That ChurchSampel

DIE-HARDS NOT TRY-HARDS

Laying down our life to take up the cross, Jesus calls us to be known for being die-hards for the cause of Christ, not try-hards for the influence of the crowd. Be That Church who seeks to impact people, not seek credit. He wants our motivation to be pure.

The gospel of Mark focuses on the impact of Jesus and his goal to not seek credit or fame. Jesus does everything he can to get people to stop people from telling others about the miracles, he is doing. He wasn’t seeking fame - he was seeking impact.

Jesus often retreated to quiet places, sought God and got advice from the Father alone. His goal was to do the will of the Father who sent him. The crowd, mentioned over 34 times in the gospel of Mark is seen as frivolous, swayed by the fame of Jesus but when it gets hard, they leave and even turn on him. He teaches the crowd in 2:13, they followed and pressed around him 5:24, he had compassion on them 6:34, and they were amazed at his teaching 11:18. But in Mark 14:43 the crowd turns, in the Garden of Gethsemane, they are armed with swords and clubs, they begged Pilate to release Barabbas and Jesus was flogged and handed over to be crucified. Mark shows how Jesus suffered at the cross with just the women in Mark 15:30, no crowds followed him.

Our goal is to serve our city in secret, to be like Jesus. Nobody knew that his secret mission was not fame or fortune but to lay down his life, to die a criminal's death for us. He emptied himself of his rights as God to become human and die for our sins. (Philippians 2:5)

John 8:50: "I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge."

“See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”45 Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere." - Mark 1:43-45

Prayer Point: Thank you Jesus, that you came to earth to give God glory. I pray that you will help us as a Church to be die-hards for the cause of Christ not try-hards that want to influence the crowds. Help us to serve our city in secret, to be like you Jesus, to lay down our ambitions and life for others without the need for accolades or attention.