Suggested Bible Reading: Mark 2
Devotional Thought:
Mark 2:6 says, “But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts.” Jesus sets for us the example of how we are to respond to the critics and naysayers in our lives. Unfortunately for Christians, there will always be plenty of people who do not understand or have a completely different world-view for the way we live. The sad truth is that they are not always the unsaved. Jesus faithfully did the task that His Father had given Him to do. He modeled submission for us. In verse 17 Jesus says, “…I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Although the scribes and Pharisees tried to discredit, disparage, and destroy Jesus, He unapologetically kept His focus on the task He was given to do. We are also called by God to do a task. What does it take to get you discouraged? How much opposition does it take to make you want to quit? They attacked Jesus in three main areas: (1) His preaching – who gives you the right to say… (2) His program – why are you sitting with the publicans… (3) His people – why do your disciples not fast… why do they pick corn on the Sabbath… There will always be people around who demand total control. The scribes and Pharisees wanted the people who were once following them to come back. The way controllers try to regain control is by discrediting, disparaging, and trying to destroy the competition. However, Jesus was unmoved. He just went on glorifying God in his preaching, obeying His Father in His program, and teaching His people to do the same. We too have a job description, clearly defined in the Bible that was given to us by the Creator of the Universe and the Savior of our souls. Don’t be easily discouraged. Keep preaching the gospel, obeying the scripture, and loving people. I like what Dr. O says, “Just put the puck in the net and let the heathen rage!”
Prayer Requests
Personal:
• Lord, please help me to not let the critics cloud my focus.
• Lord, please help me to stay the course that is faithful to your word.
• Lord, make me more sensitive to the publicans around me and help me to love them enough to sit and share the love of Christ with them.
• Lord, help me to be a true follower of Your Word and not a follower of the traditions of men.