There are three marvelous stories in Mark’s Gospel: Mark 8:1-10, 22-26, and 34-36. I hope you will take the time to read and let your imagination take you to these events in Jesus’ ministry. Be there with them—watch, listen, learn and grow.
The first story is of Jesus feeding 4,000 people from a few small fish, with seven baskets full of leftovers. It is similar to the feeding of 5,000 with five loaves and two fish, with twelve baskets left over.
The second story is the healing of the blind man at Bethsaida. Unlike other healing events, Jesus made a clay compound to place on his eyes and his sight was restored in stages.
In the third story, he calls the crowd to make a choice—to enter into ministry with him. He said, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” But, don’t come on a whim, just to have fun, and certainly not to gain prestige.
Come because you are convinced that the Son of Man who fed the 4,000 and the 5,000, healed the man and many others, taught with authority and welcomed all, was crucified in atonement for our sins and resurrected in everlasting power and glory—is the one with whom you want to live your life now and forever.
Mark His words: “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. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life?” It’s a serious but rewarding choice.
Let us pray…
Father, what are we to say in response to such wonders? We have never seen such divine power displayed—or have we? We have never seen such compassion and love offered—or have we? How much are we tuned in to the wonders in our lives and all around us?
What prevents us from feeding the hungry in multitudes? What prevents us from sharing ourselves fully with those in need around us and beyond us? We do so little in the face of tremendous need, even when we do a lot. When we give, we find it hard to resist the urge to reserve a significant portion for ourselves. It is difficult to truly give oneself entirely away for the sake of others, with nothing held back.
Yet, that is the word we hear. Striking words such as deny, cross, follow, save or lose, gain or forfeit. We don’t like to forfeit, but your words call us to realize that we forfeit something in every choice we make. To choose one thing is to un-choose another.
Help us in our choosing and our un-choosing. Forgive us in our failing to deny, slipping away from anything like a cross in our lives, seeking to lead you rather than follow you. Forgive our prayers that become laundry lists of things we want for ourselves and others—with instructions for how we want you to change things.
Help us truly listen to your words and understand your call to seek what You want, to give as fully as you have given to us, to care as fully as you care for others and to go where you lead in compassion for others, no matter what, no matter how far, no matter how much the cost.
Above all, help us to believe fully in you as the way to know God, the truth of the will of God and the life that may be fulfilled in God throughout eternity.
Lead on, O King Eternal, we pray in the power of your Holy and Magnificent Name, Amen.
