Distractions

Children needing our attention, an impending deadline at work,  errands to run, yard work (won't be long now!), laundry piled up, a friend in the hospital...the list doesn't end! As the author of our devotion pointed out, Jesus was very concerned about the distraction to the worshippers, caused by the actions of the religious leaders.

It seems that my distractions are sometimes thrust upon me, and many other times self-imposed. In our Sunday morning small group, we've been studying God's will for us on this very topic, using the account of Mary and Martha as recorded in Luke 10. Though Jesus certainly loved Martha's servant heart, He was concerned about the distractions she had allowed to cloud her priority, that of spending time with Jesus. "While the world applauds achievement, God desires companionship. The world clamors, 'Do more! Be all that you can be!' But our Father whispers, 'Be still and know that I am God.'" (Joanna Weaver, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World)

Distractions can be more than those things that are a nuisance in my life. Even otherwise worthwhile projects, when pre-empting time with our Savior are a distraction from that which is needful.

Oh, Lord, keep me from distractions that keep me from you!

A Hero's Welcome

I wonder what it would have been like to be a part of the crowd when Jesus entered into Jerusalem.  Would I have jumped right in with the praising?  Would I have stayed home?  Would I have recognized the Jesus for who He truly is?

Sometimes in my life, I fail to recognize Jesus at work.  I fail to turn my eyes toward him and his goodness.  Jesus came to defeat sin, death, and the devil; an enemy that is so much more powerful than Pontius Pilate, or any earthly leader.  Why is it so hard for me to see that sometimes?  I know that Jesus died for my sins, that he has redeemed me, yet I still try and pretend that I can do it on my own.

Lord, I thank you for your forgiveness, even for someone who might lose sight of you amidst all the chaos of life.  Lord, continue to be patient with me, love me, and guide me. 

To Be Great in God’s Kingdom

Mark 10:32-45

They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. ³³ "We are going up to Jerusalem," he said, "and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, ³⁴ who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise." ³⁵ Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. "Teacher," they said, "we want you to do for us whatever we ask." ³⁶ "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked. ³⁷ They replied, "Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory."… ⁴¹ When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. ⁴² Jesus called together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. ⁴³ Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, ⁴⁴ and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. ⁴⁵ 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."

This is the third time Jesus predicts His suffering and death in Mark’s gospel and the third time the disciples demonstrate just how little they understand Jesus, His life and His life’s purpose (as well as their own life's calling or purpose). After predicting His death for a third time, James and John come to Jesus asking for a special favor – to be able to sit on His right and His left. Rather than seeing themselves as servants, they sought positions of privilege and honor. Once again Jesus must try to correct their thinking and flip their worldview upside down declaring that in His Kingdom greatness is obtained not by gaining positions of privilege or exercising power over others. Greatness in His Kingdom comes through assuming positions of servanthood, in the selfless giving of ourselves, consumed with the interest and wellbeing of others.

Jesus selflessly gave Himself to and for us even unto death in order that we might know the abundance of life now and eternally (John 10:10). This abundant life is one characterized by love and purpose (1 John 4:7-16). Without love, without purpose life is shallow, empty, & meaningless. It is by loving that people recognize us as His disciples (John 13:34-35). Today’s text begs each of us to ask the questions: “Where or to what extent am I seeking privilege and honor? Where or how am I seeking to be served rather than to serve?” It would also have us ask ourselves “Whom and how am I serving? How am I giving of myself, even as Jesus has served and serves me?” Jesus, thank You for Your love, for Your serving even unto death. Through Your indwelling Spirit move us to so love that I might truly be Your disciple.

Clear as Mud

Have you ever wondered what it would have been like to be one of Jesus' 12 disciples? To see the things they saw? To be taught by Jesus, in the flesh, right there where you could touch him, see him, hear him... Maybe had I gotten that chance, I would find it easier to follow him, to understand his teachings. But would I really have "gotten it" any better than those original 12 disciples? Would I have understood the savior more clearly than they? Doubtful.

