Loving God, may my head follow my heart to You this day, and may it be the prayer of this dear reader as well; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
We continue with Mark 8 today: 34 He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. 36 For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? 37 Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? 38 Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." (NRSV)
Grace is free, but it is not cheap. Discipleship is a must for all who claim to follow Jesus Christ, but it is not easy. Jesus, after rebuking Peter for having his head and heart on the things of earth continued His teaching on discipleship and said what is quoted above. Discipleship is Jesus-centered, not you or me centered. Discipleship is denying ourselves. In other words we put ourselves last, our desires, our wishes, everything that competes with God, last. And in a hidden reference to that which was coming and to which He had alluded, we must take up our cross, and follow Jesus. For many of us the cross is a reference to the knowledge that those in Jesus' day who followed Him might end up on a cross. Tradition tells us that Peter ended up on a cross, though he chose to be crucified upside down for he was not worthy to die the same as his savior. The way of Christ is a dangerous way for we might lose friends or family members, who might be embarrassed of us for having chosen to live as Jesus. Salvation, or the path of coming into a living and loving relationship with Jesus comes at the cost of losing our lives for the sake of Jesus and the sake of the gospel. Again, the way of the world says we must stay alive and at whatever cost. The way of Christ says what do you gain by saving your life and losing your soul?
We're on a Lenten Journey in which we are being reminded of our mortality, but more importantly of the power over mortal things that Jesus holds, including our very souls for eternity. For some this makes perfect sense, for others it does not. May we seek first, the Kingdom of God and God's righteousness, setting our hearts and heads on God's things; and everything else will fall into place and make perfect sense not only for now, but for all eternity.
PRAYER: Loving God as I pray, and he or she who make this prayer their own, may my head and heart be on You and Your things. May the fears and doubts that come with human-centered things fade away especially as You and I journey together on these forty days towards You. In Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Prayer Request: Our grandson, Caleb Eradio Garcia, spent the night in a McAllen, TX, hospital due to a stomach virus he has. He was placed on an IV (his "robot" arm as he called it) and we expect he will be released today. Please pray for Caleb and his mom and dad, Jorge and Nellie Garcia. Thank you! Prayers also for Billy Henderson, son of DS Bill Henderson, who is in Afghanistan and all of the fighting that is going on right now in that place. Thank you for sharing your prayers with others.
