June 30, 2009
Read and meditate on Mark 4:21-25 today…
21 Also He said to them, “Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand? 22 For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”
24 Then He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given. 25 For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”
I like this slower reading through Mark. I am sure I’ve read these verses before but never stopped to really think about them. Jesus teaches two main points in these verses.
1. Truth should not and cannot be hidden. Truth is like a light. And lights are meant to be seen. No one buys a flashlight, turns it on, and then shuts it away in a drawer. It’s not only a waste of batteries but just plain foolish. It goes against the very nature of light. In the same way, the refrigerator light only comes on when it is needed not when the refrigerator is closed…or at least I think it goes off. I guess no one really knows.
Jesus equates truth with light. Thus truth, by its very nature, is meant to be seen, to be shared, to dispel darkness. “Hidden truth” is an oxymoron. After all, if truth is that which is real, that which is actual, then, in the end, it cannot be hidden. It will come out. It will eventually be seen.
What does that mean for me today? It means I am to live an authentic life. If I claim Christ as my Savior, then I should exhibit that, not be ashamed of that. If I struggle with doubt at times, then I should be honest…to myself, to others. I don’t have to pretend to be that which I am not. I am free to live an authentic life, to be who I am, to be a disciple in process. By the same token, I am also to live a life of integrity. Wholeness. I cannot be one person in one context and try to be someone else in another. Who I am when I am in public should be who I am when I am in the privacy of my home with my family. Who I am with my family should be who I am when I am alone.
Of course, truth is much bigger than the context of my own life. To be truly authentic, my life must conform to the reality of God and His story. I cannot know who I truly am if I am not connected to the One who governs the universe, orchestrates the movement of history, and created and designed me for a specific purpose within that history. Otherwise, I live a lie, a fantasy. I live a life that seems good to me (and possibly to others) but has no connection to the overall reality of God’s story. And His story is the only one that is true, the only one that matters, the only one that will last.
2. You ultimately receive that which you give. This is a very practical concept that explains much of life. For instance, what you put into relationships ultimately determines what you get out of them. Are your relationships less than satisfying? Jesus would say, “With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you.” In other words, other people are probably not the problem. You are. Ooo, that hurts. It is much nicer to think that other people are always the problem.
Jesus says that there is a reciprocal, even multiplying nature to life. Exercise more and the physical fitness that results often multiplies into more exercise. Sit around and be lazy and the resulting sedentary life produces greater laziness. Make a habit of refreshing others and you find that life becomes more refreshing (Proverbs 11:25). Wallow in self-pity and the resulting misery will beget more misery. The funny thing is that we are always trying to fight this basic principle of life. We want to put in half-hearted effort and get full-scaled blessing in return.
This reciprocal principle also shows up in our relationship with God in a unique way.
With the merciful You will show Yourself merciful; with a blameless man You will show Yourself blameless; with the pure You will show Yourself pure; and with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd. For You will save the humble people, but will bring down haughty looks (Psalm 18:25-27).
James tells us basically the same thing. For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy (James 1:13).
When we nitpick, criticize, hyper-evaluate, and play self-righteous, we are in essence asking God to measure the same back to us. What we dish out is often on the dish that God gives back to us.
In short, our actions and choices today have major repercussions tomorrow and beyond. Making a simple choice to show oneself friendly, to avoid that little sin, to encourage someone, to build a marriage, to give, to deepen one’s faith, to invest time in one’s kids, to seek reconciliation in a relationship, to pray…is an investment that will reap compounded returns.
Lord, deliver me from the weight of an inauthentic life. May I be honest with myself, with others, and with You. May I also show others grace today, refresh them, encourage them, pray for them…knowing that, in You, these investments will never fail.
June 29, 2009
Posted by Marian Fontanilla
I like that Jesus shares His wisdom in parables. I think it makes his lesson more concrete. I especially like that he explained the meaning of this parable as if this was the one that unlocked the meaning of all the others. He says,“Don’t you understand this parable? Then how will you understand any parable? The sower sows the word.” In other words, Jesus asks to check the condition of our heart.
Our heart’s condition must be guarded and protected. It can be easily led astray. The condition of our heart can also change very quickly so it’s a good idea to check in frequently.
We need to understand what soil represents our heart so that we may readily understand Jesus’ other parables and teachings.
What type of soil does God’s Word (the seed) fall on when it comes to your own heart?
Soil sample #1:
* This is seed that falls “on the path.” The path is well-worn dirt and firmly-packed from high volumes of foot traffic, virtually impenetrable to scattered seed.
* The birds in the parable symbolize Satan. Because of the firmness of the soil, birds were able to snatch up the scattered seed before they could penetrate the hard ground.
