“Navigating Life’s Storms with Mark” Week Four: Acts of a Disciple, Mark 7-10

“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 receive love.  When disciples live with Christ at the center of their lives, the oppressed are set free, sinners receive salvation, and the demoralized recover their 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 of Koinonia Farms, Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela, Gustavo and Joan Parajón, missionaries in Nicaragua, Archbishop of El Salvador, St Oscar Arnulfo Romero, María Cristina Gómez, Christian LAbor Leader in El Salvador, and the lits goes on ane on. There here are millions across the ages of unknown disciples who have transformed the world, living their faith. 

Discipleship comes with a price. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a Lutheran pastor in Nazi Germany. He was among the first of the clergy to opposed the Nazi regime and the rise of the  heretic “German” church, aligned with regiime, which led to the founding of the “Confessing Church,” declaring that the true church followed Christ and his teachings. He was a pacifist, and finally realized, that the only way to save Germany, was the join the conspiracy to assassinate Hitler. It cost him his life.

 From his book,“Discipleship, he writes: “When Christ calls a man [woman], he [her] bids him come and die.”

"Discipleship," is comentary of the Sermon on the Mount, was published in 1937. 

Bonhoeffer wrote, “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, thenthe 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.”

Following Jesus requires abandoning worldly attachments, dying to the “old man” [woman] self will, and submitting to the cross.

Christians who live “costly” grace may die in many ways, 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 and he calls us to follow him. We are Christ's body in the world. As Bonhoeffer says, the church is the only place in the world where Christ is “incarnate in the flesh." We are part of his body by imitating Him (WWJD). We are transformed when we live his way.

The Apostle Paul first coined the phrase, his greatest theological contribution, defining the earthly church: "Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread." 1 Corinthians 10:16

Mark tells of the time when Jesus returned to his home town Nazareth (Mark 6:1-6).  

Luke 4:16-30 better fleshes out the narrative, than Mark 6:1-6

On a Sabbath day he went to the synagogue “as was his custom.”  He was invited to read from prophet 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 to teach. His listeners knew him  since was a boy. “Isn’t he Joseph’s son,” they said. My, what a good preacher he is, as they…And they ”spoke well of him.”

Jesus shocked the assembly when he  applied Isaiah's prophesy to himself. He was the one to whom Isaiah was speaking of, that he was the Messiah, meaning "the anointed one," the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. Then Jesus stopped preaching and started “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 crossed into Lebanon, a foreign country. He, with the power of God, provided sustenance to a widow from Zarephath and her son, to survive until the rains returned. And he revived her son from certain death. 1 Kings 17:8-24

To make matters worse,  Jesus  reminded the elders from 2 Kings 5:1-19 in the time of the prophet Elisha about the enslaved Jewish girl, owned by the hated Syrian general, Naaman and how she told her master to go to Elisha who would tell him how he could be healed of his leprosy. Elisha told him to wash three times in the Jordan river and his leprosy would go away.  After Naaman was healed, 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 acted and 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 damned by God, who did not deserve God's grace.

Jesus reminded the Jewish leaders that they should follow the spirit of Torah 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 was asked by the religious leaders why his disciples did 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 tells them 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.  

The world expects the church to be about right acting, right thinking, and right feeling, but we often fail to live into God's kingdom. That’s why we get so much criticism about the church being full of 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. 

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

Jesus Ministers to the Rubbish of the World

"I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ." Paul to his beloved community in Philippi 3:8

 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 "He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. 34 Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” 35 And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. 36 Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one, but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. They were astounded beyond measure, saying, “He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”" Mark 7:32-37 

Why did Jesus order the people not the spread the word of this miracle worker?  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 people are astonished.  "He has done everything well…" 

His performing miracles is not the Kingdom of God. Rather, the miracles are the announcement that the Kingdom God has come near! 

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 old laws of the Jews, that if one had a disease, it was their fault, and therefore they had sinned. They were impure.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). 

The modern Jewish community reject the old laws. They know that disease responds to the science of medicine medicine  

The Second Feeding- The 4,000

"In those days when there was again a great crowd without anything to eat, he called his disciples and said to them, “I have compassion for the crowd because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. ... “How can one feed these people with bread here in the desert?” ....they distributed them to the crowd. 7 They had also a few small fish, and after blessing them he ordered that these, too, should be distributed. ...Now there were about four thousand people. And he sent them away. Mark 8:1-9

Compare this feeding with first one, the 5,000. Mark 6:34-44 

Why would Mark tell the same miracle twice? And the same thing with Jesus calming the storm (Mark 4:35-41 and 6:47-53? It would seem that Mark didn't need to repeat these narratives because the lessons are the same, or are they? What do you think? 

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 is 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.  

The Kingdom of God and Jesus’ Great Reversals

Re-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; that he would be rejected by the religious leaders and ultimately be killed.  The good news, though, is that he would rise again after 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 and the other disciples saw things through an earthly lense. Understanding the ways of God was beyond them.  

Peter wanted to protect the one he loved and followed. How was it possible that the disciples understood what Jesus was telling them this prophecy? This had never happened before in all creation. Besides, for centuries, the hope was that the Messiah would be a military ruler that would defeat the Roman empire and all oppressors and restore Isarel to the time of king Solomon.

 Jesus then calls together a crowd of people along with his disciples and teaches 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

Another Great Reversal

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?

We give intellectual ascent to these teachings.  However, do we actually apply them in our Christian living?  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?

 Re-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?

When have you experienced Greatness reaching down as a servant?

