Surrender: A devotional on desperation, humility, and giving over

 He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.” — Mark 4:26-29 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, In this Parable of the Growing Seed, I see myself twice. First, as the man scattering seed on the ground. What stands out to me is that the Kingdom of God is like scattering seed. Why isn't it like the gardening I do where I carefully plant seeds one by one in neat rows precisely one inch below the surface? It's scattering. Scattering sounds messy. Scattering seems to lack precision. Scattering doesn't appear effective. I think the answer lies in the next part. Because I also see myself in the soil. The soil has to be right to receive the...

“No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. Otherwise, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins.”  — Mark 2:21-22 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, In your day, pouring new wine into old wineskins was commonly understood to be a big mistake. Liquids were stored in vessels from sewn together animal skins. When wine was poured in, the fermentation process would release gasses and cause the wineskin to expand. A new wineskin was pliable and able to expand with the wine. But as wineskins aged over time, often left out in the hot desert sun, they would become dry and brittle. Now, no longer able to contain new wine, they would burst under the pressure of new wine expanding within them. Leather tanners had a process of restoring old wineskins to make them new a...

 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ — Matthew 25:1-6 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, Your parable of the ten virgins reminds me to stay awake, stay alert, and to "keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour" of the bridegroom's return (vs. 13). Five virgins were wise and kept their lamps full and their wicks trimmed. The five foolish virgins ran out of oil and as they went to buy more, they missed the bridegroom's arrival. What's interesting is that all of them became drowsy and fell asleep—both the wise and the foolish...

 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to." — Matthew 23:13 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, Your stern rebuke to the teachers of the law and the Pharisees was stinging! They didn't merely make it hard to enter the kingdom of heaven, they actively kept people out. They were shutting the door in people's faces. And they themselves weren't even entering the door. They kept the door shut and kept hungry and hurting people shut out. Lord, how many in our community are trying the doors to your kingdom and finding them locked? Who is getting shut out of your kingdom because we didn't hold the door open behind us? It brings to mind the common courtesy of holding the door open for the person entering behind you. For many of us, we live life with a lack of consideration for the people following after...

  Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone — Matthew 14:22-23 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, Your cousin John had been beheaded. News of his horrific death reached you and when it did, you "withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place" (vs. 13). But the crowds found you and as your boat landed, you immediately began ministering to them. When evening approached, the disciples came encouraging you to send them away to get food. In short, the miraculous feeding of 5000 came next. And then finally, after putting the disciples into a boat and sending them to the other side of the lake, you were able to get alone to pray, to finally grieve, and to be with the Father. You must have been exhausted. Rarely do the needs of the flock take a backseat to our own grief and need...

 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” — Matthew 9:35-38 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, When you saw the crowds in your community, you saw what I see today. You saw people who are harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. When I read verse 36 in multiple translations, I get a vivid and disturbing picture of these people. They are faint, scattered, distressed, dispirited, bewildered, dejected, troubled, tossed aside, miserable, harried, confused, cast away, worried, weary, worn-out, downcast, discouraged, aimless, abandoned, hurting, and heart-broken....

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” — Matthew 4:4 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, Your reply to the tempter is a significant reminder to me today. I am not sustained by just food for my body. I am sustained by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. These words were spoken by Moses to the nation of Israel reminding them that God had led them for forty years in the desert, humbling them and causing them to hunger. God fed them with manna—supernatural bread from Heaven—to teach them that "man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord." (Deut. 8:3). When I am consistently reading, meditating upon, and journaling your Word, I am stronger, healthier, steadier, and satisfied. When I prioritize this time in the morning with you, I am confident my day will be incomparably better than if I had gone without. Time in your Word is essential ...

 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” — John 20:19-23 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, It's Sunday night. There are reports from Mary Magdalene, Peter, and John, that the tomb is empty and that you have been seen alive. But here are the disciples reacting to fear by locking themselves inside, afraid that the Jewish leaders are coming for them next. In the midst of their fear, you show up and announce, "Peace be with you!" Showing your hands a...