* This soil represents a hard heart that doesn’t permit the Word of God to penetrate its surface. These individuals are in control of their own lives; they have all of the answers. They are unteachable, and the Word of God falls upon their deaf ears.
Soil sample #2:
* This is seed that falls “on rocky ground.”
* The sun in the parable symbolizes trouble or persecution.
* This soil represents a vulnerable heart. While these receive the Word with joy, it fails to run deep enough to affect their lives. These hearts are shallow in their comprehension of Christian things. They lack the intimacy that accompanies a personal walk with Christ—because they have no root—they are the first ones to fall away when times get tough.
Soil sample #3:
* This is seed that falls “among thorns.”
* The thorns in the parable represent worldly cares, wealthy pleasures, and desire for other things.
* This soil represents a distracted heart and divided. Distractions will choke the Word of God and render one fruitless.
Soil sample #4:
* This is seed that falls “on good soil.”
* This soil produces lasting fruit in varying measures.
* This soil represents a receptive heart. Only the receptive heart receives the Word rightly.
June 28, 2009
Posted by Hector Gonzalez
Then His mother and His brothers *arrived, and standing outside they sent word to Him and called Him. A crowd was sitting around Him, and they *said to Him, “Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are outside looking for You.” Answering them, He *said, “Who are My mother and My brothers?” Looking about at those who were sitting around Him, He *said, “Behold My mother and My brothers!” ”For whoever does the will of God, he is My brother and sister and mother.” (Mar 3:31-35 NASB)
A few observations:
· Mark 3:21 gives us a hint as to why Jesus mother and his brothers may have come for Jesus. He couldn’t eat and they were accusing HIM of losing His senses. There is this thought that they may have wanted to take charge, not of the situation, but of Jesus. Not in a malicious way.
· If Jesus would have given heed to His mother’s request, this would have elevated her over Him. Luke writes how some were elevating His mother by saying to Jesus “Blessed is the womb that bore You and the breasts at which You nursed.” But Jesus had to correct that thinking by replying “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”
· His mother and brothers were standing outside. Could they not have made an effort to go and speak directly to Jesus? It makes me wonder why they had to send word for Him. What kept them from making the attempt to approach or come nearer to Him, was it the crowd, was it shame, or was it pride.
· The last time Jesus made an observation of His surroundings (verse 5); He was grieved and angry at the hardness of heart at those who were in the Synagogue. In verses 34 & 35 He brings respect and value to those who are nearest to Him. Why, because they were doing the will of God (His Father, Our Father). What were they doing exactly? Sitting and listening, in contrast to those who stood outside.
It may sound like a broken record, but when I read how Jesus gave respect and value to those sitting around Him. I can’t help recalling those times when I was on the outside, not only as a non-believer, but also as a willful disobedient Christian. The latter experience is forever etched in my mind and I do regret them. But I praise God that when He showered me with His mercy and gift of repentance, He returned respect and value to my life.
Lord, thank you for giving respect and value to someone who didn’t deserve it ‘me’. Help me in my walk to do Your will, and help me to treat my brothers & sisters with the same respect and value too.
June 27, 2009
Posted by Greg McKinney
My NIV notes say this was probably Peter and Andrew’s house where Jesus and his newly selected disciples arrive. I picture a jammed house, loud, people shoulder to shoulder, jockeying for position, trying to get a glimpse, to hear any message, people trying to squeeze in doors, out on the porch, all on the lawn out into the street, sitting on cars, stopping traffic, horns blaring, camels braying, the disciples trying to keep or restore some semblance of order. There’s food being prepared, or ordered in… There are people getting healed which means there are sick folks there, some crippled, trying to get close enough to Jesus to get healed…. Jesus and the twelve are so occupied, they’re not even able to eat. (I thought this fact was an interesting inclusion, particularly now, in our hindsight, we know that Jesus could have literally fed everyone.)
Jesus’ family was also in the crowd somewhere, apparently worried that Jesus was not properly taking care of himself. Innocently, lovingly, like parents visiting a child on an extended stay from home, they show up on the very day he misses a meal. They said he was ‘out of his mind,’ not in a mean degrading way, but in the manner of ‘he needs to be taking better care of himself.’
Contrast that with the not so innocent or loving remark the Pharisees blurt out about Jesus. They shout out above the sound of the crowd that he is possessed by Beelzebub! The Prince of Demons. Lucifer. Satan. It wasn’t a ’slip of the tongue’. It wasn’t in the manner that we, today, toss around words to describe how hot it was yesterday, or the way might use ‘Devil’ to describe a mischievous eight year old nephew.
