Be Prepared ...

First Peter 3

Be Prepared to Give an Answer …

Note: Since I’ll probably get asked, I’m choosing not to talk about the first section in this chapter – but not for the reason you might guess.  I’m not afraid to discuss the relationship between husband and wife.  I know Peter uses the “s” word (submissive - depending on the translation you’re using), but we’re talking about respecting one’s husband in a way that allows them to see the love of Christ in their wives.  But it doesn’t mean being a doormat that lacks a mind or a voice.  While we’re at it, I agree totally with Peter that if a woman’s beauty is only skin deep, that’s a sad thing.  (P.S. I don’t consider it a condemnation of wearing make-up or jewelry or nice clothes, but that those things can’t cover up an ugly heart – male or female). And I have no problem with Peter saying that husbands should treat their wives with respect as the “weaker” partner (or vessel in some translations).  And before the ladies reading this challenge me to an arm wrestling match and embarrass me, let me say that the word for “weaker” here talks about being more sensitive (i.e. in touch with their feelings) and tender-hearted.  And while there are exceptions to this description, I’m sure, overall the women I have encountered are more tender-hearted and compassionate than the men I have known (again there are exceptions).  So in a day and a time within the Roman empire when women were most often thought of just another “piece” of property, Peter was busy being subversive to the culture – whether we recognize it or not. 

So while I’m not afraid to share some thoughts on Peter’s controversial words, I can’t help but talk about a different verse.  Peter says: “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” That’s the verse that really popped for me in this chapter.

I have to admit, part of the reason this verse jumps out at me is that this is my wife (Anette’s) favorite verse.  In fact, I believe she’d tell you that it is her life verse (that is a theme verse to who she is), and who am I to argue?  It’s a powerful verse to be sure. 

“Always be prepared to give an answer,” is at the center.  There was a time in my life that this simply meant a theological answer.  There’s an area of theology called “apologetics” which most often means that you learn Biblical and philosophical responses to people’s objections against Christianity.  Don’t get me wrong, getting to know people’s objections, taking them seriously, and learning to respond to them is not a bad thing.  It’s just not the only thing.

Today I simply see more to that answer than apologetics alone.  This answer also includes heart talk.  It begins because in our hearts, Jesus reigns as Lord – set apart as holy.  And from His reign within us, we begin to “ooze” Christ.  He begins to permeate all of our being.  He transforms our minds and how we think about ourselves, others, and the great questions of life.  He renovates our hearts and how we feel about things and love deeply.  He corrects our eyes to see beyond the temporary to the eternal. 

I don’t say this theologically, even though theologically, this is absolutely true.  I say this experientially.  In my day to day life, this is how I think, I talk, I feel, I love, I see things and I live.  I want to be prepared to give an answer.  As a pastor I want to be prepared to give an answer – even if that answer is, “I don’t know.  Let me dig into that and get back with you.”  Or even if the answer is, “I don’t know.  God hasn’t revealed that in His Word, so I can’t answer that which he’s chosen to remain a mystery in this life.”  But as a man of God, I want to be ready to give you an answer of why I have hope, even in the face of struggle and suffering.  And that answer will always land on Jesus.

Where Do I Belong?

First Peter 2

Where do I Belong?

In this second chapter, Peter takes us a little deeper into some of the themes he talks about in chapter one.  That theme of being strangers in this world reappears, but while “stranger” is something that tends to tell us what we’re not, in chapter 2, Peter gives us pretty awesome phrases to describe who we ARE because of our connection to Christ.  Among others, we are described as “living stones – being built in a spiritual house.”  We are “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God.” 

While I could write a page on any of the names used here, the first thing that strikes me is that all of the descriptions that God gives Peter have a commonality to them – they describe us in terms of community rather than individually.  Most of our culture is based on the individual.  We are a nation of lone rangers who happen to occupy a certain geography located between the Atlantic and the Pacific. 

But the word “lone” and “lonely” aren’t as different as one might think.  Plain and simple, we all need a sense of “belonging” to prevent the slide from “lone” to “lonely.”  The word “belonging” in terms of humans (rather than pens or cars) has connotations of relationship and acceptance.  I see it constantly as I hang out with children, tweens and teens.  When children are very young, watch them on the playground.  They may have never met before but when you’re three years old, who cares?  There’s sand and swings and why not just play together?  But as they get older, the question of “do I belong?” begins to dominate the playground.  Suddenly there’s a whole new field of play at work, and it’s no longer simple or easy.

One of the reasons Anette and I have lead children’s and youth drama teams over the years (make that a lot of years) is that we wanted to provide a place where children and youth can know they belong.  It’s not the only way, but it’s been one place we could provide.  We are working on a presentation for a conference on this subject, so we asked a number of our former actors and actresses what they got out of our time together on various drama teams.  They gave us quite a list, but among the most common responses - a sense of belonging.  And if Anette and I were to describe what we experienced by leading those teams – I think “belonging” would be on both of our lists as well.  We don’t ever outgrow that need in our lives.

