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An International Missionary Outreach Dedicated to Evangelizing the Lost By Sharing The Gospel According to the Scriptures
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God's Word For Today |
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Mark 3:13-15
"And He went up on the
mountain and called to
Him those He Himself
wanted. And they came to
Him. Then He appointed
twelve, that they might
be with Him and that He
might send them out to
preach, and to have
power to heal sicknesses
and to cast out demons." Comment: Jesus singled out those who he wanted to be close to Him it was not those who were close to Jesus who made the decision to be His disciples. When He was in a crowd it was obvious that many were there not to follow Jesus but because they were looking for something that would benefit themselves without benefiting others. Being a disciple means to take up one’s own cross and to follow Christ and to carry his burdens and experience His sufferings and persecutions. If you are not willing to do that then don’t call yourself a follower. His close followers were able to do the mighty things He was doing.
Application: Being a follower of Jesus is not a candy coated seeker-friendly purpose-driven free ride. It means that any true follower will have to get down in the trenches and get bruised and bloody. However, it is because of these sufferings that a true Christian can experience true joy. Paul wrote to the church at Corinth: Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong (2 Corinthians 12:10).
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Understand The Times is an independent non-profit organization in
Canada and the United States.
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