Read Mark 10:17-31.

In this passage, it’s clear that the man considers himself good, possibly on par with the Good Teacher. I wonder if Jesus’ objection to being called good is that he knows that no matter how good we think we are, if we look more deeply, there is room to grow and distance to cover. If we truly wish to embody the kingdom of God, we must look carefully at our relationship with our resources. We must consider whether we use our resources to bless others or whether we view them as meant only for personal enrichment.

A commentary on this passage by Luis Menéndez-Antuña points out that this rich man’s possessions would have included slaves. Even though he had done an excellent job of keeping the law, he held people as property, restricting them to a life of captivity and oppression, without freedom or choice. Even if he was a fair and honest businessman, he was still doing harm by building his fortune on the backs of others. When Jesus instructs the man to sell his property and give the money to the poor, he was inviting him to look at the collateral damage of his wealth. Notice verse 21, where we read, “Jesus, looking at him, loved him…” Jesus challenges the man to redefine his relationship with his material possessions, but he does it in love.

We should not feel condemned for our relative wealth. Instead, we should feel lovingly challenged to consider how we use it and whether we could be unknowingly doing harm. Today, do some research on how some of your possessions are manufactured or procured. Do your favorite brands treat their workers fairly and equitably? Are working conditions safe? Does the company use earth-friendly, sustainable practices? Is it worth spending a little extra to make sure that what you are buying is produced with values that align with your faith?

In prayer, give thanks for all that you have and commit yourself to being more mindful about how you use your resources.

Read Hebrews 4:12-16.

The first half of this reading reminds us that before God, every part of our being is laid open. Everything we think, everything we say, and everything we do is within the bounds of God’s knowing. Yikes! The good news is, according to the second half of the reading, we have the best mediator acting on our behalf: Jesus.

We don’t need to be afraid to confess our sin for two reasons: God already knows us inside out and Jesus is advocating for our redemption. The last verse is important. “Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” To receive grace as a gift, we must first acknowledge our need for it. Confession is a vital part of spiritual practice and formation. It adds depth to our relationship with God, neighbor, and self.

Today, confess your sin to God, find assurance in the promise of forgiveness through Jesus Christ, and commit yourself to realigning your thoughts and behaviors with the will of God.

Read Psalm 22:1-15.

Jesus, on the cross, echoed this psalm of despair. He had been brutally beaten, mocked, and abandoned by most of those closest to him. Yet his last words revealed his trust in God’s care. “Into your hands I commend my spirit.” In this reading, the psalmist calls out from the depths of suffering, but even in the midst of that, expresses trust in the One who knows and protects even before birth.

Where, in your life, are you suffering? Are you feeling lonely? Afraid? In pain? Angry? Hopeless? What signs can you see that, even in your suffering, God is still at work in your life, offering comfort or protection?

In prayer, lift your complaints to God and trust that God is grieving the difficulties right alongside you, offering glimpses of light in your darkness.

Read Job 23:1-9, 16-17.

In this reading, Job has a case of the “if onlys”. If only he could plead his case with God, he feels, then God would see things his way and right the wrong that has been done to him. If only he could “vanish into darkness” and get away from his suffering.

Most of us find ourselves saying, “If only…” from time to time. “If only I had finished my degree.” “If only I had kept my mouth shut.” “If only I had spoken up.” “If only I had more money.” If only, if only, if only. The truth is we cannot change the past, the consequences of decisions we have made, or things that have happened to us which are not our fault at all.

We can, however, choose how we live and respond to the world around us today. We can ask God to walk beside us, giving clarity and wisdom, strength and courage, peace and patience. Offer a prayer of thanksgiving for the gift of today.

Read Mark 10:2-16.

This is one of those passages we would rather avoid than think about. It is one that we must read with an eye to the context in which it was written. We must consider what marriage meant in that time and place – of what marriage meant to a man in terms of his standing in the community and of what marriage meant to a woman in terms of acceptance and having basic needs provided for. There was less thought then about issues of personal agency or about nurturing and mutually satisfactory relationships.

Rather than read this passage as a rule book, it is helpful to remember that relationships can be complicated and complex. Each comes with a unique set of strengths and struggles. Some are lifegiving and others are unsafe for a person’s physical or emotional wellbeing. No matter how these words land with you, the key takeaway is that Jesus understands that relationship is important. People are not meant to be treated as disposable, nor are they meant to be treated as a doormat. Every person should know the gift of belonging and connection. Jesus’ blessing of the child proves this point. Passages like these have been used to harm, judge, or keep someone captive in an unsafe situation.

