HEALING SIN-SICK HEARTS
Opening Prayer
Lord God, through your Word, continue to deepen my understanding of Jesus’ work on the cross for the sake of sinners, of which I am one.
Read MARK 2:13–22
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
“In Christ alone my hope is found; he is my light, my strength, my song.”*How did you come to follow Jesus? While everyone’s story is beautiful and unique, ultimately, we all share the same story of salvation: Jesus saw us, he called us, and we followed him (v. 14).
Because Jesus operates in that way, as opposed to calling people to performance and strict moral observance, people who place their trust in their own moral performance and behavior get nervous (v. 18). They think that, rather than going to where Jesus is (v. 16), he should come and be with them, because their performance has earned them that right. The pride in our hearts, just as in the Pharisees’ in this passage, means we tend to judge ourselves as better than we are—and others as worse than we are.
But the moral standard for entry into the kingdom of God is not okay, good, or even very good—but is, in fact, perfection.
The new wine of the kingdom is the law fulfilled in Jesus (v. 22). It is no longer about our performance but depends on Jesus. Because Jesus meets that standard, our entry is found only in and through him, the doorway to the kingdom of God (John 10:9).
Apply
In what ways do you place hope in your ability to impress God?
Closing prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you, that because of the sacrifice of your Son, there is nothing I need to do to earn your favor. Help me to remember that he is always enough.
*’In Christ alone my hope is found’, Keith Getty, Stuart Townend © 2002 Thankyou Music
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