 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.  In the popular religion of the day, it is assumed that if one is wealthy it is because God has given them wealth as a blessing and a reward for right living. It was believed that the opposite was also true: if one is poor, it is because he/she because of their sin, or their parent's sin. 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 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.

“Navigating Life’s Storms with Mark” Week Five: Mark 11-13

The Transforming Power of the Good News, Text: Mark 11-13

Day One

Read Mark 11

Every Christian is responsible for pursuing his or her spiritual formation.  A congregation is also responsible for building the “infrastructure” over which people may travel on their spiritual journeys, but it is still the responsibility of each disciple to get in the car, turn the key, and drive.  A congregation may be responsible for making sure each new Christian is nourished and nurtured.  But the goal is to grow to the point where, as a disciple, a Christian can feed him or herself. Ultimately, our spiritual growth is between God and each disciple.  

We are to "walk the talk." Talking about a religious life without following up with action is worthless.  “Faith without works is dead.” James,2:14  

Actions are hollow, unless undergirded by the profound guidance of the spiritual life (1 Cor. 13:1-3).  Humankind is created in the  “the image of God” (Genesis 1:27). We are spiritual and physical beings.  From birth to death, we are on a spiritual quest to “know” God.  Acknowledging his own quest, St. Augustine stated in his Confessions, “You have made us for yourself and our hearts are restless until they rest in thee.”  This is why Paul appealed to the Roman communities to put first things first:     

 “I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect” Romans 12:1-2.

 Conforming to the Trends of This World

It is the most natural thing to do what is the most comfortable and the least disruptive.  We avoid conflict, controversy and change. The creation of God, is in constant flux and transformation.  From the beginning to this day, the universe continues to expand, as new galaxies and planets are born and the old ones implode and are no more.

All Creation, Including Humanity Must Change, or Else They Would Cease to Exist (Albert Einstein's  E=mc2).

List as many examples as you and your congregation can find  ways God has changed world.

Conforming to this world means that we acquiesce to the trends that come along without considering their consequences in our lives and in our Christian testimony.  That is why the writer of Ephesians admonishes the church in Ephesus not to be influenced by every spiritual fad that comes down the pike (Eph. 4:14-16).  We are living sacrifices, witnessing to the power and presence of Jesus Christ in all that we are and do.

The writer of 2 Timothy says it more concretely:

For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound teaching, but, having their ears tickled, (“itching ears,” KJV) they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. As for you, be sober in everything, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully. 2 Timothy 4:3-5

When was there a time when you or someone you know became a “living sacrifice”, witnessing to the power and presence of Jesus Christ in word and/or deed. 

Day Two

Read Mark 11:1-11

Before we get into the stories of Triumphal Entry and the Cleansing of the Temple, we need to understand who were his enemies?

Jesus’ Adversaries 

Jesus knew from the beginning of his ministry, who is adversaries were and who were conspiring to kill him. 

1. The Roman Empire 

The Roman Empire was the most powerful and ruthless political system in the ancient world. There was no democracy, no civil rights, and no courts. Dissent was crushed. 90% of the population was the labor force and did all the work by enriching the wealthy 10%. Many were slaves for life. Others were indentured servants and tenant farmers. The 90% paid exorbitant taxes while the 10%  paid none. To get ahead, the privileged bought titles and paid bribes for status and power. Rome maintained order for the empire to function. Jesus’ teachings and acts were considered seditious, intended to overthrow of the state. “For the sake of the nation, this Jesus must die.” (“Jesus Christ Superstar”)

2. The Pharisees

The Pharisees were an influential Jewish religious sect known for their strict adherence to the Torah, (the first five books of the Hebrew scriptures) and its many moral and pious restrictions. They separated themselves from other Jews to defending their spiritual purity. They expected the people to fulfill 613 laws. When the people failed  they were sinners and were rejected by God. 

To win God’s favor, they had to atone for their sins at the Temple by purchasing sacrificial animals at high prices, in order to sacrifice them to get right with God. The Pharisees ran the animal markets and managed the funds, which they often stole from.

3. The Sadducees

The Sadducees were an aristocratic priestly sect who controlled the Temple in Jerusalem. They also skimmed the money collected from the purchases of sacrificial animals. They were politically influential with the Romans. The Sadducees didn’t believe in the resurrection of the dead as the Pharisees did. They squabbled with each other with esoteric arguments.

 4. The Herodians

The Herodians were a Jewish political faction who supported the Herodian dynasty, favoring collaboration with Rome for political stability and power. They opposed Jesus, viewing him as a threat to their interests, and twice conspired with the Pharisees to kill him. They followed the legacy of Herod the Great who tried to kill Jesus in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:16-18) but instead slaughtered the innocents. Herod Agrippa, his son, beheaded John the Baptist (Mark 6:27-28), and handed Jesus over to Pilate to be executed).

The Triumphal Entry

When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, (where he stayed with Mary, Marha, and Lazarus, John 12) near the Mount of Olives,… Then they brought the colt to Jesus… and he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches…. Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! (“Save us. Please deliver us”).  Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!  Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” Mark 11-9-10

"Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple, and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve." Mark 11:11

 Jesus Curses the Fig Tree

“On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see whether perhaps he would find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it.” Mark 11:12-14

 Jesus Cleanses the Temple

“Then they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling and those who were buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves, and he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. He was teaching and saying, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’ But you have made it a den of robbers,”

"And when the chief priests and the scribes heard it, they kept looking for a way to kill him, for they were afraid of him because the whole crowd was spellbound by his teaching. And when evening came, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city." Mark 11:15-19

 The Lesson from the Withered Fig Tree

In the morning as they passed by, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. Then Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.”  Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God., Truly I tell you, if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and if you do not doubt in your heart but believe that what you say will come to pass, it will be done for you. So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. ‘Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses’, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:20-25

 The political and religious authorities were threatened by what Jesus had done. They feared Rome would take away their privileges. In 161 BCE, Rome agreed to the Jews that they would ninterfere in their worship, their traditions, and to pray and sacrifice Temple, as long as they would nor rebel to the empire, and keep the people in line. They feared that the mere existence of Jesus, his teachings, and acts would provoke the Romans to remove their privileges. The consequences would destroy the Jewish nation and their the practice of their religion.

