We Wonder

Today is the fifth Tuesday in Lent, and we are continuing to read Mark chapter 12. Religious leaders — both Pharisees and Sadducees — come to challenge Jesus with questions. They want to trick him, and to get him into trouble. But Jesus speaks to them with the wisdom of God. 

📖 READ

Mark 12:13-27

❔ WONDER

These leaders are asking Jesus a tricky question that can get him in trouble no matter how he answers. If he says you should pay taxes to Rome, then the crowd following Jesus will be angry. They hate the Romans and want them to leave their land. But if he says you should not pay, then he will be in trouble with the Roman leaders. Can I imagine being one of Jesus's friends, listening to the leaders asking him this trick question? How do I feel, as they go to hunt up a coin and I wait for Jesus to respond? Am I nervous to see what he will say?

How do I feel when I hear the answer that Jesus finally gives?

Mark tells us that when Jesus answers them, the religious leaders are amazed: they marvel and wonder at him. I wonder why that wonder doesn't turn in to love and worship?

A picture of Caesar's face is stamped onto his coin. And God's image is stamped on every single person. I wonder what Jesus is teaching us to do, when he says to give back to God what belongs to God? 

Can I believe, right now, that I belong to God? Can I trust that I bear God's image in a special way in this world? Can I talk with God right now about how I can give myself back to the one who has made me, and who loves me very much?

Now the Sadducees come to Jesus with a very different question. If I am one of Jesus's followers walking with him through Jerusalem, I wonder how I feel about all of these different groups coming to test Jesus, one after another? I wonder if I might begin to feel like he was under attack from all sides?

The Sadducees are trying to make the idea of resurrection — of God bringing new life out of death — sound silly. If a woman is married to seven men, whose wife is she when they are all raised? They seem to think resurrection is just bringing people back to the life they had before they died. But Jesus says they do not understand resurrection at all. I wonder how their idea of being raised to a new life is too small, or too limited?

Resurrection is God's power to re-make all things: our Creator God can even raise people out of death into a new and completely transformed life. I wonder if that is why Jesus tells the Sadducees that they do not understand the power of God?

Can I trust and believe right now that God loves me, and loves my world, so much that he will re-make me and re-make the world? Can I hope that just as Jesus is raised from death to a new and transformed life, I will be too? 

Are there any words, or pictures, or moments in this story I want to talk with 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 the fifth Monday in Lent, and we are beginning Mark chapter 12. Jesus has come into Jerusalem like a king, has acted with authority in the temple, and has been challenged by the temple leaders. Now he will tell us a story to help us understand what is going to happen to him. 

📖 READ

Mark 12:1-12

❔ WONDER

In this story that Jesus has told, I wonder why the people renting the farm refuse to share any of the fruit with the owner? I wonder why they think they can just keep it all for themselves?

I wonder why the renters keep treating each of the messengers so badly? They refuse to give the farm owner some of his own fruit, and they also beat up and even kill the servants that he sends. I wonder why they are so violent against people who serve their farm's owner?

I wonder what the farm owner expects will happen when he sends his son?

The renters know that the farm they are living on will someday be given to the owner's son, as his inheritance. I wonder what they think will happen when they kill the son?

Mark tells us that the chief priests and the teachers of the law know that this story is about them. I wonder how they are like the renters in this story? How are the prophets in the Old Testament like the servants who come to collect the fruit? And where is God in this story?

At his baptism, God's Holy Spirit came down on Jesus and everyone heard these words: "You are my Son, and I love you." Jesus has come into Jerusalem like a king, and acted like he has authority there: almost like the place belongs to him! I wonder why they chief priests and the teachers of the law are so unwilling to follow him?

The Son in this story is killed. I wonder how Jesus's friends felt, as they heard him tell it? I wonder if they really believed Jesus would be killed too, or if they still hoped he could become King of Israel without suffering or rejection?

Are there any words, or pictures, or moments in this story I want to talk with 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 Sunday in Lent, we are continuing in Mark chapter 11. Yesterday, Jesus turned over the tables in the Temple and announced God's judgment on it. Now the chief priests and teachers of the law are angry, and they will begin to challenge him in public. 

📖 READ

Mark 11:27-33

❔ WONDER

Can I put myself, for just a moment, in the place of the chief priests and the teachers of the law? It is their job to oversee and run the temple — and now this man from far away Nazareth has come into town and is acting as though *he* has the authority there. How would watching Jesus's entry into Jerusalem and his actions at the temple make me feel, if I was one of them?

I wonder how their voices sounded when they asked Jesus, "Who gave you the authority to do this?" I wonder if it sounded something like, "Just who, exactly, do you think you are?"

