We Wonder

Today is Good Friday, and our reading is most of Mark chapter 15. It is a long reading, and it is very sad. We will do our best to follow Jesus with our attention, with our imaginations, and with our hearts as he loves us to the very end. 

📖 READ

Mark 15:1-41

❔ WONDER

No one in this story can see what is really happening. The soldiers make fun of Jesus by bowing down to him, but he really is God's king. People mock him for saying he can raise a ruined temple in three days when they are destroying the body that God will raise. And they say he cannot save himself by coming down from the cross, when he is saving us all by dying there. Right now, can I ask Jesus to help me truly see his love and his power in this story?

One person does see. When Jesus dies, the Roman commander can truly see that he is the Son of God. I wonder what this soldier sees, in the sad and broken person on the cross? Can I ask Jesus to help me, as I look up at his cross, to see and believe that he is God's Son, the one who has come to save our world?

Jesus is silent in this story until the very end. Right before he dies, he cries out the words of Psalm 22: "My God, my God, why have you deserted me?" And then he falls silent again, and the temple curtain is torn apart. Jesus, the Son of God, loses his connection with his Father so that I can enter into God's presence forever. Can I quietly thank Jesus for his deep love and gift to me right now?

The story ends with women who followed Jesus all the way from Galilee. The disciples ran away, but these women stayed with Jesus to the end. Can I ask Jesus right now to help me always follow him, wherever his road will lead?

Are there any words, or pictures, or moments in this story I want to ask God about right now, or carry with me into the rest of my day? 

🙏🏾 PRAY

Jesus of Nazareth, son of God: thank you for going to the cross for us. Thank you for a love that even death cannot break. Help us to trust in that love and follow where you lead, all the days of our lives. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

💌 Keep in touch!

You can follow us on Instagram and Twitter @wewonderpod for updates throughout the season, or you can shoot me an email at [email protected] Thanks so much for listening, and I'll see you tomorrow!

Today is Maundy Thursday, and we are finishing Mark chapter 14. Jesus has been arrested, tried, and convicted. The temple leaders say that he is a false prophet. But as we keep reading, we will see that his hard words to Peter were really true. 

📖 READ

Mark 14:66-72

❔ WONDER

I wonder if Peter could hear what was happening inside the house, as he stood outside warming himself by the fire? Could he hear the group inside yelling, spitting at, and hitting Jesus? I wonder how that would make him feel, sitting outside and surrounded by the temple guards?

I wonder what feeling went through Peter's body when the servant girl stopped, looked at him, and said out loud, "You were also with Jesus!"?

Have I ever told a baldfaced lie, like Peter does here? How does it feel to know one thing is true, and to say that it is not?

When the rooster crows, Peter remembers Jesus's words. I wonder what it was for like for Peter to see that Jesus knew him even better than he knew himself? How would it feel to suddenly see that Jesus knew, all along, I would desert him?

When the rooster crows, it also proves that Jesus's words are true. He is not a false prophet; the accusations against him are lies. I wonder what it was like for Peter to realize this, right after turning his back on Jesus?

Has there ever been a time when I did not want someone to know that I, too, have followed and walked with Jesus? What do I want to say to Jesus about that?

When Peter realizes that Jesus's words about him were true, he breaks down and weeps. Jesus has to go to the cross alone; we are not strong enough to do what only God can do. Can I sit with Peter in his sadness and his tears, as we watch Jesus go down into death alone for all of us?

Are there any words, or pictures, or moments in this story I want to ask God about right now? 

Are there any words, or pictures, or moments in this story I want to carry with me into the rest of my day?

🙏🏾 PRAY

Jesus of Nazareth, son of God: thank you that we have a book filled with your words and deeds. Give us the wisdom and understanding that comes from your Holy Spirit, so that we can know you better and follow you all the days of our lives. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

💌 Keep in touch!

You can follow us on Instagram and Twitter @wewonderpod for updates throughout the season, or you can shoot me an email at [email protected] Thanks so much for listening, and I'll see you tomorrow!

Today is Wednesday in Holy Week, and we are still continuing in Mark chapter 14. Jesus has been arrested, and his friends have all run away. Now his enemies can put him on trial, tell lies about him, and get ready to hand him over to the Roman soldiers to be killed.

📖 READ

Mark 14:53-65

❔ WONDER

Can I take a moment and put myself into this story? Can I look around and see the courtyard at the high priest's houses? Can I hear the crackle of the fire and feel its warmth in the cold, dark air? Who is with me in the courtyard? How do their faces look? What are people saying, as they rub their hands over the flames and wait outside the house?

