Stan and I were at our usual place for breakfast and conversation about our faith. As we were enjoying our meal together, Stan mentioned he’d been focusing on a verse in Mark’s gospel that shows him how some early disciples are an example for his own obedience. “In what way?” I asked.
“Jesus told them to do something, and that’s what they did. Too often I’m not like that. He tells me to do something and I don’t do it.”
“What’d He tell them to do?”
Rather than answer my question directly, Stan said, “Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem and the cross. He and His disciples needed a place for the Passover meal. Some of the disciples wondered where they were going to have that meal. Jesus told them to go into the city, find a certain man, and follow him to find where they were to celebrate Passover. What those disciples did is the crucial lesson for me.”
“What’d they do?”
“They went,” Stan replied with a smile. “They went and did exactly what Jesus told them to do. Way too often, when He tells me to do something I just ignore Him.”
“Why would you do that?”
“Same reason as everyone else who ignores Him,” Stan replied. “That’s what I choose. I choose to put what I want to do ahead of what He tells me to do. I’m not like the disciples who were sent and actually went!”
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Bible verses to consider:
And He sent two of His disciples, and said to them, . . . And the disciples went out, . . . . Mark 14:13-16.
So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went . . . . Acts of the Apostles 13:4.
And why do you call Me, “Lord, Lord,” and do not do what I say? Luke 6:46.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus and His obedient finished work on the cross as the way to life with you, the life that begins here and will continue forever. Even though I know I will spend eternity in your presence, I confess that too often while I remain on this side of eternity I don’t do what you say because I choose to do what I want to do apart from you. Please forgive that foolish approach to living the new life you’ve provided. Help me follow every step of your lead in doing what you tell me to do. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Have you answered God’s calling and accepted His free and gracious provision of life with Him, the life that begins here and will continue forever? If no, why do you want to remain separated from God both now and forever? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with your obedience to what He says? If you sense the desire for change with any of this, how is that change going to happen? Is that what you truly want? Why or why not?
The need: Since God knows what we need before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8), what does He know you need so you actually obey what He says? Spend time studying God’s word, praying, reflecting, and journaling to see what God knows you need. He will show you!
Forward: Do you know others who would or could benefit from this devotional? If so, why not forward it and open them to be part of the conversation between Stan and S. Tory Teller?