Mark 14
So many prophecies and so many details in this account that so many of us know. We are so close to the most life-shattering moment in the history of the world. Reading this chapter, and knowing the rest of the story, makes it so bitter-sweet. This is a long chapter, and this may be a long blog, because I want to tell you what I mean.
First, bitter, the Chief Priests are so threatened by Jesus that they begin their plot to get rid of him, and yet they show how cowardly they are, that they decide it is important to wait until after the Passover feast so they wouldn’t upset people.
Second, sweet, the woman who comes and anoints Jesus with the costly perfume, as her gift to the Christ, and bitter, that Jesus knows that this is his anointing to prepare for the tomb.
Third, sweet and bitter, Judas carries out his role in the life of Jesus as first a disciple, carrying his message to the people, and then being tempted by money to turn him over to be arrested.
Fourth, so sweet that Jesus tells his disciples exactly what is going to happen to lead them to where the Last Supper will take place. All the while Jesus knows exactly what is going to happen, and yet he remains consistent in his life and teaching, and never shows anger or resentment that this is his life coming to an earthly end.
Fifth, sweet and bitter, feasting with Jesus! I cannot wait for that day where we share a table with Jesus himself, but how painful was this meal for Judas. Here is where he realizes what he has done, and Jesus lays out some piercing words, that it “would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” Can you imagine? What about for the others? They had no idea if that was Jesus talking to them. I can imagine a very uncomfortable meal. Yet Jesus makes it sweet again by offering us a model for how we can share in his life through communion.
Sixth, bitter and sweet, Jesus tries to let the disciples know how difficult it is about to get, and with Jesus not among them, how much more they will be challenged and they will fall away. And Peter, the rock, in an emotional plea I am sure, stands with Jesus, and proclaims he would stand with him even to death. His moment of strength was shortened by the prophecy of his denial, and with such specific detail. You know Peter knew at that point, as with other specific instructions Mark accounted (Triumphal Entry, Where to eat the Passover), knew that it would be so.
Seventh, bitter and sweet, especially to see that in the face of extreme betrayal, persecution, and death, even Jesus was scared and anxious. And yet in the face of this, Jesus models for us what our response should be when we are in moments of trouble and despair, he “fell to the ground” and prayed. Not only that, but he asked his Peter, James, and John to pray for his protection, just as we should with our community of believers.
Eighth, again bitter and sweet, a lynch mob? Really? And Judas had the nerve to use a kiss as a sign of who Jesus was. Such fear in these leaders and such gall in Judas. All the while, Jesus uses the power of his authority and words to rebuke them even in the moment of ultimate betrayal, and the prophecy was fulfilled.
Ninth, sweet and bitter, as Jesus is brought before the Council, no one could testify to anything that would put Jesus to death, and knowing this they asked him if he was in fact the Christ. Knowing this would bring wrath, his power and authority once again came through and he states, “I am, and you will see the son of man seated at the right hand of power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” What power and courage as this led to them beating him out of fear and anger.
And finally tenth, bitter, as Peter falls prey to his weakness, and did as Jesus said, denied him three times in the face of persecution of his own.
As I said, this is a roller coaster chapter, and so full of deep emotion and extreme situations. Powerful stuff, what are your thoughts?
-Philip
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Monday, June 7, 2010
Mark 13
Mark 13
I love this chapter! This is one of the only times that Jesus actually talks plainly, and openly about all that must pass. Typically, when the Disciples ask Jesus about something, or to explain something, He will answer with a question, or He'll explain it, after He's given them some parable to consider. But here, they ask Him a pointed question, and He plainly answers them. And make no mistake, this is a warning, not only to them, but to all who read or hear of these words.
We may not see it happen, but you can guarantee that it will. And Jesus says, himself, that no one, not even He, knows the hour. ONLY the Father in Heaven. This should cut us to the core. It should be the very reason that we take seriously our walk with Christ, and our knowledge of Him. (Theology). For even Jesus says, there will be those coming in His name, or proclaiming to be Him. But do not be led astray... And He says that those false prophets, or Anitichrists, will indeed try to manipulate, confuse, or even destroy the Elect (those who are the adopted sons and daughters of Christ- see Ephesians 2:1-10)
How, then, will we know who these prophets are, if we are but babes in our faith? The writer of Hebrews says that we shouldn't remain as infants, once we've encountered the saving faith of Jesus. We are to mature in our faith. He even calls out the men in this piece of scripture saying, you are like babies, still drinking milk, when you should be eating meat! (paraphrasing, of course, but that's what he says)
I want to challenge you all to take your faith seriously. It was given to you by God, it is not of your own doing, just as the Ephesians scripture, listed above, points out. This is so you can't boast or brag that you had anything to do with it, but it's also so that you understand who the perfecter of your faith is, and that you don't take it lightly. It is a gift from God, and we should hold it dearly, and cherish and nourish it, just as we would our own children. We need to be going deeper in the scriptures, reading more about theology, understanding what it is that we believe in. It IS NOT enough to say, "I believe in Jesus". For even Jesus says that He will say, "And then will I declare to them, I never knew you; depart from me,D)"> you workers of lawlessness."- Matthew 7:23
I love this chapter! This is one of the only times that Jesus actually talks plainly, and openly about all that must pass. Typically, when the Disciples ask Jesus about something, or to explain something, He will answer with a question, or He'll explain it, after He's given them some parable to consider. But here, they ask Him a pointed question, and He plainly answers them. And make no mistake, this is a warning, not only to them, but to all who read or hear of these words.