In today's reading of Jesus' second passion prediction, after being transfigured and healing yet another demon-possessed person, Mark says the disciples didn't "get it", yet were afraid to ask Jesus about it. (v32) I wonder why they were so afraid to ask for clarification. Was it pride? Was it because of the rebuke Peter received when responding to Jesus the last time he was talking about this nonsense (Mark 8:31-33)? Was it because they already felt defeated by failure being unable to drive out the evil spirit (v17-19)?

I don't know why they didn't ask, but the question follows... why am I afraid to ask Jesus for help when I don't understand? There is A LOT in this world I don't understand. There is A LOT in God's Word I struggle to understand as well. Maybe that's why I sometimes wonder what it would be like to have Jesus sit down in the flesh and teach me as he did his first disciples. What God has used to help me in these times when His will seems to be as clear as mud actually comes from the passage in between the verses listed for today.

The demon-possessed boy's father asks Jesus to heal his son, IF he can. Jesus answers him saying, "Everything is possible for him who believes." The father IMMEDIATELY exclaims, "I do believe. Help me overcome my unbelief!" And Jesus heals the son. Even though dad had some doubt, he had faith, too. He didn't understand everything that was going on, why the disciples couldn't drive out this spirit, who this Jesus really was. Yet, in spite of his unbelief, his areas of doubts and questions, Jesus heals his son, which I'm guessing certainly helped him overcome his unbelief.

How does Jesus help you overcome your areas of unbelief? When have you experienced his presence and work in your life in crystal clear ways? Are you and I able to cling tightly to those moments, so that when life gets a bit muddy, we can still place our hope, our trust, our faith in our God who keeps his promises? Do you run back to him and his Word, looking for the answers and understanding you hope for? This Lent and always, may we seek him first, trusting in his love and faithfulness to help us overcome any unbelief we face, and stand more firmly on his promises each day.

Following Jesus

"I don't want to gain the whole world and lose my soul." That line from Toby Mac's song popped into my head reading today's devotion and the words of Jesus found in Mark 8. The lyrics of that song express the struggles of the believer to keep God first, and not be lured into the luxuries and pleasures of this world. The songwriter, like many of us, is all too familiar with that battle. I am sure not a single one of us wants to lose our souls. However, I know I too often feel the tug to gain more in this world; more money, more conveniences, more free time, more of what I think will make me happy, more, more, more.

Do you feel that tug, too? Or are you ready and willing to give up whatever it takes to be certain that your faith was secure and your trust placed only in the one who can give you TRUE life? Do you find yourself living as Jesus' beloved disciple, John, who followed his Lord to Golgotha though his very life may have been at risk doing so? Or might you sometimes relate more with Peter, who probably had grand ideas of what life with Jesus would mean for him, Jesus' "right-hand man", to find yourself later, cowering in a corner, denying you even know Him when the pressure comes?

Living in this world as a sold-out follower of Jesus is not an easy task. Jesus knew it wouldn't be easy, so he prayed for his followers in the garden the night before his death. After his resurrection, he also sent us his Spirit to comfort and strengthen us for our call to follow. The same Spirit that took cowering Peter and transformed him into a BOLD, DARING witness for Christ is the same Spirit we have received in our baptism. WOW! Peter once DENIED knowing Jesus, yet later DIED for following him.

This lent, let's reflect on what it means to truly FOLLOW our Jesus. What will we give up? What are we willing to lose? What does it mean for me to "lose my life" or "take up my cross"? Jesus was willing to lose his life for us. May his Spirit transform our hearts and minds, giving us the courage and strength needed to do the same for him!

Determination

Ever feel like throwing in the towel? Maybe sometimes it feels as though your work, your relationships, your spiritual life just aren't what you've expected them to be. "What's the use, anyway? What's the point?" you may say to yourself. I know I've been there before. More than just a couple times, too.

