We Wonder

Welcome back to We Wonder: Lent. One of the first things Jesus said to his friends was "Follow me." Today is Saturday in the third week of Lent, and we have been following Jesus through the gospel of Mark. We are watching as he shows us with his words and actions that God's kingdom is coming close; it is almost here. 

Today we are reading a little more from Mark chapter 9. Jesus's friends have confessed that he is the Messiah, God's chosen king. But they still don't understand what kind of king he will be, or how he will inherit his kingdom.

📖 READ:

Mark 9:30-37

❔ WONDER:

We already know how Jesus's story will end. But the disciples did not: they were living it, right alongside him. Can I join then for a minute, and try to imagine why this teaching — that Jesus would die, and rise again after three days — was so hard to understand? 

I wonder what the disciples were saying to one another as they argued on the road to Capernaum? I wonder if they thought, because Jesus was the king, that they would get important positions in his kingdom too?

Do I ever argue — out loud, with a sibling or loved one; or maybe just in my head — about why I am more important than other people around me, or why I should get what I want first? What do I want to to say to Jesus about that right now?

Can I hear Jesus saying to me, "Anyone who wants to be the first must be the very last. They must be the servant of everyone"? How do those words make me feel? Can I give Jesus those feelings right now?

And now, can I imagine being the child that Jesus calls into the room? Can I imagine being taken into his arms and welcomed? Just for a moment, I rest and let myself be held and loved by Jesus.

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

Welcome back to We Wonder: Lent. One of the first things Jesus said to his friends was "Follow me." We are near the end of the third week of Lent, and we have been following Jesus through the gospel of Mark. Yesterday, Jesus and his friends were on a mountaintop and heard God's voice speaking; today, they are back on the road, and what they find is a big mess. I wonder what is beginning to change?

📖 READ:

Mark 9:14-29

❔ WONDER:

In yesterday's story, Jesus and his three friends are on a mountaintop, and Jesus is shining brightly as he speaks with Moses and Elijah. We heard God's voice telling us Jesus is his Son. Now he has come down the mountain, but what is waiting at the bottom is a mess: a boy is being hurt by an evil spirit; the disciples can't heal him, and the crowd is getting angry. How does this change in the story make me feel? 

Earlier in Mark's story, people found it easy to believe in Jesus: they trusted that if they just touched his clothes, they would be healed. In this story, after the disciples fail to heal his son, the father isn't sure if Jesus can help. I wonder what has changed?

I wonder why the disciples couldn't help this boy? I wonder if following Jesus is getting harder as the story goes on?

What is happening to this boy is scary. Can I remember, as I hear this story, that Jesus has defeated the evil powers that want to hurt people, and that they cannot stand against him?

The boy's father is honest. He wants to believe Jesus can help his son, and he also knows he needs Jesus to help him hold on to that trust. Do I ever want to say those words to God, too: "I do believe: help my unbelief"? 

Jesus does help the man and his son. Can I believe that Jesus welcomes me when I want to trust him — even if I don't trust him perfectly, or all the way all the time?

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

Welcome back to We Wonder: Lent. One of the first things Jesus said to his friends was "Follow me." On this Thursday in the third week of Lent we are still following Jesus through the gospel of Mark. Today we are reading from Mark chapter 9. Jesus's friends are beginning to see who Jesus really is: God's chosen king. Today they — and we — will get to see him in a new and special way. 

📖 READ:

Mark 9:2-13

❔ WONDER:

Something very special is happening in this story. The disciples have been walking with Jesus, following him, and eating and talking and living with him every day. But now they get to see him in a new and different way. When I picture this scene, what do I see?

I wonder how it felt to be Peter, James, or John up on the mountain with Jesus? How might I have felt on the inside when Jesus is suddenly changed?  

Moses led God's people out of Israel and gave them God's laws. Elijah called God's people back to God over and over again. I wonder why these two men came to speak with Jesus on the mountainside? I wonder what they talked about?

How does the voice speaking out of the cloud sound to me? Is it loud or is it soft? Is it stern? Is it kind? Is it high, or deep? Can I imagine those words being spoken directly to me, right now: "This is my Son, and I love him. Listen to him!"

I wonder what it was like to walk back down the mountain with Jesus, now his ordinary self again? I wonder if anything was different for the disciples when they began traveling and following him again?

