He sighed deeply and said, "Why does this generation ask for a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, no sign will be given to it."
There is such disappointment in Jesus's sigh. Where there is no faith, there can be no miracles (Mark 6:5-6). Why? Because even if miracles, signs, and wonders were done, they would not be believed.
The LORD through the prophet of Habakkuk states, "Look at the nations and watch--and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told." (Hab 1:5) Miracles do not always lead to faith (John 12:37). This is just as Isaiah said, "Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?" (Isa 53:1) If the heart is skeptical to begin with, miracles, no matter how powerful, are explained away.
Counter intuitively, faith, no matter the amount, is required for miracles, not the other way around. Faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains (Mat 17:20). If you cannot move mountains, it means your faith is not even as large as a mustard seed. Miracles only happen for the sake of those who will increase in faith because of them. This is why miracles are prevalent in countries like China and Nigeria because they are more willing to believe than in skeptical "enlightened" nations like America, England, and Sweden.
It turns out the more skeptical we grow, the blinder we all become.
Showing posts with label Mark. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mark. Show all posts
Friday, October 7, 2011
Monday, October 3, 2011
Mark 10:21
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.”
This particular man had everything: money, power, fame, youth, and a morally upright lifestyle. And yet we still see him running to Jesus and falling on his knees with a question burning in his heart. "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" It was an obvious question with an obvious answer: obey the commandments, but all these things this man has done and still he feels empty. "There must be more to life than this?"
And then, Jesus tells him what he wanted to hear, that indeed he has overlooked something, and that there was but one thing he lacked: A personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The command he gives here is to be taken together. Charity and altruism is not enough: he must follow Jesus, yet still he must give all that he has to truly follow.
All his life he kept the law and was left unfulfilled, and yet when the time came and the personal invite from Jesus Christ into a real relationship with the Divine Trinity was offered, the one and only thing which can fill that spiritual void, the man walked away back to his wealth which has left him so empty before, back to his life of longing for more. In the end, even the man who has everything but has not Christ is left wanting more.
This particular man had everything: money, power, fame, youth, and a morally upright lifestyle. And yet we still see him running to Jesus and falling on his knees with a question burning in his heart. "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" It was an obvious question with an obvious answer: obey the commandments, but all these things this man has done and still he feels empty. "There must be more to life than this?"
And then, Jesus tells him what he wanted to hear, that indeed he has overlooked something, and that there was but one thing he lacked: A personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The command he gives here is to be taken together. Charity and altruism is not enough: he must follow Jesus, yet still he must give all that he has to truly follow.
All his life he kept the law and was left unfulfilled, and yet when the time came and the personal invite from Jesus Christ into a real relationship with the Divine Trinity was offered, the one and only thing which can fill that spiritual void, the man walked away back to his wealth which has left him so empty before, back to his life of longing for more. In the end, even the man who has everything but has not Christ is left wanting more.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Mark 12:31
‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
The popular interpretation of this verse is that you should love people the way you want to be loved. However, what this verse does not say is that you should love someone as if they were you. Not only is such thinking about this verse wrong, but it's completely self-centered. You love people they way they want to be loved, not the way you want to love them as we all have different love languages.
For some, gifts are symbols of love where others could care less about sentimentality of objects but really appreciate kind and affirming words. It is not loving someone when you hug someone who doesn't want to be hugged, especially if you know they don't like them and do it anyway, even though you like hugs.
And yet this lie and misinterpretation has been told to us since kindergarten (The Golden Rule: treat people the way you want to be treated.) Jesus isn't wrong, but our understanding is. To love someone as yourself is a call to a radical shift in mindset. When you love someone, you are actually loving yourself. When one person is the body of Christ is happy, we all rejoice. When the line between me and you starts to dissipate and two start to become one and the entire Church body becomes one as Christ and the Father are one, then you will see and understand what it means to love someone as yourself for you'll no longer exist.
The popular interpretation of this verse is that you should love people the way you want to be loved. However, what this verse does not say is that you should love someone as if they were you. Not only is such thinking about this verse wrong, but it's completely self-centered. You love people they way they want to be loved, not the way you want to love them as we all have different love languages.
