Todays passages are
Job 14:1-14 and Matthew 20:17-28
In Job 14:1-6 Job
expands on the idea of the frailty of men in general and his own fragility in
particular. He considers that the days of man on this earth are short, often
full of distress. (Vs 7-10) Casting his eye upon the familiar scenes of nature,
Job observes that a tree, when it is cut down to the root, dies, but will,
sprout again. But as far as Job could see, death ends the existence of man.
Vs11-13.
So, he reflects the dismal opinion asking, “If someone
dies, will they live again?”, however he concludes with hope “All the days of
my hard service, I will wait for my renewal to come”
WHEN SOMEONE DIES,
WILL THEY LIVE AGAIN?
The answer to this
question comes in the second passage in today’s devotion (Mathew 20:17-28), When
Jesus passionately predicts his impending death for the third time to his
disciples. He gives them the assurance that “On the third day He will be raised
to life!” (Vs.19).
John 11:25, Jesus
said, “I am the resurrection and the life, whoever believes in me, though he
dies, yet shall he live. However, the
disciples could not refocus sufficiently to hear or comprehend Him obviously.
Let’s pause to think
DO I HAVE THIS ASSURANCE OF ETERNAL LIFE?
Then, came to him
the mother of Zebedee’s children — asking if her sons could take the right and
left position to Him in the Kingdom. Some expositors comment that the sons,
James and John, instigated her to ask. Sadly, the disciples are competing for
honors and are offended because James and John are trying to steal the prize
from under their noses.
How these disciples
did still dream of Christ's temporal kingdom! (although Jesus had so often told
them, That His kingdom was not of this world) they ambitiously seek to have
preference and positions in the kingdom.
Nevertheless, we
should be careful not to judge the disciples too harshly for their failure to
understand. For, if we examine our own prayers, we will find much that
parallels the request of these two brothers. It consists primarily of asking
for material benefits, worldly positions and riches.
HAVE WE FAILED TO
UNDERSTAND THAT JESUS IS TALKING TO US ABOUT CROSS BEARING, SERVICE AND
SACRIFICE? Sometimes, we display the
same spirit and motive as the request of the sons of Zebedee.
Finally, (Vs28)
Jesus told the disciple, “… the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve,
and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Jesus demonstrated humility; that’s
why He obeyed THE FATHER and took the cross. Knowing, very well, He will
resurrect IN GLORY!
Humility is
depending on the sovereignty of God. Humility is choosing to align our lives
with the will of God. Humility is trusting God’s ability to lead and direct us.
DO WE WANT TO
EMBRACE HUMILITY in trusting and obeying Him?
Let us refresh our
minds this morning about the terrible price Jesus paid as a RANSOM for you and
me. If we believe in our heart that Jesus died for us and confess with our
mouth that Jesus is Lord, we instantly are destined for an eternity in Heaven
with this KING!