Doing All Things Well

Friday, July 1, 2011

Reading: Mark 7:31-37

Reflection: We read here one of the greatest things that can ever be said about any of us. Of course, it would not be true for us...but it certainly is true of Jesus. This great thing which was said of Jesus was that he "has done everything well." Now, consider the totality of that statement. Jesus has done well in discerning needs and showing compassion. He has done well in teaching disciples and correcting critics. He has done well in casting out demons and healing the sick. He has done well submitting to his parents and honoring the law of God. He has done well in the focus of His ministry and the attention given to shape His apostles. He has done well in defeating the devil in the wilderness and in feeding the hungry in the desert. He has done well with what He said and how He said it. He has done well as a carpenter, as a son, as a prophet, as a leader, and as a friend. He has done "everything" well. For this reason his life is an example for us to follow in every area of life and His perfection earns Him the right to be our atoning sacrifice. He has done everything well...and thank God He has!

Crumbs From The King

Thursday, 6/30/2011

Reading: Mark 7:24-30

Reflection: This is an interesting, or some may say a disturbing, section in Mark's gospel. We see here a Gentile coming to Jesus hoping he will help her daughter who is demonized by an unclean spirit. Surprisingly, Jesus suggests that the children of Israel are to receive primary access to Jesus' ministry, only then can the Gentiles get access. You might think that this woman would be upset by this answer. She is not. Instead, she admits the logic of Jesus' words while adding a bit of a twist. Basically, she says that she realizes that God's children come first. In fact, she goes on to suggest that they get the best. But, she says, if you would simply give my daughter the same leftovers that dogs get from the table, that will be enough. Now, that's faith! That's persistance! She is going to press on until her daughter at least gets the crumbs, believing crumbs from Jesus is more than enough to overcome this evil demon. Wow! We should have such a high view of Jesus so that we no longer demand His best, but beg for His crumbs...knowing crumbs from the King is more than sufficient to meet our needs.

Blaming External Influences For Internal Infections

Wednesday, 6/29/2011

Reading: Mark 7:1-23

Reflection: It's interesting how easy it is to blame external symptoms for internal problems. For example, we see a person who is an alcoholic and think he has a drinking problem. We blame the alcohol for destroying the man's life. We think that if we get rid of the alcohol the man will be fine. However, the man does not have a drinking problem. Drinking is what the man does to cope with some other kind of deeper issue. Until that internal, deeper issue is resolved, the man will continuously look to external coping mechanisms. We often do this. Our teen begins to choose bad friends, or exhibit bad behaviors, and we focus on changing the friends and behaviors instead of dealing with the internal issues that cause them to choose those friends and behaviors to begin with. We see people going into debt, and never ask what is missing inside of them that causes them to spend money they don't have to make themselves feel better. That seems to be the issue in this passage of scripture. Jesus insists that it is what is inside a person that is the real problem, not the external behaviors. Thus, what makes a person unclean is not the visible behavior, but the invisible internal heart issues that drive that behavior. As we seek to grow as believers, we need to stop blaming external influences for the internal infections that are really causing our problems.

Letting Us Struggle Through With Faith

Tuesday, 6/28/2011

Reading: Mark 6:45-56

Reflection: There is much in this story that would challenge the modern view of Jesus. For example, after Jesus' disciples got no rest at the solitary place; after they spent an entire day serving meals and picking up left overs; Jesus now "makes" them get into the boat...clearly they did not want to. Second, when its evening (6-9pm) Jesus sees the disciples straining at the oars. Then, he watches and waits until the fourth watch of the night (3-6am) before He walks out to them. Finally, when He arrives at the boat, we are told that He has no plans to help them out. Rather, He is planning to pass them by. Now, we will talk Wednesday night about what the greater meaning of this might be, but even at a superficial level it seems obvious that Jesus is not overly concerned about the fact that His disciples are struggling against a storm. And, He sees no need to offer assistance. Why might that be? Well, one reason might be that this is testing time for the disciples. Do they believe that this man who can heal people, drive out demons, and feed thousands can help them weather the storm not by coming to their side, but by praying for them from the side of the mountain? Maybe. After all, isn't that what Jesus is doing right now for us. Isn't Jesus now on the mountain of God? Isn't he now interceding for us? Isn't He now aware of our struggles against the storms of life? The question is this: Do we believe that His prayers for us will help us struggle through the storm, or do we expect Him to come and rescue us from the storm? If He chooses to let us struggle, will we stay at the oars or question His goodness? The disciples had not yet learned that lesson...I wonder if we have?