The very first Temple was planned by King David, and built by King Solomon. True authority over the temple belongs to God's anointed king. I wonder if Jesus is coming into Jerusalem like a king who has been anointed — that is, blessed and chosen by God — but is not yet seated on his throne? 

I wonder what Jesus's throne in Jerusalem is going to look like?

Instead of answering their question, Jesus asks a question right back at the chief priests and the teachers. He asks if they believe that John's work and words really were sent by God. I wonder why this was such a hard question for them to answer?

Do you remember when Jesus was baptized by John, all the way back in Mark chapter 1? Heaven was split open, and God's Holy Spirit came down on Jesus, like the oil that is poured over a king's head. I wonder if Jesus is asking the chief priests and the teachers if they can see that he has authority because he is God's chosen king?

When I look at Jesus, and all that he has said and done throughout Mark's book, can I trust that he is God's chosen king? Can I believe that he is the one who has come to bring God's good rule to our world? 

Are there any words, or pictures, or moments in this story I want to talk with 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 Saturday in the fourth week of Lent, and we are continuing in Mark chapter 11. Jesus has entered Jerusalem, and now he is going to go up to the Temple. I wonder if everyone is watching him closely to see what he will do next?

📖 READ

Mark 11:12-26

❔ WONDER

Yesterday, Jesus came into Jerusalem for the first time. People welcomed him like Israel's king. They sang, "Hosanna: come save us!" and "we welcome God's kingdom"! Now he is coming back into the city, and walking straight up to the Temple. I wonder what people were hoping he would say and do there?

Can I put myself in the crowds that might have followed him in to the Temple courtyard? Maybe I am hoping he will teach us, or announce that God's kingdom is here and together we will take our city back from the Romans. But suddenly he begins knocking over tables, and chasing people away. Coins are scattering across the ground; birds are flapping everywhere; there is shouting and animal noises and confusion. How would it feel to see Jesus coming into this holy place and begin to turn everything upside down? 

Jesus says that the Temple was first built to be a place where people from all nations could come to learn to worship God, but now it is more like a den for bandits. I wonder how the Temple and the practices that were happening there kept people out, instead of letting them in to come close to God?

In Jesus's time, "robber's dens" were places where people would gather and plot about how they would rob and fight back against the Roman soldiers in their country. They planned how they would kill the strong outsiders who had taken over their land. These robbers, or bandits, wanted the Temple — and all of Jerusalem — to belong to Israel and Israel alone. Then it would truly be God's kingdom. I wonder why Jesus is so angry about this picture of the kingdom of God?

I wonder why Mark tells us the story of the fig tree alongside the story of the Temple? I wonder how the dried up fig tree, that will not provide healthy fruit to people ever again, is like the Temple?

Jesus also teaches his disciples to be bold and confident when they pray for God's good kingdom to come. I wonder, when Jesus points to a mountain and says they can pray for it to be thrown into the sea, if he is pointing to the Temple mount? I wonder if his disciples believed then that God really would make a new way for them to come close?

I wonder if we can be bold and confident when we pray because Jesus has already accomplished everything we need to come close to God? 

It can be hard to pray with that kind of confidence. I don't always believe that what I need from God has already been done for me, or that I have already received it. Can I talk with God about that right now?

Are there any words, or pictures, or moments in this story I want to talk with 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!

We are near the end of the fourth week in Lent, and today we are beginning Mark chapter 11. Jesus has been traveling to Jerusalem with his friends, and when he arrives he is greeted like a king.  

📖 READ

Mark 11:1-11

❔ WONDER

Jesus and his followers are coming from Jericho to Jerusalem. Jericho is the lowest city on earth: it is about 800 feet below sea level. And Jerusalem is high, high up on a hill! They were walking from a low, dry, dusty and hot place up to the Mount of Olives, and then on to Jerusalem — David's city, and the place where you could come close to God in the temple. I wonder if, as they climbed that hard, hot road, their hearts grew lighter and more excited until they could finally glimpse the walls of the 

Jesus and his followers are coming to Jerusalem for Passover. This is the time when all of God's people celebrate how God saved them and carried them out of slavery and into freedom. Jesus has been talking all along the road about God's kingdom coming close. I wonder what the people following Jesus were hoping he would do for them as he came into the city for the festival?

Can I imagine myself in the crowd, as we lay down our coats to make a smooth path for a coming king? How does Jesus look to me, as I see him slowly ride by on the back of a donkey's colt?

