Tag: teach

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Mark: The Parable of the Tenants

Read: Mark 12:1-12

In this powerful parable, Jesus speaks directly at the Pharisees, the teachers of the law, the leaders of the religious right. The words are so pointed and accurate that the crowd understood implicitly. And since the crowd understood, the religious leaders were unable to act publicly. Their plot thickened.

The Parable

“A man planted a vineyard. He fenced it, dug a winepress, erected a watchtower, turned it over to the farmhands, and went off on a trip. At the time for harvest, he sent a servant back to the farmhands to collect his profits. Mark 12:1-2

The farmhands (The Message) or Tenants were privileged to have control over the vineyard, they enjoyed the fruit of the man’s design, the choice property, the safety of the fence, and security afforded them as a result.

But they completely lost sight of an important fact: they were tenants.

Their actions were bold, brash, selfish — they beat the servants who were sent by the master to collect the profits that were due to him. Some the beat, some they killed. It’s interesting to note that the master only wanted to collect the profits, nothing more. In other words, the tenants were free to enjoy the benefits of the vineyard and were only asked to return the extra earnings from their labor.

Servant after servant the evil tenants boldness increased, until:

“He had one left to send, a son, whom he loved. He sent him last of all, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ Mark 12:6

At this point, I imagine that Jesus paused and let the thought sink in. Everyone knows the master’s son is a person of importance, one who represents the master himself and is his heir. I can see the heads bobbing in agreement with this statement.

Then Jesus continues the story with the unthinkable:

“But the tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ So they took him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. Mark 12:7-8

First of all, they recognized who he was, make no mistake, they were aware of the authority with which he came back to the vineyard.

Secondly, their plan is misguided. Somehow in their minds they convinced themselves that by killing the master’s son, they would reap the inheritance.

Finally, they carried out their plan. The evil that filled their hearts was so intoxicating that they executed the owner’s son.

Another pause.

Coincidentally, Our Daily Bread today refers to Amos and reminds us the God is sovereign, that He will not be mocked:

“Therefore this is what I will do to you, Israel,
and because I will do this to you, Israel,
prepare to meet your God.”
He who forms the mountains,
who creates the wind,
and who reveals his thoughts to mankind,
who turns dawn to darkness,
and treads on the heights of the earth—
the Lord God Almighty is his name.
Amos 4:12-13

Prepare to meet your God.

“What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others. Mark 12:9

The wrath of God is not something we refer to very often these days. It’s a concept misunderstood by those who are unfamiliar with the depth of love the Lord has for His created ones. The world views God’s wrath as that of a tyrant who maliciously judges people. This is not our God. He sends prophet after prophet, word after word. He is consistent.

Here’s the key phrase: “…and give the vineyard to others.”

The evil will be eradicated from the vineyard. Make no mistake, the religious leaders are not idiots, they get the point.

…they knew he had spoken the parable against them. But they were afraid of the crowd; so they left him and went away. Mark 12:12

I am reminded today that God is sovereign. His ways are far better than my ways. I hope I will learn that lesson once again!

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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: The Rich and the Kingdom of God

Read: Mark 10:17-31

The reward for following Jesus cannot be understated.

The risk associated with putting Jesus first might require all we have on earth.

Am I willing to let go of everything? I know the right answer, but I have to wonder as I read through the encounter with this man of great wealth.

Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Mark 10:21-22

I’ve read this many times. Most of the time I focused on the last sentence; today I’m focused on the first.

He was on His way somewhere when this man intercepted Him and begged for his attention. Jesus stopped, asked the a preparatory question about the commandments, then read the man’s heart, and He looked at him and loved him.

Today’s Seth Godin blog ended with this:

People might hear what you say, but they always remember what you do.Seth Godin

John Mark made a point to tells us what Jesus did, the love and compassion with which He spoke the words. Those who witnessed the interaction just out of earshot could see by the look on the faces what was happening. Jesus wanted so much for this man to let go of earthly possessions. He wasn’t taunting him, just pointing out the anchor in his heart.

The disciples were amazed and even more amazed at Jesus’s teaching here. They wondered if anyone could be saved. When we stop and think for a moment, it’s easy to understand their confusion. All their lives they’ve been taught to follow the rules, keep the commandments and a hundred other rules to please God. They honored and respected their elders, saw the apparent blessings God had bestowed on those who strictly kept the law.

Jesus changes everything and challenges us to a level that’s beyond our ability, outside our reach. It is, in fact, impossible for us to attain. We cannot work our way to heaven.

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” Mark 10:27

When we let go of all that ties us to this world and rely on God, all things are possible.

My friend, Travis Watson, sent me a quote from a book last night that provides a rather modern example of this ancient truth. This is the last paragraph of the letter found from a young pastor in Zimbabwe who was martyred for his faith in Jesus:

I won’t give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till he comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till he stops me. And, when he comes for his own, he will have no problem recognizing me…my banner will be clear!

With those words, this young pastor left his mortal presence on earth. I’m confident he received a hundreds times more than this present age has to offer, even more, he received Jesus.

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Why Study the Bible?

One of the sections in Multiply* prompts us to examine how we study the Bible. Beyond some good ideas on mechanics, the questions get more intrusive as they ask us to evaluate our motivation behind diving deep into Bible studies.

So far, I’ve gone through this section twice with guys I’m meeting with and the impact on my approach to the Bible has taken on new and deep meaning.