We may not see it happen, but you can guarantee that it will. And Jesus says, himself, that no one, not even He, knows the hour. ONLY the Father in Heaven. This should cut us to the core. It should be the very reason that we take seriously our walk with Christ, and our knowledge of Him. (Theology). For even Jesus says, there will be those coming in His name, or proclaiming to be Him. But do not be led astray... And He says that those false prophets, or Anitichrists, will indeed try to manipulate, confuse, or even destroy the Elect (those who are the adopted sons and daughters of Christ- see Ephesians 2:1-10)
How, then, will we know who these prophets are, if we are but babes in our faith? The writer of Hebrews says that we shouldn't remain as infants, once we've encountered the saving faith of Jesus. We are to mature in our faith. He even calls out the men in this piece of scripture saying, you are like babies, still drinking milk, when you should be eating meat! (paraphrasing, of course, but that's what he says)
I want to challenge you all to take your faith seriously. It was given to you by God, it is not of your own doing, just as the Ephesians scripture, listed above, points out. This is so you can't boast or brag that you had anything to do with it, but it's also so that you understand who the perfecter of your faith is, and that you don't take it lightly. It is a gift from God, and we should hold it dearly, and cherish and nourish it, just as we would our own children. We need to be going deeper in the scriptures, reading more about theology, understanding what it is that we believe in. It IS NOT enough to say, "I believe in Jesus". For even Jesus says that He will say, "And then will I declare to them, I never knew you; depart from me,D)"> you workers of lawlessness."- Matthew 7:23
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Mark 12
Mark 12
Whew! Lots going on in this group of passages. The parable of the tennants, the resurrection, money and possessions, and on and on. As we get further into the book of Mark, we begin to see the ministry of Jesus really begin to advance. Jesus is teaching some hard and harsh things and he is just giving one lesson after the other. I can only imagine the disciples walking around with Jesus thinking, wow! This just keeps getting better and never lets up.
And I think often times we forget that. Our walks with God should just keep getting better, every day. And we should never want to let up on it. It should energize us to go deeper and farther in our search of God.
Two things that stand out to me here. First, Jesus foreshadows his death in the very first parable. They don't understand what he's talking about, of course, but it's right there. I love how Jesus would tell people things that were very easy to understand, if they would just listen. And second, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s." I love that Jesus just says this. He allows them to believe the illusion of something being someone's other than God. Cause if you look hard enough, you see the very next thing is the story of the woman who gives her last two pennies to the offering and what Jesus says about her. I believe that those dinari probably had Caesar's image on it. And yet, Jesus says that because she gave all that she had to our Father in heaven, she would receive great reward. In the end, Jesus was saying that everything is God's. It doesn't matter who's image is on the coin. It all goes to intent. And what you do with what God has given.
-Robbie
Whew! Lots going on in this group of passages. The parable of the tennants, the resurrection, money and possessions, and on and on. As we get further into the book of Mark, we begin to see the ministry of Jesus really begin to advance. Jesus is teaching some hard and harsh things and he is just giving one lesson after the other. I can only imagine the disciples walking around with Jesus thinking, wow! This just keeps getting better and never lets up.
And I think often times we forget that. Our walks with God should just keep getting better, every day. And we should never want to let up on it. It should energize us to go deeper and farther in our search of God.
Two things that stand out to me here. First, Jesus foreshadows his death in the very first parable. They don't understand what he's talking about, of course, but it's right there. I love how Jesus would tell people things that were very easy to understand, if they would just listen. And second, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s." I love that Jesus just says this. He allows them to believe the illusion of something being someone's other than God. Cause if you look hard enough, you see the very next thing is the story of the woman who gives her last two pennies to the offering and what Jesus says about her. I believe that those dinari probably had Caesar's image on it. And yet, Jesus says that because she gave all that she had to our Father in heaven, she would receive great reward. In the end, Jesus was saying that everything is God's. It doesn't matter who's image is on the coin. It all goes to intent. And what you do with what God has given.
-Robbie
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