For some, gifts are symbols of love where others could care less about sentimentality of objects but really appreciate kind and affirming words. It is not loving someone when you hug someone who doesn't want to be hugged, especially if you know they don't like them and do it anyway, even though you like hugs.
And yet this lie and misinterpretation has been told to us since kindergarten (The Golden Rule: treat people the way you want to be treated.) Jesus isn't wrong, but our understanding is. To love someone as yourself is a call to a radical shift in mindset. When you love someone, you are actually loving yourself. When one person is the body of Christ is happy, we all rejoice. When the line between me and you starts to dissipate and two start to become one and the entire Church body becomes one as Christ and the Father are one, then you will see and understand what it means to love someone as yourself for you'll no longer exist.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Mark 10:15
"Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
This is one of the more enigmatic statements of Jesus and one of 11 Amen sayings found in Mark. With a narrow minded focus, it is not apparent what Jesus means by "like a child", but a closer look reveals that Mark illustrates exactly what Jesus means. It is no accident that the parable of the Rich young ruler follows this endearing story of Jesus and the little children. The contrast is clear between the children and the rich young ruler, those who have nothing and those who have everything.
We see this rich man failing to enter into the kingdom of God despite receiving a personal invitation from Christ because he could not receive it like a child. Jesus makes a synonymous statement in Mark 10:23 "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!"
The kingdom belongs to those who would give up everything to follow Christ (for some it is more than others). It belongs to those who are able to follow and submit like little children in obedience to their Father. Humility is the trait that allows one to submit to a greater authority and be taught by One wiser than yourself. To be humble is to simply know where you stand in relation to God. One gets to the kingdom by following the One who knows the way, Jesus Christ.
This is one of the more enigmatic statements of Jesus and one of 11 Amen sayings found in Mark. With a narrow minded focus, it is not apparent what Jesus means by "like a child", but a closer look reveals that Mark illustrates exactly what Jesus means. It is no accident that the parable of the Rich young ruler follows this endearing story of Jesus and the little children. The contrast is clear between the children and the rich young ruler, those who have nothing and those who have everything.
We see this rich man failing to enter into the kingdom of God despite receiving a personal invitation from Christ because he could not receive it like a child. Jesus makes a synonymous statement in Mark 10:23 "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!"
The kingdom belongs to those who would give up everything to follow Christ (for some it is more than others). It belongs to those who are able to follow and submit like little children in obedience to their Father. Humility is the trait that allows one to submit to a greater authority and be taught by One wiser than yourself. To be humble is to simply know where you stand in relation to God. One gets to the kingdom by following the One who knows the way, Jesus Christ.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Mark 4:38
"Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?"
"Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" These are the words of the disciples, unaware that Christ's very presence was an answer to his question. God does in fact care that we are perishing. That is why he came down to us in order that we might live.
And yet Jesus was found asleep on the boat as it was tossed and turned by the waves on the open sea. How could Jesus remain so calm when death seemed imminent? Either he doesn't care or they were not perishing. Judging that God came down from heaven to save us, the latter must be true.
In the presence of Christ, we will never perish. If He who is eternal lives in us, how can we die? And if we who have been baptized died to sin, how then can we die to it once more? We have been reborn so that the life we have we live to God so if you feel like you are perishing, ask yourself, "Is the LORD with me?" for if He is, you have nothing to fear.
"Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" These are the words of the disciples, unaware that Christ's very presence was an answer to his question. God does in fact care that we are perishing. That is why he came down to us in order that we might live.
And yet Jesus was found asleep on the boat as it was tossed and turned by the waves on the open sea. How could Jesus remain so calm when death seemed imminent? Either he doesn't care or they were not perishing. Judging that God came down from heaven to save us, the latter must be true.
In the presence of Christ, we will never perish. If He who is eternal lives in us, how can we die? And if we who have been baptized died to sin, how then can we die to it once more? We have been reborn so that the life we have we live to God so if you feel like you are perishing, ask yourself, "Is the LORD with me?" for if He is, you have nothing to fear.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Mark 10:22
"At this the man's face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions."
