Chapter 12 is packed with things I want to write about. It starts out with the heart breaking account of the wicked tenants that refuse to return to the owner what is right. There rebellion leads to insults and murder -- even taking the life of the owners son! This parable serves also to heighten the tension between Jesus and the religious leaders of the day as we head from Palm Sunday towards Good Friday.
I guess the two portions that I will prayerfully wrestle with today are from vss 13 - 17, and vss 28 - 34. For me the issue is similar in these two segments. In the first portion Jesus answers the question on paying taxes with this answer that amazes his listeners, "Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's." In the second portion Jesus sums up the law with the most familiar of all Hebrew laws the Shemah, "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your mind, and with all your strength." and he couples it with "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
So, if I render to God what is God's it requires me to Love God with my whole being, and more, to then love my neighbor (I read that all people) as myself. This seems like an all encompassing call that takes up all that I am and ever will be. I fall so short, and yet I am continually drawn back to offer myself again to God and God's service, to engage again. I wonder if I will ever live in this life a life of complete love for God and neighbor. Lord help me to be yours alone.
There is much more to address here from the questions about life in the resurrection (my Mom would have raised her hand and argued with Jesus on this I think), and more conflict with the scribes. I will end with a quick observation on the widow's offering. I have always been intrigued that Jesus commends her offering and does not stop her and say, "Let the rich carry the load, you keep the little you have." That is what I might have done. I think Jesus has a longer view on our stuff and realizes that this widow had chosen to invest herself in eternity, and that she'd be provided for in this life and the next. I often struggle with shortsightedness - I make decisions constrained by this physical existence. Have a blessed day friends!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Mark 11
Hi Friends, late again as I was in Oneida all day with our Mohawk District Board of Ministry. I will be there all day tomorrow too, but I will try to blog before I leave the house at 7:30AM.
WOW - I told you Mark was in a hurry didn't I? How can we already be reading the "Triumphal Entry" scriptures - the day many in the Christian Church call Palm Sunday and our Jewish heritage called Lamb Selection Day.
This is the day prescribed by tradition for the Hebrews to select a lamb for their Passover observation. In the midst of that it is interesting and telling that Jesus offers them himself - "the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the whole world" in John the baptists words from John 1:29. And the crowds select Jesus! They cry out "Hosanna! Save Us!" But they were not looking for the gift that Jesus came to offer. They wanted, for the most part, relief from their immediate struggles caused chiefly by the occupying forces of Rome. Jesus offered them and offers us a peace that goes beyond our categories.
It is interesting to me that in the same way Mark has rushed through 3 years in 10 chapters he no lingers over the next 6 days for 4 chapters and then seems to hurry through the resurrection and ascension.
WOW - I told you Mark was in a hurry didn't I? How can we already be reading the "Triumphal Entry" scriptures - the day many in the Christian Church call Palm Sunday and our Jewish heritage called Lamb Selection Day.
This is the day prescribed by tradition for the Hebrews to select a lamb for their Passover observation. In the midst of that it is interesting and telling that Jesus offers them himself - "the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the whole world" in John the baptists words from John 1:29. And the crowds select Jesus! They cry out "Hosanna! Save Us!" But they were not looking for the gift that Jesus came to offer. They wanted, for the most part, relief from their immediate struggles caused chiefly by the occupying forces of Rome. Jesus offered them and offers us a peace that goes beyond our categories.
It is interesting to me that in the same way Mark has rushed through 3 years in 10 chapters he no lingers over the next 6 days for 4 chapters and then seems to hurry through the resurrection and ascension.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Mark 10
Most of you are getting the hang of this by now, but just in case remember that our scripture readings for this week are Monday - Mark 10, Tuesday - Mark 11, Wednesday - Mark 12, Thursday - Mark 13, and Friday - Mark 14. If you are just starting with us there is still an easy opening here for you to jump in and read the first 9 chapters and join us!
In today's reading my attention is drawn to the account of the Rich man interacting with Jesus in 10:17-31. The man approaches Jesus, and when Jesus engages him in a discussion of keeping all of the law the man says - Been there, done all that! It might have been a great opportunity for Jesus to remind the man of his sins. Jesus could have been specific and embarrassed the man, but instead vs 21 says a neat thing. It says "Jesus, looking at him, loved him..." I really like that! Jesus looks at the man and instead of trying to play gotcha, he let the lie slide (I am presuming the man was a sinner like me)and just love him.
The next thing we see is the man going away grieving because Jesus has instructed him to go and sell all he has and give to the poor and come follow Jesus. My dear friend David Kolassa made an interesting observation and raised a question a few years ago when we studied this account together. David pointed out that the Bible never says the man refused to sell everything - it says he's grieved. Maybe he was grieved because he was leaving to sell everything and he liked his stuff! Just something to consider as you go through your day today.
I am also interested to read the account of Jesus healing a blind man named Bartimaeus. I see that Jesus doesn't follow a formula in the way he deals with people. I like that very much too.