Losing Rest And Gaining Strength

Monday, 6/27/2011

Reading: Mark 6:30-44

Reflection: Have you ever noticed what was "supposed to happen," at least from the perspective of the disciples, when Jesus fed the thousands. From what Mark tells us, Jesus and His disciples did not go to this solitary place in order to minister to the needs of the people. They actually went there so His disciples could "get some rest." (vs. 31) So, Jesus sees that His men are tired and weary, so He takes them away from some rest and relaxation. Instead, this huge crowd gathers and they spend yet another day doing ministry. Rather than rest, they wait tables. Rather than relax, they gather leftovers into baskets. And then, rather than sleep, they row against a storm all night long. I'm certain they wished more than once that this needy crowd would just leave them alone for one day. I'm sure I would have struggled with that thought. When we are tired and weak, we simply want rest. When people bring their demands to us in such times, its all we can do to be kind, let alone meet their needs. And yet, when we are weak, God makes us strong. He gives us the energy we need to meet the challenges and then, sometimes later than we wish, to get some rest. So, if you are tired and still have much work to do, pray that the Lord will help you finish what you must, and then look for some rest. And, as you do your work while tired, remember that His strength is sufficient for you, for when you are weak, He can make you strong. In this way, we not only lose rest, but we gain strength.

Passion and Pride

Sautrday, 6/25/2011

Reading: Mark 6:14-29

Reflection: Notice how tragic this story is...not simply because John the Baptist is killed...but because of how it happened. According to Mark, Herod "liked to listen to John." In fact, even though Herod's wife hated John, Herod actually protected John from his own wife because he knew he was a "righteous and holy man." And yet, given all this information, we hear later that Herod actually offers John's head to a dancing girl...bringing it to her on a platter. Why? How could a guy who protected a holy and righteous man later have him killed. Simply stated, pride and passion got the better of him. Lost in a frenzy of passion, he made a foolish promise. Not wanting to lose his reputation, in pride he follows through on a foolish promise. The result is pain for many and death for one. It's easy for us to get lost in pride or passion. To do something foolish to save our reputations or to act hastily in a moment of passion. Combine the two, and failure is virtually certain. So, if I wish to remain faithful in life, I must learn to control my pride and passion. And it seems one way to do that is to actively seek to develop humility to balance pride and contentment to balance passion. When I am able to be fully content with what I have and humble before God and man, my pride and passion can be held in check. Funny thing is, in modern America, humility and passion are not highly valued. So, let's be really counter-cultural. Let's set aside pride for humility, passion for contentment, and avoid bringing pain and death to other.

Preaching...Driving...Anointing

Friday, 6/24/2011

Mark 6:6b-13

Reflection: Preaching...Driving...Anointing. With these words, Mark describes the ministry of the disciples. These ordinary men have been designated by Jesus as apostles, those to be sent out as His representatives. They were called first to Himself in preparation, then sent out to do ministry. As they go from place to place, they rely on the hospitality of those to whom they are sent. If a town or village does not welcome them, they bring judgment upon themselves. For those who do welcome them, the result will be the preaching of the gospel, the driving out of demonic influences, and the anointing of oil for healing sickness and disease. This becomes the pattern of ministry for the early disciples, as well as the early church. The goal is not to get people to say a prayer, but to reveal that God's kingdom is breaking into the world. The goal is not to be relevant to the world, but to be faithful to the one who sent them. And the task was not complex and confusing, all they had to do was preach...drive out...and anoint for healing. Maybe there is a lesson for the modern church here. Maybe we should focus more on preaching and less on relevance. Maybe we should worry more about driving out evil influences than figuring out how to fit into the neighborhood. Maybe we should be more concerned with healing the sick than establishing morality. Now, I'm not suggesting there is anything wrong with being relevent, fitting in, or living a moral life. But maybe those are secondary issues. Maybe the primary issue is to be faithful in our tasks of preaching, driving out evil influences, and anointing the sick.

