The Things of God/ The Things of Man

The Things of God: A Plan & A Purpose

31He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. 32He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
33But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. "Get behind me, Satan!" he said. "You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."

34Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35For whoever wants to save his life[c] will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? 37Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 38If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels." -Mark 8:31-38

In this chapter of Mark, Jesus is talking about the plan the Lord has for Him. Not a particularly pleasant plan, as we all know. But, it is a thing of God. Peter, however, doesn't recognize this and rebukes Jesus... wishing rather for the things of men. He wants Jesus to plan out a nicer ending. He seems to be saying, "Tell us only happy stories." But that was never Jesus' style, to please the goals of men who worry about the things of men, their own desires and 'selfish ambitions' as it is often put.

Instead, the things of God are from a higher authority. It's not about 'gaining' your life but 'losing' it. But 'losing' the plans you have for your own life is the way to 'gain' the things of God- the plan and purpose He has for each of His children.


The Things of God: Justice

Let justice run down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream. —Amos 5:24


The prophet Amos here is commenting on a situation that he finds appalling- both Israel's dead religious ritual and exploitation of the poor. So he calls for the transforming power of righteousness, using the metaphor of a mighty stream. While we are carefully taught the things of men by our society- look out for yourself, save up for your own goals, get ahead, etc... that is not what God teaches.

The things of God are justice and righteousness, embodied by taking care of the poor, the downtrodden, the weak, 'the least of these.' It is no secret that today we are in a similar situation. We live in a world that suffers from injustice. Let us offer the waters of injustice to a dry and barren land.

Lord, I pray this morning that I may focus on 'the things of God.' Please watch over Jess' friend- help him to find community, Joseph's family- be the good shepherd providing for them, Norma- heal her cancer and ease her pain, Mark- heal his cold, Andrew- help him find a roommate and heal his tendonitis, V- comfort her heart and call her to you, Shijie and Blake- watch over their travels, and all those that are on my heart and in my mind this morning. I pray that You would give me patience and wisdom to discern the guidance I trust You will give to me in this time of discernment. My desire is to serve You, Father... to do Your will and to fix my eye on 'the things of God' all the days of my life.