Jesus has Conquered the World – For Who? For Us?

Devotionals continue today from the people of the churches from the Allegheny Ridge Covenant of Churches including Kane Community, East Kane, Mt Jewett Light on the Hill, and Hazel Hurst Global Methodist Churches.

As we continue on our journey Pam Wright shares today’s devotional from the Gospel of Mark and reflecting upon one of the many things has done and continues to do for us today which calls us to response.

Devotionals By Us for Us

Lenten Devotional – Day 10 March 4, 2026

Understanding Conquering the World

Devotional by Pam Wright

Read Mark 10: 32-34

In this passage, Jesus again is talking to his disciples about his impending death and resurrection. The disciples were “astonished”, but others were afraid. The twelve were taken aside and Jesus told them again what was going to happen. The disciples didn’t really hear or understand what he was telling them. Think about it. How would you react if you were one of the twelve? Do you think you would have understood what he was telling you?

Even now, being on this side of the crucifixion and resurrection, I think it would have been tough to really understand his message. In those days, the thought of a Messiah coming was not in the form of Jesus. The people of that time thought the Messiah would be a king sent to conquer the world. Jesus did “conquer the world”, but not with an army, which is the way the disciples and the people of that era imagined. He conquered the world by dying on the cross and resurrecting three days later.

As I was reading this passage and those in Matthew 20:17-19 and Luke 18:31-34, I got caught up in how I would have reacted had I been there with him. Would I have been frightened, not just for him, but for myself? Would I have understood what he was trying to tell me? Would I have looked past the word death and listened to the word resurrection? These passages are the third time Jesus warned his disciples about his impending death and resurrection, but would I have understood any better than the twelve? He was trying to prepare them for what was about to happen but by doing so, also show that this was God’s plan from the beginning and not just an accident.

How do I feel today? Do I reach out to God/Jesus daily to thank him for “conquering the world” for me? Do I spread God’s love and mercy to others? What do I do for God each and every day? It’s mind boggling to think about what Jesus endured for me and for you.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank you so much for all that you do for us. Thank you for guiding us along your path and showing us the way to eternity. Be with all those who are struggling to know you better and those who have turned their back on you. Help us all to establish a relationship with you and to help others in any way we can. You are our guide and our strength through all, whether it is in our troubles or our good times. Help us to exemplify you through our actions, deeds and thoughts. Thank you most of all for being with us every step of the way. In your name we pray, Amen.