate the cup of a new covenant.

Unhealthy

"Follow me," Mark 2:14.

That's Jesus' call. In a real sense, it's Jesus' call to everyone and anyone. But more to his point, it's his call to sinners. His call to (spiritually) unhealthy people. To unrighteous people. Healthy people don't need doctors. Jesus did not come out to call (spiritually) healthy people. He, rather, remains quite clear about his call: I did not come to call good people, instead, to call sinner people. Yeah. That's why he wastes so much time at meals with unworthies. When he calls these to follow, these get up and follow. These don't despise his call at all.

We meet with a brother or sister today and remember who we were when Jesus first called us. And, grateful together, we praise God for transforming us ever to become more into the image of Christ.

Blasphemes

"Who can forgive sins other than God alone?" Mark 2:7.

That's right. Only God can forgive sins. Oh, sure, a person can forgive sins done against them personally, perhaps, but who can forgive sins against other people? And, anyway, what human being can forgive sins done against God? Whoever tries to forgive others' sins gives insult, indeed blasphemes, God! Yeah. Except for Jesus. Jesus can forgive sins. And Jesus does forgive sins. He who died for the sins of the whole world has the right to forgive whomever he wishes to forgive. With the same authority God gave him to heal anyone he chooses to heal.

We meet up with a brother or sister today each of us forgiven and healed by Christ. And, together, we praise God for his Son's right to cleanse us from sin to the uttermost.

Sad

"Why am I so sad? Why am I so upset? I should put my hope in God," Psalm 43:5.

Dear God, you, you alone are our strength! When we mourn because of oppression, you send your light and truth! These lead us into your presence, to your own dwelling place. They lead us right up to your altar, to you! You are our joy and happiness. We praise you, O God, with the harps of our hearts. Sadness passes away. We hope in you, our Savior and our God!

We meet up with a brother or sister today at the foot of Jesus' altar. And, together, we praise God that the Lord Jesus lives beyond the cross! Lives to intercede for us.

Disappeared

"That is why I came out," Mark 1:38.

Jesus had disappeared. Everybody looked all over the place for him. Nowhere to be found. But, of course, finally, they did find him. So. Where was he? Well. Where else? In a lonesome place. Praying. Yeah. Talking with God. They said: Everybody's looking! He said: We've got to move on and make the announcement to the next places. That's why I came out here, to pray about that. That's why I came out to this world, to preach the Good News.

We meet with a brother or sister today and pray for the Lord's guidance. And, together, we give thanks that he graces us with transforming purpose.

Hush

"He wouldn't allow the demons to speak because they knew who he was," Mark 1:34.

So, when Jesus cast out demons from possessed people, the demons could (and often did) call him out, loudly: Son of God! or even: Messiah! So, Jesus told them: Hush! And they did. Jesus' interests did not revolve about what demons or dark powers thought of him. No. He could order them about with impunity, however God wanted. Jesus' interests rested wholly in the state of human beings. Of human faith in him. Human belief in him. Human trust in him.

We visit with a brother or sister today trusting in Jesus as God's messiah, fearful of no demons. And, thankful together, we fear God who lavishes his grace through Christ to strengthen our weakness.

Taught

"He taught like a person who had authority," Mark 1:22.

Yeah, that was the amazing part! He did not teach like so many of their teachers did. They taught like: Well, according to so-and-so's opinion, this scripture means whatever; but according to another so-and-so it means this other thing. No. Not like that. He taught like he really knew what he was talking about. A new teaching with authority. Teaching that even rendered unclean spirits subject to his command: Get out! He said. And they got out.

We look forward to meeting with a brother or sister today so that we may joy in Jesus' cleansing power. And, together, we give thanks to God for Jesus' clear teachings.

Number

"I will make you fishermen for men," Mark 1:17.

