Gospel of Mark: On the Way (Mark 11)
Our choices ultimately shape us. More specifically, your choices shape you. You make more than one hundred decisions each day. Experts say you will experience something called decision fatigue at the end of a day, and time and energy management experts strategize about how you can make your most important decisions when you are most rested alert during the day. You make choices around dating and sexuality, how you will use your money, business, parenting, social media and many other things in your life. How do you make these decisions in a way that is best for you? If you are a follower of Jesus, how do you make decisions in a way that strengthens your relationship with him? Jesus said we are to learn to obey everything he commanded, not for the sake of stuffy, tired religion, but because it helps us to experience true, authentic life, “and life to the full” (John 10:10).
In this week’s sermon, I walked us through both the story of a blind man named Bartimaus who was healed by Jesus, leading directly into the story of Jesus fulfilling Old Testament prophecy by riding into Jerusalem and into the temple courts on a donkey. On Palm Sunday, we celebrate our humble King, coming to save humanity and to ultimately bring full restoration to the world. The thing I love about God, though, is that he gives us the dignity of choice. First, the Holy Spirit brings us to a point where we can decide whether or not we will follow Jesus with our lives. Jesus says that anyone who is seeking him will find him, and anyone who calls on the name of Jesus will experience salvation. Praise God!
But once we have a relationship with Jesus, then what? Jesus says that we ultimately need to learn to do what Jesus did as we follow him and to learn to obey everything he commanded. This is the path to a truly abundant life. Bartimaeus chose to leave behind his only possession in life and follow Jesus. How about you? “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you” (Mark 10:49). The invitation has been given. What will you choose?