August 17
Mark 14:43-50
I think there is a very strong theme running through today's passage: God is in control! We left off yesterday with Jesus saying, "The hour has come." There was a reason that (despite all the plans) Jesus hadn't been arrested before this point - because the hour hadn't come yet! The crowd of armed people probably thought they were catching Jesus off guard. They were wrong. God is in Control! And then we get to the whole issue of Judas. I'm not going to let Judas off the hook and say that he couldn't help what he did because he was predestined or whatever. But his story does show the way that God uses even negative situations to work out His plans. God is in Control! Finally, Jesus leaves us with the reminder that "Scriptures must be fulfilled." The men arresting Jesus thought they finally got what they wanted. Little did they know that they were playing a role in this HUGE event that would change the world forever! God is in control!
Principle: Because God is sovereign and His Word will be fulfilled, I do not need to panic in persecution.
Application:
1. How is God's Word being fulfilled in my present pressure or persecution, and how am I responding?
2. Am I able to stand in persecution because I know the Scriptures?
3. When have I betrayed Christ or a friend? Will I confess that sin and receive forgiveness?
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Question 2: There are levels of persecution, and I suppose that all of us have a breaking point, so it is difficult to give a categorical answer to this question. I will say that I have grown in my ability to rejoice when I take it on the chin for doing what I believe God wants me to do. Pastoring is difficult because no matter what I do, someone thinks it's wrong. Sometimes people feel like a decision I make goes beyond bad judgement and enters the realm of sin. The scripture helps me greatly in such times. And I'm better than I used to be at being more concerned with what God thinks than what people think.
ReplyDeleteAs a new school year begins, I always start with some goals I want to accomplish. This year I want everything I do to reflect that Jesus lives in me. I know this is a big goal, but this passage is what has been helping me this past week. So as situations have come up that I can not change, I am trying to remember that God is in control and everything will work out for His Honor and Glory as long as I stay in His word, pray, listen and obey what He asks me to do.
ReplyDeleteNo this is not easy and I have had some of that what am I going to do moments before turning it back to God.
God is in control. Thank you Sarah, that is a good reminder during these times of family, job, and political change and uncertainty. We always want things to go our way. I particularly don't like 'noise' in my life - I want everything to just hum. It is nice to be reminded that there is no uncertainty in God's plan.
ReplyDeleteI know that things will get worse before they get better. God alone knows the big picture, whether the tribulation begins at the moment of the rapture, the middle or the end is a matter of much theological discussion. But one thing sure is that God IS in control. (thanks Sarah, a good theme to always keep in the mind) We heard on the news yesterday that the ACLU is bringing charges against a Florida school principal and the athlete coach for having a blessing before the meal at a booster club banquet. They made a big point that even though there were no children present, this was against the law. The 2 men could serve time in prison and loose their retirement. I remember having prayer in school every morning and singing a patriotic song afterwards. The slippery slope is becoming very real and I hope that it makes me realize the urgency of sharing Gods, Word.
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