Tag: pray

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Mark: The Awesome Temple

Read: Mark 13:1-2

As I began to process chapter 13, The Olivet Discourse, I simply had to stop and observe the first few verses through the eyes of the disciples, with a bent toward the current state of so many churches in this country.

As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!” “Do you see all these great buildings?” replied Jesus. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” Mark 13:1-2

I had the privilege of meeting with disciples downtown on Tuesday and Wednesday morning this week. As I drove past multiple church properties, I couldn’t help but notice those that were gigantic structures, along with empty parking lots. I’m not judging the pastors, ministers, staff, etc., I’m making a statement about the system that led to this phenomena we refer to as “church.” What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!

It is my belief that these will be relics of the next generation. The new church will be much more organic, much more difficult to identify, and hardly recognizable by today’s standards. The next generation of churches has yet to be defined, but I’m confident it will not include hefty senior pastor salaries and designated parking. Giant buildings with monthly utility bills that could provide for dozens of families that don’t even have the means to have electricity will be replaced, repurposed, redesigned, redesignated, re____.

The disciples, after spending hours in the temple courts with Jesus, are excited about those who heard the preaching and teaching. Their comments about the temple come from a place of joy. Jesus has just debunked leading teachers and Pharisees, upset many who were full of pride, and supported those who humbly came to the temple to offer what they could. This was an amazing day! Walking out, they make a simple observation, but Jesus, as He does so often, turns the tables.

Historically, we have the privilege of knowing that those massive structures were indeed destroyed, but that was inconceivable by those walking out of the temple courts 2,000+ years ago. Completely unheard of.

My angst against the large church model in America is not to see them fail; rather, I want more than anything to see thriving churches, filled with disciple-making disciplers that serve their communities and pour the gospel out to everyone. No, I’m not against these entities, but I know that most are unable to be the effective church because they compromise the gospel over the system they have built, the salaries they must pay, and the infrastructure that drives the stewardship campaigns.

My prayer is for churches to wake up to their original calling, to look at large gatherings (typically on Sunday) as celebrations of the week of working in the harvest field, spreading the gospel, pouring into disciples, reaching into the workplace with hundreds of ministers (every Christian is a minister of the gospel), and building each other up as we talk about success and failures during the week.

There is much work to do. We need healthy churches and healthy leaders. We need people to work together with a common understanding of the direction that Jesus set for us, to go and make disciples. Lord, help us!

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Mark: Warning Against the Teachers of the Law

Read: Mark 12:38-40

Once again, Jesus warns the people about the hypocrisy of the teachers of the law. Matthew devotes and entire chapter to the subject, while John Mark and Luke provide a very brief summary.

As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. Mark 12:38-39

I feel like we know these guys well by this point. We see the likes of Pharisees in many different forms these days as celebrities are given undue attention for using their gifts for entertaining many or politicians for wooing people with their charisma. Then you mix the two to create a celebrity pastor — whatever that is! Sadly, you probably think of names of pastors when you read this.

Jesus doesn’t beat around the bush. He is not fooled by these guys, nor is He pleased:

They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.” Mark 12:40

The euphoria of public fame and fortune comes with a price. People will follow those in positions of leadership and they will follow informal leaders as well. It’s natural. We see it all the time. Jesus here leaves us with an understanding that He sees their deception. In a way, He lets us know that their behavior is obvious to Him and will not be tolerated — we don’t have to do anything — These men will be punished most severely.

As for the punishment, I have no clue what that means. The indication is there are levels of punishment, but I’m not the one who effects the discipline here. Best to leave that to God.

Given time, deceivers will be exposed. The sad reality is they leave a wake of destruction in their path. The warning is clear. The remedy is to surround ourselves with people who love us enough to tell us we are out of line, true friends that call out our weaknesses in love.

Lord, help me to be careful about seeking to be seen. Make my intentions worthy of your glory. And if I see a brother or sister in Christ leaning toward the way of the teachers in this passage, show me how to lovingly communicate with them.

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Mark: The Greatest Commandment

Read: Mark 12:28-34

Love God. Love neighbors. Love yourself.

There is no commandment greater than these. Mark 12:31

Done. Publish.

Not quite so fast. Not because I’m trying to add words to Jesus’s very clear answer here, but because I want to step into the shoes of the man who had the opportunity to ask one question of Jesus face-to-face. What question would you ask? What would I ask?

