Betrayal

Mark 14:32-72
This is a long passage and filled with such significant events, it is really hard to not spend hours on this, but I will only mention one thing that strikes me today (other things will be relevant at other times). Without diminishing the role of Jesus in this portion of the Gospel, I want to focus my attention on 2 "supporting roles" in the narrative. Judas & Peter.

Judas makes it known to all that he knows Jesus by kissing Him and greeting Him. Peter denies he knows Jesus - even to the point of calling down curses. What a contrast.

But the contrast is summed up simply in verse 72: "And he (Peter) broke down and wept."

I wonder how many times in my life I am more than willing to publicly acknowledge Jesus with a kiss while I'm actually betraying Him. I wonder how many times I am brought to tears by my own sinfulness and betrayal. I'm afraid the answer is not all that pretty...

I need to break down and weep a little more often at my own falleness while allowing Christ's grace and forgiveness to take me in my brokeness and embrace me. This is one of the most difficult places (and yet the most holy place) to be. It involves honesty with myself and God. May you find that place of honesty in your walk with Jesus.

Under the Mercy,
Jason

Love God; Love People

Mark 12:28-44
I just watched "Jesus" get through to Hollywood on American Idol...that has to be the greatest irony I've ever seen!

As I read this passage, I also have fresh in my mind the Inauguration. Barack Obama inspired the nation (me at least) to step out and make a difference.

I wonder if Jesus could inspire the nation with His words, "Love God and love people"? Could He bring the best out of the nation by telling them about a poor woman giving out of her poverty? Could we truly hear from Jesus what it would take to make a difference? That's what Jesus did for the disciples when He told them that all of the commandments could be summarized and obeyed by loving God and loving people.

This is what Terra Nova is all about. We are seeking every way possible to reach out to others and help them find new ground for their spiritual journey. That is how we love people. We sacrifice out of our riches or our poverty to help others and worship God.

I had to take time and reflect on what it means to give out of my poverty and truly love God and love people after reading today's passage.

Under the Mercy,
Jason

I'M ANGRY?

Mark 12:1-27
I realized this morning that I never actually posted an entry yesterday...sorry!

In today's reading you can sense the tension rising between Jesus and the religious leaders. He compares them to a group of tenants who refuse to pay the owner what is due him - even to the point of killing the owner's son. I found it interesting that the leaders knew He was talking about them even though the rest of the parables they didn't always understand. So they try to trap Jesus with questions...kind of like reporters baiting political leaders today.

Jesus handles the first question of paying taxes with such amazing mental dexterity! As I read this it made me wonder if Christians today are truly being creative enough in how we respond to the world around us. When we face moral and political issues, do we fall into the default line of thinking that we have been told or do we truly engage the issue and think of all the implications of our answers? I saw a video piece the other day where anti-abortion demonstrators were asked what we should do to women who get abortions if we make it illegal - put them in jail? fine them? give them the death penalty? I was amazed at the inability to answer this question. Almost everyone of the demonstrators said they hadn't really thought about that.

How sad.

I'm thoroughly against abortion, but I hope I am able to think through the issue to the point that I am "prepared to give an answer for the hope that I have."

Jesus does a similar thing regarding the Sadducees' question about marriage at the resurrection.

My Favorite Verse in this section was verse 15 where Jesus asks, "Why are trying to trap me?" He sees through their question and gets to the heart of the matter. He knows what is coming, and He is ready to face how this will end in a few days.

The more I spend time with Jesus in the Gospels, the more I love my Rabbi!

Under the Mercy,
Jason

Who Are You Preaching For?

Mark 11:12-33
My favorite verse of this section is verse 17. Do you catch the irony of Jesus turning over tables and causing a huge disturbance and yet the text says that He did this and "as He was teaching them He said..."

I love that! Even while cleansing the temple, Jesus is teaching.

This entire section is about authority and power. With the fig tree, Jesus (who I think was in a really bad mood that day and preparing Himself to clean out the temple) curses it and later we find out it whithers. I wonder if, when Jesus tells Peter that when he speaks, he will be speaking with authority and even nature will obey...so WATCH WHAT YOU SAY! I'm not sure if this kind of power is to be expected in followers today or not. I do know that when we pray, we need to be ready for God to act and holding grudges is an obstacle to this happening.

When Jesus is questioned by the Pharisees, it is clear that Mark knows that we know that Jesus' authority is from God. Mark just wants us to see the dark side welling up in the Pharisees and religious leaders.

