Opening Hymns:
I Love You, Lore (Red Praise Book 21)
Scripture Reading:
Mark 1:1-15
Message: From baptism to Temptation
I caught myself being surprised at how Mark begins. I recalled that it doesn’t begin with the birth of Jesus. However, for some reason I recalled more happening before Jesus went into the desert for forty days to be tempted. Mark shows the start of Jesus’ ministry as the baptism and then the temptation. Both happen in this short chapter in Mark. Mark is showing us both ends of the spectrum. On the one end Jesus is beloved and told “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased” (Mark 1:11). From there he becomes tempted and fasts both body and spirit.
I Love You, Lore (Red Praise Book 21)
Scripture Reading:
Mark 1:1-15
Message: From baptism to Temptation
I caught myself being surprised at how Mark begins. I recalled that it doesn’t begin with the birth of Jesus. However, for some reason I recalled more happening before Jesus went into the desert for forty days to be tempted. Mark shows the start of Jesus’ ministry as the baptism and then the temptation. Both happen in this short chapter in Mark. Mark is showing us both ends of the spectrum. On the one end Jesus is beloved and told “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased” (Mark 1:11). From there he becomes tempted and fasts both body and spirit.
If this is what it means to be a Christian, this story would be enough to ward anyone away. However, there is a constant reminder of God’s presence. Even through the desert of temptation “the angels attended him”. While temptations in life and all of life’s struggles may be hard, nothing can compare to the comfort of our Lord’s presence with us through each of our struggles.
None of us will need to go through what Jesus had to go through. He died for the sin of the world, and because of that each of us our free. We may yet feel burdened by our own “crosses” that we bear. When that time comes, each of us can remember that God is with us. Take time then, in the mist of struggles, to see angels attending to you. I believe that God will always be with us through each of our struggles.
Time of Prayer
Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for being with us in our times of need. Look after those of us who are going through struggles and suffering. Let us care for each other as we each face temptation and pain. Thank You for sending Your angels down to help us through each obstacle. Thank You for sending Your Son down to save us. Amen
The Lord’s Prayer
Closing Hymn
Because He Lives (Red Praise Book 20)
In The Lord Alone (Red Praise Book 44)
The Lord’s Prayer
Closing Hymn
Because He Lives (Red Praise Book 20)
In The Lord Alone (Red Praise Book 44)
May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.
Go in peace, serve the Lord
Thanks be to God
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