Navigating Life’s Storms with Mark”
Week Four: Acts of a Disciple
Mark 7-10
Day One
Read Mark 7
From Belief to Faith and Faith to Action
When Christians put their faith into action, the hungry are fed, the homeless find shelter, and the lonely experience love. When disciples live with Christ at the center of their lives, the oppressed are set free, sinners realize salvation, and the demoralized recover dignity. The blind see, the deaf hear, and the lame walk.
We can list our heroes and sheroes of the faith who have given everything they have to being disciples of Jesus Christ – people like St Francis of Assisi, St. Theresa of Avila, John and Charles Wesley, Francis Asbury, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Martin Luther King, Jr., St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Clarence and Florence Jordan, Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela, Gustavo and Joan Parajón, St Oscar Arnulfo Romero, María Cristina Gómez, and so on. But there are millions upon millions across the ages of unknown disciples who have changed their world by putting their faith into action.
These saints lived the Kingdom of God as taught by Jesus in the Sermon of the Mount (Matthew 5-7), the Sermon of the Plain (Luke 6:17-49), Jesus’ parables, and his way of establishing loving relationships with all. He established the Church “on earth as it is heaven,” who Dr. King called the “Beloved Community. This is the “one true Church, the koinonia, the gathering).
Discipleship comes with a price. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a Lutheran pastor in Nazi Germany. He was among the first of the clergy to oppose the Nazi regime and the rise of the “German” church. In response, he and others founded the “Confessing Church,” declaring that the true church followed Christ He was one of the founders of the international, ecumenical Church. He was a pacifist, and finally realized, that the only way he could save Germany was by conspiring to eliminate Hitler. It cost him his life.
He quotes from his iconic book, “Discipleship” –
“When Christ calls a man [woman], he [her] bids him come and die.”
He also distinguishes the difference between “cheap grace” and “costly grace
“Cheap grace means the justification of sin without the justification of the sinner. …The world goes on in the same old way, and we are still sinners…. Well, then let the Christian live like the rest of the world, let him model himself on the world's standards in every sphere of life… That is what we mean by cheap grace, the grace which amounts to the justification of sin without the justification of the repentant sinner… Cheap grace is not the kind of forgiveness of sin which frees us from the toils of sin. Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves.”
[Costly] “ grace is costly because it calls us to follow and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it costs God the life of His Son: ‘ye were bought at a price,’ and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us. Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon His Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but deliver Him up for us. Costly grace is the Incarnation of God.”
It signifies that following Jesus requires abandoning worldly attachments, dying to the “old man” [woman] self- the will, and submitting to the cross.
Christians who live “costly” grace may die in many was, other than the ultimate sacrifice.
When and how have you “died” for living in costly grace?
The Apostle Paul writes to his beloved Corinthian community reminding them that even though being Christ’s disciple is costly, it comes with rewards:
“But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. 8 We are afflicted in every way but not crushed, perplexed but not driven to despair, 9 persecuted but not forsaken, struck down but not destroyed, 10 always carrying around in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. 11 For we who are living are always being handed over to death for Jesus’s sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work in us but life in you.”
(1 Corinthians 4:7-12)
We are disciples of Jesus Christ. Christ calls us to follow him and to be the body of Christ in the world. As Bonhoeffer says, the church is the only place in the world where Christ is “incarnate in the flesh. We are His ministers by imitating Him (WWJD). When we live this way, we and those of others are changed (Gk Metanoia, Transformed.)
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2
Mark tells of the time when Jesus returned to his home town Nazareth (Mark 6:1-6).
Luke 4:18-30 better fleshes out the narrative, which we will elaborate.
On a Sabbath day he went to the synagogue “as was his custom.” He was asked to read from the Hebrew Scriptures. He read a passage from Isaiah:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lords favor.” Isaiah 61: 1-2a
When he finished reading, he sat down, and began teaching. As people to listened to him, they realized that Jesus was their homeboy. “isn’t he Joseph’s son,” they said. My what a good preacher he is…”spoke well of him.”