In this case, the Jewish leader is a teacher of the law. He’s no doubt invested his life in understanding the Torah, searching his heart and mind to not only become the man he believed God wanted him to be, but to be a better teacher, the calling for his life.

Given the chance of a lifetime, he finds himself in the enviable position to ask Jesus the clarify something for him. We know the rabbis of the day had hundreds of laws and rules, so many that it was no doubt a challenge to rack and stack them, keep them in order, etc. Modern day lawyers can appreciate this much more than I can.

What’s really refreshing about this interaction is that this man sincerely wanted to know the answer. He wasn’t trying to be clever, or at least it seems that way from his response to Jesus. The snob in me has read this differently in the past. Verse 32 starts, “Well said, teacher…” and I puff up my chest and say, you’re ___ right, this is Jesus answering your silly question! But that is not what Jesus says, not the way our savior reacts.

Take a moment and breathe in the words of Jesus as He listened intently to the man’s response:

When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” Mark 12:34

The man reiterated Jesus’s words while I believe Jesus looked into his eyes and focused all attention on his body language, his poise, letting go of his prominent position to move from knowledge to wisdom. Jesus sees his heart and approves with incredibly gracious words. In my imagination, I see Jesus grabbing him by the shoulders, smiling, looking directly in his eyes and saying, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” Oh my, that scene is so surreal. Can you imagine? Linger there for a moment.

If you had one question, what would it be?

I pray that we would ask questions and listen like the man did in this passage, that we would receive the assurance that Jesus came and died for us to appreciate. Jesus has the answers for those far from the Kingdom and those who’ve been adopted for years. Lord, help us to listen to Your answers.

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Mark: Marriage at the Resurrection

Read: Mark 12:18-27

Let’s play Stump the Rabbi. Here we see a fictitious scenario dreamed up by some of the Sadducees for the true purpose of tripping up Jesus.

John Mark begins by reminding us that the Sadducees are a group that don’t believe in the resurrection, so we get the sense that their perspective is at least biased against Jesus’ teaching. The story they concoct involves a seven brothers who each marry one woman then die. Eventually, the woman dies.

At the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?” Mark 12:23

My first thought is the Sadducees are trying to gain support for their notion that there is no resurrection. The number of brothers, and therefore husbands, is not relevant to the answer, except to say that seven is chosen for its significance as a complete number. Obviously, even a second marriage to the widow would fit the question — if this entire discussion was really about marriage!

Marriage at the Resurrection

The Sadducees inadvertently ask a question that points to a modern day conundrum: What does marriage look like in heaven?

When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. Mark 12:25

Honestly, that doesn’t provide a lot of answers for me. While Jesus know what angels in heaven look like, I’m a bit shaky on the idea! What I do get from the discussion is that their is, in fact, a life in eternity that is guaranteed beyond this mortal trial of existence, that there is more. The whole scenario has little to do with marriage, so Jesus move onto the point of their actual debate.

Christianity offers a hope like no other, the promise of a resurrected life.

This is the source of great confusion, much controversy, and yet, ultimately one of the key distinctives which define Christ followers. We believe in the resurrection. I think it’s safe to say we don’t believe that the resurrected life is some sort of eternal existence as a continuation of our current mortal state. Beyond that, we have clues in scripture, but it seems to me, we don’t really know what it looks like.

That does not change the assertion that there is a resurrection.

Jesus points the Sadducees back to the Pentateuch that they use as the basis for their home-brewed religion. In typical form, He puts the question back in their court:

Now about the dead rising—have you not read in the Book of Moses, in the account of the burning bush, how God said to him, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? Mark 12:26

The concept of “I am” is pretty clear, even if it’s difficult to understand: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob all exist in eternity at the same time; i.e., something happens after death. Jesus has taught on several occasions, at this point, that there is a resurrection. Here He makes it clear as He sends the Sadducees away shaking their heads.

Historically, the Sadducees sect did not survive very long, kinda like their misplaced theology.

The key takeaway for me this morning: check your theology at the door and listen to what God has to say for us in His word, the inspired brief writings we call the Bible. It’s incredible that He would give us this gift. I pray that we will all learn one grain of sand more until the day we have a beach full of knowledge and wisdom. Until that day, I’ll take a grain.

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Mark: The Authority of Jesus Challenged

Read: Mark 11:27-33

As we finish chapter 11 today, we see Jesus and his disciples return to Jerusalem. As Jesus enters the temple courts, various religious leaders approach Him with malcontent on their minds:

…while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?” Mark 11:27-28

They are so confident in their wisdom, knowledge, and experience, that they approach Jesus with a question they have created as a means of quieting Him. In their minds, I believe, they somehow think Jesus will simply go away and stop causing trouble.

