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The One Year New Testament

March 23

Mark 1:35-45

Mark 1:35-45

35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. 36 And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, 37 and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” 38 And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” 39 And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.

40 And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” 41 Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” 42 And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. 43 And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once, 44 and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” 45 But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.

Reflection

Those with leprosy were outcasts in Israel’s society, but that did not exclude this man from the mercy of Jesus (Mark 1:41–42). Christ’s willingness to cleanse the man’s practically incurable skin disease reveals the nature and power of his grace to those who look to him for help.

Ultimately, all of us are infected with a far more incurable disease called sin. The gospel teaches us that Jesus is a man who pities those who cannot help themselves, who is willing to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Those who simply turn to Jesus in humble faith will be met with his gracious, purifying love: “be clean” (Mark 1:41).

1 Corinthians 15:3-11

1 Corinthians 15:3-11

3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

Reflection

Paul summarizes the content of the gospel in terms of Christ’s death for our sins and his burial, resurrection, and post-resurrection appearances. The fact that Jesus died “for our sins” (1 Cor. 15:3) reminds us that Jesus endured God’s judgment in our place in order to save us. He did this “in accordance with the Scriptures” (vv. 3–4), which means that Christ’s work was the main point of the Bible. Everything in the Scripture ultimately points us to the grace of God in Christ. Jesus’ burial (v. 4) confirms that he really died, and his appearances to eyewitnesses (vv. 5–7) confirm that he truly rose. Therefore, we are not building our lives on myth or legend when we look to him for grace to forgive and strengthen us.

Psalm 51:1-2

Psalm 51:1-2

Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin!

Thoughts For Prayer

Christ’s sacrificial death tells us that he is eager to cleanse us from our sin. Don’t let unconfessed sin linger in your life. Turn and seek Christ’s forgiveness quickly and “be clean” (Mark 1:41).

Missions Prayer Requests More

  • April 24, 2024

    Supported Workers: Church Plant Training Ministry in Asia

    Countries:

    Pray for the students to read and understand the Word and to serve God faithfully. Pray for the protection of their associates and their families and for their labors to bear fruit for God’s glory. Pray for the Lord to add new worshippers to their church, and that they will reach the unreached with the love of God in their communities.

    Zimbabwe (Africa). Population: 17,020,321 Believers: 30.9%.As the Church has grown, so have the challenges. Pray for: a) The relationship with the government. b) Social action. With much of the country in decay, it is increasingly falling to churches to feed the hungry, care for orphans, protect the vulnerable, and heal the sick. c) Theological training and education—crucial as the church grows but threatened by widespread instability and want. Pray for effective teaching and discipling of those called to serve the Lord. d) Spiritual unity. Divisions and splits still occur. e) The purity of the Church is often compromised by traditional African practices that are incompatible with the gospel, often by outright witchcraft and occult activities. From Operation World DVD-ROM 2010 and www.operationworld.org

The One Year New Testament Copyright Tyndale House Publishers, used by Permission. NIV Bible copyright International Bible Society.