Know you are sick

Jesus seeks out those who (know that they) need him.

Mark 2:14-17 ¹⁴ As he was walking along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him. ¹⁵ And as he sat at dinner in Levi's house, many tax collectors and sinners were also sitting with Jesus and his disciples-- for there were many who followed him. ¹⁶ When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, they said to his disciples, "Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?" ¹⁷ When Jesus heard this, he said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners."

The problem with Pharisees (both the ones that lived in the 1st century and the ones that live today) is that they don't know they are sick.  They believe that if they follow their list of rules and make sure everyone else follows their list of rules too, then God will be forced to bless them.   This is the way of religion!   Religion tries to control God and this is their way of controlling God - forcing God to bless them because they have behaved! Truth of the matter is... "They got nothing!"  They can't even see that they are sick.

Shockingly Jesus states, "I have come to call not the righteous, but sinners."  He has come to call those who know that they are sick sinners.  The Pharisees are the "righteous", but only in their own minds.  They've spent a lot of time trying to figure out what set of rules to follow and a lot more time trying to figure out how not to break their fine set of rules.  Whoo hoo!  Quite a fascinating life they have ahead of them... getting up every day as a slave to a long list of rules.   Sadly, many (if not most of us) who call ourselves Christians live this way even today!

Stop admiring the rule keepers!  Stop thinking they are disciplined and godly!  They are so far gone that Jesus isn't even going to waste his time trying to "call" them!  He isn't even going to say, "follow me" to them.  There is no point.  They don't think they need him. 

Jesus didn't come to further the cult of rule keeping.  Our life's purpose is not to keep a list of rules, but to walk in relationship with God - serving God and others.  In the last chapter, John wrote how Jesus would make this possible: "Jesus has come to baptize you with the Spirit."  And when that happens,  we are guided by the Spirit not by a list of rules.  We will live in relationship with God not a relationship with a list of rules!  This is a far more abundant life than rule keeping.  The rules can't tell you who needs your help today.  They can't tell you who to marry or where to spend your time or money.  The rules don't love you - they don't want to see you at your best.  God does.

But first we need to see ourselves as the tax collectors and sinners see themselves... broken and in need of Jesus.  Desire to hear Jesus say, "follow me."

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that we can't follow him until we know we need him?

Have faith on behalf of others

Jesus demonstrates that having faith on behalf of others - makes a difference.
Mark 2:1-12  When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. ² So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the Word to them. ³ Then some people came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. ⁴ And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay. ⁵ When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." ⁶ Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, ⁷ "Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" ⁸ At once Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions among themselves; and he said to them, "Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? ⁹ Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Stand up and take your mat and walk'? ¹⁰ But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"-- he said to the paralytic-- ¹¹ "I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home." ¹² And he stood up, and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"

Here is an interesting theological question: "If Jesus could forgive sins prior to his death and resurrection, then why did he have to die?"  Now you can spend a lot of time trying to figure it out.  You can get hung up on it like the scribes in the story did and fail to see the real story here.  You can let the question derail you completely.

But don't.  Hear the real story that is unfolding....

These incredible four friends won't take "Jesus is too busy for your gimp buddy" as a final answer.  They are willing to climb to the roof with their paralyzed friend in tow, dig through the roof, rig up a way to lower their friend, and then exert all the energy it required to lower the dead weight of his body into the house!  Picture these four friends sweating and grunting as they work hard and fast to help their friend.  Would you and your friends do this for someone else?  If not, why not?

Have you set up boundaries that keep you from putting yourself out for others?  Boundaries that keep you from getting your feelings hurt?  Are you more concerned with yourself than your friend?  Are your three best friends just not that committed?  Are you afraid to hold hands and sing Kumbaya?  If so, then maybe you have overlooked something important in this story!

In this story, it isn't the man's own faith that moves Jesus to heal him. It says, "When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven!"  

Be the kind of person who has faith that will go all out for others.  Seek out the kind of friends who will stand with you to help someone else.  Risk the hard work, the slap in the face, the hurt feelings, the grief of rejection, the looking like a fool carrying your gimp friend to the roof!  Risk breaking the law and getting sued for damaging someone's house as your break through their roof! 

When people tell you that your friend isn't worth it - when your friend has hurt you so much that any reasonable person would give up - when your friend is indifferent to your help, keep on keeping the faith for them anyway.  Go all out to carry the dead weight of your friend's body to Jesus. 

Do we ignore Jesus' demonstration that having faith on behalf of others matters?  Who needs you and your friends to lower them through the roof today?

Love trumps following a bunch of rules

Jesus demonstrates that love trumps keeping a list of rules.

Mark 1:40 - 45 40 A leper came to Jesus begging him, and kneeling he said to him, "If you choose, you can make me clean." 41 Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, "I do choose. Be made clean!" 42 Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.


The leper is an outcast in society forced to live outside of the community.  He wasn't allowed to get close to Jesus or anyone else.  Jesus would become unclean if he is within speaking distance of the leper.  But the leper bucks the rules and so does Jesus.  The man falls on his knees before Jesus.  Jesus could have healed the man without touching him, but he stretches out his hand and touches him.

What rules might we be following instead of following Jesus' example of putting compassion before the law?  Who are the outcasts that need your gentle touch?

Maybe you are like me... and can also identify with the outcast?  Maybe you don't fit in - maybe "the community of God" has told you to live outside their walls - that you make them unclean?  How would it feel to fall at Jesus' feet and feel his hand grab hold of yours? 

Healed for Service in Jesus' community

Jesus shows us how he rolls... healing people for service in his kingdom.

Mark 1:30-31 30 Now Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. 31 He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.

People often ask me who is going to heaven and who isn't.  I reply that it is the wrong question to be asking.  One that Jesus really doesn't concentrate on during his ministry.  Despite what our modern American culture has made Christianity into, our faith is not about getting us a ticket to heaven - it is about serving Jesus (and others!) now and for eternity. 

In the early church, when the believers encounter someone - they never ever ever ask, "if you died tonight, would you go to heaven?"  It is an irrelevant question.  One you will not find in scripture.  Instead, they ask, "Have you been baptized with the Holy Spirit?"  "Are you a servant of Jesus?"  Paul teaches that it is when we profess our desire to serve Jesus that it is then that we are baptized with the Holy Spirit.  Being baptized with the Spirit is how we are able to serve Jesus.  "Have you been baptized with the Spirit?"  This is the same question as "Are you a servant of Jesus?'  This is the right evangelical question to ask.  Jesus didn't come to pass out tickets to heaven, he came to baptize us with the Spirit (Mark 1:8) so that we could be his servants.  And by serving him, we serve others too.

In this little two sentence story about Simon Peter's mother-in-law, we see how Jesus works.  Simon's mother-in-law is sick.  She may even be too sick to know how bad off she is.  Either way, like all of us, she is broken.  Her family and friends tell Jesus about her. Have you ever prayed for someone who is sick - spiritually or physically?  Then you have told Jesus about them too!  Is there someone you should be telling Jesus about even now?

Well, after hearing about her, Jesus goes to her, takes her hand, and heals her.  She doesn't do anything to deserve it.  She doesn't even ask for it.  She just accepts it - says thank you - and begins to serve "them".

 


If you are serving Jesus, it is because he has healed you and baptized you with his Spirit.  If you aren't serving him, then accept his healing power, say thank you, be filled with his Spirit, and begin to serve him and others just like Peter's mother-in-law did!