Jesus makes a wager:

Jesus replied, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin? Tell me!” Mark 11:29-30

The riddle leaves them puzzled and Jesus dismisses their feeble attempt to prevent Him from teaching in the temple courts and surrounding area.

They’re unable to answer His question because they are completely self-focused. Their systems simply promote themselves and feed a ritualistic method for artificial repentance.

Before we walk away from these few verses, consider that the group of men represented here represent the top leadership for the entire Jewish nation. Chief priests, not underlings; teachers of the law, not students; Elders, not junior members of society. Depending on your view of today’s contemporary Christian spokespeople, this might be Billy Graham, Rick Warren, Bill Hybels, or other renown Christian leaders of our day. They’re based in Jerusalem, so their credibility factor is high and their inability to solve the riddle is a major factor in their secret plans to kill Jesus.

None of that is news. We’ve thought about this lots of times, basically, every time we talk about Pharisees. What I hope to learn from this interaction is that Jesus is kind to them, even if He knows He’s asking a question they can’t answer.

His words are not aggressive. His desire is that all would come to the table, even those who should know better.

In this tense holiday season, I pray we will learn to be kind as we continue to be a beacon of hope for those who are far from Christ.

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Mark: Jesus Clears the Temple Courts

Read: Mark 11:15-19

Yesterday we read the bookends to this story as a way of understanding their meaning. Today we’ll look at Jesus direct actions in the temple courts and try to process the entire scene, so many details in just a few verses!

Prior to this chapter, we’ve read several times where Jesus performs a miracle then tells the recipient not to tell anyone about what happened, keep it secret. Of course that’s all but impossible, but the words are offered to minimize the possibility of a circus-act-style ministry. Jesus wants nothing to do with people coming to see a magic trick!

Here we see this all change. Jesus rides into Jerusalem, then walks into the temple courts to take direct action — no more hiding, the time has come.

Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. Mark 11:15-16

Why did the guards, either temple or Roman, not stop Jesus?

Seriously, this is a time and age where brutality reigns, where Roman guards could have been called in to forcibly (to say the least) remove Jesus and his band of followers, but no words to that affect are offered. No one fights back. The scene makes me think of catching a child red-handed, absolutely nothing can be said in defense. The people scatter, back away as Jesus “teaches” them lessons from the prophets of old, stories they remember all too well, even if they are ignoring them.

Why not stop Him? Fear. This is the man who has healed many, walked on water, fed thousands. He is one to be respected and feared. Listen to what He has to say.

The disciples have an advantage here because they just saw Jesus curse the fig tree, the precursor for announcing His Divine judgment on the temple. This place was set aside to be The place of worship, but is now nothing more than a self-righteous money making machine to feed the religious right.

Modern houses of worship beware. This might have happened 2,000 years ago, but we would do well to look introspectively at the systems we’ve created, whether we admit it or not!

Quote from Isaiah 56:6-7: My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.

All are welcome to God’s place of worship. Anyone who wants to commune with the Creator is welcome. Isaiah’s discourse boldly claims that even the eunuchs and the foreigners will be blessed for honoring The Lord:

to them I will give within my temple and its walls
a memorial and a name
better than sons and daughters
Isaiah 56:5

Yes, I believe the people took a few steps back to listen to Jesus, the prophet, as He referred back to words they simply could not refute.

Quote from Jeremiah 7:11: Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you?

These powerful words come from a powerful lament over Jerusalem that reveals false religion as worthless to the Lord. I encourage you to read Jeremiah 7:1-15 to see if we, the most educated and wealthy society of Christians, share some of the guilt.

For a fresh perspective, I found the NIV Application Commentary provided some great insight throughout this reading. In particular:

The reference to the “den of robbers” has nothing to do with the trade in the temple. Instead, it denounces the false security that the sacrificial cult breeds. In other words, the robbers are not swindlers but bandits, and they do not do their robbing in their den. The den is the place where robbers retreat after having committed their crimes. It is their hideout, a place of security and refuge.*

The temple courts have become a safe place for those stealing from widows, the fatherless, the least of society. Here they can fake their desire to serve the Lord while reaping a profit. Yesterday, I read this article in Christianity Today (October 2017) that might speak to this a bit.