 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. — John 12:46  Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, You are the Light of the World. You came into this world as a light to illuminate our lives and to shine upon our path back to the Father. In you there is no darkness. Because where there is your light, all darkness has to flee. Although we live in a world that has been overcome by darkness, your light has come into this world and the darkness has not overcome you! As I believe in you, I no longer stay in that darkness. Even when all I feel is darkness, your light is with me. Darkness no longer has a hold on me as long as I am in your light. Your light is more powerful than any darkness I'll encounter. Your light is brighter than even the noon day sun. And in your light, I am free from this darkness. Gracious Lord Jesus, today I choose to walk out of the darkness and into Your glorious light. I choose to rest in the illumi...

 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. — Luke 23:46 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, Your final words from the cross, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." As your cry faded, a new reality had begun. Humanity's sin had been dealt its final blow. This moment was punctuated by the curtain of the Temple being torn in two from top to bottom, indicating that God had done the tearing. There was no longer any separation between God and man. The earth shook and the rocks split. The sun stopped shining as darkness shrouded the whole land. Nature itself was shaken by the death of the Son of God. The Roman centurion watching what had happened, and those with him, praised God and said, "Surely he was the Son of God." And in that moment, your spirit left to join the Father. Your body now hung lifeless, bloodied, shredded by the scourging, lacerated by the cat-o-nine ta...

 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. — Luke 23:34 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, Your first words from the cross were, "Father, forgive them." As you willingly laid down your life and allowed Roman soldiers to nail your wrists and your feet to the rough timbers of your cross, you cried, "Father, forgive them." As rulers and onlookers mocked and jeered shouting, "He saved others, let him save himself!", you said, "Father, forgive them." As soldiers gambled for your clothing and sneered saying, "If you're the King of the Jews, save yourself," you breathed out, "Father, forgive them." Forgiveness was overflowing from your breaking heart toward a people who were wickedly callous yet deeply confused. "For they do not know what they are doing." How could they? They had no idea that the sinless Son of God was paying t...

 On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” — John 7:37-38 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, There's a spiritual thirst every human possesses. For some, we seek to slake our thirst. For others, they seek to suppress their thirst. Your word to any who will listen is that only you will fully satisfy our thirst. Anyone who is thirsty and comes to you will drink deeply. You said to the Samaritan woman (John 4:14) that whoever drinks the water you give them will never thirst again. In fact, we would become our own springs of water! Whoever believes in you will have rivers of living water flowing from within them—the Holy Spirit. And this spring of water welling up inside of us will well up to eternal life. Lord, there are times when I become dry and thirsty again. Those times typically come ...

 The royal official said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” “Go,” Jesus replied, “your son will live.” The man took Jesus at his word and departed. — John 4:49-50 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, This morning I received a message from a missionary friend of ours in Cologne, Germany. He had a dream about us and rarely remembers his dreams, so he figured this one was significant. And it was. Very relevant and deeply significant. I am amazed at the lengths you will go to share and confirm your word. You are speaking to my friend 5,000 miles away to help me take you at your word right here. The royal official didn't need multiple confirmations. He took you at your word the moment you spoke it. In fact, his son was healed at the exact time at which you said, "Your son will live." (vs. 53). Thank you for your patience with me and for giving me confirmation for the word you have already spoken. However, help me become one who hears your word, takes it, believes i...

 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”  — Luke 19:37-40 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, It's Palm Sunday, the day you entered Jerusalem riding upon a donkey amid shouts of "Hosanna!". Palm branches waving, coats laid on the ground before you. The whole crowd of disciples with you and waiting for you began joyfully praising God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen. For three years, they had witnessed signs and wonders, miracles and healings. The Kingdom of God was breaking through and their long-awaited Messiah had come. They had waited a lifetime to se...

 “But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” — Luke 14:10-11 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, What does taking the lowest place look like? Many times I think I'm taking the lowest place by putting myself down or diminishing who I am. That's false humility. And when I use false humility, I'm hoping for someone else to build me up. It's pride looking for strokes. Taking the lowest place isn't thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less.  When I have set expectations on how I should be addressed, treated, or welcomed, I'm already looking for a seat in the better place. When I take the lowest place, I'm reminding myself of my humble state. When I take the lowest place, I rememb...

 "As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built." — Luke 6:47-48 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, The person who comes to you, hears your words and puts them into practice is someone who is living deeper than a surface-level faith. This person is one who is willing to do the challenging work of digging down deep. Deeply digging into their own soul to remove layers of sediment and stoney ground in order to lay a foundation of your Word. Excavating one's heart can be grueling. It's easier to just build on the surface. Throw up a hastily built stick frame house and move on in. It's got four walls and a roof and it looks as good as anyone else's house. But when the raging waters of life rush in, as t...

