Today's Reading: Mark 15: 16-32
**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 15: 16-32
Bible Study
This passage shows the painful scene of a powerless Saviour, Lord and King to be mocked, struck, spitted, insulted and crucified. They did not see what they expected to see that the Messiah should come as a powerful king to save them. How could Jesus save them as a Messiah if they could crucify him? How could Jesus die on the cross so powerlessly if he is the Messiah?
What do you expect to get when you follow Jesus? Do you expect to be mocked, struck, spitted, insulted and crucified? Do you expect yourself to die powerlessly on your cross someday like Jesus?
How do you see your cross, precious cross or shameful cross?
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: Precious Cross!
Jesus shows me today how precious His Cross is!
Lots of time when we face with opposition and are being mocked, struck, spitted, insulted and crucified we may feel God is not there. But, if your being mocked, struck, spitted, insulted and crucified are for Jesus then you need to know that your cross is a precious cross to bear! It's an honor and your cross is a precious cross!
Many Christians are still having a wrong concept that once you follow Jesus then you will be successful in all areas. If you think like that, what is the difference from those chief priests and the scribes? They wanted to see Jesus powerfully coming down from the cross and believe!
When you follow Jesus, you have lots of things to change and to die, your thinking, way of doing things, lifestyle and many things leading you to be more Christlike. That's your precious cross you have to take in order to be risen like Jesus and more like Him. Without that, you are just making use of Jesus to get what you want.
I have been helping a new Christian for the past six months to listen to Jesus' voice. Last week I was so joyful to know that he listened to the Lord very clearly. He told me that Jesus talked to him very loudly saying, "I am not your servant!" Wow! What he heard is perhaps the most important change of mindset of a Christian. From lording Jesus and other people to let Jesus to be his Lord! That's transformation! Jesus is Lord! Your precious cross is to help you to experience that Jesus is Lord!
Dear Lord Jesus,
Help us to be willing to bear our own precious cross so that you can be our Lord. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Chinese praise song - 寶貴十架 (Precious Blood)
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