Do we ignore that Jesus heals us to serve him and others?

Jesus had a discipline of praying

Jesus demonstrates the discipline of praying.

Mark 1:35 ³⁵ In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed.

Jesus had a discipline of praying.  Praying in the morning, in the dark, alone, and in a deserted place.  How might our lives change if we followed his example?  Wouldn't our lives have a focus on God - what God is doing in our lives and the world - what role God wants us to take in his mission - who we need to love on and care for - would it take away uncertainty and the fear that goes along with it to know that we are part of something bigger than ourselves? 

 

When Mother Teresa was being interviewed, she was asked what she asked God for when she prayed.  Her answer was that she didn't speak - she listened. 

Do we ignore Jesus' example of praying?

When I think of Jesus praying, it amazes me to imagine the trinity having a conversation.  Present is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  What do you think they spoke about?  What language did they speak in?  Below is a famous depiction of the trinity having a chat.  Notice how there is an opening in the table, how their body language is turned toward someone not present in the picture.  Perhaps that is an invitation to join them at the table?  If you sat down with them, how would you join in the conversation?  Would you turn the conversation around to focusing on your needs and desires?  Or would you listen to what they were up to using what they spoke about to guide your day?  Would you determine your needs by what they were planning?  Or would you tell them your plans and hope they got on board?

First, live out the gospel.

Jesus demonstrates the effectiveness of living out the gospel

Mark 1:23-34 ²³ Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, ²⁴ and he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God." ²⁵ But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!" ²⁶ And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. ²⁷ They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, "What is this? A new teaching-- with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him." ...  32 they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. ³³ And the whole city was gathered around the door. ³⁴ And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

Why didn't Jesus want the demons to tell people who he was?  Probably because the people had been taught from childhood an inaccurate view of what the Messiah would be like.  And Jesus needed to re-frame their knowledge and gain their trust before he revealed the true nature of the Messiah.  The Messiah wasn't going to free them from Roman oppression, but instead teach them an authentic way of living as God's people - servants to one another -servants even to the Romans!  This is not going to be a popular message! 

Jesus needed to gain their trust by his words and miracles before he revealed himself in full.  He needed to first show his love and compassion for them.  Sharing the whole picture with them at once would have been too much for them. 

Curiously, Jesus was preaching to the most religious people of the day.  And they were sick, hurting, needy, demon filled people.  He was preaching to those who claimed to be "the people of God".  And they were anything but.  This is really not too far from our situation today - many claiming to be "the people of God," but they don't know Jesus.  They have nationalistic agendas that aren't anything like what Jesus called his followers to be.  They've reimaginded Jesus in their own image - a Jesus who serves their interests.

But Jesus shows us how to approach these confused religious people.  It isn't by trying to get a right theological message across or by demanding that they change their ways.  Jesus' approach is to live out the message. He demonstrates God's love and compassion first - through his miracles. 

These Jewish people, just like much of the Christian religion today, has been hearing the wrong message for so long that they associate what they believe with nationalism and family instead of actually walking in a relationship with God becoming servants.  Following Jesus means letting go of so much of what they have believed for so long - it is hard.  Jesus knows this, so he seeks to live out the gospel in front of them.  Jesus lets them get to know him first.  Lets them hunger for what he's got and who he is.  Then he will reveal the whole story.

We need to live out the gospel to the religous people of the day so that they can hunger for what Jesus really offers them - a complete transformation - a new way of being.  They can't handle the truth - not yet.

Do we ignore Jesus' example of living out the gospel?

Miracles demonstrate authority

Jesus sets an example of demonstrating his authority through miracles.

Mark 1:23-28 ²³ Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, ²⁴ and he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God." ²⁵ But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!" ²⁶ And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. ²⁷ They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, "What is this? A new teaching-- with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him." ²⁸ At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.

Sunday night I was privileged to celebrate a new building with a Korean Presbyterian church.  As we sat down to a feast after the worship service, my husband and I sat with one of the Korean pastors.  We begin to talk about the differences between how Koreans and Americans practice their faith.  The Korean pastor said that he was very disappointed when he came to America and saw an American Presbyterian worship service for the first time.  He said that when American Presbyterian missionaries came to Korea, they taught the Korean converts to expect the Holy Spirit to be active and strong in their lives.  He said that in their Korean services (even today) they experience the Holy Spirit's power through speaking in tongues, healing, and the casting out of demons.  He said sitting in an American Presbyterian church service was a very very dry experience in comparison. 

But here Jesus is... in a worship service.  A man has an unclean spirit.  And Jesus casts the unclean spirit out. 

What is our reaction to this?  Many of us begin to explain away the unclean spirit.  We certainly don't believe in those.  Right?  Probably just a medical condition.  Mark didn't think so... he heard the unclean spirit speaking in a loud voice - he witnessed it leave the man's body.  Why is it so hard for Americans who believe in God to also believe in unclean spirits? 

My Korean pastor friend went on to say that Americans equate believing in God with faith - they keep it all in their heads.  But for Koreans, it is experiencing God that matters.  For the people gathered in the synagogue, it was experience that mattered too.  When they saw what Jesus was capable of, it was then that they accepted his "new teachings."  Jesus' miracle showed the people in the synagogue that he was the real deal.

What shows people that our faith is the real deal? 

Do we ignore the possibility that like Jesus, the power of the Holy Spirit to do miracles should be present in our lives and worship services too?  That maybe we (and others) need to do more than just believe - maybe we need to experience God's power too?

Find people and teach authoritatively

Jesus finds people where they are and teaches with authority.

Mark 1:21-22 ²¹  Jesus and his newly called disciples went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. ²² They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
At first glance, these verses seem insignificant.  But they tell us so much about Jesus' ministry - and they teach us how we should minister too.  Jesus goes to his target audience (his fellow Jews) where they had gathered - in the synagogue.  He goes to them - meets them where they are.  We see Paul mimic this habit of Jesus in the book of Acts when Paul goes to teach in the amphitheatre where his target audience, the gentiles, gather.  Paul meets the people God has called him to reach where they are rather than insisting they come to him.  In our churches - do we seek to meet others where they are or do we insist they come to us on our terms?

Not only is Jesus' style different from the other teachers (the scribes), but he claims the authority of one who has divine knowledge.  He doesn't come saying phrases like "I think" and "It might be" or "I hope."  Jesus is not struggling with theology or practice or faith.  He walks so closely with the Father - that he can teach what has been revealed to him.  How much of what we teach (and all of us teach - we teach our children, our friends, our coworkers, etc) is from a common wisdom base that may or may not have anything to do with what God has revealed to us?  How many of us teach from what we have learned in our relationship with God - from what God has revealed to us and from what God has shown us through our experiences?

Sometime I hear fellow ministers joking about the "preaching fairy" bringing them the Sunday message.  I know it is a joke, but still it makes me cringe.  What all of us teach - whether it is informal or formal - should come from our deep walk with God - teaching only what is revealed to us by the Holy Spirit and then teaching it with authority.  That isn't easy to do.  But followers of Jesus are kind of obligated to live (and teach) that way.

Do we ignore Jesus' example to find people where they are and then teach (live out our lives) with authority?