The Pharisees had yet to witness Jesus do anything evil. All of Jesus’ miracles were benevolent, he was healing people–he had embarrassed, even defied them for sure, on occasion, to point out their errors-but he had exhibited nothing evil. Yet the Pharisees were so prideful, so hardened, almost illogically, so hypocritically blind that they dared to label Jesus as Satanic.
Incredible? How could they possibly not understand what was right before them? My guess is they really didn’t want to understand. They did not want to open their tightly shut spiritual eyes. It would cost them a little too much. They were a little too proud. Surrender is not always freely offered.
My guess is that their blindness was not so incredible. Any one of our own biographies would include measures of such blindness… Even as Christians I’m not sure we totally comprehend all of what is Jesus is doing.
The crowds that gathered around Jesus were filled with the same diversity of personality as that of the congregations filling our churches to hear Him today. The same levels of understanding, curiosity, selfishness, brokenness, biases, sincerity, and hypocrisy fill our rows and pews… The Pharisees just happened to be at the top of the spectrum in terms of pride.
And blasphemy comes easy to the prideful. It’s in their words; it’s in their actions, their attitudes. Blasphemy denies Jesus as Lord.
Jesus counters their accusation with a parable. Jesus confronts their logic. If I were working for Beelzebub, why would I be casting ‘my own evilness’ out of people? Jesus states his ’salvation’ plan in verse 27. ‘I am here to ‘bind’ Beelzebub, and free all of you–his captives!
Right on the heels of the ‘Strongman’ parables Jesus offers warnings of blasphemy.
(This is especially where I need help)
I don’t hear the tone in verse 29 as a threat, I don’t hear Jesus saying ‘I won’t ever forgive that. I won’t, I can’t, I won’t…’ I want to believe that the very ones among the Pharisees who hurled the Beelzebub crack at Jesus would be saved if they were to humble themselves at the Lord’s feet and ask His forgiveness. I want believe that because He has forgiven me–I was in the Strongman’s House–No, I never called Jesus an agent of Satan, but I blasphemed against Him by the way I used to live. My life said He had no authority over me…
I hear Jesus, this ‘man of sorrows’ pointing out to the people He came to save, the eternal, grave consequence of rejecting the Holy Spirit. How can the man who rejects being saved, be saved?
It’s unpardonable.
“Lord, thank you for having ‘freed’ us from the Strongman. Thank you for your Word, in its completeness. Keep pride from us. (Forgive me if I have trampled-up this passage. May my brothers kindly correct any of my errors)
June 26, 2009
Read and meditate on Mark 3:13-19 today…
13Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. 14He appointed twelve—designating them apostles—that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach 15and to have authority to drive out demons. 16These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter 17 James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder); 18Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot 19and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
William Barclay’s thoughts on this passage were too good to try to rephrase. Here is what he said:
“It is significant that Christianity began with a group. The Christian faith is something which from the beginning had to be discovered and lived out in a fellowship. The whole essence of the way of the Pharisees was that it separated men from their fellows; the very name Pharisee means the separated one; the whole essence of Christianity was that it bound men to their fellows and presented them with the task of living with each other and for each other.
Further, Christianity began with a very mixed group. In it the two extremes met. Matthew was a tax collector and, therefore, an outcast; he was a traitor to his fellow countrymen. Then there was Simon the Zealot. …The Zealots were a band of fiery, violent nationalists who were pledged even to murder and assassination to clear their country of the foreign yoke. The man who was lost to patriotism and the fanatical patriot came together in that group. No doubt between them there were all kinds of backgrounds and opinions. Christianity began by insisting that the most diverse people should live together and by enabling them to do so, because they were all living with Jesus.
Judging them by worldly standards the men Jesus chose had no special qualifications at all. They were not wealthy; they had no special social position; they had no special education; they were not trained theologians; they were not high-ranking churchmen… They were twelve ordinary men. But they had two special qualifications. First, they had felt the magnetic attraction of Jesus. There was something about him that made them wish to take him as their Master. And second, they had the courage to show that there were on his side. Make no mistake, that did require courage. Here was Jesus calmly crashing through the rules and regulations; here was Jesus heading for an inevitable collision with the orthodox leaders; here was Jesus already branded a sinner and labeled as a heretic; and yet they had the courage to attach themselves to him. …These twelve had all kinds of faults, but whatever else could be said about them, they loved Jesus and they were not afraid to tell the world that they loved him–and that is being a Christian.