I wonder what was happening in Peter's heart, as he sat outside the house where Jesus was being held? Was he looking toward the bright windows, or shrinking into the dark? I wonder what he hoped for, as he sat outside, listened, and watched?

Have I ever been so angry with someone that I wanted everyone else to see how bad they are? Have I ever told a lie to convince people that someone else is wrong and guilty? Have I ever wanted to believe bad things about someone, so I can condemn them in my heart? If so, maybe I know a little bit about how the priests and the rulers on the Sanhedrin felt about Jesus that night. Can I talk with Jesus about that right now?

Can I quietly picture Jesus, standing in the middle of the room while people told lies about him? I wonder why he remained silent? I wonder why he didn't fight or argue back?

Finally, Jesus says very clearly who he is. And he says that God will prove that he is right and these leaders are wrong: he will be seated, one day, at God's right hand. How do I respond to Jesus, when he tells me who he is? 

Are there any words, or pictures, or moments in this story I want to ask God about right now? 

Are there any words, or pictures, or moments in this story I want to carry with me into the rest of my day?

🙏🏾 PRAY

Jesus of Nazareth, son of God: thank you that we have a book filled with your words and deeds. Give us the wisdom and understanding that comes from your Holy Spirit, so that we can know you better and follow you all the days of our lives. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

💌 Keep in touch!

You can follow us on Instagram and Twitter @wewonderpod for updates throughout the season, or you can shoot me an email at [email protected] Thanks so much for listening, and I'll see you tomorrow!

Today is Tuesday in Holy Week, and we are continuing in Mark chapter 14. Yesterday, Jesus told his friends they would all abandon him, and he prayed to God asking for the cup of suffering to be taken away. But the answer was no. Now the hour has come, and he will be taken away. 

📖 READ

Mark 14:43-52

❔ WONDER

I wonder how Jesus's friends felt, when they saw Judas appear out of the darkness leading the crowd? What thoughts might have gone through their head when they realized what he was doing there, and they knew that he had betrayed Jesus?

I wonder how Judas felt as he approached Jesus? I wonder if he looked into Jesus's eyes, or if he looked at any of his other 11 friends?

All through Mark's gospel, crowds have followed Jesus everywhere he has gone. What feels different to me about this crowd, on this night? What has changed in the story?

I wonder how it felt to the disciples to be surrounded by this crowd, in the dark of night outside the city, armed with swords and clubs? Can I imagine being there with them? What feelings might be running through my body? What thoughts might be going through my mind?

I wonder how it felt to see Jesus grabbed, hard, by the crowd and arrested? I wonder why this was the moment when the disciples stopped following him?

One of Jesus's followers was so frightened that when the crowd grabbed his clothes, he let them rip them away and ran away naked. Can I remember any other times in the Bible when someone was hiding, naked, in a garden? I wonder why Mark includes this part of the story?

Are there any words, or pictures, or moments in this story I want to ask God about right now? 

Are there any words, or pictures, or moments in this story I want to carry with me into the rest of my day?

🙏🏾 PRAY

Jesus of Nazareth, son of God: thank you that we have a book filled with your words and deeds. Give us the wisdom and understanding that comes from your Holy Spirit, so that we can know you better and follow you all the days of our lives. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

💌 Keep in touch!

You can follow us on Instagram and Twitter @wewonderpod for updates throughout the season, or you can shoot me an email at [email protected] Thanks so much for listening, and I'll see you tomorrow!

Today is Monday in Holy Week, and we are continuing in Mark chapter 14. Jesus and his friends have shared the Passover meal, and he has told them that his body and blood are going to bring them a new kind of Passover. Now they are going out into the quiet night, up on to the Mount of Olives to pray. 

📖 READ

Mark 14:27-42

❔ WONDER

Jesus has shepherded his little group of friends all through the gospel of Mark: he calls them together, he teaches them, and he leads them throughout the countryside and down into Jerusalem. I wonder why they will all run away like frightened sheep when he is arrested?

I wonder how Jesus's voice sounded when he looked at his friends and said, "You will all turn away?"

Jesus tells Peter that on this very night, before the rooster crows to announce the morning, he will say three times that he doesn't even know Jesus, his teacher and dear friend. Can I imagine how Peter might have felt when he heard those words? 

I wonder why Peter was so sure he would never, ever deny Jesus? 

Throughout Mark's gospel, Jesus has been in charge: teaching, leading, feeding people, arguing with the temple leaders. I wonder what it was like for his friends to see him so upset and troubled tonight?

