Scripture Scribbles: December 10, 2023

the Gospel

Mark 1:1-8

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God.

As it is written in Isaiah the prophet:
Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you;
he will prepare your way.
A voice of one crying out in the desert:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight his paths.”
John the Baptist appeared in the desert
proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
People of the whole Judean countryside
and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem
were going out to him
and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River
as they acknowledged their sins.
John was clothed in camel’s hair,
with a leather belt around his waist.
He fed on locusts and wild honey.
And this is what he proclaimed:
“One mightier than I is coming after me.
I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals.
I have baptized you with water;
he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Be watchful! Be alert!
You do not know when the time will come.
It is like a man traveling abroad.
He leaves home and places his servants in charge,
each with his own work,
and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch.
Watch, therefore;
you do not know when the lord of the house is coming,
whether in the evening, or at midnight,
or at cockcrow, or in the morning.
May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping.
What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!’”

the devotion

“Silent night, holy night …,” sang the angels surrounding the manger. The singing became louder as I slowly approached baby Jesus. I stopped suddenly, afraid to move closer. Startled, I awoke, my heart pounding rapidly. I was not fit to even gaze upon His face. Twenty years after the dream, I’m still “not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of His sandals.”

“Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight His paths.” How? Remove all the obstacles (sin and unhealthy attachments) that stand in the way of the Holy Spirit reaching my heart. I become too impacted by the words and actions of others, developing a hardness of heart when hurt, paralyzed by fear of getting hurt again. Confession has been instrumental in breaking these types of seemingly insurmountable barriers. I needed supernatural grace to heal, help me surrender control, and provide strength to let go of everything blocking my relationship pathway to Him.

I was desperately trying to grasp and hold on to anyone and everything that could give me comfort, love, affirmation, and security and failing to see the only one who could provide an unconditional, consistent, and forever love. He is always available to listen and spend time with me. He patiently waits with His hand outstretched, His heart open. I can trust Him because He is perfect love, which is all I really need. Let us prepare our hearts and allow Him a path to love us so that we can in turn love others.

Today’s devotion is written by Karen Molvar