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Taking notes, I Gleaned from Pastor Jerry’s sermon as he
read from Mark 10: 35-45.
The scene was a group meeting of Jesus with his twelve
disciples. James and John had both been faithful, loyal, dependable disciples
who had given up everything to follow Jesus.
They considered themselves to be worthy of honor.
They believed that this entitled them to be considered to
sit on the right and left of Jesus’ throne when he came into his kingdom. Jesus would need good advisors and they were
bold enough to ask for a seat in his cabinet.
They did not realize they could not earn recognition and a powerful
position.
Naturally the other disciples were angry and upset with
James and John. Jesus gently asked them
if they were able to drink of the cup that he must drink from, and they quickly
answered yes. Jesus instructed them that
they would indeed drink from his cup, but their request was not his to answer,
but it was the Father who would decide these things.
Apparently although they had heard Jesus teach many times,
but they had not been listening. Many of
his stories were about becoming a servant and loving others before ourselves. The
first shall be last and the last shall be first Jesus often taught.
Pastor explained that entitlement is not a bad word. Entitlement is the right to benefits
specifically that we have earned by contributions. We are entitled to our pensions, social
security, and unemployment if we are out of work. He shared how one time he
drew a small unemployment check and was embarrassed to do so even though he was
entitled.
Pastor gave an example of a short line and a long line at
the women’s bathroom. A lady discovered
no one was there at the room just around the corner, but when she brought the
good news to the waiting long line, they did not want to loose their place so they paid
her no attention. They refused to hear
the good news. Isn’t that the way with
some when we try to share the Gospel?
It is too good to believe for many, so they keep to their old ways.
Jesus went on to explain that he came to serve, to suffer,
to be spit upon, to be condemned to die, but that he would rise from the dead
in three days. Again they were hearing
but not listening. They did not want to
hear those words, as they were only concerned about their personal future. They lacked the vision Jesus was showing
them.
The question that only you can answer is: Are you willing to be a servant, to be a
light in the darkness. Can we make the declaration;
yes I am willing to drink from the cup?
No one can answer for you.
Each must make a personal decision to follow Jesus.
This post is Linked with Charlotte ’s Spiritual
Sundays
Also shared with Michelle’s Hear
it on Sunday Use it on Monday
2 comments:
The story in the Bible personifies the hearts of man. We want... We are born into sin and that sin at it's core is selfishness. We need a constant reminder to seek God in our hearts first. Thanks for the reminder today. A good way to start the week.
I am willing and my desire is to be a light even when I'm busy with life. Like the children's chorus--I'm gonna let it shine!
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