When Familiarity Breeds Complacency

6/23/2011

Reading: Mark 6:1-6a

Reflection: It's interesting to me how familiarity can produce complacency. It's true, let's say, with a new vehicle. We drive a brand new vehicle home from the dealership and for the next month we park it a half mile away from any other vehicle, not wanting a single scratch on the exterior. Then, once we are familiar with the car, we will park it anywhere and not worry about scratches. It happens in marriages as well. We initially open the door and buy flowers while dating, only to discover that once we have become quite familiar we take our spouse for granted...they seem ordinary and we are comfortable with them. It seems that we see the same thing in our scripture reading today. When Jesus arrives in his hometown...a place where the people are pretty familiar with him...they don't see him as anything special. He's not a messiah...he's just a carpenter. For this reason, they put little faith in him. Their familiarity reduceds their faith. This can be a real danger for us in our Christian life. We can become so familiar with the bible, so familiar with Jesus, so familiar with the church, that we don't see them as anything special. We become bored and complacent. God forgive us when we think His Word, His Son, and His People are nothing special. God, don't allow our familiarity to breed complacency.

Ministry "On The Way"

Wednesday, 6/22/2011

Reading: Mark 5:21-43

Reflection: OK...so I know that this is really a side issue when it comes to the text at hand. The central issue likely has more to do with Jesus' willingness to minister to fringe people (bleeding woman) and those at the center of society (synagogue ruler) without showing favoritism. But, one thing that has always interested me is how much of Jesus' ministry happens while he is on the way to doing something else. Jesus did not set out to minister to either of these people. Jairus comes to Jesus while he is doing ministry by the lake, and Jesus sees it as an invitation from God to do ministry. On his way to do this ministry, another form of ministry takes place with a bleeding woman. It seems to me that this happens often with Jesus, and would maybe happen more with me if I were more open to it. I can get so set on my schedule and agenda that I miss opportunities "along the way" to minister to others. I pray the Lord would help me to be open to being re-routed during my days toward the opportunities...not distractions...that he gives me. May I, like Jesus, do lots of ministry "on the way."

Jesus The Restorer of Life

Tuesday, 6/21/2011

Reading: Mark 5:1-20

Reflection: I can't help but notice everything this unclean spirit, as one of Satan's soldiers, has taken from this man. Living among the tombs, he has lost his home, his family and any normal relationships within his community. Unable to be controlled even with chains, he had apparently lost control over his strength and actions. Apparently people tried to force control upon him, but even this did not work. And, at the risk of reading into the text, it seems like he lost any sense of value concerning himself. As a result, he bruises himself with stones. It seems to me that this is what the dark side usually does to people. When folks wander down the path of sin, eventually they become isolated from the people who love them most. They lose control of themselves, allowing their addictions and desires to drive their behavior. Over time, they lose respect for themselves and may even turn to harming themselves with cutting, or worse. Most of us have witnessed this tragedy in someone and could tell terrible stories about how the lives of these people were devestated. The good news is that in this story...and in this life...Jesus has the power to restore life to those who have lost it. He can help those dominated by self-destructive behavior to "come to their right mind." So, when we come across such people, the answer is not the latest self-help book on the shelves. And its not to help them look within and learn to love themselves. Instead, it is to bring them to Jesus and invite them to cry out for deliverance. If they do, Jesus has the power to do what we can't...restore their life. So, let's seek to bring people to Jesus, the great restorer of life.

