ABC: Call on Christ

My last two posts were entitled:
Ask and Accept
Believe and Be Bold
Today it’s, Call on Christ.

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Call on Christ? Synopsis of Mark 10:32-45.

Jesus was once walking towards Jerusalem with two of His disciples, James and John. After Jesus finished explaining very clearly to them that He would soon be condemned to death, they quickly changed the subject, disregarding Jesus’ important words about His future. Instead, these two brothers were focused on themselves, and from this self-centered mindset, they said, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You.” And Jesus said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?” James and John asked to sit on either side of His throne when He came to power. They called on Christ to do something for their own glory, not God’s glory; therefore, Jesus could not give them what they wanted.

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Call on Christ! Synopsis of Mark 10:46-52

‍However, there once was a blind man named Bartimaeus. As Jesus was heading to Jerusalem with his disciples, they could hear Bartimaeus crying out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many were sternly insisting that he stop his cries, but he persisted in calling on Christ, whom he believed to be the Messiah (this is why he called Jesus the “Son of David”). Jesus heard Bartimaeus and answered him by saying, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man quickly responded, “Rabboni (meaning ‘my Master’), I want to regain my sight.” Jesus chose to heal Bartimaeus’ blind eyes because of his faith-filled heart. Once he regained his sight, Bartimaeus began to follow Jesus on the road, bringing glory to his Healer, instead of glory to himself.

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When looking at these two contrasting stories, here are some questions:

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Am I seeking God?

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Am I asking God for something solely for my selfish ambition or fleshly pleasure?

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What is the motive behind my request?

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I'm convicted. Often, I catch myself asking the Lord for things that are centered around me: my comfortable lifestyle, my trial-free plans, my definition of success, my timing for my kid's future, on and on. Much like the disciples in the above story, I have an agenda and I want God to fill it, sooner than later. And if God says “no”, I’m confused and hurt.

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But then, the Lord speaks, calling me to remember who he is, and reminding me that he indeed wants to bless me in his own purposeful way. Like Bartimeaus, He wants to open my eyes to his grace and to his glory which is far better than any self-driven achievement or sole-human pleasure that I could hope for. Bartimeus' physical healing was pointing us to his wide-eyed faith in his Savior.

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Call on Christ! Fully trust him to do beautiful things in your life, things that will both benefit your character as well as bless those around you. He cannot answer our selfish prayers because he loves us too much. He wants to give you and me much more than we can ever imagine as we seek him with a whole heart.

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He wants to give us ...his way, his truth, and his life. You and I are meant to be filled with his glory.

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Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations. Ephesians 3:20-21

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