Posts Tagged ‘Jesus’

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Day 62: Mark 6:1-6 — Jesus Christ involved in a Scandal!

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

This is an action news report. Jesus Christ, the proclaimed Son of God is involved in a scandal. In our contemporary world, we have become accustomed to these kind of reports. However, as I write these words, I feel a little uncomfortable. In Mark 6:1-6, Jesus goes back home and teaches. He does such a good job that his home town folks can’t believe it. They take offense and Jesus marveled at their unbelief. The interesting thing is that the word “offense” comes from a Greek word σκανδαλίζω (skandalízō), it is the word from which we get “scandal”. It can be translated as “a trap,” “stumbling block.” It is not often used with classical Greek writers. It is used more often in the Biblical text figuratively as a stumbling block to someone; to cause to stumble at or in something; or to give a cause of offense to someone. In Mark 6:3, it is used as a scandal of offense at Jesus and Jesus marvels at their unbelief (Mark 6:6).

Earlier, I said I was a little uncomfortable to say Jesus is involved in a scandal. I am not uncomfortable from the biblical standpoint because Jesus was involved in many scandals (e.g., the cross was a scandal). I am uncomfortable because the Christian faith seems to water down the scandal of the cross into a nice clean faith system. I am confused by our desire to attend church to experience a nice clean sanitized rendition of worship. Mark will use this word again with His disciples. They will stumble and fall away because of the cross (Mark 14:27). It was a scandal to believe in Christ. It was a radical change of life to follow Jesus. I wonder which Jesus we really worship? Is it Jesus the stumbling block or Jesus the pacifier that makes us all feel good? I am uncomfortable because I am afraid Jesus is no longer a scandal for we have already taken offense and run him out of town like his hometown did (Isaiah 8:14; Matthew 16:23; 1 Corinthians 1:23; Galatians 5:11).

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Day 61: Mark 5:21-43 — “Who Touched Me?”

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

Have you ever been interrupted? I have! There are always interruptions in my day. There was a time in my life when I would lament over the fact that I could have finished all my work if it weren’t for the interruptions. In our reading of Mark 5:21-43, Jesus experiences some interruptions. I know traditionally, we like to talk about the miracle stories that happen. Yet, I was reading and became captivated by the interruptions. Jesus is interrupted by a father who has a sick daughter. Jesus leaves to help the father and then he gets interrupted by some woman touching him and his power is drained. Jesus stops and asks what the disciples think is an absurd question in the midst of a crowd…”Who touched my garment?” It is kind of like being at the end of a Texas football game when Texas A&M is being beat again. All the Aggies flee in shame and are pressing all around and you stop and ask, “which Aggie just touched me?”

Jesus stops in the midst of a crowd and the need to go save a little girl and renders a personal touch to a woman who has suffered for years. We ought to stop and put a little thought to this action. We live in a world of fast paced living that teaches us to ignore what we think is insignificant like faith. Jesus helps me to see our faith and others’ faith may be more important to him than a death of a child. That is hard to comprehend but then again Jesus overcomes death with resurrection, but he never makes us have faith. The advent of faith in a person seems more miraculous to me than the healing of a disease. I wonder if Mark wants us to see that too?

Oh by the way just for fun, the next time you are in a crowd and people are pressing in all around you, stop and yell, “Who touched me?”

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Day 57: Mark 3:13-35 — Family

Friday, February 26th, 2010

familyI 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.

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Day 56: Mark 2:18-3:12 — Jesus is Angry

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

Have you ever had your buttons pushed? I worked for many years in the mental health field and this is one of the favorite terms of clinicians. The ironic thing is that mental health professionals love to talk about how clients push buttons but they never like to discuss how they themselves push their clients’ buttons. I guess that in remembering this, I have allowed my button to be pushed. I digress. Today, I want to try a different kind of post. Read Mark 2:1-3:6 and when you get to Mark 3:5, you will find that Jesus gets angry, why? We often get angry (assuming we are not neurotic) because we are passionate about something. I heard a quote once from John Lloyd Ogilvie that says, “Tell me what ticks you off, and I will tell you what makes you tick.” What makes Jesus tick? What ticks Jesus off? I will give you some hints. Look at the questions in Mark 2:1-12; Mark 2:13-17; Mark 2:18-22; Mark 2:23-28; and Mark 3:1-6.

