July 9 - Give and Serve

Mark 10:35-45

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45 ESV)

Jesus emphatically and repeatedly declared that the disciples were to serve God by serving the people. It was the climax of his teaching after chastising the sons of Zebedee for their misplaced enthusiasm. They were to serve by giving and give by serving.

Our charge today is the same. As harbingers of the Gospel we are to take the message of the good news of Jesus Christ to e lost, hurts marginalized, and destitute. We are to take it to everyone. We are to give it to them by serving them.

Too often Christians polarize around the implied possibility of potential Christian martyrdom. Either we embrace, seek, and expect to give our lives to Christ, or we shy away from any form of reverent selfless sacrifice. What if the example demonstrate by Christ was his attempt to teach that we are to find a balance in both?

Jesus wished to serve, and his service was culminated in giving his life. But his work did not end there. In fact, his ultimate sacrifice was really just the launching point for two millennia of building. He gave to serve. He served to give.

What are we doing?

May 11 - Own Your Cross

Read: Luke 14:25-27

Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:27 ESV)

Today crosses are fashion statements. People were them casually with little regard for their semblance or significance. In Jesus' era the cross was a multifaceted symbol of shame, disgust, torture, cruelty, and wickedness. That's the kind of cross Jesus was taking about carrying.

In the years since Jesus said those words many many people have given their lives for their faith in Jesus. In the years to come more are certain to experience a similar fate. This isn't what Jesus wants for his people. I can't imagine that he enjoys seeing his followers suffer today any more than he did then. But it is possibility.

Even though fatal martyrdom is a pretty far removed threat from our comfortable American existence that doesn't mean we don't have our cross to carry. Your faith in Jesus will mark you. It will set you apart. Often if may label you the outcast. Some will think you a fool. You have to be ok with that. You may get passed up for a promotion because of your faith. You may get demoted because of your faith. You have to be ok with that.

Taking up cross doesn't mean that we go looking for ways to voluntarily end our lives for the gospel. It also doesn't mean that we neglect our obligations and responsibilities. Taking up your cross means that you are willing to willfully follow Jesus into whatever situation he leads you into regardless of the possible or probable outcome.

March 11 - God Knows and Cares

Read: Matthew 10:26-33

But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. (Matthew 10:30 ESV)

God cares about you deeply. Jesus implicitly expressed this as he prepared to send out his followers to minister to the Jews. The message was multi-faceted, yet clear. The disciples and other followers of Jesus would face persecution, but God would help them. God cared for them. God valued them.

Depending on where you live you may face actual physical persecution for your faith. It is something that is far more prevalent than many in the American Church realize. This kind of persecution always has a variety of outcomes. Sometimes the person is miraculously delivered. Often someone gives their life for their faith.

Jesus reassured his followers that hard times were to come. Following him meant something. It was historic. It was monumental in the shaping of the destiny of creation. And basically all of Jesus' disciples died martyr's deaths. John, the youngest of the disciples, was the only one not killed for his faith. But it wasn't for a lack of trying.

John was dipped in boiling oil, he was set on fire, and he was poisoned. None of it worked. What was so special about John? I'm not entirely sure. However, I know that Jesus expressed value in all of his followers. A value that extends to those who authentically follow him today. In truth, Jesus knows us better than we even know ourselves. I'll admit, that thought gives me a great deal of comfort.