One Opinion

TITLE: One Opinion
DATE:  October 14, 2019
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Christ is risen. He is risen, indeed.

TEXT: Mark 14:49 - (ESV) - 49 Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But let the Scriptures be fulfilled.”

The brilliant young pianist was performing on  a national stage for the first time.

Those who had come to hear him were spellbound as beautiful music flowed from his disciplined fingers. As the last note faded, the audience burst into applause which came in waves. Everyone was standing -- glad that they had heard the launching of a new talent.

All stood, except one old man up front.

The pianist walked off the stage and declined the praise of the stage manager. The pianist said, "I was no good, the night is a failure."
The manager replied, "Look out there, all applaud, except one old man!"

"Yes," said the youth dejectedly, "but I please no one if I don't please that one old man who is my teacher."

That is exactly the way it was for Jesus.

• At one time in His ministry thousands had proclaimed Him as a miracle-working Benefactor. But Jesus was not looking for their praises.
•  Towards the end of His life, when He rode into Jerusalem, the crowds had welcomed Him with the placing of palm branches and the yells of "Hosanna!"  Jesus did not pin His happiness on their words, either
• People had called Him "Rabbi", "Master" and "Lord", but it was not in these words that He received satisfaction.

 It made little difference to Jesus if the entire world had fallen at His feet. If He had not earned the approval of His Father, His life would have been a failure.  It was His Father Who had originated the plan to rescue sinful, rebellious and condemned humankind.  

It was His Father Who had inspired centuries of prophets to share information which would identify Him and allow the success of His work to be measured

With single-minded purpose, doing what no other human being could do, Jesus finished His work of being our Intermediary, Substitute and Redeemer.  After His death and resurrection, the Father says He is well pleased in the work of His Son. (2 Peter 1: 17) And because of Jesus successful completion of that work, all who believe on Him are saved.  

And now the risen Redeemer asks, “For whom do you play the music of your life? Is it for the applause of business, or the respect of community? Do you work merely to make money? Happiness is not based on such things.

No, it is in pleasing Jesus that the success of our lives will be measured. At the end, the elect will say, "It makes no difference if the world applauds me unless I have the approval of my Savior."

THE PRAYER:  Lord Jesus, I give thanks that You were not seduced by the cheers of the crowd, or the praise of people. Because You did all Your Father had asked, I am saved. For this I give thanks. In Your Name I pray. Amen.  

The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along with three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html