In Jesus' time, people usually stood up to pray, and they lifted their hands toward the sky. I wonder why Jesus falls on the ground as he begs God to take away the cup of suffering that is coming to him?

Jesus's friends are sleepy after a long day and a big meal. I wonder why it is so hard for them to keep watch and stay awake with Jesus, when they can see that he is clearly sad and afraid?

Jesus tells Peter to stay awake; to watch and pray — but Peter, and the other disciples, cannot. Right now, can I sit quietly and watch with Jesus? Can I try to stay close with him as I remember the sadness and fear that he went through on that night? What do I want to say to Jesus about what he has done for me?

Are there any words, or pictures, or moments in this story I want to ask God about right now? 

Are there any words, or pictures, or moments in this story I want to carry with me into the rest of my day?

🙏🏾 PRAY

Jesus of Nazareth, son of God: thank you that we have a book filled with your words and deeds. Give us the wisdom and understanding that comes from your Holy Spirit, so that we can know you better and follow you all the days of our lives. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Today is Palm Sunday, the very first day in Holy Week, and we are continuing in Mark chapter 14. It is time to eat the Passover meal, and remember the day when God brought the people out of Egypt and safely through the waters of the Red Sea. Jesus is going to eat with his friends. He is trying to prepare them because soon he is going to pass through the waters of death. 

📖 READ

Mark 14:12-26

❔ WONDER

Passover is a feast that tells a story. Each of the foods reminds people of how God rescued them from Egypt and brought them safely through the waters of the Red Sea. People eat lamb, to remember the lambs that were killed and the blood that they put on the doorposts, as the Angel of Death passed through Egypt. They eat bread without any leaven, or yeast, because it had to be baked quickly for the escape. I wonder what Jesus' friends were thinking about as they prepared these special foods to share with him? I wonder if they were hoping he would do new and mighty miracles on this Passover, like Moses did long ago?

Jesus and his friends met in an upstairs room, out of sight and hidden away, to share this Passover meal. They knew that Jesus had enemies in the city who were looking for him. I wonder what the atmosphere in that room, during that meal was like? 

Jesus and these twelve friends have been together for a long time now. They have traveled together, talked and prayed together; they have watched Jesus heal the sick, preach to crowds, and cast out evil spirits . Now they are tucked away together in a dangerous city. Can I imagine sitting at the table with Jesus, after all this time, and hearing him say that one of us is going to hand him over to his enemies? How does that make me feel?

In this time, people didn't use forks and knives. They used their bread like a utensil, and dipped it into a bowl. As the dish was passed around the table, each disciple was using some bread to scoop out food. Can I imagine how each of them looked and felt when Jesus said, "It is the one who dips bread into the bowl with me?"

Jesus uses this Passover meal to tell a new story. His body is going to be broken like the bread, and his blood will be poured out like the wine. I wonder how his death is a new kind of Passover?

Long ago, Moses gave God's people the Passover meal, and then he parted the Red Sea waters and led them through into freedom. I wonder how Jesus is like Moses? What is Jesus going to pass through, like the Red Sea, later this week? And will he be able to lead us safely through, too?

We still celebrate this meal today, and say the words that Jesus said. Can I look forward, right now, to the day when we will eat bread and drink wine with Jesus in his kingdom?

Are there any words, or pictures, or moments in this story I want to ask God about right now? 

Are there any words, or pictures, or moments in this story I want to carry with me into the rest of my day?

🙏🏾 PRAY

Jesus of Nazareth, son of God: thank you that we have a book filled with your words and deeds. Give us the wisdom and understanding that comes from your Holy Spirit, so that we can know you better and follow you all the days of our lives. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Today we are at the very end of the fifth week in Lent, and we are beginning Mark chapter 14. The chief priests and the teachers of the law are angry with Jesus, and are looking for a way to have him killed. But a woman gives him a beautiful gift, and Jesus welcomes her gesture. He is preparing to die, and she is one of the only people who seems to understand what is happening.

📖 READ

Mark 14:1-11

❔ WONDER

This story happens right before Passover. Passover is the festival that remembers and celebrates the time when God led the people out of slavery in Egypt, and safely across the Red Sea into freedom. I wonder why the chief priests and the teachers are afraid there will be a riot if they arrest Jesus during the Passover festival?

In Jesus's time, men and women did not usually sit together at the main table for feasts. They weren't even in the same rooms. I wonder what it was like for this woman to step into a room full of men, with everyone looking at her, and walk straight up to Jesus with her jar of perfume?