This man was perfect. He had it all, wealth, power, youth and an impeccable moral record. Jesus himself, upon examining him closely, loved him. Surely he would make a great disciple! But when the invitation comes straight from Jesus's own mouth, the man goes away sad and all that excitement that was once in his face turned into utter defeat. Eternal life was not worth more than his possessions.
So this man, whom any of us would want in our own churches, fails to become a disciple of Christ. He is the first and only man Mark depicts as not immediately leaving everything behind and following Jesus when he says "Come and follow me." To those whom much has been given much will be demanded.
This is a powerful reminder that a high social status is no ticket into heaven, but rather the ability to be brought low like a child. It is not what you have that counts, but what you are willing to give up. In the end, it is not the "righteous"who end up following Jesus, but the sinners and tax collectors, dirty fisherman and prostitutes, drug addicts and thieves, slanderers, sorcerers, and adulterers for all they have to give up is their past lives so that Christ might give them new ones.
This man was perfect. He had it all, wealth, power, youth and an impeccable moral record. Jesus himself, upon examining him closely, loved him. Surely he would make a great disciple! But when the invitation comes straight from Jesus's own mouth, the man goes away sad and all that excitement that was once in his face turned into utter defeat. Eternal life was not worth more than his possessions.
So this man, whom any of us would want in our own churches, fails to become a disciple of Christ. He is the first and only man Mark depicts as not immediately leaving everything behind and following Jesus when he says "Come and follow me." To those whom much has been given much will be demanded.
This is a powerful reminder that a high social status is no ticket into heaven, but rather the ability to be brought low like a child. It is not what you have that counts, but what you are willing to give up. In the end, it is not the "righteous"who end up following Jesus, but the sinners and tax collectors, dirty fisherman and prostitutes, drug addicts and thieves, slanderers, sorcerers, and adulterers for all they have to give up is their past lives so that Christ might give them new ones.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Mark 1:8
"I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
What does it mean to be baptized with the Holy Spirit? The image here of baptism is one of full immersion. The Greek word baptizo means to submerge, dip, or immerse in water or the act of bathing or washing something by the same action. So then what does it mean to be baptized with the Holy Spirit? If we assume the visual to be the same, it means to be completely submerged and overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit.
The implications of this are huge. We are not talking about some ethereal power filling us up or some sort of mystical inner force. The Holy Spirit is a person, not some mysterious energy. More than that, He is God. Jesus Christ has come to not only be God with us, but to so completely immerse us in God that we are saturated and fully penetrated by him into every fiber of our being. As a sponge soaks up water, so our bodies will fill with the Holy Spirit.
And it changes us. God's eternal presence itself is what changes us. We are no longer dry and lifeless, but saturated with life. It is God who cleanses us by his very being. Jesus has come to baptize us with the Holy Spirit so that we too might experience the life of God forever and ever! Amen!
What does it mean to be baptized with the Holy Spirit? The image here of baptism is one of full immersion. The Greek word baptizo means to submerge, dip, or immerse in water or the act of bathing or washing something by the same action. So then what does it mean to be baptized with the Holy Spirit? If we assume the visual to be the same, it means to be completely submerged and overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit.
The implications of this are huge. We are not talking about some ethereal power filling us up or some sort of mystical inner force. The Holy Spirit is a person, not some mysterious energy. More than that, He is God. Jesus Christ has come to not only be God with us, but to so completely immerse us in God that we are saturated and fully penetrated by him into every fiber of our being. As a sponge soaks up water, so our bodies will fill with the Holy Spirit.
And it changes us. God's eternal presence itself is what changes us. We are no longer dry and lifeless, but saturated with life. It is God who cleanses us by his very being. Jesus has come to baptize us with the Holy Spirit so that we too might experience the life of God forever and ever! Amen!
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Mark 1:1-2
"The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, as it is written in Isaiah the prophet..."