P.S.  This authority stuff isn't popular... most of us feel better living/teaching as if we can't know for sure.  And if you are like me, you are more comfortable saying "this is what I think" rather than "this is what God has revealed to me."  But what kind of disciples are we making if our faith is based on "it might," "it could," and "I hope?"  instead of demonstrating a life of humbly walking with God who has promised to give us all wisdom?

Jesus transforms family values.

Jesus transforms our family relationships.

Mark 1:19-20 ¹⁹ As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. ²⁰ Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.

No doubt that Zebedee, like a good father, had a plan for his sons' livelihood - apparently he'd been building a fishing business for them to take over and run. He owned his own boat, had a staff, and his boys were being taught the details of the business (presently, they were mending nets).  So I wonder if he was astonished that day - put out even - when his sons left him afloat in his boat with just his employees?  Who is gonna finish mending the nets?!?! 

Or maybe Zebedee was a man with a heart for God who saw the bigger picture.  Maybe he was thrilled that his sons recognized the huge opportunity and immense responsibility to follow Jesus.  We don't know.  But what we do know is that Jesus transforms traditional family relationships.  He isn't bound by the father's plans for his sons.

Those of us who are parents... do we recognize that Jesus has a call on our children's lives that is far more important than our plans for them?  Do we hold them back to meet our needs or do we encourage them to leave us in the boat and follow Jesus?

As children, do we recognize that following Jesus is more important than following our parent's plans for us?  Doesn't mean the two things can't align.  But one thing is clear: it isn't enough to follow in the paths of our parents, Jesus wants us to commit to following him personally.  And sometimes that means disappointing our parents.

Difficult family values! 

Do we ignore that Jesus has a claim on our children's lives that is far more important than our own plans for them?  How do we support their desire to follow Jesus?

Jesus transforms our professions

Do we ignore that Jesus transforms our professions?

Mark 1:16-18 ¹⁶ As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea-- for they were fishermen. ¹⁷ And Jesus said to them, "Follow me and I will make you fish for people." ¹⁸ And immediately they left their nets and followed him.

When Jesus invited Simon and Andrew to follow him, he transformed their profession which was fishing - from fishing for fish to fishing for people.  How does Jesus desire to transform your profession?  Is there a way that Jesus can transform it from just focusing on the daily business to focusing on God's mission at the same time?  Most of us separate our spiritual lives from our businesses - but is it possible that they be one in the same? 

Do we ignore that Jesus transforms even our professions when we follow him?

Jesus wants a response to his message

Jesus requests a response to the good news.

Mark 1:14-15 ¹⁴ After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. ¹⁵ "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"

These verses raise three questions for me:  What is the the good news?  What is the Kingdom of God?  And have I responded to Jesus' command to "repent and believe?"

What is the the good news?  There are several things to consider about the good news in these two verses.  It is Jesus' job to reveal it - it is why he took on a human body and is going to engage us; it is from God about God; and it has to do with the Kingdom (or reign) of God.  But other than that, Mark doesn't attempt to define it in a few words.  The whole life, the teaching, the very person of Jesus are going to be needed to define it.  Mark is going to take the whole rest of his book to give witness to what he knows about the good news.

What is the Kingdom of God?  From these verses we learn that  its time has arrived.  In other words, something huge is happening!  All of the Old Testament verses where people sang out "And he shall reign forever and ever" are becoming a reality through what Jesus is about to do. And yet, Mark calls this "kairos" time - it is both already (forever) and yet to be (and ever).  It doesn't run parallel to "chronos" time - which we can measure with our watches.  We also learn that the location of Kingdom of God is "near."  It is to be found in the person and work of Jesus.  And when the Spirit dwells within us... it is found within us too.  And again, Mark is going to take the whole rest of his book to give witness to what he knows about it.

So Mark pulls us into his book... we need to read the whole thing to even begin to understand the good news and the kingdom of God.  Mark wants us to be patient and listen.  BUT one thing Mark is not patient about.  And that is Jesus' command to respond to what it is that we are about to learn by repenting and believing.  Jesus didn't just come to teach us.  He also came to tell us to respond: "Repent and believe!"  Jesus is telling us to respond to the good news that he is going to reveal by turning from our brokenness to following - trusting in - his way.

Do we ignore Jesus' command to turn from our brokenness and follow him?  Are we ready to renounce the reign of this world (its governments, its political parties, its clubs) and instead allow God to reign over us?  Or do we just think it is enough to show up at church when it is convenient?  Give some token amount of our wealth to those in need every now and then?  Pray occasionally when we need something?  Use our old ways for better causes?  Or is Jesus calling us to leave all of our brokenness behind for a whole new way of being?  A way of being where God reigns?  Well, Mark is going to use the rest of his book to give witness to what he has seen and heard...

The Spirit sometimes sends us to where we will be attacked.

Jesus is sent where he will be attacked.

Mark 1:12-13 ¹² At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert, ¹³ and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.

Most of the time, when we talk about being "in the desert", we talk about a time of being alone in a desolate place.  A time in our lives where we are lonely or bored - where we are thirsty for more than what we have. We often refer to "desert experiences" as a time when we experience loss. We see the desert as a dry place where we wait for the healing rains that will jettison us back to life.

But the desert that the Spirit sends Jesus into is not just a dry, desolate place. Satan waits for Jesus there - to tempt him!  To attack him.  There are wild beasts there.

Why would Jesus even go there?  Stay away!  Go some place good, enjoyable.  Go where there is a bigger chance of success.  Rather than take the assignment where Satan awaits, take a good one!  BUT the Spirit sends Jesus there!  The Spirit sends Jesus into a place where he will be attacked. 

We don't often think that the Spirit would do such a thing to either Jesus or ourselves.  We think that if we make good decisions and live right that only good things will happen to us - that we will get the praise and notoriety we deserve.  Deserts are for people who have messed up and need a time out.

But true desert experiences are when the Spirit sends us to where Satan is waiting to attack us.  Jesus knows what is ahead of him and goes anyway.  But he isn't alone.  There are angels to attend to him.

Has the Spirit ever sent you to a place where you will be attacked?  Did you accept it as a place where God wanted you to be or did you try to find a way out?  Has the Spirit ever sent someone you love into a place where they would be attacked?  Did you support them (an angel who attended them)? Or did you encourage them to find a way out believing they'd made a wrong turn?   We have a hard time accepting that places of attack are often places we (and our loved ones) are meant to be.  We don't see these places as places of success where we learn and grow.  We don't see places where we need others (even angels) to help us - places where we don't have the strength to be self-sufficent as places where we've been sent.  Maybe we need to rethink this.

Do we ignore Jesus' example of going to the place the Spirit sends us - even if it means we will be attacked?

Reconcilation to God and others is a trinitarian effort.

In Jesus' baptism, we see that the good news is trinitarian.

Mark 1:9-11 ⁹ In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. ¹⁰ And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. ¹¹ And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."

This is one of those rare times in scripture, when we see the trinity together.  It is not an every day happening that the trinity breaks through into our world.  Mark emphasizes this by saying "the heavens were torn apart."  And then...

• The Father, speaks to affirm Jesus as his son. 
• The Holy Spirit descends on Jesus anointing him for God's work.  
• And then, of course, Jesus is being baptized.

