Mark 8:11-13 Jesus sighs
Format for Your Devotions
Instructions: Do not read my example devotion until you have completed your own devotional time in the scriptures. Reading my thoughts first may limit your own understanding. Let the Holy Spirit speak to you alone before looking to see what anyone else has to say, whether it is me, a Bible commentary, or a friend. Let God speak to you before you let another person speak to you. I have provided a format, but modify it to fit your needs. For example, I usually combine my application and prayer together talking to God about the application to my own life. You can go through this devotion process mentally, speaking out loud, or in writing as you wish. Don’t worry if you are not following this process exactly. Sometimes, I add extra information and sometimes I emphasize one part more than others. However, you should always think about what you learn about God from this passage.
Step 1: Pray–Ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance first of all and that God may reveal the lessons that He wants you to have that day. Request that God protect you from Satan’s distractions (and the devil will try to distract you whether it is pinching the baby or putting you to sleep). Ask to see God more clearly as you read and think about the passage.
Step 2: Read the passage–Read to get an overview of the information first. Then start looking at specific parts after the first reading. You may read a larger or smaller section than I have here because you do not have to follow my organization at all.
Step 3: Understand the passage–You can summarize, ask and answer your own questions about the passage, visualize the story, analyze the characters, and relate this passage to other scriptures and personal experiences.
Step 4: What does this reveal about God?–What do you learn about the Father, Son, and/or Holy Spirit from this passage?
Step 5: Apply this to your own life.
Step 6: Prayer
My Example Devotion: February 13, 2018, Mark 8:11-13
Note: In the devotion examples, I leave my questions and thought processes in the text because I am trying to demonstrate that a devotional time is a dialogue with God about what you are reading from His word. As such, any questions or ideas that you have should be explored by talking it out with God. These example devotions are not my attempts to teach you what the meaning of a particular scripture is. They are an attempt to teach you the process of devotions, which is a combination of prayer and Bible study where you explore ideas with God as you read His word.
The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” And he left them, got into the boat again, and went to the other side.
(Understanding the Text) They were on the side of the lake near Magdala. They had just come from the Gentile area after feeding the 4,000. Jesus had already performed many miracles and shown His wisdom of the scriptures. The Pharisees did not accept the miracles and wanted another sign from heaven. One commentator expressed the belief that they wanted some sign in the sky like when Elijah called fire down from heaven.
(Revelation of God) I wonder what it sounds like to sigh deeply in your spirit. I understand what it means. It is God looking at us and wondering what more He could do to reach us. It is His sorrow over our hardheadedness that won’t let us give in and live. Instead, we choose to die rather than admit we are wrong. It is God’s yearning to give when we will not accept.
Jesus’ comment implies that other generations will be given signs. The irony is that that generation did receive signs which they rejected. Jesus was telling them that He would not jump through hoops for them since it would accomplish nothing. The wonder is that God is willing to jump through hoops for us if it will bring us back to Him. He condescends to abase Himself for us all the time while we in our arrogance won’t bend our stiff necks to even look at Him.
(Understanding the Text) Then Jesus left, got on his boat again, and went to the other side of the lake.
(Application / Prayer) Humans are greedy always taking from others and then expecting more. Sin and self makes us bottomless pits who are never filled. We grasp this and that as our own, jealously defending it while trampling on the real treasure that is in front of us. This is true in both the physical and emotional world. It is true of ideas and beliefs also. It is true of familiar lifestyles that we cling to rather than following God to something new and better. I pray that I will not cling to my cherished ideas and familiar securities. I pray that I will follow You wherever You lead.