Forward Movement is an official, non-profit agency of the Episcopal Church whose mission is to create compelling content for Christian living. Since 1935 we have published the quarterly devotional Forward Day by Day, as well as pamphlets, booklets, and books that encourage and nourish people in their lives of prayer and faith.
FRIDAY, September 4 (Paul Jones)
Mark 15:22-32. The chief priests, along with the scribes, were also mocking him.
Jesus was not having a good day. Betrayed, arrested, beaten, and hanging on a cross, with only hours to live--couldn't they give him a break? Yet they mocked him because he did not use his "powers" to save himself.
A while back I was in a conversation about a public official who had been indicted for acting inappropriately. No one said he should have done what he did, but the conversation was divided over whether the whistle-blower should have done what she did--since she then was fired.
Some felt she had done a noble thing, but others felt she should have kept quiet and protected her job. The conversation smacked of mocking her for not saving herself.
When faced with doing the right thing, human nature bids us pause and weigh the cost. Sadly those around us are often no help, even mocking us for not looking out for Number One.
Jesus shows us how to get through those times. He turned a deaf ear, forgave, and in the end returned to save his tormentors. May Jesus be our Savior when the world mocks us.
PRAY for the Diocese of South Carolina (Province IV, USA)
Ps 31 * 35; 1 Kings 11:26-43; James 4:13-5:6
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