So here we are – a people belonging to God.  We don’t all look the same, think the same, experience the same things, but when we are in Christ, Peter tells us, we are a people belonging to God.  And through extension, we are also a people belonging to each other.  We have connection.  We have relationship.  We have acceptance.  We even have a purpose as we do life together.  Peter puts it this way: “that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

So I come back to the question … Where do I belong?  Thankfully I can answer that one and more than that, I can say that I’ve experienced that answer.  I am someone who lives among a people belonging to God, and I want my voice to join with others because we have some praises to declare.

Strangers ...

First Peter 1

Strangers in the World …

It didn’t take long for a phrase to jump out at me as I began reading the very first chapter of the first of two letters written by Peter.  As he’s addressing his letter to the followers of Jesus who’ve been scattered throughout the regions he’s listed, he refers to them as “strangers in the world.”  It’s not a description I tend to use when talking about other Christians.  My go to imagery tends to be that of a family of faith, while “strangers in the world,” seems a little … strange.

Why call them (and us) “strangers in the world”?  I tend to think of a stranger as someone who has arrived in a particular place, and yet doesn’t quite fit in.  The stranger isn’t at home there – at least not yet.  Even if the person has a reason to be there, he or she is still not used to the customs and culture of that new location.  For me, feeling like a stranger has been most pronounced when we’ve traveled to other countries and I try to get my bearings. In that circumstance, I really have felt like a “stranger in a strange land.”

One time in particular, when we went to France for the first time to celebrate our 25^th anniversary and spend time with Anette’s brother, his wife and their daughter, I had that sense of being a stranger when we landed.  The metro line headed out to the airport was down, so her brother was very late arriving at the airport.  We landed, de-boarded, got our luggage and had no idea what to do or where to go.  We were left standing in the airport – tired and feeling helpless – like strangers in this world.

And yet Peter doesn’t uses the term, “stranger in the world” in a negative way. There is no sense of feeling lost, abandoned or fearful.  It’s as though he’s saying that we should not get so comfortable in this world, that we forget that we’re only passing through this land.  As great a feeling as coming back “home” after a long trip might be, this place is still only temporary.  We have a home for which our hearts yearn – a place for which we are destined.  So Peter’s reminding us not to become so accustomed to life in this world, that we give up the promise of the life in a world yet to come.

Let me tell you, my brothers and sisters in Christ (notice the family talk), that Peter’s phrase connects deep within me.  On one hand, there are times I experience the brokenness of this world up close and personal and I find myself longing for that “home” Jesus is preparing (John 14).  Or I look upon a culture running so counter to God’s ways, and I once again feel like that helpless stranger in a strange land. 

But perhaps the more troubling thought within my chest is that deep down, I know I’m pretty comfortable in this world.  I speak fluent culture and my moments of feeling like a stranger in a strange land are few and far between.

So it is little wonder that Peter uses this phrase and then has them (and us) focus on the ultimate stranger in a strange land.  This same Jesus who left heaven to come to earth, is the same Jesus who came to bring us a greater inheritance – a promise of a home beyond this home – a hope and a joy that only He can give.  By the time Peter has described all that Jesus came to do for us, suddenly the phrase makes total sense.  We are strangers in this world, but one day, we will be strangers no more.

Next Up ... First and Second Peter

Next Up ... We Begin First and Second Peter Tomorrow

Keep in mind that in the NT 5.1 plan, we don’t read the New Testament straight through from Matthew to Revelation.  Instead we are dividing up the four Gospels and after each of the four, we’ll pick up the books of the Bible that are connected to that Gospel writer.  Since Mark is believed to have been the first of the four Gospel writers to complete his account of “Jesus the Son of God,” (Mark 1:1) and it's also believed that Peter was informing his writing, it only makes sense that we would turn to the two letters written by Peter.

Just to get you ready for tomorrow’s reading, please keep in mind that many believe that these two letters were both written while Peter was living in Rome – the reference in I Peter 5:13 to Babylon is a euphemism for the city where the Caesars rulled.  Many believe he was there during the days of Nero and most likely wrote this letter around the year 62 or 63.  The letter seems to be addressed to Gentiles who have become followers of Christ and gather for worship throughout the provinces he mentions at the beginning of the letter.  The major theme Peter tackles is: “How do I deal with suffering and persecution and still remain faithful to Christ?” 

Just to get you a head start (and since First Peter is only five chapters long), Peter’s second letter is believed by many to be written around 64 AD.  It was written shortly before Peter was put to death because of his faith in Christ, and his refusal to recant his confession that Jesus is Lord – not Caesar.  It was probably written shortly after persecution broke out following the fires that broke out in Rome – and Nero’s decision to blame this disaster on the Christians.  He continues to encourage all who follow Christ to remain faithful – even in the face of such persecution. 

Is This the Ending?

Mark 16

Is This the Ending?

We’ve arrived.  We’ve already reached the last chapter of Mark’s Gospel.  And this is going to sound very, very strange, but the thing that always catches my attention when I come to chapter 16 is a question I can’t help but ask … “Is this the ending?”

