Sermon July 26
Mark 1:29-45
What’s the difference between a loving relationship and a transactional relationship? Transactional relationships are based on a perceived benefit that each party gets from the other. Instead of being interested in the needs of the other person it reduces them to a commodity. When word got out that Jesus was healing people the entire town came with a need. People are inherently selfish. They think, “JESUS HAS WHAT I NEED. HE IS THE ANSWER TO MY PROBLEMS.” By seeing Jesus as a commodity they miss the opportunity to have a loving relationship. THIS REALATIONSHIP SAYS “I KNOW YOU. I CARE ABOUT YOU. I CHOOSE YOU.” Relationships are not built on convenience. They are inconvenient and costly. They require something of us. The crowds were not hoping to have a relationship with him, they are looking for him because they want something FROM him? They are looking for what He can GIVE them not for HIM? The men following Jesus all thought it made sense to gather a crowd which means having a following. This is the way to get power and with power you can do what you want. How is this bad? Jesus says, let’s walk away from this. This is not what I came for. AS LONG AS PEOPLE SEE ME AS A COMODITY IT WILL STAND IN THE WAY OF RELATIONSHIP.
Discussion Questions
- In what ways have you seen people treat God like a commodity?
- Do you think people come to church so they can receive from God?
- 3. What does God want from you?
