Lent Gospel is a campaign for people to read through the whole of Mark’s Gospel during Lent, in 40 short readings. Helpful notes on each day's reading are available from www.usefulbible.com/lent-gospel; and you can download the whole series in PDF or Kindle format (it's free - just right-click on the links then select ‘save as...’ to download). Of course, it doesn’t have to be for Lent... why not begin now?
Last part: Liberate Day 20 Mark 9:14-32
· Read: Mark 9:33-50
One of the most unpleasant aspects of religion is the way that people use it to control weaker people. A lot of people are playing politics in our church structures.
Jesus never approved of that. The greatest disciple was not the one who learned to dominate, but the one who learned to serve. And they should not merely be the servants of great people the disciple of Christ is the servant of the little child, too.
Another aspect of this problem is the urge to disapprove of anyone who does not accept your authority. The disciple John had encountered a man who was casting out demons in Jesus name. The man was doing a genuine work of God, but John still told the man to stop, because the man had not been appointed as one of Jesus disciples. John was wrong: God rewards anyone who carries out a genuine service for him.
True Christians are as distinctive as salt. They should never misuse the power that they have over weaker people. The desire to dominate drives people away from God. Sinful people may not hesitate to use political power for their own ends. But the true Christian must never imitate their example.
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Next part: Separate Day 22 Mark 10:1-31 |
© 2012, Keith Simons.