Mark doesn't tell us what this woman was thinking, or any words that she spoke. Can I put myself into her place? I wonder what she was thinking about, or feeling, as she broke open her jar and poured the perfume over Jesus's head?

The perfume the woman brought to Simon's house was very expensive. It was made from a plant grown far away in India, and it cost a whole year's worth of wages. I wonder what moved her to pour this costly gift out, all at once, all over Jesus?

Jesus says that this woman poured perfume on his body to get him ready for when he is buried. What a strange thing to say at the dinner table! I wonder if this woman understood the way that Jesus would die, and that there might not be time to care for his body well when it happened?

Jesus says that "what she has been done will be told anywhere the goods news is preached all over the world; it will be told in memory of her." What this woman did for Jesus was that important. So I wonder why we do not even know her name?

Jerusalem is a city with many twisting alleys, courtyards, and dark corners. It would be hard for the chief priests and their guards to find Jesus without help. I wonder what happened in Judas's mind and heart as he followed Jesus? I wonder why he agreed to help the chief priests find and arrest Jesus?

Today is the last day before Holy Week. Each day, Jesus is getting closer and closer to the cross. As I watch him, is there anything I want to pour out to him, to give him, or to say to him?

Are there any words, or pictures, or moments in this story I want to ask God about right now? 

Are there any words, or pictures, or moments in this story I want to carry with me into the rest of my day?

🙏🏾 PRAY

Jesus of Nazareth, son of God: thank you that we have a book filled with your words and deeds. Give us the wisdom and understanding that comes from your Holy Spirit, so that we can know you better and follow you all the days of our lives. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Today is the fifth Friday in Lent, and we are reading the rest of Mark chapter 13. Jesus is warning his friends that the time is coming when the temple will be destroyed. A change is coming in how people will gather to come close to God. And so Jesus's followers need to stay awake and pay attention, so that they are not surprised by the new ways that God will call them to worship and to live.

📖 READ

Mark 13:24-37

❔ WONDER

In yesterday's reading, the disciples admired the beautiful temple; but Jesus told them that it would soon be completely destroyed. Today he remembers a passage from the prophet Isaiah about a time when God destroyed the mighty city of Babylon. When Babylon is destroyed, Isaiah says, God's anger will blaze out; it will be like the sun and the moon going dark. I wonder why it will be like this when the temple is torn down too?

In the Hebrew Bible, we can read passages about people from all four directions coming up to the temple to worship. But now Jesus gives us a picture of a new kind of worship: the Son of Man will gather people to himself, instead. I wonder what he wants us to see about how people will come close to God in this new time?

Jesus tells his friends that these things will happen while they are still alive. And they do! The temple is destroyed just forty years later. His words are true, and they do not pass away. Can I believe that the words Jesus speaks to me are trustworthy and true, and that they will hold no matter what?

But Jesus does not tell his friends exactly when this will happen. He does not give them a date on the calendar. He insists on leaving the right time up to God. I wonder if that was hard for them to hear?

Jesus tells his friends to stay awake, and to watch. I wonder why it is so important for them to be ready? I wonder if God is coming to them in a new way, just like the owner of the house? I wonder how they can be ready to welcome God, and the work he will give them to do?  

This part of Mark is about the temple: Jesus is answering his friends' questions about the time when the temple will be torn down. But it is also a word for us today. After Jesus was raised from the dead, he went back to be with God, and we know that he will come to be with us again. I wonder how I can be ready to welcome him, and to long for the day when he will come home and make this world new?

Are there any words, or pictures, or moments in this story I want to ask God about right now? 

Are there any words, or pictures, or moments in this story I want to carry with me into the rest of my day?

🙏🏾 PRAY

Jesus of Nazareth, son of God: thank you that we have a book filled with your words and deeds. Give us the wisdom and understanding that comes from your Holy Spirit, so that we can know you better and follow you all the days of our lives. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Today is the fifth Thursday in Lent, and we are beginning Mark chapter 13. Jesus has come into Jerusalem, and he has shown authority over the Temple and over God's people. What will happen to the temple? What will happen to Jesus? And is God at work breaking in to bring a new age? 

📖 READ

Mark 13:1-23

❔ WONDER

In Jesus's time, the temple that Herod built was one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. It was the largest and most impressive building in all of Jerusalem. To help me understand, I think of the most impressive buildings I've ever seen: maybe the US Capitol, or Westminster Abbey, or maybe a giant skyscraper in a great city. I wonder what it was like to hear Jesus say that it would be completely torn down and undone?

