Are We On Your Side

Remember:

Sunday we looked at how the rich young ruler approached Jesus asking for eternal life, yet walked away sorrowful. Today, notice what happens when our self-reliance meets the total lordship of Christ.

Read:

"And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, 'You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.' Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions." — Mark 10:21–22

Dig Deeper:

In the first century, wealth was widely viewed by religious leaders as a sign of God's explicit endorsement. When Jesus told this young leader to sell his possessions, He was not establishing a universal requirement for all believers, but directly addressing the specific idol holding this man's heart. The phrase "disheartened" translates the Greek word stygnasas, which describes a darkening sky before a storm. The young man realized that following Jesus meant abandoning his ultimate source of security and status.

Reflect:

We often want Jesus to validate our achievements rather than command our allegiance. True discipleship requires identifying the hidden treasures we rely on instead of God. What security or achievement are you holding onto that prevents you from fully trusting Christ?

Pray:

Lord, show me where I am relying on my own resources instead of Your grace. Give me the courage to surrender whatever stands between me and complete obedience to You.

Remember:

Sunday we contrasted the self-righteous young ruler with Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector who responded to Jesus with joyful surrender. Today, examine how genuine conversion produces immediate, tangible change.

Read:

"And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, 'Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.' And Jesus said to him, 'Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham.'" — Luke 19:8–9

Dig Deeper:

Under the Mosaic law, when someone confessed to stealing, the required restitution was the principal amount plus a fifth of the value (Leviticus 6:5). By promising to restore fourfold, Zacchaeus voluntarily applied the strict penalty reserved for deliberate, violent theft (Exodus 22:1). His willingness to give away half his wealth and pay back fourfold meant he likely stripped himself of his entire fortune. Salvation did not just change Zacchaeus's heart; it radically reordered his finances and relationships.

Reflect:

Faith in Christ is never merely an internal feeling; it produces concrete outward action. Zacchaeus took immediate steps to heal the damage caused by his past choices. What is one practical step of reconciliation or generosity God is asking you to take today?

Pray:

Father, thank You for seeking and saving me when I was lost. Let the joy of Your salvation transform how I handle my resources and treat the people around me.

Remember:

Sunday we saw how Israel crossed into enemy territory, only for God to command something that seemed militarily foolish right before battle. Today, see how God calls His people to total vulnerability so they rely entirely on Him.

Read:

"At that time the Lord said to Joshua, 'Make flint knives and circumcise the sons of Israel a second time.' ... So it was, when they had finished circumcising all the people, that they stayed in their places in the camp till they were healed." — Joshua 5:2, 8

Dig Deeper:

In ancient warfare, immobilizing your entire fighting force while camped right outside a heavily fortified enemy city like Jericho was strategic suicide. Circumcision physically incapacitated the men for several days, leaving the entire nation exposed to attack. Yet, circumcision was the sign of God's covenant with Abraham (Genesis 17:11). Before Israel could conquer the Promised Land, they had to renew their covenant identity and trust God to be their sole defender.

Reflect:

God often asks us to step into situations where our human strength is useless so that His power is made obvious. Obedience often looks irrational to the surrounding culture. Where is God asking you to trust Him in a season of personal weakness or vulnerability?

Pray:

Lord, help me to obey Your directions even when they run counter to human logic. Teach me to rest in Your protection when I feel vulnerable and weak.

Remember:

Sunday we examined Joshua's encounter with the Commander of the Lord's army outside Jericho, where Joshua learned that God does not take sides—He takes over. Today, consider how we must shift from recruiting God for our plans to submitting to His authority.

Read:

"And Joshua went to him and said to him, 'Are you for us, or for our adversaries?' And he said, 'No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.' And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped." — Joshua 5:13b–14

Dig Deeper:

Joshua approached the stranger with a military question: "Whose side are you on?" The figure's answer—"No"—refused Joshua's framing entirely. This encounter was a Christophany, a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ. By commanding Joshua to take off his sandals because the ground was holy, the Commander echoed God's words to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:5). Joshua was reminded that he was not the commander-in-chief of God's war; he was a servant in God's divine campaign.

Reflect:

We often pray asking God to join our plans, bless our goals, and fight for our preferred outcomes. True spiritual maturity means bowing down and asking what God wants done. Are you trying to pull God onto your side, or are you surrendering to His leadership?

Pray:

Jesus, I bow before You as my Lord and Commander. Forgive me for trying to run my own life, and show me how to align my priorities with Your will.

Remember the Week

Across this week, we explored how the rich ruler held onto his status, Zacchaeus gave up his wealth for Christ, Israel trusted God in total vulnerability, and Joshua bowed before the divine Commander. Each passage reveals that following Jesus requires moving from self-centered control to wholehearted submission.

The Big Idea, Restated

Following Jesus is not about trying to enlist God for our personal plans, but surrendering our desires to sit at His feet and obey His word.

One Integrating Question

In what specific area of your life this week do you need to stop asking God to bless your strategy and instead bow in full surrender to His lordship?

Pray

Lord Jesus, thank You for calling us into Your kingdom. Deliver us from the distraction of running our own agendas, and give us the grace to sit at Your feet, hear Your voice, and follow You wherever You lead. Amen.