Verse of the Day – Mark 3:14

He appointed twelve — designating them apostles — that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.

—Mark 3:14

Thoughts on Today’s Verse…

While there are many intriguing and fascinating thoughts in this sentence, the one phrase that touches my heart is this one: “… that they might be with him ….” This reminds me of that great passage: “[The leaders of the Sanhedrin] recognized that [Peter and John, his apostles,] had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13). Now I know that we can’t “be with” Jesus in quite the same way the twelve apostles were. However, we do have the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) that tell his story and invite us to follow Jesus, too. As we pursue Jesus, we have the Holy Spirit transforming us to become like him (2 Corinthians 3:18). So, when was the last time you sat down and read one straight through? When was the last time you read a Gospel and asked Jesus to make himself and his will known to you? Why not spend some time with Jesus this week? (Here is a link to the Gospel reading plan.) Who knows, maybe someone around you will recognize that you have been with Jesus!

My Prayer…

Holy Father, thank you for the Scriptures. Thank you, especially for the Gospels that tell the story of your Son. Please forgive me for not spending more time getting to know him better. As I recommit myself to seek your Son, please bless me with a genuine sense of his presence and a more obvious knowledge of his will, love, character, righteousness, and compassion. O, Father, I want others to recognize that I have been with Jesus! In his name, I ask for this grace. Amen.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today’s Verse are written by Phil Ware. You can email questions or comments to phil@verseoftheday.com.

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