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Day 82: Mark 15:22-41 – “Truly this man was the Son of God!”

Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010

Roman CenturionOur Bible story for today is about the confession of a Roman centurion. I want to make the following points:

  1. Jesus chooses the way of suffering for His life. In an early church that was facing persecution this would be encouragement for them to understand that God may not save them from a life of suffering just as He did not save His own Son. However, just as His Son was glorified in the resurrection, so would Jesus’ followers.
  2. In Mark, there is confusion over who Jesus is. As an inside reader, we see Jesus’ power to command the wind, sea, and all creation. The evil spirit world recognizes Jesus and His power (e.g., Mark 1:24, Mark 3:20-27, Mark 5:9-13). To this point in Mark no mere human has recognized Jesus as the “Son of God.” Mark has carefully painted a picture of misunderstanding by the disciples, family, and the crowds. The evil spirits get it but not man.
  3. I was a centurion at one time. It was a different time and a different branch of the service; it was even a different country but I have stood guard. Let me just tell you professional soldiers take seriously their jobs. Their lives and the lives of their comrades are at stake. There were some political maneuverings going on surrounding this man Jesus and I don’t think the Romans would let some “non-hacker” (our term for a lazy Marine) guard Jesus. This is not some yahoo who is guarding Jesus on the cross. This was the best of the best. The Roman Army was no laughing stock of an outfit. So, the confession of a Roman Centurion being on guard should cause us to take stock.

Here are three basic points to share on our text. Jesus choose to suffer and die on a cross. The term “Son of God” is not used by man until Mark 15:39. And third, here is hardened soldier in the Roman Army charged to guard Jesus. The Roman soldier is at his post. He looks up at the cross and he sees something. In this most gruesome, awful, grotesque means of torture, no doubt one of hundreds he had seen, he looks up at the cross and makes the first human confession, “truly this man was the son of God!” (Mark 15:39). For the early historians there is much written about the cruelty of the Roman crucifixion, yet, of all the accounts of the crucified, there is only one empty tomb. What did the Roman soldier see as he gazed on the cross? Could it be that it is at the cross, at the place of Golgotha, at the place of severe suffering, one can come to understand who Jesus really is?

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Day 81: Deuteronomy 2:1-3:29; Mark 15:1-21 — God has prepared the Way.

Monday, March 22nd, 2010

Several years ago while living in Jefferson City, MO, road construction provided frustration and excitement, all at the same time. Frustration as we may stare at the lines of traffic waiting to go through a crowded intersection, but excitement and promise as we looked at roads and paths that would allow us to travel faster and easier through town. I bought a booster seat for my truck so Jared could look out the window at the heavy equipment. Believe it or not there was a time that he was short! Oh, and a brand new bridge across the Missouri river that would really save time, but we never did get to cross; we moved before it was completed.

In the Deuteronomy reading, Moses tells Israel how they came to the border of Moab, looking over into the promised land. God prepared the Edomites, descendants of Esau, to be in the right place at the right time, to help them along. Moses recounts God’s providence, plan, and power to bring His people to the promised land, overcoming all opposition. In fact, the only enemy difficult to overcome existed in their own hearts of fear and doubt. In a short while they will cross over to the land of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, home. Moses would not go in and enjoy the promise for the life in this world, he had made truly fatal errors in failing to hold God as Holy. God prepared the way. Would they follow Him?

Our reading today in Mark proves always to be difficult for me. My heart always shudders and pulls back in horror and shame as I see Jesus ridiculed, beaten, unjustly condemned and taken as a lamb to be slaughtered — for me. “Why! what wrong has He done?” even the pagan Pilate asks. In the darkest hour of man, no more evil and vile expression and act of rejection exists of man against his Creator, “Crucify Him!” Some will later follow the Way, others will not reverence God and hold His paths as holy.

Honestly, I really hate that part, it hurts physically sometimes for me to read it. I know, I know, Sunday is coming . . . but for now my Pascal Lamb goes to slaughter. “Thank You, Almighty Father. You have prepared the way of Life for me in spite of my sin, my shame, my rejection of You. Help me take the Way of Life this day. The Way You have prepared lies ahead. Help me to take that road of Life, and to take the hand of others to go with me on the road to You. For the sake of Jesus, thank You for hearing.”

