I Give Up Indifference and Lack of Passion

Day 36 of Lenten Devotional Series


Mark 12:28-30 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together and perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him: "Which is the first commandment of all?" And Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments if, "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord, and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, mind, and with all thy strength."

According to many scholars, on Holy Tuesday Jesus preached for the last time in the temple and told several important parables. The very next day, Judas would go to the Sanhedrin and make arrangements to betray Jesus.

Yet in His final week--knowing what lay before Him and that each step was taking Him closer to the cross-- Jesus still spent His last days pouring into the people around Him.

As we read further in the story, we see that Jesus felt sorrow and dread over what He faced. When I feel dread or anxiety about a current situation or upcoming circumstance, I often withdraw and go through the motions without my usual energy and enthusiasm. But as Jesus faced the ultimate suffering that would forever change history, He still focused his attention on others, sharing His wisdom in each word that He spoke.

This Lent, I will give up indifference and lack of passion. On days I would rather tuck myself away from the world, I will still try to put my energy into the tasks before me and try to give something in that moment that will last beyond today.