Scripture Reading:

Mark 3

Please comment below with your conversation with God and/or insights from today’s Scriptures.

You can answer the following:

1. What are your overall thoughts about the chapter?

2. What part of this chapter did you most resonate with?

3. What is your prayer to God brought on by this chapter?

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Chapter Notables:

1. Jesus heals a man with a shriveled arm - verses 1-6

2. Crowds follow Jesus, and He drives out impure spirit - verses 7-12

3. Jesus appoints the 12 - verses 13-19

4. Extended(?) family along with the teachers of the law tries to stop Jesus from teaching - verses 20-30

5. The immediate family of Jesus arrives, He says who His “real” mother and brothers are - verses 31-35

Sweet Betrayal | Lemuel Ayudtud

No one likes being betrayed. It’s probably one of the worst feelings one can have. Having trusted someone deeply and openly, you would expect the same loyalty to return to you. When someone betrays you becomes very hard to swallow. At times it can lead you to brokenness and even depression and self doubt. Yet betrayal can also be an incredible impetus for a brand new season for you.

The Bible tells us in this chapter Mark the cheese is called the 12 disciples for the ministry. Mark mentions all the 12 disciples including Judas, placing a caveat: “and Judas, who betrayed Him.”

Of course we understand now Judas’ role in In the crucifixion of Jesus. Judas would betray the Lord Jesus to the Sanhedrin for 30 pieces of silver. And his betrayal gave way to the death of Jesus. The same death that would ultimately lead to the salvation of the world upon Jesus’ resurrection.

Not sure about you, but I often wonder why Judas was still part of the inner circle when Jesus knew what he was going to do. Being the son of God, with all knowledge of the world both past and future, He could’ve certainly rid Himself of such a person. Why allow a person that you know would betray you to continue not only following you but in your core? It seems like it’s a no-brainer to leave them out.

Most of us would do away with the traitor, but in light of the scripture we understand that even traitors are used by God. The ultimate mission of Jesus would not have been accomplished had there not been Judas. As much as we’d like to live life without that sense of dishonor, sometimes we need the traitor to bring us to our mission.

When we review the whole chapter we can see the struggles that Jesus faced. When it comes to people that did not believe him, didn’t think He was where He was supposed to be, leaders that thought He was demon possessed, and even neighbors who did not understand him; Jesus knew their thoughts but He allowed them to continue.

If there’s any take away that we can get away from this chapter it is this: some traders are useful. If we would focus on the mission at hand rather than the dismissal and the moment, we can always rise from a time with someone betrays us. Even if our closest friends turned her back on us, as long as our eyes are about where we’re going, even the worst betrayal can become a steppingstone in fulfilling our mission.

Let’s not get bogged down. Let the haters be the haters. Let the doubters be the doubters. And, even, let the traitors be the traitors. Keep your eyes on where God is leading you. In due time you will reap if you faint not. And God will use the people that doubted you, hated you, and betrayed you for the purpose that He has called you to be.

Submit your anger or emotion to the Lord if you’ve been betrayed. Allow God’s grace to flow through you. Instead of shame and bitterness, let God’s favor and purpose guide you. Submit to the purpose of God Who is able to take even the deepest betrayal and use it to bring you up to the next level.

Lord, teach me to keep my eyes on You. Help me not to get distracted by those who seem to act shady around me. Help me not to get bogged down by peoples’ attitudes against me. Help me to know that Your are calling me to greater places; and if I continue pursuing You and following Your voice, then I will make it. Father, just teach me to continue to walk in grace and love for others until You come or until You bring me to that person who You called me to be. In Your Name, Jesus, I pray, amen.