But Jesus shocked the assembly when he announced that he was the one to whom Isaiah was speaking of, that he was the Messiah, the Lord, the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. Then Jesus stopped preaching and began “meddlin.”
He told the assembly that God’s grace is available to all people, not just to the Jews. To drive home his point, he reminded the elders that the prophet Elijah (I Kings 7) crossed into Lebanon, a foreign country. Jews were never supposed to step outside of Israel. He, with the power of God performed miracles and saved the lives of a poor gentile woman and her son.
To make matters worse, he reminded the elders from 2 Kings 5:1-19 in the time of the prophet Elisha about the captured Jewish girl, enslaved by the hated Syrian general Naaman and how she told her master to go to Elisha who would tell him he could be healed of his leprosy. Elisha told Naaman to wash three times in the Jordan river and his leprosy would go away.
Jesus taught his hearers that God had no favorites. God through His grace healed Israel’s most hated enemy. Elisha intervened and told the king of Israel. “Let him come to me, that he may learn that there is a prophet in Israel” (2 Kings 5:8). After he was healed and he knew that he had the received a blessing from the God of his enemies, he said to Elisha, “Now I know that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel…” 2 Kings 5:15
The elders were so enraged that they jostled Jesus towards a ravine to push him off the edge. He walked through the mob and went on to minister elsewhere.
We serve a Scandalous Savior
All through his ministry Jesus made scandalous and provocative statements that would cause any good Jew to tear his clothing, and cover himself in ash.
God’s grace is available to all humankind? NO WAY! The Jews are the chosen people – they are a covenant people. They are the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. No one else! Gentiles were not included in the covenant God made with Abraham.
But Jesus continued to insist that God’s grace is for all people.Yes, God had a special relationship with Israel, as his chosen people, but it didn’t mean that God was only for them. God said: “I am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness;
I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations,” Isaiah 42:6
Jesus was reminding the Jewish leaders that they should follow the spirit of the scriptures that they themselves claimed that they were following. But they saw themselves as the exclusive interpreters of the law. Jesus’ teachings and actions eventually would cost him his life.
Read Mark 7:1-13
Later, Jesus is teaching in an undisclosed location. He is surrounded by Pharisees and scribes (experts for interpreting 613 Jewish laws). They disapproved how Jesus' disciples did not observe the rituals for washing before handling food. When Jesus is asked by the religious leaders why his disciples do not practice the rituals, Jesus quotes from Isaiah 29:13,
This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines”. You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition.” Matthew 15:8-9
Jesus turns the tables on the religious leaders by quoting Isaiah, their most respected prophet. What is the purpose of rituals when their hearts are unchanged? In effect, Jesus is rebuking the religious leaders for "rejecting the commandment of God," the intent of the Law, in order to keep their tradition. Thus Jesus’ disciples are permitted not to practice the cleansing rituals, because these have no meaning in the Kingdom of God.
What the non-Christian world expects disciples to consider important is not quite what disciples do consider important. The world expects the church to be about right acting, right thinking, and right feeling. That’s why we get so much criticism about being hypocrites.
We humans, don’t always act, think, or feel right. But Christianity is not a simple system of morality, politeness, self-esteem, affirmation of individual worth; and assurance that everything will work out in the long run. Christianity is a conversion of all of life that focuses on a relationship with the living Christ. Christ directs our paths and leads to life-transforming discipleship. Even the non-Christian world can tell the difference between what is authentic discipleship and what is tradition for tradition’s sake.
In Russia, during the 74 years of Communist rule, many beautiful churches and cathedrals were allowed to survive because they were converted in to museums. The Soviet Union wanted to show the world how the state allowed freedom of religion, while Christians worshipped underground to avoid persecution.
If we were suddenly faced with the rule of a dictator opposed to Christianity, would your church survive as a museum or face elimination as an example of authentic, life-changing discipleship?
