Discover Jesus with Mark Galli: February 2009 Archives

[To the Syrophoenician woman, Jesus said], "Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs" (Mark 7:28).

This woman has just asked that her daughter be healed, but Jesus' response seems rude and insensitive. However, the woman's response -- "Even the dogs under the table can eat the children's crumbs" -- suggests that they are involved in friendly banter, verbally sparing with one another. This is one of many passages where Jesus is willing to use humor in his ministry.

Humor is a great antidote to despair. Even in the gravest situations, joy still has the upper hand. What situations are you or a loved one facing that an appropriate use of humor might communicate joy? What would be other ways the joy -- which arises out of utter confidence in God's power -- can be infused into the situation?

--Mark Galli

This is part of Mark Galli's guided journal, "Discovering the Untamable God," a 12-week journey through the Gospel of Mark. Twice a week, you'll receive a new journaling prompt encouraging you encounter the wild, untamable Jesus of the Gospel of Mark and let his radical sayings and actions transform your life. Use these prompts in your own journal or in group discussion. If you're joining this journal mid-way through, you can start journaling at any time, and stay subscribed at the end, when the journal will restart and you can receive the prompts that you missed.

[To the disciples worried about the hungry crowd of 5,000, Jesus said], "You give them something to eat" (Mark 6:37).

The disciples see a problem and suggest a practical solution: the people are hungry; they should be sent home so they can get some food. Jesus challenges -- even taunts -- the disciples to imagine something beyond "practical." Yes, it is Jesus who miraculously multiples the fish and the loaves, but before he can do that, the disciples have to entrust their meager and inadequate resources to him.

Where in your life do you feel that your resources are inadequate to the problem you are facing? Where is Jesus calling you to trust? Why is this scary? Pray about some specific thing -- time, talent, or treasure -- that you can put into his hands, to see what he can do with it.

--Mark Galli

This is part of Mark Galli's guided journal, "Discovering the Untamable God," a 12-week journey through the Gospel of Mark. Twice a week, you'll receive a new journaling prompt encouraging you encounter the wild, untamable Jesus of the Gospel of Mark and let his radical sayings and actions transform your life. Use these prompts in your own journal or in group discussion. If you're joining this journal mid-way through, you can start journaling at any time, and stay subscribed at the end, when the journal will restart and you can receive the prompts that you missed.

[As he was about to send his disciples out on a mission, Jesus said], "If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, shake the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them" (Mark 6:11).

In most instances, we are called to minister patiently to people even if they regularly reject our love. In fact, this is the history of God's dealing with us. But here Jesus tells his followers that a complete rejection of his word should sometimes signal that it is time for us to move on.

What would signal that it is time to move on? What would signal that it is time to continue to reach out? Where might you find spiritual discernment about such matters? Is there a situation you are facing now that requires such discernment?

--Mark Galli

This is part of Mark Galli's guided journal, "Discovering the Untamable God," a 12-week journey through the Gospel of Mark. Twice a week, you'll receive a new journaling prompt encouraging you encounter the wild, untamable Jesus of the Gospel of Mark and let his radical sayings and actions transform your life. Use these prompts in your own journal or in group discussion. If you're joining this journal mid-way through, you can start journaling at any time, and stay subscribed at the end, when the journal will restart and you can receive the prompts that you missed.

[Jesus said to those mourning the death of a child], "Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at him (Mark 5:39-40).

Sometimes followers of the resurrected Jesus see life when others just see death. And if we announce our hope, we may only get derided as dreamy optimists. At such times, we're not only tempted to keep quiet, but we're also tempted to adopt "realistic" despair.

Where in your work, home, neighborhood, or school do you see hope while others see despair? How are you called to bring hope in this situation?

Perhaps you find yourself dragged down by discouragement about some matter. Speak of this concern to Jesus in prayer, and then spend a few minutes listening. What is his word to you?

--Mark Galli

This is part of Mark Galli's guided journal, "Discovering the Untamable God," a 12-week journey through the Gospel of Mark. Twice a week, you'll receive a new journaling prompt encouraging you encounter the wild, untamable Jesus of the Gospel of Mark and let his radical sayings and actions transform your life. Use these prompts in your own journal or in group discussion. If you're joining this journal mid-way through, you can start journaling at any time, and stay subscribed at the end, when the journal will restart and you can receive the prompts that you missed.

And the unclean spirits came out and entered the swine; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea, and were drowned in the sea (Mark 5:13).

On his way to healing a demoniac, Jesus destroys a heard of swine. This is discomfiting, but it should not be surprising: it is often the case in biblical stories that something must be destroyed before new life can blossom. (Note how much destruction takes place in the Exodus story, from Egypt all the way to Canaan).

Why is this the case? Can you think of instances when this has been true in your life? Is God trying to destroy something in your life? If so, what is the healing or new life he is trying to bring forth?

--Mark Galli

This is part of Mark Galli's guided journal, "Discovering the Untamable God," a 12-week journey through the Gospel of Mark. Twice a week, you'll receive a new journaling prompt encouraging you encounter the wild, untamable Jesus of the Gospel of Mark and let his radical sayings and actions transform your life. Use these prompts in your own journal or in group discussion. If you're joining this journal mid-way through, you can start journaling at any time, and stay subscribed at the end, when the journal will restart and you can receive the prompts that you missed.

Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. [Jesus] said to them, "Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?" (Mark 4:40).After a display of Christ's power--the stilling of a deathly storm -- the disciples are not...

And [Jesus] said to them, "Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand all the parables? (Mark 4:13).Though Jesus goes on to explain the parable of the sower, he continues to speak in parables that puzzle his...

And [Jesus] said, "Let anyone with ears to hear listen!" (Mark 4:9).Jesus is not afraid to warn people, and sometimes rather sternly (see Matt. 7:24-27 as another of many examples).But we're not comfortable doing that lest we be accused of...