Like the rich man in Mark 10, we can be tempted to measure our worth by how good we are. Conversely, we measure the worth of others by how bad they are. Jesus saw right through that. He measured worth, not by people’s ability or inability to follow the laws or to give over-generously, but by our very existence. For humans, it is impossible to achieve goodness to the extent that it earns us a spot in heaven. We can never be good enough. But for God all things are possible. We are, in fact, good enough – not to earn heaven – but we are good enough for God’s love despite our limitations and failings.
Worship this week:
Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel
Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship
9:30 a.m. Sunday School
10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship
Devotions for this week:
First Last and Last First February 13-14, 2016
SHARE: What was a high point of your day? What was a low point?
READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding
Sunday, Mark 10:17-31, First Last and Last First
Monday, Psalm 19:7-10
Tuesday, Exodus 20:1-21, The Ten Commandments
Wednesday, Deuteronomy 5:1-21, The Ten Commandments
Thursday, Psalm 52
Friday, Psalm 62
Saturday, Jeremiah 32:1-25, Jeremiah Buys a Field
TALK: Consider some of these ideas:
As his journey of teaching and healing continues into the region of Judea, Jesus continues to confuse and scandalize his listeners. Even his disciples are shocked by the difficult lessons he teaches. An apparently perfect life of following the law is not enough, he indicates. A deeper turning over of one’s life to God is required.
- What do these readings say about the relationship between God and God’s people? In what areas of your life do you rank first?
- Where do you rank last? What do your rankings say about you? What would God say about your rankings?
- What would you be willing to part with to inherit eternal life? What would be difficult to part with? Why?
PRAY: Good and holy teacher, what we understand of your ways is so tiny that it might fit through the eye of a needle. Keep teaching us, we pray, and give us time to catch up to you. Amen.
BLESS: May God invite you warmly into God’s kingdom. Amen.
