The Path to Greatness

And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for woman.” (Mark 10:35-45 ESV).

 

As the disciples learned more and more about Jesus, it was slowly dawning on them that they were in the presence of a king. So, a couple of them decided to make a bold request. They quietly approached Jesus to ask if they could serve as prime ministers in his kingdom.

 

When the other disciples got wind of this, they were totally put off, probably because they wished they had asked first. We can almost hear them squabbling, "Why should James and John get a higher position than us? Who do they think they are?"

 

Notice that Jesus doesn't seem nearly as bothered by what they ask for. He corrects James and John by saying, in effect, "Your request is not something for me to answer. The Father decides who sits in the places of honor." Then Jesus adds, "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all."

 

Jesus would love to give every one of us a seat of honor in his kingdom. He wants success for us all. We learn that it isn't wrong for us to want to succeed. But success in God's eyes is far different from the world's ideas of success. It means living like the One who "did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

  

The Saddest Verse in the Bible

 

And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” 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.” Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. (Mark 10:17-22 ESV).

 

Our reading today contains one of the saddest verses in all of Scripture. The story began so hopeful. A fine young man, wealthy and well educated, came to Jesus, bowed before him, and asked a very important question: "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" Admittedly, it was not asked exactly correct. The young man wanted to inherit eternal life. Perhaps this was because all of his wealth and position was inherited and he knew nothing else. However, the question was not the young man’s problem.

 

Most people came to Jesus for some benefit, such as healing or food for themselves or for a loved one. But this man was interested in spiritual matters. The story ended sadly, though, with the rich young man leaving “sorrowful” by Jesus' response. He didn’t hear what he wanted to hear from Jesus at all. It ought to cause us to wonder what was the real problem. There were three problems.

 

First, he loved his wealth more than he loved God. Possessing wealth is not wrong, but letting wealth stand in the way of surrender to God brings spiritual disaster. Second, the young man misunderstood God's way of salvation. He believed he was good, claiming he had always kept the commandments. And he wanted Jesus to tell him one more good work he might do that would guarantee him a place in paradise. Instead, when Jesus suggested that he give up what was closest to his heart, the young man showed that he did not see himself as a sinner in need of God's forgiveness. Third, he walked away from Jesus. Like so many others over the years, he refused God's offer of salvation by free grace alone. How terribly sad! Don’t copy this young man’s action!

 

The Challenge of a Lasting Relationship

 

And Pharisees came up and in order to test him [Jesus] asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away.” And Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” (Mark 10:2-9 ESV).

 

The painful reality of divorce is a challenge for the church today. But this was also true in Jesus' day. To test him and try to get him into trouble with legal experts, some religious leaders wanted to debate with him on this subject. But notice that he turned the tables to explain the impact of marriage.

 

Jesus reminds us that marriage is not based on feelings. Marriage is the amazing and mysterious miracle in which two persons, a man and a woman with different backgrounds and families, become one unit. According to God, when two people come together in marriage, they create a new living thing: they become one flesh. So, when I promised, "I do," to my wife nearly 55 years ago, life was no longer just about me; it was about us.

 

To hold this beautiful vision of marriage is tough in a world that is so focused on the individual. Messages bombard us from all sides to try to convince us that the self is most important. Others would have us believe it's all about what we feel, what we want, what we need.

 

For those of us who are married, Jesus invites us to die to that selfish spirit and work to build up and bless our spouse.

 

And for those of us who know the pain of a broken marriage, God invites us to experience the forgiveness, grace, and healing that give renewed peace and joy.

 

Helping Others in the Journey

[Jesus said] “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into shell, ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’ For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.” (Mark 9:42-50 ESV).

 

Mary and I have reached the stage in our lives where it is much easier to help each walk. Mary has developed Neuropathy and uses a cane to walk, though she can still be a bit wobbly. I’ve just gotten older and often find it very helpful to hold on to her for stability. I suppose there are those who might giggle a bit at the sight of us walking together, me carrying her purse and holding on to her while we walk along slowly and cautiously avoiding a fall. I do know it is very encouraging knowing we have each other to hold on to.

