Mark 7:31-37

Mark 7:31-37 

English Standard Version 

  In 2 Timothy, Paul warns of a time when people won't adhere to sound doctrine, but they'll have itching ears and find teachers in accordance with their own desires.  I think about that passage a lot -- it's easy to find someone proclaiming authority whose perspective matches your own and doesn't challenge you on anything.  It's like the old saying that when all of God's enemies are the same as your enemies, perhaps you need to re-think a few things.  But it's so easy to close our minds to challenging words -- and in doing so, we become like a deaf man, unable to hear, except that our impediment isn't easily noticed, partly because everyone else is doing the same, and if we're all doing it, then it can't be wrong, correct?  

  Jesus comes to open our ears and eyes and hearts, but we often resist.  We're comfortable in having our itching ears scratched by those who know what to say to keep us comfortable.  As a society, we crave comfort.  We go out of our way to avoid being confronted by points of view different than our own.  We isolate ourselves so that we only hear what we want.  Jesus opens us up to another perspective, one defined by grace and love.  May we have the wisdom and strength to let Jesus lead us, to let him teach us, to let him guide us, that we may grow in faith and knowledge.

Mark 7:24-30

Mark 7:24-30 

English Standard Version 

  At some point this summer, we all went over to Dayton and spent some time at the children's museum there.  They had a planetarium and we watched a show all about the universe.  There was a certain point where I was completely lost at the size and scope of it all.  It was overwhelming to think about and exceeded what my mind could grasp.  I simply didn't understand.

  We all have intellectual limits.  There are many people whose limits go far beyond me, but even the brightest minds come up against things that they can't wrap their heads around.  And that's ok -- we are created by God and live within the universe, so our minds have limits just as our bodies do.  Part of maturing is learning to accept our limitations, which are constantly changing.  

  I don't understand this passage.  I read it over and over, and I understand that Jesus is talking about the Jewish community and how God's grace and favor extends beyond it, but as to why a fence seems to be put up and the woman has to convince Jesus that others, like dogs, should have the crumbs, I don't have a good explanation.  I've learned to be ok with this -- I don't understand why God does everything that God does.  I trust the love and grace of God, because I see the fullness of that on the cross, and I hear Jesus inviting a thief under the penalty of death into God's infinite kingdom and I realize that God is more gracious than I can imagine, and so I accept that Jesus' motives here are loving, just as Jesus' motives are loving when he deals with you and I.  Some of the details are above my intellectual plane, and I can be ok with that.  Some things I'll learn on the other side of the veil.

Mark 7:14-23

Mark 7:14-23 

English Standard Version 

  When things go wrong, it's easy to look for someone to blame.  There was a time in my life when I was in terrible shape, and I wanted to blame all the circumstances that had caused that, but in reality, it was my own poor choices.  I was unhealthy because I hadn't prioritized health, and my body reflected that.  Similar to my second and third knee surgeries -- there were lots of opportunities to blame others, but it was only my poor choice to keep playing soccer that was responsible for my knee injuries.  The pain I was in was a result of my own choices.  

  Lots of things happen to us in life that are beyond our control.  Many things happen that are in our control that we don't want to accept responsibility for.  Jesus is trying to help us see the difference -- what can we control, and what kind of person do we want to be?  The things in life that just happen without our control or input?  Those don't defile us.  The responses we choose -- those are the things that shape our character, the type of people we are.  Jesus tells us to pay attention to that, for those things that flow out of our hearts, those actions define us, and often, it's how others will perceive the church -- through our words and actions.

Mark 7:5-13

Mark 7:5-13 

English Standard Version 

  In recent years, my expectations for politicians continue to decrease.  I'm at the point where I don't really even ask for much.  I think I'd be satisfied if they simply did the things they say they'll do when they campaign.  Is that too much?  Even if they can't get them done because of the obstructions of one group or another, they could at least try, right?  Maybe it'd be enough if they just pretended to try.  It's sad how low my standards are for America's politicians... 

  Jesus is speaking to the same reality, which is comforting in knowing that people don't truly change.  This is comforting because it means we can hear the words of Jesus and know that he speaks to our condition, too, even though thousands of years separate his words from our ears.

  Jesus is speaking to people who say things but don't really mean them.  They use words that might honor God or other people, but their hearts aren't in it.  We all know what this is like.  We've all done this, at one point or another.  It's easy to do, and we feel like it doesn't really hurt anyone.  But it does -- it introduces cracks in relationships that suddenly aren't fully authentic.  They're based on empty flattery.  

  So let us say what we mean and mean what we say.  May our hearts and our words align, that we may be the people we say we are, and show the world true authenticity.

Mark 7:1-4

Mark 7:1-4 

English Standard Version 

  What's it mean to be clean?  There's the feeling of your teeth right after you walk out of the dentist, when you don't want to eat anything because of how clean your teeth feel.  There's something satisfying about washing your car and seeing it gleam in the sunlight on a nice day, so that you're not afraid to touch it because of how much dirt has accumulated.  Or there's the idea of having a clean heart and mind, of resisting temptation and focusing on love and selflessness.  

