The Life of Jesus in Mark: Invitation
The Life of Jesus in Mark: Invitation
Major Roy Johnson
USA Southern Territory
Scripture: Mark 1:16-20; Mark 6:34-35
Into My Heart
When I was a child, it was not uncommon for our YPSM or other youth leaders, to have us sing the chorus of Harry Clarke’s hymn Come Into My Heart, on special occasions such as Decision Sunday:
Into my heart, into my heart
Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.
Come in today, come in to stay.
Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.
Simple words, and innocent enough in their intent to lead children to salvation in Jesus. But are these words theologically accurate?
The incorrectness of these words escaped me at the time, but then again how could they not? After all, what child is sifting and deciphering the theological nuances of lyrics? Certainly not me! But, at the same time, I had heard enough “hellfire and damnation” messages to know that I didn’t want to go to hell. This chorus seemed to be my ticket out of that unpleasant destination. So, I asked Jesus into my heart when I was but a child and lived in ignorance as to what this all entails until much later. It was only when I was much older that it occurred to me that the premise of this chorus was incorrect, as the perspective was backwards. The fact is that none of us invite Jesus into our life, as we are not able to do so. Rather, He is the one who graciously invites us to enter His heart and join in the fulness of His life and joy instead! What an enormous difference there is between these two perspectives.
When we invite Jesus to come into our life, we may be tempted to think that we are initiating the request, and that we’re in control of what is happening to us in this regard. The truth is however, that it was Jesus who initiated the invitation. It was He who set the terms for my acceptance at the same time. I wasn’t in control. When He said, “Follow me,” He set the terms for all our following. “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross” (Mark 8:34, italics mine).
The Invitation from Jesus
When I invite Jesus into my heart and attempt to keep control of the steering wheel, I completely miss out on all the good that He has in store for me. I end up frittering my life away on things that ultimately will not matter. But when I accept Jesus’ invitation to come into His heart, He will lead me into a life of purpose and partnership that is beyond my wildest dreams. When Jesus called Simon, Andrew, James, and John to follow Him (Mark 1:16-20), He wasn’t calling them to become better fishermen, or telling them how they could become successful in life. No, He was calling them to do something much better, bigger, and more fulfilling than fishing. He was calling them to become . . . to become something more . . . He was calling them to become fishers of men so they could now live in partnership with Him and become and do more than they ever dreamed of.
The Other Miracle with the 5000
This truth is illustrated in the feeding of the 5,000 as recorded in Mark 6:33-44. The miracle goes beyond 5,000 people being fed with just two fish and five loaves and 12 baskets leftover. The real miracle was that the disciples were transformed into something more than mere fishermen. Jesus was giving them the opportunity to do and become a part of something much larger than themselves.
When they wanted to send the people away because they could do nothing to feed them (6:35-36). Jesus has another plan that would not only transform food, but people as well. While Jesus could have snapped His fingers and provided the food in an instant, that would have left the disciples on the sidelines and unchanged. But, when they bring the loaves and fishes to Jesus for His blessing, the miracle happens. The miracle isn’t that the food keeps multiplying and there’s more than enough, but that Jesus invites the disciples to become partners with Him in the miracle itself. As a result, it’s not just the food that is transformed and multiplied, but the disciples who are transformed and enlarged as well. Gratefully, this miracle isn’t reserved just for the disciples and super-saints, but that Jesus continues to invite everyone and anyone to share in the divine life that God offers. All we must do is to accept His invitation to enter His heart.
Participation in the Divine Life
Michael Reeves summarizes it this way in his book, Delighting in the Trinity: “That is, the Father sent His Son to make himself known - meaning not that He wanted simply to download some information about Himself, but that the love the Father eternally had for the Son might be in those who believe in Him, and that we might enjoy the Son as the Father always has.”
The invitation to be a part of the divine life that God the Father is offering us, is still being offered today. But the terms He sets for it is still the same as He told the disciples: “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospels shall save it” (Mark 6:34-35).
May it be so in your life today!
Our Corporate Prayer
Dear Lord, How gracious of You to invite me to Yourself. I am amazed when I think of it. We speak of those without salvation as being lost, and that is true. But I am lost in wonder to think that You invite me into Your life and receive me through Your gift of salvation. Let me never lose the wonder of that gift! Thank You for loving me and for Your every provision. Help me to share the good news of Your life with others. This is too good to keep to myself. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Our Worldwide Prayer Meeting
Nigeria Territory
Thinking it Through
In what ways can we be self-centered in our views of salvation? How does that stunt our spiritual growth?
Notable Quotables
No! No! Nothing do I bring,
But by faith I'm clinging,
To Thy cross, O Lamb of God!
Nothing but Thy blood can save me.
-Lt. Colonel Richard Slater
This is a more contemporary tune to Richard Slater's beautiful song, "Nothing But Thy Blood" by the Ottawa Citadel Songsters recorded during the Covid shutdown.
We would appreciate any feedback and/or suggestions on how to improve these devotionals. Please email comments to: SpiritualLifeDevelopment@uss.salvationarmy.org or by going to our website: https://southernusa.salvationarmy.org/uss/spiritual-life-development.
We would love to hear from you.
Lt. Colonel Allen Satterlee
Territorial Spiritual Life Development Officer/THQ Chaplain
USA Southern Territory