Here we go. Jesus gets us where it hurts. This scripture is particularly difficult. There are two key questions in the first half of this chapter in Mark's Gospel.
First, Jesus is questioned about divorce by the Pharisees, and Jesus turns the questions around on them. They want to know about legalism. He wants to talk about motive.
Later Jesus is asked by a rich young man, a young ruler about how he can enter the Kingdom of Heaven. (Jesus looks right though his question. He can't be bought.) Jesus tells him to go sell everything and come back.
In the middle he has a moment with many children. Families are bringing their children to Jesus to be blessed. And the disciples want to send the children away, but Jesus insists that they keep coming.
Jesus is more concerned with humility than riches, more concerned with intent than action. God wants our hearts. God doesn't need our money. God doesn't need our expertise. God doesn't need our legalistic obedience.
Isn't is just like Jesus to hear the questions of the powerful, while giving his blessing to the powerless. Fully present with all of them, patient with all of them, but only one receives his blessing.
God is looking for us to put it all on the side, with God at the center. Nothing comes before God. Not our work. Not our security. Not our families. Not our religion. Nothing comes before being with God. This is where we find God's blessing.
The above picture is not cute or even a good picture. It's a morning picture. Me with my Bible. Not because I am so good. Not because I am legalistic about reading. But because when I spend time in God's word, I am in the presence of God. This is where I find God's blessing. Fully present. Everything else is put to the side, my pride, my time, my 'to do' list... all of it put aside so I can be centered with Jesus.
Happy Reading!
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+10&version=NIV
First, Jesus is questioned about divorce by the Pharisees, and Jesus turns the questions around on them. They want to know about legalism. He wants to talk about motive.
Later Jesus is asked by a rich young man, a young ruler about how he can enter the Kingdom of Heaven. (Jesus looks right though his question. He can't be bought.) Jesus tells him to go sell everything and come back.
In the middle he has a moment with many children. Families are bringing their children to Jesus to be blessed. And the disciples want to send the children away, but Jesus insists that they keep coming.
Jesus is more concerned with humility than riches, more concerned with intent than action. God wants our hearts. God doesn't need our money. God doesn't need our expertise. God doesn't need our legalistic obedience.
Isn't is just like Jesus to hear the questions of the powerful, while giving his blessing to the powerless. Fully present with all of them, patient with all of them, but only one receives his blessing.
God is looking for us to put it all on the side, with God at the center. Nothing comes before God. Not our work. Not our security. Not our families. Not our religion. Nothing comes before being with God. This is where we find God's blessing.
The above picture is not cute or even a good picture. It's a morning picture. Me with my Bible. Not because I am so good. Not because I am legalistic about reading. But because when I spend time in God's word, I am in the presence of God. This is where I find God's blessing. Fully present. Everything else is put to the side, my pride, my time, my 'to do' list... all of it put aside so I can be centered with Jesus.
Happy Reading!
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+10&version=NIV
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