Can you think of others that have been used that way? Has there been a time when someone used scripture as a weapon against you or another person? Have you done it yourself? How might using scripture that way go against God’s intended purpose?

Offer a prayer of thanksgiving for the gift of healthy relationships and for passages that challenge us to think and reflect more deeply than what we read at the surface.

Read Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12.

According to this reading, Jesus, who is the reflection of God and the exact imprint of the image of God, sustains all things, is mindful and full of care for humankind, sacrifices for and sanctifies those he calls brother and sister, and worships God in the midst of the congregation.

Imagine Jesus joining our congregation for worship. What would he see? What would he hear? How might his presence change the way you experience worship?

This Sunday, leave a little room for Jesus beside you. Worship as if he was sitting right beside you and reflect on how that affected your participation, your energy, and your level of engagement with the service.

Read Psalm 26.

Verse 2 reads, “Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and mind.”

This reminds me of the Wesley Covenant Prayer:

I am no longer my own, but thine.

Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.

Put me to doing, put me to suffering.

Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee,

exalted for thee or brought low for thee.

Let me be full, let me be empty.

Let me have all things, let me have nothing.

I freely and heartily yield all things

to thy pleasure and disposal.

And now, O glorious and blessed God,

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,

thou art mine, and I am thine. So be it.

And the covenant which I have made on earth,

let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.

As you pray this prayer, which lines stand out for you? Commit one or two lines to memory and recite them throughout the day.

Read Job 1:1-2:10.

The story of Job challenges the idea that good things happen to good people and bad things happen to bad people. It also challenges the understanding of a transactional relationship with God where we believe blessings and happiness are given as payment for good behavior. Instead, Job’s story gets to the heart of how we respond when we face difficulties in life.

It is a story in which God trusts Job to remain faithful no matter how tough things get, no matter how angry he gets, and no matter how alone he feels in his suffering. For Job, persisting in his integrity involves taking the good along with the bad, but that is not to say that he doesn’t speak out against the injustice of his plight. It seems a mistake we sometimes make is thinking that we must meekly accept everything that comes our way. That is not the example of Job. He pushes back against the blame his friends try to place upon him. He refuses to curse God, but he isn’t afraid to call God out.

Think of a situation in which there was no explanation – when there seemed to be no answer to the question, “Why?” How did you make sense of it for yourself? Who were the people who helped bring healing and who were the people who made it more difficult? Was your relationship with God threatened in this situation or was it strengthened?

Today, offer this simple prayer: “God of Creation, sometimes there are no answers. Help me to trust you anyway.”

Read Mark 9:38-50.

Like the disciples, I am guilty of becoming competitive with other people or organizations or churches. Sometimes I look at the good that they are doing, at the lives impacted, or at the success they may be having and for whatever reason, feel threatened by it. I view them with suspicion. Rather than reflect on what that says about me, my tendency is to complain about their method or to call their motives into question.

Am I alone in this or can you identify? What does Jesus’ response to his disciples teach us about competitiveness and God’s kingdom? In what ways does questioning the good that someone else is doing place a stumbling block before their work? In what ways does it place a stumbling block before your own growth as a follower of Jesus? How does ego, pride, and insecurity figure into the kingdom of God?

Today, look for a person/group/church of which you are not a part. In prayer, celebrate the positive impact they are having on the community and world, and pray God’s continued blessing over their work.

Read James 5:13-20.

In this reading, we find the hallmarks of a grace-filled community of faith: prayer, confession, healing, and restoration. We often speak of and celebrate the power of prayer. We are willing to share when our prayers have been answered and we offer to pray for others in their times of need. It seems we are more hesitant to ask for prayers from others for ourselves. Why do you think this is? In the same way, we may make it a practice to confess our sin to God, but find it much more difficult to admit our failures to the people around us. Why do you think this is the case?

In what ways do you think praying for one another and confessing to one another leads to healing and restoration? How could you contribute to making our own community of faith one that is even more grace-filled than it already is?

Today, consider two things: what is a situation in which you would appreciate someone else’s prayers? And is there some sort of failure for which you should confess or apologize? Pray for the courage to ask for prayers and to make any confessions you may need to make. Reflect on the healing and restorative powers of these actions.