Thirty years later, a Jewish Revolt broke out in 66 CE. Rome had had enough with these rebellious upstarts. The brutal and deranged Emperor Nero was on the throne . Emperor Vespasian succeeded him. The Temple was demolished in 70 CE. The massive stones of the Temple were reduced to the size of stpnes. The pillaged treasure from the Temple financed the construction of the Coliseum in Rome in 72 CE. Temple leaders were slaughtered and the survivors fled North to Galilee, and Antioch in Syria. Judaism survived with synagogues, local prayer houses. Rabbis became the local teachers and the was decentralized. Instead of Temple, synagogues became the places where God and His laws were taught. God was no longer the only present in the Holy of Holies in the Temple.

 Jesus prophesized the destruction of the Temple

As he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!” Then Jesus asked him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.” Mark 13:1-2 

John' gospel records the same prophecy about 20 to 40 years after the destruction of the Temple.

“Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking of the temple of his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.” John 2:19-22

 However, we Easter people know how this drama is going to play out. The Triumphal entry is the beginning of Passion week and only Jesus knew what was coming. 

Now, with the Triumphal Entry in mind let’s look at the parable of the fig tree.  Mark brackets the parable of fig tree with the cleansing of the Temple with first half (Mark 11:12-14) and after the cleansing with the second half (Mark 11:20-25). What is Jesus’ message? What is He trying to say to us?

The condemning of the fig tree is an allegory. The fig tree represents Israel as the chosen people as long as they remain faithful to God. In the New Age, God establishes a New Covenant and chose the Church, as body of  Christ on earth.

“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 cursed the fruitless fig tree, as Israel is chastened by God for their disobedience. Israel being chosen by God was no arbitrary decision. Ever since the rebellion in the desert following the flight from Egypt, God had been patient for centuries with Israel. Time and again God confronted the nation for sinning against God. He punished them and exiled them twice. He loved them and restored them once they repented of their sin. 

In what ways is the fig tree like the nation of Israel or like ours? With the cursing of the fig tree, what was Jesus trying to say?

In what ways do you think the Church today is like the fig tree and like the nation of Israel?  In what ways do you think the Church is different?

Day Three 

Kairos vs Chronos

As in everyone’s life, there always comes a time when there is a moment in time!  A time is a sgnificant moment. It is Kairos, a moment of great significance. Chronos is linear time, one we measure on our watches.  

“….you know what time it is, how it is already the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; 12 the night is far gone; the day is near. Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light;…” Romans 13:11-12

 IT WAS TIME! There was no time for repentance and new beginning. There was no time to wait on the fig tree to bear fruit.  There was no time to wait on the keepers of the temple to decide to get their act together, clean up the Court of the Gentiles and make it ready for newcomers.  God’s offer of transformation had come. God’s kingdom was NOW! The urgency of God’s Kingdom had superseded all time from the past.   

Congregations need to take this warning seriously.  God will not abandon His plan.  As this scripture so disturbingly illustrates, God will chasten an unfaithful people and choose another to convey His truth and grace.

 It is folly to think that God’s kingdom will come with our part-time, half-hearted efforts.  The time is now (Kairos)! God’s transforming power is at hand. Let the church lose its life to self and gain Christ.

What does an unfaithful people or church look like? 

Day Four

Read Mark 12

To be Transformed, One must Turn Around - Metanoia

Jesus Christ is our change-agent. He is the model, the first prototype.   He redeems and restores us.  Daily we die to ourselves as we are born again in Christ (Rom. 14:7-8; 1 Cor. 15:31).  John Wesley’s theology of grace hinges on the notion that as God's image, you and I reflect that image as a mirror to the world in order to redeem it.  According to Wesley, through God’s grace, we become co-participants in the redemption and creation of the world.  How great is God’s confidence in us! 

 The Works of Piety

Over 250 years ago, the Wesley brothers organized the Holy Club at Oxford University and encouraged its members to be accountable to one another.  They prayed, led in Bible study, and met for Christian conferencing or conversation.  The corresponding action was mission ministry.  The disciplines of prayer, Bible study, and meditation practiced works of piety.  To be pious, meant that one was to be holy, or separated for the performance of special acts for God and humanity.

The Works of Mercy

Ionas an expression of their faith.  They visited the physically and mentally ill. They prayed with the condemned and accompanied them to the gallows.  As the Methodist revival took root, new mission institutions were founded and funded with “apportionments” from the societies.  Sunday Schools, orphanages, women’s shelters, health clinics, and senior homes were established as an outgrowth of the works of piety.  They uttered the prophetic call to eliminate slavery and alcohol abuse. John Wesley took seriously James’ admonition,  

“For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead (James 2:26).

The genius of the Wesley brother's theology of practical Christianity was the intentional balance in the faith and practice of the Gospel.  The laity were encouraged and trained for ministry through evangelization and mission.  Wesley knew that this balance for the individual Christian and the church must be maintained, if the mission was to succeed. 