Jesus's friends want to know when this will happen. When will the building that is the most important place to come close to God be torn down and torn apart? Who will do it? How can they be ready? I wonder how it felt to hear Jesus speak these hard and scary words?

Jesus says that terrible things will happen before Jerusalem is invaded and the temple is torn down. He says that these things — wars, earthquakes, famine — are like birth pangs. They the painful things, like strong contractions in a mother's body, that will happen before a new age is born. I wonder what new thing is born when the temple is torn down, and people need a new place to come close to God?

Jesus also tells his friends that as this new age comes close, they will also suffer. But he promises that in their suffering, they will tell good news about him to all the nations. I wonder why all the Gentile nations need to hear about Jesus as the one who brings us close to God before the temple is destroyed?

Roman armies marched into Jerusalem about 40 years after Jesus spoke these words. Roman soldiers walked into the Holy of Holies, and they carried off the beautiful things inside. To the Jewish people who worshiped there, it must have felt like the end of the world. I wonder why Jesus says that when that happens, people should run away instead of staying to fight and protect the temple?

I wonder why Jesus tells his friends all about this ahead of time? I wonder why it is important for them to be ready?

Are there any words, or pictures, or moments in this story I want to ask God about right now? 

Are there any words, or pictures, or moments in this story I want to carry with me into the rest of my day?

🙏🏾 PRAY

Jesus of Nazareth, son of God: thank you that we have a book filled with your words and deeds. Give us the wisdom and understanding that comes from your Holy Spirit, so that we can know you better and follow you all the days of our lives. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

💌 Keep in touch!

You can follow us on Instagram and Twitter @wewonderpod for updates throughout the season, or you can shoot me an email at [email protected] Thanks so much for listening, and I'll see you tomorrow!

Today is Wednesday in the fifth week in Lent, and we are reading the rest of Mark chapter 12. Jesus is teaching in Jerusalem, and he continues to show us what God's kingdom is like, and how to follow him as he leads us into God's ways. 

📖 READ

Mark 12:28-44

❔ WONDER

Yesterday we heard the Pharisees, the Herodians, and the Sadducees all come and ask Jesus questions. They tried to trap him and to trick him. I wonder how this the man who comes to ask Jesus about the commandments is different? I wonder what he hoped for when he came to speak with Jesus?

Jesus repeats Moses's words. The first and most important commandment is to love God with all of my heart, my soul, my mind, and my strength. I wonder what my life would look like if I obeyed that commandment fully? Would my life change at all or look different?

I wonder if it is possible for me to love God with all of myself perfectly all the time? Does that sometimes feel impossible? Can I talk with the God who loves me and will make me new about that right now?

The other most important commandment is to love my neighbor as I love myself. Can I ask God, right now, to show me a way I can do this today?

The prophet Jeremiah tells us that a time is coming when God will write his commandments on our hearts. They will be a part of us. Can I ask God to work in me, write these words on my heart, and teach me to love and follow these good ways?

After Jesus gave this answer about, I wonder why no one else dared to ask him any more questions?

Jesus says that the Messiah, God's chosen king, is the Lord who is even more important than King David. But when this king comes, he does not put himself in an important place; instead, he gives up his life to save people. I wonder how that is different from religious leaders who like to have people listen to them, and to notice and respect them? 

Can I imagine sitting with Jesus, and watching people put their offerings into a money box? Can I picture the rich people, stuffing the box full of their offerings? And then can I hear the sad clink of the two small coins put in by the poor widow? Whose offering seems like it is the most important, or will do the most good? 

Can I ask Jesus, right now, to help me see the way that he does? Can I believe that the poor widow's gift is more valuable and important than all of the rich people's money?

I wonder if that poor widow can show me something about God? When God comes to us in Jesus, does he hold anything back? Or does he give us all that he has?

I wonder how the poor widow can show me something about following God's greatest commandments?

Are there any words, or pictures, or moments in this story I want to talk with God about right now, or carry with me into the rest of my day?

🙏🏾 PRAY

Jesus of Nazareth, son of God: thank you that we have a book filled with your words and deeds. Give us the wisdom and understanding that comes from your Holy Spirit, so that we can know you better and follow you all the days of our lives. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

💌 Keep in touch!

You can follow us on Instagram and Twitter @wewonderpod for updates throughout the season, or you can shoot me an email at [email protected] Thanks so much for listening, and I'll see you tomorrow!