March 23 | Suffer
Read Mark 8:31-9:1
“And they began to rebuke him.” From the looks of it, the disciples were just as averse to suffering as we are. They couldn’t fathom a Messianic path that would include death.
So often in our world, success looks like all the numbers heading up and to the right. More money, more responsibility, more power, more, more, more…
But the way of Jesus doesn’t look like worldly success. For Jesus, success meant suffering and death. Of course, His plan didn’t end there, but the reality is that the Kingdom of God is at odds with the kingdom of this world, and this often means conflict, or pain, or suffering.
Jesus promises His followers ultimate victory- but he also promises them suffering. He promises them that following Him will cost them, because His Kingdom has different priorities than this world does.
Are you as averse to the idea of suffering as the disciples? Do you avoid situations that will cause you discomfort or pain as you follow Jesus?
Today, confess to Jesus the times you have wanted to ignore or avoid the reality that following Him means denying yourself. Ask Him to help you love Him more than comfort or worldly success.