Jesus’ adversaries try to trick him into making a political choice with Caesar's coin

Mixing religion and politics can have combustible consequences, in our time as it was during Passover in Jerusalem during Jesus’ time. The city was choked with thousands of pilgrims from all over the Roman Empire. As a precaution, of possible outbreaks,  Governor Pontious Pilate increased the number of soldiers in the Antonia Fortress, built by Herod the Great. Pilate’s orders were to maintain order, at any cost.

Since the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, his message and actions provoked the status quo of his adversaries. Early in Jesus’ ministry found in, in Mark’s third chapter (Mark 3:6), Jesus is threatened for the first of many times with death. And the threats increased as Jesus “set his face towards Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51). 

Then they sent to him some Pharisees and some Herodians to trap him in what he said. And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere and show deference to no one, for you do not regard people with partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with truth. 

Jesus’ adversaries try to trick him to commit treason against Rome

Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?” But knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why are you putting me to the test? Mark 12:14

"Bring me a denarius and let me see it.” And they brought one. Then he said to them, “Whose head is this and whose title?” Mark 12:15

They answered, “Caesar’s.” Jesus said to them, “Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were utterly amazed at him. Mark 12:16-17

Jesus turns the tables on his adversaries making them believe that he is neutral, when in fact he does give a definitive answers. Because the Hebrew scriptures and the tradition of the Jews makes it clear that, God is the Creator of the world, and thus owns everything in Creation.

"The earth is the LORD’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it, ... Psalms 24:1

What are the first and second commandments?

One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” 29 Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; 30 you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:28-31 

In a few brief words, Jesus reduced the 613 of the Pharisaic laws into two. So when he responds to his adversaries that he came to fulfill the law, not to destroy it, these two that were to be fulfilled by his disciples, across the ages to follow. The first one, he quoted from Deuteronomy 6:4-5: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD is our God, the LORD alone.,You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 

The second law is found in Leviticus 19:18: "You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD."

Jesus wasn't saying anything new. He was quoting from the Torah, the first five books of the Hebrew scriptures. He was quoting laws that his hearers already knew. The first one is the Shema, the creed that all Jews declare at their mother's breast.

The difference between belief and unbelief in relation to Jesus and the Kingdom has now become clearer because of the Jesus’ acts and teachings before and including the cleansing of the Temple. It is about love – love for God and love for neighbors.  It is about a love, which involves soul, mind, and strength.  It is about Jesus and the transformation, which he offers to us. He offers us Metanoia. He wants us to "turn around," the literal Greek meaning of the word. He wants to turn from our old ways to our new ways in Christ. He is offering us Salvation from our sins. This is what his purpose was, when he came to earth

 Read Mark 12:38-40.  Jesus warns religious hypocrites who say one thing but do another.  What is that warning?

“Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces 39 and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! 40 They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.” Mark 12:38-40 

 The Widow's Mite 

"He sat down opposite the treasury and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums."Mark 12:41

"A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” Mark 12:42-44

Jesus' skill as a teacher was to contrast people between the genuine and the hypocritical; the true and the false. Those who gave out of their showy abundance were hypocritical because they gave making sure that the public saw what they gave. By doing so, they believed that they were favored by God. 

In contrast, the poor widow, gave two copper coins to God, worth a day's wage. She made the ultimate sacrifice, denying herself her daily bread.

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." Matthew 5:5-6

How much are you willing to give where it hurts? 

There are times when it’s important to get things absolutely right. (Mark 12:28-34).  God was doing a new thing. Therefore the question was very appropriate. Which commandment of the 613 commandments in the Torah is first of all?  As the church lives toward God’s dream of a kingdom come “on earth as it is in heaven,” what is absolutely essential for living as a Christian community?  Love God, says Jesus, and love your neighbor as yourself.  

What does it mean to you to give all you have to give and hold nothing back for the sake of the Kingdom of God?

 Day Five

Read Mark 13

Teaching about the end of the age

Mark 13 is known as “the little apocalypse," "the little revelation" a brief description which is later recorded in the book of Revelation. Mark was written during this time. New Testament scholars believe the "little apocalypse" is Mark's narrative of the  events of the faithful, suffering great persecution when the Roman army sacked Jerusalem and destroyed the Temple.  

Jesus feels a sense of urgency as his time is running out.

Everything Jesus does early in Holy Week is calculated to invite the nation to believe in him and his mission.  They choose not to! It is always chilling to realize that religious people were in the forefront of the ranks of Jesus’ enemies.  You can image the Roman authorities set against him and even the politicians.  But Jesus’ enemies were able to win the day because of the support of the religious community. 

This chapter can be seen in terms of Jesus’ instruction to his disciples to not let their guard down.  He is also specific about what they should guard against. They should, for instance, guard against undue trust in the trappings of religion.  

They were also warned against trusting religious leaders just because they were religious leaders. They are not to trust everyone who claims to be the Messiah. (Mark 13:5-13). 

Sometimes in the church those who are appointed to lead are not those whom God anoints to lead!  Be alert, we are told.  Be alert and be discerning is the message of Mark 13. 

 In all times, however, witnessing to the transforming power of God through Jesus Christ is essential and required of those who will be faithful. In all times we are to trust God to use us so long as we are totally surrendered. 

“When they bring you to trial and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you at that time, for it is not you who speak but the Holy Spirit.” Mark 13:11

Mark, chapters 13 and 14 do not hold out great encouragement for “triumphalism” or for “prosperity” Christianity. The descriptions sends chills up our spine. The “urgency” of the Kingdom of God supercedes all else: be ready – there are no excuses. This is why Mark mentions immediately 41 times in his gospel.

