What is the hardest part for you by declaring yourself a follower of Jesus?
Hold that answer in your mind for a moment.
The text today is a continuation of Jesus instructing his disciples. This vein started when Peter declared he believed Jesus was the Messiah. Since then they have had both their mountain top experience and, come face to face with an example of the daily external challenges of following him.
These scenes drive me less to try and work out all the answers, and more remind me that God is in charge. Therefore, my goal ought to be to one of following Him, which is to say, to be in His presence.
Which brings me back to my opening question. What is the hardest part of declaring you are a Jesus follower?
For me it is my inner life: my thoughts, my motivations, my unspoken judgments of others. Occasionally parts of this inner life leak out—it is not pretty.
Today’s reading has the disciples coming face to face with their internal motives, not once, but twice.
The first time is when they are quietly discussing among themselves who will be the greatest. When Jesus asks, they know they are in the wrong. So often this is true for me. When the Holy Spirit points out to me how I am thinking, I’m embarrassed.
The second time is not so quiet. They go up and tell Jesus that they stopped some other people from doing good work in Jesus’ Name. What was their motivation? Was it to protect Jesus, or was it for them to maintain their perceived monopoly on Him?
Jesus going to suffer and die (which began our reading today) has not sunk in.
In verses 38-50 Jesus is inviting his followers, us, to consider a number of inner motives:
· Verses 38-40 is about God’s Kingdom and not our glory. Even an act as minor as a cup of water, done in Jesus’ Name should not be opposed.
· Verses 41-42 note that this work is not for our gain. Children, when you serve them, cannot give you prestige or money.
· Verses 43-48 he notes the supreme need for repentance and transformation.
All of these verses drive me back to my inner thoughts and motives.
I ask, “Is there any help for me?” The answer is of course, “Yes, it is Jesus.”
We must be constantly turned towards Jesus. Looking at him in the face. It is not enough to turn away from sin. We must turn to God. We must follow, which is to be in his presence, turned towards him.
He will transform us. In Psalm 51, David writes to God, “create in me a clean heart”. David knows that he is incapable. God can change his heart.
We must swallow our pride, we must come to Jesus, even if this is the hundredth or more time with the same sinful flaw and pray.
Come to Jesus today. Bring to him, aloud, that which so embarrasses you. Give it him and pray, “Lord Jesus, create in a clean heart and renew a right spirit in me…”