Monday November 13, 2023

Today is Monday, November 13 and we are studying what the Bible says about confession.

As a new day dawns, I come to a quiet place and seek the God who knows me, sees me and loves me. I pause and center my heart, I breathe and focus my soul, I relax and still my mind.

Pause and Pray

Blessed and holy Lord, I have come here to receive a word of life from you. Open my ears. Speak to my heart and give me understanding. Reveal my sin and expose my transgressions so I can make a good confession. Amen.

I cry out and seek the Lord my God with the ancient words of Psalm 38.

LORD, I wait for you; you will answer, Lord my God. For I said, “Do not let them gloat or exalt themselves over me when my feet slip.” For I am about to fall, and my pain is ever with me. I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin. Psalm 38:15-18

Pause and Pray

When John the Baptist appeared going around the Judean countryside west of the Jordan River, many quickly realized that he was the messenger promised by God to reveal the long-awaited Messiah. John pointed the way to one more powerful than himself. The worthy One who will come after him. John appeared in the wilderness preaching a message of repentance. His testimony made a way through the confusing and troubling wilderness of sin so people could find the salvation of Jesus the Messiah.

And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. Mark 1:4-6

In the beginning of Mark’s Gospel, God revealed Jesus in a dramatic way. Mark chapter one is an announcement of who Jesus is and an invitation to know him intimately. I am invited to discover nuggets of truth about Christ that will reveal him in a new manner and open a new way for me to experience him. Jesus was baptized with water so that his true identity would be revealed. His baptism identified Jesus with humanity. His baptism bound him closely with sinful human nature. Jesus is the sacrificial Lamb who will take away the sins of the world. Even my sin.

Ask: What is my recollection of my own Baptism? How is my Baptism connected to the Baptism of Jesus and the forgiveness of my sins?

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus, I come to the lakeshore yearning for the cleansing grace of cool baptismal waters. I confess my sin and repent of any evil thoughts, motives or behaviors. Forgive me my trespasses and give me a new beginning. Show me the way through the wilderness of this world, sanctify me in your love and lead me to live the good life you have for me. I read the words from Mark again and listen for the message you have for me.

And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. Mark 1:4-6

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

God endeavors to speak to me through the words of Holy Scripture and I am learning to listen. I consider how today’s passage informs my current circumstances. Perhaps God wants me to remember by Baptism and be thankful. Maybe the words of scripture help me recognize sins that need to be confessed or habits of which I need to repent. I turn away from any wrongdoing and confess my sin to Christ. I am confident of his great love and know that in the name of Jesus I am forgiven. His blood was shed on the cross for me and I am set free from the hold sin has over me.

Pause and Pray

Come, Lord Jesus, I welcome you to examine the deepest recesses of my soul. Shine your light on my heart and reveal any wrong motivations or negative desires. Hear my confession of failures, regrets and shortcomings. Remind me that you are the One who forgives the sinful, heals the broken and restores the lost. Precious Lamb of God, take away my sin. Amen.

“I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.” This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing. The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:26-29

I leave this time of prayer knowing I am forgiven by Jesus Christ the Lamb of God. I go to proclaim his love and grace to a broken world.

Amen