Reading Plan for Jan. 8 - 14
January 8, 2026 | Mark 2:13-17
Reflection:
With whom would Jesus have to eat to offend you? This question places you on the outside of the scene, like the Pharisees. Maybe you’re one of the “sinners” with whom Jesus eats. What do you think of Jesus choosing to spend time with you, even at the risk of getting himself in trouble with the religious authorities? Take note: a tax collector in those days was someone who collaborated with Rome to extort money from local people. They often took advantage of their position to defraud and impoverish people. This is why they were most despised. Whom would Jesus have to sit with to truly offend you? Remember, there is always potential for transformation when Jesus shows up.
January 9, 2026 | Mark 2:18-22
Reflection:
Notice that, in the midst of Jesus’ growing popularity, he faced constant criticism. We are only in chapter 2, but we see the rising opposition from every corner. We also see Jesus’ classic response: he tells his detractors a parable…or two. Jesus knows that direct answers could be picked apart. So, he gets them thinking. His parables probably didn’t satisfy his opponents; indeed, they probably annoyed them even more. Notice how parables open up interpretation, even as they proclaim good news.
January 10, 2026 | Mark 2:23-28
Reflection:
What laws would Jesus have to question to make you uncomfortable? Jesus’ questioning of the sabbath laws put him at odds with God, in the eyes of the law-keepers. Jesus calls them to remember that the laws were made to show compassion for human beings, not to imprison people in strict observance. This got Jesus in trouble, big time. Can you think of a law that you think inviolable, that if Jesus questioned it, you might question what Jesus is up to?
January 11, 2026 | Mark 3:1-12
Reflection:
Again, we see Jesus getting himself in trouble…for healing. He’s doing the very thing he came into the world to do, and yet he faces opposition from all sides. Why do you think that healing is so threatening to the status quo? And how tricky is it that the unclean spirits know who Jesus is? At some point, religious folks are going to be saying, “Who is this that the demons obey him?”
January 12, 2026 | Mark 3:13-19
Reflection:
Who are these disciples that are appointed “apostles” (those who are “sent”)? Is there something special about them? History puts a lot of weight on these figures, calling them “saints.” It appears that they were pretty human, frail, and often inept. They certainly weren’t “saints” when Jesus called them. Maybe they were the “grittiest” of his disciples, meaning that they had “grit” to get the job done. One of them eventually betrays Jesus. These folks’ resumes were most likely headed by “human - but give ‘em a chance to answer the call.” What qualifications do you have to be “sent” into the world in Jesus’ name?
January 13, 2026 | Mark 3:20-30
Reflection:
And now the question arises, that if Jesus has authority over demons, maybe his authority comes from the chief demon. The people around Jesus were no different from people in any other generation. Anything that questions the status quo disturbs them, and they lash out to try to defame what they don’t understand. Jesus reminds folks in every generation that God’s generous grace is far-reaching. People can be forgiven anything, except blaspheming the Holy Spirit. To this day, we’re not sure what this means. But the Holy Spirit, we know, becomes a major part of the Christian movement. Maybe this all means, “Don’t question the new gracious thing God is doing!”
January 14, 2026 | Mark 3:31-35
Reflection:
For nearly 2000 years, Christians have venerated the mother of Jesus, some thinking of her as sharing in Jesus’ saving role. In this passage, we see Jesus a bit dismissive of his mother and his brothers. Jesus seems to say, “What God is up to is so new, if you’re not paying attention, you’re really going to miss it. Whoever is part of this new thing God is doing is my sibling. Pay attention!”