Love = Service and Sacrifice - February 14

Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 88; PM Psalm 91, 92; Isa. 61:1-9; 2 Tim. 3:1-17; Mark 10:32-45

Amazed. Afraid. Angry. These are emotions and feelings exhibited by the disciples in today’s gospel story from Mark. While informed by Jesus of what is to come – betrayal, humiliation, death – James and John are still not satisfied. The brothers voice a desire to draw nearer to Jesus’ power, sitting to the left and right of this one who God will raise from the dead. They are not seeing the whole picture Jesus is outlining for them, for they are missing the immense sacrifice required.

There is dissention among the disciples, stirred with angst at the impertinence of Zebedee’s boys. Jesus dispels the tension and corrects the expectations of his students. Gentiles, he says, have rulers who lead sternly and as tyrants. Conversely, faithful believers in God – like the disciples – embrace a different paradigm: greatness is defined by one’s humility and willingness to serve. Then, Jesus makes a profound statement of his purpose in community: “For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (v. 45) Selfless service and sacrifice are at the heart of what Jesus models for the world.

This life coaching lesson opens the disciples to be more apt to welcome the blind, bellowing Bartimaeus, calling out for Jesus to have mercy on him (tomorrow’s gospel reading, Mark 10:46-52). I imagine the disciples join others in the crowd to help encourage and lead the pleading beggar to the Son of David. These students feel his power and are in awe, while still figuring out what it means to be in the presence of such a being. He may be called Jesus, but they are beginning to know him as the Messiah. As they watch the healing of the needy, like Bartimaeus who is made well by his faith, their own faith is bolstered through witnessing miracles.

The disciples are sources of encouragement for us – we who are flawed and bumbling, angry and afraid. The disciples faced adversity and injustice. They asked the wrong questions. They missed the point. And the Good Shepherd did not leave them behind. Jesus Christ’s grace-filled instruction continued.

Jesus keeps teaching us, too…beckoning us to live into ways of demonstrating justice, loving mercy, and walking with humility. How will you honor God through your life today?

Katherine+

Reflection and Challenge

What does honoring God with your life look like? Who do you look to as a guide? Where are the spaces of hurt and need that are immediately in front of you?

Pray and journal as you reflect on these questions. Listen for ideas of action and response that emerge.