Encounters with Jesus – Friday

The Best Christian

Scripture: Mark 10:35-45 (The Message)

James and John, Zebedee’s sons, came up to him. “Teacher, we have something we want you to do for us.”

 “What is it? I’ll see what I can do.”

 “Arrange it,” they said, “so that we will be awarded the highest places of honour in your glory—one of us at your right, the other at your left.”

 Jesus said, “You have no idea what you’re asking. Are you capable of drinking the cup I drink, of being baptized in the baptism I’m about to be plunged into?”

Encounter with Jesus:

• What is going on in the passage?
• Take time to imagine you are there ‘in the story’ as it happens. What do you see, hear, smell? If you were one of the people in the passage, who would you be? Why?
• Still imagining you are there…
  • What question would you like to ask Jesus?
  • What was/is Jesus’ response?

Now, what does it mean for us?

Do you ever get caught up with the competition of ‘being the best Christian”? Or the ‘best church’? Or being part of the ‘best team in church’? You might be pleased to know that this is nothing new!! You also might be pleased to know that Jesus actually listened to this request from James and John (or their mother…) and he even answered them in a valued manner. Many of the young people in our communities today are caught up in a ‘competition culture’, many feeling that they have to look their best on social media, with no blemishes or failures, or be the best at sport, or computer games, or art, or …anything and everything. The Good News is that Jesus is still listening! Regardless of what our/their requests are, He still listens.

To do today:

1. Think about ways that you can listen and value the children and young people in your life.
2. Pray for our listening volunteers who are currently playing a very large part in vulnerable pupils’ lives. Pray that as they listen, they would be able to show care and support for our children and young people. Pray as well that they would receive the support and prayers from their local churches.

Did you know…?

I mentioned yesterday that Niscu trains local volunteers to simply listen to pupils in schools, helping school management support early intervention for many pupils. What I didn’t mention was that all of those listening sessions were done by only 19 volunteers. Have you thought of helping your local school by simply listening…not advising, or counselling, or taking on their burdens…simply listening? If you are, then again contact jane.callow@niscu.org.uk and we can keep you in the loop regarding future training.