I think I have taken my life in Christ a little too shamefully. As we have studied through the book of Mark we have come upon 3 stories that many of us have heard time and again. But as we have studied them all together I have noticed a theme. A theme of how to be great by becoming nothing. By redefining what great means and how to obtain it.
At first we see a rich man who had all the parts of being a great follower of Christ, or so it seems. We are so prone to judging a book by its cover that we forget that is not how God judges. Christ asked him some great questions and the man seemed to Havre them all, but then Christ pointed out the "one thing" he lacked. He lacked Christ. He lacked faith. So Jesus makes this extreme command for him to become less than those around him by selling all he had. The man refused and left angry.
Next James and John get in on the action and want to be great in God's kingdom here on earth. They look for a seat of honor and want to be above men. But Christ simply reminds them that his kingdom is not about being in power, but being a slave to others. About things higher of others than you do yourself. That means our murmuring goes away. Our self-righteous attitudes fade and we are willing to be the bottom of the barrel.
Lastly, we saw the man Bartimaues. A low life who was a beggar that had no real skills. He had no reputation and definitely no money. He was willing to be embarrassed by yelling for Jesus, and even when others said to be quiet he refused. He yelled louder and louder until Jesus heard him. At the end Jesus admired his faith and allowed him to follow along to Jerusalem. How about you? Are you willing to follow this formula to follow Jesus? To become less, to serve more, even the lowest ones who we would consider beggars?Aren't we all just beggars looking to eat of the bread of life. Take time to think about this. Jesus is really setting a high standard that we are to follow. Will you consider following HIM?