Chief Priests and Teachers of the Law — Mad Enough to Kill

Though the teachers of the law and chief priests have no words to offer as a rebuttal, their secret desires are soon to be revealed. We’ll read more about their specific reaction to Jesus’s prophesy that the temple will be destroyed in the coming chapters as part of their accusations against Him, and even at the foot of the cross. John Mark once again makes note of their desire to have Jesus killed. Plans in the minds of men who are afraid to speak out publicly.

Jesus Leaves With His Disciples

The entire episode ends quite unsatisfactorily.

When evening came, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city. Mark 11:19

What? They just left? My guess is Jesus stood and taught many lessons that day, not just actions. He cleared the courts temporarily — both buyers and sellers — and spoke to those who remained. There were, in my view, many who came to the temple with good intentions, hearts set on serving God the way they’ve been taught.

This is why I’m a strong advocate for churches. My desire is to help them to get better, to realign themselves to Jesus’s mission and vision and turn from practices we read about in these few verses.

Many fill our churches each Sunday with hearts intent on praise. They’re doing what they’ve been told to do and will continue to follow the lead of those who teach. That’s why Paul reminds us that those who teach will be held to a higher standard. The sheep obey the shepherd.

Jesus will return to the temple court again, unafraid, undeterred by threats. The effective local church is God’s plan for reaching the lost. I pray we learn from these words today, that we seriously look at what we do as the church and respond as Jesus would. Perhaps we need to flip our own tables!

 

*Wilkins, Michael J.; Garland , David E.; Bock, Darrell L.; Burge, Gary M.; Fernando, Ajith. NIVAC Bundle 6: Gospels, Acts (The NIV Application Commentary) (Kindle Locations 35593-35595). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

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Mark: Jesus and the Fig Tree

Read: Mark 11:12-14, 20-25

The cursing of the fig tree cannot be extracted from the surrounding text; otherwise, we simply walk away confused. There are two sections, bookends if you will, that encapsulate Jesus’s actions in the temple (see the next post). While difficult to appreciate by itself, I hope we can venture into this place and walk out with a better understanding of the events.

When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it. Mark 11:13-14

John Mark sets us up for failure if we approach this text as biology students. Jesus, and anyone in that time, clearly understands seasons for bearing fruit–he’s no fool–don’t read this like it’s some sort of revelation.

Jesus approached the fig tree that only had leaves, no fruit. In context, Jesus is entering Jerusalem that is full of splendor, but bears no fruit. The temple is not prepared to bear the fruit of Jesus now, nor will it ever be ready. There is only one possible recourse: the tree will not be cleansed or reformed, it will be destroyed. And so will the systems that man has embellished beyond God’s intention.

Admittedly, when I’ve read this in the past, I stopped too soon and didn’t look further to try and understand. I just read, Jesus was hungry, the fig tree had no figs, Jesus is ticked, so bam! Die tree! I’m embarrassed to type those words, but I was impatient and didn’t look for the rich meaning the gospels intended.

The fig tree has all the trappings of success, invites us to believe it will provide nourishment, but fails to satisfy the soul for it is out of season, unable to produce fruit. So it was with the temple system. Perhaps we could make this assertion for many houses of worship today where the concern is looking good, but bearing no fruit. Even further, let’s make it personal, how about myself? Am I just covered with leaves, but out of step with Jesus?

The next day:

In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!” Mark 11:20-21

Withered from the roots, the effectiveness of the curse destroyed the tree from the system designed to be its source of nutrients. Now it’s visibly dead. The disciples are astonished. Jesus’s response provides some significant insight for us to appreciate the symbolism here: we need to have faith and we need to pray. Both make no sense if we think the fig tree episode is all about botany.

“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. Mark 11:22

Four words contain the response to Peter’s observation. No longer will you need to put your faith in fruitless systems that are out of step with Christ, trust in God. Jesus further explains that faith plus prayer is the formula needed for advancing the kingdom:

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24

Lord, teach us to pray with this kind of faith. Help us to live with the complete belief that anything is possible with You. Let this be the season for bearing much fruit!

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Mark: Jesus Predicts His Death for the Third Time

Read: Mark 10:32-34

Under the category of “Passion Predictions,” much has been written about the words of Jesus as He predicted His arrest, death, and resurrection plainly for the disciples to hear*.

I love the way John Mark intersperses the predictions in chapters 8, 9 and 10 (Mark 8:31-33, 9:30-35, 10:32-34). In my mind, there’s no doubt that he looks back and points out “those days” when Jesus told them, you know, the “told you so” moments that are so clear looking back.

