- Today’s Reading:
- Mark 10:32 - 52
- Psalm 45 1 - 17
Mark 10:32 - 52
Today's passage is really short. Jesus told his disciples that he would be killed and then resurrected after three days. Two of his disciples, James and John, asked for places of honor on the left and right side of Jesus when he took to the throne (10:37). This led to anger between all the disciples. Jesus then replied to them in verses 10:42 - 45:
"You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many."It can be hard for us to imagine -- as we sit here in our world full of sin, discord and despair -- how radically different life will be when Jesus reigns. Even the disciples of Jesus immediately wanted to assert themselves into power in the Kingdom of God, yet they failed to realize that their perceptions of power under the Kingdom of God was completely different from the only way they had ever known.
I try to imagine the glory that awaits us after this world, but I really have a hard time doing so. How can I completely remove myself from the only situation I have ever known? The entire universe will be so radically different. I cannot begin to ascertain the extremity how profound those changes are going to be.
All I know is that complete and utter happiness will ensue. And I can't even really imagine what perfect happiness feels like. There are many happy moments throughout my life, truly great moments, where I am completely happy. But it fades so quickly, doesn't it? Soon the happiness is overwrought with the next problem you have to deal with, and the previous happiness is but a memory that you smile upon occasionally.
I am more content in my life with Jesus living inside my heart. I am a happier, more satisfied person all around. But I can't begin to imagine the glory, the complete and utter peace, that will surround us when we live within the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom that the Lord meant for us live in all along. It's going to be spectacular.
Psalm 45 1 - 17
This psalm was a story of the wedding of the princess of Tyre to the king. This psalm is credited to the descendents of Korah, and since I do not even know who Korah was, I really have no placement for this story. The princess was named -- princess Tyre -- but the king was not.
I look forward to rereading the book of Psalm after I have finished the Old Testament. While many psalms are glorious and spectacular without any context, I really feel that I would benefit from having that context for a good portion of these psalms.
At least I have more reason to pay close attention to the stories of David and the descendents of Korah. It's kind of like taking a reverse quiz, where the answers are given and you have to go back and figure out the questions. Regardless, I am still fully engaged in my reading of the book of Psalm. I just wish for some more context at times like these.
No comments:
Post a Comment