Wood chips and planks

I've been learning to read Mark. Slowly but surely i hope. It's amazing to read! Understanding Mark properly is so important (well, cos it's God's Word!) cos it shows us who Jesus is and what that means about how we as his disciples are to live. If anyone was second-guessing who Jesus really is, should be stunned to silence with his radiant appearance on the mountain and His Father's command to listen to him. He is the Son of God!!! Knowing who he is, Jesus' invitation is "Deny yourself, take up your cross and come, follow me."

That's what followers of Christ do. Deny themselves, give up house family and everything and take up their cross. Clinging to anything other than Jesus is not following him. Putting people's opinions over the authority of The WORD and his words is not following him. Selfish living and self gratification is not following him. Being unwilling to give up all worldly things is NOT FOLLOWING HIM. Holding on to traditions, rituals and just cos everyone does it is NOT FOLLOWING HIM. That's what the rich man was. Jesus asked him to give up all his possessions and follow him but the rich man walked away, walking away from the kingdom of God and denying Jesus as his Messiah.

Followers of Jesus, listen to HIM. Heed his call to give everything up, everything that's more important to you than Jesus, be it your money, your family, your friends, your house and your possessions or your pride. Give it all up. Nothing is worth more than belonging to the kingdom of God, through Jesus' redeeming blood, which cleanses us from our sin. If you don't, you're walking away from the best thing you could ever possibly own. You're walking away from JESUS.

Truly, i say to you, there is no one who has left everything for Jesus' sake and for the gospel who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time with persecutions, and in the age to come, eternal life. Anyone who loses his life for Jesus' sake will save his life! Listen to the warning, for whoever is ashamed of Jesus and his words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes again in glory.

Believers in Christ, do not forsake the gospel. Tell it to the mountains, tell it to anyone who'll hear (and those who refuse to hear). Tell it loud and tell it proud. Do not be afraid of people judging you or criticizing you or hating you or even wanting to harm you. All this is will happen. But go on speaking the truth in love, the gospel must be proclaimed. Be on your guard, false teachers are everywhere. There will be those who profess to be Christian, but will lead you astray. Be ready for all these things, and keep going. Persevere! Endure til the end.