Day Two
Read Mark 7:24-37
We Recycle Rubbish
Re-read Mark 7:31-37. Jesus and his disciples are in the region of Tyre, in foreign territory when he healed the daughter of a gentile woman. He rejected her plea by calling her a “dog.” . But having great faith she persisted. She replies, “Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs Jesus was so impressed with her faith, Then he said to her, ‘For saying that you may go—the demon has left your daughter’” Mark 7:28-29
It is baffling that Jesus would call anyone a “dog.” There are many interpretations. Perhaps Jesus and the woman were engaged in sarcastic humor. Another one, could be that Jewish men never spoke to women in the street other than their relatives and especially to a Gentile woman. Or perhaps he was testing her faith knowing that the insult would not deter her to keep asking, even demanding.
However, the conclusion of this narrative is that the woman had great faith. Jesus was impressed, that it was her faith that healed her daughter.
Jesus continues on to the Decapolis, or Ten Towns – a land of the gentiles. Some people bring him a man who is deaf and almost completely dumb. Moved with compassion (his gut moved), Jesus takes the man aside, puts his fingers in the man's ears, then spits and touches his tongue. The man is restored to health. He can hear and speak and he is astounded and deeply grateful. ButJesus forbids him and others to talk about this event. Again, why? Is Jesus protecting the man from the crowd? Is he drawing attention away from himself as a healer `so that God's Kingdom may be the focus of his ministry? The man and the witnesses to the healing disobey Jesus’ request and spread the news throughout the land of the gentiles. The reaction to Jesus' acts of mercy is astonishment. "He has done everything well…"
Or take the story of the healing of the blind man in 8:22-26. Jesus and the disciples arrive in Bethsaida on the western shore of Lake Galilee, the hometown of Peter, Andrew, and Philip.
The close friends of a blind man confront Jesus. They beg him to heal the man. Like the deaf man in 7:31-37, Jesus moves him away from the crowd. The method of healing is also similar. Jesus applies saliva to his eyes and lays hands on him. Immediately, the man sees people that look like walking trees. Things are still fuzzy. Then Jesus lays hands on him again and this time his sight is restored completely and he sees clearly. And like the deaf man, Jesus commands him to go home. Do not return to the village, and tell no one, Jesus warns him. But he cannot be still. The restoration of his sight is an overwhelming experience. Not to tell is impossible – it is such fantastic news. Once he was confined to the life of a beggar. Now he can begin to have a normal life. Keep still? Not when you have such wonderful news to share.
Many, if not all, of the healings Jesus did released people not only from disease and disability, but also from isolation and condemnation. Disciples of Jesus Christ, following Christ’s example, are known for rescuing those condemned by a callous society to isolation and loneliness. It was the tradition of the Jews, that if one had a disease, it was their fault, and therefore they had sinned. Those labeled as outcasts, weak, or misfits were reduced to rubbish by society. But Christian disciples recycle “rubbish”. They rescue, restore, and redeem the “least of these,” whom Jesus regards as his own. (See Matthew 25).
Christ’s followers have left their mark on the world with altruistic acts of “agape” or selfless, God-like love. In the first century when Christian disciples were persecuted by Rome, they left Jerusalem and scattered throughout the known world. Within a generation, Christianity reached as far as India to the east and Spain to the west and to the farthest reaches of the Roman Empire. Ministries to the “least of these” emerged as the natural outgrowth of faith. Later on Christian contemplative communities living in monasteries founded universities, hospitals, hospices, orphanages, and shelters for women and elderly. History is filled with stories of congregations, founding Christian agencies, and individual disciples responding to a Call to serve Christ by serving others. activities, of Works of Mercy and Works of Piety of the Wesley brothers launched the Wesley revival.
Share from your own experience a time when you participated in or witnessed a ministry that grew out of a willingness to serve “the least, the last, and the lost” as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Day Three
Mark divided in three sections
Mark is divided into three sections. The first section is found in 1:1 to 8:26, which focuses on Jesus’ ministry in the north Galilee and surrounding countries. The second, chapters 8:27-10-52, focuses on the journey to Jerusalem and the cross. The third section, Mark 11:1 to 16:8, the emphasizes Jesus as the presence of God on earth – his Passion, death on the Cross and Resurrection. Jesus turns his face towards Jerusalem.