So said Jesus. To Simon and Andrew. (And then to James and John.) All of them net fishermen. Jesus plans to take them fishing for humans. Providing they do this other thing first: Come, follow me! That's the condition. Follow after Jesus. Jesus will transform anyone who elects to follow. You know those stats in social media that say so-and-so has so many followers? Well, Jesus has a number for his followers, too. Each of them being transformed more and more to look like his own character. His number of followers is more than any human can count. (But God knows.) Because his followers keep inviting others to get caught by Jesus, too.

We join today with a brother or sister in Jesus' great invitation to life. And, together, we give thanks that his catch into eternity graciously includes even us, followers in the 21st century.

Worship

"I waited patiently for the Lord: he turned to me and heard my cry," Psalm 40:1.

O Jehovah, Lord! You lifted us up out of the mud and muck. Out of the destruction pit. You placed us up on a rock, steadied our feet. You gave us a new song: a song of praise for you! Many others who see this will worship you. We who trust in you find happiness. You have done so many wonders for us. Your deliverances give us joy. We cannot even count our multiplied blessings. Praise you, O God!

We visit with a brother or sister today to give thanks to God, maker of skies and earth. And, together, we say: Thank you!

Time

"The time is here and God's kingdom is near," Mark 1:15.

OK. So what're we supposed to do with this info? Repent! Believe in it! That's what Jesus said. Jesus heralded the kingdom of God everywhere he went. That was his message to all those peoples. Those who listened were those who repented and believed in it. In what? In what Jesus called the good news. What was the good news? God's kingdom was just about to break out on earth. Hmm. That was then. In today's now, we look around and wonder: Where? Jerusalem's a mess. Where is it? A mosque sits atop what was the temple foundations. Are we still waiting for it to show up? (Hint: No. God's kingdom of the spirit differs from worldly kingdoms of flesh. Stay tuned.)

We meet with a brother or sister today continually growing in God's kingdom. And, together, we give thanks for receiving an eternal kingdom that draws our gaze upward to God.

Sonship

"The Spirit sent Jesus right away into the desert," Mark 1:12.

What Spirit? God's Spirit. The Spirit that had come down on Jesus as he came up out of the water at his baptism. The Spirit that confirmed Jesus as Son of God. The Spirit of sonship. Yeah. So. The Spirit drives Jesus into the desert. Forty days. No food. Wild animals around. Satan attacks with exquisite temptations to power. And God's messengers, angels, help him out. To be God's child exempts no one from trials. Nor from God's deliverances.

We pause with a brother or sister today in the busy-ness of our lives to pray. And, together, we give thanks for God's guidance away from temptations into deliverance from evil.

Pleased

"You are my Son, I love you, I am very pleased with you," Mark 1:11.

Words every boy wants to hear from his dad. Words of approval, belonging, fellowship. Words a boy takes with him to his grave a lifetime later. Words God first said to Jesus. God, whom Jesus made our father, too, speaks these words to his children, both boys and girls. Words that move us to serve him all the more. But then, at that time: Words that propelled Jesus into the work of his Father, to save us from sin and despair.

We meet with a brother or sister today to remember our Father's great love for us. And, together, we give thanks to Jesus for extending the Father's love to us forever.

United

"And they were being baptized by him in the Jordan river," Mark 1:5.

So baptizer John baptizes all sorts of people. Why? because they wanted to repent. To change their hearts and minds. And while they were at it, to confess their sins. So as to be forgiven of their sins. Sometimes we who have already heard the gospel think John's baptism is the same as the baptism Jesus talked about. It is not. Superficial similarities, yes. But different substance. Jesus' baptism had to do with the Holy Spirit. John's didn't. How to know this? Baptizer John said so.

We visit with a brother or sister today and remember that in our baptism into Christ, the Holy Spirit joined us to his one body. And, together, we give thanks to God for his eternal salvation united in Christ.

Ready

"This is the beginning of the Good News about Jesus Christ, the Son of God," Mark 1:1.