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Day 48: Matthew 26:56 –If Scripture is good enough for Jesus, it ought to be good enough for us

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010

In Matthew 26:47-56, Jesus is betrayed and arrested. We know the story of Judas’ betrayal, the “kiss,” the disciple pulling out his sword to cut off the ear, Jesus’ reattachment of the ear, the discourse on violence, and the disciples fleeing. While I was reading, something caught my eye. Twice in this section, Matthew tells us that Scripture was fulfilled (Matthew 26:54 and Matthew 26:56). People always focus on Judas, the High Priest, the ear gets a lot of attention, violence, and the disciples fleeing. However, we ought to focus on Jesus and Jesus is focusing on Scripture. The Old Testament in Zechariah 13:7-9 tells us that the Shepherd will be struck and judgment will come upon the people because of their idolatry and sin. A time of refinement will be put in place where the people are tested and honed. Yet, the good news is that it will lead to a time when God will claim His people and the people will claim their God.

A few things:

1. Jesus was struck as the Good Shepherd as Scripture foretold.

2. The disciples fled as Scripture foretold.

3. We are being honed and tested as Scripture foretold.

4. We can call on the name of the Lord and He answers as Scripture foretold.

5. God claims His people and His people claim Him as our God as Scripture foretold.

6. The disciples return and in fact in the second chapter of Acts, Peter preaches about Jesus Christ and quotes scripture. His message cut to the heart (Acts 2:37) and they asked what they needed to do. If you would like to see the answer go read what Scripture says in Acts 2:38-40.

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Day 35: Exodus 20:22-22:45 — Worship

Thursday, February 4th, 2010

worship

It seems like every day I receive mail that tells me how to have a great worship experience. From banners with scriptures on them, worship bulletin templates to catch the eye, to church furniture that looks great, there are robes I can wear to make me look spiritual, there are fancy new communion trays lined with gold, and you can even buy some valentine worship hearts to please the romantics at church. I think Israel must have had some exciting worship experiences with their motionless gods that they sang and danced around and felt good about. God says, don’t do it. Do not make gods out of gold and silver and put them alongside of me (Exodus 20:23).

Have we lost the true meaning of worship? It is not a panacea of great experiences that make me feel good. Isn’t worship about developing a relationship with a holy God (the creator). He says don’t worship things or bring those other gods near me. This is so foreign to us because we may have forgotten that our sin is appalling to God. We no longer see a Sovereign. We no longer tremble in the presence of the Almighty. We no longer appreciate or remember that our God is about commitment, covenant, sacrifice, and loyalty. I guess, we need to tell God to get a chill pill because we live under grace now and He doesn’t need to bark out a bunch of commands. He tells them to use natural stones that have not been worked on with a tool (Exodus 20:25). Come on God, don’t you want some of that polished stone that looks pretty to us and will make our worship go easier? Come on God, we have talented stone carvers that are not being able to use their gifts. How can the stone carvers worship if they can’t modify your altar?

I bet Moses got a lot of mail too and everyone was just dying to set up the multimedia system around the golden calf. Have we forgotten what grace is? Isn’t grace what is happening here with the Israelites? God draws near to them and instructs them how they can draw near to Him. Isn’t that the story of Jesus? God draws near to us by paying the cost for our sins. It was not a gold plated cross that Jesus died on. It was a cross of suffering and shame. If we really want to worship, maybe we should drop on our knees and be quiet and listen to the Most Holy One. “Do not make any gods to be alongside me…” (Exodus 20:23).

By the way, I worshipped God today and it felt awful. I came before the most Holy Throne and like Isaiah said, “Woe to me!” I cried, “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty (Isaiah 6:5).

