Sunday, December 14, 2025
Scripture Readings
- Primary Reading: Mark 10-12
- Secondary Reading: Psalms 144
Key Verse
Mark 11:13 — “And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.”
Devotional Thought
Jesus is on the road to Jerusalem, and Mark shows us a Savior who teaches as He travels. In Mark 10, the Pharisees test Him on divorce, and He lifts them past Moses’ concession to God’s original design: “What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” Then He welcomes little children when the disciples try to shoo them away, taking them up in His arms and blessing them. A rich young ruler kneels and asks about eternal life, but goes away grieved, for he has great possessions. Blind Bartimaeus cries out by the roadside in Jericho, and Jesus stands still and calls him. In Mark 11, He enters Jerusalem on a borrowed colt while crowds spread garments and branches, crying “Hosanna.” He cleanses the temple, cursing the fig tree that bore leaves but no fruit, and teaches His disciples to pray believing and to forgive. In Mark 12, He tells the parable of the vineyard, where the husbandmen kill even the beloved son, and He answers the Herodians and Sadducees with wisdom that silences them.
Notice how much of this chapter is about emptying ourselves. James and John want the seats of honor, and Jesus answers, “Whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” The rich man could not part with his wealth; Bartimaeus, who had nothing, cast away his garment and came to Jesus. The widow in chapter 12 puts in two mites, and Jesus says she gave more than all. The kingdom keeps turning our arithmetic upside down: “Many that are first shall be last; and the last first.”
This is the Advent road. We are walking toward Bethlehem, and Mark points us toward a cross. The One who comes in the name of the Lord comes as a servant, a ransom, a rejected stone that becomes the head of the corner. In this season of waiting, we are not merely preparing a cradle; we are preparing hearts that can receive a King who washes feet and gives His life. The child in the manger is the Son sent last to the vineyard, whom the husbandmen killed and cast out. Yet “this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes.”
Psalm 144 sings alongside: “Blessed be the LORD my strength… My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer.” David asks, “LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him!” That is the wonder of Christmas—God takes knowledge of us. He bows the heavens and comes down. And happy is that people whose God is the LORD.
Reflection
- The rich young ruler kept every commandment but could not release his possessions; Bartimaeus threw away his cloak to come to Jesus. What is the one thing you are still clutching that keeps you from following Him wholeheartedly?
- Jesus said the greatest must be servant of all, and He Himself came “to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Where is God calling you this Advent to lay down your claim to honor and take up the towel instead?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, blessed be Thy name, for Thou art our strength, our fortress, and our deliverer. Thou didst come not to be ministered unto but to minister, and to give Thy life a ransom for many. As we walk this Advent road toward Bethlehem and toward the cross, teach us to receive Thy kingdom as a little child, to cast away every garment of self-trust as Bartimaeus did, and to follow Thee in the way. Forgive us where we have gone away grieved, loving our possessions more than Thee. Open our blind eyes, Lord, that we might see Thy beauty and cry out with the crowds, “Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.” Make us servants of all, and let our hearts be found waiting and believing when Thou comest. Amen.
Psalm Verse
Psalms 144:1 — “Blessed be the LORD my strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:”