The words the people shouted were from Psalm 118. It is a song that celebrates God saving his people, and everyone goes up to Jerusalem to celebrate and sing to him. "Hosanna!" means, "God, save us!" and "Blessed is he who comes" means, "welcome!" Can I cry out both of those things to Jesus right now? "Save us, Son of God! Welcome: let your kingdom come in my life!" 

The people lay down their coats to make a royal road for Jesus — and their coats will be ruined by the dust, the stones, and the donkey's hooves. They wave branches to welcome him in a special way, to come and rule over them and their city. Is there anything I can lay down before Jesus to honor him today? Am I ready to welcome him as the king I will follow?  

After all of this excitement, Jesus comes into the city...and then he looks around a little, and leaves to stay overnight in Bethany. I wonder how his disciples felt at the end of that day?

Are there any words, or pictures, or moments in this story I want to talk with 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 Thursday in the fourth week of Lent, and we are reading the end of Mark chapter 10. A man who wants Jesus to help him keeps crying out, even after other people tell him to quiet down. But Jesus hears him, brings him close, and heals him. 

📖 READ

Mark 10:46-52

❔ WONDER

Can I put myself in this story right now? Can I feel the hot, dusty air on my face and in my lungs as I make my way along the road out of Jericho? Can I feel myself jostled along by the crowd as we follow Jesus towards Jerusalem? How do I feel as we make our way towards the great city? What am I hoping will happen when we get there?  

Now imagine that I hear the voice of a man, calling out from the side of the road, trying to get this big crowd and all of our excited movement to stop. I look over and see that he is a blind beggar, a man who sits by the side of the road asking for people to toss him a coin. How do I feel about his demand for Jesus — and the rest of us — to stop and help him?

I wonder how Bartimaeus felt when he heard that it was Jesus who was passing by? I wonder what he hoped for? I wonder how he was able to believe that Jesus would help him?

Bartimaeus yells out loudly to Jesus, and calls him "Son of David." That's like crying out, "Jesus, King of Israel!" But Israel already had a king, and a Roman governor too. I wonder if that was a dangerous name to call Jesus? I wonder if that is why people wanted him to be quiet?

Can I imagine being Bartimaeus, with all of the people around me saying "be quiet! hush! stop crying out!"? What would I do, as Jesus and the crowd came close and began to pass me by?

How did it sound to Bartimaeus, I wonder, to hear those words: "Cheer up! Get on your feet! Jesus is calling for you"?

Can I imagine Jesus looking straight at me and asking, "What do you want me to do for you?" What would I say to Jesus, if he asked me that right now?

Jesus gives Bartimaeus his sight. Now he no longer has to sit and beg: he can have a new life; he can see his friends and family; he can be back in the world in a new way. I wonder why he chooses, right then, to join the crowd and follow Jesus on the way he will go?

Are there any words, or pictures, or moments in this story I want to talk with 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!

We are in the middle of the fourth week of Lent and today we are continuing in Mark chapter 10. Jesus has set his face toward Jerusalem, and he tells his friends a third time what is waiting for him there. But they still don't understand: James and John think that he will become a king in Jerusalem, and will have special places of honor for the friends who have been following him.

📖 READ

Mark 10:32-45

❔ WONDER

Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem, and the people who are following him there are amazed and afraid. I wonder what they hoped would happen when they got there? I wonder what they feared?

Jerusalem was the city where the Roman soldiers had their headquarters; it was also the city where King Herod ruled. I wonder if Jesus's followers were hoping he would overthrow them all and become the king? 

I wonder what it was like to hear Jesus say, "No. When I go to Jerusalem, the Roman soldiers will arrest me, and I will be killed?" 

It sounds like the disciples had trouble believing Jesus was really serious. I wonder why this picture of God's chosen king was so hard for them to understand?

Jesus tells James and John they do not know what they are asking for, when they ask to sit next to him in glory. When Jesus does finally sit in glory, up on the cross, there are thieves at his right and left. What do I want to say to God about this picture of a king on a throne, and this picture of glory?

Jesus seems to have a very different idea about how to be important in God's kingdom. His ideas are not like our ideas of kings, rulers and important people. Can I talk with God about how I can follow Jesus and his ways today?

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!

Today is the fourth Tuesday in Lent and we are continuing in Mark chapter 10. A man comes to speak with Jesus: he wants to know how he can inherit a place in God's kingdom. Jesus's answer makes him sad, and he turns away. Even the disciples are perplexed. 

📖 READ

Mark 10:17-31

❔ WONDER

Can I picture the man running up to Jesus, and falling on his knees? He wants so badly to know how to enter into God's kingdom. I wonder what he expected Jesus to say? I wonder what he hoped to hear?

