Read: Mark 1:14-20
Jesus is sent into the wilderness and calls the disciples in this passage. Why is it that a wilderness experience leaves us focused and ready to gather others and move forward on the big project? While we are in the wilderness all we can think about is what we are missing. When we get out of the wilderness we realize we are now tougher, more prepared, and ready to take on that beast of a thing which has been dogging us for some time. What do you see Jesus doing in this passage?
Scripture: Mark 1:14-20
Sermon: A Failure of Nerve
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Writings for Sunday January 11, 2009
Read: Mark 1 The Baptism of the Lord
We are overwhelmed with causes and positions which stand against something or someone. Everyone seems to have an axe to grind about some particular issue, be it political, financial, or moral. Some people have more than one hot button issue. They can go off about just about anything at anytime. I am struggling to not place an example here, because it could very well be your pet project to speak out against. We are busy to death being against stuff, and I am against being against stuff. And here is the catch: The more I try to be against something or someone, the more I end up acting and looking just like the person or cause I oppose.
John the Baptist was against the political and cultural system of his day. Look at the way he dressed and lived. He said Jesus was coming to change everything. But John seems to misunderstand how Jesus would go about this work. What do you oppose? What frightens you about change?
Jesus comes to stand with, not to oppose. He submits to John’s baptism (which he surely does not need.) He stands with the people who are struggling to get life together. Watch and see how Jesus does not oppose people but goes with them, stands with them. Even to the cross of death, he does not oppose those who would kill him. He submits to their behavior and foul ways, knowing that faith and love will win the day, if only he can be faithful to the Father. Strange are the ways of Jesus.
I think Jesus did not come to maintain the status quo and keep people comfortable and secure in their own ways. Jesus came to transform life into something radically different; a non-violent life which stands together with the lowly, lost, and the offender and offers peace. And he did this work by standing with, not in opposition.
We are overwhelmed with causes and positions which stand against something or someone. Everyone seems to have an axe to grind about some particular issue, be it political, financial, or moral. Some people have more than one hot button issue. They can go off about just about anything at anytime. I am struggling to not place an example here, because it could very well be your pet project to speak out against. We are busy to death being against stuff, and I am against being against stuff. And here is the catch: The more I try to be against something or someone, the more I end up acting and looking just like the person or cause I oppose.
John the Baptist was against the political and cultural system of his day. Look at the way he dressed and lived. He said Jesus was coming to change everything. But John seems to misunderstand how Jesus would go about this work. What do you oppose? What frightens you about change?
Jesus comes to stand with, not to oppose. He submits to John’s baptism (which he surely does not need.) He stands with the people who are struggling to get life together. Watch and see how Jesus does not oppose people but goes with them, stands with them. Even to the cross of death, he does not oppose those who would kill him. He submits to their behavior and foul ways, knowing that faith and love will win the day, if only he can be faithful to the Father. Strange are the ways of Jesus.
I think Jesus did not come to maintain the status quo and keep people comfortable and secure in their own ways. Jesus came to transform life into something radically different; a non-violent life which stands together with the lowly, lost, and the offender and offers peace. And he did this work by standing with, not in opposition.
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