January 27, 2012 Are You Uncomfortable?

Are You Uncomfortable?

Mark 2:15-16 While Jesus was having dinner at Levi's house, many tax collectors and “sinners” were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. 16 When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the “sinners” and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?”

DO YOU like to be comfortable? Then ministry probably isn’t for you.
Consider Jesus’ life. (You can read about it in the rest of “Mark”.) Did he ever do anything in his ministry that made him comfortable? He went to the people who were sick, put himself in positions to be often criticized, attacked verbally and threatened physically. He went to the homes of such people as Levi, whom all the people hated because he was a tax collector. He even went to a stinking tomb to raise a dead man.
No, Jesus didn’t seek comfort and neither should you if you desire to “minister” the Gospel. Ministery may require you to teach children who don’t know the rules. Or you might need to spend time with teens who have no respect for you or anything, Are You Uncomfortable?

Mark 2:15-16 While Jesus was having dinner at Levi's house, many tax collectors and “sinners” were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. 16 When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the “sinners” and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?”


No, Jesus didn’t seek comfort and neither should you if you desire to “minister” the Gospel. Ministery may require you to teach children who don’t know the rules. Or you might need to spend time with teens who have no respect for you or anything, anyone else. Maybe it’s uncomfortable to talk to people at work about Jesus. Possibly you need to go to a Third World country to minister to the hungry and desperate.
Do you feel God urging you to do something that makes you uncomfortable? To say to Jesus, “I’m not comfortable. Get someone else.” negates the life of your Lord here on earth. Before you say, “No." pray for the Holy Spirit to give you strength and passion for your Lord. Then go. He has modeled for you what he expects of you. How will you respond?

Pause and consider Jesus’ deadly discomfort of the cross is for you.