Mon.’s Devo - Count the Cost

Read: Leviticus 25:47-27:13; Mark 10:32-52; Psalm 45:1-17; Proverbs 10:22; God gave them laws for if the stranger living among them becomes more powerful than them and they have to sell themselves to them. A relative can buy them back before the year of jubilee. If this doesn’t happen, then they will be released at the jubilee. *** We had been taken over by someone more powerful than us, Satan. But Jesus stepped in and redeemed us and we are no longer slaves to sin. We now have more power than Satan. God’s children are not to be servants of anyone but him. In John 15:15 Jesus said that he no longer calls us slaves and servants but friends. *** God’s desire was for them to follow his laws so he could bless them with bountiful crops, peace in their land, many off-spring and abundance. He desired to walk with them and be their God. He had delivered them from the chains of slavery so they could walk righteously and upright. *** But, if they chose not to do his commandments and broke his covenant, then he would send terror, emaciation, inflammation, heart ache, and disease. They would experience poverty, and oppression from their enemies. God would punish them with attacks from the wild beasts, war, famine and humility. God would destroy their cities and they would become a stench to his nostrils. *** God would finally send them out of their land and let the land enjoy the Sabbath rests it had not been given. The ones left living in the land would live in fear, poverty, and shame. *** But, if they confess their iniquities and those of their fathers and take responsibility for their condition, and humbly repent, God will remember the covenant with them. The land will still lie desolate as it enjoys its Sabbaths. *** Chapter 27 talks about making a vow to give yourself or your child to the Lord. The Lord gave the valuation of that person. Hannah gave Samuel to the Lord and according to this, if she wanted to buy him back she would pay the priest five shekels of silver. *** If a person vowed an animal to the Lord, then wanted to buy it back, he was to add a fifth to the value of the animal. The bottom line is, to think before you make a vow before the Lord. It will cost you to change your mind and take it back. *** In Mark, on their way to Jerusalem the disciples were both astonished and afraid. Jesus took them aside and told them what was going to happen when they got there. He was going to be given over to the chief priests who would condemn him to death. They would give him to the Gentiles who would kill him. He would rise on the third day. *** James and John asked Jesus if he would give them what they asked of him. Jesus asked what they wanted and they wanted to sit on either side of him when he sat on his throne. (Did they miss what he had just told them?) Jesus told them that they had no idea what that would cost them. When they assured them they were up to the task, Jesus said that what they were asking was not in his power to grant. The other disciples heard what they had asked of Jesus and were so angry. Jesus calmed them down when he told them that the one who wanted to be greatest would have to be the greatest servant first. That is what Jesus did. He came to served them first so he could rule them in the end. *** When they came to Jericho they met Bartimaeus who was a blind beggar. He began to cry out for mercy. Jesus asked what he wanted and gave it to him immediately. He was instantly healed and followed him to Jerusalem. *** Today’s reading was all about considering the cost before you make a promise or a request to the Lord. The disciples didn’t consider the cost of their question. This kingdom of God’s is an upside down kingdom where we die to live and give to receive. It takes God’s grace to walk in it. *** Lord, we need more of your grace. Help us in our weaknesses to become strong in you. May we serve you as your friend, yet fear you as our Lord.