God has prepared the Way. Where will you go today?

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Day 80: Mark 14:53-72 — A Familiar Fellow

Sunday, March 21st, 2010

Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.Of all the apostles, I’ve most often seen myself in Peter. I picture Peter as a rough looking man with leathery hands toughened by the nets he hauled out of the sea. He is brash, bold, extremely loyal and seems to have a quick temper. Peter is always at the forefront of the group. Jesus is walking on the water and who cries out, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you!”? Jesus says that one of those close to him will deny him, it is Peter who vehemently denies that will never happen and it certainly won’t be him. When the servants of the chief priest come to seize Jesus, it is Peter who draws a sword – ready to fight.

I can believe Peter because in so many ways, I am Peter. I am loud, brash, at the forefront of any group. I too am intensely loyal and ready to fight to protect those close to me. And I have denied my Lord when it mattered most.

Pick up with me in Mark 14:66-72. Jesus has just been tried and is now being beaten by the guards. Peter is outside and trying to lay low when some people notice him. Keep in mind that Peter knows that to be associated with Jesus is now probably a death sentence. Simply put, Peter is afraid. Not that I blame him. However, Peter has a great opportunity to stand up and say, “Yes, I was with him. I’m still with him. I don’t care what you do to me”, but he doesn’t.

But haven’t we all? It doesn’t have to be a life or death situation to deny Jesus. It can be as simple as a lunchroom conversation at work where we don’t speak up. It can be the choices we make to be a part of something that we know is wrong. The rooster crowing reminds Peter of Jesus’ words.

I have heard that sound too.

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Day 79: Mark 14:32-52 — Wake up!

Saturday, March 20th, 2010

“are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” Mark 14:37-39

Personally, I think sleep is overrated, but I must admit I’ve fallen asleep in some pretty inappropriate places. Church pew, behind the wheel of a moving automobile, in an academic class. Uh huh. You’ve been there too? How about in the copilot’s seat of a military jet aircraft, during what the Air Force called a “critical phase of flight”, and with the Deputy Commander in the left seat? Ouch, I’m guilty of that one too (and the quantity of people who knew about that before today numbers in the single-digits).

I have what may seem like a couple of random observations about today’s New Testament reading…

First, I notice Jesus told Peter, James, and John to “Stay here and keep watch” (Mark 14:34). All right, I’m thinking they’re thinking “keep watch for what?” They weren’t, after all, in a high crime area, as far as we know. With the benefit of 2000 years of hindsight, certainly we know what The Master meant by “keep watch”, but as of yet the disciples still didn’t believe He was going to be crucified. In my situation, I knew what to watch for — we were soon to give several thousand gallons of fuel to 4 fighter jets, and I needed to know where they were. I believed; the disciples did not. We both were guilty of sleeping on the job.

Second, how many “disciples” are included in verse 32: “Jesus said to His disciples…”? We have every reason to believe there were 12 on that trip to the Garden — Jesus and the 11 apostles (the 12, minus Judas). Jesus left 8 of them, and went farther into the Garden with the “inner 3″: Peter, James, and John. We don’t know the exact number who were sleeping, because it’s not important, but it’s my opinion it was all 11 of them. What we do know is who got the tongue-lashing — Peter. “‘Simon’, He said to Peter, ‘are you asleep?’”