 

Our reading today uses a similar image as Jesus cautions His disciples not to cause someone to stumble in their spiritual journey. Causing someone else to stumble in their faith could be devastating. Jesus took it so seriously that he said it would be better to tie a giant rock around your neck and drown than to cause someone to stumble. I’ve worked with people of all ages for many years, and while I’ve been a mentor and role model to many. My great hope is that everything I’ve taught and modeled has helped them not to stumble. This is especially true of the younger people.

 

Our calling as followers of Christ is to walk with others who are journeying the same way we are. We support each other in our faith. We strive to be there when questions are asked. We try to be a shoulder to cry on and a partner to laugh with. We journey together. Jesus reminds us to be a support for others rather than causing them to stumble or fall. We must also watch out for the things in our life that can cause us to stumble. Are you helping others in their journey?

  

Like a Child

And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.” (Mark 9:33-37 ESV).

 

Our world is obsessed by status, and that causes a lot of hurt. In our world, people are measured by the color of their skin, the way they dress, how much money they have, and more. In Jesus' day, people were defined by whether they were Jew or Gentile, male or female, religiously clean or unclean, rich or poor, and on and on.

 

It was this kind of thinking that moved the disciples to argue about whom Jesus loved most. And as soon as Jesus asked what they were talking about, they were embarrassed.

 

But Jesus didn't get angry. Instead, he turned the occasion into a teaching moment. He said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." Then he took up a child in his arms and said, "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me."

 

With this beautiful image, Jesus tells us that when we accept him as Savior, we are no longer defined by how we measure up against other people. What defines us is where we stand in relation to Jesus. In Jesus, we are part of a new social structure centered around Jesus. We are like that child, embraced by him. And Jesus' embrace frees us to love and serve all people, no matter what status they have in the world. It really is not about us at all. It is all about Jesus!

  

Help My Unbelief!

 

And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and scribes arguing with them. And immediately all the crowd, when they saw him, were greatly amazed and ran up to him and greeted him. And he asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” And someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.” And he answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.” And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, “He is dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.” (Mark 9:14-29 ESV).

 

Jesus had just been encouraged by God on a mountaintop, and three of his disciples—Peter, James, and John—had been allowed to watch. The disciples saw the power and glory of God in Jesus as never before. They saw Jesus’ clothing become dazzling white. They saw Moses and Elijah, prophets of Israel from ancient times, talking with Jesus. They heard words from heaven: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” (Mark 9:7). The impact of all this was overwhelming.

 

But when they came down the mountain, the disciples faced a problem. A troubled father had brought his demon-possessed son for healing, but the disciples who had stayed behind were powerless. The evil spirit made the boy unable to hear or speak, and it threw him to the ground gnashing his teeth. The father was desperate. The disciples couldn’t help, but could Jesus?

 

“Bring the boy to me,” said Jesus, and he commanded the spirit to leave and never return. The spirit shrieked, shook the boy violently, and came out. Jesus lifted the boy to his feet, and the boy stood up. “Why couldn’t we do that?” the disciples later asked. Then Jesus taught them a great lesson about prayer, which calls for faith in the power of God. Power doesn’t reside in the person praying or in the act of praying itself. Power comes from God through faith in Jesus!

The Coming of Elijah

 

And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead might mean. And they asked him, “Why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” And he said to them, “Elijah does come first to restore all things. And how is it written of the Son of Man that he should suffer many things and be treated with contempt? But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him.” (Mark 9:9-13 ESV).

 

Continuing to read in this chapter of Mark’s Gospel we see the disciples on their way down from the mountain where they'd seen the glory of Jesus, and where they had seen Moses and Elijah. The disciples had some questions about Elijah. They had been taught since they were young that Elijah would come back in a dramatic way to prepare for the coming of the Messiah (cf. Malachi 4:5-6). On the mountain, they saw clearly that Jesus was the Messiah. They wondered where had Elijah been?

 

In response, Jesus said Elijah had come, and he was referring here to John the Baptist (cf. Matthew 17:13). But what did it mean that Elijah (or John, in the spirit of Elijah) would restore all things?

