The illustration of “salt” is such a good one. In verse 50 Jesus says, “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other.” We are to give flavor to the world and give it purpose. Sometime as Christians we believe we are supposed to be separate from all that goes on in the world. The truth is we are here to take part in the world and bring purpose to our human existence. We should never approach our lives here on earth with worry or fear, but with boldness in knowing we reflect the hope of Christ.
2012 Day 46 – Mark 9
15 Wednesday Feb 2012
Posted in Daily Reading
Daily Devotion 
I love Mark’s account of this because we get details the other guys don’t mention. In all the other accounts, I was left wondering why the disciples couldn’t cast out the demon. In Mark’s account, Jesus says, “There is no way to get rid of this kind of demon except by prayer.” I have no idea what the disciples were doing (I’m scared to know what they were trying!), but obviously not prayer. Nothing really earth shattering, but just some clarification for me.:)
When the man comes to Jesus asking for help for his son, he says, “If you can help me…” Jesus responds, “If?! There are no ‘ifs’ among believers. Anything can happen.” Boy, did that convict me. When I read those words, I felt a little sucker punch to the gut. How often do I say ‘if’? Sometimes it comes out of our culture of not wanting to be assuming, of not wanting to request too much of someone (especially in the south) or it comes out of not really being sure if that person can accomplish it. But Jesus is saying, just ask. An “if” provides a caveat. It gives you a way out of giving the credit to him. It gives the world a way out of giving him the credit. It is also a complete lack of faith in his abilities. He can do anything. Anything. Adding “if” takes away that “anything” part. It kinds of goes along with the whole, let your yes be yes and your no be no. State what you want. State what you mean. Don’t beat around the bush. Don’t be passive. Don’t be codependent. Say what you mean. It’s safe to do that with him. Hmmm…it’s safe to do that with him. Just made me think that sometimes we are hesitant to be honest with him because we don’t think he’s safe to be honest with. Our view of him is so often skewed by our relationship with either a parent or other influential person in our life. People aren’t safe, even when they are trying their darndest. We screw up. We let each other down. But Jesus is saying, “But I’m safe. Bring your desires, needs, wants etc…to me. I’m safe.”