Day 72
Part II
Mark 9:33 - 11:17
A few thoughts on this book of Mark that seems to have a hundred different directions to go --
It's easy being on the receiving end of Grace, but much harder to be the sacrificial lamb. In the face of tragedy will you shake your fist at God, or will you remember all the ways he has saved you?
Mark 9:19
"Oh unbelieving generation!"
Mark 9:23
"If you can.... everything is possible to him who believes."
When ambition pushes aside obedience and service, it becomes sin. Pride and status seeking are Satan's tools, not God's. Serving others is real leadership.
Mark 9:35
"If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all."
Mark 9:49
Everyone will be salted with fire. "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."
In Mark 9:42 it speaks on the importance of cutting sin out of our lives. Painful discipline is sometimes required of true followers of Christ. Giving up a relationship, job, or habit that is against God's will may seem just as painful as cutting off a hand.... Perhaps more so.......
The "one thing you lack" of Mark 10:21 is the thing I feel warrior families have down... When all has been taken from you in the health of your child - not even money is worth anything. We've learned to value simplicity. The character traits of God - not the world. And it has been the richest blessing of all in that......
Hardly anyone I know - family - friend - outside this "Life with Autism, Seizures, & a side of PANDAS" can understand that. If they did - we would have had far more help in treating Brandon. No one, no one in my family, with far too few exceptions, has been willing to sacrifice a dime to help Brandon. Yet I sit at my desk daily wishing I could give money to fellow warriors to help them help their children. It's just so sad...
Mark 10:21
"Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Mark 10:27
"With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."
With the money - riches - wealth - I think the other major hindrance to many with regard to following Jesus is found in Mark 10:43 where Jesus says, "Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
I have seen such great generosity and servanthood in my warrior community. In the general community, even in the Christian community - not so much. There have been a few in our "Life with Autism, Seizures, & a side of PANDAS" who I would call truly humble servants - and they have been the ones in our JOY Ministry at church. Outside those select few - it has been dismal at best to realize just how few Christians take to heart these verses in this days reading regarding what it means to follow Jesus.....
Wealth is not a sign of Faith. It is not a blessing from God nor a reward for being good. Those who seek status and importance here will have none in heaven. Those who are humble here will be great in heaven! Instead of seeking to have your needs met - look for ways that you can meet the needs of others.
We are to be the salt of the earth. Salt symbolizes God's faithfulness. His sacrifice. His covenant. Salt is the flavor - what we as Christians should be bringing to this bland world. Salt is a preservative - how we should use our faith, our Christian values to help protect against moral decay.
We must salt the world with the sacrificial love of Christ.
I'll leave this day's reading with Mark 11:17
As Jesus taught the disciples, he said, "Is it not written: 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations?' But you have made it a den of robbers.'"
We need more salt mines and less savings accounts.
