March 1, 2019
Mark 10
A Life of Surrender
Mark 10:28-39 Peter said to him, "We have left everything to follow you!" "I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields--and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life."
In 1897 Samuel Zwemer, his wife and two daughters sailed to the Persian Gulf to work among the Muslims of Bahrain. Their evangelism was largely fruitless. Estimates are that in 40 years of service less than a dozen Muslims came to know Christ. In July 1904 both the daughters, ages four and seven, died within eight days of each other. Nevertheless, 50 years later Zwemer would look back over his ministry and write, "The sheer joy of it all comes back. Gladly would I do it all over again."
Following Jesus does not exclude us from experiencing trials and tribulation. In fact, Jesus calls each of his disciples to intentionally walk a pathway where we are carrying our crosses. This life of total abandonment is not easy, but Jesus does promise a great reward for our faithfulness. That reward is experienced both now and in eternity.
On January 8, 1956, the Auca Indians of Ecuador killed Jim Elliot and his four missionary companions as they were trying to serve the Aucas by bringing them the gospel. Four young wives lost husbands and nine children lost fathers. Elisabeth Elliot wrote that the world called it a "nightmare of tragedy." But she pointed to the second part of Jim Elliot's motto, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." We will never lose one sacrifice we have made for God's kingdom.
If you find yourself saying, "there has to be more to life than this," if you are tired of the meaninglessness of a life focused on consuming, then this is your moment to serve God with all your heart. If you take the courageous step of surrendering all for His kingdom, you will discover the sheer joy God's approval and His reward.
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