Wednesday, March 25, 2020
Bible Text: Mark 1:21 “Jesus and his companions went to the town of Capernaum. When the Sabbath day came, he went into the synagogue and began to teach.”
Memory Verse: Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
Every time I study the bible text referenced in today’s devotion, I tarry until the Holyspirit gives me a new interpretation, and by His grace, there’s always a new angle at all times. Studying it with a heart to receive always makes it look like a new verse I just stumbled on and I find myself meditating on it over and over again.
Using an illustration, the world has its key stakeholders and benchwarmers are one of them. Let’s liken the world to the English Premier League where we have the club owner who buys and pays players wages, then sits down to watch his investment flourish, while we have the players and match coordinators such as the coach, referee, health staff and the rest alike who plays their part in fulfilling their contractual agreement, then we have the fans who have the passion for football so they follow team from closely or from afar, then the supporters who spends excessive amounts of money to watch the matches and buying all sort of club accessories to show allegiance just to be noticed as a club member.
The life of a Christian is just as described above but what’s more important this morning is you placing yourself in that scenario and try to figure out where you think you fit in. Are you an active stakeholder or a benchwarmer? God is the owner of the football club but are you like Jesus, a player? A coach? a fan? Can you even place yourself at the moment? What do you actually do? Being saved is not for cumbering the ground and enjoying the benefits, it is being saved to save others and bring others to the love of Christ. Self-evaluation is key to determining progress and without knowing where you stand as a Christian, you limit yourself in terms of what you are able to do for God.
The key to note here is that Christians are followers of Christ therefore as often as possible we look at things through the lens of Christ which means we keep going back to the bible to see the things that Christ did. Having seen these, we understand we have been saved and called to continue the great commission as key players rather than a fan warming the bench and having minimal or no impact. You will be surprised in a match there are even some fans who just sits and watch, never cheering on their club players to motivate them.
Today’s bible text record that Jesus did not just go to the synagogue, He went there to preach. Yes, at that time Jesus was still with us, it was ok for his disciples to be followers and fans, listening and learning but after resurrection and pre-ascension to Heaven to sit on God’s right hand, Jesus issued a command to His disciples to continue the great commission. He promoted them and empowered them with all they need to become key players and we can see this where “He told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.” Mark 16:15-18.
Jesus wants you and I to be active Christians! We cannot just be a Sunday-Sunday Christian warming up the bench when we get to church. Doing this means you are still living in disobedience. Our duty is to be active every time we find ourselves in the place of worship like Jesus did.
Just like you earn part time wages for working as a part time employee so is your reward for being a partial Christian. Your activeness and reward is commensurate to your service and obedience to His word. Do more in fulfilling His great commission and be assured your reward will be great in heaven and on earth.
PRAYERS:
- Father I thank You for your goodness and salvation of my soul
- I activate the authority to be a key player in your kingdom, I refuse to be an ordinary bench warmer from today
- Help me to fully acknowledge You for direction, live above fear of uncertainties, be active in your commission and grant me the boldness to go out and win souls to your kingdom
- Forgive my iniquities Lord and let your mercy prevail over judgement
- Thank you Father and in Jesus Name I Pray, Amen.
I’m reading the YouVersion plan ‘Bible in One Year 2020 With Nicky Gumbel’. Check it out by clicking on the caption below.
