Page 11 - Living Light 89

Friday June 6 - The leader
Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. Mark 3:13
Called and wanted. Do we yearn for much more in life? Okay, we want to be loved, but that seems to be implied when we’re called by the One who loves us, the One who wants us.
We see this calling on a mountain, and indeed so much of God’s work happens on a mountain. Think, for instance, of Moses receiving the Law from God; or Elijah hiding, and then being restored, in a cave on a mountain; or Jesus being transfigured by God on a mountain. In our passage we see Jesus going up the mountain to confirm the twelve disciples. Although Mark recounted earlier how Jesus called Simon and Andrew, James and John, here he’s gathering all twelve chosen ones.
We might feel jealous of those who were able to experience life with Jesus in this embodied, physical way. After all, they got to witness the healings and hear him preach. But we can take heart from Jesus’ words to his grieving friends before he dies, about how his going away will actually be good: “Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you” (John 16:7). We, who are not in the physical presence of Jesus, have the great gift of his Spirit with us, and within us. I pray you find comfort and encouragement in this promise today.
Loving God, thank you for giving us your Spirit to advocate for us and guide us. Amen.
Saturday June 7 - The Friend and Saviour
...that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. Mark 3:14-15
Mark’s brevity is part of why I love his gospel. Using few words, he summarises what really matters, as we see in this passage – namely that Jesus appoints his chosen ones to be with him and to be sent out. That sounds like a rather good summary of the Christian life to me! We are to spend time with Jesus and we are to be sent out, that we might share his good news with others, so that they too can be his friend and be saved by him.
As we come to the end of this week in Mark’s gospel, and as we continue next week with chapter 4, I invite you to ponder your own response to Jesus. Where in our life might you side with the religious leaders; do you reject Jesus or doubt him? Where are you like one of the members of the crowd, surging towards him as you seek healing and relief? How might you be like one of the called and chosen disciples – those who spend time with Jesus and then go out to share his life and message with others? It’s possible, of course, that we might be a mixture of all three sets of people, even in one day. But Jesus welcomes us to come and be with him, to receive his love and affirmation, no matter our motives. Amen; amen!
Loving Jesus, continue to shape me by your Spirit as I walk with you day by day. Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
PRAYER FOR TODAY
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