Here was my takeaway this morning. In my preaching, I need to remember that I am preaching to those who need Jesus and I can't worry about the religious who might come and not like what I say. My job is to be a testimony of what Christ would do today. I will provoke some ill will at times (He did). I will make the wrong people mad at times. I will make the wrong people happy at times (according to the religious leaders of the day). All this to say, my goal cannot be power and popularity if I want to truly preach God's Word. I must trust that God is my authority and He will shut me up or change me if I am going in a wrong direction. I need to be confident in that.

Some interesting thoughts for a Sunday morning...

Under the Mercy,
Jason

The Triumphal Entry

Mark 11:1-11
I've decided to read this section of Mark 11 by itself. I know it's a familiar passage, but since it's Saturday I thought something "light" might be nice. Jesus makes His triumphal entry into Jerusalem on a donkey. I have always found this an interesting way to enter. It seems as though Jesus planned this in advance - setting up a signal for someone in the village ahead when He would need the colt.

The people cry out "Hosanna" which means "save." They are quoting from Psalm 118:25-26 and verse 27 talks about joining the festal procession with boughs in our hands. What a site that must have been!

Luke tells us that the Pharisees rebuked Jesus and told Him to make the people stop. His response: "If they keep quiet, the rocks will cry out."

Here's my thought for today. This response of Jesus makes me think of Bono from U2. Here is a "Rock" star who is crying out on behalf of Jesus for justice and the end of oppression and poverty. Why is it that we have reached a point where the rocks have to cry out because the people of God are not? Why is it that the loudest voices for the things God cries out for are usually NOT churches?

I say it's time for churches to give the rocks a break. Let's stand up for "salvation" and the Kingdom of God with all that it brings with it.

Under the Mercy,
Jason

The Road to Jerusalem

Mark 10:32-52
Since the Transfiguration Jesus has set His sites on Jerusalem. He knows what is coming. It would seem the crowd did as well (v. 32 - they were afraid). Jesus explains what is going to happen to the disciples, but they just can't put their mind around what Jesus is telling them. [How many times do I fall into that trap?]

James and John ask Jesus to do something for them - make them the two most powerful men in His Kingdom. This is my favorite verse because in my own way I know I have asked the same thing of Jesus. I want to be powerful. I want to be successful. I want to be famous.

My daughter used to make "famous eggs." This basically meant that she was involved in the process and she liked them so they weren't just "good" they were FAMOUS! If I'm honest, this is what I want Terra Nova to be - famous. I know that in the grand scheme of things, I am merely a helper for God as He builds HIS church in Delaware. I know that I probably get in the way more than I actually help in the process. But I want it to be famous!

As I read about James and John it struck me that I need to work on this mindset. It also struck me that Jesus promised them they would drink the cup He would drink and be baptized with the baptism He is baptized with. I don't know if that is really good news for me...

Where are you in your mindset of power and control? If you could ask Jesus for something what would it be? Why? What are you not asking Jesus for? Why?

Under the Mercy,
Jason

Divorce, Riches & the Kingdom of God

Mark 10:1-31
Today's passage reads like a tabloid: Divorce, Kids, Riches!

So far, I have simply been reminded of how so many people came to Jesus looking for direction in life - a new way to live that made sense of reality. Even in this section, the Pharisees are testing Him, but they are asking questions that everyone was thinking - though not because they were trying to trick Jesus. The disciples are realizing that Jesus loves kids and wants to bless them. Then a rich man asks how to enter Heaven.

Not to make this post too long, but I do want to comment on the first section regarding divorce. This is a major issue in churches. Current statistics say that the divorce rate among Christians is the same as divorce rates among non-Christians. I think Jesus' sentiment is appropriate for today's culture. "Moses wrote that law because of your hard hearts."

God created us to be in a lifelong relationship. Our own sinfulness is the cause of divorce; it is not God's intention. Grace offered to those who have been through a divorce is vital among the community of faith, but we must make it clear that divorce is not "good." Our role is not to judge, but to love.

The next big section pertained to the rich man asking about what he must do to inherit eternal life (my favorite verse). In essence, Jesus tells him that to inherit eternal life he must give himself wholly to God and quit placing his faith in the things of this world. The man walks away sad because he has a lot of stuff.

Some random thoughts...
1) Being good isn't enough. We must completely give ourselves to God. We must ask ourselves what is most important to us - our stuff or our faith.

2) Jesus looked at him and loved him. That verse makes me happy.

3) How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God. When we have so much, it is really hard to put our faith in Christ. I have never had to pray for "this day, our daily bread" and I think my faith is a little weaker because of this.