Woe to me! I deserve death and Jesus came over and touched me with His blood. Whew! Worship is exhausting.

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Day 33: Matthew 20:17-34 — Boundaries

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010

One of the purposes of this blog is to write about one of the texts we are reading for the day. Sometimes, God’s Word leads me to a word study, a theological concept or doctrine, connects me with another place in scripture, or it just inspires me. Today, I was reading Matthew 20:20-23. Jesus encountered the mother of the sons of Zebedee. It kind of tickled me as I imagined the Zebedee brothers following behind their mother while she tells Jesus what she wants and then they expect to sit in the highest place of honor in Heaven. What an awkward scene. A preacher listening to a mother’s request and it is amazing that Jesus pretty much tells her “no.” He sets up a boundary and it doesn’t matter what some mother wants for her kids. Can you believe it? The Kingdom of God is more important and critical than what a mother wants? I don’t know why this resonates with me — maybe it is my own failure at setting limits with others. I am fascinated with Jesus’ skill at setting limits.

I find comfort in knowing that as a Christian it is all right to set limits. When someone is asking us to do something that is opposite of God’s plan and is not within the realm of our ability to provide, it is alright to say “no.” Jesus does not expect us to give in to unrealistic expectations. I feel better and I know why. Once upon a time, a mother came to me and told me to fix her adult son. He had strayed away from the church and she expected me to fix him, get a suit on him, “make him right with God,” and get him back in church. I felt bad and figured I was a terrible minister because I knew I did not have the power to fix him and I told her “no.” I set a limit and she was not happy. It was awkward. I offered prayer, visitation, counseling, but I could not promise to fix him the way she wanted, nor did I want to.

If Jesus is my friend wouldn’t he let my children sit at the left hand and right hand of God? I mean isn’t Jesus able to do anything? He is the Son of God! He is our Savior! He is all powerful! Why then doesn’t he give in to all of our requests? Why does Jesus set limits? Why does Jesus say, “no.” Maybe a better question is who in the world do we think we are to think we can fix everyone and everything? If Jesus sets limits, who are we to think we don’t have to? If Jesus lives within the limits of the Kingdom then why shouldn’t we? You know there is something holy and healing about boundaries! What do you think?

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Day 29: Matthew 18:7-20 – “Reconciliation”

Friday, January 29th, 2010

In Matthew 18:15-20, we have the famous narrative on church discipline. It is interesting that in context it follows the parable of the Lost Sheep. Matthew focuses on the will of God and focuses on the “little one” or Christian that has gone astray and has given a warning earlier about causing one of these to sin or stumble (Matthew 18:6). Matthew begins with a command not to despise them (Matthew 18:10-11) and at the end of the parable God’s will is for them not to perish (Matthew 18:14). So, what do you do with a brother or sister that sin against you? Read Matthew 18:15-20. By the way, it is no accident that before Christians intervene in this process that we are called to be humbled and purge our own sin (Matthew 7:1-5); we are called to be the greatest (Matthew 18:1-5) by becoming humbled like an insignificant child (see yesterday’s post); we are to seek urgently after the one who sins (Matthew 18:10-15); and it is followed by our call to forgive endlessly (Matthew 18:21-35).

The way Jesus teaches us to deal with a brother is similar to other ancient Jewish literature. The Testament of Gad 6:3-5 (Qumran Material) has a similar process that focuses on going to witnesses and to a governing body or the full assembly. Yet, Jesus is not trying to get us to litigate against a brother; His intent is for us to find a way to reconcile with a brother. Jesus teaches us to go to our brother alone and deal with it. Notice that “if he doesn’t listen” then you take the next steps with witnesses and going to the whole church. Whatever the two or more witnesses decide on earth will be kept in heaven (Matthew 18:18-20).  Remember when Peter confessed that Jesus is the Christ and Jesus blessed him and gave him the keys of the Kingdom (Matthew 16:13-20)? Notice the similarity of words in Matthew 16:19 and Matthew 18:18). Now the authority has been extended from Peter to the church. When two or more of God’s people come together it is a holy decision. Jesus is not talking about how many people it takes to worship together, Jesus is showing us that the Church has authority on earth to make decisions about our relationships and we need to be careful. The goal is finding forgiveness and not proving our point. Jesus is teaching us that the church has a responsibility to Him and each other. Jesus calls us not to just talk about forgiveness and reconciliation but to put it into practice.