 

Elijah, along with Moses, was one of the great prophets in the history of God's people, Israel. Elijah's calling was to challenge people to give up false faith and religion and turn back (be restored) to God. Before he went up to heaven, Elijah passed along his mantle, or cloak, to Elisha, who would carry on this work in God's name (cf. 2 Kings 2). In the spirit of Elijah, John the Baptist brought the same message, calling people to repent and turn back to God (cf. Luke 1:17).

 

In the spirit of Elijah, we also call men and women to prepare for Christ's coming into their lives. And we have more good news: Jesus has come, and all who believe in him as Savior can be restored to God. We are not waiting for our redemption… it has already come!

 

Seeing the Real Jesus

 

And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only. (Mark 9:2-8 ESV).

 

There are those times in our lives when we see something in person for the first time and simply cannot understand the magnitude of it until that moment. Some years ago Mary and I traveled with her sister and her husband to visit Yellowstone National Park. Of course, one of the sights we had to see was Old Faithful. This geyser, which is just one of many in the area, has been erupting at regular intervals with its boiling water. These eruptions regularly reach more than 130 feet and typically last for several minutes. It is difficult to understand the scale from the photo I’ve included. However, we were nearly 100 yards away from the actual eruption site. It was an awesome display of God’s power in nature. You truly must see it to believe it!

 

In our reading, Peter, James, and John experienced such a sight. They experienced the Son of God like no one else ever had. They witnessed a conversation between Moses, Elijah, and Jesus. Jesus invited the three disciples to hear and see that God had confirmed and affirmed that Jesus was the fulfillment of the promise of grace and mercy shown through these Old Testament representatives. The voice of God, who has the last word, declared, “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”

 

Jesus wanted his disciples to remember from this event that God had come down to us in the person of Jesus to suffer and die and then rise again. His death and resurrection changed everything! While we cannot literally see Him, He is closer to us today than we might think. He has given us the Holy Spirit. He lives in us, knows us, and reminds us that we are in a vital relationship with him. And we don’t need to travel to a specific location to see and know the only Savior we will ever need. He is as close as your spirit!

 

The Voice of Satan

 

And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you bare not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:31-38 ESV).

 

Our reading today is very insightful as we determine what the “voice of Satan” sounds like. It concerns Peter, who certainly meant well. He was drastically mistaken, however. Peter didn’t like it when Jesus talked about his approaching death and resurrection.

 

A short time earlier, Peter had made the bold profession, “You are the Christ.” But now Peter couldn’t accept Jesus’ words about suffering, rejection, and death. Peter’s vision for Jesus and his fellow disciples was far different from that. So, Peter took Jesus aside and tried to set him straight.

 

Jesus rebuked Peter in the strongest possible language: “Get behind me, Satan! … You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” Peter had replaced God’s will with his own. Jesus’ purpose in coming to earth was to “save his people from their sins” (cf. Matthew 1:21).

 

In thankfulness to him we are called to follow his lead, whatever the cost may be. We must honestly admit that we are a lot like Peter. We easily yield to the temptation to make the Christian faith something different than Jesus intends it to be. We want the benefits of Christ’s cross, but we resist the price of following him. Again and again we need to be reminded that in God’s kingdom, life follows death and victory follows surrender. And we will only save what we are willing to lose.

 

Who Do Say that He Is?

 

And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him. (Mark 8:27-30 ESV).

 

In our reading for today we encounter the central question of Jesus' ministry. This is a question that Peter must answer. It is also the question that every person who has ever lived must answer when Jesus asks, "Who do you say I am?"

 

This is a fascinating question, because Jesus focuses not on his teaching but on himself. In our day this often gets confused. We must remember that our Christian faith is not just based on a set of propositions but on a Person. Without Jesus himself, our faith crumbles. Without Jesus, our faith is empty.

 

That's why it doesn't work to dabble in just a little bit of the Christian faith, taking in a little of this or that and ignoring the rest. We cannot settle for a little bit of Jesus. We must accept him as he is, on his terms.