The gospel according to Mark does not begin at Jesus's birth like in Matthew and Luke, but begins in Isaiah 40. Those familiar with the Old Testament (Mark and potentially his Jewish/Christian audience) know what Isaiah 40 is about from memory. It announces there will be comfort for God's people and that sin has been paid for. (Isaiah 40:1-2) It announces the coming of the LORD and the revelation of His glory and one who will prepare His way for Him. (Is 40:3-5) And though we are but temporary, the Lord is everlasting and his kingdom will have no end. (Is 40:6ff)
Mark is not only saying that the LORD is coming with power to rule with a mighty arm, but in the gentlest of ways as a shepherd tends his flock (Is 40:9-11), but that he is here and his name is Jesus Christ. This God in Christ, who created the world and whom none can fathom (Is 40:12-14) and is incomparable (Is 40:15-26) is now seen and touched and accessible by all. He is here to give strength to the weary and power to the weak so that all who trust in the LORD will renew their strength and soar on wings like eagles. (Isaiah 40:27-31)
And that, my friends, is only the beginning, the beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.
The gospel according to Mark does not begin at Jesus's birth like in Matthew and Luke, but begins in Isaiah 40. Those familiar with the Old Testament (Mark and potentially his Jewish/Christian audience) know what Isaiah 40 is about from memory. It announces there will be comfort for God's people and that sin has been paid for. (Isaiah 40:1-2) It announces the coming of the LORD and the revelation of His glory and one who will prepare His way for Him. (Is 40:3-5) And though we are but temporary, the Lord is everlasting and his kingdom will have no end. (Is 40:6ff)
Mark is not only saying that the LORD is coming with power to rule with a mighty arm, but in the gentlest of ways as a shepherd tends his flock (Is 40:9-11), but that he is here and his name is Jesus Christ. This God in Christ, who created the world and whom none can fathom (Is 40:12-14) and is incomparable (Is 40:15-26) is now seen and touched and accessible by all. He is here to give strength to the weary and power to the weak so that all who trust in the LORD will renew their strength and soar on wings like eagles. (Isaiah 40:27-31)
And that, my friends, is only the beginning, the beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Mark 10:21
"And Jesus looking upon him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me."
What Jesus tells that man when he asks "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" is not what we would answer to someone asking the question of us. Most of us would say, pray to ask Jesus into your heart, read the Bible every day, go to church, fellowship, worship, and so on.
Does that mean we think Jesus was not really serious with his answer? Jesus says absolutely none of those things we would expect. If we do not take Jesus seriously, should we expect Jesus to take our faith seriously? This isn't a specific command for one person in particular, and when taken as the answer to the question "What must I do to inherit Eternal life?", this answer seems rather important to salvation.
Jesus gives a rather practical answer. The faith he is asking this man to show is not personal saving faith but rather interpersonal saving faith that touches the heart of social concern. What Jesus is asking for is a radical trust in him and not in possessions. So no matter how much technology we can cram into our churches, we could do more for not only the world's salvation but ours as well if we only sold it to the poor and followed Him.
What Jesus tells that man when he asks "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" is not what we would answer to someone asking the question of us. Most of us would say, pray to ask Jesus into your heart, read the Bible every day, go to church, fellowship, worship, and so on.
Does that mean we think Jesus was not really serious with his answer? Jesus says absolutely none of those things we would expect. If we do not take Jesus seriously, should we expect Jesus to take our faith seriously? This isn't a specific command for one person in particular, and when taken as the answer to the question "What must I do to inherit Eternal life?", this answer seems rather important to salvation.
Jesus gives a rather practical answer. The faith he is asking this man to show is not personal saving faith but rather interpersonal saving faith that touches the heart of social concern. What Jesus is asking for is a radical trust in him and not in possessions. So no matter how much technology we can cram into our churches, we could do more for not only the world's salvation but ours as well if we only sold it to the poor and followed Him.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Mark 15:33-34
"At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'"
We all die with Christ today.
Jesus's last words were words already written by him centuries ago through King David. It is the very beginning of Psalm 22, David's song of lament written as if through the eyes of Christ. If you read Psalms 22, you will understand the prophecy being fulfilled as Jesus breathes his last as it is an exact description of what happened to him. He wanted those around him to have Psalms 22 in mind as he died upon that cross.
But the good news is that Psalms 22, though it starts out somber ends with a hopeful note:
"They will proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn-- for he has done it." (Psalms 22:31)
We are those who have heard the message and we are those who believe and proclaim that He has done it. It is his righteousness, not ours, which sets us free.
