Sometimes you read a scripture and it just jumps off the page and hits you between the eyes. I’ve been working my way through the book of Mark. Throughout the first 7 chapters Jesus has worked all kinds of miracles, and then in chapter 8 the Pharisees confront Jesus, revealing their hypocrisy and hardened hearts. How does Jesus respond? “He sighed deeply in his spirit” (Mark 8:12). Can you picture that happening? “He sighed deeply in his spirit.”
Now there are two different kinds of sighs; there is the one that is a positive expression of relaxed relief. But I sense that this sigh is the other kind, the one filled with a weary, tired, touch of disappointment, boardering on discouragement.
Hmmm? Do my actions ever bring out that kind of response from Jesus?
Lord, may I never cause you to sigh with deep disappointment. May the things I do and say today bring you a smile, not a sigh.
Posted on
Thu, April 2, 2009
by Chris Spitters