My style's like a chemical spill

Tag: Mark (Page 2 of 2)

Act Like A Child

People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.
-Mark 10:13-16 (NIV)

Ever been told you were “acting like a child”? I have. The phrase implies that a person is not seeing or responding to the world through the viewpoint of a mature adult. Generally, it’s considered an insult.

In this story, we find the disciples trying to prevent kids from “bothering” Jesus. They apparently think he’s too busy, too important for people of such lower stature. This upsets Jesus, and he quickly turns the situation into a teaching opportunity. His point: anyone who wants to be part of God’s kingdom must be more childlike.

But why would Jesus tell his disciples that they need to act like a child? That’s a bad thing, right?

When it comes down to it, children are the epitome of humility. Why? Because it’s never been all about them. All they’ve ever known is a life of desperate dependency on someone greater than themselves for provision. It’s clear to them that they can’t do it all on their own. Someone else has to intervene on their behalf, and they’ve accepted that. They have no choice.

So when it comes to our relationship with our Father, Jesus says that we must approach him with the same attitude of trust, humility, and dependency that a little child would have for their parent.

Sometimes, we need to act like a child. It isn’t always a bad thing.

Mind Your Own Business

When he saw Jesus a long way off, he ran and bowed in worship before him—then bellowed in protest, “What business do you have, Jesus, Son of the High God, messing with me? I swear to God, don’t give me a hard time!” (Jesus had just commanded the tormenting evil spirit, “Out! Get out of the man!”)
-Mark 5:6-8 (MSG)

Here Jesus runs into a demon-possessed madman who was described as unrestrainable. Nothing or no one could keep him contained. He lived in the graveyards and went around screaming and cutting himself with rocks.

Sounds like a fun guy.

When he comes face to face with Jesus though, the demon, speaking through the man, rebelliously complains. What business do you have messing with me? Don’t give me a hard time! In other words: mind your own business.

I think it’s interesting that the demon replied to Jesus the same way that many people in the world today respond to him.

  • A Christian hears God telling them that enough is enough and to overcome their struggle with a particular sin… C’mon, God. Don’t give me a hard time!
  • An unbeliever feels Christ calling them to begin a new life with him… Why are you messing with me? Get out of my business!

I wonder how many times I might have essentially told God to stop interfering with things and let me do it my way. I never thought I might be siding with a demon on that one.

For the sake of the madman, thankfully Jesus didn’t listen to the demon. Thank you Jesus for not listening to me as well.

Shine Like A CFL

Jesus went on: “Does anyone bring a lamp home and put it under a washtub or beneath the bed? Don’t you put it up on a table or on the mantel? We’re not keeping secrets, we’re telling them; we’re not hiding things, we’re bringing them out into the open.
-Mark 4:21-22 (MSG)

I am slowly but surely switching all the lights in my house over the compact fluorescent lamps, aka CFLs. Besides just looking cool, the energy savings are enormous. And when you “grow up” and have to pay your own power bill, you start paying attention to those things.

I’m really enjoying having the new CFL bulbs because I like a well lit up room. Since they are more energy-efficient, I find myself letting those lamps and overhead lights do what they were meant to do — shine. It’s a nice change.

Here in Chapter 4 of Mark, Jesus is talking about lamps. He states the obvious — lamps aren’t meant to be hidden; they are meant to light everything up and help people see.

The “lamps” mentioned are a direct reference to Jesus’ followers. Just like I used to not want to turn my lamps on due to the consequences of a higher electricity bill, I wonder how many Christians are reluctant to be identified as such because of the consequences? As Christ-followers, we aren’t meant to stay hidden from sight or be embarrassed of our faith. Like a lamp, we were made to shine.

A lamp that is on and in the open naturally brightens everything around it — that’s just what a lamp does. Simply put, our lives should light up the lives of everyone around us. As Jesus is pointing out, that’s just what a Christian does.

Before I switched to CFLs, the lamps in my home weren’t doing their job. If my life is not helping people see Christ, I’m not worth much either. I must shine like a CFL.

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