Mark establishes right up front that the good news - the news that we can be reconciled to God and to each other - is a trinitarian effort.  Each person in the trinity plays a role with the common goal of reconciling us to God and to each other.  The good news cannot be separated into just the story of one of the persons of the trinity.  We can not be reconciled to God without the work of Jesus who in his death and resurrection cleanses us.  Nor can we be reconciled to God or each other without the work of the Holy Spirit who sets us apart and transforms us for holy use so that we can work together as the people of God.  The good news is only possible through a trinitarian effort.  But so much of our culture focuses on only part of the trinity and its work.

We focus on just knowing God - believing we can know him without the help of Jesus or the Holy Spirit.  Or we focus on just Jesus - attempting to follow him by our own efforts without the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit.  Or we focus on just the Spirit calling ourselves spiritual, but forgetting that the work of the Spirit is made possible only because of Jesus' work on the cross.

The good news is very trinitarian.  It matters that we are aware of this.  It changes how we live.

Do we ignore that the gospel - the good news that we can be reconciled to God and others - is trinitarian?  Each part of the trinity has a role to plan in reconciliation.  If we are to be effective in the ministry of reconciliation that God has now entrusted us with - we need to embrace and celebrate this trinitarian gospel!

Jesus baptizes with the the Holy Spirit

Jesus came to baptize with the Holy Spirit

Mark 1:1-9  ⁴ John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. ⁵ And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. ⁶ Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. ⁷ He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. ⁸ I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

I love the way the gospel of Mark begins.  Within the first paragraph, Mark establishes Jesus' deity and then Jesus' purpose.  Jesus came to "baptize with the Holy Spirit." 

In our culture, we don't really get what it means to be "baptized with the Holy Spirit".  Most would say it has something to do with the spiritual discipline of "speaking in tongues".  And if you ask the average person what Jesus' purpose was, they will  most likely say that it was to get people into heaven.  But Mark thinks differently.  He sees Jesus as "the Messianic bearer of the Holy Spirit" - fancy words I learned from a book I read in seminary.   They mean that all of Jesus' work - his birth, life, death, and resurrection, was so that this followers could be baptized with the Holy Spirit and have the Holy Spirit living within them. 

The Holy Spirit is what marks us as followers of Jesus.  It is what enables us to be in right relationship with God and in right relationship with one another.  It is what sets us aside for holy use.  Jesus came to make this possible.  Through his death and resurrection, our hearts are cleaned so that when the Holy Spirit was sent at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit could indwell our hearts joining with believers - to guide them, comfort them, set them aside for God's work.

The indwelling Holy Spirit is what makes Jesus' people a new race - set aside to be the people of God - set aside to become the Kingdom of God.  The prophets talked about this new race of people from ancient times.  And Jesus came to make it possible.  In his death and resurrection, we are cleansed - our brokenness healed - so that the Holy Spirit can indwell us.

Most of us would rather just have a ticket to heaven than to give ourselves over to allowing the Holy Spirit to live within us - to direct us.  But a ticket to heaven was not Jesus' purpose.  His purpose was to baptize us with the Holy Spirit so that we could live in right relationship with God and each other.

Do we ignore that Jesus came to baptize with the Holy Spirit?  How differently would we live if the gospel - the good news - was not about dying with a ticket to heaven, but about living in right relationship with God and others through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit?

Jesus was Yahweh

Jesus accepts John's claim that he, Jesus, was Yahweh - the one true God.

Mark 1:1-9 The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; 3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,'" 4 John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins... 7 He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals..." 9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.

The words of the prophet Isaiah written 800 years before Christ's birth:  Isaiah 40:3 "A voice is crying -- in a wilderness -- Prepare ye the way of Yahweh, Make straight in a desert a highway..."

The Prophet Isaiah lived about 800 years before Christ.  He prophesied, among other things, about the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.  In these verses, Isaiah said there would be one who came before Jesus to prepare the way for Jesus.  John the Baptist not only claimed to be the person who would prepare Jesus' way, but John claimed Jesus was the one called "Yahweh" by the prophet Isaiah.  Yahweh is the one true God - the creator and sustainer of the universe - who desires a relationship with us.

This is huge.  Right off the bat, Mark identifies Jesus as not only the Son of God, but he records John identifying Jesus as Yahweh.  Jesus accepts this claim by identifying as a follower of John through baptism.

Do we ignore that Jesus was not just a good teacher or a nice prophet?  He claimed to be not only the son of God, but Yahweh - the one true God?  How does that inform the rest of what Jesus does and says?  Can we ignore this and still be followers of Jesus?

Jesus will always be with us

Jesus teaches that he will always be with his followers.

Matthew 28:20 And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

These are the very last words of Jesus that Matthew records in his gospel.  He wants us to know that we are not alone in our biggest successes or our worst failures.  He will always be with his followers.  No qualifications.  When we fail due to incompetency, brokenness, or our own bad choices, he is still there with us!!  When things are going well and we think we don't really need his guidance, he is right there too.  Even when the world turns on us... he is there!  He isn't just watching from a distance - he is with us!!  He is experiencing our lives with us. 

How does this knowledge affect us?  Might we take more risks knowing he is taking the risk with us?  Might we follow him and his teachings even when the personal benefit is negligible and the personal sacrifice is huge?  Might we forgive and love even when the chances are high that the forgiveness and love won't be returned - when hatred and meanness will be thrown in our faces?  Will we interpret our lives - even the sorrow and tragedy - knowing he is right here with us?

Do we ignore the last words Matthew records from Jesus: "I will always be with you" and do we live like he meant it?

Jesus pushes evangelism

Jesus directs his followers to invite everyone to follow his way and become part of his community.

Matthew 28:16-20 ¹⁶ Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. ¹⁷ When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. ¹⁸ And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.

These are part of the last words that Matthew records Jesus speaking.  They must be pretty significant. 

As we dropped our son off at college, I felt the need - as we stood in the parking lot - to give my son some last words... to review all that we had taught him in his first 18 years - just to make sure I hadn't forgotten anything important.  But I was too overwhelmed to say much at all.  I was afraid that if I started crying, I might never stop.

Not far from our car, I could hear a father almost scolding his daughter, "You just need to believe in yourself.  Stop all the negative talk."  Most parents were crying.  Most students were just hoping mom and dad would get on down the road.  And then I saw my husband point to my son's heart and heard him saying, "Remember who you belong to!"  If our son remembers that he has been claimed by Jesus as he decides on his major, picks out a girlfriend - maybe even a wife, and eventually takes his place in the world, he will do better than fine.  Instead of reviewing the lessons of the last 18 years, my husband summed up the most important thing our son needed to know and let it hang in the air so it would sink in.

This is what Jesus is doing in this scripture.  He is summing up for us what leaving his followers behind is ultimately all about:  "inviting others to follow him."  He left us behind to tell others about him and his community and invite them to become one with us. If we remember this, we will do better than fine too.

But isn't it pushy to "make disciples"?  Shouldn't we just respect whatever philosophy or person or faith others follow?  Who am I to push my views on someone else?  This is a lot to ask... I am just trying to get through the day, pay my mortgage, make sure my kids get an education, and relax a little before I go to bed at night before I have to get up and do the whole thing over again.  Most of us want to believe that Jesus didn't want us to insert ourselves in other traditions and faiths --  redirecting them to Christ.  We want to believe that Jesus would like for us to "just let them be" - we want to hear Jesus teach "its all good".  But Matthew records Jesus speaking something different. 

Do we ignore Jesus' directive to invite others to become his followers? 

Jesus sends women to preach the gospel first

Jesus gives women the honor of being the first to preach the gospel...

