Highlighting God's Presence to Inspire Your Life!
One theme that has resonated with me this Christmas season is how God chooses the lowly of this world. If we reflect upon it, it seems like everyone involved in the events of Jesus’ birth and ministry beginnings was considered lowly in the worldly view. I think there is a message and encouragement in that for us too.
Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” “We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.” –Mark 10:35-40 (NIV)
The above passage is part of the story of “The Request of James and John.”
How often are we just like James and John, wanting Jesus to do what WE have in mind for our lives?
How often do we let honor, prestige, and power take over in our lives instead of being a servant?
How often do we want to be in positions of glory in the Kingdom of God?
How often are we willing to suffer to share in the cup of Jesus?
Photo courtesy of Sharon Tate Soberon under Creative Commons License (CC BY-ND 2.0)
When reading the above Mark passage, I never reflected on who the “those for whom they have been prepared” were.
Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. –Luke 23:32-33 (ESV)
One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” –Luke 23:39-43 (ESV)
Photo courtesy of Lluís Ribes Mateu under Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC 2.0)
God chose two criminals; two criminals who were justly condemned!
We see that one thief, often known as the “bad” thief, thinks Jesus is the Savior of the world and wants Him to save Himself and the thieves if it is true. His faith is limited by IF Jesus comes down from the cross alive and does the same for them.
The other thief, often known as the “good” thief, rebukes the “bad” thief. He realizes that Jesus, who has done no wrong, is being put to death, whereas the two thieves have done wrong and deserve death. The “good” thief puts his faith and trust in Jesus, asking for salvation. Jesus grants his request.
~Aren’t we just like those criminals? We are also justly condemned until we come to repentance.
~The kingdom of heaven is not for the elite; it is for those who repent and accept Jesus as their Savior.
~There are no works we can do to earn our salvation; it is God’s free gift to us.
~We should not be concerned with worldly honor and power; it is about serving others with a humble heart.
We can place ourselves at the right or left of Jesus at His crucifixion since we, too, are sinners. Are you like the “good” or the “bad” thief?
May you be encouraged this week to take time to reflect on the goodness of God’s love, mercy, and forgiveness He extends to us all.
Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. –Isaiah 55:7 (NIV)
Continue reading “PRAYING LIKE JESUS”
Continue reading “JESUS’ PRAYER”
When we are faced with new beginnings in our lives, may we stop to think about Jesus’ example to help endure whatever our new beginning is.
This world we live in seems to offer happiness to them in the form of
Our greatest hope is in the day we will meet Jesus face to face, and then spend eternity with Him.
This (Christ) is the lasting hope we can offer people as we live it and walk it each day. As Paul states in his First Letter to the Corinthians, “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.” (1 Cori 15:19)
I think the song, Cry Out to Jesus, by my favorite Christian band, Third Day, is such an inspiring, encouraging song that talks about the hope that Jesus provides. Take a listen and be blessed! Let the words penetrate your heart and soul.
For me, the SUN is a shining reminder of Jesus, the “SON”, in our lives.
If you have ever seen the sun rise
from behind the hills and mountains,
You may have been blessed
by the sparkling red and yellow rays that fill the sky.
Just gazing on this beautiful sight,
reminds us how much beauty is in creation–
both inanimate and living,
There is a breathtaking awesomeness in the sight.
So may all your enemies perish, O Lord! But may they who love you be like the sun when it rises in its strength. Then the land had peace forty years. –Judges 5:31 (NIV)
During the day, see the sun brighten the earth
and penetrate so deeply and warmly.
I so enjoy being immersed in the warmth of the sun
as its rays are radiating so intensely.
A sign and symbol of all the love God gives us
through His “Son”, Jesus.
Jesus’ love for us is deeply rooted in us
and rises to brighten the lives of others.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless. –Psalm 84:11 (NIV)
In the evening, see the sun setting over the ocean waters–
such a tranquil and serene view.
This sight restores our soul
letting us know God is in control
and He is filling us with His peace and love.
From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised. –Psalm 113:3 (NIV)