We should remember that something of what Jesus is describing has happened and is happening to Christians today. Persecutions, false teachers, and natural disasters are not elements of some future age.  They are happening now.  Any serious understanding of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus must take account of these possibilities occurring in our walk with the Lord.  We are not immune from any of this.

Yet the situation is not hopeless.  Our calling as Christians is to be faithful and by staying alert.  There are no “quick fixes” for us.  There are no charismatic leaders who will solve the world’s problems without struggle and suffering.  To be on our guard and to be faithful in all things is the most important testimony to the transforming power of the gospel that there is. What we are called to do is to follow Jesus, to take up our cross and follow him day by day.  Through faith we know that God will raise us to new life in Christ Jesus.  As we die to all to which he died, we shall live to all to which he rose!  In the meantime, stay alert and to God be the glory!

 The task before the church today is to be apostolic to be a missionary church, focusing on Christ and in her outreach to the lost. That outreach will need to take notice of changes that the church must enact to win a hearing from contemporary people and alleviate suffering for those in need. 

What kind of changes does your congregation need to make to attract our contemporary people.

Navigating Life's Storms with the Gospel of Mark, Week Six, Mark 14-16

Day One

Read Mark 14

The Holy Spirit Birthed the Church

On the day of Pentecost, faithful Jews from across the world were in Jerusalem celebrating God’s giving of the Law to Moses on Mount Sinai.  Jesus’ disciples were together.  They had prayed since Jesus’ resurrection and the Passover: “And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49).

 The motivating force that changed the disciples of Jesus into apostles for Christ was Jesus’ resurrection and ascension into heaven.  He reminded Andrew and Philip “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit” (John 12:22b). 

Jesus died on the Cross and was resurrected to redeem humankind, yet he died so that the Holy Spirit could come in power for humankind. “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will be done”  (Matthew 21:20b).

 The mighty wind and tongues of fire, followed by the utterance of unknown tongues, signaled the arrival of the Holy Spirit. On that day the disciples took to the streets proclaiming Christ crucified and resurrected in languages they could not normally speak to people they did not know from all over the known world – and the people understood what was said!  Indeed, Peter was empowered to preach a sermon that added 3000 disciples to their number in one day! The Holy Spirit radically transformed the way the disciples understood Jesus’ ministry among them and transformed the disciples into apostles – those sent to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Acts 2:1-36 

 “When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.” Acts 2:1-4

 Only seven weeks prior to Peter’s powerful sermon, when 3,000 pilgrims accepted the resurrected Lord. They were the Feast Pentecost, remembering when Moses delivered the Ten Commandments to the children of Israel. Then, Peter had huddled before a fire in a courtyard unwilling to even admit that he knew Jesus, let alone follow and die for him as a disciple for three years.

Preparation for Death

Read Mark 14: 1-9.  It is Tuesday evening – two days before the beginning of the eighth day of the Passover celebration, and Jesus is in Bethany at the home of Simon the leper sitting at a table with Simon and Jesus’ disciples.

 A woman come in the door with a very expensive alabaster jar of ointment. Jesus’ anoints head. The men expressed indignation because her actions were wasteful. She could have sold the ointment and given the money to the poor.  

 Jesus understood this woman’s act as devotion and love. “Let her alone; why do you trouble her? ”She has preformed a good service for me.”  Mark 14:6,  “She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for its burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.” Mark 14-8-9  The disciples still did not understand. Soon they will understand. 

 Now read Mark 14:12–26.  The day has come when preparations are made for the traditional Passover meal, the seder, of lamb, bitter herbs, unleavened bread, and wine. This would be the last time Jesus would eat with his disciples. This hallowed meal is a time of looking back, as a time of remembering, and what was to come.    Passover is recorded in Exodus 12.  It is the story of the liberation of the children of Israel from slavery in Egypt. 

 In Mark’s gospel, Jesus speaks of the Covenant God had with the Jewish people in which God promised to love them.  Now Jesus is telling his disciples that his life’s blood replaces the Old Covenant with a New Covenant for everyone (not just the Jews).  Do the disciples understand? Will they remember?  Do we understand the significance of this for the Church today? Do we remember when we observe Holy Communion?   

Too often, when we “remember,” it is not the new thing that God is creating that we remember.  Instead, we remember the “good old days” when the church was filled to overflowing, when the church was stronger, when all we had to do was open the doors and people would come streaming in because Rev. So-and-so was the pastor and the church was flourishing because of him/her. 

Rather, it is during Holy Communion when we are asked to remember the love Christ has for all people, those inside and outside the church walls.  It is when we remember the sacrifice Jesus made for us and the world, to redeem us and free us from the slavery of sin and death.  

“While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it.  He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” Mark 14:22-25

 “Do not remember the former things or consider the things of  old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth; do you not perceive it?” Isaiah 43:18-19

 What does it mean to remember Christ when we celebrate Holy Communion (the Eucharist, which means the Lord’s supper) with our Community of Faith? 

 What does this “remembering” have to do with your congregation becoming a healthy, effective, thriving church?

Day Two

Committed to God’s Will

Read Mark 14: 32 – 42. “When they had sung a hymn they went to the Mount of Olives.” Mark 14:26-27. Sorrow and grief encompassed the scene, as Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus is deeply grieved. “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.” (NIV) or “My soul is exceedingly sad (overwhelmed with grief) so that it almost kills me!”  (Amplified Bible) Mark 14:34.