Monday, 6/20/2011

Reading: Mark 4:35-41

Reflection: OK...so this entrance is going to be VERY REFLECTIVE and not so STUDIED. When I say reflective, I simply mean that as I was reading this passage...a bit later in the morning than usual I must admit...an Old Testament Scriptures seemed to stick in my mind...in fact, a psalm. That psalm is Psalm 4:8 where the author states, "In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For Thou alone, O Lord, dost make me to dwell in safety." This Psalm is what you might call an evening song of deliverance. As a Psalm of David...who certainly knew what it was like to be chased through the storms of life...it was a prayerful song that was to allow a person to rest well...even in the face of threats and challenges...because they knew that nothing could befall them that God did not allow. It was this certainty in God's sovereignty, not the calmness of life's situations, that allowed the person to rest well. It seems to me that this may be what allows Jesus to rest while all the others are scared to death. It is not that Jesus is unconcerned about the storms of life...or for that matter naive to their existence. It's simply that He has a "faith" in God's sovereign presence that far exceeds that of His disciples. Jesus knows that nothing can happen to Him unless His Father has ordained it...and if His Father has ordained it He will accept it. I could use a bit more of this faith in my life. I don't mean a naive wish that my life will be a calm sea, but a confidence that in the midst of the storm God is in control...and I can still be at rest.

A Really Big Deal

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Reading: Mark 4:30-34

Reflection: Children enjoy a good story. I know when my girls were little, they would love it when I would tuck them into bed and make up a story. And while every story was at some level unique...most of them were pretty similar. They all included a princess, a castle, a knight, and a villian. I think my girls liked the stories because they captured their imagination. The could find themselves within the story...I'm sure rarely as the villian and often as the princess...and imagine what it would be like to live in that kind of a world. It seems to me that this passage of scripture shows Jesus doing the same thing. I looked up the definition of a parable on the net and it gave me this: a short story that uses familiar events to illustrate a religious or ethical point. In other words, a parable is a story that invites the listeners to learn a lesson from something familiar. In this case, the familiar thing is a mustard seed growing in a garden. It's a seed that begins very small, but in the end overtakes the entire garden, becoming large enough for even birds to rest in its shade. So, what is the lesson for us. I suppose there could be many. However, one lesson for me is that I should not discount something simply because, at the moment, it seems small and insignificant. For the day may come when this little thing grows to be very large. Doesn't life work that way...both in a good and bad sense. Sometimes someone does some small little deed that at the time doesn't seem that significant. However, over time we come to see that it is one of the greatest blessings we have ever received. At other times, we have what seems to be a small problem...so small in fact that we tend to dismiss it as no big deal. Only later do we realize that this little thing has grown into a destructive force. Again, I think God's kingdom is a bit like that as well. It begins like a small thing. So small, in fact, that it may seem to have little potential on either the positive or negative side of life. However, once it becomes full, we will see that on the positive side all those within it will receive indescribable blessing...and those outside of it will gain unthinkable trouble. So, let's take this thing called the kingdom seriously. In the end, it's a really big deal!

An Ever-Expanding Kingdom

Friday, June 17, 2011

Reading: Mark 4:26-34

Reflection: I have linked these passages together in my comments because both of them deal with God's kingdom. As I was reading them, my thoughts went back to Amy and I trying to grow a garden in South Dakota. No matter what we did, we could never manage to get a harvest. Either the heat dried out the plants, or the hail tore them apart, or the insects ate the leaves, or some other problem would destroy our crop. I guess we just aren't very good at gardening. But, as I read these parables, two things came to mind. In the first one, the growth is not only beyond the control of the one who scatters the seed, but the growth is inevitable. God's kingdom is expanding...and no one can stop its advancing impact. In the second parable, we see that the kingdom may start small, but will one day grow into a mighty movement. In both cases, the kingdom will certainly grow. Maybe that is a reminder to me to make sure I scatter the seeds of the gospel and then get out of the way so that it can grow. After all, it's not my job to make the kingdom grow...or to determine the scope of its expansion. It's only my job to faithfully scatter the seeds and watch God go to work. So, let's scatter some seeds about today.

