Key Passage
Then James and John, sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus. They said, “Teacher, we want to ask you to do something for us.” Jesus asked, “What do you want me to do for you?” The sons answered, “You will have glory {in your kingdom}. Let one of us sit at your right, and let one of us sit at your left.”
— Mark 10:35-37 ERV (Read Full Text)
Key Thought
Sometimes the Scriptures are just too honest. I’m being a little sarcastic … but just a little. The people we see, even those that are potentially our heroes, are so much like us. Their feet of clay help make the grace of Jesus real and accessible. Jesus’ closest followers reveal that they don’t really understand what he has just said to them and what his life, ministry, and purpose are supposed to be. They’ve told Jesus a few verses earlier what they gave up to follow him. They seem to ignore what he has just told them in the previous verse that he will pay a horrible price for them.
They can only think of glory. So while they courageously overcome their fear and dread to follow him to Jerusalem, they also have a great desire to get the big pay off from their association with him. Of course, the real question is whether or not they follow him just because he is Lord and worthy of their allegiance. But then, their lack of understanding and their greed become the opportunity for us to ask ourselves the same question. Will we follow Jesus even if the costs are high and the appearances suggest that there is no earthly pay off? Hmm? Ouch! God help me.
Prayer
O glorious Father, please forgive my selfishness. I confess that I want to be treated favorably and be blessed for following you. Please give me the courage to follow no matter the cost in this life as I reach in faith for what is life indeed! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Related Scriptures
Then Jesus called the people to him. His followers were also there. Then Jesus said, “If any person wants to follow me, he must say ‘No’ to the things he wants. That person must accept the cross (suffering) that is given to him, and he must follow me. The person that wants to save his life will lose it. And every person that gives his life for me and for the Good News will save his life forever. It is worth nothing for a person to have the whole world, if he loses his soul {in hell}. A person could never pay enough to buy back his soul.
— Mark 8:34-37
When they finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these {other men love me}?” Peter answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Then Jesus said to Peter, “Take care of my lambs. ” Again Jesus said to Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Then Jesus said to Peter, “Take care of my sheep. ” A third time Jesus said, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was sad because Jesus asked him three times, “Do you love me?” Peter said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you!” Jesus said to Peter, “Take care of my sheep. I tell you the truth. When you were young, you tied your own belt and went where you wanted. But when you are old, you will put out your hands and another person will tie you. That person will lead you where you don’t want to go.” (Jesus said this to show how Peter would die to give glory to God.) Then Jesus said to Peter, “Follow me!”
— John 21:15-19
But now I must obey the Holy Spirit and go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what will happen to me there. I know only that in every city the Holy Spirit tells me that troubles and even jail wait for me {in Jerusalem}. I don’t care about my own life. The most important thing is that I finish my work. I want to finish the work that the Lord Jesus gave me to do—to tell people the Good News about God’s grace (kindness).
— Acts 20:22-24
Devotional provided by Heartlight®
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