Oh Father, how we long to see the grand reversal - a new heaven and a new earth! We are looking forward to the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from you, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. We anticipate a loud voice calling from the throne:
“Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:1-4, NIV)
As we read your Word, may we see the beginnings of this ultimate reversal on the ground in Mark 1. Amen.
Scripture Reading - Mark 1:29-45 (ESV)
And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
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. And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” 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.” And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.
And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once, 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.”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.
Jesus, as we look in on Mark's account of the effects of your anointing, we praise you! We see the authority and power you have to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor - preaching the good news to the poor, proclaiming freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, releasing those oppressed by evil spirits. (Luke 4:17-21, NIV) These mini-reversals show us that your kingdom has come and your will is being done on earth as it is in heaven.
Holy One of God, we confess that as your anointed ones we do not always faithfully proclaimed the year of the Lord's favor. You have called us to love in action and in truth. For this is the love of God abiding in us. (1 John 3:17-19, Mounce) Forgive us for not extending your compassion to those around us through our actions.
Heavenly Father, please continue to reconcile all things to yourself today - in each one of us, among our family members, as the body of Christ, at our places of work, and into the dark places in the world. We look forward with great joy to that day when we will be forever with you, the Grand Reversal!
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 byCrossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
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