The third and final time for this prediction is just after teaching on the cost of discipleship (again), a troubling lesson to say the least. Here we find the group headed for Jerusalem for the last time, though they probably still didn’t understand that at the time:

They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Mark 10:32a

In verse 24, the disciples were amazed, in verse 26, even more amazed; now they’re astonished. John Mark is looking for adjectives to try and describe the looks on their faces, the head-scratching, as these young disciples try to figure out what is happening.

The disciples get a private audience, but the others following are afraid, fearful, filled with fear (depending on the translation you prefer).

Why are they afraid?

Jesus just dismissed a rich man, one who was no doubt known in the region as the guy that drives a new car every year, lives in the big house with perfectly manicured lawn, has the perfect wife and loving children. He follows all the commandments and falls at the feet of Jesus, but that is not enough. Those tagging along to hear the good teacher watch Jesus lovingly challenge the one guy who stands out among the crowd. What chance do I have if he isn’t good enough?

Their lives were defined by rules, following laws, a faith that was once rich in honoring God had become a faith by works theology. We fall into that same trap today. Perhaps that’s why we read about it so often throughout the Bible.

The disciples are beyond fear. They are committed, even though they’re not completely sure what they’ve signed up for. I love the fact that Jesus took them aside privately:

Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. Mark 10:32b

Away from the crowds and noise, Jesus sits them down to explain (again) what’s about to happen. He’s using words of betrayal, trial and execution which simply don’t make sense at the time, so I’m sure they still don’t get it.

…who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.” Mark 10:34

They’ve seen lots of opposition going from village to village, metropolis to small town, Jew and Gentile, surely that’s what Jesus is talking about.

We know the rest of the story. In hindsight they get it. So where does this leave us?

What is Jesus speaking to you over and over again? What is that voice in your head and heart telling you for the second, third, nth time that you are ignoring? Is there a trial just ahead for which you are not willing to let go of earthly rewards to enter?

Lord, it’s so hard to see in the moment, challenging to discern which way to turn. I pray you will lift us up to a place where we can gain insight, see the big picture, put the daily grind in perspective so we will make the right choice today. Give us clear vision for where we are now and where you want us to go next. Our desire is to follow. Light the way. Put us on the right path.

 

*Few interesting posts, among many:

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Mark: Words on Divorce

Read: Mark 10:1-12

Hardened hearts create a great deal of trouble in our world. We saw this all throughout Exodus, well, throughout history, merely highlighted in Exodus.

They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.”
“It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law,” Jesus replied. Mark 10:4-5

Most of the time I don’t think hearts become hardened overnight, it’s a process of slowly slipping away, avoiding confrontations, hiding thoughts, drip, drip, drip. One gallon of water might have 15,140 drops of water. We might be able to hold a gallon of water for a while, but the weight of those water drops will eventually be too much to bear. The featured image shows individual drops of water, each self-contained, some small, some large. When there are enough drops on the surface, they will combine to form bigger and bigger drops until the whole surface is covered in water. The individual drops are still there somewhere, but no longer distinguishable, they are lost in the bucket of water. Sigh.

We’ve seen it happen over and over again whether in the body of Christ or those far from His discipleship. One day it all seems fine, the next day, they’re driving in different directions.

During one of my discussions last week centered on the book, Multiply, this question is posed: how have you seen the pattern of sin, consequences, and God’s redemption in your own life? Part of my answer includes the realization that “in the moment” it’s not usually clear, but looking back, the small skirmishes that became huge battles is rather obvious, the evidence is almost always so easy to see.

I may not be as bold as Peter, but I do have a tendency to spout off, sending a text or email, or even face to face saying words that cannot be unsaid. Worse yet, according to Jesus’s teaching, my thoughts can run unchecked and beyond limits because they are only thoughts, right?

Sadly, thoughts become the background for the tapestry of our lives. Subtle movements that shift our way of thinking. In the context of this morning’s text, Jesus identifies this as hardening hearts and it’s something we need to be on the lookout for.

It’s not God’s plan.

Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate. Mark 10:9

Jesus goes on to explain that both husband and wife are guilty of adultery if either party divorces the other — a concept that probably blew their minds!