Seeing Jesus More Clearly

Thursday, 6/16/2011

Reading: Mark 4:21-25

Reflection: I'm sitting in my house, in my normal chair...the girls call it my chair...and reading these few verses in Mark. I'm able to read because of the small lamp that I turned on as I sat down. That light helps me to see, and sometimes even understand, the text that sits before me. Often, however, I find that I don't really understand as much as I think. Much of the gospel escapes me. I read it. I treasure it. I desire to live it. But often times I am certain that there is much more to the story than I fully understand. Now, that could frustrate me...or inspire me. I could choose to give up, or choose to press on until the Spirit gives insight. I choose to press on. So, I come to the lesson this morning...and I wonder. What is the light to which Mark refers? Is it truth? Is it the teachings of Jesus? Is it the inbreaking Kingdom? Well, I'll admit, I'm not sure. So, I cheated. I looked at my commentary for some suggestions. And there the author in the commentary notes that He believes that the light is Jesus Himself. He has not come to remain hidden forever, but to reveal His glory at the proper time. However, for now, much of that glory is hidden, so that those who are gathered around him must listen carefully with great spiritual perception. Now, I don't know if the author of the commentary is right...but what he says makes some sense to me. I don't have a handle on Jesus yet. It seems strange to admit that after so many years of following Him. But it is true. Jesus still surprises me. So, my goal is to seek to remain willing to learn and spiritually discerning as I study His gospel. As the light begins to dawn on me, as I begin to see more and more, my hope is not to be more knowledgable about Jesus, but more in love with Jesus. Seeing Jesus more clearly, I want to love Him more fully.

Trusting God To Raise The Crop

Wednesday, 6/15/2011

Reading: Mark 4:1-20

Reflection: As I sit here at Panera, there is only one other person in the entire place...one other customer I should say. I know nothing about him. I don't know where he works, if he works, or what he works at. I know he's married because of the ring on his finger, but I don't know who his wife is, how good or rough their relationship may be, or if they have children. I don't know if he owns a house, rents an apartment, leases a vehicle, or purchases goods with credit cards. And I certainly don't know if he has ever heard the gospel, how he would respond if the gospel were revealed to him, or if that response would be lasting or abbreviated. I know virtually nothing about this guy, except that he just got up to get his order. This is the nature of life...I know little about so many around me, and have no control over them whatsoever. It seems to me that this portion of Mark's gospel reminds me that evangelism can be like that as well. As the farmer plants the seed, he has little control over where the seeds land, how the soil will receive that seed, if that seed will die or take root, or how long the rooted plants will continue to grow. The only thing he can control is whether or not he will scatter the seeds. After that, it's all up to the God who sends messengers and draws believers. So, the question before me is this...will I spread some seed to this guy in the corner booth? Regardless of how little I know about him...and how little control I have over him...do I trust that God has put us both here on this day for a reason? I have a choice. I can scatter the seed or leave it in the bag. I can trust that God will use that seed as He chooses, or refuse to scatter the seeds until I think I have better control of the results. Of course, I will never have any control...so I better just head over there and try to strike up a conversation. I'm going in...and God only knows what kind of soil I might find.