If you’re wondering what I mean, then look right there between verses 8 and 9.  In most versions, there’s a note from the editors of your given translation – making a special point of telling you that in many of the ancient manuscripts of Mark’s Gospel, verses 9-20 are missing.  So in these particular New Testaments, this chapter ends with verse 8 – with the women rushing out of the tomb after they’ve heard the angel tell them: “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified.  He is not here; He has risen!”

Now before you call your favorite conspiracy theorist, or try to sell a motion picture idea to director Michael Moore, listen.  If you’re thinking that this brings all the resurrection accounts into question, keep this in mind.  While verses 9-20 are not found in some of the earliest manuscripts, all the other resurrection accounts from Matthew, Luke and John, are found in tact.  Those very same documents that end at verse 8 in Mark 16, include the account of Jesus being mistaken as a gardener by Mary Magdalene, Peter and the other disciples getting a behind locked doors Easter visit in the upper room, and the two disciples meeting up with a stranger on the road to Emmaus. It’s only these twelve verses that are missing.

And yet I can’t help wondering where the ending is really supposed to be.  Did Mark, working in conjunction with that very same Peter who saw Jesus face to face after His resurrection, really mean to leave us hanging with verse 8?  Yes, the angel has told the women that Jesus is alive and that He plans to meet up with Peter and the other disciples.  But it seems so abrupt – so not quite finished. And yet when I really take the time to reflect on this shorter ending, I can relate to it in a way that I can’t with the other endings of Matthew, Luke or John.

Don’t hear me wrong.  I still get swept up on the shore along with Peter as Jesus is cooking fish and asking: “Peter, do you love me?”  My heart also burns as I listen in on Jesus’ conversations with the two disciples walking along the road – heading home to Emmaus. And my eyes still long to peak over Thomas’ shoulder and see those nails in His hands with my own two eyes. 

But I haven’t seen the nail marks in His hands, and I haven’t heard His voice directly calling out to me and asking about my love for Him, nor have seen those two hands break bread at my kitchen table.  I’m more like the women.  I’ve heard that the tomb is empty and that Jesus has risen.  I haven’t seen the risen of Christ face to face … at least … not yet. 

So I ask: “Is this the ending?” And my honest answer is: “I may never know in this life whether Mark ends at verse 8 or verse 20 or somewhere in between.”  But that’s okay, because the real ending of this story of Jesus doesn’t come with the final typed period of punctuation.  This is not the end.  In fact, my end is not the end.  Somewhere deep in my heart you can hear the echoes of the angel.  He is not here!  He has risen!  And that ending means my life won’t have an ending when I reach my end.  I will finally see Christ, and that’s all I need to know.

Carry the Cross

Mark 15

January 25, 2013

Carry the Cross

Any time I read through the events of the trial, the verdict and the crucifixion of Jesus, I am transported.  It doesn’t matter which of the Gospels I’m reading from, I know I am still sitting on my couch, and yet I’m not.  Suddenly I am there in Jerusalem on such a deep level – mentally and emotionally.  I can’t help it.  Such is the power of this part of Jesus’ story.

So I have trouble focusing on just one aspect of this chapter.  Every section – every verse – adds a different observation – a different question – a different way I am pulled into these events that speak to my soul.

Yet this morning as I read it again, I took an extra pause at the one verse in particular.  It said: “A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross.”  And like the rest of the Gospel recorded by Mark, he gets in, says his piece, and he gets out.  That’s all the details we get.  There was a man from Cyrene.  His name was Simon.  He is the father of two sons.  He is forced to carry the cross. Next.

But I can’t help but want more details.  Was this just a random choice by one of the soldiers on the crucifixion detail?  The need is clear enough.  Jesus was already bloodied and battered.  Although we know Him to be the Son of God come in human flesh, it was indeed human flesh that had been flogged.  The loss of blood left him weakened to a level I have never experienced.  So he could no longer make it up to the “place of the skull” – carrying that heavy load.  Who was going to carry that cross piece the rest of the way?  The soldier?  No way. So he points to a man in the crowd and says: “You there.  Yes you.  Pick up that cross and carry it – or else.” And Simon from Cyrene knew he had little choice in the matter.

Suddenly he too was part of the story that we now call the passion of the Christ.  And wouldn’t you like to interview him?  Wouldn’t you like to ask questions like: What thoughts flooded your mind when the soldier pointed at you?  What were you thinking as you took the cross bar from the one they called Jesus?  Did Jesus say anything to you?  Did he look you in the eye?  What did it feel like to be in that procession – marching up to Golgotha?

My heart aches also for this man who is thrust into the account of Christ’s crucifixion.  But I can’t help but note one more detail.  He is the father of Alexander and Rufus.  And that quick detail has led so many to believe something else of great significance.  It seems extremely likely that this little add-on tells us that these two sons came to know Jesus on a much deeper level as well.  It would appear that these two boys, had grown up and become part of the community of followers of Jesus.  Otherwise, why give this odd detail?  In fact, why would you even know it, unless there were further discussions with Simon and his two sons? 