I think there are at least 3 valuable lessons to take away from this reading:

  1. Because we believe, and we know what to watch for, we need to be ever-vigilant and watch for the devil and his temptations. It’s when we think we’re the safest that we’re the most vulnerable (1 Cor 10:12).
  2. The more you have been given, the more is expected of you. Jesus had already told Peter that He would use him to build His church (Matt 16:18), and Jesus clearly had more in store for those 3 than he did the other 8. Peter, of all people, He hoped would be strong enough to overcome the flesh. Which brings us to point 3…
  3. How many times have you heard, “the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak”, and it was used as an excuse? I don’t think Jesus meant it as an excuse for his apostles, explaining that it was OK for them to have gone to sleep. I think He was merely stating the same reality that Paul was stating in Romans 7: we know the good we should do, we want to do the good we know we should do, but we still find ourselves unable to overcome our human weakness. It’s not an excuse, it’s reality — but that doesn’t mean it’s not sin! Notice in v. 38 it’s not Peter telling Jesus, “but Master, I just wasn’t strong enough to stay awake”. No, it’s Jesus acknowledging that Peter was indeed human, and though Peter made a mistake, the Divine Lord in His mercy knew it wasn’t because of Peter’s weak heart, but because of his weak flesh.

Longer post than normal today; hope you’re still with me this far. These were important lessons for me to learn; I hope we’re all better equipped each day to rely on the touch of the Master’s hand to lift us up and help us in our weakness.

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Day 78: Mark 14:3-9 — A Priceless Moment!

Friday, March 19th, 2010

I spent some time with my son today, I looked into his eyes and remembered all the fun times we had as he was growing up. Oh alright, I thought about the tough times too. I looked into his eyes and I knew much of what he was telling me before he even said it. I realized that our relationship is a wonderful thing and it is a two-way thing. Christianity, I fear has become an institutional juggernaut. We have not always focused on our relationship with Jesus. I hear talk of what Jesus will do for us but hardly ever hear of our dedication to Him. In Mark 14:3-9, we will witness a woman that did something for Jesus and her story will be remembered forever.

A woman entered the house breaking custom and social norms. She went to Jesus and Him only and anointed His head with an ointment that was considered a small fortune. In this outlandish act, everyone is taken back. Even more shocking that no doubt will make the tabloids is that Jesus accepts the anointing. A scandal is brewing because Jesus is not concerned about the fortune, nor that a woman was the one doing the anointing. Here is good news! We witness an act of remarkable generosity, devotion, and faith. We see Jesus on the “way” to the cross and a true disciple that follows and like the widow’s offering (see Day 76) acts in her relationship with Jesus. It is a stark contrast to the betrayal made by Judas and the greed to take from Jesus instead of give. The woman is also different than even Jesus’ disciples. She must understand the purpose of the cross as she anoints Jesus and is focused on Jesus and no other. However, in the disciples’ theology, they were worried about their responsibilities and the pressing needs of their ministry. Their concerns blinded them from the uniqueness of the moment and the specialness of the relationship. Was it a waste of time and money? Jesus did not think so, in fact, it was a priceless moment that would endure as long as the gospel is proclaimed.

I looked into my son’s eyes today and I did not see our responsibilities. Instead, I saw my Son and it was a priceless moment that I will forever remember. As I read the story of the woman anointing Jesus and saw her devotion to Jesus, I pray that we may all have a similar experience. May our time with Jesus be as priceless. May we give all we have and long to be with Jesus and no one else.

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Day 77: Mark 13:32-37 — The Parousia verses 2012

Thursday, March 18th, 2010

Mayan CalendarI like to go to movies. I have noticed that of late we have a lot of movies predicting the end of the world (e.g., The Day After Tomorrow, War of the Worlds, Armageddon, 2012, etc.). I have not seen the movie 2012, but I understand it is based on the idea that the end of the Mayan calendar indicates that the world is near a global cataclysm that will destroy the earth. These end of the world genres include theories of alien invasions, global warming, and meteor bombardments. In addition, we have a number of religious groups picking an end of the earth date that have been proven wrong over and over. I have to admit that these theories are fascinating and they may provide good entertainment but they are far from biblical.

Our text today from Mark 13:32-37 is a warning from Jesus to pay attention. We need to not get wrapped up in the Hollywood exploitation of the end of the world. Jesus explains that no one knows the day or the hour of the coming of the “son of man,” the principal lesson here is that Christians are to be watchful and prepared, not caught up in attempts to calculate the time of the Parousia (return of Christ). It is enough to know that that day will eventually and finally come, but it cannot be predicted. Christians are to be about our Master’s work, faithfully observing his word, alert and watchful.