Reading today's devotion and scripture passage reminded me again just how determined Jesus was! If anyone had cause to think his words weren't getting through, that his friends and family didn't get it, that maybe he should just throw in the towel...Jesus had reason to do so. Who could have blamed him, the blameless one, if he just walked away from it, from us, and went back home to heaven saying, "Sorry Dad, this just isn't worth it."

But Jesus had determination to do his Father's will, even if his closest friends didn't understand, or tried to redirect him, even if it meant his suffering and death. But even more than determination, Jesus also had and STILL HAS -- LOVE. Deep, undying, stick-with-it-no-matter-what kind of love. His LOVE is what drove his determination, keeping him focused on his Father's will, and kept him up on the tree when he could have easily saved himself.

His LOVE for you, for me, for ALL MANKIND wouldn't allow him to walk away and watch us suffer the consequences of sin - even though that's exactly what we deserve. To be with us for all eternity, experiencing a perfect love with him is what his heart desired most. And he was determined to make sure he did everything in his power to see that happen. Thank you Jesus for your determination. Thank you for your love!

The Son of Man Must Suffer Many Things...

Mark 8:29-31 And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again.

When you think of the suffering that some people have to endure it causes great sadness. Maybe you’re going through such a time of suffering right now.

It reminds us of what Jesus told us. If you want to follow me you must take up your cross and follow me. (Mt. 16:24) But when you think of what Jesus suffered for us our suffering doesn’t seem so bad in comparison. Our suffering especially doesn’t seem so bad when you think about the suffering from which Jesus rescued us. Not only will we not suffer in hell forever, we who believe in Jesus will live in ecstatic joy with Jesus forever and even now delight in our relationship with Him.

Thanks, Lord, for your suffering and death for me. Amen.

Who Do You Say That I AM?

Who Do You Say That I AM?

Who Do You Says that I Am?

Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, "Who do people say I am?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ." Mark 8:27-29 (NIV)

The two central or pivotal questions of the synoptic gospels are these: “Who do people says that I am?” and “Who do you says that I am?” These two questions are also the central or pivotal questions for us today.

Peter answered the question of “Who do you say that I am?” correctly, but then he demonstrates he really didn’t understand what he had confessed. When Jesus predicts His suffering and death (Mk 8:31) Peter takes Jesus aside to rebuke/correct Him—basically saying “That isn’t what I meant when I confessed You to be the Christ. You are not describing the Christ I believe in.” (Mk 8:32) Jesus then rebukes Peter stating: "Get behind me, Satan! You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." (Mk 8:33)

Who is the Christ in whom you believe? Is He a suffering servant who serves by way of a cross AND who asks you to pick up a cross AND follow Him? In Mk 8:34 Jesus goes on to tell His disciples: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Luke in his gospel writes “take up his cross daily” (Lk 9:23) Are you ready and willing not only to believe in Jesus and to be a member of His fan club, BUT ALSO to actually follow Him? Following Jesus involves daily picking up a cross of servanthood just as He went to the cross to serve us, to serve you.

This Lenten season I would encourage you, rather than to give up something for Lent, to take up something for Lent. I would encourage you to identify and pick up, take up, a cross. Identify with Jesus! Take up a cross of servanthood so that another (or better so that a number of others) might experience God’s love and grace in a richer and fuller way. May Jesus bless and empower you as you take up a cross and serve in His name.

WELCOME!

Welcome to the daily devotional blog for Jesus Christ: Man on a Mission. This season of Lent, we encourage you to spend time in and with the Word each day, reflecting on Jesus' great love and sacrifice for you, as well as His overall mission to seek and save what was lost.

A short reflective thought on the day's reading from the Lutheran Hour Ministries' resource will be posted by Mt Olive staff members beginning Ash Wednesday, February 22nd. We invite your comments, questions, prayers, thoughts, and insights. Please share how God is using this devotional resource to reassure you of His love and give you grace to join Him in His mission.

You may pick up a copy of Jesus Christ: Man on a Mission at Mt Olive, or you can find it here: http://www.lentendevotions.net/

We pray God would richly bless you this Lent as you seek to know and love Him more!