Elijah was a prophet who told the people of Israel to stop bowing down to idols, to turn around, and to worship God alone. I wonder how John the Baptist was like Elijah? 

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

Welcome back to We Wonder: Lent. One of the first things Jesus said to his friends was "Follow me." Throughout this season, we have been following Jesus through the gospel of Mark. Today we are in the very middle of Lent, and we are right in the middle of Mark's gospel. It is a very important moment in the book: will the disciples finally understand who Jesus is? And what will happen when he tells them what he has come to do? 

📖 READ:

Mark 8:27 - 9:1

❔ WONDER:

Now Jesus has taken his friends away from the seaside and away from the crowds, far up north on the side of a mountain near Caesarea Philippi. I wonder why he wanted to go away to a quieter place to have this conversation?

Can I imagine the scene, as they walk along? Jesus asks his friends what people are saying about him, and they share some of the things we've been hearing. Now he stops, and turns directly to them. I wonder how it felt, when Jesus looked right at his friends and asked them, "Who do *you* say that I am"?

The word "Messiah" means God's anointed, or chosen, king. I wonder what has helped Peter and the disciples to finally be able to see who Jesus really is? Can I believe, with them, that Jesus is the king God has sent into the world?

Israel already had a king: King Herod. And in Caesarea Philippi, there was a brand-new temple to the Roman Emperor, who ruled over Herod. I wonder if it was dangerous for Jesus to announce that he was the true king of Israel?

The Jews in Jesus's time believed that when Messiah came, he would finally rule over Israel and make everything right. The Messiah would fight God's enemies and win! I wonder what it was like for the disciples to hear Jesus say that instead, he would lose: he would be rejected and killed?

I wonder why Peter felt like he needed to scold Jesus? Did he think Jesus was wrong about God's kingdom and God's ways? I wonder what he said to Jesus?

When the Romans arrested criminals and sentenced them to death, they made the criminals carry the bar of the cross to the place where they would be nailed to it and die. I wonder what it was like for Jesus's friends to hear him say that following him means following along to the place where he will die? What is it like for me to hear that today?

Jesus tells his friends that the only way to save their lives is to lose them. I wonder what Jesus wants us to see about who God is, and how God works to save people? Can I ask Jesus to help me understand?

Jesus also says to his friends that some of them will live to see God's kingdom coming in all its power. It sounds like this kingdom might be different from what they're expecting, just like Jesus is a different kind of king. I wonder what they will see?

These are hard words today. Jesus's disciples have finally seen that he is God's king, but he is not doing or saying the kinds of things we expect a king to do. Is there anything I want to say to Jesus about the words I have heard today?

🙏🏾 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!

Welcome back to We Wonder: Lent. One of the first things Jesus said to his friends was "Follow me." On this Tuesday in the third week of Lent we are still following Jesus through the gospel of Mark. Yesterday, Jesus fed 4,000 hungry people; now he and his disciples have gotten back into their boat on the Sea of Galilee. And it seems like the disciples still don't really understand who Jesus is. 

📖 READ:

Mark 8:14-26 

❔ WONDER:

Do you know how yeast works? When I bake bread, I put a little bit of yeast into my dough. That small amount works its way through and causes the whole loaf to bubble up and rise. I wonder why Jesus warns his friends about the yeast of the Pharisees, and of Herod? Is he talking about actual bread? Or is he talking about something else?

The Pharisees were a group of religious Jews who were waiting and hoping for God to send a Messiah to save Israel. I wonder what ideas, or hopes, or dreams the Pharisees had? I wonder why Jesus warns his friends about them?

Jesus has been telling his disciples that God's kingdom is coming close, and he has been showing them what that kingdom is like with his miracles. I wonder why it is so hard for them to see and understand?

I wonder if I am ever like the disciples? Are there ever times when I see God's work, or hear God's words, but don't really understand? What do I want to say to Jesus about that?

Jesus tells his friends that they are like blind people: they have eyes, but they can't really see who he is or what he is doing. And then he heals a blind man, and helps him see clearly again. I wonder if Mark wants us to see that we need Jesus to help *us* to clearly see who he is?

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

Are there any words, or pictures, or moments from this story that I want to take with me and hold close?

🙏🏾 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!