In today's reading my attention is drawn to the account of the Rich man interacting with Jesus in 10:17-31. The man approaches Jesus, and when Jesus engages him in a discussion of keeping all of the law the man says - Been there, done all that! It might have been a great opportunity for Jesus to remind the man of his sins. Jesus could have been specific and embarrassed the man, but instead vs 21 says a neat thing. It says "Jesus, looking at him, loved him..." I really like that! Jesus looks at the man and instead of trying to play gotcha, he let the lie slide (I am presuming the man was a sinner like me)and just love him.
The next thing we see is the man going away grieving because Jesus has instructed him to go and sell all he has and give to the poor and come follow Jesus. My dear friend David Kolassa made an interesting observation and raised a question a few years ago when we studied this account together. David pointed out that the Bible never says the man refused to sell everything - it says he's grieved. Maybe he was grieved because he was leaving to sell everything and he liked his stuff! Just something to consider as you go through your day today.
I am also interested to read the account of Jesus healing a blind man named Bartimaeus. I see that Jesus doesn't follow a formula in the way he deals with people. I like that very much too.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Mark 9
It is later at night than I usually post - sorry if I threw anyone off today by posting late.
As we look into chapter 9 Jesus has taken Peter and James and John - his inner core - up to the top of a high mountain and there he is transfigured before them. He becomes a dazzling bright white, and Moses and Elijah appear with him and are talking to him there. Many of us have heard this scripture and read it so many times we skim over it if we are not careful. Imagine the excitement, the terror, the many emotions that fill these simple fishermen.
I also am always pleased for Moses when I read this account. Moses had led the people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt and had shepherded them for 40 years through their whining and complaining. Just as the Israelites get to the edge of the Promised Land God calls Moses to the top of another mountain. God shows Moses the Promised Land but tells him you will not be going in with my people. One of the most courageous acts of obedience in any book ever written takes place at that point. Without so much as a word of protest or complaint, Deuteronomy 34:5,7 reads "5 Then Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there in the land of Moab, at the Lord's command.7 Moses was one hundred twenty years old when he died; his sight was unimpaired and his vigor had not abated." In other words he was perfectly healthy, he just died because God told him to!!! Always seemed unfair to me until I realized that God gave him a better gift. Moses had always asked and asked to see God's face. Now, here, on the mountain later called Transfiguration God gives Moses what he always really wanted. How cool is that!
We are completing our second week on this journey friends. I have been blessed by your emails and posts here. Thanks for traveling with me and sharing your faith as we deepen our relationship with each other and more importantly our relationship with our Lord.
As we look into chapter 9 Jesus has taken Peter and James and John - his inner core - up to the top of a high mountain and there he is transfigured before them. He becomes a dazzling bright white, and Moses and Elijah appear with him and are talking to him there. Many of us have heard this scripture and read it so many times we skim over it if we are not careful. Imagine the excitement, the terror, the many emotions that fill these simple fishermen.
I also am always pleased for Moses when I read this account. Moses had led the people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt and had shepherded them for 40 years through their whining and complaining. Just as the Israelites get to the edge of the Promised Land God calls Moses to the top of another mountain. God shows Moses the Promised Land but tells him you will not be going in with my people. One of the most courageous acts of obedience in any book ever written takes place at that point. Without so much as a word of protest or complaint, Deuteronomy 34:5,7 reads "5 Then Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there in the land of Moab, at the Lord's command.7 Moses was one hundred twenty years old when he died; his sight was unimpaired and his vigor had not abated." In other words he was perfectly healthy, he just died because God told him to!!! Always seemed unfair to me until I realized that God gave him a better gift. Moses had always asked and asked to see God's face. Now, here, on the mountain later called Transfiguration God gives Moses what he always really wanted. How cool is that!
We are completing our second week on this journey friends. I have been blessed by your emails and posts here. Thanks for traveling with me and sharing your faith as we deepen our relationship with each other and more importantly our relationship with our Lord.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Mark 8
We are half way through the gospel today. As I sit here to write my brother BJ is preparing to have eye surgery in Syracuse. My post pneumonia asthma prevents me from being with him physically, but I have been praying for him and trust he'll do fine. It is particularly striking because of the content of chapter 8.
Beginning in vs 22 Jesus heals a blind man in Bethsaida. Jesus takes him aside and puts saliva on his eyes and the man says "I can see people, but they are like trees walking." So Jesus lays his hands on him again. This time his sight is completely restored and he sees everything clearly. Jesus sends him home instructing him not to even go back into the village.
I wonder how often my healing needs a second touch from Jesus. Things are better, but not quite right yet. Our society trains us to pretend we're fine even when we're not, but I think it is important for us to be honest with ourselves and with Jesus when we're not quite whole yet.
Chapter 8 ends with Peter's declaration about who Jesus is. It's a great question from Jesus to the disciples - one that we all should be confronted with - "Who do YOU say that I am?" Again, Jesus sternly warns them not to tell anyone about him.
We are half way through the Gospel of Mark and Jesus reveals to the disciples his future suffering death and resurrection. This theme will continue now throughout the balance of the gospel until Jesus triumphal Palm Sunday entry into Jerusalem.
