Mark Devotions
[Please do read the passage before (or after) reading the devotion.]
It’s curious, but while Jesus was on Earth he never really wanted people talking about him and his healings. And he shut up those unclean evil spirits who knew without a doubt his identity as God’s Son. Does that mean that we shouldn’t tell others about him and what he’s done? There are three things to remember. Jesus does want us to talk about him with others, but first he wants us to have an intimate relationship with him. Sharing about anyone based on a superficial relationship is dangerous; besides, why will we want others to know him unless we ourselves have a growing experience of the wonderful Person that he is? Second, there is a matter of “timing” – you need to know when God wants you to do it. It’s like the farmer who sows the seed only after he has ploughed and cultivated the ground. And thirdly, if that person’s life reflects the world and its evils, Christ is not interested in getting “good press” from “unreliable sources.”
Prayer: Father, I am so often afraid to talk about you. But even if I did want to talk about you, what would I say? Lord, I realize that maybe I need to grow in my intimacy with you. Like Paul I want my prayer to be, “I want to know you, Christ” – the depth of your love, the wonder of you as Creator, the beauty of your holiness… I want to be so excited about you that every conversation I have with others will be an opportunity for you to manifest yourself. Help me understand that when I radiate your growing Presence in me, you will prepare the ground for people to want to know the Person that makes all the difference in my life. Amen.