Like most of the questions woven throughout Multiply, we can provide curt little answers and read on, but in one-on-one discipleship meetings, that’s not quite so easy. As we challenge each other to consider whether we are reading the Bible to fill our wisdom quota, the authors ask us to consider if we are reading out of:

  1. Guilt. How many times have you been asked, especially in church: Are you reading your Bible daily? You know you should is merely insinuated, right? At this point, we could go on and on about legalism in the organized groups we call church, but I’ll leave that for another post!
  2. Status. Do I hold my head a little bit higher, stick my chest out, when someone recognizes my vast knowledge of the Bible? Am I trying to learn the Greek variations of a word to impress others?
  3. Teaching Material. If I am accomplished, perhaps I will be chosen to lead a Bible study, then I will have arrived! Am I studying the Bible to climb to church honor society?

Wait a minute guys, you can’t ask those questions! You’re poking me for being guilty of not studying, right? Wrong.

Lately I’ve been super-inspired to read the Bible, but not in bulk and not with a “Bible-in-a-month” approach. On this blog, I created widget that keeps track of how many posts I’ve written per month. It’s rather prominent on my home page and rather embarrassing to look at July through October 2017. (See I don’t have to go far to point out my own deficiency.) If I were to graph this, you would see a steady decline in posts over this period.

Any excuse will do, but this is the point: the farther I slip away from the discipline of reading the Bible, and in my case posting a blog, the weaker I’ve become, the greater the opportunity for the enemy to slip in and trip me up.

Why is this the case? Are you suggesting that merely reading the Bible fixes my problem of temptation and keeps me far from sin? Consider “The Reading Room.”

The Reading Room

Any long-time Christian will tell you that the Bible is the inspired word of God, given to us as a guide. Good job. You answered the question correctly. Great.

What I’ve come to realize is the Bible is a drop of words in an ocean of existence.

If God really is omnipotent, omnipresent, omni____, and if He’s been around since the beginning of creation, the words He has spoken are like the stars in the universe: impossible to count. Here’s your math equation: Words in the Bible divided by Infinity. Let’s just agree that the number is very small.

The Bible is merely the highlight reel to help us know God’s voice, His character, His story of relentless redemption for His creation.

It is NOT an idol to be placed prominently on the mantle above the fireplace. It’s a story to build us up, to encourage and equip, to rebuke and punish, to be shared from the heart.

Imagine you’re walking in a hallway going from your bedroom to the kitchen. Place yourself in some luxurious manor, perhaps the Biltmore, or some such place. As you’re walking down the hall, you see a door open on the left. You glance in to see two chairs by the fireplace. One is empty, one is not. You pause for a moment and realize the one sitting in the adjacent chair is The One. Jesus is waiting for you to come and sit with Him by the fire for a few minutes as you begin your busy day. He wants to tell you a story, to speak to you, to remind you of mistakes His people have made in the past, of triumphs, of great faith, and even ridiculous failure. He’s waiting for you to come and sit and listen for a few minutes.

This is reading the Bible. This is learning to hear the very voice of God in our lives.

Here’s the thought: Will you continue walking down that hallway without stopping? Are you too busy to sit with Jesus for a few minutes?

I hope I never read the Bible out of obligation, guilt, status or merely to prepare for some teaching. Lord, I love the fact that you are always there for us. Help us to take advantage of your presence in our lives today.

 

 

*Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples, © 2012 Francis Chan, Mark Beuving, ISBN: 978-0-7814-0823-3,  Published by David C Cook, Colorado Springs, CO

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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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Mark: Jesus Teaches on Pride and Position

Read: Mark 9:30-37

The title of this passage is “Jesus Predicts His Death a Second Time,” does indeed include the explanation that Jesus will be delivered into the hands of men, but this isn’t the main point of the text. The concern here centers on pride and position.

To begin with, Jesus continues to show this select group of men that He cares about them specifically, that He wants them to understand more than anyone else. From my pious position I point my finger at them and slowly shake it back and forth. Couldn’t they see that The Messiah was pouring into them? Here He goes again, taking them aside, away from the crowds, speaking directly to them.

Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, because he was teaching his disciples. Mark 9:30-31

I’m not sure why, but the thought occurred to me this morning, how old were the disciples? We know Jesus was about 30 at the beginning of His public ministry. Jewish tradition and historic culture would suggest it would be awkward for the disciples to be older than Jesus. If those observations are accurate, our incredibly young Messiah was teaching a bunch of 20-somethings.

It seems irrelevant until we consider they are talking amongst themselves as if Jesus doesn’t know or somehow is in the dark about their conversations.

“What were you arguing about on the road?” Mark 9:33

This reminds me of Genesis 3:9, “Where are you?” (as if God didn’t know). It’s about being honest. As parents, how many times have we asked the rhetorical question of one of our children? We know who stole the cookies from the jar, as crumbs fall from her lap, that’s not the point. Will you admit you helped yourself to cookies without asking? Will you confess? A teachable moment for our children and much more so for the disciples.

Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” Mark 9:35

Anyone in a leadership position knows this verse. The best way to get your underlings to do something for you is explain that they must be a servant to lead. I’m sure by now they’ve heard the lesson many times in various ways, but given their maneuvering for position at the head of the table, Jesus sits them down and explains it once again, this time using a mere child as an example.

The imagery of Jesus gently holding the child and talking with His disciples has been the subject of many wonderful paintings. I love that Jesus would teach so kindly when it seems like He should have opened up Proverbs 13:24 and delivered some discipline! That’s been my go-to verse far too often!

But here’s the real point, Jesus includes Himself as one who must be servant of all. I’m convinced the disciples didn’t get this. Their young 30-something master was teaching them about leadership and in just a few more weeks, Jesus would show them the lesson by allowing himself to be subjected to human authority.

This may not be news to those of us who have known Jesus for years, but this kind of humility is far from normal in the world where the climb to the boardroom seems to be through people far too often.

The disciples didn’t hear the lesson about Jesus’ pending arrest, mock-trial, brutal beating, death, and resurrection because they were too focused on figuring out who gets to stand on the left or right of their leader. Sad. I wonder if this happens in churches today.

 

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