Today's Reading: Mark 9: 30- 9: 37
**For a simple and good way of Daily Devotion method please click this link: Subject Shifting Devotion.pdf.
Please click this link to read Mark 9: 30- 9:37
Bible Study
Jesus taught his disciples from the beginning until this section using code and parables because they could not understand if he told them clearly. They needed that time and trust to be able to listen to Him and to understand what He said.
So, this section started with "Jesus didn't want anyone to know, because He was teaching His disciples."(v. 30) It was time for Jesus not using any code or parable to tell His disciples the truth that He was going to be killed and after three days He will rise again. (v. 31) But in verse 32 , 'They didn't understand the saying, and were afraid to ask Him.'
Why? N. T. Wright says, "Basically, because no such fate could possibly have been part of their game plan, their understanding of what a Messiah might do. You might as well expect a footballer, planning the biggest game of the season, to explain to his friends that he was going to play with his legs tie together. Probably not all Jews of the time believed that God would send a Messiah; but nobody at all believed that, if and when God did send one, that Messiah would have to suffer, still less have to die.?
Our game plan as human beings on earth is to get, to success, to win and to build our own kingdom that we can be a king controlling many people and many things. That's why Jesus disciples were talking about who would be the greatest later if Jesus demonstrated Himself to be the Messiah. If Jesus would be the king, who would be the Prime Minister!
We need to know that God's game plan is to call us to repent from this wrong direction to go back to His Kingdom by giving, losing and even dying so that His Kingdom may be extended and His name may be glorified.
What kind of game plan are you on right now?
Have a time to be still and give the Holy Spirit space to speak through the passage of scripture we have just read. Offer this time up to God as you listen to him, while listening to "Gabriel's Oboe"
Spiritual Journal
What I heard from Jesus today is: Have you changed your game plan?
Jesus challenges each one of us to think of whether we understand what He wants to tell us or thinking that we know but in fact we shut our ears just like all the Jews. He also challenges us that the reason for us to go to church, to know Him and to serve Him is somewhat like His disciples in this section wanting to get something from Jesus so that we can be top of the world lording everyone and everything.
Have you changed your game plan?
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for reminding us of our game plan. Help us to know that we need to change our game plan to live out your plan. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Chinese praise song - 主你是我力量 You are my strength
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