And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” (Mark 7:37)
And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:34-38)
Today was a “big picture day”, which meant reading a longer section of Mark’s gospel to get a larger view of what Jesus was doing in his ministry and how people were responding to him and his work.
Because of this, I noticed the change that took place from when Mark showed how astonished people were at the amazing signs and wonders Jesus was doing but then narrowed the spotlight to Jesus’ beginning to teach his disciples about the cross.
In this case, there is a familiar pattern in the way people can be so excited to be part of something amazing God is doing when it doesn’t touch on his will for their lives, and then ashamed of Jesus’ teachings about his cross of salvation and our cross of submission because of what it demands of them.
I have experienced some horrendous losses and grief because people discovered what I believe about the cross of Jesus Christ as the only means of purchasing our salvation. I have watched friends and family close their hearts to me because I can’t escape Jesus’ words that we who follow the Christ have a cross as well, one of submission to the Savior who died for us.
With the Christmas season already announcing its coming, it reminds us that many people will accept the warm-fuzzies of “peace on earth, goodwill toward men”. Some may express mild curiosity at our claim that Jesus Christ the eternal Son of God came into the world as a baby. A few may even go so far as to be amazed at all the miraculous things Jesus did for people in his ministry.
But to complete the thought that God’s peace on earth is only for those with whom he is “well pleased”, and that Jesus’ coming into the world was explicitly “to save sinners”, and that Jesus was “a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him” so that everyone would “know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified”, sends the same people away utterly ashamed of such a message of foolishness to this proud and blind generation.
When I see the stage set with contrasts such as this, it challenges me to examine myself to be sure I am in the faith. If there is any part of the gospel I am ashamed of (including the part about denying ourselves, taking up our cross daily, and following Jesus wherever he leads), I sure better deal with my pride that thinks I have a better way than Jesus presented.
After all, if Jesus would say to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man”, why would I think that the adjustments I imagine making to following Jesus would come from a different source than Satan himself?!
And knowing that makes me head into this day wanting everyone to know how amazing Jesus is no matter what he calls us to do to follow him. Anything he asks of me will pale in comparison to the glorious salvation he purchased for me by his death on the cross.
© 2024 Monte Vigh ~ Box 517, Merritt, BC, V1K 1B8
Email: in2freedom@gmail.com
Unless otherwise noted, Scriptures are from the English Standard Version (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.)
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