Are We Willing To Be Seen As Crazy

Tuesday, 6/14/2011

Reading: Mark 3:20-24

Reflections: It's interesting to note that Jesus' family thought that He was "out of His mind." We are not really told why, other than the fact that this happens as a result of a huge crowd pressing in so tight around Jesus that there isn't even enough room for Him and His disciples to eat. So, while this might be a bit of a stretch, it seems to me that maybe His family thinks that Jesus has just gone a little too far...that He is a little too zealous...a little too passionate...a little too committed to the ways of His father...and that level of zeal and passion just might mess up the orderliness of His life...and by extension their lives as well. This, after all, isn't that uncommon. Even in our world, most people are willing to let you and I believe whatever we want so long as we keep it reasonable, private, and subdued enough to not mess up anyone's life. But, when our zeal causes inconvenience to others, many think we have just gone off the deep end...or as Jesus' family put it...lost our minds. But, am I willing to be as Paul said a fool for Jesus. Will I allow the cultural pressures to subdue my passion, or will I live all out for the one who gave it all up in order to grant me life. This is a question we all must answer.

Saturday, June 6, 2011

Reading: Mark 3:1-6

Reflection: We are told here that Jesus was deeply distressed at the stubborn hearts of the people gathered in the synagogue on this particular Sabbath. But the question for me is, "About what were they being stubborn?" The answer seems to be their unreserved commitment to the rules they had developed concerning the Sabbath, even in the face of contrary facts. It seems obvious from Jesus' earlier question that the heart of the law was to do good and save life. However, the people are so committed to their rules that surround the law, that even if those rules make life miserable or even cause death, they will still hold to the rules. In fact, so committed to the religious leaders to this truth, that by the end of this story Jesus' has acted to advance life and the leaders have acted to seek to bring death. As I reflect on this little story, it would do me well to ask myself what areas within my life...particularly my spiritual life...am I stubbornly committed to rules even when those rules limit or harm myself and others. Have I allowed myself to be so committed to the letter of the law, that I have forgotten the heart of the law? If I have, it is time for me to allow the Spirit to bring correction within me, lest Jesus be just as distressed about my behavior in this day as He was with the behavior of the religious leaders in His day.

Putting People First

Friday, 6/10/2011

Reading: Mark 2:23-27

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mark%202&version=NIV

Reflection: It seems to me...at least in the initial reading in the early morning hours...that the central issue of this passage is summed up in Jesus' statement "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." What does this mean? Well, as most of us know, the Sabbath was a seventh day rest. On every other day of the week it was acceptable...even good...for people to be busily and productively working. However, on the seventh day, people were to rest from the daily work of life in order to rest and worship. This seventh day of rest was patterned after God's work in creation where we are told that God worked for six days, and on the seventh day He rested. However, in Jesus day the religious leaders had turned this concept upside down. You see, God gave man the Sabbath in order for the benefit of man. It was for the man's good that he rest. God didn't make the Sabbath first, and then create man so that the Sabbath would be honored. In other words, the rule was made for the benefit of people, people were not made for the benefit of the rule. It is easy for us to get this backwards in life. So, on this day, let's make sure that we put people before programs; relationships before rules. In this way, we will reflect the image of our maker who did the same thing.

Separated From Love

Thursday, 6/9/2011

Reading: Mark 2:13-22

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mark%202&version=NIV

Reflection: Both of these stories show us a group of religious leaders called Pharisees who are doing what one, as a Jew in Jesus' day, would expect. The Pharisees were what we today might call religious seperatists. In other words, they were committed to both religious devotion and radical separation. It was the belief of the Pharisees that if God's people could be completely faithful to the law, the result would be the presence and blessing of God. So, they developed all kinds of rules that were designed both to separate God's people from sinful situations while at the same time cause them to follow God's law. When Jesus shows up, He takes a radically different approach. He replaces religous rules with personal relationship. He sets aside radical separation for the sake of radical love. This puts him on a course destined to bring conflict. As I go about my life, I must evaluate which of these two paths I myself am living out. Do I believe the best way to please God is to separate myself from sinful situations and be religiously devoted to certain rules of living, or am I seeking to be in relationship with those who need Christ as I show them a radical level of love? If I want to live the Jesus' Way, I must choose relationship over religion and love over rules.

