Thursday - The Gospel According To Mark
Welcome to Daily Prayer. This week we are walking through sections from Mark 3 that reveal the new people that Jesus is forming and what it means to be part of God’s family. Today we are continuing to look at a moment of sharp conflict where the nature of Jesus’ ministry is slandered and a sharp line is drawn. In this moment, Jesus gives one of his most sobering warnings to the scribes.
As we begin our time of prayer, let’s quiet our hearts and minds before the Lord.
Father, I don’t want to resist you or be hard hearted in any way.
Soften my heart Lord. Show me and remove anything that would hinder me from trusting you Lord.
I surrender everyone and everything to you.
O Lord, open my lips and my mouth will declare your praise.
A Scripture Reading from Mark 3:28-30
28 “Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter, 29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”— 30 for they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.”
In this passage, which is often known as the unpardonable sin, Jesus gives a stern warning to the scribes because they were saying that he was doing his ministry by the power of evil spirits instead of by the Holy Spirit. This was blasphemy and slander against God’s Spirit. Jesus made it clear that he was the Stronger One who came to bind and plunder the enemy by the power of the Holy Spirit. He warned them that to resist and reject him was to cut themselves off from the the source of forgiveness.
The question becomes, “Who is blaspheming?” Is it Jesus because he claimed the power to forgive sins or is it the teachers of the law because they are claiming that Jesus is an enemy of God who is deceiving people? Everyone must decide: is Jesus a blasphemer or is he God’s Son, sent to bring salvation.
A Prayer of Adoration:
Father, you sent your Son for us and for our salvation. This passage reveals that all sins can be forgiven. All the terrible things we have said and done can be forgiven because of Christ. Lord Jesus, you have authority to forgive sins and you came to plunder what the enemy has stolen. Holy Spirit, I worship you as the one who bears witness that Jesus is the Christ, the Anointed One. You convict the world of righteousness, sin, and judgment. Holy God, I thank you for your love and mercy. You have not treated us according to your sins but according to your grace.
A Prayer of Confession:
Lord, I confess that sometimes I am uninterested in confessing to you and other times I have a hard time believing that you would forgive me. You know my heart. How could you forgive me? But your Word says all sins can be forgiven. Forgive me for not believing your Word. Forgive me for not holding fast to the promise that if we confess our sins you are faithful and just to forgive and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Jesus you are the Rescuer and I look to you for life.
I confess that I sometimes doubt your forgiveness. I sometimes doubt your love and acceptance. Forgive me for doubting your Word and resisting your Spirit. Give me a soft and humble heart and ears to hear. Free me from the pride and fear that would keep me from drawing near to you. You have promised to forgive and cleanse us of all our sins if we will come to you. Forgive me for holding on to things that you have already paid for and not believing the promise of the Gospel. You are my hope.
A Declaration of Trust from 1 Timothy 1:14-17:
“The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever.”
A Prayer of Intercession:
Father, we pray for those who struggle with doubt, shame, or confusion. Let no one believe the lie that they are beyond your mercy. There is no sin that will not be forgiven for those who turn to Christ in repentance and faith.
Where the enemy whispers accusation, let us speak of the forgiveness of Christ. Where there is despair, help us be a people of hope. Keep us from spiritual pride.
Holy Spirit, we ask that you would soften hardened hearts. Convict, awaken, and lead many to repentance and faith. Deliver those who are resisting you and do not trust in Christ.
We pray especially for those who openly reject Christ, mock the gospel, or call evil good and good evil. Have mercy, Lord. Grant them repentance. Break through deception. Let them see Jesus for who he truly is—the Son of God, Savior of the world, and Lord of all.
A Moment of Reflection:
Lord, is there any place in my heart where pride, fear, or control has made me resistant to your work?
Lord, I lay this area down at your feet.
As we hear the Scripture again, let’s listen for a word or phrase or idea that the Lord may want to highlight today.
28 “Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter, 29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”— 30 for they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.”
And now our verse to memorize and reflect on this week:
Mark 3:35
“For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”
Let’s pray the Lord’s Prayer Together as we close:
Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread and
Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever
amen