Mark 3:7-12
7 Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea, and a great crowd followed, from Galilee and Judea 8 and Jerusalem and Idumea and from beyond the Jordan and from around Tyre and Sidon. When the great crowd heard all that he was doing, they came to him. 9 And he told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, lest they crush him, 10 for he had healed many, so that all who had diseases pressed around him to touch him. 11 And whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.” 12 And he strictly ordered them not to make him known.
Reflection
Jesus’ bold actions and teachings astonished some and increased opposition among others (Mark 3:6). Yet Jesus was doing what the Old Testament predicted would happen (Isa. 61:1–2). He was restoring people to the way they were supposed to be. Jesus does not tell us to simply try harder or dig deeper in our moral efforts. He came to set us free from self-help and the unsuccessful efforts of human striving. The crowds swarmed around him (Mark 3:10) because he was offering the hope of salvation.
1 Corinthians 16:1-4
16: Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. 3 And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. 4 If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me.
Reflection
The concluding chapter of 1 Corinthians features several illustrations of the unity that Christ brings to believers. Among other things, Christian communities should be eager to gather for corporate worship (1 Cor. 16:2, 19) and to give generously to meet the needs of other believers (vv. 1–3). While these things might be thought of as obligations, our motivation for worship and generosity is the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We gather as a family and give generously to one another because we love to regularly celebrate the One who has generously given himself for us.
Psalm 112:9
9 He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn is exalted in honor.
Because of Christ’s immeasurable generosity toward us, Christians should not be marked by greed or stinginess. Pray that God would allow the generosity of Christ to shine through you as you find ways to be generous toward others.