Posts Tagged ‘Discipleship’
Friday, June 18th, 2010
Today’s passage in 1 Chronicles 5:1-18 is what in modern day language might be considered a “shoutout”. It’s like when you call up a radio station to wish someone a happy birthday and have their name read aloud over the air. Or when you put their name on the scoreboard at a sporting event. Here is a list of names of the descendants of the sons of Israel. While I realize they were important to the Hebrew people, it can be hard to read the long, seemingly pointless genealogies. But I like to look at passages like this in another way. Imagine that the creator of the universe mentioned you in his instruction book to his children. In a sense, he’s giving you a “shoutout”. That’s quite an honor. The point is that whether these people did good or evil or nothing more notable than being born to someone else who was mentioned, God knew their names. God knows my name. He knows who I am. Just like he knew who each of these people was. He’s not too busy running the universe that he can’t take just a moment and think about me.
In return do we ever give God a “shoutout”? Do those around us know the name of God? In John 13:35 Jesus clearly tells us how we can reciprocate: “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” When we choose to love those around us, we’re spreading the name of Jesus around and honoring him.
Tags: Discipleship, genealogy, Jesus, Love, names
Posted in 1 Chronicles, God, Jesus, John, Worship | Comments Off
Thursday, June 3rd, 2010
As I was reading the text, I was reminded that some of Jesus’ followers could not digest Jesus’ teaching on the physical and spiritual bread of life. Some of the disciples got up and left (John 6:66). The teaching of Jesus was too hard. Why doesn’t Jesus chase them down and offer them a compromise or an alternative? Jesus turns to the twelve and asked them to choose. Now, I am a little off of context but it just amazes me that Jesus does not try to talk disciples out of leaving. It is their choice. Jesus never compromises His Father’s message to please a crowd. I never see Jesus pleading for those who turn their back on Him to “please come back!” Why do we? I find it interesting to see church signs that talk about an “Alternative Worship Service.” Is this because the message of Christ is too hard and we have to tone it down or pick it up a few beats for the world? Why do we try to compromise our message of the cross because some think it is too hard? I guess, we think we know better than our Lord. I wonder who we really serve? Is it Jesus and the hard message of the cross and discipleship, or do we serve the crowds?
Tags: Choice, Compromise, Discipleship
Posted in Discipleship, Free Will, Jesus, John | 4 Comments »
Wednesday, May 26th, 2010
John the Baptist proclaims his joy at Jesus’ success (John 3:29). However, Jesus’ success marks the completion of John’s work. This is an important lesson and reminds us that the success of the gospel is more important than our own ministries. After over 20 years of ministry, my time has come. For whatever reason pure or impure, my decision to resign as a paid minister has brought some clarity to my life. I am beginning to see more and more the ministerial struggle and turf battles that are commonplace in present-day life, both in and out of the church. Many ministries that I have begun will be taken over by others and there is part of me that wants to remind them of the history and the hard work that preceded them. I want to own them and then I realize they are not mine to own. John the Baptist teaches me a good lesson. We need to decrease and Jesus needs to increase (John 3:30). John’s disciples wanted him to reclaim his rightful spot, to disclaim Jesus as a gatecrasher into his ministry of baptism, but John would have none of it. John did not need the recognition and he did not want continuing praise. John did not want to compete with Jesus. As a follower of Jesus, I need to decrease and He needs to increase…maybe now, I can truly learn to serve…maybe now I can proclaim Jesus’ success and not worry about my own. Thanks John!
Tags: Discipleship, John the Baptist, Serving
Posted in John, Servant | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, April 7th, 2010
Luke shows us that Jesus’ ministry is to reach out to outcasts of society (Luke 5:27-32). In our section for today Jesus initiates contact with sinners. The Pharisees and scribes respond negatively and reject such fellowship with the unrighteous. The contrast between the separatism of these Jewish officials and the outreach of our Savior is clear. Jesus’ example teaches us as a church community that we need to seek and associate with the outcast as a part of our mission. Those of us who might frown on contact with the outcast and sinners may need to consider repentance for it is clear that this negative attitude is not condoned by Jesus. Jesus has gone from forgiving sinners to openly associating with them and calling them to discipleship. Mission requires more than casual contact. Jesus engages with those in the culture. They sense that he cares for them and does not just preach at them. Thus, this passage exposes the personal character of his mission. It is contact with Jesus, learning of his concern, association with him (and his church), forgiveness of sins, and the call to discipleship that changes a sinner.
Tags: Church, Discipleship, Forgiveness, Outcast, Sinners
Posted in Discipleship, Forgiveness, Jesus, Luke, Sin | 2 Comments »
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.
Tags: Anointing, Discipleship, Jesus, Ointment
Posted in Cross, Discipleship, Jesus, Mark | 2 Comments »
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.
Tags: Discipleship, Scribes, temple, The Way, Widow's Mite
Posted in Cross, Discipleship, Jesus, Mark | 1 Comment »
Friday, March 12th, 2010
The story of Jesus’ encounter with the rich man may provide varying perspectives depending on the reader’s socioeconomic status. It can be troublesome for those who live good lives and see the rich man walking away from Jesus. On the other hand, for those who are not wealthy it may bring encouragement. However, if socioeconomic status is used as the interpretive method, it may not recognize the deeper theological meaning. Jesus defines discipleship not as a means to earn one’s way into the kingdom of God but radically calls for faith in God beyond our possessions, ideas, attitudes, human traditions, and degrees of power and prestige to become the fertile soil that receives the seed as the children responded to Jesus. We are called to give everything up and follow Jesus to the cross.