Jesus’ Mission Announced to thee Disciples Three Times
Read Mark 8:27-38. While on their way to Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked his disciples who it is that people are saying he is. So they told him that some believed him to be John the Baptist or Elijah or some other prophet. But it seemed that Jesus was far more interested to hear who THEY believed him to be. Peter spoke up – ‘you are the Messiah’ and he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.” Mark 8:29-30
Then he began to teach them, telling them that he had to suffer much, that he would be rejected by the religious establishment, and ultimately be killed. The good news, though, is that he would rise again after only three days. Peter was not at all pleased with these predictions. “Don’t talk that way, Jesus! There is no way that that is going to happen!” All of a sudden, Jesus turns around and looks straight at Peter and calls him Satan because he was not thinking like a disciple. In the vernacular, Jesus is saying to Peter, “Don’t be like Satan! Don’t be an obstacle, because I will fulfill my mission!” Peter only saw things through the Lense of a human being. Understanding the ways of God was beyond him at that moment. He only wanted to ensure the safety of the one he loved and followed. How was it possible that the disciples understood what Jesus was telling them. This had never happened before in all creation. Besides, for centuries, the hope that the Messiah would be a ruler that would defeat the Roman empire and all oppressors and restore Isreal to the time of king Soloman.
Jesus then calls together a crowd of people along with his and taught them a series of realities contradictory of what people considered the truth. “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever would save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's shall save it. What doth it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and then looses his soul? Mark 8:34-36
The disciple’s true self is found through his resurrection because Jesus is resurrected. Without Jesus, one’s life is lost. Saving one’s life means denying His or Her’s ego, and all the things that one collects – whether that be tangible goods or intangibles like a love of tradition or a good reputation. All will be lost – including ones life – without Christ. The disciple must make a choice. And no one can make it for him or her.
This is also true for congregations. The church that seeks to save its life will lose it. When a church is declining – finances are tight, worship attendance is shrinking, the building is aging – the tendency is to pull in, spend all resources (financially, emotionally, spiritually, and physically) to save its institutional life. There is not enough of anything to share with a hurting and lost world. The world is no longer important to such a church. All they can think of, is how to survive. That church will die. But the church that loses its life for Christ will be saved and thrive. To “turn around”, (in Greek, metanoia), a declining congregation must focus on the gospel, her relationship with Christ; her call as Christians to spread the Good News and reach out with compassion to hurting people, no matter the sacrifice. THAT will be the church that saves its life. Dietrich Bonhoeffer often wrote that the church is the only place on earth where Christ is present.
When was a time when you had a great need and you ran out of options except turning to God? What did you do? What happened?
Day Four
Read Mark 9
The Transfiguration
Read Mark 9:2-13 and 14-20. This is the story of the Transfiguration and the healing of the epileptic boy and it is an incredible example of the power and compassion of Christ.
Jesus takes Peter, James, and John, his closest disciples, to a high mountain. Scholars refer to Mount Tabor, ten miles southwest of Lake Galilee as the possible site. There Jesus is “transfigured” or transformed before them. His clothes became a dazzling white! And standing on either side of him are Moses and Elijah – the two men that represent the two most powerful and significant influences on Hebrew life: The Law (Moses was given the Ten Commandments by God on Mt. Sinai) and the Prophets (Elijah, a reformer, was taken into Heaven on a chariot of fire and was to return just prior to the arrival of the Messiah. John the Baptist was often referred to as the Elijah resurrected.)
While they are atop the mountain, a cloud covered them, and the voice of God declared His relationship with Jesus, His beloved Son. Then comes the command, listen to him!” Just as suddenly as the event began, it was over and Jesus was left alone, returned to his normal self. It was a glorious witness to the divine nature of Jesus, the Christ. Was the transfiguration a prequel to what was to happen? Was the transfiguration a sign that humanity would be transformed like Jesus?
The three disciples were utterly amazed at what they had just witnessed. Again, these guys didn’t have a clue to what had just happened to Jesus. “Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us set up three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He did not know what to say, for they were terrified.” Mark 9:5-6
Peter wanted to set up a shrine, three booths tents) as memorials for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah so that pilgrims would come and worship them.