Beginning in vs 22 Jesus heals a blind man in Bethsaida. Jesus takes him aside and puts saliva on his eyes and the man says "I can see people, but they are like trees walking." So Jesus lays his hands on him again. This time his sight is completely restored and he sees everything clearly. Jesus sends him home instructing him not to even go back into the village.
I wonder how often my healing needs a second touch from Jesus. Things are better, but not quite right yet. Our society trains us to pretend we're fine even when we're not, but I think it is important for us to be honest with ourselves and with Jesus when we're not quite whole yet.
Chapter 8 ends with Peter's declaration about who Jesus is. It's a great question from Jesus to the disciples - one that we all should be confronted with - "Who do YOU say that I am?" Again, Jesus sternly warns them not to tell anyone about him.
We are half way through the Gospel of Mark and Jesus reveals to the disciples his future suffering death and resurrection. This theme will continue now throughout the balance of the gospel until Jesus triumphal Palm Sunday entry into Jerusalem.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Mark 7
Having established Jesus mastery over creation, the spirit world and sickness and disease Mark turns his focus on the relationship between Jesus and the religious leaders of the day - the Scribes and Pharisees.
The religious leaders are shown to be hypocrites who are concerned with appearance rather than substance. They have self serving rules that provide for their advantage while denying justice to the poor and weak. Jesus is not about religion, but relationship.
This is demonstrated in a rather harsh way when he presses the faith of the Syrophoenician woman to its limits before providing for her. I wonder if this wrangling was more about plumbing the depth of the woman's faith than keeping the faith "pure".
Chapter 7 ends with Jesus healing a deaf man and straightening out his speech impediment. Mark is known for his "Hidden Messiah" where Jesus instructs people not to tell what has happened to them. Does Jesus do this because he knows human nature and that having been told to keep a secret they will be more likely to tell, or does he want to buy time for his ministry to come to fruition. I also notice that the crowds have moved from fear to astonishment.
The religious leaders are shown to be hypocrites who are concerned with appearance rather than substance. They have self serving rules that provide for their advantage while denying justice to the poor and weak. Jesus is not about religion, but relationship.
This is demonstrated in a rather harsh way when he presses the faith of the Syrophoenician woman to its limits before providing for her. I wonder if this wrangling was more about plumbing the depth of the woman's faith than keeping the faith "pure".
Chapter 7 ends with Jesus healing a deaf man and straightening out his speech impediment. Mark is known for his "Hidden Messiah" where Jesus instructs people not to tell what has happened to them. Does Jesus do this because he knows human nature and that having been told to keep a secret they will be more likely to tell, or does he want to buy time for his ministry to come to fruition. I also notice that the crowds have moved from fear to astonishment.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Mark 6
In the first five chapters of Marks Gospel we have seen people have many different reactions to Jesus. Most of them have reacted with fear, terror, awe and the like. Here in chapter six Jesus returns home to Nazareth and he has a very strong reaction to the people of his home town. Have you read it yet? Verse 6 chapter 6 says, "And he was amazed at their unbelief."
Wow. That makes me stop and think about what Jesus might be thinking as he watches me. I wonder if Jesus is ever amazed at anything I do. I wonder if he ever shakes his head, I know I do sometimes. I want to amaze Jesus at my faithfulness, how about you. I want my savior to look at me and smile and laugh to himself a little and whisper "Wow - go get 'em Bill." I DO NOT want him to have to be amazed at my unbelief, at my faithlessness.
Later in chapter 6 the disciples ask Jesus if he should release the crowds so they can go into the surrounding area to get something to eat and he says, "YOU give them something to eat." As the story unfolds Jesus takes what little they have, he blesses them and breaks them and then - watch this this is important - he gives the loaves and fishes back to his disciples and sends them to feed the crowds. I believe Jesus still works this way with Christ Followers. He receives our offerings, blesses and multiplies them and gives them back to us and sends us to feed the hungry.
Lets give Jesus the best we have to offer in 2008. I trust God can use what we offer by blessing it, and breaking it and sending us to minister in our world.
Wow. That makes me stop and think about what Jesus might be thinking as he watches me. I wonder if Jesus is ever amazed at anything I do. I wonder if he ever shakes his head, I know I do sometimes. I want to amaze Jesus at my faithfulness, how about you. I want my savior to look at me and smile and laugh to himself a little and whisper "Wow - go get 'em Bill." I DO NOT want him to have to be amazed at my unbelief, at my faithlessness.
Later in chapter 6 the disciples ask Jesus if he should release the crowds so they can go into the surrounding area to get something to eat and he says, "YOU give them something to eat." As the story unfolds Jesus takes what little they have, he blesses them and breaks them and then - watch this this is important - he gives the loaves and fishes back to his disciples and sends them to feed the crowds. I believe Jesus still works this way with Christ Followers. He receives our offerings, blesses and multiplies them and gives them back to us and sends us to feed the hungry.
Lets give Jesus the best we have to offer in 2008. I trust God can use what we offer by blessing it, and breaking it and sending us to minister in our world.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
