"At this the man's face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions."
This man was perfect. He had it all, wealth, power, youth and an impeccable moral record. Jesus himself, upon examining him closely, loved him. Surely he would make a great disciple! But when the invitation comes straight from Jesus's own mouth, the man goes away sad and all that excitement that was once in his face turned into utter defeat. Eternal life was not worth more than his possessions.
So this man, whom any of us would want in our own churches, fails to become a disciple of Christ. He is the first and only man Mark depicts as not immediately leaving everything behind and following Jesus when he says "Come and follow me." To those whom much has been given much will be demanded.
This is a powerful reminder that a high social status is no ticket into heaven, but rather the ability to be brought low like a child. It is not what you have that counts, but what you are willing to give up. In the end, it is not the "righteous"who end up following Jesus, but the sinners and tax collectors, dirty fisherman and prostitutes, drug addicts and thieves, slanderers, sorcerers, and adulterers for all they have to give up is their past lives so that Christ might give them new ones.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Psalms 44:3
"It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them."
We have so many victories in life because of He who causes us to be victorious. We have a champion who fights for our sake though we esteem him not. He fights for us regardless of whether or not we praise him for he loves those whom he has made. By his arm, his strength, and his face (that is, his presence) that our salvation is won. He has procured it for us. He has snatched us out of the devil's hand.
What a mistake it would be to turn around and accept credit for things we have not done! Surely we have victories, but we have victories because of Christ who gives us victory. The armor of God is his very presence. As long as we walk in the light darkness will not touch us and evil will not overcome us. It may attack us but never will it prevail over us. Those who walk in darkness will not understand us until they step into the light. But surely without God, we would fall for who then protects us? Who then fights for us? But praise be to the One who triumphs for our sake!
We have so many victories in life because of He who causes us to be victorious. We have a champion who fights for our sake though we esteem him not. He fights for us regardless of whether or not we praise him for he loves those whom he has made. By his arm, his strength, and his face (that is, his presence) that our salvation is won. He has procured it for us. He has snatched us out of the devil's hand.
What a mistake it would be to turn around and accept credit for things we have not done! Surely we have victories, but we have victories because of Christ who gives us victory. The armor of God is his very presence. As long as we walk in the light darkness will not touch us and evil will not overcome us. It may attack us but never will it prevail over us. Those who walk in darkness will not understand us until they step into the light. But surely without God, we would fall for who then protects us? Who then fights for us? But praise be to the One who triumphs for our sake!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Deuteronomy 15:9
"Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: "The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is near," so that you do not show ill will toward your needy brother and give him nothing. He may then appeal to the LORD against you, and you will be found guilty of sin."
In the world we live in today, debt is a common occurrence. Everyone has been in debt at some point. So pervasive is this debt that even the entire nation is in debt. Corporations had needed to borrow trillions in loans to stay afloat. Even now America has had to raise its debt ceiling to avoid economic catastrophe by our defaulting on our bills.
America is caught in a never ending cycle of debt, having to borrow money just to pay back money they already borrowed. This is nothing new to the LORD. He foresaw the slavery and captivity being in debt causes and has chosen to set his people free even from debt. He declared on every 7th year all debts would be canceled, breaking the debt cycle and setting the captives free
But men, in our selfishness, refused to lend money to those who could not pay us back by the time of the 7th year. So the poor are left to be poorer and the rich become richer at the expense of the poor. Our economy is sin and based on greed. Is there any wonder why it is failing?
In the world we live in today, debt is a common occurrence. Everyone has been in debt at some point. So pervasive is this debt that even the entire nation is in debt. Corporations had needed to borrow trillions in loans to stay afloat. Even now America has had to raise its debt ceiling to avoid economic catastrophe by our defaulting on our bills.
America is caught in a never ending cycle of debt, having to borrow money just to pay back money they already borrowed. This is nothing new to the LORD. He foresaw the slavery and captivity being in debt causes and has chosen to set his people free even from debt. He declared on every 7th year all debts would be canceled, breaking the debt cycle and setting the captives free
But men, in our selfishness, refused to lend money to those who could not pay us back by the time of the 7th year. So the poor are left to be poorer and the rich become richer at the expense of the poor. Our economy is sin and based on greed. Is there any wonder why it is failing?
Monday, August 1, 2011
Psalms 22:3
"Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel."
Psalm 22 starts out with a cry for help. It is the same cry Jesus called out before he breathed his last on the cross. "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" These words have been a mystery to scholars for centuries. Did God temporarily abandon Christ on the cross? But if you realize what Jesus was quoting, you realize that his last words were song lyrics. Reread Psalm 22 as if it were Jesus speaking on the cross and you will understand why he started to recite this song, why he started to sing.
It is because the LORD, the LORD, the holy God of Israel, is enthroned on the praises of his people. The King James translates that he inhabits the praises of his people. God is made king by praise and worship. It is while we are in worship that God is most present to us for he inhabits our praises. Jesus sang God's praises, and his Father was right there with him as he lay dying. As Jesus sang, he knew God would deliver him.
And in your times of trouble, praise God all the more. When you are weak, praise God. If you are near death, praise God. No matter what your situation is, praise God, and he will be given all authority in your situation. He will inhabit your praise and he will be with you until the very end of the age.
Psalm 22 starts out with a cry for help. It is the same cry Jesus called out before he breathed his last on the cross. "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" These words have been a mystery to scholars for centuries. Did God temporarily abandon Christ on the cross? But if you realize what Jesus was quoting, you realize that his last words were song lyrics. Reread Psalm 22 as if it were Jesus speaking on the cross and you will understand why he started to recite this song, why he started to sing.
It is because the LORD, the LORD, the holy God of Israel, is enthroned on the praises of his people. The King James translates that he inhabits the praises of his people. God is made king by praise and worship. It is while we are in worship that God is most present to us for he inhabits our praises. Jesus sang God's praises, and his Father was right there with him as he lay dying. As Jesus sang, he knew God would deliver him.
And in your times of trouble, praise God all the more. When you are weak, praise God. If you are near death, praise God. No matter what your situation is, praise God, and he will be given all authority in your situation. He will inhabit your praise and he will be with you until the very end of the age.
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