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.
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