Welcome back to We Wonder: Lent. One of the first things Jesus said to his friends was "Follow me." As we move into the third week of Lent, we will continue following Jesus through the gospel of Mark. Today we see that a large crowd has been following Jesus for three days, and they don't have anything to eat. If he sends them away, they might faint from hunger. But Jesus is moved deep inside to care for them. 

📖 READ:

Mark 8:1-13

❔ WONDER

I wonder why this large crowd has stayed with Jesus out in the countryside for three whole days, even though they didn't have anything to eat? What kept them there?

Can I imagine myself as one of the disciples in this story? We are out in the countryside, far away from a town or any place to buy food. The huge crowd is still with us, and they are all very hungry. — too hungry now to begin the long walk back to their homes. How would I feel if I were there? I wonder what I would say to Jesus?

Jesus looks at the crowd and he is moved deep inside with care for them. Can I imagine being in that crowd? Can I imagine Jesus feeling that deep care and love for me? 

Just a few chapters back, the disciples saw Jesus feed 5000 people with five loaves and two fish. But Mark tells us that "they didn't understand about the loaves." And now they can't imagine how they can feed this large crowd. The disciples still don't understand who Jesus is: I wonder why Mark keeps pointing that out?

I wonder why Jesus makes sure to have his disciples help pass out the food?

I wonder what it was like, to be a disciple and to be absolutely sure that I do not have enough bread to care for all these people? And then to see Jesus take what I have and make it grow so that everyone is fed?

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

Are there any words, or pictures, or moments from this story that I want to take with me and hold close?

🙏🏾 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!

Welcome back to We Wonder: Lent. Long ago, Jesus said to his friends, "Come: follow me." Today is Sunday in the third week of Lent, and we are following Jesus as he shows us with his words and actions that God's kingdom is coming close; it is almost here. Today we are in Mark chapter 7. After having a very public argument with the Pharisees and teachers of the law, Jesus leaves Galilee and goes north to be quiet for awhile. He is going to a place where the people are not Jewish, and maybe the crowds will not follow.

📖 READ:

Mark 7:24-37

❔ WONDER:

Jesus has been drawing a lot of attention with his miracles, his teaching, and his arguments with the Pharisees. Now Jesus has come north, to an area where non-Jewish, or Gentile, people lived, and he is staying indoors and out of sight. I wonder why he did not want people to know where he was? 

In those days, in that land, Jews and Gentiles called each other "dogs," and other names that weren't very nice. I wonder why this Gentile woman came to a Jewish teacher for help? I wonder why she believed Jesus could — and would — help her?

At first, when this woman asks for help, Jesus says no. He says that his work right now is with Israel — with Abraham's children — and not with Gentiles. How do I imagine his face and his voice when she answers him back, saying even dogs get the crumbs from the children's table?

Even though the little girl and her mother are Gentiles, they still get to taste Jesus's healing power. I wonder if the time is coming when everyone who comes to Jesus will be able to be a child at his table?

Can I imagine, for a moment, what it was like to be the man who could not hear or speak? He did not have hearing aids or sign language to help him connect with other people. He couldn't hear what his friends said to him, or share his thoughts and feelings with them. I wonder what it would feel be like to be cut off from everyone around me? 

Can I imagine the feeling of Jesus's fingers in my ears? I wonder what it was like to have them suddenly opened, and to have all the sounds of the world around me come rushing in? I wonder what were the first words that rolled off this man's tongue? What would I have said?

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

Are there any words, or pictures, or moments from this story that I want to take with me and hold close?

🙏🏾 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.

Welcome back to We Wonder: Lent. Long ago, Jesus said to his friends, "Come: follow me." Now that we are at the end of the second week of Lent, we are following him into Mark chapter 7. There is a little pause in the action, and we get to see Jesus have a conversation with some people who are challenging him.

📖 READ:

Mark 7:1-23

Our reading today is Mark chapter 7, verses 1 through 23.

❔ WONDER:

Jesus was Jewish, and the Jewish law in Moses's books gave very important rules about keeping clean and staying away from foods and other things that were unclean. These were the things that people had to do to come close to the Holy God. I wonder why Jesus does not seem very worried about these ways?

