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When God Lets It Rip (Just Might Surprise You)

by | 72 comments

It’s here! It’s here!

I feel like a child on Christmas morning…though it’s Lent morning.

Perhaps I should take a more somber tone.

But for me, one of the most transformative seasons of the year is here.

Today is Valentine’s Day, Ash Wednesday, and the beginning of Lent all wrapped into one. This marks a powerful season in the church calendar, one in which we ready our hearts for the coming resurrection.

You’re invited to join me and thousands of others in reading through the Gospel of Mark over the next 40 days.

This simple commitment requires reading less than one-half chapter each day, but if you dive in, you dive in, you’ll find your life transformed…

Mark’s Gospel spends no time describing Jesus’ birth, childhood, genealogical inheritance. He rushes straight into the action without a moment to spare. He uses the word euthus, meaning “immediately, directly, straightaway, at once” 11 times in chapter 1 alone.

Bonus challenge: Star each occurrence of these words as you read along in your Remarkable workbook.

Like a movie whose opening scene launches straight into the car chase, the curtain peels back and we’re greeted with a strange, camel-covered fellow named John the Baptizer who proceeds to proclaim a coming Messiah. Without skipping a beat, the Messiah himself enters the act and John baptizes him.

“Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’” –Mark 1:10-11

The Greek word, schizomenous, meaning “to tear open, cleave, split, rent asunder” is used only one other time in Mark’s Gospel—at Christ’s death.

Mark 15:38 describes the veil between heaven and earth being ripped open. This symbol would remind the Jewish audience of the curtain inside the temple that kept man from God being rent from top to bottom.

It’s interesting to note that Matthew and Luke tame their language when they retell Jesus’ baptism. Rather than use the word meaning “to tear open,” they use a more passive approach of “was opened” (Matthew 3:16, Luke 3:21).

Mark’s use of the violent, jolting word meaning “tear open” indicates an important truth.

At Christ’s baptism and at Christ’s death, heaven comes to earth.

Through Christ, God tears through all that stands between us and Him.  

God isn’t passively waiting for our invitation, patiently waiting at the doorstep to be let in. God is ripping open the heavens and tearing down the walls to unleash his kingdom and power on earth.

The best part?

God is still tearing in.

The Kingdom of God is tearing in around our dinner tables and in our church pews, in doctor’s offices and in cubicles, in the carpool pickup line and even while we’re on hold with the customer service agent.

The Kingdom of God tears in whenever we allow Christ’s love to saturate us and spill out onto those around us. Dripping with the love and grace of Christ, we splash it out onto those around us.

How will you be a Kingdom-bringer today?

How have you seen God’s kingdom tearing into your life?

It’s not too late to join us in studying this amazing Gospel Remarkable: 40 Days in the Gospel of Mark.  The book includes the Gospel of Mark divided into 40 readings, 40 devotions, and 40 sets of reflection questions. Click here to buy a copy of Remarkable.

Or….ask a long-distance BFF, co-worker, neighbor, small group to join you. Click here to buy a 4-pack of Remarkable workbooks for you and some of your friends.

72 Comments

  1. Ally
    Ally on February 14, 2018 at 10:29 am

    Hi Margaret, I’m excited to get started on your Lent Reading Guide. I have never done anything like this before. Thank you. Ally

  2. Jan
    Jan on February 14, 2018 at 11:17 am

    Margaret- your words are fresh and expressive! Thank you for sharing your understanding of God’s Word with us!

  3. Tara Lantieri (@songsofjoy)
    Tara Lantieri (@songsofjoy) on February 14, 2018 at 12:28 pm

    He is tearing into my life by tearing into my heart Margaret. He’s never satisfied to leave me the same…though I try to get comfortable He’ll have none of that. He didn’t come for me to remain the same…even so many years into my walk. Hugs

  4. Karen
    Karen on February 14, 2018 at 12:44 pm

    We sang “Reckless Love” this Sunday in church and it keeps resounding all week – wake up singing it (LOVE when that happens)….but the song so very well matches your descriptive words: “God isn’t passively waiting for our invitation, patiently waiting at the doorstep to be let in. God is ripping open the heavens and tearing down the walls to unleash his kingdom and power on earth.” LOVE IT!!!! Thank you for sharing your insights. Truly beautiful.

  5. Sandra
    Sandra on February 14, 2018 at 5:16 pm

    Hi, I tried several times to download the free Lent reading guide. The link I receive is to One Word. Please tell me what I’m doing wrong as I would like to read along with you during lent.

    thank you

  6. Nicole
    Nicole on February 14, 2018 at 6:29 pm

    Ty Margaret. I am excited about this reading 40 days of Mark. U r an amazing person and have blessed us with the advice of Gods voice in your heart to ours. God bless these ladies

  7. Vickie
    Vickie on February 14, 2018 at 8:14 pm

    What a wonderful insight and truth! Thanks for sharing! I was so excited to pull out my book today and start ready, marking, writing notes, and coloring! Blessings to you!

  8. Carol
    Carol on February 15, 2018 at 1:32 pm

    Margaret,
    I’m so glad you are doing another Lenten reading for us. Thanks for what you do!

  9. Shelley Wilburn
    Shelley Wilburn on February 18, 2018 at 1:09 pm

    Hey, Margaret! I just got my Remarkable workbook. I’m a few days late (sigh) but I will catch up! I felt God pulling me toward Him, and I’ve been craving Him like crazy, so I thought why not ask for one word for 2018, too! Good thing I asked. My #oneword is “Deeper.” God wants me to go deeper in Him. He’s been confirming it daily, so the Remarkable journey is my launching pad. Thanks, Margaret, for offering this study. 2018 is my #deeper year!

  10. Margaret
    Margaret on February 21, 2018 at 9:48 am

    So excited to have you join us, Ally! Hugs!

  11. Margaret
    Margaret on February 21, 2018 at 9:48 am

    Grateful to have you on board, Nicole!

  12. Margaret
    Margaret on February 21, 2018 at 9:49 am

    Thank you, sweet Jan! Hugs!

  13. Margaret
    Margaret on February 21, 2018 at 10:18 am

    Beautifully said, Tara. Thank you for sharing. Hugs!

  14. Margaret
    Margaret on February 21, 2018 at 10:18 am

    Grateful it resonated with you, Karen! Hugs!

  15. Margaret
    Margaret on February 21, 2018 at 10:20 am

    Oh, no! Please email my team at hello@margaretfeinberg.com to get this sorted out. Thanks for letting me know!

  16. Margaret
    Margaret on February 21, 2018 at 10:20 am

    Eeeep! So happy to have you join us this Lenten season! Hugs!

  17. Margaret
    Margaret on February 21, 2018 at 10:21 am

    So glad you are joining us again, Carol! This season fills my heart with anticipation and joy! Hugs!

  18. Margaret
    Margaret on February 21, 2018 at 10:22 am

    Lalalove this! Thank you so much for sharing, Shelley! Grateful you are joining me this Lenten season & for your desire to go deeper. Fills my heart with JOY! Hugs!

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