Jesus cries out to God, “Abba,” “Daddy”. It will not be what Jesus wants, but what his Father wants. Jesus who once stood high on the mountain in the light of his transfiguration is now thrown to the ground in the night. He is committed to doing his Father’s will but it is not going to be easy. How hard it is for Jesus! Do you think he might understand why it is sometimes hard for us? 

 Jesus asks three disciples to come with him, to stay awake and to watch. Jesus asks for prayer and spiritual support. What do they do? They fall asleep. Not once, but three times Jesus finds them sleeping! Humanly, it is easy to understand – after all, it is about 2:00 a.m.  But Jesus is struggling. He is wrestling and his closest friends are sleeping. 

 Jesus understands his disciples very well. He says, “Keep awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Mark 14:38.   They were speechless and by their actions show they are clueless as to what is to happen to their master.  The third time he returns to find them sleeping, he tells them that “the hour has come; the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.” Mark 14:41 

 Disciples of all times and places are challenged to be watching, waiting, and praying so that when the hour comes they are ready.  His commands, “Enough!” and “Get up,” are wake up calls to us as well as to the disciples.  

 What would “Enough!” and “Get up!” mean in the context of your congregation?  

 Read Mark 14:53–65. Jesus is betrayed by Judas Iscariot, captured, and taken to a late-night illegal trial of the religious court, the Sanhedrin. There was conflicting testimony. The false witnesses do not agree to what Jesus had said. According to the law, Jesus could be set free. “A single witness shall not suffice to convict a person of any crime or wrongdoing . . . Only on evidence of two or three witnesses shall a charge be sustained.” (Deuteronomy 19:15) There should have been no condemnation! 

 Then the high priest asks, “Are you the Messiah?” He answers, “I AM and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power’ and ‘coming with the clouds of heaven.’” Mark 14:62. Jesus’ declaration to the Sanhedrin could not have been clearer. Up to that point, Jesus kept his true identity secret. This was the Kairos moment. His true mission and purpose for coming to earth is revealed.

 Jesus could have chosen to remain silent and he would have been set free. However, on his own testimony, he is condemned.

 The leaders react to this blasphemy by tearing their clothes.  No man can make these claims without offending God, they said. There is no need for a witness, as the accused has witnessed against himself.  The call for the decision is made.  The vote for recommending the death penalty is unanimous.  Tomorrow, Jesus will be handed over to the Roman governor execute the condemned. Only could the Romans could.

 Now read Mark 14:29–31 andMark 14: 66–72. Many of us can relate to Peter—the first disciple called, the first disciple to proclaim Jesus as Messiah, and the one who assures Jesus he will never deny him. And what does Peter do? For starters, he sleeps in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus even calls him by name—Simon! We can almost hear Jesus saying, “Not you, Peter. You just told me to count on you!” Again, Peter snores with the other two. 

 Contrast Jesus before the court with Peter standing in the courtyard. Peter denies knowing Jesus, not once, but three times! Even as Jesus is being accused of being a false prophet, one of his prophecies is being realized. How quick are we to deny our discipleship when we are threatened? How many of us are willing to deny our discipleship when issues of justice challenge the privileged life we enjoy?

 Think about Jesus’ commitment to follow his Father’s will.

Why did Jesus choose to obey God, even at great personal sacrifice?

Who are we in these passages? When do we sleep when God calls upon us to be awake? When do we deny Jesus?

·Are we always in all circumstances willing to be identified as a follower of Jesus Christ?

Day Three

Read Mark 15

The Cost of Commitment

Focus on Mark 15:16 – 37.     After confirming the decision of the previous evening, Jesus is handed over to the Roman procurator, Pontious Pilate, who served in the province of Judea under the imperial legate of Syria from 26 to 36 A.D.  Mark never refers to Pilate as governor, and yet his role is understood as such.  His reputation for cruelty and mercilessness is recorded in history because of his methods of putting down a number of rebellions.  Yet Mark paints Pilate in a more compassionate light than Jesus’ accusers.

 Jesus is put through a second trial. “As soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” He answered him, “You say so.” Then the chief priests accused him of many things. Pilate asked him again, “Have you no answer? See how many charges they bring against you.” But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed.” Mark 15:1-5 

Pilate’s question is different from the one asked by the High Priest Caiaphas. Was Jesus revealing his true identity here, while veiling it to unbelievers? The chief priests confront Pilate with many accusations without substantiating evidence that Jesus was subverting the state.  When asked again, Jesus is silent.  Pilate reminds Jesus of the many charges against him. He refuses to defend himself.  The governor is amazed at Jesus’ silence. Pilate does not understand this and wonders why this man will not attempt to save his own life. 

Pilate condemns Jesus to be crucified, even though he knew he was innocent according to Roman law. Yet, his top priority as the Roman governor was to maintain order.

Jesus is sent outside of the Jerusalem walls, to Golgotha, the “place of the skull.” It was the city’s smoldering dump. It was Gehenna, to hell. What a contrast of Jesus’ triumphal entry a week ago. 

Throughout Mark, Jesus cast out demons, healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, and hearing and speech to the deaf. He raised people from the dead. He used his power over nature to calm the seas and feed the multitude. Jesus did these things because of people’s faith. Will they at the cross now believe?

Jesus is mocked by the mob and the soldiers. His disciples had deserted him. It seemed that his Father had also. He is totally abandoned and alone. Except for the women:

“There were also women looking on from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome, who followed him when he was in Galilee and ministered to him, and there were many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem.” Mark 15:40-41

It seemed that even his Father had abandoned him. Jesus on the cross is fully human and experiences human suffering like other humans. He could have avoided going to Jerusalem. He could have left the Garden of Gethsemane and never return. He could have saved himself at the trial before the council. He could have saved himself at the trial before Pilate. 