Then Jesus, Peter, James and John come down the mountain to be reunited with the rest of his disciples. Jesus finds a crowd in complete disarray. Several people, knowing him to be a healer, run to greet him and solicit his help. Scribes argued with the nine disciples that stayed behind. When Jesus asks what the argument is about, the father of an epileptic boy responds by addressing him as “Rabbi”, saying that his disciples were not able to heal the boy.
Jesus is frustrated because of the apparent lack of faith his disciples exhibit. “You faithless generation, how much longer must I be among you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring (the boy) to me.” Jesus responds as a parent would to wayward children. How many times must Jesus teach the presence of the Kingdom of God? And yet, his closest disciples don’t get it and, therefore, are unable to act on faith and heal the boy.
Jesus turns his attention to the father who gives him more information on the boy’s history of seizures. The father says, “but if you are able to do anything, have pity on us and help us.” Jesus ministers to the father’s soul, by responding, “… All things can be done for the one who believes.” The father responds with, “I believe. Help my unbelief!” Mark 9:24
Jesus sees a crowd running towards them, and he works quickly to heal the boy, before they are surrounded. Jesus commands the spirit to leave the boy, to never enter him again!” Mark 9:25 The boy’s body convulses, the spirit cries out and leaves him for dead. Jesus takes the boy by the hand and helps him stand. The Christ of the Transfiguration took the hand of a young boy, healed him, and helped him to his feet. We too can be Transfigured when we allow Jesus to heal us.
How is this a perfect example of Jesus’ great reversals?
Day Five Read Mark 10
What must I do to inherit eternal life?
Mark 10:17-31
A man runs to Jesus and kneels before him. "…Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" “Why do you call me good? Only God is good.,” corrects Jesus. Most likely all rabbis would have responded the same way in Jesus. In answer to his question, Jesus runs through the familiar list of good works found in the Ten Commandments. Encouraged, the man responds that he has kept these since he was a boy. Jesus loved21 him and his heart is warmed, But Jesus challenged the young man, "You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, and follow me." Mark 10:21 Hoping that he could discover one more thing that would clench it for him, he was taken by surprise by the price of this commitment.
We can surmise that the rich young man was not satisfied with his life, even if he had been a good person and had scrupulously followed the Law of Moses. He instinctually knew there was more to life than all his wealth and goodness. Yet, he could not bring himself to do what Jesus required of him. He was "shocked and went away grieving" Mark 10:22 for he knew that he could not give up his wealth and his influence. He could not give up control of his life, for his wealth controlled him.
Jesus tells his disciples, declaring twice, How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! Mark 10:23 The choice between caring for wealth and caring for the things of God is a very difficult choice. The disciples do not understand Jesus’ response to this rich young man.
Peter began to say to him, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.”
Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for my sake and for the sake of the good news, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.” Mark 10:23-29
It was assumed that God blessed the wealthy, while were not bless. It was the believed that the poor were not because they had sinned against God, Jesus tells a parable, which is often misunderstood. It is easier for a camel to get through the eye of a needle than for a wealthy person to enter the kingdom of God. The disciples were disturbed at such a teaching, because it went against what they had been taught.
“Who can be saved then, ask the disciples?” Jesus response is simple. He looked at them and then said that persons cannot save themselves – they cannot get themselves into the Kingdom by their works. That is impossible. Only with God is it possible. With God all things are possible. The wealthy man thought he could save himself with wealth, power and influence. No wonder he was disappointed when Jesus told him to give it all up and follow him. I have encountered the powerful faith of marginal people, when I lived in Cuba. To us the burdens they carried were hopeless situations. I wondered how they could survive, and still express their joy in Christ. I witnessed "signs and wonders" when all resources for healing were non-existent. When I am back home, I rarely see it because we have medicine, health professionals, and options which aid our healing. Miracles are active in the healing, but we don’t see them. My conclusion is that when people are devoid of wealth, medicines, and can’t afford medical care, they see and feel God’s presence in Christ who heals their bodies and souls. They totally depend on God for all things, and thus miracles are revealed. Perhaps our dependency on wealth stuff shields us from "seeing" and experiencing God's marvelous works.