 

Peter, with guidance from the Father (cf. Matthew 16:17), jumps in with an answer that was wiser and more profound than even he realized at the moment: "You are the Christ." In other words, Peter was saying, "Jesus, you are not just a great teacher or prophet. You are the Messiah, the promised one sent by God who has come to save his people. You are the One who will rescue us from the consequences of our sins."

 

Jesus wants to hear your answer to his question too. Who do you say he is?

 

Poor Vision and the Right Doctor

 

And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. And he sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.” (Mark 8:22-26 ESV).

 

Not long ago I went to an ophthalmologist to check my eyes. I had a slight episode that concerned me in reference to my retina in the right eye. Going through the exam, which was thorough, I was a bit surprised that my vision was not nearly as much of a concern to the doctor as it was to me. Ultimately, we got to the issue of cataracts and I was told that I was not old enough to do anything about them. I said, “You do remember that I am 75, right?” He replied, “Really? Your eyes are much better than I would have expected. My thought then was that since I am legally blind (correctable so far) this doctor has no interest in my vision getting better. I do find my vision getting a bit worse as the months pass, so another visit to the doctor is in order, although a different doctor is in the plan.

 

Our reading today tells us of Jesus’ healing of a blind man. Jesus healed the man, but asked how well he could see. The blind man in our story today had the choice to tell Jesus the truth or to go through life seeing a blur. Because of the man’s honesty, Jesus touched him a second time and brought him from blurry vision to clear sight. I bet he was beyond overwhelmed at what he could see.

 

There are times when we have been blinded by our circumstances, our pain, or all the distractions around us. A friend may step in and invite us into a conversation with Jesus. If we accept the invitation, we may have an opportunity to be healed by Jesus. Sometimes our healing can take place progressively rather than instantaneously. Jesus walks with us. He continues to engage in the conversation, and he asks for our honesty. When we admit where we are in our circumstances, Jesus continues taking us from blurry sight to clarity. He is the right doctor!

 

The Power of a Little Yeast

 

Now they had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. And he cautioned them, saying, “Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” And they began discussing with one another the fact that they had no bread. And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive for understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They said to him, “Twelve.” “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” And they said to him, “Seven.” And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?” (Mark 8:14-21 ESV).

 

Mary and I don’t eat a lot of bread; however, we both like the aroma and taste of fresh baked bread. There’s nothing quite as good as fresh baked bread. The “store-bought” bread just isn’t as good. I typically bake a one-pound loaf when I bake. It is remarkable how little yeast is necessary to permeate the entire loaf. Watching it rise is wonderful. This is the background for Jesus’ story in today’s reading.

 

The disciples were worried. As they traveled by boat, they discovered they didn't have enough bread. Jesus overheard what they were talking about and said something that sounds strange to us: "Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod." This sounded strange to the disciples too. It started quite a discussion among them because they didn't understand it.

 

Jesus went on to explain that their worry was directly connected to the unbelief of the Pharisees and Herod, the religious leaders and the local king who refused to accept that Jesus was the Son of God. Twice the disciples had watched Jesus take a little bread and feed huge crowds. And yet they were anxious when they didn't seem to have enough to eat. They knew who Jesus was, and yet they were still worrying about their everyday needs. In that sense, said Jesus, "the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod", the poison of unbelief, was flowing through their veins.

 

Worry can be a form of unbelief, and there's still plenty of that poison around today. If Jesus is Lord, why are we so anxious about the details of our lives? Why do we worry so much about our finances or relationships? Why are we so concerned about the future?

 

Jesus offers the antidote to our anxieties. Trust in Him!

 

The Abundance of Jesus' Provision

 

In those days, when again a great crowd had gathered, and they had nothing to eat, he called his disciples to him and said to them, “I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And if I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way. And some of them have come from far away.” And his disciples answered him, “How can one feed these people with bread here in this desolate place?” And he asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven.” And he directed the crowd to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves, and having given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and they set them before the crowd. And they had a few small fish. And having blessed them, he said that these also should be set before them. And they ate and were satisfied. And they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. And there were about four thousand people. And he sent them away. And immediately he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the district of Dalmanutha. (Mark 8:1-10 ESV).