These are the last words of our Christ, a final prayer for God to deliver him from his enemies. Though darkness might last a few hours or days, even in death our Christ awaits God's deliverance from sin and death. And it is our hope and expectation that He who is mighty to save will deliver us all.
We all die with Christ today.
Jesus's last words were words already written by him centuries ago through King David. It is the very beginning of Psalm 22, David's song of lament written as if through the eyes of Christ. If you read Psalms 22, you will understand the prophecy being fulfilled as Jesus breathes his last as it is an exact description of what happened to him. He wanted those around him to have Psalms 22 in mind as he died upon that cross.
But the good news is that Psalms 22, though it starts out somber ends with a hopeful note:
"They will proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn-- for he has done it." (Psalms 22:31)
We are those who have heard the message and we are those who believe and proclaim that He has done it. It is his righteousness, not ours, which sets us free.
These are the last words of our Christ, a final prayer for God to deliver him from his enemies. Though darkness might last a few hours or days, even in death our Christ awaits God's deliverance from sin and death. And it is our hope and expectation that He who is mighty to save will deliver us all.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Mark 14:26
"When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives."
Did you know that Our Lord sings?
This is our Lord who is able to make the blind see, the dead live, walk on water, cast out demons, rebuke storms, feed thousands with just a few fish and loaves of bread, and mighty and able to overturn kings and kingdoms at the sound or command of his voice and yet with this same voice Our Lord sings.
Do you remember what happens at the last supper? Judas goes out to betray Jesus into the hands of the Pharisees. Jesus knows what is coming, that he will not live to see the end of the week and that in two days he will be beaten and crucified, and still he does not neglect to worship God. He does not forsake his duty to give God praise and glory and honor for He knows His scripture:
"Sing, O daughter of Zion;
Shout aloud, O Israel!
Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,
O Daughter of Jerusalem!
The LORD has taken away your punishment,
he has turned back your enemy.
The LORD, the King of Israel, is with you;
never again will you fear any harm.
The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing."
(Zephaniah 3:14-15,17)
The Fourth Day of Holy Week.
Did you know that Our Lord sings?
This is our Lord who is able to make the blind see, the dead live, walk on water, cast out demons, rebuke storms, feed thousands with just a few fish and loaves of bread, and mighty and able to overturn kings and kingdoms at the sound or command of his voice and yet with this same voice Our Lord sings.
Do you remember what happens at the last supper? Judas goes out to betray Jesus into the hands of the Pharisees. Jesus knows what is coming, that he will not live to see the end of the week and that in two days he will be beaten and crucified, and still he does not neglect to worship God. He does not forsake his duty to give God praise and glory and honor for He knows His scripture:
"Sing, O daughter of Zion;
Shout aloud, O Israel!
Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,
O Daughter of Jerusalem!
The LORD has taken away your punishment,
he has turned back your enemy.
The LORD, the King of Israel, is with you;
never again will you fear any harm.
The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing."
(Zephaniah 3:14-15,17)
The Fourth Day of Holy Week.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Mark 12:10
"Haven't you read this Scripture:
'The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; The LORD has done this and it is marvelous in our eyes.'?
In our moment of defeat as we lay helpless and hopeless on the battlefield with the enemy bearing down on us about to plunge his fiery spear into our hearts, the true Heir of the Kingdom came to us and fought in our stead and repelled the enemy. But what was to be a moment of gratitude turned into betrayal as we plunged our sword into His back in hopes that Satan and his army might be merciful to us and spare our lives. Satan took His Body and hung it up as a trophy of his victory and there Jesus lay abandoned, rejected, and alone for three days while some wept, some cheered, and others stood indifferent, but everyone who wasn't slain was captured and forced into slavery. With the death of our King, Satan's army's had won the war.
But the stone the builders rejected had become the capstone. Jesus rose from the dead and empowered by his Father proceeded to destroy Satan's kingdom from the inside out and with him were all those who believed in his power and might to deliver us from captivity and joined him in his fight. The man who became our sacrifice became our savior and it is marvelous in our eyes.
The third day of Holy week.
'The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; The LORD has done this and it is marvelous in our eyes.'?
