Check out this quote from, “Four Portraits, One Jesus” by Mark Strauss. It’s a great book which gives tons of info about the history and setting of the gospels.
Mark’s Gospel reminds us that the goal of the Christian life is not to find security or self-fulfillment. Following Jesus is responding to a radical call to commitment, taking up our crosses and following him. The gospel holds no promise for those who are seeking power and wealth and fame and prestige. To be first, Jesus says, you must be last. To be a leader, you must become a slave. To live, you must die.
Does that move you? If you’re like me, you might need to read it a couple times for it’s weight to sink in.
I wanted to share this because we need to be reminded that the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Christian life is not about self-fulfillment. It is not about finding convenience, or gaining popularity. The Christian life is about experiencing forgiveness and knowing God through a relationship with Jesus. To follow Jesus means to live under His authority and to be involved in spreading His message of salvation to everyone.
The paradox of it all is that if you live a self-sacrificial life, you will find fulfillment. Jesus said it this way, “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” (Matthew 16:25)
Hope that encourages you to press on in your relationship with Jesus and your study of the word!
Give your life away!
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