(Mark 10:32-34)

While on thar way up ter Jerusalem, tha Son led tha way, only as they walked about he found his disciples be astonished at tha things he said ’bout giving up homes, family, friends, and wealth ter follow him. Shocked and stunned they whar. Other folks be a feared at hearing his words.

Ter help the Twelve get tha lay of things, he took them aside and told ’em plainly what was about ter happen ter.

“We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.”

Now ya might think that sad news but of no concern ter us all these years later, only think on this a wee little bit: what folks did ter tha Son’s body when he walked tha earth they ‘ill do ter his spiritual body now. Tha Body of tha Son, his church, his bride, ‘ill suffer tha same sort of abuse from violent fellers.

• When ya be mocked fer yer belief in tha Son, count it as an honor, not as a slight that deserves a harsh come back.
• When ya be spit at and spit on fer yer faith in tha Son, turn yer cheek away.
• When ya suffer a beating fer yer love fer tha Son, know that tha Son and Skipper be crying with ya.
• If fellers kill ya fer yer loyalty ter tha Son know that ya ‘ill rise again in glory with him.

Would that we ne’er go through such hard struggles fer being a part of tha Son’s new body and his bride, but tha Apostle Paul be quick ter remind us that our “light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all (2 Corinthians 4:17).