In our moment of defeat as we lay helpless and hopeless on the battlefield with the enemy bearing down on us about to plunge his fiery spear into our hearts, the true Heir of the Kingdom came to us and fought in our stead and repelled the enemy. But what was to be a moment of gratitude turned into betrayal as we plunged our sword into His back in hopes that Satan and his army might be merciful to us and spare our lives. Satan took His Body and hung it up as a trophy of his victory and there Jesus lay abandoned, rejected, and alone for three days while some wept, some cheered, and others stood indifferent, but everyone who wasn't slain was captured and forced into slavery. With the death of our King, Satan's army's had won the war.
But the stone the builders rejected had become the capstone. Jesus rose from the dead and empowered by his Father proceeded to destroy Satan's kingdom from the inside out and with him were all those who believed in his power and might to deliver us from captivity and joined him in his fight. The man who became our sacrifice became our savior and it is marvelous in our eyes.
The third day of Holy week.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Mark 11:12
This is what happened on Monday, the second day of Holy week.
"Is it not written: "My house will be called a 'house of prayer for all nations?'" But you have made it 'a den of robbers'"
Jeremiah 7:9-11
"Is it not written: "My house will be called a 'house of prayer for all nations?'" But you have made it 'a den of robbers'"
Jeremiah 7:9-11
“‘Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known, and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, “We are safe”—safe to do all these detestable things? Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching!' declares the LORD."
Isaiah 56:6-7
"And foreigners who bind themselves to the LORD to minister to him,
to love the name of the LORD,
and to be his servants,
all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it
and who hold fast to my covenant—
these I will bring to my holy mountain
and give them joy in my house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and sacrifices
will be accepted on my altar;
for my house will be called
a house of prayer for all nations.”
Jesus makes it clear the stark contrast between a true believer and a pretender, those who truly love God and go to church and those who go to church so that they will be loved by God, between true and false religion. We, who bear the name of Christ, are his house. Have you been washed or are you impure?
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Mark 6:48
"And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them..."
Jesus saw his disciples struggling in the middle of the sea, and yet intended to just simply walk past them casually. Ironically enough, Jesus was the one who sent the disciples on ahead of him while he stayed back and prayed on a mountainside, and yet this same Jesus was about to surpass his disciples even though they had a head start and were in a boat.
This is not a story about Jesus being able to "calm the winds of your life". This is a story to say that at one point in history there existed a man who could walk on water and do so effortlessly. If you've ever been out on a windy lake, the water isn't exactly calm to walk on. You contrast the disciples struggling and being tossed about in their little boat in the pitch black of night before dawn, and Jesus who waltzes right past them and you start to understand how amazing this God of ours is.
This isn't a story to highlight Jesus's compassion, but rather his sovereignty. Everything obeys Jesus's command, even the laws of Physics themselves (after all, he wrote the laws). When you start to grasp that then you start to realize just who is this king of glory.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Mark 10:21
"And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, 'You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.'"
Jesus wasn't kidding. He wasn't testing him or trying to turn him into an object lesson. This wasn't even the first time Jesus had said, "Come, follow me.", however it is the first time the phrase isn't followed by "And immediately they got up and left everything and followed him." in Mark's account. What made him so different?
The reason Jesus calls us all to leave everything behind and then follow him is so that we have nothing to turn back to. When you follow Jesus, you quickly realize just as Peter did when he said, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." Think well before you commit your life to Christ and count the cost. How foolish does a Christian look who falls from the faith! He started to build what he could not finish.
In truth, no one who claims to follow Jesus and yet hangs onto material wealth is actually a disciple. You cannot serve both God and Money. If you do not consider all things as rubbish when compared to the value of knowing the Lord then you do not realize His value in your life. He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what is eternal.
Jesus wasn't kidding. He wasn't testing him or trying to turn him into an object lesson. This wasn't even the first time Jesus had said, "Come, follow me.", however it is the first time the phrase isn't followed by "And immediately they got up and left everything and followed him." in Mark's account. What made him so different?
The reason Jesus calls us all to leave everything behind and then follow him is so that we have nothing to turn back to. When you follow Jesus, you quickly realize just as Peter did when he said, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." Think well before you commit your life to Christ and count the cost. How foolish does a Christian look who falls from the faith! He started to build what he could not finish.