I like to go to movies, but I like the Word of God better.

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Day 76: Mark 12:41-44 — “The story of the widow’s offering!”

Wednesday, March 17th, 2010

The story of the widow’s offering (Mark 12:41-44) is sandwiched between Jesus’ denunciation of the scribes who “devour widows’ houses” (Mark 12:38-40) and His foretelling of the destruction of the temple (Mark 13:1-2). No doubt, the context of the widow’s offering suggests a comparison between those who on one hand practice a religion of selfishness and pretense, and on the other hand those who practice a religion of generosity, self-denial, and hardship. In Mark, we find the term the “way, path, journey, or road” (Mark 1:2-3; Mark 6:8; Mark 8:27; Mark 9:33-34; Mark 10:17; Mark 10:32; Mark 10:46; Mark 10:52; Mark 11:8; and Mark 12:14) that leads to the cross. A hardship path. A way of discipleship. A road we are invited to join Him on. Theologically, we see a marginalized person, the widow joins the path of discipleship by giving all that she had. In contrast we have religious leaders that take all they can get even to a point of devouring the estates of widows. In disregard of God’s word (Isaiah 10:1-2) their path leads to destruction and their system of religious observance will be destroyed (Mark 13:1-2).

Which path are we on? Are we like the widow giving God all we have or have we grown hardened like the Scribes to seek our own survival, our own selfish interests? Discipleship is a difficult road but notice that Jesus was one who gave His all to God for us. The mystery of our faith is clear. The way of hardship for God, the way of self-sacrifice, the way of the cross is the path, we should seek and brings the delight of Jesus, “And he called his disciples to him and said to them, ‘Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on’” (Mark 12:43-44). We can marvel at the great stones of our religious monuments that will one day fall or we can marvel at people of faith that give their all to God.

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Day 74: Numbers 27:1-29:11; Mark 11:27-12:12 — Who are you?

Monday, March 15th, 2010

The daughters of Zelophehad do not have authority to take an inheritance, no male heir existed to carry on. They understand the culture, the law, but they need help. Who are they? People of God who need help for a rare circumstance, and they receive that help.

The Creator reminds Moses that he had tried to take on too much authority when he struck the rock, “Shall we bring you water?” Now Moses will have to settle for merely looking at the land from a mountain top. Who is Moses? Not as much as he thought he was in that episode. He overstepped the bounds and failed to treat God as Holy.

Joshua stands with Moses, again, as he has so often in the past forty years, but this time something different will occur. Moses will die, the people need leadership. Joshua stands before Eleazar, Moses, and the people of Israel. Moses lays hands on Joshua, and designates Joshua as leader, prophet, and judge. Who is Joshua? A trained and proven warrior, a man of holiness and of the Spirit of God, and now the leader of Israel under God’s authority.

Moses, remind Israel of Who I Am, says God Almighty: The sacrifices, daily, monthly; the festivals to commemorate your deliverance, to remind Israel Who has redeemed them. The next book collecting Moses’ final words to Israel carries the theme, “Lest you forget.” How easily Israel, and at times we ourselves, forget the Identity, the work, and the plans of The Mighty One.

“You entered Jerusalem as a monarch and received praise from the people. Just who do you think you are?” Jesus deals with people as they need, always in a way that challenges them to examine who they are, what they need to be about, what their perspective and relationship with God and themselves should be. Jesus goes back to basics. “What do you think about those who carry God’s authority, and have missions that collide with your own puffed up sense of self importance?” Well . . . He didn’t say that, but that may well be the ego pounding He gave them. Being true to their own nature, they save face and dodge the question. Jesus answers them in a way that says, “You do not really want to know who I am; I wish you did.”

Who are you? Are you in need? God will answer your true needs. Are you blessed by Him? Dedicate your life to Him, worship Him in daily living and in collective worship as the church. Are you a ready servant? God has a work and wonderful direction for your life. Are you vying with God for power and authority? Shudder to consider the implications of this! The voices of the past both encourage and warn us: Know your God first, and then He will know you, and you will know you are.