Throughout the Gospel of Mark, an argument can be made that life begins at the cross and we may think our lives are sufficient to enter into the kingdom of God and it is here at the cross that we encounter Jesus as a rich man/woman. We may be sincere, we may have followed the commands, we may have been loyal to our religious traditions, we may have dedicated our lives, we may have unconfessed sins, but the encounter with Jesus should leave us uneasy, torn, and confused and tension should mount in our inner being because we all have elevated something that needs to be left behind. Lamar Williamson writes: “If this message does not take our breath away, if we are not shocked, appalled, grieved, or amazed, we have either not yet heard it or heard it so often that we do not really hear it anymore.”
We cannot complain about discipleship, lessen the call to it, or ignore it because we see that Jesus is on His way to the cross and he leaves it all behind, even His life. Now read Mark 10:17-31 and struggle with the text and your riches.
Tags: Cross, Discipleship, Rich
Posted in Cross, Discipleship, Jesus, Mark | Comments Off
Wednesday, March 10th, 2010
Following Jesus is difficult! I do not understand our contemporary serendipitous mumble jumble that claims Christians can live anyway they want and that worldly faith creates tremendous opportunities for advancement and health. Jesus offers no easy solutions to our discipleship. He doesn’t use platitudes, nor does He condescend us by sweet euphemisms. His teaching smacks of a grim realism that we all must hear and accept. Already in Mark, Jesus has likened our discipleship to taking up a cross and forfeiting one’s life (Mark 8:34-35). In Mark 9:42-50, Jesus warns his disciples of their responsibilities. To follow Jesus, we have to change our attitudes. Pride, egotism, selfishness, and brutality are all negative attitudes that are not acceptable. Our world teaches us to be the greatest (Mark 9:34) and these attitudes cause people to stumble. Jesus instructs us not to seek positions of power. The Christian life is not about our advancement and health, it is about seeking opportunities for service. Rather than causing others to stumble, we must help them advance in Christ and grow healthy in faith to the position that they seek their own opportunities to serve. The matter is so important to Jesus that He uses a shocking hyperbole: better to drown oneself in the sea than to offend a little one; better to cut off a hand or foot, or even pluck out an eye, than to risk throwing oneself into hell over some temptation or self-induced cause of stumbling (Mark 9:42-48). Jesus tells us it is going to be difficult, there will be challenges (Mark 9:49) but Jesus is on the way to the cross. Remember, He already took His disciples off to the side and taught them about it (Mark 9:30-32). There can be no resurrection unless there is a cross. We look forward to Easter in a few weeks but what cross will we bear?
Tags: Cross, Discipleship, Resurrection, The Greatest
Posted in Cross, Discipleship, Jesus, Mark | 2 Comments »
Friday, February 26th, 2010
I didn’t have a traditional family life. I joke about my Dad seeing me when I was born and left. I say that just to cover the pain of being abandoned. I read this passage in Mark 3:21 and I see that Jesus has a family that cares enough to try to intervene. They think Jesus is “out of his mind.” Jesus is on a collision course with confrontation that will lead to the cross. Jesus knows it, His family knows it, and we all know it. However, it does not alter Jesus in anyway. In fact, it intensifies. Jesus in Mark 3:31-35 redefines family. This does not mean that Jesus does not love His physical family but He reframes it and re-prioritizes it. Family is important but the family that follows the will of God is paramount.
The struggle of my family life has been a blessing in that it has helped me to see the truth Jesus proclaims about the priority of the spiritual family of God. It has allowed me to embrace the church and with all our faults find a family that goes beyond the physical to the eternal. However, I am curious about those who have close families and the struggle that this passage may create. I have known those who have been ostracized from their family because of their desire to follow God’s will. Discipleship is difficult because even though we may love our families, there is still the uncomfortable call that to follow Jesus, our families must come second. This is easy for me but for others I see the cost of discipleship is great. May God bless those of you who struggle today with the call of Christ and an unbelieving family.
Tags: Discipleship, Family, Jesus, Mark
Posted in Discipleship, Family, Jesus, Mark | Comments Off
Friday, February 12th, 2010
Chapter 25 of Matthew continues with the theme of the last few posts. Jesus has been answering his disciples’ question about the “close of the age” (Matthew 24:3). Jesus has told us that there will be cataclysmic events, i.e., earthquakes, wars, desolation of the temple, false Christs, etc. (Matthew 24:3-28). The Son of Man will come (Matthew 24:29-31). Then Jesus teaches us to interpret the end times like a fig tree. When it puts out leaves you know summer is near (when we see the signs Jesus talks about, we know judgment is near, not an exact date). In Matthew 24:36-51, Jesus tells us that no one knows the times and dates of His return except His Father.
So, Jesus tells a parable. The Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten virgins (Read Matthew 25:1-13). The story is about ten virgins headed between locales on the way to meet the bridegroom. Five were prepared and five were not. To update the illustrations five had extra batteries for their cell phones and five did not. So while they waited they were talking on their phones sending text messages, emails, and saying “Oh my gosh.” As their power ran low because they were a little preoccupied with their lives instead of the important task of getting ready for the bridegroom, the five without extra batteries had to run to a friends house to get a power charge. They missed the bridegroom and subsequently not allowed to enter the wedding feast. It may seem harsh that these poor girls were not allowed in. However, new Texas State law prohibits the use of cell phones near school zones or while they are driving (Ok, I might have overdrawn on this analogy). The point is that they were not ready. The Kingdom of Heaven is for those who are ready. Read Matthew 25:13, and we are told to “Watch.” Jesus answers the question about the close of the age again, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor hour.”
Questions:
Are you ready for the end times? Are you watching? Do you know God’s word? Are your batteries/lamps charged and ready to go?
Tags: 10 Virgins, batteries, cell phones, Christ, Discipleship, End Times, Kingdom of Heaven, Matthew, Parable, Texas State Law
Posted in Discipleship, Jesus, Matthew, Parable | Comments Off