“Who Would You Be?”

Monday, July 01, 2019

BIBLE READING: Mark 6

Jesus sent out the 12 apostles in power with a mission: constrain the power of evil in word and deed (Matthew 10.7-8; Mark 6.12-13). They did and said many incredible things that created a following (Mark 6.33), and afterwards they gave Jesus a report of their work (Mark 6.30). Although their works gave the apostles a certain level of distinction (Mark 6.33), even their “celebrity” was known to be contingent on Jesus (Mark 6.14). The were sent out by Jesus, in the power of Jesus, for the purpose of Jesus.

The impact Jesus had in the lives of these men cannot be overstated. His very presence changed the trajectory of their lives forever. However, over the course of time and life they had moments where their natural self wanted to take credit for the things they could do. At one point, the apostles quibbled about who was the greatest (Mark 9.33-34) because they saw their power as a means of gain but were quickly reminded of their inferiority in the presence of Jesus.

The change we see in their lives and their significance in history was inextricably tied to the mission and call of Jesus. An important lesson, especially critical to our faith, is that we must remember who calls us and what produces change in our lives. Pride often results from a failure to properly acknowledge that the power to change does not come from within ourselves, but from the words and power of Jesus.

If not for Jesus, what kind of person would you be? You may have been a “good” person, but before Jesus called you the scriptures remind us you were dead, separated from God and without hope… but because of Christ you have been made alive, empowered to live with purpose (Colossians 1.22-23; Ephesians 2.1-10). The very trajectory of our lives are forever altered when we encounter Jesus. There are moments we see this clearly, but sometimes we do not. We have times when we overemphasize what we have done to overcome failure and sin without remembering that it is Jesus who enlightened and encouraged us to change. (Titus 2.11-12).

To think for a moment that our knowledge of scripture or acts of service are worthy of some sort of glory from others is to miss the point. The peace and purpose we experience as believers only exists because we have committed to knowing and following Jesus. Jesus is the reason for the change in the lives of believers (1 Corinthians 1.30; Ephesians 4.20-24; Colossians 2.7). His words and example have given us power to live this life with purpose. And so, let us never forget the impact of Jesus in our lives and “let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1.31).

"I will not boast in anything; no gifts, no power, no wisdom.
But I will boast in Jesus Christ, his death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from his reward? I cannot give an answer.
But this I know with all my heart: His wounds have paid my ransom."
-How Deep the Father's Love, verse 3

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