Jesus has been crucified and buried.  The women have kept the Sabbath law and stayed at home.  But now Sabbath is over and they head to Jesus' tomb.  These women have no standing in Jewish society - they aren't even allowed to testify in court.  But they are the ones that Jesus chooses to preach the goodnews to the disciples.  Think about it... Jesus could have gone straight to where the disciples are in hiding and talked to them directly.  But he chooses to send these women to preach the goodnews to the disciples. 

Matthew 28:1-10 After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb... ² And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. ³ His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. ⁴ For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. ⁵ But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. ⁶ He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. ⁷ Then go quickly and tell his disciples, 'He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.' This is my message for you." ⁸ So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. ⁹ Suddenly Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. ¹⁰ Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."

I love when Jesus turns culture and norms upside down!  True to all that he has taught previously... about those who serve being the leaders in the Messiah's community... he demonstrates it here.  The women have come to dress Jesus' body properly with herbs.  They have come to serve.  When they see Jesus, they grab onto his feet and hold tight.  They worship him!  So Jesus gives them a message to spread that will change the world forever:  "He is Risen!"  He sends these insignificant, marginalized women to preach the gospel to the men who consider themselves leaders. 

Do we ignore Jesus' example of sending women to preach the gospel?  

Jesus takes on our brokenness.

Jesus takes the brokenness of the world on himself.

Matthew 27:46 ⁴⁶ And about three o'clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" that is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

We are all broken.  We are broken because others have hurt us and we have places that need healing.  We are also broken because we have chosen paths that are not right - paths that hurt ourselves and others. We are not the good that God intended for us to be.  We are not whole.  This lack of wholeness keeps us from reconciliation with God and others.

In a sense, there are two ways that we can place our brokenness on Jesus. 

The first way is a way of healing and becoming whole.  We recognize that we are broken and realize that by following Jesus, we give him the power to heal us - desiring to become who Jesus made us to be.  But a part of me holds back from Jesus' healing even now.  I think if you are honest, part of you holds back too.  Will we be bored if we become fully his followers?  Some of the stuff he taught is opposed to our personal success.  Will we look foolish singing Kumbaya - holding hands and praying?  Will we have to tolerate "his followers" - some of which are nothing more than despicable rule followers not Christ followers?  Will we have to forgive those who have hurt us?  Will Jesus take us out of our comfort zones away from things that we like?  We've gotten pretty comfortable living a half life of only following Jesus when it is easy.  We are used to our white lies and savvy business deals that put our interests first.  But to be whole, reconciled to God and others, we have to acknowledge all these broken parts and give them over to Jesus to heal us. 

As Jesus hung on the cross, his death was for this purpose - to take on our brokenness - the brokenness caused by others hurting us - the brokenness we have caused ourselves.  He wants to heal it so we can be our best selves.  The selves he created us to be - in right relationship with God and others.  As he takes on our brokenness, God forsakes him.  And Jesus knows for the first time what it is like to be separated from God.  He knows what it is like to be us.  He allows this to happen so that he can begin his work which will be completed in his resurrection that will heal not only our relationship with God, but our relationships with each other too.

But there is another way we can put our brokenness on Jesus (and on each other).  This way leads to spiritual death.  This way does not reconcile us to God or to each other.  Instead of acknowledging our brokenness and seeking Jesus' healing, we blame him and others for our problems.  This is what both the Jews and the Gentiles did at Jesus' trial.  Instead of acknowledging their brokenness and allowing Jesus to heal it, they accused him of lying.  They blamed Jesus for their political problems and hung their sins around his neck.  Jesus warned his followers that the same thing would happen to them - lies would be told and they would be blamed for other's brokenness.   This way separates us from God and each other.  This way is hell.  Most of us live out this hell every day.  We live it when we hold grudges.  We live it when fail to ask forgiveness of God and others.  We live it when we seek our best at another's expense whether that happens in a business deal, a marriage or a friendship.

Jesus allowed God to forsake him so that Jesus could own our brokenness.  By following him - desiring him to heal us - giving him permission to transform us... thanking him for taking us on....our brokenness is then placed on him.  And we wait for the power of the resurrection to complete his healing work.

Do we ignore that Jesus wants to heal our brokenness?

Obedience despite personal humiliation and pain

Jesus demonstrates obedience despite personal humiliation and pain.

The Jews, after condemning Jesus in their own religious court, have turned Jesus over to the Gentiles who have the power to free Jesus or carry out the death sentence...

Matthew 27:11-45 ¹¹ Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus said, "You say so." ¹² But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he did not answer. ¹³ Then Pilate said to him, "Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?" ¹⁴ But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed...   ²⁶ after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified... ²⁸ They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, ²⁹ and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on his head. They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" ³⁰ They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. ³¹ After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him...  ³⁹ Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads ⁴⁰ and saying, "You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross." ⁴¹ In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking him, saying, ⁴² "He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. ⁴³ He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he wants to; for he said, 'I am God's Son.'"

Jesus has made the choice to go through this pain and humiliation in obedience to his Father.  Most of us are under the impression that if something is humiliating or painful - then we need to take action to resist it - to stand up for ourselves.  It is our right!  To do otherwise would be to act as a doormat, become a sissy.  Right?  I mean, if someone hurts our feelings, don't we have the right to retaliate or at a minimum, be hateful to them?  Shouldn't we reach out to everyone we know and raise support for ourselves? 

But Jesus shows us a different example here.  He doesn't answer the charges.  He neither falls apart with hurt feelings nor yells back with insults.  He doesn't even seek to prove how powerful or righteous he is.  He doesn't resist the humiliation and pain. Instead, he knows who he is and he is secure in it.  He knows this is happening so that through his death and resurrection, humanity can be reconciled not only to God, but to each other.

When someone hurts us - humiliates us - isn't fair to us, are we prepared to react out of knowing who we are in Christ (knowing we have infinite worth in God's eyes) instead of trying to defend ourselves with hurt feelings or insults?  Are we able to speak truth to the situation rather than judgement? Are we able to show them God's love despite whatever they have done to us? 

Do we ignore Jesus' example to be obedient even when it is personally painful and humiliating?

Note:  This does not mean God wants us to stay in abusive situations where there is physical violence and verbal abuse.  Living with domestic abuse is not God's plan for us.  Jesus, however, knew his death was part of God's plan.  Removing ourselves from domestic violence so we can no longer be hurt is almost always the only way we can demonstrate God's love to the abuser. 

Jesus defines Messiah - Is this what we want and expect?

Jesus' teaches that he is the Messiah  - BUT is this the kind of Messiah that we really want?

Jesus is at trial now.  They ask if he is the Messiah.  This is a difficult question for Jesus to answer because their understanding of Messiah and his understanding of Messiah are vastly different things.  Their understanding of Messiah was that he was going to take back their land and culture.  They believed the Messiah would show up to support their best interests - to put them in power - to put down their enemies.  This is the Messiah they wanted and worshiped. 

Unfortunately, Jesus is not that Messiah.  In fact, that is a very wrong, but very familiar view of what the Messiah is - even today among Christians, both conservatives and liberals.  All too often, Conservative Christians claim Jesus backs their political views... the US constitution... their set of rules to force on others. Likewise Liberal Christians often claim Jesus backs their agenda... their set of good works to accomplish... their set of good deeds to force on others by passing laws that demand good works get done. Neither camp is too far away from what those who killed Jesus had expected a Messiah would do for them too!  But Jesus didn't come to force our behavior by the passing of laws.  He didn't support laws that kept us from doing wrong - nor did he support laws to make us do right.  He came to transform our hearts so that whatever disciplines we live by... whatever good works we do.... are done out of pure hearts - are done out of love for God and others.