When You're Both Right And Wrong

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Reading: Mark 2:1-12

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mark%202&version=NIV

Reflection: It's interesting to me how the religious leaders are both right and wrong in this passage. They are right when they think to themselves that "only God can forgive sins." This, of course, is true. You and I do not have the right to declare a person forgiven by God. To do so is to stand in the place of God and take upon ourselves a right that belongs exclusively to God. This is sinful, and the religious leaders understood this truth and got it right. In fact, notice that Jesus never once challenges the truthfulness of their thoughts in regards to God alone forgiving sins. What Jesus challenges them to wrestle with is a reality that would blow their theological categories. By causing the paralyzed man to rise up and walk, Jesus proves that He in fact has the power to forgive sins. So, here is the challenge before these religious leaders. First, they know that only God can forgive sins. Second, they now know that Jesus has authority on earth to forgive sins. So, they must either confess that their theology is wrong or that Jesus is God. The religious leaders refuse to do either...and ultimately become right in their theology and wrong in their practice. May God protect us from this kind of inconsistency.

An Approachable Savior

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Reading: Mark 1:40-45

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mark%201&version=NIV

Reflection: What struck me in reading this passage this morning was the very fact that the leper approached Jesus to begin with. After all, according to the book of Leviticus, lepers were to be "isolated" from the rest of society and placed into "leper camps." These camps removed what were called "unclean and infected" people from the rest of society. To ensure that this isolation was maintained when lepers were in public, the leper was suppose to wear torn clothes, let their hair remain unkempt, cover the lower parts of their face and cry out "Unclean," "Unclean." And yet, this leper openly comes to Jesus and asks for help. Now, this could mean that the man was desperate and full of unusual faith and courage...which is certainly true. However, it may also suggest that Jesus, unlike the religious leaders, was approachable; that Jesus lived and loved in such a way that even the isolated and dirty lepers felt they could approach him. If this is true, what a challenge it is to me. If I am to embody Jesus to the world, I too must be approachable. I must live and love in such a way that those on the margins feel they can approach me and ask for help. So, the question I am asking myself this morning is, "Am I as approachable as the Savior?"

Don't Get Distracted From Your Calling

Monday, 6/6/2011

Reading: Mark 1:29-39

Reflection: There is a lesson in this day's reading that is necessary for me...and for all those called to follow Jesus and "do the works" that He has prepared for us. Jesus has just spent a great deal of time healing many people. He healed Peter's mother-in-law, and then healed many people of various diseases. In fact, he healed so many that we are told that "the whole town" had gathered to watch what was happening. After a long day of such activity, Jesus rises early in the morning and goes away to pray. That, alone, is instructive. It reminds us that we are never too busy to make time for prayer. But the real lesson for me is the difference in response between Jesus and the disciples when the people come back for more miracles. The disciples hunt Jesus down, trying to get him to come back and do more miracles. After all, this is what the people want. But Jesus says that it's time to move on to other towns and villages and preach the gospel because, as Jesus puts it, "that is why I came." Now, while this teaches us many things, one central idea is that Jesus never forgot why He was sent and never allowed popularity or the demands of people to turn Him away from that purpose. So, as we go about doing our ministries, it is important to remember what God has called us to do and remain focused on that ministry. We may be invited to many other good ministries, but to turn from what God has called us to do simply to please the crowd, is a big mistake. Let's make sure we know what God has called us to do, and let's stay focused on it.

Marvel Over A Message

Saturday, 6/4/2011

Reading: Mark 1:21-28

http://http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mark%201:21-28&version=NIV

