Title: On the Way of the Cross
Contents
If you go the way of the cross
Mark 9:30-37
The Lord of love calls people and entrusts them with the mission of saving lives. Today's text introduces those who are called by Jesus and those who receive the word of Jesus. What kind of people is Jesus calling?
1. He calls people who are greedy.
Jesus did not hide his 'desire to become great', but called the disciple who had an argument on the 'path of following Jesus'. From last week's message, we learned that a disciple is a person who confesses Jesus as the Christ, who puts God's work ahead of human affairs, and who boasts of Christ. Jesus calls greedy people and leads them to live a life that wants to be first in this holy realm of life. Greed is not good. However, if we honestly reveal our greed to the Lord who loves us just the way we are, Jesus calls us and speaks to us. Because the love of Jesus Christ is greater than our greed. Therefore, although we may not be holy, shouldn't we be greedy for holy things through our lives?
2. He calls people to serve.
Jesus said that if you want to be first, you will be the end of all and you must be a servant of all. In this case, greed is what drives us to devote ourselves to good works. Even if we have greed, if we obey in the Word, we can live a holy life. We pray that we will be the head and not the tail in the world (Deuteronomy 28:13), we must serve the world well. With a holy desire to be first, the church must be able to practice holy service to the world. Therefore, rather than expecting to be served, shouldn't we be determined to serve and live in the mission of Jesus?
3. We call people who can tolerate others.
At the end of today's text, Jesus called a little child and spoke to him. It is to welcome, that is, to accept such a little child. This child is different from the child in Matthew 18. Perhaps you are talking about the nature of a child who reveals his needs and desires without hiding them. Jesus calls people who can tolerate other people's greed, rudeness, and self-centeredness, and builds them up with the word. Through such people, He expands His kingdom and saves lives. Therefore, shouldn't we all become those who are used according to the will of the Lord? The fellowship of the saints who tolerate each other will be more powerful evidence and message of evangelism than anything else.