Have you thanked the Father today for the grace He pours upon you?
Reading through the Gospel of Mark I can’t help to see the grace of Jesus. At the feeding of the five thousand in Mark 6 we see the disciples missed out on what Jesus did. I’m not sure how, but they did. Given a second chance we see the disciples once again miss out of Jesus’ work when He feeds the four thousand days later, “And Jesus, aware of this, *said to them, “…Do you not yet see or understand? Do you have a hardened heart? Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear?… “Do you not yet understand?”” Mark 8:17-19, 21
Unknowingly the disciples find themselves in the last week of Jesus’ life. Jesus tells them this night they will be made to stumble. Peter replies, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” (Mark 14:31). It’s not until the second crow of the rooster until Peter realizes he has denied Jesus even though he promised he wouldn’t. What does Jesus’ messenger say of Peter after His resurrection? “But go, tell His disciples and Peter…” (Mark 16:7). The “and Peter” is significant of the grace of the Lord.
How many times has the Father given us a second moment to see the splendor of His glory? How many times has He warned us of our shortcomings and yet given us a second chance when we’ve failed? How many times has He acknowledged us beyond our sin and shortcomings?
For me plenty! I’ve experienced His work through me and admittedly missed it at times. My life is a testimony of the grace and mercy of the Father. Have you recognized today how the Lord is working in your life? If not, stop and ask Him to make you aware of His hands upon your life. If you’ve missed it, ask Him for fresh forgiveness. But no matter what spend some time with Jesus and let Him show all He has done, is doing, and is going to do.
“Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will lay hold of me… I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.” Psalms 139:10, 14
- To Know Jesus. To Live on Mission.