Today's Verses: Mark 8:34-35 (ESV)
34 And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him cdeny himself and dtake up his cross and follow me. 35 For dwhoever would save his life4 will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake eand the gospel’s will save it."
c [2 Tim. 2:12, 13]
d See Matt. 10:38, 39
d [See ver. 34 above]
4 The same Greek word can mean either soul or life, depending on the context; twice in this verse and once in verse 36 and once in verse 37
e ch. 10:29; [1 Cor. 9:23; 2 Tim. 1:8; Philem. 13]
Jesus, in this passage, begins to focus on His disciples, as the events of His death and resurrection approach. Now He talks to them about, not only his on death, but also the death that some of his disciples would have to suffer, as well. Most of those disciples who were willing to follow Jesus would experience new life through their own self denial and death at the hands of others.
Hymn of the Day: WHO IS ON THE LORD’S SIDE? - Frances R. Havergal, 1836–1879
1. Who is on the Lord’s side?
Who will serve the King?
Who will be His helpers, other lives to bring?
Who will leave the world’s side?
Who will face the foe?
Who is on the Lord’s side?
Who for Him will go?
2. Not for weight of glory,
not for crown and palm,
enter we the army,
raise the warrior psalm;
but for Love that claimeth
lives for whom He died:
He whom Jesus nameth
must be on His side.
3. Jesus, Thou hast bought us,
not with gold or gem,
but with Thine own life-blood,
for Thy diadem.
With Thy blessing filling
each who comes to Thee.
Thou has made us willing;
Thou hast made us free.
4. Fierce may be the conflict,
strong may be the foe,
but the King’s own army
none can overthrow.
Round His standard ranging,
vict’ry is secure,
for His truth unchanging
makes the triumph sure.
Refrain:
1. By Thy call of mercy, by Thy grace divine,
2. By Thy love constraining, by Thy grace divine,
3. By Thy grand redemption, by Thy grace divine,
4. Joyfully enlisting, by Thy grace divine,
WE ARE ON THE LORD’S SIDE—SAVIOR, WE ARE THINE!
Osbeck, Kenneth W.: Amazing Grace : 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions. Grand Rapids, Mich. : Kregel Publications, 1990, S. 313
Today's Comments: As we read in at least one other of the Gospel accounts, the more that Jesus talked about death, the fewer seemed to follow him. Those who did, made a choice. Those who didn't also made a choice. And today, we are given the same choice. Do we risk all that is worldly and follow Jesus, knowing that we may have to suffer for our beliefs, or do we keep safely to our world possessions and our standard of temporal living and deny God's promise of eternal life.
While we may not be asked to pay with our lives for our belief in the Lord, we are often asked to bear a cross. With some of us, it may be the sickness or death of a loved one. With others, it may be a broken relationship. In other countries, however, like China or the Middle East, or even at times in our nation, like during the massacre at Columbine, we may be asked to give our lives. As Christians, we should be prepared.
34 And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him cdeny himself and dtake up his cross and follow me. 35 For dwhoever would save his life4 will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake eand the gospel’s will save it."
c [2 Tim. 2:12, 13]
d See Matt. 10:38, 39
d [See ver. 34 above]
4 The same Greek word can mean either soul or life, depending on the context; twice in this verse and once in verse 36 and once in verse 37
e ch. 10:29; [1 Cor. 9:23; 2 Tim. 1:8; Philem. 13]
Jesus, in this passage, begins to focus on His disciples, as the events of His death and resurrection approach. Now He talks to them about, not only his on death, but also the death that some of his disciples would have to suffer, as well. Most of those disciples who were willing to follow Jesus would experience new life through their own self denial and death at the hands of others.
Hymn of the Day: WHO IS ON THE LORD’S SIDE? - Frances R. Havergal, 1836–1879
1. Who is on the Lord’s side?
Who will serve the King?
Who will be His helpers, other lives to bring?
Who will leave the world’s side?
Who will face the foe?
Who is on the Lord’s side?
Who for Him will go?
2. Not for weight of glory,
not for crown and palm,
enter we the army,
raise the warrior psalm;
but for Love that claimeth
lives for whom He died:
He whom Jesus nameth
must be on His side.
3. Jesus, Thou hast bought us,
not with gold or gem,
but with Thine own life-blood,
for Thy diadem.
With Thy blessing filling
each who comes to Thee.
Thou has made us willing;
Thou hast made us free.
4. Fierce may be the conflict,
strong may be the foe,
but the King’s own army
none can overthrow.
Round His standard ranging,
vict’ry is secure,
for His truth unchanging
makes the triumph sure.
Refrain:
1. By Thy call of mercy, by Thy grace divine,
2. By Thy love constraining, by Thy grace divine,
3. By Thy grand redemption, by Thy grace divine,
4. Joyfully enlisting, by Thy grace divine,
WE ARE ON THE LORD’S SIDE—SAVIOR, WE ARE THINE!
Osbeck, Kenneth W.: Amazing Grace : 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions. Grand Rapids, Mich. : Kregel Publications, 1990, S. 313
Today's Comments: As we read in at least one other of the Gospel accounts, the more that Jesus talked about death, the fewer seemed to follow him. Those who did, made a choice. Those who didn't also made a choice. And today, we are given the same choice. Do we risk all that is worldly and follow Jesus, knowing that we may have to suffer for our beliefs, or do we keep safely to our world possessions and our standard of temporal living and deny God's promise of eternal life.
While we may not be asked to pay with our lives for our belief in the Lord, we are often asked to bear a cross. With some of us, it may be the sickness or death of a loved one. With others, it may be a broken relationship. In other countries, however, like China or the Middle East, or even at times in our nation, like during the massacre at Columbine, we may be asked to give our lives. As Christians, we should be prepared.
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