This is the Messiah spoken of in scripture.  Is it the Messiah we want?

Matthew 26:63-67 ⁶³ But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest said to him, "I put you under oath before the living God, tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God." ⁶⁴ Jesus said to him, "You have said so. But I tell you, From now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven." ⁶⁵ Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? You have now heard his blasphemy. ⁶⁶ What is your verdict?" They answered, "He deserves death." ⁶⁷ Then they spat in his face and struck him; and some slapped him...

If Jesus is not going to put us in power, to give us what we want and deserve for following some set of rules or doing some set of good works that we think make us righteous, then what is the point of following him?  This is what is on their minds.  Jesus - instead of paying attention to them - the important, powerful religious leaders - has been out healing those who are unclean - those with diseases.  He has been eating with tax collectors.  He has paid attention to prostitutes and those with deep scars from years of sin.  He has been transforming everyone who desires to follow him.  This is not a Messiah that they can tolerate.  He doesn't fit into their plans.  So there is only one thing to do:  Kill him!

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that he is not the Messiah we have expected?

You can't use violence to protect Jesus.

Jesus teaches "for all who take the sword will perish by the sword."

Matthew 26:46-54 ⁴⁶ Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand." ⁴⁷ While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. ⁴⁸ Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him." ⁴⁹ At once he came up to Jesus and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed him. ⁵⁰ Jesus said to him, "Friend, do what you are here to do." Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him. ⁵¹ Suddenly, one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. ⁵² Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. ⁵³ Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? ⁵⁴ But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen in this way?"

Jesus voluntarily walks into the hands of those who will reject, torture, and kill him.  He knows that it is the will of God for him to become the sacrifice that will allow the reconciliation of humanity to God.  But there is one disciple, who hadn't gotten the memo that Jesus was going to accept this path willingly.   John records in his gospel that it is Peter who pulls out a sword and resorts to violence to protect Jesus.  Jesus says "No violence!  I don't need it.  I am doing this willingly."

What is going on in Peter's mind?  He has proclaimed his loyalty to Jesus even to his own death.  And now he is showing that he meant it - and draws a sword to protect Jesus.  He certainly couldn't single-handedily fight off the crowd (bearing weapons) who have shown up with the purpose of taking Jesus.  Peter is willing to go down in a fight.  But Jesus won't let Peter fight.  Jesus allows himself to be captured. 

What is going on in Peter's mind as Jesus is led away - the sword still at his side?  In just a few hours Peter will be identified as one of Jesus' followers, but Peter will deny it.  Peter is willing to go out fighting, but he is not willing to voluntarily turn himself over to Jesus' enemies which would have certainly happened had he told the truth that he was Jesus' follower. 

I think Peter faces the same question we often face as a nation - even as individuals.  There is an enemy that wants to harm us.  We know how to use violence, but we can't imagine just giving ourselves over to the enemy - standing by when we have a sword and letting the enemy take us.  That would be insane.  Right?

We admire people who are willing to go out fighting the enemy:  "Don't go down without a fight!"  They are our heroes.  But we laugh at people who say, "I won't resort to violence."  We don't admire or even understand people who give themselves over to the enemy without a fight.  That is foolish!  But this is the foolishness of being Jesus' follower.  Can we ever justify protecting the things of God through violence?  Jesus tells Peter not to use violence - there is a better way for Jesus' followers to behave - one that demonstrates we have placed not only our souls, but our bodies into the hands of God.  I am sad that in 2000 years, we still see violence as the answer. 

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that all who take the sword will die by the sword?

Answer to a willing spirit, but weak flesh: Prayer with Friends

Jesus teaches that our spirit may be willing, but that our flesh is weak.  He demonstrates that prayer - praying with friends - is the answer to over coming the flesh and living in the spirit.

On the night before Jesus died...

Matthew 26:31-46 ³¹ Then Jesus said to them, "You will all become deserters because of me this night; for it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' ³² But after I am raised up, I will go ahead of you to Galilee." ³³ Peter said to him, "Though all become deserters because of you, I will never desert you." ³⁴ Jesus said to him, "Truly I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times." ³⁵ Peter said to him, "Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you." And so said all the disciples. ³⁶ Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." ³⁷ He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. ³⁸ Then he said to them, "I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me." ³⁹ And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want." ⁴⁰ Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, "So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? ⁴¹ Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." ⁴² Again he went away for the second time and prayed, "My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done." ⁴³ Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. ⁴⁴ So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words. ⁴⁵ Then he came to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. ⁴⁶ Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand."

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to stay awake and pray (with friends!) when the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak?

Jesus is facing rejection, humiliation, torture, and death.  This is God's plan to reconcile all of humanity with himself.  Jesus' spirit is willing to do God's will, but his flesh is not so happy with what is going to happen in the next few hours.  So Jesus brings his closest friends (three of his disciples) with him for support.  He asks them to "stay awake with him and to pray" while he goes and prays too. 

The verses leading up to this event (in Chapter 24) tell the disciples over and over to "stay awake."  "Staying awake" means they will be able to outsmart those who want to steal from them, to take care of the things and people entrusted to them, to be prepared, to even increase the gifts God has given them.  And now... here comes the first test for these disciples.  Jesus has already told him that his death is going to happen really soon.  He is scared. Upset. Grieved!  Jesus' flesh doesn't want to face torture and death.  His spirit is willing, but his flesh says, "no."  He wants to talk it over with God.  And he wants his friends to stay awake and pray while he does.

But his friends take a nap. 

Jesus walks back to where they were to be praying - I believe to talk over what God has revealed to him in his prayer - and they are asleep!  Some friends!  What a great support system. His friends won't even pray with him during his darkest hour.

I had the experience recently of needing healing from a very broken heart.  God had told me "no" to something very precious to me - something I loved very much.  I wasn't mad at God, but I was having a hard time understanding God's plan - a hard time adjusting to rejection and loss.  My friend asked if she could sit and pray - not with me - but for me - as I prayed to God.  We sat together - she prayed silently for me as I had a silent heart-to-heart with God.  I didn't realize that what I was experiencing was what Jesus had wanted his disciples to do for him on the night before he died.  He wanted them to stay awake and pray while he prayed.  As my friend and I prayed, we would stop to talk about what God was revealing to me.  We prayed for a long time. She "stayed awake" with me and interceeded for me. It was the most powerful prayer I have ever experienced.

If you are experiencing a "willing spirit, but weak flesh", Jesus teaches us by his example to grab a friend (one who won't fall asleep) and ask them to pray for you as you talk to God.  Pause occasionally to talk about what God is revealing.  And then pray some more.  This is how Jesus has taught us to strengthen a willing spirit and overcome weak flesh.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to stay awake and pray (with friends!) when the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak?  Is there someone you need to stay awake and pray with today?

God's Will Not Ours

Jesus teaches obedience by example

Obedience is a complicated thing.  Someone can give you a list of rules and tell you to keep them.  And that is one kind of obedience.  You don't need to know why a rule exists and you don't need to put much thought into it... you just need to do what it says.  This is childlike obedience - trusting that the rule giver has your best interests at heart and following them.  This is as far as the Pharisees ever got in their relationship with God.

