anglican devotional

The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 18 March 2023 – What Is Your Desire?

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TOPIC: What Is Your Desire?

READ: Mark 10: 33-52 (NKJV)

33 Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles:

34 And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.

35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.

36 And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you?

37 They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.

38 But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?

39 And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized:

40 But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.

41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John.

42 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.

43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:

44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.

45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

46 And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.

47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.

48 And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.

49 And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.

50 And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.

51 And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.

52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

THE MESSAGE:

Many a time, we may be tempted to see the request of James and John as selfish and ungodly. These two brothers seemed to be fully aware of a place called heaven or the coming kingdom of God. They understood that life on earth is temporal, and sought for a better position in the everlasting Kingdom of God. Have you ever thought of what becomes of your life after here? They were willing to sacrifice everything to earn a good position in the kingdom of God (verses 38-39). What are you willing to do for the sake of the Kingdom of God?

Jesus never rebuked them for their request. He made them know the price of what they were demanding and who has the power to grant their request. He only calmed other disciples who became displeased with the request of the two brothers. Hence, it is important to address disputes whenever it arises. The apostles resolved the one that emerged in their own time (Acts 6: 1-7). Do you have a dispute to address? Do it today. The healing of the blind Bartimaeus in our text, shows the awesome power of God to fulfil our desires. What is your desire? Remove all garments of obstacles, discouragements from people like blind Bartimaeus and come to Jesus and He will change your distress to His glory.

PRAYER: O Lord, give me a heart that seeks after Your Kingdom, Amen.