Daily Devotion: What Does Jesus Expect From Us by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Mark 10:23-31 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee."
- Mark 10:28 KJV

Jesus gave his all on the cross so that we have the opportunity to be saved. Works are not a part of our salvation, but there is an expectation on Jesus' part for our lives. Jesus is indeed God, who took on flesh to become the only worthy sacrifice for our sins. Let that sink in for a moment. 

From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible consistently affirms that Jesus is God. It is no wonder, then, that Ignatius, the Bishop of Antioch and a disciple of the apostle John, wrote to the Trallian Christians in 105 AD, "Continue in intimate union with Jesus our God."

Therefore if Jesus is both Lord and God (John 20:28) and if the earth is the Lord's and all that is in it (Psalm 24:1), which by definition, includes our hearts, then Jesus will not accept being a renter or just a guest. He demands that you sign over the title to your house (life), as stated in the following verses:

"[34] And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. [35] For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it." - Mark 8:34-35

"[31] Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? [32] Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. [33] So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple." - Luke 14:31-33

"[25] He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. [26] If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour." - John 12:25-26

These passages do not sound like your typical gospel presentation. You do not hear many evangelists using these verses before their alter calls, asking people to come and fully surrender their lives. These words are not "seeker-friendly." 

People do not want to relinquish control. When a controlling personality desires to enter into a relationship with the Lord of heaven and earth while remaining in control and reaping all His benefits, what results is a big mess.

In Luke 6:46, we read: "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" This verse warns us that calling Jesus Lord without following his teachings is meaningless. We should seek to submit to Jesus' lordship in all aspects of our lives, recognizing that our actions should reflect our belief in him. Jesus must be the Lord of every aspect of our lives. Hudson Taylor put it best when he said, “Christ is either Lord of all, or He is not Lord at all.” 

Sources:

- Portions of the above is from Phil Baker's excellent book New Wineskins and the Simple Words of Christ 

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