Jesus notices that the Pharisees sometimes use religious rules to break God's ways. For instance, some people said "all of my money is actually set aside for God," even when their parents needed their help — even though God says to honor our parents! Those people felt like they were serving God, but they ignored the people God called them to help. I wonder if there are ways that people today use religious rules to serve ourselves and avoid doing what God actually wants us to do?

The Pharisees believed that if you washed your hands in the right away, and ate the right foods, then you would be able to come close to the Holy God. But what if the things that come out of us — the things in our deepest hearts — are what need to be washed? I wonder how we could ever come close to God with unwashed hearts?

Do you remember when Jesus was baptized? He went under the water, and when he came up a loud voice from heaven said, "You are my child, and I love you." Can I trust, right now, that everyone who trusts Jesus is also joined in his baptism, washed from the inside out, and is God's beloved child?

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

Are there any words, or pictures, or moments from this story that I want to take with me and hold close?

🙏🏾 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!

Welcome back to We Wonder: Lent. Long ago, Jesus said to his friends, "Come: follow me." Now that we near the end of the second week of Lent, we are following Jesus through the end of Mark 6. Jesus and his friends have been working without resting: traveling, teaching, and feeding 5000 hungry people. Now it is night again, and they are heading back out onto the water.

📖 READ:

Mark 6:45-56

❔ WONDER:

I wonder how Jesus was feeling after he saw the disciples back onto the boat, and sent the crowd he had fed away? I wonder what he said to God when he went up on the mountainside to pray?

Can I imagine being one of the disciples, pulling hard at the oars and fighting with the wind and the water out in the boat? I wonder if their bodies and minds were tired and worn out in the dark as they tried to steer their boat?

Now can I imagine looking up, resting my aching arms, and suddenly seeing Jesus making his way towards me across the water? Can I imagine what that would have felt like?

How does Jesus's voice sound to me as he comes close and says, "Be brave. It is I. Don't be afraid"? 

As we've read through Mark, we've seen Jesus use his power to make nature safe and good for people: he calms dangerous wind and waves; he heals people from their sicknesses; and he makes food multiply so that everyone has enough to eat. I wonder why Mark included this story for us to read? I wonder what he wants us to see, and to believe, about Jesus?

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

Are there any words, or pictures, or moments from this story that I want to take with me and hold close?

🙏🏾 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!

**A quick note for parents & grownups:** Yesterday, we read Mark chapter 6, verses 1 through 13; today we are skipping ahead just a little bit to Mark 6, chapter 30. We're going to pass over the story of John the Baptist's death. It's an important part of Jesus's story, but it can also be scary for some of our younger listeners — especially when read aloud on its own. As your children's primary spiritual caregivers, I wanted to give you the freedom to discern how much your children are ready to hear. The important thing for readers of all ages to know is that King Herod puts John the Baptist in prison and has him killed, and Jesus must know that things are going to get dangerous for him, too. So we will watch him and see what he does: does he go home and stop preaching, or does he move into the danger, and keep doing God's work? 

And for those of you with older children, I'll put the reading and some wondering questions up on Instagram so you can read and talk about it together! 

📖 READ:

Mark 6:30-44

❔ WONDER:

I wonder how the disciples felt, as they gathered back with Jesus and told him about all they had done: the sick people they had healed, the words they had preached, and the evil spirits who had been driven away. Were they excited? Proud? Maybe tired and ready for a rest?

How does Jesus's face look to me, as I imagine him listening to his friends tell about all they have done in his name?

I wonder why Jesus wanted to take them to a quiet place where they could rest, instead of sending them right back out again?

Can I imagine the crowds making their way around the shores of the lake, chasing in the direction of the boat carrying Jesus and his disciples?

I wonder how the disciples felt, when their boat landed and instead of a quiet resting place they found a large crowd?

Can I imagine Jesus's face, as he looked at the large crowd that wanted so badly to see him?

I wonder why Jesus began to teach them right then, even though it was almost dinnertime, and his disciples were tired and hungry?

Jesus took the bread and fish his disciples had, gave thanks, broke it, and then passed it around. There was more than enough for everyone. Can I think of another time bread is broken, and passed around? I wonder how Jesus has enough, and is enough, to feed every person who comes to him?

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

Are there any words, or pictures, or moments from this story that I want to take with me and hold close?

🙏🏾 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!