Jesus Died Because He Loved His Father

Tuesday, August 9, 2011l

Reading: Mark 14:32-42

Reflection: Ok...let me aplogize to those who have been following this post. Difficulty accessing my account made it not possible to update my blog for the last several days. I have resolved those issues and am back on line. So, our reading today reminded me of something very important. I have often heard people say that the reason Jesus embraced the cross was because He "loved me" so very much. This example, then, is to motivate me to love others so much that I offer my life in ministry to them. However, it would appear to me that the love that compelled Jesus to embrace the cross was not His love for me, but His love for His Father. Jesus asks that the cup be taken from Him. Why? Because He doesn't want to die. However, because of His great love for His Father, Jesus embraces the cross. So, it is Jesus love for God the Father that motivates His action. This is important, because there are some people God has called me to embrace who I don't really love. In fact, I may not even know them very well. However, if I love God rightly, I will love others fully not out of a devotion to them but out of a devotion to my Father. So, Jesus models for us how to love those we would not naturally love. We do that not by loving them more, but by loving God fully. If we love God fully, then we will do what we would not otherwise do...love others because He has asked us to do so. Jesus died because He loved the Father. In the same way, I die to myself and serve others for the same reason.

Stop Picking Dates

Friday, August 5, 2011

Reading: Mark 13

Reflection: There's lots of talk these days about the end of the world. The recent movie entitled 2012 is based on the Mayan calendar and the so-called end of the world that is to take place in the year 2012. Recently the self-defined Christian prophet Harold Camping suggested that he knew the actual day of both the rapture of the church and the destruction of the world. The rapture (removal of the church from earth for safety) of the church was to take place on May 21, 2011 and would be followed by the end of the world on October 21, 2011. Of course, May 21 came and the rapture never occurred. And, not surprisingly, Campings first prediction of the judgment in 1988 and 1994 didn't happen either. But his predictions keep coming and people's fears keep growing. And yet, Jesus could not be more clear. Jesus stated that "about that date or hour no one knows." He went on to say "You do not know when that time will come." So, maybe Jesus...who was never wrong about anything...should be trusted more than a guy who has never been right. Now, to be sure, the end will come. When that happens, judgment will follow. However, anyone who states they know when that day is coming is outside the counsel of Jesus. Rather than picking dates and times of the end, let's focus in on being faithful on every day so that no matter when it happens, we will be found busily about our Father's business.

Let The Holy Spirit Speak

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Reading: Mark 13

Reflection: There is an interesting statement within Mark 13 that, at first glance at least, looks a little bit odd. Jesus warns His disciples that they will be handed over to leaders and called upon to testify for the sake of the gospel. Now, this is not surprising. However, because this is going to happen, Jesus warns his followers to NOT PREPARE IN ADVANCE what you will say. Rather, Jesus encourages them to simply follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and say what He leads them to say. Did you hear that? Do not prepare in advance what you are to say, but simply follow the leading of the Holy Spirit! Many times we do just the opposite. We carefully craft every word, every story, every illustration, ever point. We want to put our best foot forward and do the best job we can. However, when WE do that it is WE and not God who is speaking. So, maybe we should prepare less and pray more. Maybe we should let the Holy Spirit lead us rather than leading ourselves. Maybe we should have the courage to trust that the Lord will show up and speak through a person who is praying that He will do just that. Let's allow the Holy Spirit to speak through us.

All Leaves...No Fruit

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Read: Mark 12:38-40

Reflection: As I read this passage this morning, my mind went back to Mark 11 and a fruitless fig tree. If you remember, Jesus cursed a fig tree because it was all leaves and no fruit. Then, Jesus comes to the temple and sees that there is lots of religious activity, but no real fruit when it comes to worship. Now, we are presented with a religious leader who loves to walk around with long flowing robes that highlight their importance and position; a leader who important seats and positions of power; a leader who will go so far as to use widows to advance themselves and offer lengthy public prayers as a way of appearing religious. In other words, here is a leader who is all leaves, but no real fruit. Gone is any sense of humility that drives him to offer himself for the welfare of others. Gone is any sense of a calling to protect and provide for widows. Gone is an sense of honesty and authenticity in a life of prayer. All leaves...no fruit. I hope and pray that never describes my life. Let us ensure that we seek to be humble, authentic, willing and prayerful people who seek to follow our Lord faithfully along the way of discipleship.

Pay Attention To Details

Monday, August 1, 2011

Reading: Mark 12:35-37

Reflection: We have here one of the few places where Jesus himself interprets scripture for us. From what He says, it seems that attention to detail matters. Jesus' interpretation of Psalm 110:1 hinges on keeping the two "Lords" in their correct position. The first LORD is Yahweh, the God of Israel who made Himself known to Moses by that name. The second Lord is a reference to Jesus who is now making Himself known to His people. Because of the way this Psalm is worded, Jesus insists that the coming Messiah is not just a man. He is not simply a son...or one could say ancestor...of David. He is, in fact, Lord of David and one would assume Lord of men. It could be easy to overlook this little detail, but apparently they matter. To miss this "small" detail, is to miss the "larger" picture. So, as I read scripture, it is important for me to not overlook the details. I need to read carefully, slowly and with focus the words God has given to me. In doing so, I may discover the depths of God's great wisdom, the wonder of God's great Savior, and the glory of the hope that God has given to us all.