Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Today’s shout-out goes to Charles Thompson from Marshallville, GA. Thank you for your generosity and partnership in Project 23. Your faithfulness is helping many see Jesus as their greatest treasure. This one’s for you.

Our text today is Mark 14:1-11:

It was now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest him by stealth and kill him, for they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar from the people.” And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head. There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they scolded her. But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”

Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. And when they heard it, they were glad and promised to give him money. And he sought an opportunity to betray him. — Mark 14:1-11

This passage presents a stark contrast—two people standing on opposite sides of the same moment. Both are close to Jesus. Both witness His power. But one sees a treasure. The other sees a transaction.

The woman walks in quietly. Breaks the jar. Pours out a year’s wages in perfume on Jesus' head. No explanation. No hesitation. Just worship. And what does Jesus say?

“She has done a beautiful thing to me.”

She saw Jesus as worthy of everything.

And then Judas walks out, looking for a price tag. Looking for a way to make Jesus useful, not worshipped. Looking to gain something, not give something.

The woman gave everything to honor Jesus.
Judas gave Jesus up for a handful of silver.

Same setting. Same Savior. Two radically different responses.

We all have to wrestle with this question: Do I truly treasure Jesus, or do I just transact with Him? Do I give Him what’s costly, or do I manage my faith to keep things convenient? Do I bring Him my heart, or look for what He can do for me?

Let’s not be too quick to assume we’re the woman. Sometimes, we come with motives that resemble Judas. We attend church, say the right words, maybe even give a little, but deep down, we’re asking: What do I get out of this?

And Jesus sees through it all. He always has.

So ask yourself honestly: Do I see a Savior to love—or a Lord to leverage?

#TreasureOrTransaction, #Mark14, #CostlyWorship

ASK THIS:

1. What did the woman’s actions say about how she valued Jesus?
2. Why did Judas’s response to Jesus take such a dark turn?
3. Are there ways you’ve treated Jesus more like a transaction than a treasure?
4. What’s one costly act of devotion you’ve been resisting?

DO THIS:

Write down what you’re most tempted to pursue instead of Jesus. Lay it before Him today. Choose to treasure Him over everything else.

PRAY THIS:

Jesus, I don’t want to treat you like a transaction. You’re not a means to an end. You’re the treasure. Help me worship like you’re worth everything—because you are. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

“Alabaster Heart”

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Thank you for joining me today and following us throughout Project 23. If you would like to learn more about this project, click the link to discover more and partner with us.

Our text today is Mark 13:32-37:

“But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.” — Mark 13:32-37

The final words of Jesus in this chapter are gentle. But not casual. They aren’t loud commands.
They’re more like a whisper in the dark: “Stay awake.”

He doesn’t say this once—He says it three times.

Not because you need more information, but because you need more awareness.

Jesus doesn’t tell us the day or the hour. Not because he’s hiding it. But the posture of readiness is better than a countdown clock. A master has gone away. Servants have been entrusted with a task. Each one has a role. And no one knows the exact hour of return.

But he is returning.

And Jesus doesn’t want his people found sleeping, not distracted, disinterested, or disengaged. Not lulled to sleep by comfort, busyness, or pride. He wants us awake. Alert. Tuned in. Working, watching, and ready.

What does it mean to stay awake? Here are five actions:

1. It means tending your soul.
2. It means choosing holiness over habit.
3. It means letting the Word sharpen you and the Spirit soften you.
4. It means living today like it matters, because it does.
5. It means living tomorrow like it could be your last, because it might be.

Jesus isn’t trying to stir anxiety. He’s stirring urgency. Because when He returns—and He will return—you won’t be able to hit snooze.

1. So wake up.
2. Get in the Word.
3. Cut out the compromise.
4. Live like He’s near.
5. Because He is.

#StayAwake, #Mark13, #JesusIsComing

ASK THIS:

1. Why do you think Jesus repeats “stay awake” three times?
2. What areas of your spiritual life are growing dull?
3. What daily rhythms can help you stay alert to Jesus’ return?
4. If Jesus returned today, what would He find you doing?

DO THIS:

Choose one habit today that’s been putting your soul to sleep—and cut it off. Replace it with something that stirs spiritual alertness.

PRAY THIS:

Jesus, wake me up. If I’ve grown numb, shake me. If I’ve grown lazy, correct me. I don’t want to be found asleep—I want to be found faithful. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

"Keep Me Burning."

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Thank you for joining me today and following us throughout Project 23. If you would like to learn more about this project, click the link to discover more and partner with us.

Our text today is Mark 13:28-31:

“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. — Mark 13:28-31

Jesus tells His disciples to look at a fig tree. Not to predict the future, but to prepare for it. Just like you can recognize the signs of changing seasons, you should recognize the signs of spiritual urgency. When the branches soften. When the leaves start budding. When the shift in the air says, “summer is near.”

Jesus says: That’s how close I am. At the gates. Nearer than you realize.

But then He anchors them all with this line: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”

This world is temporary. His Word is not. Everything else will shake. But his truth will stand. It's unshakable.

We spend so much useless energy trying to guess the timeline.

• When will the end come?
• Who’s the antichrist?
• What about this global event?
• What does this sign mean?

But Jesus isn’t asking you to decode the calendar. He’s asking you to remain spiritually alert, awake, and ready. To recognize the season and stop worrying about the date. Because the truth is—Jesus may return in your lifetime. Or not. But either way, you will stand before King Jesus. And that’s not meant to cause panic. It’s meant to produce urgency, holiness, and hope.

So are you ready?

I not, trust in King Jesus today.

Jesus, I believe your Word is true and eternal. While this world fades, you remain. Today, I surrender my life to you. I place my faith not in signs, success, or security—but in your saving grace. Forgive my sin. Fill me with your Spirit. Make me ready for your return. From this day forward, I choose to follow you as my Savior, my King, and my only hope. Amen.

#StayReady, #Mark13, #UnshakableWord

ASK THIS:

1. Why do you think Jesus uses the fig tree as an example?
2. What “season signs” do you see in the world today?
3. How do you guard against spiritual apathy while waiting?
4. What does it mean to trust Jesus’ words more than headlines?

DO THIS:

Write this down and post it somewhere visible: “Everything else will pass—but His Word never will.” And ask yourself daily: Am I ready?

PRAY THIS:

Jesus, I believe your Word is true and eternal. While this world fades, you remain. Today, I surrender my life to you. I place my faith not in signs, success, or security—but in your saving grace. Forgive my sin. Fill me with your Spirit. Make me ready for your return. From this day forward, I choose to follow you as my Savior, my King, and my only hope. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

"Come, Lord Jesus, Come."