Jesus called them to him for two purposes. First, he called them to be with him. He called them to be his steady and consistent companions. Others might come and go; the crowd might be there one day and away the next; others might be fluctuating and spasmodic in their attachment to him, but these twelve were to identify their lives with his life and live with him all the time. Second, he called them to send them out. He wanted them to be his representatives. He wanted them to tell others about him. They themselves had been won in order to win others.
For their task Jesus equipped them with two things. First, he gave them a message. They were to be his heralds. …Men will always listen to the man with a message. Jesus gave these friends of his something to say. Second, he gave them a power. They were also to cast out demons. Because they companied with him something of his power was on their lives.
If we would learn what discipleship is we will do well to think again of these first disciples.”
A band of brothers, diverse in backgrounds and opinions, united in love for Jesus Christ, impacting the world with the message of grace and the power of the Holy Spirit. Quite a picture of discipleship.
Lord, I fear I fluctuate too much in my devotion. Help me to fall in love with You again, to be united with others in fellowship, and to speak Your name freely to others.
June 25, 2009
Posted by Carlton Huff
7Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed. 8When they heard all he was doing, many people came to him from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon. 9Because of the crowd he told his disciples to have a small boat ready for him, to keep the people from crowding him. 10For he had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch him. 11Whenever the evil spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.” 12But he gave them strict orders not to tell who he was.
From a multitude of people seeking to be healed come a multitude of questions:
Why did the unclean spirits recognize Jesus as the Christ, but the multitudes did not? Of all those being healed, did they not care Who it was that healed them? Were they like the blind man who said “All I know is that I couldn’t see before, and now I can.”? How would we respond? Would we care? Would we recognize the divine power of Jesus for what it is? Or would we remain locked in our legalism and religiosity, like the Pharisees, disregarding His miracles and trying to find fault with Him? Would we join those trying to figure out a way to destroy Him?
It saddens me terribly to think, to know, that I could be capable of all these things. I was capable of doing them, and did them. All those small and not-so-small miracles that happened in my life chalked up to what? Luck? Fate? Who is Jesus? Who cares? I didn’t. Not until I was 39 and on the run did I care. And then only because of the love God showed to me through His children.
So, can I learn not to point fingers at those who don’t know Jesus, who don’t care, who hate Him? Because I want to. I want to grab them, shake some sense into them, tell them how wrong and misguided they are. I hope I can. I pray I can. I was there. That was me. Fortunately, no one did that to me. Let’s be gracious to those who don’t know Jesus like we do. Let’s allow God to love them through us.
Oh Lord, our gracious Heavenly Father, Who lovingly drew us to Your marvelous light and graciously saved our souls: help us to love those who don’t know You. Give us compassion for their souls and courage to share the good news of Jesus with them. Amen.
June 23, 2009
Read and meditate on Mark 2:23-28 today…
23One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and as his disciples walked along, they began to pick some heads of grain. 24The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?”
25He answered, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? 26In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.”
27Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”
We have such a negative connotation of the Pharisees today that it is hard to see how radical the gospels would have read in the first century. The Pharisees were the religious and social conservatives of the time. They were the ones trying to preserve the Jewish way of life and counteract the influx of Roman immorality and culture into the land. It would not be much of a stretch to say that the Pharisees were the conservative religious Republicans of Jesus’ day. I don’t say that lightly…or as a way to blast Republican conservatives today…I am one. Plus, the liberal Democrats have their own representatives in Jesus’ day–the Sadducees. So neither political side can say they have a corner on the true Jesus. Jesus had a way of constantly rising above the political fray of His day.
But what catches my attention today is the fact that the Pharisees seem to be like hawks over Jesus and His disciples. You get the impression that they are following Jesus…not in the “disciple sense” but in the “watchful critic sense.” Every move of Jesus is under the microscope. Every perceived misstep noted. Every word carefully dissected and analyzed for possible religious blasphemy or political controversy. They were so intent on finding what was wrong with Jesus and His disciples that they totally missed the “God moments” that were right in front of their eyes. In their hyper-critic mode they missed God. They not only missed Him; they crucified Him.
In this instance, the Pharisees are shadowing Jesus when they notice His disciples picking grain to eat…on the Sabbath! Stop the presses! This is a big one! “Jesus’ Disciples Break Sabbath!” The Pharisees swoop down to question Jesus on this overt violation of “biblical” law. Jesus calmly responds, “Guys, you have totally missed the point of God’s law, haven’t you? If you are hungry, you eat what’s available. Just look at David. He not only ate consecrated bread when he was hungry but he gave some to his companions too! God instituted the Sabbath to encourage us to rest not to burden us with spiritual guilt or physical starvation. Besides, if that doesn’t satisfy you, I am Lord of the Sabbath too.”
