Devote #46

Can I asked you why you hang out with Jesus? I’m not so much asking if you believe in Jesus or why you believe in Jesus as much as why do you keep Jesus in your life? I think it’s a pertinent question to ask, especially after I read Mark chapter 3 today.

In the first six verses of this chapter, Jesus heals a man in the temple who had a crippled hand. However, there was a group of people who were constantly in Jesus’ life that had only one objective…
“They kept watching to see if Jesus would heal him on the Sabbath.” Mark 3:2 CEV

The only reason these religious people hung around Jesus was to catch him doing something wrong (which by-the-way was never going to happen!)

Then there was another group in verses 7-12. All this group wanted was to experiment with Jesus. They wanted something from Him. These were the crowds. The Bible tells us…
“All of these crowds came because they had heard what Jesus was going… After Jesus healed many people, the other sick people begged Him to let them touch Him.” Mark 3:9-10 CEV

And third, there were those who He hand picked to mentor, train, coach.
“He chose twelve of them… so that they could be with Him. He also wanted to send them out to preach and to force out demons.” Mark 3:14-15 CEV

So which group would you consider yourself a part of? Of course, we all want to say the third group – that’s the christian answer to the question. But there are times in life, when we need to allow the Holy Spirit to check us out and help us do an analysis of ourselves. Today is as good as any other day to do that, so let me ask you…

#1. The first group just wanted to be negative about Jesus. They saw Him, they heard Him, but His words and works didn’t move them. As a matter of fact, He irritated them because He told them the truth. Could it be that you’re part of this crowd because you’re not sure you like hearing the truth? Just asking!

#2.The second group just wanted to be around Jesus because He had something they wanted. Their needs were legitimate, but they were consumers – take the goods and run, kind of mentality. We don’t like to admit it, but there are times, especially when we’re really needy, that we just hang around Jesus because of what He might be able to do for us. Is that true of you?

#3. The third group were those He picked to change the world. They weren’t the brightest or the best, but they were the ones He chose to equip to win over the world.

So, which group do you find yourself in?

Here’s my word of encouragement for you today: I just want to let you know today that Jesus picked you – you didn’t pick Him. And He picked you to be a world-changer and a history-maker. And if you’re not in group #3, know that you should be!

Father,
Thank You for picking me. Prepare me for what You have for me to do. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Rev. Dr. MM Marxhausen