Reflection: As I read this passage, it seems to me that there were two things that caused those gathered at the synagogue to marvel at Jesus' message. I suppose this is striking to me because I am a pastor/preacher. As such, I stand weekly before God's people in the hopes that the Lord Himself will speak in and through me. And, I suppose, there is a hidden part of me that wants people to marvel over the message. Not so much that they will be impressed with me, that is of little consequence. But I do hope they will marvel over the message of God. Well, that's what the people in the synagogue did on this particular day. Jesus speaks, and we are told two times that the people were "amazed" by His teaching. But, notice what amazed them. It's not the sound effects, lighting system, staging, or Jesus' attempt to be relevant by using lingo with which the crowd could identify. Instead, the people are amazed because Jesus preaching came with authority and power. Rather than simply repeating a list of rules and commands, Jesus spoke with conviction, passion, wisdom, and clarity. And, when the demons tried to confront him, Jesus silenced them. So, while Jesus speaks with authority the demonic presence is silenced. This should be the focus of every pastor. Not glitz and glamor...but with authority and power. Without these two things, all the lights and sound effects will not matter...and with it the lighting and sound effects are not that necessary.

Come...Follow...Fish

Friday, 6/3/2011

Reading: Mark 1:14-20

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mark%201&version=NIV

Reflection: What stood out to me in my initial reading was what I would call Jesus' three-fold call to discipleship. In essence, Jesus invites these men to come...to follow...and to fish. The first calling involves turning, the second living, and the third mission. In order to come to Jesus, these men will have to turn away from something else...maybe several somethings. They will leave boats and nets, family and friends, familiar surroundings and comfortable lives. All these things will be set aside as they turn to Jesus and come to Him. It is a radical move, but one that in the end will pay eternal dividends. They will also pursue a different kind of life. A life not of leading, but of following; not of lording over but serving under; not becoming popular but becoming useful; not gaining possessions but giving of one's life. This is what it means to follow Jesus along the way of eternal life. Finally, they will be involved in mission. They will preach the gospel, heal people, serve strangers and train disciples. They will extend Jesus' mission of seeking and saving the lost as they themselves go fishing for men. This is the call extended to all of us: to come...to follow...and to fish. So, let's head out to the lake of people and let's cast in a line.

Remembering Our Baptism

Thursday, 6/2/2011

Reading: Mark 1:9-13

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mark%201&version=NIV

Reflection: I often wonder how often Jesus thought about His baptism. Jesus often faced ridicule, opposition, rejection, and plain hatred. Those He came to save turned away from him, and many of those who initially followed would later turn away. Here, in our reading, Jesus faces the devil who seeks to turn Him upon which God has placed Him. In other words, Satan offers Jesus "a way" other than "the way" given by the Father. Over a period of 40 days in a lonely wilderness, Jesus is tempted by physical hunger, personal loneliness, and demonic assaults. It seems to me that in those moments it would have been encouraging for Jesus to think back to His baptism. For there, in that moment, the Father confirmed His identity by calling Him His Son. Second, God the Father revealed His affections by openly declaring His love for Jesus. Finally, God assured His Son of His acceptance by saying He was well-pleased with Him. So, as Satan attacks, Jesus can remember who He is, how He's loved, and the fact that God is pleased with Him. How encouraging would that be for me...to realize I am God's Son...to know that I am loved and accepted by the Father. May God give all of us who have come to faith in Christ a similar assurance.

A Path To Freedom

Wednesday, 6/1/2011

Reading: Mark 1:1-8

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mark%201&version=NIV

Reflection: OK folks...the thoughts here on my blog will be initial, unstudied reflections as I initially read the passage before us. My goal is simply to allow the Lord to bring to my mind some initial thoughts that seem meaningful to me. Your initial thoughts may very well be different, as the Lord leads you. As I read these verses, my initial thoughts are on the path to freedom revealed by the ministry of John the Baptist. That path, it seems, is the result of repentance, confession and forgiveness. As the people come to John and hear his message, they have a change of mind and heart. They openly confess their sins and declare a desire to live in a different direction. As a result, their sins are forgiven and the weight of guilt and shame is removed. It seems to me that this is the path we all need to take when confronted with sin in our own lives. Realizing the consequences of sin, we turn away from it and live in a different direction. That new way of life is empowered by the freedom gained through forgiveness. May God give us the courage to face our sins, turn from them, confess them and receive forgiveness.