“Carry the cross,” said the soldier.  “if anyone would be my follower, they must deny themselves, pick up their cross and follow me,” says Jesus.  That’s what I want to do.  I want to be a part of that continuing story of lives that are transformed by a cross and the One who gave His life on it for all of us.  

Naked ...

Mark 14

January 24, 2013

Naked …

There are so many directions we could go with this chapter that begins with the anointing of Jesus by an unnamed woman and ends with Peter weeping after hearing a rooster crow upon his third denial.  There’s so much to think about and pray about in these 72 verses. 

But I found my mind focusing on verses 51 and 52, where we read about an unidentified person.  Compared to the others, this one seems oddly out of place. The Bible simply says: A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.”

What’s this all about?  I mean, even though the woman who anointed Jesus in Bethany is not given a name in this Gospel’s account, her inclusion because of her “beautiful thing” she did and Jesus own directive, makes her part of the story a vital link.  But what about a young man who ends up running away in his boxers?  Why him?

If you’ll do a little research, you’ll discover that this incident of the young man only shows up in one of the four Gospels – obviously this one. And furthermore, because of that fact, most who write commentaries and study Bible notes believe that this young man had a name.  And that name happened to be John Mark.  Yes, the very same Mark who undertook the writing of a Gospel about “Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” (Mark 1:1)

But what sticks in mind about these two verses is more than this Gospel writer humbly including his less than stellar moment on the night of Jesus’ betrayal.  It is the word “naked.”  I know, the very word “naked” is enough to illicit whispers and laughter among teenage boys trying hard to become men.  But let’s move beyond the juvenile. 

I can’t think of any better term to describe a humiliated John Mark, who has enough nerve to follow close behind the arresting party, but whose courage leaves one step faster than his clothing does when they turn to seize him as well.  His fear is left naked on display for all the world to see.

But he’s not the only one. We see it in the beginning of the chapter when the love of a woman for Jesus is laid bare in her anointing Him for His death.  Face it - Judas poses for a centerfold of greed.  And Peter’s garments quickly hit the floor as his bold intentions, give way to three denials.  The rooster crows and his un-Photoshopped image is burned into our minds.  He doesn’t get airbrushed.  He’s naked and weeping.

So where do we land on this whole “naked” thing?  Do we really think these two verses are only meant to give us a clever hint about the author’s identity? Hardly!  There’s something about this chapter that moves us past all the outward style we use to cover ourselves and make ourselves.  But these seventy-two verses reach out and we are no longer decent.  We stand before our Creator and Redeemer – as my grandfather would say – “naked as a jaybird.”  But when that happens, the Good News is that Jesus has entered the world, took the cross, and now lives to cloth us with His garments of righteousness instead.  But I’m getting ahead of the story. 

Stones ...

Mark 13

January 23, 2013

STONES …

What hit me in this chapter is Jesus’ response to one of His follower’s observation about the Temple that dominated the city of Jerusalem.  The disciple mentions how beautiful this massive structure is – this building dedicated to the worship of the one true God.  And in reply Jesus bluntly states: “Do you see all these great buildings? Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

Okay – this is kind of like walking through the streets of Washington DC and standing there – admiring the monument that bears our first president’s name.  And while you’re doing taking in that gleaming structure pointing towards the sky, someone tells you: “Enjoy it while you can.  Pretty soon it will be a massive heap of white marble.”  It just might get your attention.

Jesus words were shocking on a couple of levels.  First, He had their attention.  It would have been easy for them to dismiss the idea completely, but they’d been to history class. They knew that the temple was a replacement of the temple that had once stood on that very ground.  That original temple, built by King Solomon, had been completely torn down by the Babylonians.  They left no stones intact.  History showed them that such destruction was possible.

But this led to the second shock.  This is Jesus telling them that this will be the fate of Herod’s rebuilt temple.  And yet, they’ve been banking on the belief that Jesus is the Messiah, which they picture as all the Justice League super heroes combined into one.  In their way of thinking, with the Messiah on their side, Jerusalem will become the nation at the center of the universe.  So why is Jesus talking this way?

We could continue down the path of describing the horrific events that fell upon the city of Jerusalem in 70 AD when the armies of Rome would indeed destroy the temple – along with all the rest of the city.  But I find myself thinking more about the world in 2013.  Without going all political on you, and launching off on a tirade about how this party or that party or some politician is ruining everything, I can’t help but wonder … are the stones we think are so rock solid in reality teetering?  There are days when I wonder whether or not, our culture has already pushed the button and started the sequence of self-destruction.  I know we have outside threats in abundance, but I fear that our greatest dangers come from our own, as we seem to be systematically deconstructing the very foundations of what made us strong.  (OK … turn down the patriotic music.  I am definitely not running for office.)

But to get even more personal, I find myself asking: “So what temples in my life do I believe are indestructible?  Have I built buildings with my own two hands – buildings of false pride and ego – buildings of selfishness and greed – buildings of personal treasures I’m accumulating while starving my soul?”  Among the many things Jesus says about the future, He is surely telling us that all these things will one day fall into ruins.  They simply won’t last.  Only that which God builds in us is going to be left standing.  Only His love poured out in us and shared through us will remain.  This is the perspective I want to live with – right here and right now.

