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Original airdate: Sunday, January 12, 2020
Hey, happy Sunday. Hope you’re looking forward to a blessed day the Lord has made.
I’m still figuring out the rhythm of this weekend edition thing, but since yesterday was a good chunk of theology, today I think we’ll just do a little devotion together based on Friday’s reading.
The book of Mark was likely written, at least in part, to encourage persecuted believers. It’s the middle of the 60s AD, there’s the beginning of discord in the ruling Roman government, and you might remember that about this time in Rome Nero blamed the great fire on the Christians and was hunting them down. So it makes sense that a key theme is that Jesus’ servant-leader heart manifests in giving His own life for many.
So far in the book of Mark we’ve heard a lot about Jesus’ miracles, establishing His supreme authority, and this is a big deal if you want to give hope to a persecuted church.
Perhaps most interesting, however, is that the God of the universe, turns upside down the expectations of being a political conqueror and focuses on what you and I really need — new hearts.
It’s in this context that I share a little devotional bit from Rebecca Noord out of a book called Connect the Testaments: A One-Year Daily Devotional with Bible Reading Plan.
The way we respond to desperate circumstances often clarifies what gives us hope. Jesus’ followers faced the very real threat of death by choosing to follow Him—something He warns them about: “And summoning the crowd together with his disciples, he said to them, ‘If anyone wants to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life on account of me and of the gospel will save it’ ” (Mark 8:34–35).
In Jesus’ time, “taking up the cross” would have been associated with a shameful death at the hands of the ruling Roman powers. To risk suffering this type of shameful death required more than lukewarm commitment.
Jesus doesn’t limit this calling to His disciples; anyone who “wants to come after” faces this uncertainty and must hold a faith that displays this loyalty. For some Christians today, following Jesus means opposition and death. For most of us, it doesn’t. Yet Jesus goes on to show that this type of devotion is still relevant today: “For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels” (Mark 8:36–38).
Many of our lives reflect a lax neutrality—a purposeless ease that avoids conflict and commitment. We might shy away from bold claims. We might fade into the wallpaper in an attempt to fit in. We might show reluctance to declare Christ’s name.
What does commitment look like for you? Are you following Jesus with this type of devotion? Or do you hesitate to share the good news?
How are you taking up your cross?
Rebecca Van Noord
The invitation is pretty stunning. It’s not for the faint of heart. And part of the good news is that our hearts are faint without the comfort and counsel of the Holy Spirit.
Let’s close with a prayer for just that.
Father in heaven, You are holy and worthy of our eternal worship. And we look forward to that one day. Lord, help us today find the rest and peace that only comes from You, and may You find us willing, with Your help, to live this life in light of eternity. In Jesus’ name, amen.
I love you.
-R
ForTheHope is a daily audio Bible + apologetics podcast and blog. We’ve got a passion for just keepin’ it real, having conversations like normal people, and living out the love of Jesus better every single day.
Roger Courville, CSP is a globally-recognized expert in digitally-extended communication and connection, an award-winning speaker, award-winning author, and a passionately bad guitarist. Follow him on Twitter -- @RogerCourville and @JoinForTheHope – or his blog: www.forthehope.org.
Sources and resources:
(1) John D. Barry and Rebecca Kruyswijk, Connect the Testaments: A One-Year Daily Devotional with Bible Reading Plan (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012).