Heralds Digest

“Now they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going before them; and they were amazed. And as they followed they were afraid. Then He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them the things that would happen to Him:...For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭10:32, 45‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.10.32,45.nkjv Although public service is expected to be the platform for grooming servants, it is often an avenue for grounding servanthood due to the abuse of power. However, in spite of the power and authority of Jesus, his life and ministry demonstrated the right concept of public service. And while the disciples appeared to be nursing a misconception and a strange feeling about Jesus’ model of service offerings, He clearly prophesied for the third time how the final price of laying down His life will be paid. Unfortunately, many servants in public services have lost the appetit...

“And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God!” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭10:24‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.10.24.nkjv When the scriptures declare that money answer all things, the abiding context “that God approves” is often ignored by many who have been deceived. The creative potentials in man, particularly the power to make wealth, are surely enshrined as common sense principles of diligence, discipline, and determination. But without the support of God or His discretions, many ambitions in life are eventually wasted. Absolute trust in human abilities (to make wealth and wholeheartedly make things happen within his sphere of influence) is capable of transforming any man into an enemy of God - by adopting a no consent action plan while making little or no sense out of the will of God. Therefore, Jesus answered again and said to them (His disciples), “Chil...

“Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭10:21-22‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.10.21-22.nkjv The experience of the young rich Man after his lovely encounter with Jesus teaches all that the only one thing that the natural life lacks is the ability to freely think outside the needs of self. The quest for higher standard of living is natural, but the passion for lifting the lives of others is not common. Having been blessed with great riches and possessions in this life, it was commendable to Jesus that the young rich Man was concerned about extending the living pleasures to life after death. Although Jesus loved him for his life-after-death concern, the young rich Man lacks the ability to invest his earthly...

“Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭10:15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.10.15.nkjv Faith to receive without querying the potency of the source is one of the reasons why children can hardly suffer from high-blood pressure. For kids, a promise received is as good as a precious package deal, with little or no fear of disappointment or discouragement. Whereas, adults need consistent assurances from the throne of grace in order to stand firmly on the promises of God. With the myriads of promises upon the pages of the scriptures that await fulfillment, the major concern of heaven is always ‘Will Jesus find faith in the earth at His return?’ While human’ increase in knowledge would always demand the success rate of every prospective engagement before embarking on the mission, little children have little or no such concern before engagements. Obviously, Jesus’ promise of a mansion in heaven i...

“And Jesus answered and said to them, “Because of the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. But from the beginning of the creation, God ‘made them male and female.’” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭10:5-6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.10.5-6.nkjv If only man can safely trust the desires of his own heart, the concept of liberalism will be the all-times perfect option in life. In that regards, there would have been no job for advocates of gay rights, abortion rights, divorce, including all forms of advocacy for freedom in the choice and shapes of ungodly relationships. However, in the response of Jesus Christ to question on the rights to obtain divorce bills from the Pharisees, hardness of the heart was categorized as the problem with the call for certain rights in life. The heart of man is proven as the seat of a strong influence for changing any status quo, previously laid down for orderliness, decorum, and the peace at home, workplaces, and the civil society. And with collective sup...

“Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.”” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭9:50‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.9.50.nkjv Parenting without principles, civil service without civility, and management without manners are some common examples of the burdens in social relationships at home, workplaces and the society. With reference to service offering as salts, Jesus acknowledges the pleasant gesture in service engagements, compared to the terrible option of disengagement. Obviously, disengagement of services in troubled relationships has never been an option, when wellness is under consideration. However, when does the gesture in services lose its flavour and become worthless? The scriptures provide the basic principle in the final admonition “Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another”. Simply, parenting can only be fruitful when parents’ motives, manners, and manifestation are governed by the sa...

““But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭9:42‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.9.42.nkjv Making sacrifices for better tomorrow is a necessity of life. However, there is need for proper evaluation of the prospects in every sacrifice, in order to avoid the unfortunate mixup in priority. While human needs are often driven by dispensable dainties, like comfort, affluence and position, there is always the risk of creating damnable offences against the indispensable dainty of eternal life for other members in the kingdom. Therefore, Jesus said it is better to embrace a drowning lifestyle with the dispensable dainties of life, rather than throwing caution to the wind. It implies that the most delicious dainty in life’s relationships must embrace the making of sacrifices in order to promote the grace, goodness and the glory of God. The pea...