Daily Dose of Hope
April 24, 2025
Day 4 of Week 4
Scripture – Mark 9:30-50
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Help us start this devotional today with a time of silence, a time to pause before you...Lord, hear our prayers. Speak to us. We want to hear from you. In Your Name, Amen.
Welcome to the Daily Dose of Hope, a Deep Dive into the Gospels and Acts. Today, we finish Mark 9, where Jesus says some really hard things and turns the status quo upside down once again. Let’s get started.
In today’s Scripture, Jesus tells them a second time about his upcoming death and resurrection. This time Peter does not rebuke him; actually, no one said anything. They were all too scared to ask questions. Maybe they don’t want to show their ignorance or maybe they are worried they will be rebuked too.
On the road, the disciples begin arguing with one another. Jesus asks them what it’s about and they are embarrassed to share. He is God, so he obviously knows exactly what’s being said. They are arguing about who is the greatest. Wow. Something has gotten lost in Jesus’ teachings.
Once again, Jesus says some hard things. He is turning the status quo on its head. In God’s Kingdom, things are different. The first are last and the last are first. Those who are great become servants. You can imagine the puzzled looks on the disciples’ faces. This is totally different from what they’ve been taught.
And then Jesus brings a little child over and says that whoever welcomes a child also welcomes Jesus and the one who sent him, God. Children at the time had a very low social status. They didn’t earn anything for their families. They had no prestige and brought no honor to their people. They were totally and completely dependent and vulnerable. And Jesus is identifying with them. He is saying that we are to care for those who can offer us nothing. Again, turning things on their head. He also says not to do anything that would cause these little children or vulnerable people to stumble. Don’t get in the way of their knowing and experiencing Jesus.
The incredible grace of God that Jesus proclaims and lives completely contradicts
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