D I S T R A C T I O N S

Mark 11:7-8

Can you recall the feelings of arriving home after winning a championship or a victory over your fiercest rival?  Maybe there were crowds awaiting your return, a police escort with fire trucks and a motorcade of minivans painted with the names of your teammates and uniform numbers.  How did you keep your mind focused on your sport and not get distracted by all the noise?

In Mark chapter 11 and verses 7 and 8 we can see how Jesus handled similar circumstances in his life.  There we read, “When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it.  Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields.  Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, ‘Hosanna!  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!  Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!  Hosanna in the highest!’  Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple.”

When I read this I see a team bus coming back into town having just won a championship and crowds of fans waiting for the team on the edge of town.  Everyone is excited, honking horns, screaming and shouting congratulations to the team.  Imagine how Jesus and His followers must have felt.

Watch Jesus’ reaction and gain some wisdom about how to handle success.  Does He get caught up in all the excitement and lose His head in the adulation?  No, rather He maintained His focus on His mission.  He went straight to work on accomplishing His purposes at the temple.

Let’s learn from Jesus and keep our minds focused on our team goals even when we’re surrounded by people telling us how great we are.  Let’s not be distracted by the adulation of fans or the fawning of sports reporters.  Compete today with a strong focus on your goals and fulfill the objectives for this season.

Bible Reading Plan:
Luke 11:29-36
II Thessalonians 1:1-7
Psalms 144
II Chronicles 17-19