What do you believe you need to be or do in order to receive God’s miraculous power in your life and in the life of your congregation to be devoted disciples of Jesus Christ?
Jesus predicts his death and resurrection three times and they still don’t get it.
Mark 8:27-33; 9:30-32; 10:32-34
Jesus announces to his the disciples what will happen to Him as they travel to Jerusalem. In each of these passages, Jesus tells His . It is inevitable that he will undergo suffering and death, and after three days, rise again.
He wants to spend as much time as possible preparing his disciples what was in his Passion.
Why would Jesus resign himself to such a difficult outcome? Why would the “world” see this as foolish?
Being an authentic disciple is full of risks provoking controversy.
Do you recall when you and your congregation decided not to do an action for fear of causing controversy? What would have been the consequences if the action had been taken? “We don’t have enough money. People will leave the church.” Consider new actions and the rewards to be reaped in spite of the risks and controversies.
Jesus predicts his death and resurrection three times and they still don’t get it. Mark 8:27-33; 9:30-32; 10:32-34
Jesus announces to his the disciples what will happen to Him as they travel to Jerusalem. In each of these passages, Jesus tells His . inevitable that he will undergo suffering and death, and after three days, rise again. He wants to spend as much time as possible preparing his disciples for his Passion.
Why would Jesus resign himself to such a difficult outcome? Why would the “world” see this as foolish?
Being an authentic disciple is full of risk and draws controversy.
Do you recall when you and your congregation decided not to do an action for fear of causing controversy?
What would have been the consequences if the action had been taken? “We don’t have enough money. People will leave the church.” Consider new actions and the rewards to be reaped in spite of the risks and controversies.
So many of our educational methods assume that knowing the “facts” about Jesus or discipleship will serve us well – that stored knowledge implies great wisdom. However, Jesus teaches, that belief is more than knowing something – Belief is living it.
When there is to much ego
The matter of self-importance in the Kingdom of God returns in 9:33-37. The disciples are jockeying for positions of power. James and John approach Jesus privately and ask that Jesus do whatever they ask him to. They ask him to be placed in positions of power and influence in the new kingdom – John in one seat of honor to his right and James seated in the other seat of honor to his left. Jesus then speaks in Kingdom of God language. He tells the brothers that they do not know what they are asking, or rather, that the weight of responsibility may be too great for them to handle. "Are you able to drink the cup that I drink?" Self-assuredly, they answer, "We are able." Mark 10:39-40
When the other disciples hear that James and John are acting like opportunists, they become angry. So Jesus calls them all together to teach them a bit more about Kingdom living. He reminds his followers how the Gentiles lord it over them, (a veiled reference to the oppressive Romans and the Temple authorities), Jesus shares God’s way of understanding leadership. Greatness is defined by an attitude with acts with humility and servanthood. In today’s language Jesus models as a servant leader and he commands his disciples to be as well. In order to be greatest, one is to be slave of all. In order to be first, one must be last. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve others. Mark 10:45
To many, the teachings of Jesus makes absolutely no sense at all – especially the “great reversals”. The first shall be last? Those who would be greatest must be servant of all? Does that make sense?
The Reversals, How Jesus Turns the Tables
“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius for the day, he sent them into his vineyard.” At nine o’clock the landowner hires more workers for the same pay as the first pickers. Then he hired more pickers about noon and about three o’clock, he paid them the same. And about five o’clock he went out and found others… He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard.’ 8 When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.’ When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received a denarius. 10 Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received a denarius. 11 And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, But he answered them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius? … I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you… are you envious because I am generous?’,… Jesus answers his hearers, “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”, Matthew 20:1-20
How does this parable compare with how workers are paid today?
We give intellectual ascent to these teachings. However, do we actually apply them in our Christian living?
Read Matthew 5:5-9, from the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5-7.
Can you name examples when you have lived out any of these reversals? How about your congregation: have you initiated ministries that live out these reversals?
Give examples in your life and in the life of your congregation where faith was put into action and it made a real difference.
