July 17
Mark 10:35-40
James and John seem so selfish, don’t they? Jesus had just gotten through telling them about the suffering that was about to happen, and they are requesting thrones. Upon further inspection, it appears that James and John were referring to an earlier promise that Jesus had given them. “Jesus said to them, ‘I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.’” (Matthew 19:28 NIV) So, perhaps these men where not being selfish, but showing their faith in Jesus’ resurrection. Either way, they still really didn’t understand everything that was about to happen. “But Jesus answered, ‘You don't know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of sorrow I am about to drink? Are you able to be baptized with the baptism of suffering I must be baptized with?’” (vs. 38 NLT) We all seek glory, and we would be lying to say we wouldn’t love to sit next to Jesus on a throne. But we have to be willing to pay the price. James and John did face much sorrow and suffering in their lives, and if we are truly following Jesus, we will too.
“I never said that friends would never turn their backs on you. Or that the world around you wouldn't see you as a fool. But I did say like Me you'll surely be despised. And I did say My ways confound the wise. I didn't say you'd never taste the bitter kiss of death. Or have to walk through chilly Jordan to enter into rest. But I did say I'd be waiting right on the other side. And I did say I'll dry every tear you've cried.” (The Promise by The Martins vs.2)
Principle: Those who desire glory with Jesus must be appointed by God and willing to pay the price.
Application:
1. What deep desires of my heart should I bring to Christ for fulfillment instead of trying to work them out for myself?
2. How am I acknowledging the sovereignty of God in my life now and for eternity?
3. Will I today receive and accept my suffering as God’s process toward the goal He has for me?
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I've been reading Hinds Feet on High Places, which is an allegory that depicts a Christian's journey. The main character Much-Afraid must deal with the reality of suffering; in fact, the two companions she is given by the Shepard for her journey are Sorrow and Suffering. At first she is not excited, but she learns that they can be of help.
ReplyDeleteI cannot fully grasp all that God intends to do by allowing Sorrow and Suffering into my life, but occasionally, I see glimpses of how he is crafting something beautiful from what seems to be something so un-beautiful and painful. In fact, even last night, I sat with someone who has had a horrific year and was able to demonstrate compassion for her because of a year I spent in absolute terror. Many people cannot comprehend what I went through and that's okay, but for this woman, my year means something. Why did I deal with what I dealt with? Well, one reason is so that deep in my heart I could understand this woman's suffering and that means something.
I won't say that Sorrow and Suffering excite me. I will say that I'm not ready to be like James and John who seemed very willing for Sorrow and Suffering to come, but I will also say that I believe Jesus and that I am working on not dreading what I fear, truly facing fear, and accepting what is to come in my life because God has a plan and purpose that He has promised to carry out and complete. I won't always get it, but I want to accept it with joy.
After reading your post this AM Andrea, my favorite verse came to mind. Jeremiah: 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,” plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.""(NIV)
ReplyDeleteYesterday my niece said to me "sometimes God's greatest gifts are in what we think are unanswered prayer" It’s a good thing that He knows the big picture because my timing would be way off! I won't always get it either, but to accept it with joy...what a great plan. And in verse 38 when Jesus told them that they did not know what they were asking, WOW what a statement. If we ask Jesus what He wants when we pray I bet that that would be more pleasing to Him!
"These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared." God is sovereign. He prepares people and He prepares places for them. In Athens Paul said that God ordained where the various peoples of the earth would live. The Lord's answer to the disciple's request indicates that the same truth applies to individuals. Instead of seeking "the place we want" to live and serve, we would do better to see "the place he has prepared" for us to live and serve. It is why Jesus taught us to pray, "thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Lord, I want to be where you want me to be, doing what you have ordained that I do.
ReplyDeleteLinda that is also one of my favorite verses.
ReplyDeleteAs I look at question 3, I think I can endure whatever God has planned for me. Because He will be with me, He will never leave me or forsake me. Heb 13:5. This verse has also helped me through tough times.