Here's the beginning: the prophet Isaiah. (Isaiah? a prophet that lived 8 centuries before Jesus was born?). Yep. The Good News starts with God's message to Isaiah that one day long ago. OK. So what was the message? This: a voice would shout out from the wilderness: Get ready! Get the Lord's road ready! Make it straight! So just like that, baptizer John showed up in the wilderness and preached a baptism of changed hearts and lives. (That's how we get the road ready for the Lord!).

We remember with a brother or sister today when we prepared our lives to answer Jesus' call. (We ever continue to do so.) And, together, we give thanks to God for receiving us in Christ.

Meek

"Trust the Lord and do good," Psalm 37:3.

We enjoy serving you, O Lord God! You give. You give what we want. We depend on you. You take care of us. Your goodness shines. Shines like the sun! Your fairness shines hot like the noonday sun. So we will not be upset over evil people. We won't be jealous of wrongdoers. They'll dry up and wilt away like scorched plants. Yes, we wait for you. Your people who trust in you will inherit your bounty. And what of evildoers? Of their cheating plans? They'll be gone. Not to be found any more. The meek will inherit and enjoy complete peace. Praise you, O Lord!

We visit with a brother or sister today to enjoy the Lord together. And, together, we praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Artesian

"Whoever drinks the water that I give will never be thirsty forever," John 4:14.

Thirsty not not ever again. (That's Jesus talking.) Jesus' water turns into an artesian fountain that springs up and out and over from within into eternity. Kind of like that fountain over in Sitka where people go and collect good water that flows up volunteer from an aquifer below. Except, that in Jesus' case, you don't have to keep going back even to that well. His fountain flows from inside us. Spiritual water (of course!) that keeps restoring the human soul into the age of forever.

When we get together with a brother or sister today, we take long drafts of his Spirit leading into eternity. And, together, we give thanks to God for new life wholly refreshed by Christ.

Looking

"The Father is seeking such people to worship him," John 4:23.

Who's looking? God. Who's God looking for? Certain people. What's he looking for in people? Is it like racial profiling? Like socio-economic status? Like culture? Or like gender? Or age? Or national heritage? No. No. No. No. No. And No. God's looking for true worshipers. What makes them true? They worship God in spirit, in truth. Not on a mountain. Not in a city. Not in nature. Not in artifice. In spirit. In truth. Who will love the Lord their God with all the heart, soul, and might. Yeah. And love their neighbors like Jesus loves them. God seeks true worshipers.

We meet up with a brother or sister today and encourage each other in the love of our God. And, together, we give thanks to Christ who leads us in worship.

Extravagance

"Grace be with you," Colossians 4:18.

Last word: Grace. Generosity. Bountifulness. Gift. Lavishness. Extravagance. Grace with whom? With you. You, who? You, who have come to faith in Christ Jesus. You, who love Jesus' people, the holy ones. You, us, who have heard the true word, the gospel. You, us, who walk a worthy way to please the Lord. You, us, who have a hope saved up in the sky. Right beside God, father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Beside our God. Grace be with us who give joy-filled thanks.

We gather with a brother or sister today to share in God's extravagance of bountiful generosity. And, together in joy, we give thanks to God through Christ for the gift of unending life.

Shackles

"Remember my chains," Colossians 4:18.

Interesting, isn't it? Remember my handcuffs. My shackles. These words come right after a list of all sorts of brothers and sisters who greet the Colossians: Hello, there! And, right after a list of brothers and sisters the Colossians should say, Hi!, to, too. It's easy to think of Jesus' kingdom as a theoretical thing, with idealized rules. Sort of like: Wouldn't it be great if everybody lived like that? (But since nobody does, we don't have to take it too seriously.) No. Not at all. The kingdom is real. Not of this world. But those who belong to it are real people who've committed their lives to Jesus' rule. And sometimes, they go to jail for it. And suffer for it. And even die for it.

When we meet up with a brother or sister today, we remind each other of the rule of Jesus. And, together, we give thanks to God for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken.