Lenten Devotion – Day 7
February 25, 2026 by admin
Lenten Devotion – Day 7
Feb 25, 2026
“Whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and shouted, ‘You are the Son of God!’ But he sternly ordered them not to make him known.” — Mark 3:11-12
(Please read the scripture passage before moving on to the devotional: Mark 3:7-19)
Two types of people appear in today’s text. First, there are those who gathered after hearing about “what Jesus had done.” They came from Galilee, Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, beyond the Jordan, and the region around Tyre and Sidon. Imagine the scene where people from all these various places crowded in, pushing against one another just to “touch” Jesus. It was because of this that Jesus had to prepare a small boat to escape the crush of the crowd.
On the other hand, the second section introduces the people Jesus called because He wanted them. These are the ones who were called disciples and, later, apostles. Among them, there may have been some who had longed for and wanted to follow Jesus even before He called them. However, the focus of the text is the fact that Jesus “called” them. They were given the mission to preach the gospel and the authority to cast out demons. Can you feel the contrast and tension between Jesus retreating from the crowds and Jesus calling these specific individuals?
The text calls out the names of the twelve disciples. While reflecting on the individual stories and personalities of these men is a good resource, let us remember that He called a diverse group of people according to His will. Our diversity itself is a testimony to His sovereign work regarding the “divine calling.” When we are invited into faith in Christ and when we live out the mission He has given us, our choices and contributions are simply responses to His calling. Remember the fact that He called us. Let us be thankful for His call, and let us live worthily of that calling.
Prayer
Our long-time friend, Mrs. Catherine Minks, has lived in a retirement community in Richmond for a little less than three years. Her daughter, Cathy Holden, has shared that Catherine has been in hospice care since late last year. Let us lift up Catherine and Cathy before the Lord. Let us give thanks that God was pleased with Catherine’s life, and pray that the good fragrance of Christ would fill her family through the remainder of her journey.