In truth, no one who claims to follow Jesus and yet hangs onto material wealth is actually a disciple. You cannot serve both God and Money. If you do not consider all things as rubbish when compared to the value of knowing the Lord then you do not realize His value in your life. He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what is eternal.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Mark 11:22
"'Have faith in God,' Jesus answered."
It seems it is not the amount of faith that matters to Jesus nor even the quality of faith. It seems not to matter if you have strong faith or weak faith, unwavering faith or doubter's faith. Jesus does not say have unquestioning faith nor does he mention anything about the kind of faith. However, the only thing that is important is the object of that faith, God.
Jesus says that even if you had faith as tiny as a mustard seed (that is not much faith at all), you could command mountains to be hurled into the sea. Nothing would be impossible for you. But why? It is because of faith's object, God, who is able and mighty to act, for whom nothing is impossible, that faith is so powerful, no matter the amount or the quality. Even he who has minuscule faith is secure because he stands on the Solid Rock of Ages. It does you no good to have strong faith that you will not fall if it is based on that which cannot last. Such a person is insecure despite believing they are secure. Weak faith in God is better than strong faith in the World.
Even if you are unsure if God is really there, he is the only one who is Eternal. Even if your confidence is wavering, trust in Him who does not waver and whose constant mercies are made new everyday.
It seems it is not the amount of faith that matters to Jesus nor even the quality of faith. It seems not to matter if you have strong faith or weak faith, unwavering faith or doubter's faith. Jesus does not say have unquestioning faith nor does he mention anything about the kind of faith. However, the only thing that is important is the object of that faith, God.
Jesus says that even if you had faith as tiny as a mustard seed (that is not much faith at all), you could command mountains to be hurled into the sea. Nothing would be impossible for you. But why? It is because of faith's object, God, who is able and mighty to act, for whom nothing is impossible, that faith is so powerful, no matter the amount or the quality. Even he who has minuscule faith is secure because he stands on the Solid Rock of Ages. It does you no good to have strong faith that you will not fall if it is based on that which cannot last. Such a person is insecure despite believing they are secure. Weak faith in God is better than strong faith in the World.
Even if you are unsure if God is really there, he is the only one who is Eternal. Even if your confidence is wavering, trust in Him who does not waver and whose constant mercies are made new everyday.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Mark 4:27
"Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how."
As much as we work the land and sow seeds, there is a limit to what we can do. Can we make a seed grow? We may be able to provide the conditions that make it highly probable that the seed will grow, but some things can only be done by God, the actual act of growing and giving life. Most plants grow on their own without our help, whether we are sleeping or awake. God is always working to grow something.
And the whole process is a complete mystery. Science can observe its growth up close and tell us about things like mitosis and DNA, but such close scrutiny only tells us what this growth looks like, the actual mechanics of growth, not how it grows or why. God does that work, He who freely gives life.
So we partner with God, both harvester and grower, to obtain the crop at the designated time. We reap the life that God has grown night and day. We soften the hearts and sow the seed in them and pray God causes them to grow. In this way we can share in the joy of the harvest, together rejoicing over the life that the land has brought forth. What a wonderful God who allows us to delight with him in every new believer come to fruition!
As much as we work the land and sow seeds, there is a limit to what we can do. Can we make a seed grow? We may be able to provide the conditions that make it highly probable that the seed will grow, but some things can only be done by God, the actual act of growing and giving life. Most plants grow on their own without our help, whether we are sleeping or awake. God is always working to grow something.
And the whole process is a complete mystery. Science can observe its growth up close and tell us about things like mitosis and DNA, but such close scrutiny only tells us what this growth looks like, the actual mechanics of growth, not how it grows or why. God does that work, He who freely gives life.
So we partner with God, both harvester and grower, to obtain the crop at the designated time. We reap the life that God has grown night and day. We soften the hearts and sow the seed in them and pray God causes them to grow. In this way we can share in the joy of the harvest, together rejoicing over the life that the land has brought forth. What a wonderful God who allows us to delight with him in every new believer come to fruition!
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