Today I read Mark 7, which contain a few miracles and is Mark's version of the story Jesus tells about not worrying about what goes into a man that can defile him, but rather that which comes out of the man. We have covered that quite extensively I think in the version Matthew wrote so we will not go into it again.
Mark records a telling of a story of a Greek woman whose daughter is possessed of a devil and desires Jesus to cleanse her of it. Jesus replies that He is there for the Jews and not for others, although He says it in a round about way citing that the family eats before others. She shows great faith by stating that the dogs eat of the crumbs that the children let fall, and Jesus then heals her daughter from afar. There are a few stories of this happening, where a non-Jew displays great faith to the Savior and He consents to heal them. In fact, Jesus is actually not a Hebrew name, Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name, Joshua. Jesus went by the Greek version of His name because of the great faith and honor that a group of Greek men and woman showed Him. Despite Jesus being there for the Jews, He never fails to help those of other nationalities when they show great faith.
The part of the chapter that most struck me today was when Jesus retires to a house and desires to be left alone. It must have been very difficult for Jesus, once His fame was known, people would swarm and flock around Him at all hours of the day and night. He rarely had time to Himself or even time to sleep in some instances. But that is what gives us such a wonderful example to emulate, the Savior never did anything for Himself except eat and sleep. He was always helping people and lived a life of service. I have often wondered how He ate and how He obtained food, but considering He is the Son of God I haven't wondered very long on it considering He could create food anytime He wanted.
But the way Jesus lives His life is an example to us. Obviously we cannot forsake our duties and our job, we cannot make food from rocks or nothing, we need to work to obtain money to meet our needs. But are we striving to do more than just meet our needs? Now, I am not saying we need to live in squalor and only survive, I think our Heavenly Father wants us to be happy and comfortable. But are we living in a house that could easily house double your family size? Are you working extra hours to pay for a car that costs twice but a smaller more efficient car does? Are you going out to eat for every meal? How many TVs do you have in your home?
The scriptures ask us where our hearts are. What are the things we spend our time and efforts trying to achieve? Are we concerned with building up the kingdom of God? Or are we more concerned with our status in society? With keeping up with the Jones as it were? If the man we are trying to emulate and be like, did nothing for Himself beyond what was necessary to keep His body alive and functioning properly, how should we be spending our lives? Parents spend most of their waking time doing things for their children when they are babies and toddlers. What of the rest of us? Are we serving our fellow man, even if just our families? Or do we come home from work and cloister ourselves in another room away from our family and our responsibilities?
Alma, in the Book of Mormon, in the 5th chapter asks some hard questions for each person to ask themselves to determine how they are doing. I propose that similar questions such as I proposed above are worth asking and finding an answer for too. Now, I am no prophet, but the scriptures teach us that he who would lose His life for the Christ-sake will find it. The scriptures also teach us no man can serve two masters. We must choose this day if we will serve Christ or not. If we serve Him, we must serve Him with our whole heart. When we do, the Lord will use us as His tool here on earth and you will be witness to amazing things and you will never regret your choice. I can promise you that because I have seen it first hand. Until tomorrow.
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