Daily Readings - Wed Apr 25 2018
1 Peter
5Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.6Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:7Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:9Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.10But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.11To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.12By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.13The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.14Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Mark
15And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.17And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;18They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.19So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.20And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
Sermon
In today's readings, we explore themes of humility, trust in God, and the call to share the Gospel. The first reading from 1 Peter encourages believers to embrace humility and cast their cares on God, trusting in His providence. It reminds us that while we face challenges, including the devil's temptations, God's grace will sustain and strengthen us. The second reading from Mark's Gospel is the Great Commission, where Jesus commands His disciples to spread the Gospel to all creation, promising that signs of faith will accompany their efforts, such as healing and casting out demons.
The context of 1 Peter is likely a time of persecution for early Christians, urging them to remain steadfast and humble. Mark's passage concludes his Gospel, emphasizing the disciples' mission post-resurrection. Together, these readings highlight the dual aspects of Christian life: internal virtues like humility and trust, and external actions like preaching and ministering.
Applying this to our lives, we are called to remain humble and trust God with our anxieties, while actively sharing our faith. The moral lesson is clear: a balanced Christian life combines inner humility with outward action. Let us embrace both, trusting God's grace and actively spreading His love, just as the early disciples did.