Dear Friends,
We hope this week's
devotional will encourage you in your spiritual walk. We give thanks to Rev.
Richard Giesken, Associate Lecturer and CALD Director, for writing this
devotional.
You are welcome to share this and include it in your church newsletters if you wish; we just ask that you please give credit to NTC and the author. Thank you!
Mark 8:31-38 (NRSV)
31 Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, ‘Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’
34 He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel,[a] will save it. 36 For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? 37 Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? 38 Those who are ashamed of me and of my words[b] in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.’
Devotional Thought
“Perspective is everything!”
Like most people, we often crave comfort, security, and personal satisfaction. Often our needs are overwhelming. We jostle others out of the way for the best deals, prioritise work over family to make ends meet, and occasionally indulge in guilty pleasures – convincing ourselves that it’s just this once, and it really won’t make a big difference… three slices later…!!!
Lent is a circuit breaker. A time to retreat and reset. A type of sabbath rest from ourselves. By following Jesus' example of self-sacrifice, we can discover a different perspective – one focused on God's will and serving others.
Jesus didn't promise an easy path, but a meaningful one. He modelled living with God’s perspective – aligning his desires with God's plan to redeem humanity. This meant challenging societal norms, sacrificing personal comfort, and ultimately facing death on the cross.
Lent is a time to ask: where do my desires conflict with God's will? Where am I clinging to personal comfort at the expense of serving others? Could I simplify my life, contribute to God’s mission rather than simply consume spiritual pleasure? How can I spend more quality time building relationships?
As you journey toward the celebration of Easter, respond to Jesus’ call to “take up your cross” (Mark 8:34). Focus on what God is calling you to be and make time and space for a deliberate realigning your perspective with God’s perspective through scripture and prayer.
Prayer
Gracious God, lead me in your ways. Show me those areas in my life that have become misaligned with how you have revealed yourself to us in Jesus Christ. Renew in me the desire for your Kingdom and your Glory. Amen.
Richard Giesken
Associate Lecturer (Biblical Studies and Missiology), CALD Director.