Mark Dip - Day 5

DAY 5 – IT’S YOUR REACTION THAT MATTERS

Mark 8:31 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.  

This verse is the main verse of the Gospel of Mark; weird, isn’t it? In today’s society, where we like to focus on being blessed, wealthy, the nice house, the great car for an amazing life. Mark doesn’t uphold these things in Jesus’ mission. Mark encourages his audience that Jesus life wasn’t about those things, it was about obedience, suffering, being rejected and being killed.

But wait a second, Jesus’ lived a perfect life – without sin, without fault, the Perfect Lamb – how was it perfect if it held suffering, rejection and death? Jesus’ life was perfect because He did these things without sinning; when He suffered, He forgave and loved those who were persecuting Him. When He was rejected, again, He reacted correctly, even when He was on the cross He was forgiving. A perfect life is not about a life free from suffering, rejection or pain – that simply doesn’t exist, a perfect life is a life that walks suffering, rejection and pain with God by your side and in the footsteps of Jesus that forgave, love and conquered them to rise from the dead.

It’s our reaction to these things in our life that makes the difference. Don’t blame God or get angry, or hold an offence, but forgive, love and keep moving forward. No matter what life throws at you, Jesus can walk you through and out the other side better, wiser and with more strength and joy than you have ever imagined.

recommended

Tyndale Commentary Series

Dip into Mark

Mark part one