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Day 28: Matthew 17:14-18:6 — The Paradox of Insignificance

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

childrenWho is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:1-5)? I am so glad the disciples ask Jesus the question. I think I would be too scared to ask. Jesus takes a child and uses the child as an object lesson. In the ancient world, children were low in the social hierarchy. They were weak and defenseless and had no rights. They could not stand up and demand anything, unlike today. As so often misinterpreted, Jesus is not telling us to be a child but He is showing us how children in this culture were insignificant. Jesus is calling us to become insignificant and to become dependent on Him. To become great in the kingdom of heaven is to become a minister to the insignificant. I call this the paradox of insignificance because we seek to make a name for ourselves and God calls us to be insignificant. We are called to repent and the difficulty with repentance is that it would make us insignificant. It would mean that we can’t make it on our own. In repentance, we learn to humble ourselves like a child and become dependent on God to save us. We are called to serve and to serve means we will be inconvenienced or made insignificant. The paradox of insignificance means we learn to be pick up our cross and die to ourselves for the sake of others. In the paradox of insignificance we see Jesus on the cross. Are you willing to become insignificant and dependent on God? It is difficult and there ain’t no easy way around it (Matthew 7:14).

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Day 24: Matthew 14:34-15:20 — And That’s Why I Don’t Care for Clouds…

Sunday, January 24th, 2010

When I first sat down to meet with an academic adviser at Texas Tech I had one goal in mind – avoid mathematics at all costs. I will admit to you that I actually said, “What major requires the least amount of math?”  The answer? Public relations. Sign me up. This plan was great until the second semester of my junior year when I was told that I had to fulfill a science requirement. No big deal. The only class I could get into was a class called Principles of Atmospheric Science. I was told that you “just study clouds.”  Well hey, I’ve seen clouds before!  Can’t be that hard.

For six weeks I went to every class. I went to every study group. I went to a tutor. I may or may not have prayed for God to strike the building where that class was held. When I dropped the class I had a 37 average. I could not get my brain around what was happening in there. Everything that I thought I knew about anything could not be applied to atmospheric science. Nothing.

In Matthew chapter 15 we see another example of the Pharisees and teachers of the law just not “getting” what Jesus was saying. You might say that they were in Principles of Atmospheric Science. The big difference is their intent. I wanted to pass that class. They wanted to figure out a way to disprove Jesus. Be that as it may (I’ve always wanted to say that) you have a group of people that can’t wrap their brains, but more importantly their hearts, around a new way of thinking. As we discussed last week, the Pharisees were still concerned with following the old law. Jesus is trying to make them understand that our heart matters far more than something we do with our hands or mouth (Matt 15:3-11).

But the Pharisees are not alone in this story. The disciples themselves grappled with the meaning of Jesus’ words at times. It really was so different than what they grew up knowing. Peter asks for a little clarification and Jesus doesn’t hide his feelings when he says, “Are you still so dull?” Ouch. Read on: Matt 15:17-20.

I sometimes wonder how I would have handled hearing Jesus’ words had I been alive then. Surely it was radical and unsettling. Would I have listened? Would I have understood what he was teaching? My last go-round with comprehending something outside of my comfort zone didn’t go so well. But knowing what I know and believing what I know to be truth, I must realize that others may still see Christianity with the same apprehension. I pray that I am able to explain my beliefs with great clarity to someone that might see Christianity with the same view I have of atmospheric science.

Question: Would you be able to explain your beliefs to someone that either knows nothing about them or believes differently?

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