The Cure Begins With Soft Hearts

If the root cause of divorce, or the allowance for divorce, is hardened hearts, it seems the cure would start with the opposite, we need to have soft hearts. Talk about a counter-cultural concept! We have to be willing to be vulnerable, say the things that hurt, completely transparent and brutally honest. These are difficult conversations to have, primarily because of the drip, drip, drip build-up mentioned above.

I know it’s a lot harder in reality than concept, but consider the prospect of undoing one drip at a time. If it took ten years to build-up animosity, it may take ten years to tear it down.

The key, in my mind, is this: it is possible. Back to Jesus’s quote above, in reference to Genesis, if God has indeed joined man and woman together, it is possible to get back to that original place. That’s a whole lot easier to say than it is to see, but my prayer for those feeling this tension is they will understand it is within the realm of possibility.

I’m not trying to solve the problem of marriage and divorce in a simple blog post! But I can’t help to wonder what it would be like if all of our relationships were real, deep, and honest.

I talk a lot about disciple making these days and at the Forum I was fortunate enough to attend last week, the discussion constantly came back to healthy relationships. We’re not good at that. I’m not good at that! If you probe my thoughts deep enough, you’ll find someone within the church that I have a problem with. My solution is to avoid the issue, dodge confrontation, walk the other way.

Relationship building is difficult. I would suggest it’s impossible to have meaningful relationships, especially in marriage, if we avoid small issues when they happen and figure out how to unpack loaded issues that we create by allowing simple statements to build up.

Lord, you created us to have a relationship with you. We are best when we are in healthy relationship with each other. For those that are married, the best relationship should be between husband and wife. Help us to move in that direction, one drop at a time.

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Mark: Beware of Causing People to Stumble; Be Salty

Read: Mark 9:42-50

Jesus is pretty clear in teaching here:

“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea. Mark 9:42

Not just any millstone, but a large millstone to ensure you’re not escaping death. To be sure we get the point, Jesus includes hand, foot and eye to demonstrate that it’s better to live physically crippled on earth than miss out on heaven.

I imagine this was a portion of Jesus’s sermons that people heard often, and I suspect this is where those who were following as mere fans in the crowd excused themselves.

The teaching is rough and raw, real and strong. You will die a death beyond comprehension for tripping someone who is on their way to salvation. Beware.

We prepared and serve 120 meals at The LOT Project last night, those who live below the margin in our society. David told me he was doing great because this week they got the water turned on in the house he shares with four other guys. He was excited to think they might even get electricity in a few weeks. Matthew enjoyed his Biltmore inspired turkey dinner, savoring each bite. When I asked him if he wanted seconds, he smiled and said, “no way, I’m stuffed!”

I don’t know where they are on their spiritual journey, but Jesus is clear, we are to love on these people and invite them wholeheartedly into the presence of God. More than a meal or short conversation, but that’s a start. I’m so grateful for the large contingent of volunteers that showed up last night and pray their hearts were moved.

The Least of These (LOT) are easy to identify from the social status society imposes on them. Actually, they are some of the most humble people you’ll ever meet. All pretense and pride long gone, they line up for a meal and a few hours to get out of the elements. Some have done well, most just come and go. It is a privilege to serve in a small way.

The challenge is finding the Least of These spiritually, the “little ones” who are doing well financially, the ones who quickly offer their posh business card with titles and distinctive accomplishments meant to impress. Inviting them to the table is more complicated, but required just the same. Causing them to stumble may not seem so easy, but if we choose to disengage, it is likely they will never hear the gospel.

They physical examples Jesus uses here reminds us that hands, feet and eyes are temporary. Matters of eternity are at stake. No pressure, right?

Salted

I don’t think much about salt these days, in fact, I limit salt in my diet for concerns about health. Salt in the days of Jesus’s time on earth was much more important than our modern desire for enhancing taste buds, it was used for purification, for eliminating harmful germs and purifying meat and making vegetables more distinctive.

Everyone will be salted with fire. Mark 9:49

Those who heard this message first were surely aware of the Levitical requirement to salt everything offered as a sacrifice (Leviticus 2:13; Ezekiel 43:24), but what does this mean? Did Jesus pause here and let this phrase sink in? We quickly read verse 49 and move to 50, but I like to think this stands on its own, tucked in neatly between two thoughts: tripping unbelievers and the demand to stay salty.

Work with me here. We will be tested and these tests will be the difference between bland, checklist checking Christians and salty seasoned leaders that endure difficulties and are better for passing the tests and trials.

“Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.” Mark 9:50

Salt is unique. Distinctive. So we should be also. Go and be salty.

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