Salted With Fire: Finding the Good News Hidden in the Hard News
Would you rather hear the bad news or the good news first? In 2013, a National Geographic article by Cathy Newman reported that 75% of people prefer to get bad news first. For most of us, knowing what we are facing helps us psychologically to prepare for what is ahead. In the various organizations I have led over the years, I would much rather be surprised by good news rather than bad news. If there was bad news, I wanted to know quickly so that I had more time to deal with whatever challenges were ahead.
What is interesting is that in the same National Geographic article, Newman reported that when it comes to delivering news, most of us would rather give the good news first. No one enjoys giving bad news. One reason is because once we hear the bad news, it can take days to weeks for us to process the bad news before we take action.
It occurs to me that in Mark 9 we see the disciples struggling to receive what they saw as bad news. When the 12 were away from the crowd, Jesus told them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.” We know that the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus means really good news for everyone who believes the gospel and chooses to follow Jesus. But in the moment, the disciples did not receive this news well. Mark tells us that they did not understand what Jesus said, and they were afraid to ask Jesus about it. And no one receives the death of a friend or loved one as good news.
Sometimes we don’t ask because we don’t want to deal with the reality of a situation. Maybe that was the case for the 12. It certainly must have felt like really bad news to hear their rabbi, the one they believed might be the Messiah, say that he was going to be killed.
Later, as Jesus continued his teaching, Mark indicated that Jesus sent another bad news/good news message: “For everyone will be salted with fire.” Not a few will, but everyone will. We know from Leviticus that every sacrifice offered was to first be salted. As we consider the meaning of this message from Jesus, N.T. Wright, along with many scholars, tell us that Jesus was referring to the costliness of our discipleship. This salting with fire is a purifying process for the believer. It is through our hardships that we become stronger and are able to live as committed disciples who serve as ambassadors of the good news of Jesus, even through our suffering.
As Jesus approached the time where he would bear the sins of the world on the cross, he knew that both then and even after the resurrection his followers would face difficult times as they lived out their discipleship. Remaining salted with fire is a part of the refining process of sanctification.
Jesus knew that in a world filled with trials it is essential to keep our lives deeply connected to our source of life, Jesus, and then through him we would be able to live at peace with each other as believers, and through our unity and love for each other, convince the world that Jesus loves them and is Lord of all.
Father, we surrender ourselves and our suffering to you. Refine our hearts and minds that we might reflect your kingdom purposes and live in unity with one another. May the good news of Jesus be evident in us today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your Time with God’s Word
Mark 9:38-41, 49-50; Leviticus 2:13 ESV
Photo by Pexels
To receive daily posts delivered directly to your inbox, complete the form at the bottom of our home page.
