Saturday 15th January

Hebrews 4:12ff. God’s word is a two-edged sword, penetrating soul and spirit; our compassionate high priest sympathises with our weakness. Mark 2:13ff. Jesus calls a tax collector to join him as a disciple, and then proceeds to dine with Matthew/Levi and his friends. Both by word and action he calls sinners, not the self-righteous. Qualities…

Friday 14th January

Hebrews 4:1ff. Through obedient faith, directed especially towards Jesus, we enter into our “rest” – a state of fulfilment that echoes God’s celebration of creation, on the seventh day. Mark 2:1ff. A crowd gathers round Jesus, at his lakeside home in Capernaum; he heals a paralytic after first forgiving his sins. Getting the balance right…

Thursday 13th January

Hebrews 3:7ff. Our hearts are to be open, with confidence towards God today, not hardened, doubting and complaining. Mark 1:40ff. Jesus touches and cures the leper; the man ignores his instructions and proceeds to tell everyone about it. Discerning true from false religiosity The Scripture today invites us to evaluate our reliance on externals, whether…