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picture of my son's footprints during one of our vacations

I got done pulling the 1,000 something medications for the morning and noon doses, for all the inmates needing them that Sunday. The huge million-dollar worth machine just kept spewing them out. One by one, already wrapped in a special type of plastic wrapper, imprinted with the inmates’ names and the name and dosage of the medications. Feeling the pang of hunger after working non-stop, despite the quietness of the shift, I went on my break and savored the homemade sandwich I prepared, as I closed both doors of one room and turned off the light. I needed that solitude, to rejuvenate. To stretch and calm the achy muscles of my neck with a 13 year old injury from working in the hospital prior, that forever changed its function.

Freshened up, I went back to the Infirmary to find out that half of the lights were turned off. The quieter it appeared. Except the joyous laughter that erupted and broke the din of boredom. There, I found some co-workers, both from the medical and custody staff, enjoying each other. Sharing jokes, some, even flirting with each other. I felt out of place. I thought I could stay there. But I couldn’t enjoy it. I got up and went to our Pharmacy and stayed there until the tryst dissipated. I could not stand it that they all seemed working hard, only if the higher supervisor was present. And it was always sad to see that some of them were praised for working hard. When I knew it wasn’t true.

What happened thousands of years ago is no different than what is happening now. Many men started becoming Jesus’ disciples but they had a wrong perception that Jesus came as the promised Messiah Who would free them from Rome’s oppression. Sons of Zebedee, James and John, wanted honored places in it. But they didn’t realize, Jesus is not of this world. His Kingdom would be established not by conquering places nor building huge palaces. But instead, by changing the hearts and lives of men. They just didn’t get that. Until after Jesus resurrected.

“Teacher, we want you to do us a favor,” they asked Jesus.

“What is it?” Jesus asked.

“In your glorious Kingdom, we want to sit in places of honor next to you,” they said, “one at your right and the other at your left.”

But Jesus answered, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of sorrow I am about to drink? Are you able to be baptized with the baptism of suffering I must be baptized with?” [Mark 10:35-38].

Jesus didn’t mock their question. But He denied that request.

As darkness fell across the whole land when Jesus was crucified, there, as He was preparing to begin His Kingdom through His death, the places on his right and left were taken by two dying men - both criminals. One, who ended up believing in Him as Son of God.

Jesus is not after power-hungry followers. He explained that anyone who wants to truly follow Him must be prepared to suffer and die as He, Himself did. It is only by the way of the cross that we can get on the road to His Kingdom.

As His disciples today, we must deny ourselves, take His cross and follow Him. We must resist being on the limelight. God is the One Who helps us out with all the challenges we are to face. So, it is just right that He gets the full credit. Glory to God!

Matthew 10:38 - “If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine.”



Lord, thank You for dying on the cross. Thank You for making a way for us, sinners, to reconnect with Father. Thank You that You never got out of this difficult trek You had to walk on when You were here. Thank You for suffering for us, a horrible way. But I know that you also suffered the ultimate suffering, when You took all of humanity's sins and You were spiritually separated from God. Lord, continue to mold me and change my heart, to conform to Yours. Thank You Lord for Your faithful and unconditional love. Thank You for gaining that victory on the cross and passing it on to those who believes in You. I love You Lord. All the glory belongs to You, Oh Lord. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

10 comments:

  1. Great post! Must be hard to work amongst all that misery. Thank God you have the opportunity to share and witness.

    Yes, thank God that He ordained His Son to be the one and only sacrifice that would appease His wrath. Isaiah says that the Father was pleased to bruise and crush His own Son.

    Thank you Jesus, that you willing for your love for your Father was the willing Lamb to be offered.

    Thank you Holy Spirit that you applied the benefit of the cross to my heart rendering me willing to receive the gift of the Father!

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  2. Amen sister Rosel. Did you get a chance to see the video on Seeking Grace? I make myself watch it . . . even though it shatters my heart. Thank God for HIS mercy, for sending HIS SON for us to die on the cross.
    Much love to you my friend.
    Your sister in Christ,
    Bren

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  3. I have been pondering how the people were looking for him to be essentially a political ruler that would bring favor back to their lives. It has made me think of when they cried out for a king and then chose Saul. It also makes me think of how as a people today we are looking for a ruler to make things right...though "right" is defined differently in different eyes. In my Bible study it pointed out King Uzziah, and how we followed and found and found favor and was strengthened by the Lord...until he became powerful and stopped seeking the Lord. He became prideful, thinking the strength he wielded had was his own. Thanks for sharing, it goes right in line with what the Lord has been showing me and so it is all the more special to me. May the Lord continue to strengthen you sweet sister.

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  4. God's kingdom is so totally different from the world's - I am so glad to be accepted for just who I am. There's room for everybody and a job for everyone and Jesus gets the praise!
    Happy Easter, dear sister, and many blessings to you and your family.

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  5. Amen, amen sweet sis. I love you.

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  6. I know what you mean about feeling isolated with all those people around. But we are to be a separate people.
    Great post sis. Happy Easter!

    God bless you richly,
    Lisa

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  7. Thanks for your sharing, I've learnt a lot from you. We are all carrying our own crosses for Jesus. Right now, I'm so tempted to leave my down for a while... Or, am I just thinking about resting for a while??? :)

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  8. Oh, Rosel... my precious, precious friend. I know how you feel with some aspects of your work. I'm one of the very few oldest ones in my office and I see a lot of lackadaisical efforts from those who are younger... who seem much more interested in being all flirty than doing actual work. And like you, I feel out of place.

    This post was amazing! Thank you for sharing this and reminding us how we must take up His cross and follow Him. I've never asked or ever considered asking for some place of honor by our Lord. I know of Jesus' promises that in His house, there are many mansions. But for me, I would be happy if I just had a tent in a corner somewhere in heaven... just so long as I'm near our Lord for eternity.

    I love you, my sweet friend. I pray you are doing well and that you had a blessed Easter weekend. God bless you today and every day! *huge hugs*

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  9. PS: I love your new blog layout. It's purdy! :)

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"Faith is taking the first step even if you don't see the whole staircase..."
~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

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