Questions ...

Mark 12

January 22, 2013

QUESTIONS …

    As I was reading through this chapter the thing that caught my attention were the poignant questions flying back and forth.  This series of questions actually began at the end of chapter 11, but it sets up the questions that outline today’s chapter.

    As Jesus tells the parable of the tenants in response to the opposition he was facing (see Mark 11:27-33), He depicts the religious leaders as those who would kill the son of the Vineyard owner (certainly not a description that would endear them to Him).  He then asks the question: “What then will the owner of the vineyard do?”

    But this isn’t the only question that fills this chapter.  Other questions include:

            “Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?

            “Why are you trying to trap me?”

            “At the resurrection, whose wife will she be?”

            “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

            “David himself calls him Lord.  How then can he be his son?”

    As I was reading through these forty-four verses, I began asking myself about all the questions and the ways they were used.  At times they were verbal traps – meant to ensnare Jesus and put him into a position where he would make himself vulnerable to the legal action of the authorities or at least to turn the masses of followers against Him.  Such were the questions of the religious leaders who allowed their desperate grasp for power, comfort, wealth and political ambition dictate their response to Jesus.

    At times the questions were posed in order to get the one receiving the inquiry to rethink their thoughts or intentions or actions.  In other words, the question is meant to wake them up before it’s too late.  Such were the questions that Jesus set before the religious powers who opposed the very One whom they claimed to be praying for every day.  Each question was meant to shake them to their core and open their eyes.

    Finally some questions were asked with a sincere desire to expand knowledge and open up true dialog.  That’s how I take the question of the teacher of the law who asked about Jesus view of the greatest commandment (verses 28-34).  I believe he was intrigued by Jesus as he heard him out-maneuver the traps laid before Him.  And Jesus saw that in him too, responding: “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”

    And that leads me to the question I can’t help but asking … What would Jesus ask me today?  What questions would He have for me?  What paths would He ask about?  What words would He choose to wake me up and open up my heart to His Word?  Without a doubt, the answer to the deepest questions life throws at us is this: Jesus.

Am I All Leaves?

Mark 11

January 21, 2013

Am I all Leaves?

In the midst of all this action in Mark 11 there is this strange addition.  I mean the Palm Sunday procession; the clearing of the temple on Monday and the confrontation with the Pharisees on Tuesday all seem to fit together quite nicely.  But in the middle of all this is a fig tree.  At first glance, it may seem strangely out of place.

So why does Jesus take the time to care about whether a fig tree has fruit on it or not?  Is He really that hungry for the stuff that fills Newtons or is there something more to it?  OK, since I’m a guy who researches these kinds of things, I can let you know that in the Old Testament, the nation of Israel is depicted metaphorically as a fig tree. That begins to make sense, but if think I’m going to lead you off into a path of theology as deep and confusing as trying to unravel the politics of the Middle East today, do not fear.  That’s not what these NT 5.1 postings are all about.

But what does the fig tree have to do with triumphal entries, temple clearings, and verbal sparring?  I think it comes down to the word - “purpose.”  What is the purpose for the fig tree?  What is the purpose for a colt that’s never been ridden?  What is the purpose of Pharisees and religious leaders?  What is the purpose for the coming of Jesus?

Without a doubt in my mind, we have to begin with the last question.  Jesus told us just one chapter back: “For even the Son of man came not to be served, but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)  Everything in this chapter smacks of that purpose.  The big Palm Sunday parade lined up with people shouting: “Hosanna” (or translated “Lord, save us!”)  The colt that’s never ridden before is one dedicated to the Lord, and the Lord receives this gift from the unnamed source. 

But in the middle of all this purpose talk are a group of men who just don’t get it.  The purpose of these religious leaders is to love God and love His people – and yet they seem to love their status, their power, and most of all themselves more than the purpose for which they were chosen.  Their purpose is to love God’s Word and love sharing it with God’s people – and yet they twist and turn it in the directions that will support their status, their power, and their love for themselves.  In other words, they are trees full of leaves, but lacking any fruit. 

All I know is that I don’t want to be a tree full of leaves - devoid of the very fruit for which I was born.  I don’t want to blow past my purpose in the life God’s given me, and settle for empty fruit of status, power and self-centered love.  So my prayer this day is to hear a different kind of Word from Jesus.  I want to hear a Word of life, of grace, of forgiveness, of assurance.  He has that kind of Word for me and for you.  I know He does. After all, He came here for that very purpose. 

Swimming Upstream

Mark 10

January 18, 2013

Swimming Upstream

I see it over and over in this chapter.  Jesus is speaking one radical word after another.  Just because we’ve heard His words over and over doesn’t change that reality.  Just because we live in a culture that has been far more influenced by Jesus than our PC driven gatekeepers want to admit, doesn’t change that reality.  The words of Jesus stood out.  They challenged conventional wisdom and accepted practices. They changed minds one at a time.  And in doing so they changed the world.