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Day 73: Mark 11:1-26 — A Closer Look…

Sunday, March 14th, 2010

Fig treeOpen your Bible with me to Mark Chapter 11. More specifically, I’d like to concentrate on Mark 11:12-26. The story about the fig tree is probably not new to you. For so many years I struggled with why Jesus was so angry at a tree. Doesn’t the scripture say that figs were not in season? Why would Jesus expect figs to be there? I wouldn’t go into a cotton field in May and expect there to be white bolls waiting to be picked. But if you read the passage a few times, and then look at the story sandwiched between the two encounters with the fig tree….it begins to make sense.

Beginning in verse 12, Jesus is hungry. He sees a fig tree from a distance “in leaf”. Expecting to find fruit, Jesus reaches out only to find that this tree, while appearing to be able to bear fruit, is nothing but leaves and no fruit. Let me stress two items: The purpose of this tree is to bear fruit. Secondly, from a distance, this tree appears to bear fruit. When the reality doesn’t match the purpose….Jesus is disappointed.

Jesus overthrowing the tables in the TempleStay with me here. Read on to Mark 11:15-17. Jesus enters the temple and drives out those that are buying and selling there. He overturns the money changer’s table and the benches of those selling doves. He says, “Is it not written: ’My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” Let me stress two things: First, the purpose of the temple is to be a place of worship and prayer. Secondly, the reality of the temple doesn’t match purpose….Jesus is angry.

Coming back by the fig tree after leaving the temple, Peter points out that the fig tree has withered (Mark 11:20-21) Read on through Mark 11:22-26 and see that Jesus is telling us that our faith, obedience and action are our fruits to God.

A closer inspection by Jesus found that appearances can be deceiving. A leafy fig tree from a distance gave the false pretense that it would bear fruit. The temple appears to be a holy place but had, in fact, been turned into a “den of robbers”. You have a purpose. When you arose out of the water at your baptism your purpose changed. But does the reality of your life match your purpose? Does mine? Just as a fig tree bears fruit, you too are purposed with bearing fruit. The Master will take a closer look. What will he find?

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Day 72: Mark 10:46-52 — Blind Bartimaeus

Saturday, March 13th, 2010

Jesus heals blind BartimaeusIsaiah prophesied the blind would see (Isaiah 29:18), and Jesus fulfilled that prophecy more than once — more than once in fact, on the same trip to Jerusalem in which today’s reading is set (see also Mark 8:22-26).

As Jesus and His disciples were leaving Jericho, surrounded by the crowd, Bartimaeus calls out twice to the “Son of David” to have mercy on him. This title sets the stage for the greeting Jesus would receive in Jerusalem (Mark 11:10), but it’s the response Jesus gave the man that I think is interesting. “What do you want me to do for you?”, Jesus asked.

This may sound to us like a rhetorical question. After all, the guy was blind. If you were blind, wouldn’t you want to see? Not necessarily, though I used to have a Christian friend who was blind, and he very much wanted to see again. We don’t know if Bartimaeus was blind from birth, or if he had been struck blind in an accident or from disease. Matthew and Luke don’t shed any additional light on this (Matthew 20:29-34, Luke 18:35-43).

Jesus not only had compassion on the man’s condition, but respected his wishes. Bartimaeus did, after all, make his living because of his blindness. If he wasn’t blind anymore, he’d have to get a job. There’s no indication at this point that this man was motivated by money, but the people didn’t know that (although Jesus did).

Clearly, Jesus “did the work” of healing Bartimaeus, although He tells him “your faith has healed you” (Mark 10:52). Jesus has also “done the work” of healing our sin-sick souls, but in the same sense that faith healed Bartimaeus, faith heals us as well (Hebrews 11:6). As Christians, we don’t need to call out to Jesus “have mercy on me”, as the blind man did. Jesus has already done that, and shown us great mercy. What we need to do is to receive His mercy with gratitude, being thankful every day that we have been healed from our spiritual blindness.

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