But there is a whole other kind of obedience... the kind that can't be covered by a list of rules.  It is more like following than obeying.  It requires a partnership with the rule giver.  It comes from knowing the will of the person you are following - knowing their desires, their plans, their character - and then representing that with all that you are.  This is the kind of obedience we see in Jesus as he is about to be captured and put to death (and it is the kind of obedience he wants from us too)...

Matthew 26:31-46 ³⁷ He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. ³⁸ Then he said to them, "I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me." ³⁹ And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want." ⁴⁰ Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, "So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? ⁴¹ Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." ⁴² Again he went away for the second time and prayed, "My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done." ⁴³

Jesus knows the mind and heart and will of the Father.  He knows God's plan is for Jesus to be rejected by "God's people", tortured, and to die a horrific death.  Naturally, he doesn't want to go through with it.  He asks God to come up with some other plan - another plan that will reconcile humanity to a place where they can be in relationship with God.  And God says "No!"  God says NO to Jesus.  Has God ever said no to something you have asked for?  to healing? to a need? to changing a situation?  Jesus hears God say no.  And instead of running from the pain that is to come.  Jesus says, "Your will be done."

Most of us really don't know God's will for us.  We aren't walking close enough to God to know.  Most of us are pretty good at following a list of rules that we think God wants us to follow, but we aren't really walking close enough to God to know God's will for our lives.  But Jesus did - and we can too by asking, seeking, knocking.  The first step to obedience is knowing the desires, plans, character of God - and then participating in God's mission. 

Jesus knows God's plan.  He asks God to change it. God says no.  Jesus says, "Your will be done."

Do we ignore Jesus' example of obedience?  Are we willing to walk close enough to God to know his will for us?  Are we willing to do God's will even when we don't like it?

Worship, Remember, Look Forward, and be Nurtured by Christ

Jesus teaches the disciples a new way to worship, to remember, to look forward to, and to be nurtured by him. 

Matthew 26:26-30 ²⁶ While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is my body." ²⁷ Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you; ²⁸ for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. ²⁹ I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom." ³⁰ When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

This new ritual that Jesus taught his disciples is still practiced today.  We know it by the names of Eucharist, The Lord's Supper, or Communion.  Christians believe different things about it.  Some believe the bread and wine turn into the actual body and blood of Christ.  Others believe it is just symbolic.  And there are those who believe things in between those extremes.  Whatever one believes, Jesus was teaching this new ritual to the disciples as a way to worship, to remember, to look forward to celebrating it again with him one day, and to be nourished by him.  Matthew records that the blood represents the new covenant that will begin with the death of Christ when his blood is poured out - a covenant where our sins are forgiven and makes possible our reunion with Christ.

Do we ignore Jesus' example of practicing communion?

Worship is even more important than the poor

Jesus teaches that there is an even more important thing for his followers to do than meet the needs of the poor.  Really?  For many of us who embrace the social justice aspects of the Old Testament and Gospels, these are shocking words out of Jesus' mouth! 

Matthew 26:6-13 ⁶ Now while Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, ⁷ a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table. ⁸ But when the disciples saw it, they were angry and said, "Why this waste? ⁹ For this ointment could have been sold for a large sum, and the money given to the poor." ¹⁰ But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman? She has performed a good service for me. ¹¹ For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. ¹² By pouring this ointment on my body she has prepared me for burial. ¹³ Truly I tell you, wherever this good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her."

I like that the disciples become indignant.  Here they are portrayed as social activists whose goal is to help the poor.  And practically speaking - in their minds - the expensive perfume should not be wasted on Jesus (who just happens to be the creator and sustainer of the universe).  It should be sold so that the needs of the poor can be met.  So these disciples become angry with the woman!  Maybe they are even mad at Jesus too.

But this woman - seemingly impractical and sentimental - pours the expensive perfume on Jesus' head.  It is a tender scene - we watch on as she worships Jesus - the creator and sustainer of the universe.  If you are like me, you are a bit jealous of this woman.  I want to be the one to stand next to Jesus - God wrapped in flesh -  look into his eyes and tenderly pour perfume on his head.  I want to express my love for him like she did.  If given the chance, would I take my expensive perfume and chance an encounter with arrogant disciples and go to him?  She is an example to us of what worshiping God is like.  It takes courage to buck the arrogant authorities, wisdom to set right priorities, and real love for Jesus.  She gets to worship Jesus - not from far away in a church pew, but up close and personal.  To be close enough to watch him breath, feel the warmth from his body, and even touch him.  She worships Jesus.

And Jesus is touched.  My guess is that this is not just a random act by an impractical, sentimental woman.  My guess is that, unlike the disciples, she has internalized the words of Jesus in the verses just prior to these: "the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified," (Matthew 26:2).  She knows that she can't stop his approaching pain, but she can demonstrate her love for him now.  And she does.

As she moves away from Jesus, the disciples attack her.  Accuse her of waste.  But Jesus defends her.  And promises that her great love for Jesus - her desire to be close to him - to worship him - will never be forgotten.  Her story has been told and retold for more than 2000 years.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that worshiping him is even more important than giving to the poor?

Jesus' followers can be identified by the care they give each other.

Jesus teaches that those who inherit his kingdom treat the most insignificant members of his family as they would treat Jesus himself.  Great news - right? But there is bad news too... those who don't treat others like Jesus teaches, they are sent into eternal punishment. 

Jesus divides his true followers from his fake followers - not along lines of theology and not along lines of successful rule keeping - but along the lines of how they treat the other members of his family.

Matthew 25:31-46 ³¹ "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. ³² All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, ³³ and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left.

³⁴ Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; ³⁵ for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, ³⁶ I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.' ³⁷ Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? ³⁸ And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? ³⁹ And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' ⁴⁰ And the king will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.'

⁴¹ Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; ⁴² for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, ⁴³ I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' ⁴⁴ Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?' ⁴⁵ Then he will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' ⁴⁶ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

There is some scholarly disagreement over the underlined segment in verse 40 above:  "who are members of my family"  .  Many say Jesus was including the entire human race in the directive to treat others with great love.  But many read "who are members of my family" in verse 40 to mean that in this case, Jesus is saying he will judge us on how we treat other followers of Jesus - not on how we treat the entire human race.  It is true, that Jesus defines his family earlier in Matthew 12:46-50 as "whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."  Jesus also says that the world will identify his followers by their love for each other.  So... I agree with the latter interpretation that here Jesus is saying that within the earthly church's membership rolls his true followers can be identified by how they treat each other.  And those who are not his true followers mistreat and neglect and fail to take care of other followers of Jesus.  As a shepherd would look at his flock and be able to separate the goat from the sheep by their characteristics, Jesus will use the determining characteristic of how his supposed followers have treated each other in order to separate the true follower from the fake ones.

Does that mean we shouldn't care for those who are not followers of Jesus?  Of course not!  We can join together as Jesus' family and by sharing resources treat them even better than we treat each other.  There are plenty of places and examples where Jesus has taught and demonstrated the kind of love and abundance to non-followers.  It just isn't what Jesus is going to use to separate true from fake followers - at least not according to Matthew's gospel.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that his followers can be identified by the care they offer each other?  Do we recognize that we are to be servants to each other... that this is an identifying mark of whether we are really part of Jesus' family or not?  Think of the least of Jesus' followers - how have you loved them? 