He challenged their view of marriage and divorce – at a time when the divorce laws didn’t just favor the male, but actually were dictated by the male-dominated society.  I really don’t mean to step on toes here and I know many of those who will read this have had marriages that have ended. I have seen it happen among those I love far too many times.  But I will tell you this in all honesty, it saddens me every time I see it.  My heart aches because it’s not the way it was supposed to be. And I pray that hearts will be softened in every one.

He speaks about bringing children to Him.  We often quote these words at the time of baptisms, but in reality, we have no idea how important those words were in that society.  (Side note – if you’ve secretly bought into the cultural myth that all Christianity has done is mess up things as it spread throughout the nations, I challenge you to read John Ortberg’s book, Who is this Man?  I do not deny that events like the crusades were horrible on more levels than we know, but that is not the whole story.)  In a culture that regularly practiced “exposure” (leaving children out in the woods to perish), these simple words of Jesus changed society to protect the lives of children.  They lived them out by carry for unwanted children.  We would do well to tattoo these words on our minds in our own society that has a split personality on our treatment of children born and unborn.

Jesus challenged the rich not to put their trust in riches.  He called for them to care for the poor. At that time when most believed the rich were especially blessed by God, look at the way He deals with the rich young man.  He pinpoints that for this wealthy twenty-something, his net worth has become his identity and his god.  So He calls him to give it up.

And we even pass by the story of the blind Bartimaeus – forgetting that at the time of Jesus, the blind and lame were considered to be blind and lame because they had somehow offended God.  But Jesus reached out to the blind, the lame, the deaf and the leper.  Every last person was loved by God and so loved by God’s Son.  He was headed to Jerusalem to prove how much God loved them. 

As I said, this is a chapter full of challenges to me.  Jesus challenged the thinking of those at that time, and Jesus challenges my assumptions every day I spend time listening to Him. 

How about yours?

Jesus is so Much Bigger than My Understanding

Mark 9

January 17, 2013

As I was reading through chapter nine of Mark’s Gospel, a thought occurred to me.  There’s this account of the man whose son was tormented by a demon that threw him into convulsions.  Some of Jesus’ disciples tried to cast the demon out of the son, but they were unsuccessful.  So when Jesus shows up, the man asks whether Jesus can do what his disciples could not.  Jesus can and does.  And later when the disciples have Jesus alone, they ask Him why they were unable to cast this demon out of the young man.  Jesus simply responds: “This kind can come out only by prayer.”  

Now at first glance I hear Jesus’ reply and say: “Oh … okay.”  But then that is quickly followed an audible: “What?  What does that even mean?”  So before you even post something or write me and ask me to explain it, I’ll tell you flat out: “I don’t know.”  I know I’m a pastor and I’ve studied this section of the Bible many times, but my honest answer doesn’t change from “I don’t know.” 

I’ve read through the Bible commentators and listened to the theologians pontificate, but what I hear is at best educated guesses and theories.  So it’s time to confess - there are times when Jesus’ words or actions puzzle me.  At one time, that really bothered me.  I thought things like: “How am I going to be a pastor if I can’t explain every red letter word in the New Testament?” 

But these days it doesn’t bother me near as much.  After all, this is Jesus, the Son of God come in the flesh.  Do I really believe I’m going to totally “master” Jesus?  Doesn’t it make sense that Jesus if far bigger than our understanding?

In the realm of seminary, there are different areas of theology that we study.  There’s practical theology (which I can tell you isn’t always that practically understood by a bunch of guys who haven’t tried ministry in the real world yet); historical theology (seems self-explanatory); Biblical Theology (ditto on the self-explanatory part) and something called systematic theology.  As the name would imply in systematic theology, we take the theology taught in the Bible and put it together in a cohesive system. 

Now there’s nothing wrong with systematic theology.  It helps organize the teachings of the Bible in a thematic structure and anyone who knows me, knows I love themes.  But the problem is, God is so much bigger than any system.  The Bible is not given to us in a nice packaged system.  It comes as a revelation from God to a fallen people who have broken off the relationship with God we were created for, and are now slow to respond to the Savior who has come to rescue them.  BTW that would include you and I as well.

So what I do when I have wrestled and wrestled with a part of God’s Word and still found no clear answer?  Sometimes I end up repeating the words of a father who framed his request to Jesus in a most awkward way by telling the Lord: “If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”  Jesus responds with a question and a challenging statement of His own. First he asks: “If you can?”  (like he’s saying – did you really just say that to me?)  He then tells the dad: “Anything is possible for the one who believes.” 

I have to admit that I love the response of the father who is agonizing over his son’s condition.  He tells Jesus: “I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief.” 

Yep.  That I understand.

Am I Counting Loaves or Baskets?

Mark 8

January 16, 2013

Am I Counting Loaves or Counting Baskets?

What strikes me in this chapter is the feeding of the 4000.  That’s right – 4000.  In Mark chapter 6 it was the feeding of the 5000, so this is not Mark having a senior moment and retelling the same story again, and it is not Mark and Matthew differing on how many there were in that remote location.  It was two different times and two different miraculous feedings. 

