Suck it up cupcake!

November 1, 2010
Scripture Verse that caught my attention today: Mark 10:32 They were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them; they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid.

Observation: Interesting perspectives on Jesus—amazement and fear. Had I been living in those days, would I have been amazed or afraid or both?

Application: “You might as well force a smile and suck it up Cupcake, cause its Monday whether you like it or not.” I saw the previous quote on someone’s facebook wall this morning. I chuckled cause it came from a good-natured person who obviously wasn’t thrilled to be back at work on Monday but also realized that sometimes that’s just life. I’m wondering if it would be an appropriate message for those of us who claim to follow Jesus as well.

From what we learn about Jesus from the gospels, it’s clear from early on that Jesus marches to the beat of a different drummer. Some of the things that Jesus does and says are very liberating. Perhaps that’s why some of the people following him were ‘amazed.” Other things that Jesus does and says are more ominous. Perhaps that’s why still others were afraid.

In Jerusalem there is little doubt that Jesus will overthrow a kingdom and usher in a new one. But this new kingdom will come about through his death at the hands of those in charge of the current kingdom, and not many if any of his Jesus’ followers are ready for that. They better ‘suck it up.” They are going to be in the middle of it all whether they like it or not. And centuries later, in our own way, we’re in the middle of it too.

Prayer: Lord, help us to embrace whatever challenges come our way. As always, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

(Scripture Readings today included: Psalm 121 and Mark 9-10)