Apr 15, 2015

Attentiveness and Responsiveness to The Risen Savior

By: Rev. Thomasine Adams

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus predicts his death three times. It is during the third
prediction that he says, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be
delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn
him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on
him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.” (Mark 10:33-34)

Jesus’ predictions reveal the importance of attentiveness and responsiveness for his
disciples and Christians today.

Jesus had high purpose and deep vision for as we see “…he steadfastly set his face to
go to Jerusalem where he would die for the sins of the world” (Luke 9:51). The
disciples were given three predictions of His death and resurrection, but seemingly,
they were not as attentive as Jesus desired them to be.

In the first prediction, Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him (Mark 8:31-
33). In the second prediction, the disciples did not understand what Jesus meant and
were afraid to ask him about it (Mark 9:31-32). Finally, in the third prediction, the
sons of Zebedee wanted to sit on Jesus’ right and left (Mark 10:33-37). The disciples
were not attentive to Jesus’ predictions.

What does it mean to be attentive? It means to be mindful of God's presence in all of
life. You cannot truly experience Jesus’ presence if you are not attentive to His call on
your life. It is important to be attentive to what you resist. Attentiveness means not
turning away when Jesus ask you to accept and do the hard things, just as he tried to
explain to the disciples.

How are you responding to the Risen Savior on this Christian journey? Is your face
fixed on the Cross as you respond to the Risen Savior in all of life? Are you responding
with love, obedience, compassion, and thankfulness for the great Gift of Salvation?
God calls us to be attentive and responsive in our daily lives which will enable us to
desire and embrace a deeper relationship with the Risen Savior.
As you seek to be attentive to the Risen Savior and respond with “A Heart to Follow
Jesus”, your prayer life will be your foundation, the Holy Spirit will be your guide,
and your faith will be your anchor.

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