So what do I get out of the fact that there were two different times?  Plenty!

It reminds me how slow I am to learn things and how quick I am to pass judgment on others who mirror that same snail-like learning curve.  I mean … just think about it. 

For those disciples of Jesus, it really hadn’t been that long since Jesus took five loaves and two fish and fed 5000 – with twelve baskets leftover to share – one for each of them who were dumbfounded when Jesus told them: “Feed the people.” 

And now it’s a similar scenario.  A large crowd (4000 this time) gathered in a remote location with not even as much as a McDonalds or Denny’s nearby.  Jesus is reflecting on how hungry they and their need for sustenance.  Still there is not a disciple who comes up with the idea: “Hey Jesus, what if we could scrounge up a few loaves of bread and maybe a couple of fish.  Could you do that whole multiplying of the loaves and fish again?” 

Instead Jesus has to lead them through this whole process a second time.  And in the midst of this second miraculous feeding, the stubborn unbelief of the Pharisees displays itself as they come up to Jesus - demanding a miracle in the very midst of this miraculous event.  No wonder it says Jesus “sighed deeply.” 

This whole account reminds me that I too tend to count the size of problems more than I count on the One who can bring me through every one of them.  I tend to count the lack of resources (loaves) instead of the abundance of blessings that surround me (baskets). 

My prayer right now is that I would begin to count baskets instead of loaves.

So what impacted you in this chapter?

Mark 7

Mark 7
January 15, 2013

As I read through this chapter this morning, the verse that caught my attention is Jesus quoting from the prophet named Isaiah. Once again the Pharisees were giving Jesus a hard time – accusing him and his disciples of breaking the traditions of the elders (which they implied equaled the breaking of God’s commands).

To this Jesus responded with the prophet’s words: “‘T...hese people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.”

Apparently these words from Isaiah didn’t even faze the Pharisees but they cut me to the core. There is this nagging fear that this tendency toward “man-made” religion is not just a problem for the religious leaders of Jesus’ day. From these words spoken hundreds of years before Christ’s birth, and then spoken again by the Lord Himself, I learn that we all have this desire for our own personalized set of human traditions.

Do I have them? When I take these words seriously, I find that they are not all that hard to find. They show up in the comfortable parameters I place around my worship. We all have a heart language in which we tend to worship, but it is easy to criticize others whose heart language takes them a different direction. We all have areas in our life where we tend to hang a sign on the doorknob that reads: “Do not disturb.” If worship is really about presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice before God” (Romans 12:1), then my human preferences, off-limits areas, and quick judgments of others, have to go.

The Charlie Hall praise song based on Psalm 24 comes to mind. The chorus simply repeats: “Give us clean hands. Give us pure hearts. Let us not lift our souls to another.” When I sing those words, it is a prayer of confession crying out: “God, I know I’ve set up idols that would take Your place in my life. Tear down those idols and replace them with the life that only You can give. Give me a pure heart that truly seeks Your face and Your grace instead of another set of rules to follow.”

So what did God impress on your heart from this chapter?

Mark 6

Mark 6
January 14, 2013

What stuck out for me in this chapter?

Once again there’s so much in this chapter of Mark’s Gospel, but where my mind landed was on the account of Herod and John the Baptist. I find it interesting that Herod was both infuriated yet intrigued by Jesus’ cousin. John pointed out the immoral nature by which Herod ended up in the arms of his brother’s wife, and yet Herod pro...tected John. He really didn’t know what to do with him. In those days (and in our days) those who speak out against such tyrannical rulers usually cut down on their life expectancy, but Herod was hesitant to give the order. Why?

It seems that deep down in that darkened soul of his, he sensed that John was indeed a man of God. Even though he dared speak out against immorality of his relationship to Herodias, the king believed John to be a righteous man. Mark adds that John’s words puzzled him, but he liked to listen to him – and hence his refusal to remove him from the land of the living.

But his wife, Herodias, had no such hesitation. She’s holding a grudge (no comment from this guy about the ability of women to hold grudges) and seeks an opportunity to act upon it. She seen that opportunity when Herod throws a party with all his drinking buddies. Herodias young and beautiful daughter becomes the entertainment, and I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that her dancing was not of the square kind, but more of a sensual nature. That combination of being in a happy state of being (read aroused here), among a bunch of “happy” guys, who have all had far too much to drink, leads to a promise he will soon regret he made. Herod tells his step-daughter: “I’ll give you whatever you want. Just ask.” And with those words, Herod unbeknownst to him, has just written the execution order of the one called John the Baptizer.

What’s my take away? I wish that was the only time in history that a guy gets led astray under the influence of alcohol and his runaway hormones. But I know better. It’s a story written and rewritten millions of times over. If I am going to be a man of God, I need to be filled with the Spirit (which is what Paul will say in the letter to the Ephesians) instead of being drunk on wine. In a culture so sexually charged, it calls me to ask God to guard my heart and mind and not to be led down a path that will only get me into trouble. Now firmly planted in my middle ages, I don’t want to become yet another mid-life crisis stereotype. I want to be a man who continues to write a love story with my wife, and lives a God seeking kind of life.

