Today’s scripture: Mark 1:29–34 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message)
As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.
My thoughts (Cheryl Stonestreet):
As I read this passage about Jesus healing people, I noticed a pattern. It is a narrative pattern with three phases:
- There is something wrong with someone.
- They ask Jesus for help, and he relieves them of their malady.
- That person’s life is changed for the better.
That is when I realized, these too are resurrection stories, personal resurrection stories. In short, it is tragedy, intervention, then deliverance.
When I look around, I see a lot of personal resurrection stories.
- I have a friend who had breast cancer. Along with her medical treatments she had people pray for her, and she was healed. Afterward she became a champion for a cause she never before saw herself fighting for.
- I have friends recovering from addictions whose lives were dramatically changed when they asked for help and received it. Now they help others who are trying to quit.
- Here in the midwest, we do not have to go far to find someone who went through a tornado, lost everything but their lives, and was rescued by the help of their community. They are usually the first ones on the scene helping other tornado victims sort through their wreckage.
I would gamble to say that most of us have our own resurrection stories. If you haven’t yet, likely you will.
Resurrection is a rough process. Getting through to the other side takes effort and fortitude, and a lot of God’s grace. It takes humility, often many tears, and it takes time. It’s hard to be reborn. But we are never alone; we have each other, and we always have Jesus.
Thought for the day: What is my resurrection story? How can I help someone who is going through a tough time? Have I asked Jesus for help?
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.