But he didn’t. Why? That is the mystery of our faith.

Paul gives us several answers:

 “I have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:19b-20

“We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, so we might no longer be enslaved to sin.” Romans 6:6

 “…when he forgave us all our trespasses, erasing the record that stood against us with its legal demands. He set this aside, nailing it to the cross.” Colossians 2:13b-14

 Is this a cry of abandonment? Persons who were sick and suffering had recited this psalm for centuries. Jesus is now claiming this same Psalm. The psalm begins as a cry of anguish, moves to a psalm of remembering God’s help in former times, continues with a prayer for healing and deliverance, and concludes with a hymn of praise. Jesus knows human pain! His disciples and followers are gone. In agony, alone, and using a psalm of hope, in spite of current circumstances, he continues to remain connected to God. 

 Read Mark 15:38 – 39. You may recall that Mark described the heavens being torn open at Jesus’ baptism the same way the temple curtain is now torn at Jesus’ death. The Temple was seen as the place where God dwells on earth and a copy of God’s heavenly temple. Mark’s vision is that the boundary of heaven and earth is like a curtain. The tearing of the heavens and the tearing of the Temple curtain are connected in Mark’s vision. The tearing of the heavens occurs at the beginning and at the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry.

 Jesus has replaced the high priest of the old religious order. In the old order, only the high priest could enter the most sacred place behind the curtain where God resided, the Holy of Holies. Now there is no boundary. The curtain is torn. God is with us. We are not separated from God.

What was proclaimed in both the beginning and the end? Jesus Christ is the Son of God!  Mark proclaims this in his introduction to the gospel and it is proclaimed at Jesus’ baptism by the voice from heaven.  And then the centurion proclaims this at the cross. The baptism is the foreshadowing of the cross. 

The cross confirms the baptism. Paul understood this in his letter to the church in Rome. Paul writes, “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?” (Romans 6:3) Just as God claims us at our baptism, so God claims us and restores us to right relationship through the crucifixion of Jesus on the cross.

At the foot of the cross the centurion, a Roman soldier, recognizes that something unusual has happened. We can assume he has seen many crucifixions in his service to Rome. Finally someone understands—not the disciples, not the women standing at a distance—but a Roman soldier. The truth has been told throughout Mark but now it can be understood. Not until Jesus dies does the soldier truly understand who Jesus is.

Now when the centurion who stood facing him saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!” Mark 15:39

Jesus died about 3:00 in the afternoon, having hung on the cross only 6 hours.  Jesus is buried on Friday afternoon at around 4:30 in a stone cript, by Joseph pf Arimathea, just prior to sundown and the start of the Sabbath.  Joseph is a respected member of the Sanhedrin, and one who waited expectantly for the kingdom of God.   John 19:38-39 reveals that Joseph and Nicodemus (another Sanhedrin member) are secret followers of Jesus.  Luke 23:50-51 records that Joseph had not consented to Jesus’ death.  Because the Sabbath was arriving, Jesus’ body must be buried according to the Law.  Knowing this, Joseph made his urgent appeal to Pilate.  The governor was surprised that Jesus died so soon.  He was skeptical, and wanted proof against the possibility that Joseph was rescuing a condemned man.  Once a centurion confirmed that Jesus was dead, Pilate released the body to Joseph.

Consider what the suffering and dying of Jesus on the cross means to you.

Do you really understand what it means to be loved by God? 

Do you really grasp this love that is so strong that nothing can separate us from it? 

Do you really experience this love of a relentless God who pursues us into all our hiding places? 

What is it that holds us back from committing to this love? 

 Day Four

Read Mark 16

Is This the End or the Beginning?

Read Mark 16: 1 – 8.  Two of the women, who witnessed Jesus’ crucifixion and saw where Jesus was buried, return early Sunday, just as the sun was dawning, with spices and oils to properly prepare Jesus’ body.  Normally, after death, a body was anointed with oils such as myrrh and nard as a part of the burial rites. Remember the woman who anointed Jesus’ head with expensive oils in Mark 14:1 – 9. Jesus remarked, “… she has anointed my body beforehand for its burial.” Having no knowledge of a resurrection, they expect to see Jesus as they had seen him last — dead. They are concerned about moving the heavy granite stone sealing the tomb, only to discover that the stone has already been rolled back.

At the entrance of the tomb, there is a young man wearing a white robe, presumably an angel (messenger).  They are “alarmed.”  The young man identifies the one who was buried here, and announces he is raised and not here.  And if there is any doubt, he tells the women to look and see that the shelf where they laid him is empty.  Then he commands the women to tell the disciples and Peter, their leader, that he will go ahead of them and meet them in Galilee.  There he will be seen, just as Jesus has promised.  

Mark’s focus is not on who is in the tomb, but on who is not in the tomb. Jesus is not there. Still not seeing Jesus dead or resurrected, … they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. Mark 16:8.

They are afraid. But it is not the kind of fear we associate with terror, but with awe, amazement, and the unexplainable.  Their fear, their overwhelming awe resulted in flight and silence.  

And that is the end of Mark’s story. 