 “For no word from God will ever fail.” “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. — Luke 1:37-38 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, "No word from God will ever fail." Wow. What a statement. That's pretty definitive. Without exception. If God said it, it's going to be done. The Phillips translation renders the verse this way, "For no promise of God can fail to be fulfilled." And many translations say, "For nothing will be impossible with God." If God has made a declarative statement of intent, it cannot fail to be fulfilled. As impossible as it may seem, with God nothing is impossible. Lord, you have said some things to me in the distant past that have seemed impossible. You have indicated some things to me recently that certainly seem improbable. Yet, I want my response to be just like Mary's, "May your word to me be fulfilled." I don't need to fully understand ...

 But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” — Mark 14:61-62 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, There are times when, like the high priest, I accuse you and demand answers. Usually it's when I think I deserve an answer, when my perception is that you aren't meeting my demands, and when, like a petulant child, I'm dissatisfied with how you are leading my life. In those moments, you often remain silent and give me no answer. The high priest pressed you further asking, "Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?" Your answer was simply, "I am." That made me stop cold today. When I am demanding answers and asking repeated questions, you break your silence by saying definitively and simply, "I AM." "Before you wer...

 Jesus replied, “Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?" — Mark 12:24 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, The Sadducees came to you with a question that exposed their unbelief in the resurrection. Their error was rooted in not knowing Scripture and not understanding God's power. "When we don't know the Scriptures, we don't have an anchor for truth and belief. When we don't know the power of God, we doubt God's ability to actually do what He has promised in the Scriptures." (David Guzik) Your Word is my anchor. Your Word is where I find what is true and where I secure my belief. Your power is the evidence that your Word is true (Hebrews 4:12). Lord, I want your Word and your power evident in my life. I want to be one who correctly understands and handles your Word (2 Tim. 2:15), who puts it into practice and does what it says (James 1:23-24), and who allows your Word to penetrate my heart, judge my thou...

 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” — Mark 11:22-24 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, The object of my faith when I am praying about a seemingly impossible difficulty is God.  My faith is placed specifically outside of me and into the immutable, eternal, omnipotent One. Once I have placed what I have heard from God into His hands in faith, I am to believe that it will happen as He has said. It will be done.  I need not know how or when. I am only to believe without doubt that what God has declared will happen.  I am to continue asking in prayer, believing I have received it, knowing it will be done. This isn't a name-it-and-claim-it proposition. This is abo...

 But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” — Mark 8:33 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, In one moment, Peter is professing the truth that you are the Messiah. In the next, he is being used by Satan to dissuade you from going to the cross. Peter likely thought he was hearing from God when he rebuked you, but he was overconfident in his ability to discern God's will. His response was inconsistent with what Scripture foretold. And his mind couldn't wrap around a suffering servant instead of a victorious king. He had his view of what he wanted to have happen rather than God's view. His human concerns motivated his disbelief in you going to the cross. Lord, it is so easy to default to my human concerns and lose sight of the concerns of God. When I sense that God might want to do something miraculous through me, my unbelief can lead me t...

 While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?” Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” — Mark 5:35-36 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, I know that you bring the dead back to life. You touch the physically dead and they return to life. You breathe into the spiritually dead and they come alive. You speak to dead dreams and restore my vision. You point at the impossible and say, "Don't be afraid; just believe." Yesterday, I looked at something seemingly impossible, or perhaps highly improbable. The magnitude, the risk, and the cost of this improbable project is immense. Therefore it is easy to walk away from it and say, "That's too much." But, something is nagging at me wondering, "What if?" What if you have a different opinion? Jairus wondered, "what if?" His daughter was si...

"That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was." — Mark 1:32-34 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, When the sun goes down and the priorities of our day are done, when darkness creeps in, it seems that is when our frailty and our sin-sickness is most evident. Our self-led energy wanes and we come to the end of ourselves. On this particular evening, the whole town gathered at your door, bringing all the sick and demon-possessed. No longer content with life lived under the crushing weight of sin, sickness, and spiritual oppression, they came to you. A whole town gathered and many were healed. Many demons were driven out. And it would seem many people went home healthy, whole, and free. Lord, what could you do in my town if the whole of it gathered a...