In short, the Pharisees’ agenda blinded them to the spirit of God’s law and to the basic needs of people. In their minds, they thought they were serving God…protecting God’s people from evil cultural influences…preserving the nation…but in their hearts they had become cold, compassion-less, critical, self-righteous.
I consider my own heart and my own response to our present political and cultural situation. I lament the direction our country is heading. I feel burdened by the politics of our day. I wonder how I am to respond as a Christian…as a pastor. Sin is to be confronted. The law is to be honored. Morality is to be encouraged. But I can’t let my heart become cold and critical in the process. I can’t forget the spirit of God’s law. I can’t lose sight of the love of God and the needs of people. I can’t become a Pharisee.
It is a hard line to walk…being salt and shining light…upholding truth and showing love. That’s why we have to follow Jesus, step by step, every day, allowing Him to break, mold, and reshape our hearts. Only in Him do truth and love find their perfect balance. Only in Him do holiness and grace intersect. Just look at the cross.
Lord, may I not become a Pharisee….or a Sadducee either. Teach me how to follow You, step by step, in this present age.
June 22, 2009
Posted by Bob Galvin.
I am really enjoying these readings…..God is showing me things that I never noticed before.
Coming out of the start of His public ministry and baptism with John - we see Jesus have encounters with so many : The Holy Spirit (Dove), Satan ( Wilderness), Simon, Andrew, James, John, (i.e.: disciples), Worshipers in Synagogue, a Hidden demon, Simon’s Mother In-Laws, Scribes, Leaders, Lepers, many sick people…..and many , many curious onlookers. So much attention – so much news quickly traveling thru-out the region. Who is this man Jesus? He teaches as One having authority….He heals so many people….He cast out demons, He claims to forgive sin. Who is this Man ?
In Verse 14 – We read about a very short encounter & invitation that Jesus has with Levi ( or to us Matthew – the writer of the Gospel). Here is Matthew hard at work in his Tax Booth. Certainly Matthew had heard the stories of Jesus – and certainly he saw the crowds surrounding Our Lord as He walked by. But there was work to be done – taxes to be collected. I am not sure what a NT Tax Booth looked like ( although I did a Google image search ) – but I am certain it was not a place you look forward to visiting. It’s not Rita’s on a hot summer evening. But it served a specific purpose….taxes were owed, collected and reported. And Matthew is hard at work. I can imagine that Jesus and Matthew lock eyes – and Jesus seeing this lonely & disliked Tax Collector – looked into Matthew’s longing heart & soul and says’ “Follow Me” . Jesus is saying to Matthew – you have a new life, a new occupation, a new purpose. “Follow Me” Matthew immediately responds – he leaves his job, the money he had collected, his books – presumably to his boss (???)…..and follows Jesus. That’s courage.
Verse 15 - Matthew doesn’t stop there…..it appears that he immediately takes on this new life and invites his fellow tax collectors and those classified as sinners to his home. Why ? He wants them to meet Jesus. Matthew who has always collected – now wants to give away. He found new life in Christ and he wants to share it. I can only imagine the conversations that he is having with his IRS buddies. “ Matthew – what are you doing? You’re giving everything away. This is not the time to walk away from your job…your home…influential people who know you. The general population – they don’t like you or us . What will you do? What income will you have? Your throwing it all away – for what?”. Can you hear them speaking? Dear Matthew just wants his friends to meet Jesus and have Peace with God. That’s caring.
Verse 16, 17 - The Pharisees are upset - and they ask Jesus’ disciples – “Why is He eating & drinking with tax collectors and sinners” . They appear not to don’t have the courage or courtesy to ask Jesus directly – but they certainly say it loud enough to be overheard. BTW - I don’t think the question by itself is necessary wrong. In Psalm 1:1 we read “ How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of the sinners, Nor sit in the seat of the scoffers” . However their observation about what was actually going on was completely wrong – they don’t see true life changing ministry in action…..and their heart motivation is completely opposite what God would have His people do (Micah 6:8 “But to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God”). As people who claim Christ - we need to be in touch with dear people who are cast out of society….people caught up in wrong stuff. Ps 1:1 tells us not to actively participate in wrong stuff – and Jesus reaffirms the need to be involved with all people – regardless of their circumstance. Paul’s writing in 1 Corinthians 6:11 – reminds me that I was there right along with them doing things that I would be ashamed ( if known ) …..….but by the blood of Christ I was washed, sanctified, and justified. Nothing that I did – Jesus paid it all.
My prayer: “ Lord, give me (and Sayre Woods) the courage to truly follow You…help me ( us ) to leave “stuff” behind….give me ( us ) a heart that truly cares for your dear people”