 

In today’s reading, Jesus has compassion for a huge crowd of people again—and this time it’s simply because they are hungry! When the disciples raise the question of available resources, Jesus begins with a resource inventory. Seven loaves and a few small fish are way too few for feeding so many people. But what the disciples are not counting, of course, is the compassion of Jesus. What’s more, he only asks us to give what we have, and he will provide all that is needed.

 

I often find that there’s a big gap between my available resources and the needs I hear about. In effect, the disciples have asked a particularly critical question: How can the needs of the world be met? They see the gap and do not yet see that the answer is standing right in front of them. This is a lesson I am forever learning. I tally up what I have, and it is not enough for all the needs around me. I do not have enough time, patience, hospitality, skills, wisdom, energy, or finances. But Jesus doesn’t ask me if I have enough; he asks what I have—and in his hands he will make it enough.

 

What about you? I hope you know that Jesus will take and use what you have to extend holy compassion to others.

 

Clean Hands - Unclean Hearts

 

Now when the Pharisees gathered to him, with some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem, they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands properly, holding to the tradition of the elders, and when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions that they observe, such as the washing of cups and pots and copper vessels and dining couches.) And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” (Mark 7:1-8 ESV).

 

One issue Jesus had with the religious leaders of his day was the way they used strict religious rules to try to manage people's behavior. The Pharisees claimed that the disciples, with their unclean hands, were offending God. Jesus replied with a quote from Isaiah to show the religious leaders that even though they had clean hands, they had unclean hearts. God is far more concerned with the condition of our hearts than with outward appearances.

 

Later in this chapter Jesus lists some of the shameful stuff that can live within us: "From within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly" (Mark 7:21-22). If our only method of dealing with the mess inside is to fall back on rules and regulations, we might manage to look clean on the outside but we'll remain unchanged inside. The only successful way to overcome the brokenness inside is to come to the Lord and ask for a change of heart.

 

The good news of Jesus is that this inner renovation of the heart is possible through him. Once we admit our inner failures and come clean before God, we discover that forgiveness is available. We are free to let go of human traditions and hang on to the commands of God.

 

The Provision of God

 

The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognize them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men. (Mark 6:30-44 ESV).

 

In the history of the people of Israel, the wilderness was a place of testing. During the years when the people wandered in the wilderness, God taught them to trust in him for the necessities of life. When they became desperate for food, they cried out to God, and he provided for them. The manna they received nourished their bodies and reminded them to trust in God. (cf. Exodus 16.) More than a thousand years later Jesus taught his disciples the same lesson.

 

In our reading for today, the expressions “quiet place,” “solitary place” and “remote place” can also be translated as “wilderness.” Jesus had just finished teaching a crowd of several thousand people out in the wilderness when a crisis arose. There was a food shortage, and the disciples didn’t know what to do. Jesus told them, “You give them something to eat.” Hearing this, they were dumbfounded. Jesus then took the little they had, gave thanks, and miraculously multiplied it so that everyone had more than enough to eat. In this way Jesus taught the disciples to trust in God for their needs. All of us experience “wilderness” times in our lives. We need to learn afresh that God has the power to provide all that we need.

The Carpenter

 

He [Jesus] went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief. (Mark 6:1-6 ESV).

 

The gospel books (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) focus on Jesus’ public ministry. For a period of three years he taught about the kingdom of God, healed the sick, fed the hungry, and even raised the dead. But before any of that, for about thirty years, Jesus lived in the family home. And for most of those years, he worked alongside his father Joseph in the family trade. We think of Joseph as a carpenter, someone who worked with wood. But he may have been a stoneworker. The original language is not clear. What is clear is that Joseph was a builder of some sort. So, he worked with his hands and with tools: perhaps making farm implements and furniture, or laying foundations. And Jesus did the same thing for probably about twenty years. The gospel books barely mention it. But they do give us that much.