 “Wait a minute!  Hold on! What kind of ending is that?” The message that Jesus is raised and is truly the Son of God is finally ready to be told to the world. What do the women do with the message? They run away in fear! Do they tell anyone?  What happens next?  That is not much of an ending. As far as Mark is concerned, he told the story. Everything is wrapped up — Jesus is the Son of God. This was revealed from the beginning of the gospel. Mark let us in on the news, but the people in the gospel did not understand this. It was hidden, but now all is revealed at the cross and the empty tomb. What we do with the story is up to us. Do we proclaim it by living it, or do we run away in fear?

 This unresolved end challenges us. Bible scholars argue that Mark’s gospel ends at 16:8.  Two additions are added later, a shorter and longer one.  Jesus appears to his disciples in the shorter addition (16:8b).  The longer addition includes three more appearances (vs. 9-20).  Language syntax and rough editing indicate these additions were written by manuscript copiers and editors.  What does your Bible notes say about the additional endings? 

 We do not like unresolved endings. Mark may have deliberately chosen to close his story with verse 8. What happens next is your story of faith and belief. What happens next is the Church’s story of commitment and faithfulness.  Will you stand with the centurion at the cross and proclaim the truth? Or will you stand in the distance in fear and disbelief? Will you commit yourself to follow Jesus, looking forward to what is to come or will you look back at what once was?

Consider how to end Mark’s story.

What will you do with the news that Jesus is the Son of God?How will you choose to live your life, knowing what has been revealed about Jesus?

During all of our lives as believers and actors with Jesus, we have never seen him, yet we believe in Him. How do we confirm that Jesus is Resurrected Eternal Lord, from the past, the present and into the future—forever?

How do those who don’t know Him discover Him? 

Today, there are about 2.26 billion Christians, 32% of 7.3 billion people in the world. How did they find out that, “Jesus is Lord?”

Day Five

What Difference Will Commitment Make?

 Commitment is a tough word. It isn’t always comfortable to be tied down or obligated.  But throughout our lives, we do make commitments to belong to something or someone.  At some point we commit to a career path and sometimes that involves committing to attend the appropriate school for training. We may commit resources to buying a car or a house. Most commit themselves to another person in marriage and to children that are born to that union.  

There are different ways to understand commitment.  Commitment can be thought of as an obligation or duty.  Or we can use words like dedicated, steadfast, or faithful – words that apply to Jesus’ understanding of his mission to do the will of his Father. The one we follow – the one we are called to emulate – was the very embodiment of God’s Grace.  

What do think you might regret if you took up Jesus’ call to “Follow me”? What do you think your congregation would miss out on if, corporately, she faithfully gave herself to being a missional church?  

On the other hand, what would be easier to bear if you were able to commit to living under the authority of Christ? What difference will this commitment make in your life? 

Jesus knows how very difficult this commitment will be for us. Think back over this study. Jesus knew how hard the road would be from the River Jordan to Golgotha. There would be high moments on the mountain and low moments in the garden. Through it all Jesus found his strength in God’s presence. 

The cost of following Jesus is high (Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship). You may have to rethink your priorities or rearrange your schedule.  Your congregation may have to live through the difficulty of change (metanoia, transformation). You may even have to suffer.  However, in both the joy and the suffering is a promise, one that God will never break¾the promise of God’s love and God’s presence with us. 

Why is Mark such an urgent gospel?

What is God urgently calling you and/or your congregation to do right now? 

Church historians refer to the growth of the church during the first three centuries as the Apostolic Era.   They claim it ended when Christianity was legalized in 313 AD by Emperor Constantine. The simplicity and inclusiveness of the early Christians, men and women ministers, was replaced by an imperial, autocratic Church whose power was controlled by a priestly, hierarchical, male clergy, teaching autocratic doctrines. 

Nevertheless, the Church has nurtured saints, martyrs, missionaries, and prophets across the centuries. When believers have allowed themselves to be empowered by the Holy Spirit and motivated to do the mighty works of God. Even when the church succumbed to  anti-Christian acts, such as the  abuses of the European Inquisition, the many religious wars between Christians, and the burning of the “witches” in Massachusetts, God raised up reformers and prophets. Consider  Martin Luther, John and Charles Wesley, Martin Luther King, Jr,  Dietrich Bonhoeffer, St. Oscar Romero, and Maria Cristina Gozalez, as Sermon of the Mount Christians. 

And Catholic mystics such as Francis of Assisi, St. Theresa of Avila, Julian of Norwich, and St. John of the Cross. 

The power of renewal comes when courageous people of faith listen and follow that “still small voice,” and go out to renew the faith and offer Christ who saves the world, again and again. Thus, the Church shall live, even until the end of the age.

Hope resides in the Church of Jesus Christ because of his people. As the communion liturgy sums it: 

We live in a time when Christianity in America is experiencing the renewal and revival. We also live in a time when the way of Christ is being challenged by oppressive forces.  Non-churched people are seeking to express  their spirituality in search of the Divine.  What will they find when they come knocking on your church’s door?  What do you think you will find when you go knocking on their door?  Make no mistake; the question is not, Is God calling me and our church to be missional?  The question for you and your church to answer is; How will I and how will we respond to God’s call?

In closing, we come back to where Mark began—Mark pointedly directs disciples, us included, to see the Risen Messiah in the place he lives  in his gospel, as a response to “chaos in the wilderness” .  It is here that we begin the path and we will continue the walk through the wilderness and over the stormy chaos of the sea, that we claim for Christ “the world as our parish” (Wesley).

The liturgy of the holy communion summarizes our call and the call of the church:

 “Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here,
and on these gifts of bread and wine. Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ, that we may be for the world the body of Christ, redeemed by his blood.”

Consider where God is calling you or your church (or both).  What step of commitment do you need to make?