The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Gospels

  • Choose to be a Servant

    “And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.”

    Mark 10:44

    Remember, there are choices to be made everyday. Some choices are minor with few consequences. Others have major ones. The most important will always be the choice of where one will spend eternity. Next, one must choose how to live here on earth. Although Peter was a Believer, Peter was one came to a crossroad in his life. Initially, he denied Jesus. However, when given a second chance Peter fully committed to following Jesus. He is only one of many of whom we can read about in the Bible. Mark was another. Many remember that Mark left in the midst of Paul’s first missionary journey with Barnabas. When Barnabas wanted to take Mark on the second journey, Paul refused. The strife between Paul and Barnabas was so great, they separated. Paul took Silas on the second missionary journey, and we do not hear much more of Barnabas. However, we can learn more about Mark.

    Mark is first mentioned in Acts when many were gathered at his mother, Mary’s, house in prayer for Peter (see Acts 12:12). We learn that Mark was related to Barnabas (see Colossians 4:10). When Paul and Barnabas began to travel preaching the Gospel message, they took John Mark (see Acts 12:25). “And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister” (Acts 13:5). Mark was to minister to Paul and Barnabas on this journey. It appears that the events that took place at Paphos caused Mark to loose courage and leave for home (see Acts 13:6-13). This is why Paul refused Barnabas’ request to take Mark on the second missionary journey. Mark had not proven himself as a faithful minister (a servant). Consider Mark’s thoughts as he quit, not remaining a faithful minister (servant) for the furthering of the Gospel message.

    Time passed, and we learn a few things of what happened to Mark after his great failure. Mark is mentioned in Paul’s letters to Colosse. About twenty years had passed, and Paul was in prison. He sent a letter to the Colossians. We learn that Mark (Marcus) was still alive and actively serving Christ. “Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister’s son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)” (Colossians 4:10). Mark was with Paul, and maybe going to see the Colossians. Paul wanted them to receive Mark. Paul described Mark (Marcus) as a fellow-laborer: “Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers” (Philemon 1:24). Mark became of help to Paul. Read what Paul wrote in second Timothy: “… Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry” (2 Timothy 4:11). Not only was Paul a servant of Jesus Christ (see Romans 1:1), Paul had obviously recognized what Mark had become: a faithful servant of Jesus.

    Peter, a servant of Jesus (see 2 Peter 1:1), acknowledged Mark in 1 Peter. “The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son” (1 Peter 5:13). Most believe these comments refer to the fact that Peter was the one who won Mark (Marcus) to Jesus. It also helps us recognize that Mark had proved himself as a faithful Christian in his service with Peter.

    We have the witness of the two great Apostles (and servants) of Jesus (Paul and Peter) that Mark was considered profitable for the Christian ministry and was faithful for many years. However, probably the most important acknowledgment is the fact that the Holy Spirit inspired John Mark to record the book of Mark, one of the four Gospels. He was privileged to be one of the four who recorded the life of Jesus’ life here on this earth. Mark wrote primarily to the Romans presenting Jesus as a Servant. “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). Mark emphasized what Jesus did more that what Jesus said. Jesus revealed He was God’s Son by the actions He did while on the earth – for He changed the world forever.

    Mark is a great example of one who in spite of an early failure, did not quit the Lord and proved himself faithful to the end. When Mark was faced with a major crossroad in life (remaining with Paul on his missionary journey), he chose to turn and leave. However, when given another chance to be used by God, Mark chose to follow Christ in ministry with Paul, Peter, and in the recording of Jesus’ life. It is interesting that Mark wrote of Jesus, acknowledging Jesus as God’s Servant. Mark wrote how Jesus’ works verified His Words. He focused on the importance of what Jesus did. In those actions of Jesus, Mark helped all who read to recognize that Jesus truly is the Son of God.

    It is almost as if Mark understood that actions are as important as words. He wrote what Jesus said: “And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all” (Mark 10:44). Mark recognized Jesus was a faithful servant of all. Where Mark had once failed as a servant, he learned from his failure and became a great servant for Jesus, following Jesus’ example.

    Have you chosen to become a faithful servant of Jesus Christ?

    Do you allow your actions as a servant of Jesus to speak louder than your words?

  • Do You Confess, or Deny Jesus?

    “32. Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.”
    Matthew 10:32-33

    As you read the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), you learn of Jesus’ Teachings. More than that, as you read of Jesus’ Miracles, one can see the compassion of Jesus and the call to faith – to believe in Jesus. In Jesus’ Parables, He specifically wanted to teach His followers about heavenly things. However, more than that, in those parables, there was another call for a time of decision – to follow Jesus and His teachings, or to refuse them and thereby reject Him.

    But did all believe? “But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him” (John 12:37). Many did not believe though they saw many great miracles. Often times, those who did believe were afraid to admit that belief in Jesus. “42. Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: 43. For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God” (John 12:42-43). Notice the reason those who believed because of Jesus’ words but were hesitant to admit that belief. They were afraid of their “friends” or “colleagues,” the Pharisees. It is important to recognize that no one should be afraid to acknowledge their belief in Jesus – no matter what one’s friends might say. (Remember what Jesus said in the book of Matthew. “32. Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven” Matthew 10:32-33.) 

    See how Jesus responded to the lack of any of the chief rulers to confess. (Confess “means to agree with; confess publicly, acknowledge openly; profess ‘the Lord being Jesus.’”)  As you continue reading, see that Jesus cried out. One can almost sense His frustration in consistently declaring the truth, yet the refusal of most to act upon it. “44. Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. 45. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. 46. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. 47. And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world” (John 12:44-47). Understand that Jesus directed the people’s attention to God. When the people saw Jesus, they were in fact seeing God – for Jesus had come to the earth to be revealed to mankind, as the “light into the world” for He had the words of life – if only one would hear them. However, if one refused, read what He declared. “48. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. 49. For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 50. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak” (John 12:48-50).

     God knew their hearts. If they rejected Jesus, God would judge them one day. Notice that Jesus declared that He spoke the words of God to the people.

    The following is a great example of one who heard of Jesus, went to see Him, and openly believed. We can read of this man, named Zacchaeus. Most people remember the children’s song that tells of him. And it is quite accurate with what the Bible teaches us. Jesus was passing through Jericho. “And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich” (Luke 19:2). He was a short man who could not see Jesus as He passed because of the crowd. So, “he climbed up in a sycamore tree for the Lord he wanted to see. And as the Saviour passed that way, He looked up in that tree, and He said, ‘Zacchaeus, you come down. For I’m going to your house today.’” Jesus went to his house, and Zacchaeus believed in Jesus. We understand this because Jesus declared, “This day is salvation come to this house …” (Luke 19:9b). Jesus added something very important for all to remember. “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). Remember that this is why Jesus came into the world.

    Have you openly believed in Jesus, or are you like the religious leaders of Jesus’ day who were afraid?

    How to be Saved