On the evening of May 8th, 2026, our Bible study group gathered to explore the eighth chapter of 1 Corinthians. We began by remembering the overarching theme of Paul's letter: teaching the Corinthian church how to view every aspect of their lives through the lens of the gospel—a message of sacrifice, service, and submission. Having already discussed division and sexual immorality, we turned our focus to a new issue causing friction in the Corinthian church: eating meat that had been sacrificed to idols.

"The grass is not greener on the other side. The grass is greener where you water it." We are called to water the ground we are on right now with the mind of Christ—a mind of sacrifice, service, and submission. By inviting God into our present reality, we allow Him to make our pasture green and to flourish right where He has planted us.

We must learn to live the wisdom of the cross, which boasts in no one but Christ alone. We do not follow people, but Christ. This is foolishness to the world, but it pleases God to use the weakest in this world for His glory, not the strongest. Revel in your weakness, because you are in good company. Jesus made Himself weak at the cross to shame the strong. Humble yourself, and do not divide over individuals, but unite under the cross of Christ, which is foolishness to those who are perishing, but for those being saved, it is the power of God (18)!

Through the book of Mark, we have been given a chance to also stand at the foot of the cross and realize that “truly this was the Son of God.” This realization about God’s Kingdom, which is “at hand” (1:15), and through our time face-to-face with the risen Christ should cause us to share Jesus’ Kingdom with others.

We are Barabbas! We, as insurrectionists guilty of rebellion against God’s Kingdom, are allowed to go free because of the sacrifice of Jesus taking our place. We owe Him true worship, not mock worship, because of what He has done for us. He has humbled Himself to the lowest point, which means He deserves the highest glory.

It is time we hear the rooster crowing. We all have denied Jesus, and He is giving us a second chance to stand with Him in His Kingdom. It is time to stop bearing false testimony in our lives to ourselves and to God, justifying why Jesus’ Kingdom should have no authority in our lives, and recognize Jesus as the great “I AM” and welcome the dominion of His Kingdom into our lives. The rooster is crowing.

The world will try to lull us to sleep so we loose sight of Jesus’ Kingdom, which reigns, not through a sword, but through sacrifice, service, and submission motivated by a desire for God’s will and the good of others. We must “watch and pray” so we do not fall into temptation to leave Him and flee, but to keep vigil with Him in the garden. Pray that God’s will be done in your life. Watch for opportunities to sacrifice and serve, for God’s Kingdom comes in, not with a sword, but with a cross.

Jesus asked whose image was on the coin. It was Caesar’s. Therefore, it should be rendered to him. But then Jesus says we must be willing to “render to God the things that are God’s.” But what bears the image of God? We do. Our hearts and souls. Jesus is calling us not to hold on to authority and prominence, but be willing to humbly submit to His Kingship and give Him our very hearts.

Welcome Jesus’ Kingdom into your heart. Allow Him to have a triumphant entry! Praise Him, have faith in Him, and most crucially, submit to Him. Do not push back against His authority, attempting to retain control for yourself, but submit to His cleansing and allow Him to bear fruit in your life through faith.

When we come to Jesus, through Bible study, prayer, and worship, we should ask of Him, not for comfort, wealth, or status. We should ask Him that we may truly SEE who He is, what His mission is, and as an extension of His mission, what OUR mission is. Look for ways to humble ourselves today, and follow Jesus, just as Bartimaeus did once he received his sight.