Improve on God's gifts

Jesus teaches us to improve on what God has given us.

Our culture puts a great value on "belief"... it says if you believe in Jesus, you are as good as signed, sealed, and delivered into the Kingdom of God.  We have come to see "belief" as different from following Jesus.  So these examples that Jesus gives now are bound to make us feel uncomfortable.  Jesus expects his followers to improve on what he has given us while we wait for his return.  The reward is two fold... more responsibility and sharing in God's joy.  The result of not improving upon what God has given us is... well, rather harsh....

Matthew 25:14-30 ¹⁴ "For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; ¹⁵ to one he gave five coins, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. ¹⁶ The one who had received the five coins went off at once and traded with them, and made five more coins. ¹⁷ In the same way, the one who had the two coins made two more coins. ¹⁸ But the one who had received the one coin went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. ¹⁹ After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. ²⁰ Then the one who had received the five coins came forward, bringing five more coins, saying, 'Master, you handed over to me five coins; see, I have made five more coins.' ²¹ His master said to him, 'Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' ²² And the one with the two coins also came forward, saying, 'Master, you handed over to me two coins; see, I have made two more coins.' ²³ His master said to him, 'Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' ²⁴ Then the one who had received the one coin also came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; ²⁵ so I was afraid, and I went and hid your coin in the ground. Here you have what is yours.' ²⁶ But his master replied, 'You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? ²⁷ Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. ²⁸ So take the coin from him, and give it to the one with the ten coins. ²⁹ For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. ³⁰ As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

The master sees the first two servants as trustworthy, not because these two servants accepted, believed in, were thankful for, or kept safe the things that the master gave them, but because the servants multiplied the gifts.  What gifts (money, knowledge of the gospel, friends, students, talents, skills, education, love, joy, etc) has God given us that we need to multiply?  Do we ignore this story by first not acknowledging that what we have is from God and secondly not seeking ways to improve upon it for him?

Well, that is the upbeat side of the story.  There's a third servant who not only doesn't improve upon the gift the master gives him, but attacks the master!  The servant judges the master by accusing the master of exploiting the labor of others! The servant exposes himself as someone who has never really loved the master - never been on his side - never wanted to work for him - never wanted to follow him.  We know the servant is wrong in his judgement - the master knows it too and points out to the servant that if he really believed this, he would have at least given the gift to someone else to use.  The third servant is unwilling to take responsibility for his shortcomings and tries to blame the master making up lies about him.  The result is that the servant is thrown into outer darkness.  And worst of all, Jesus calls him "worthless." 

I really wish Jesus wouldn't say those kind of things.  But this is the reality of what the gospel writers heard him say. 

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that we are expected to improve on what God has given us?

The End: Being claimed by Jesus takes personal preparation.

Jesus teaches us that knowing him is coupled with wisdom.  And this wisdom takes preparation which is related to our relationship with Jesus.

Matthew 25:1-13 "Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. ² Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. ³ When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; ⁴ but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. ⁵ As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. ⁶ But at midnight there was a shout, 'Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' ⁷ Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. ⁸ The foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' ⁹ But the wise replied, 'No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.' ¹⁰ And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. ¹¹ Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.' ¹² But he replied, 'Truly I tell you, I do not know you.' ¹³ Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

Through out scripture the Messiah, Jesus, is called the bridegroom and his church is called his bride.  Here we see a picture of Jesus returning to unite with his church, but 1/2 of those claiming to be his church, aren't.  They never were, he says that he never even knew them.

An interesting thing to consider is why the wise women don't share their oil with the ones who have not brought any extra?  Why don't the wise women bring enough for the foolish women too?  Haven't we been taught to bear other's burdens?  This is very different from Jesus' teachings about life in the Kingdom where sharing is key to community.

Perhaps Jesus is making a point that - preparedness can't be transferred or shared.  Preparedness is personal - it is coupled to our relationship with Jesus.  He says, "he never knew" those who were unprepared.  Do we become prepared by entering a relationship with Jesus - by accepting his invitation to "follow me"?  Being a member of the church enables us to be in the community of believers and is the only way to live out our Christian lives, but it is our personal relationship with the bridegroom that matters in this story - it prepares us with wisdom - it informs us to bring extra oil.  

The wise women brought extra oil to keep their lights lit.  They were prepared to wait because they knew Jesus.  Are we prepared to wait?  What does being prepared to wait mean to our daily lives in the here and now?  Are we followers of Jesus?

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that being prepared is personal? 

The End: Be ready - keep following the teachings of Jesus

Jesus teaches that since we don't know when the end begins, we should focus on being ready - continuing to live as Jesus taught.

Matthew 24:42-51 ⁴² Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming... 

"Who then is the faithful and wise slave, whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give the other slaves their allowance of food at the proper time? ⁴⁶ Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. ⁴⁷ Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions.

⁴⁸ But if that wicked slave says to himself, 'My master is delayed,' ⁴⁹ and he begins to beat his fellow slaves, and eats and drinks with drunkards, ⁵⁰ the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know. ⁵¹ He will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Okay, I want to ignore the part about "cutting the 'servant gone bad' into pieces."  Interesting thing for Jesus to say.  Do you think he means it? He makes a strong point that his followers shouldn't grow weary of following him.  It especially makes God very upset if we start abusing our position and hurting others.  I think God knew that would be our tendency.  Things get rough for those following the teaching of Jesus... they take it out on each other and others... they take his name in vain...  they use God for their own gain.  Jesus is saying that God won't put up with that. 

As I watched the political ads this week, politician after politician touted their "god fearing" character.  I hope they really do have that character.  Because if they are just claiming to follow Jesus in order to get the vote... if they don't really plan to follow Jesus' teachings - even the hard ones - while in office... well, that's not so good.

Do we ignore Jesus' warning not to stray?

The End: Jesus' return will not be covert

Jesus teaches us not to be fooled... that when he returns it will not be covert.  His return will be unmistakable.
Matthew 24:22-28 ²² And if those days had not been cut short, no one would be saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. ²³ Then if anyone says to you, 'Look! Here is the Messiah!' or 'There he is!'-- do not believe it. ²⁴ For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and produce great signs and omens, to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. ²⁵ Take note, I have told you beforehand. ²⁶ So, if they say to you, 'Look! He is in the wilderness,' do not go out. If they say, 'Look! He is in the inner rooms,' do not believe it. ²⁷ For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. ²⁸ Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.

Most of us are so caught up in the activities of our lives that we aren't very concerned about the Messiah's return.  We are even less concerned about how we will identify him when he returns.  Yet, Jesus wants us to be watching and aware.  This awareness somehow changes our daily living to know that this life is not all there is... that Jesus' death and resurrection were not the end... that there is more to come.  And we are players in this cosmic event.   

One thing that my mind holds onto here is Jesus' words:   "For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and produce great signs and omens, to lead astray, if possible, even the elect." It would seem "the elect" - those hidden in Christ - those who are Jesus' followers - will not be led astray.  Sounds like it will be a struggle, but Christ will not lose any that the Father has given him: "No one will snatch them out of my hand" John 10:28.   So not only do Jesus' followers need to be mindful of their place in history, but they can rest that their souls are safe in Jesus' hands.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that he is returning, that it will not be covert, and that his follower's souls are protected?  How does that knowledge change how you live this day?  Will you take new risks?  Will you invite others into this safe, protected place?  Will you have a sense of protection despite extreme danger?