SCRIPTURE: Mark 8:31-9:1
So is following Jesus about ‘being saved’, or ‘being sacrificed’?
Most of the focus of the Church’s message today seems to be on being saved.
But Jesus makes it plain that if our motivation is to save our lives, we will lose them…
Peter was thinking about survival and success, for himself and for Jesus, but Jesus calls this human thinking.
The world is a spiritual and moral war zone, and Jesus is looking for soldiers willing to join Him in God’s battle.
Glory comes to those, who like Jesus, offer themselves and their lives to God and His kingdom cause.
But the motive is not glory, that is a by-product; the motive is love and truth and compassion and faith.
If you became a Christian to be saved, then according to Jesus, you’ve missed the point.
(Does this explain why so many Christians live selfish, worldly lives, focused primarily on personal survival and success, rather than on giving themselves up for God, for justice, for love, for compassion, for the kingdom?)
We are not earning salvation for ourselves, we are joining with Jesus in establishing salvation and hope and peace and justice and joy for everyone, ourselves included.
If we join Him, we will see His kingdom coming in power!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, forgive me about thinking more about survival and success and being safe, than about serving you and sacrificing myself with You for God’s kingdom. Show me what I must do to be sacrificed (and not just saved).
Observations/Application
Jesus spoke plainly to the disciples and not in a parable so that they would understand. Once again it was Peter who spoke – but he was thinking in terms of their lives and their future and their leaders in the present tense. It was good to be with the Rabbi. But the future described? Ugh!
And so also today, in my living for Jesus – my way or His? My comfortable pew or His ‘rocker?’ Christ sets the world upside-down and I must follow – by doing it His way and not my selfish desires of me first. What has the discipleship, the followership of Jesus Christ cost me? Have I ever come up short? What’s my cross?
Christ needs to be first and each day anew I need to be living for Jesus – keeping my eyes on ‘home’. All for Him and He will take care of me. As a Christ follower I also need to be a kingdom builder.
Prayer
Thank You Lord for a new day. Help me this day also to be an instrument of Your peace.
All for Jesus, all for Jesus!
All my being’s ransomed powers:
All my thoughts and words and doings,
All my days and all my hours.
Refrain
All for Jesus! All for Jesus!
All my days and all my hours;
All for Jesus! All for Jesus!
All my days and all my hours.
Let my hands perform His bidding,
Let my feet run in His ways;
Let my eyes see Jesus only,
Let my lips speak forth His praise.
Refrain
Worldlings prize their gems of beauty,
Cling to gilded toys of dust,
Boast of wealth and fame and pleasure;
Only Jesus will I trust.
Refrain
Since my eyes were fixed on Jesus,
I’ve lost sight of all beside;
So enchained my spirit’s vision,
Looking at the Crucified.
Refrain
Oh, what wonder! how amazing!
Jesus, glorious King of kings,
Deigns to call me His belovèd,
Lets me rest beneath His wings.