 

Now, when Jesus began his teaching ministry, people for miles and miles around came to know him as a teacher and wonderworker. They were in awe of him. But to the people in his hometown, he was just a guy who worked with tools in his hands. They couldn’t get beyond that. We have the opposite problem. We know Jesus as the Son of God. And we can lose sight of his genuine humanity. But for most of his years, Jesus lived a life as ordinary as anyone’s, like yours or mine. That means that He absolutely understands all our challenges. Trusting Him is easier when you remember He was a “carpenter”!

 

Jesus Came to Comfort Us

 

While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler’s house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat. (Mark 5:35-43 ESV).

 

Jesus came to comfort those who mourn (cf. Isaiah 61:2-3). But what a strange way to bring comfort to parents who had just lost a child—saying that she was not dead but asleep! Was Jesus adding to their sorrow by giving them false hope? The Savior did come to bring comfort—and not with glib phrases or cheap answers or by quoting Scripture verses at inappropriate times. He wanted people to know that even though their loved ones were gone, they were not dead.

 

And he backed up his words with action: he brought the girl back to life. This miracle was Jesus’ way of showing that he came to conquer death. He wants us all to know that death does not have the last word.

 

Maybe you dread the celebration of Christmas because someone you love is gone. You simply can’t get past that empty place. Perhaps you will be celebrating with tears in your eyes and pain in your heart. But, remember, the Lord Jesus has conquered death. And because of that, someday when he returns, the graves of all who have died will be opened and you will meet again. Because of his victory over death, you will be able to celebrate his birth despite your sorrow.

 

There Is Purpose in the Storm

 

On that day, when evening had come, he [Jesus] said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he 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?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (Mark 4:35-41 ESV).

 

Today we return to the passage at the end of chapter four to understand the purpose God has for us in the midst of the storm. Read this passage again closely. Jesus asks the disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” Those two questions feel incoherent. Imagine Jesus’ disciples on the open water, rowing feverishly to keep their boat afloat—no small task when everything is pitching like a rodeo bull; and, Jesus asks them why they are afraid! I’ve been in a few “life-storms” that seemed as bad as this one. I have felt paralyzed with the fear of the moment.

 

Let’s look closer. Mark indicates that this trip was Jesus’ idea in the first place. He’d suggested it; then he had curled up and gone to sleep. Why would Jesus lead his disciples into a crisis like that? Well, it was not happenstance. Jesus was purposeful with His direction into the impending storm. While the disciples were following Jesus in his teaching ministry, Jesus was a step ahead, preparing them for continuing his work later. They could not have imagined Jesus’ death and resurrection and ascension (cf. Mark 15-16; Acts 1), or the coming of his Holy Spirit, who would lead them to bring the gospel across the Roman Empire (cf. Acts 2-28). No, at this point they just wanted to survive the storm and see their families again.

 

Jesus’ followers had a lot to learn: the kinds of things they could discover only in storms. What seemed at first to be just a bad night was actually an opportunity to experience something about Christ that no one could have explained with mere words. Jesus led them into a storm so that they could truly see Him like never before. Trust Him!

Dead Batteries

 

And he [Jesus] said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand? For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” (Mark 4:21-25 ESV).

 

We keep flashlights in various places throughout the house. Thunderstporms in our part of Texas are common. With that also comes the potential temporary lapse of electricity. My favorite is a rechargeable, adjustable beam flashlight that I keep near the back door. I must confess that I am sometimes forgetful about keeping it charged. Not long ago we had some visitors who did not realize that one of our dogs was a “darter.” The gate was only open for a moment, but out she went and began to run down the street. I grabbed my flashlight and out I went to find her. The battery was very low on charge, and it was of little use. Fortunately, I had another light with fresh batteries.

 

I wonder if sometimes we are like that too. We want to be a light for the world, but our batteries are dead or missing, or we haven’t plugged in our lamp. In this parable Jesus points out that we don’t bring a lamp into a room to cover it up. The lamp is there to brighten the room and to show us things that we need to pay attention to.

 

Charles Spurgeon, a great preacher in his day, once said, “The Bible is not the light of the world; it is the light of the church. But the world does not read the Bible; the world reads Christians! You are the light of the world.”

 

Today, let your light shine. No more hiding. Be the lamp that illuminates Jesus to the world. Keep your batteries charged!