What do you think?

Weekend Catch Up

No new posting today since with the NT 5.1 plan we take the weekend's off, but it also gives you time to catch up reading the first five chapters of Mark. Thanks for all of you who are checking out this FB site, posting your own thoughts, and asking others to consider joining the NT 5.1 community as well.

Day 5 - Mark Chapter Five

Day Five – January 11, 2013

Mark Chapter 5

What stuck out in this chapter for me?

The theme of this chapter of Mark’s Gospel could be titled: “The unclean become clean.”  After all, the woman with the bleeding issue would be considered unclean in that day, as well as anyone who came into contact with a dead body (even if she is only 12 years old).  But Jesus is not one to back away from the “unclean.”

I have always been moved by the first account in this chapter – the man living among the tombs from Gerasenes.  His is a story of the demonic.  He is possessed and because of this possession, he has been isolated.  They have tried to chain him up and keep him away from the people living there.  And so he ends up living among the dead instead of among the living. 

Once again the demonic living in him is not fooled by this man getting out the boat after crossing the Sea of Galilee.  He runs up Jesus and declares: “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?”  And thus begins the exchange that will forever change his life. 

When you teach this lesson to Sunday School kids, the boys always remember that next part.  Jesus sends the “legion” of demons into the herd of pigs who in turn, run off the cliff into the sea.  I can almost hear the boys responding: “cool.” 

But the telling part of this story to me is the man of the tombs, now back among the living, and no longer under that internal siege, begs Jesus to let him get into the boat and travel with Him.  He doesn’t want to be apart from this “Son of the Most High God” who has given him back his life.   Jesus was the only one who dared see the man under this horrible condition and to be able to set him free.  It is this exchange that brings tears to eyes as I take the time to meditate on it.  What a gift Jesus gave him. 

I know that most likely, those who will take the time to read this post have no idea what it is like to live under the chains of this kind of possession.  And yet, I find myself thinking that just because our lives have not taken us to the place where we have been banished from human contact, we are still moved by the story of this man from Gerasenes.  Why?

I believe it’s because deep down, this account of being set free reverberates in our souls.  We may not know fully why, but somehow we know that we are not as far from this shoreline as our lives might suggest.  We too have stories to tell our family and friends.  They are stories of being set free from the chains of our own making.  They are stories of grace and love from this one whom demons tremble before and whose voice they hear and obey. 

Are we telling our stories?

Back in the early eighties there was a popular Christian folk artist who wrote a song about this story that I still love to this day.  If you’d like to hear it, click on this youtube link for Bob Bennett’s “Man of the Tombs.”   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylT58LXm3zI

So what do you think?

Reminder … If you are following the reading schedule, you now have two days off and we’ll return next Monday, January 14^th with Mark 6.  Have a blessed weekend.

Day Four – January 10, 2013

Mark Chapter Four

What stuck out in this chapter?

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wondered about the parable that leads off this chapter.  I’ve often wondered what it would have been like to have heard Jesus tell the story of the sower for the very first time.  Even with His explanation, there are times when I think I’ve got it, and other times, when I can’t help but wonder if I’m missing the point.

I will think in terms of people I’ve encountered.  There are some who seem like that seed falling on a beat down path.  Life has turned soil into something hard and impervious.  They seem closed off to God’s Word and the life that God has for them. 

I’ll think of folks who were enthusiastic at first.  Something takes place in their life and suddenly their faith springs to life.  For some they were raised in the church, but they have this new found passion in their spiritual lives.  But it seems short lived.  Old friends and old ways come calling and turn up the heat and you almost see that faith shrinking – and I’ve stood there doing everything I could to call them back, but at times to no avail.

For others that seed seems to be taking root and I am excited to see where God will lead them.  But then the stuff of life starts taking more of their time, their energy and their attention.  They are consumed by the thorns all around them and there’s times I can hear their choked voices in mid-conversation.

And finally I’ve been overjoyed to see people for whom the seed takes root and does absolutely incredible things.  Having seen them in person it makes perfect sense for Jesus to be speaking in terms of the abundant harvest that their lives become in response to God’s Word.

But just when I’m sure that’s what Jesus is talking about, I find myself asking … so who am I in this parable.  Is my heart always that good soil that produces abundant fruit?  Or are there areas in my life that seem hardened to God’s Word because I’m deep down afraid it will call for instruments to come in and break up that hardness and return it to receptive soil?  Am I so arrogant to think that the heat of the sun makes no impact or that the thorns of worry never choke God’s Word within me? 

So is this parable about the others who respond to God’s Word or is it about the soil within our own hearts and lives?  And is the answer: “Yes!”?

In either case, God is certainly generous with His Word – casting it in every direction – desiring to see it take root and produce a harvest of life.  I think that’s yet another take away for us as well.  If we follow the generosity of this Sower, we’ll faithfully cast that Word near and far – leaving it up to God to see where it takes root.

What do you think?