When Jesus first answers him, he mentions the last 6 of the 10 commandments. The man knows that he has followed these all of his life. I wonder why following these good rules was not enough to enter into God's kingdom?

Jesus looks at him and loves him. Can I imagine Jesus's face as he gazes down at the man? Can I hear the love in his voice as he gives his answer?

The first four commandments are: Put God first. Do not build idols or bow down to them. Do not misuse God's name. And keep the Sabbath day holy. I wonder how all of the man's riches were stopping him from keeping these commandments?

How does this man look to me as he hears Jesus's words? What do I see, as his face falls and he turns and walks away? 

I wonder what I would do if Jesus spoke these words to me. Can I walk with Jesus about that right now?

I wonder why being rich makes it so hard to enter into God's kingdom, God's good rule, over the world?

The disciples are amazed and surprised. Sometimes, we think that people who are rich or successful must be blessed especially by God. I wonder what they were expecting as a reward for following Jesus?

These are hard words, especially for those of us who have more than we need. They may feel impossible. Can I hear Jesus's words to me right now: "With people, this is impossible. But not with God. All things are possible with God."

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.

Today is the fourth Monday in Lent, and we are beginning Mark chapter 10. Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem, and as he comes back near the Jordan River, some Pharisees ask him a question as a kind of trap. They know that John the Baptist got in trouble for criticizing Herod's marriage, and so they try to get Jesus in trouble as well. 

📖 READ

Mark 10:1-16

❔ WONDER

King Herod was married to Herodias, a woman who had been his brother's wife. She had divorced his brother Philip so that she could marry Herod. John the Baptist said that was wrong, and Herodias was so angry that she had John killed. I wonder if this question about divorce was a dangerous question for Jesus to answer in public, too?

I wonder why the Pharisees wanted to test Jesus with this question, in this place near the Jordan River where John used to preach and baptize people?

Jesus says that God joins two people in marriage. Marriage isn't just an earthly agreement between two people; it is a promise in which God brings two people together to make something new. In another place, St Paul says that marriage is a picture of how Jesus is united with God's people, the church. I wonder if this is why marriage promises are so important to Jesus?

Jesus tells the Pharisees about God's good design for marriage between people, but he also says that people don't always live out this design. Sometimes we break our marriage promises, or someone breaks the promises they made to us. Can I remember that Jesus cares about marriage promises because they picture his promises to us, and trust that no matter what he will never break those promises or leave me?

I wonder why the disciples told people to stop bringing children to Jesus? Can I picture them standing between the children and Jesus, blocking the way?

Mark tells us that this made Jesus angry. Not frustrated or impatient, but actually angry. Can that be true? Can I believe that Jesus loves me so much that he is angry at anything or anyone that tries to keep me away from him?

Jesus says that children are the ones who know how to receive God's kingdom. That kingdom belongs to them, not powerful, busy, important grownups. Can I ask Jesus to show me how to receive God's good rule today?

How does Jesus's voice sound to me as he says, "Let the little children come to me. Don't keep them away"? Can I believe right now that he is talking about me, too? Can I make my way towards him, knowing that I am welcome?

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 take 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!

We have come to the fourth Sunday in Lent, and today we are reading the rest of Mark chapter 9. Jesus is serious about the work he has come to do: to bring God's kingdom to earth. And so he has some stern words for his friends, to help them focus on what is important and turn their backs on anything that will lead them away from him.

📖 READ

Mark 9:38-50

❔ WONDER

I wonder why John was so upset that someone else who was not a disciple was driving out demons in Jesus's name? I wonder why he couldn't be happy that people were being rescued from evil powers, and why he told him to stop?

Jesus tells John not to stop him, because the man is doing the work of God's kingdom. This unknown person is fighting against evil powers in Jesus's name. I wonder if Christians today sometimes worry more about who is one of us, instead of celebrating everyone who is doing the work of God's kingdom?

Jesus has strong, hard words for anyone who leads people who are weak or small into sin, or who hurts them. Can I hear in his voice how much he wants to love and protect people who are little, people who are weak, people who aren't important?

Gehenna was a valley outside of Jerusalem. It was the place where people threw trash, dead animals, and even dead bodies sometimes. Fires were always burning there so that the bodies and the trash would not rot in the sun. I wonder why Jesus says that the place where sin will lead us is like Gehenna?

Jesus speaks these hard words right after his disciples had an argument about who was the most important. He knows that he is on the road to Jerusalem, where he will confront people who are against him, and he will be killed. I wonder why it is so important for his disciples to decide now to follow him at all costs, and to put away anything that would make them stumble on the way?

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 take 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!