4) With God, all things are possible. The disciples were blown away that the rich would have difficulty getting into God's Kingdom. They lived in the paradigm that said if you were rich it was because God was blessing you, so you must be okay in God's eyes. Jesus' words turned their world upside down...and they still do today.

May you see God's blessings in your life as you turn your life back over to God daily. That is what I am trying to do.

Under the Mercy,
Jason

Soaring with Eagles; Dancing with Penguins

Mark 9
Once again, we see a study in contrasts. At the beginning of chapter 9 Jesus stands on the mountain two of the most notable figures from the Old Testament: Moses - the great giver of the law, & Elijah - the greatest of the prophets and "forerunner" of the Messiah. We could spend pages talking about this scene. The two figures from Hebrew Scriptures that stood before unbelieving kings declaring the Word of God standing with the very Word Himself. Jesus, who would complete the Law with His sacrifice standing side-by-side with the one who presented the Law to the people. Jesus, the one who would later ascend into Heaven standing with the one who was wisked away by a chariot of fire. What a scene! No wonder Peter was so scared he babbled about building shelters (my favorite verse! v. 6).

From there Jesus comes down to see His disciples stumped by a stubborn demon. I can sense His utter frustration as He asks, "How long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you?"

After healing the boy and teaching His disciples the importance of prayer, Jesus gets serious about teaching them regarding His impending death and resurrection. Only to have them argue about who would be the greatest. I love how He takes a child and tells them that those who welcome even the little ones, welcome Him.

My second favorite verse is verses 39-41. In essence, Jesus tells His disciples that there are people on His team that might not have the same uniform as them, so don't worry about it! If His name is being lifted up, even if it is in a different way than you would, praise God and move on.

I guess there was a lot in this chapter, but the thing that stuck out to me was that I am more often than not like the disciples who couldn't handle the stubborn demon, yet I am also one Jesus has called to be His child. I live in that tension.

Under the Mercy,
Jason

"Sometimes I Feel Like a Nut; Sometimes I Don't"

Mark 8
I remember that old TV commercial for Almond Joy & Mounds candy bars. "Sometimes I feel like a nut; sometimes I don't." This chapter made me think of this passage. The disciples were amazed then they didn't get it; were amazed then they said something stupid; were amazed and then didn't get it.

More often than I would like to admit this describes my walk of faith. I see God doing amazing things but I fail to recognize it. Or I see God do something and then when I am faced with some difficult issue, I forget what God has done in the past. Worse still, there are times when I can have more faith than I ever imagined (like when Peter declares that Jesus is the Messiah) and then turn around and act as though God was even around. To quote Paul, "Oh what a wretched man I am."

Yet reading this chapter was a bit encouraging. Even the disciples who literally walked with Jesus struggled to understand who and what He was. Why should I be surprised when I struggle to understand the implications of the Kingdom of God in today's world? But that is no excuse for laziness.

My favorite verse of this chapter has to be verse 34. It reminds me that if I want to follow Jesus I have to die to myself and allow Him to live through me. No small task.

Each day (and many times throughout the day) I have continuously give my life to Christ because gaining the whole world would be nice, but losing my soul is not worth it.

Maybe I should take a lesson from Peter. He was willing to speak his mind and simply be who he was - warts and all. I need to be that passionate and in so doing allow Jesus to shape that passion into what He needs it to be.

Under the Mercy,
Jason

From Obscurity to the Headlines

Mark 1





As I read the first chapter of Mark I am amazed at the flurry of activity. Jesus went from a no-name, back woods hick to a sought after prophet...in what seems to be a very short time. Obviously, the healings and casting out demons helped, but you have to admit, this one chapter is amazing.





My favorite verse (FV) is 17. I love it when Jesus calls Simon and Andrew and simply says, "Follow Me and I will make you fishers of people." It's simply, direct and to the point. And the men (probably only teenagers actually!) walk away from the family business and become disciples of a little known rabbi.





While I could go on and on about the implications of Simon and Andrew hearing the rabbi say that they have what it takes to follow Him, I think it is clear that this call was more than a summons...it was a declaration of their identity as "good enough" to follow Jesus. Something we all need to hear! These two fishermen (later called "uneducated" by the Sanhedrin - Acts 4:13) were told by Jesus that they could do it. And they did.





How many of us need to hear those words today? How many of us need to hear Jesus call us and say, "I have a mission for you and you are the one I'm calling!"? All of us need to know that Jesus, even in the midst of a flurry of activity, sees our true identity as His child.





Revel in that today.





Enjoy it.





No matter how "less than" you feel, you are not in the eyes of Jesus. You are known. Now live like that.





Under the Mercy,


Jason