  All very different, yet all the same.  It's easy for us to say that a clean heart and clean mind are more important, but cleanliness in other areas of life are important.  Cleaning your teeth regularly keeps you healthy, and cleaning your car helps the paint last longer.  They're important to do, but shouldn't be the most important thing.  

  The Pharisees got their priorities a bit backwards, and so they focused intently on cleaning surface items, like their hands, and perhaps lost track of their hearts.  It's not a hard thing to do in a fast-paced & results-focused world.  I probably spend more time each day washing my hands than I do thinking about the cleanliness of my heart.  Jesus called the Pharisees out on this, and he calls us out, too.  Not to distance himself from us, but to help us recognize our sins and come to God as children, trusting in the love of God to heal and redeem us, to truly wash us in the waters of baptism and mark us clean forever.

Mark 6:53-56

Mark 6:53-56 

English Standard Version 

  What do you think the first followers of the Beatles thought of them?  Do you think they knew how big they would get?  How would they have acted differently if they knew, if they really knew, how popular they would end up being.  It reminds me of reading stories about supermodels who were dumped by their boyfriends in high school for some minor reason -- do you think the boyfriends would have acted differently if they knew their girlfriend at the time would go on to be a famous model?  

  In Mark 6, this is still early in Jesus' ministry.  Word about him is clearly getting out, and Jesus is becoming very popular.  They bring the sick out into the market in the hopes that his clothes might make the sick well.  They revere him and have great faith.

  And this is all well before he rises from the dead.  This display is but an iota of the ultimate power he'll demonstrate over sin and death.  And still people stream from all around to come and see him.

  The question it leaves me with is this -- do I, knowing the full story and the resurrection from the dead, revere him as much, if not more, than these people, who have only had a glimpse of his power?  Or do I take it for granted and allow Jesus to fade into the background because I have other things that seem more urgent than attending to the personal relationship that the God of the universe wants to have with me?

  So what do I need to change?

Mark 6:45-52

Mark 6:45-52 

English Standard Version 

  Our culture is such a lens in front of our faces that we scarcely notice it at times.  If I tell you I spent $60 putting gas in my car, most American adults might think this is about average, while a toddler might think I've spent a fortune on such a transaction.  It all depends on your experiences and expectations.

  For a first century Jew, the chaos of a storm, combined with the darkness, represents the largest primordial forces beyond understanding or control.  It was the very universe trying to rip itself apart.  To see Jesus control such storms with a word is to see the Creator exercising power over the created.  It inspired awe and fear as they wondered just who this might be.  They knew he was more than a man, but how can a man that looks just like them be so much more than just a man?  They saw, but could they believe their eyes?  They were astounded and amazed and terrified at the power he possessed.

  As someone once said, you can't ask someone like that to simply be an assistant.  To have such a man in your life is to hand over the reins, to cede all power and authority to him.  He is the source of power and wisdom in the universe -- let Jesus be Lord, that his wisdom may guide us, that his power may rle over us, and that we may submit to Christ as Lord in all things.

Mark 6:37-44

Mark 6:37-44 

English Standard Version 

  If you make dinner reservations somewhere fancy, you're expected to show up in proper attire at the time of your reservations.  If you are late, they are unlikely to send a car to find you, and while some places will have a coat if one is required, they don't have a full wardrobe ready in the event you show up underdressed.  You have to come ready.

  Jesus, however, meets us where we are.  Crowds show up hungry and underprepared for the event, but Jesus has compassion on them.  He sees them, he sees their needs, and he loves them, so he serves them.  He brings about a miracle so that their needs can be met, and because he combines love and power and chooses to use these for the people, they are satisfied.

  What's remarkable is that Jesus doesn't stop there.  He combines love and power and ascends the cross -- no barrier is too high for Jesus.  He'll do anything, such is his love.  Even if he has to die.

  You are deeply loved, and Jesus pursues you, wherever you are, no matter what.  He starts with where you are.

Mark 6:30-36

Mark 6:30-36 

English Standard Version 

  When you book your vacation, what do you look for in a destination?  You'd likely want to ensure there were places to stay and ways to get food.   You'd want to have your basic needs provided for.  Otherwise, you'd probably think about going somewhere else.

  But Jesus draws us in.  When we focus on Jesus, we are willing to go to desolate places.  He invites us there, because everything is stripped away in the desolate places.  Ever notice how much time you spend in the kitchen preparing meals?  You can't do that in a desolate place.  There are no distractions there -- only you and the Word of God.  

  There are ways to recreate this in your own life.  You don't have to disappear deep into the wilderness.  Just find a quiet spot in your home, turn off your phone, and just be.  Jesus is enough.  

Mark 6:21-29

Mark 6:21-29 

English Standard Version 

  If you found out that every word of your next phone call would be played back for people to hear for the next 2,000 years, would you have to change how you spoke?  If the next email or text message you send is archived for perpetuity, how differently would you write?  If I told you that children might look to your words for wisdom in 700 years, would you craft them more carefully?

  Herod was careless with the life of John the Baptist. He felt like it was more important to uphold his image than to spare the life of John.  He never would've imagined that John the Baptist, an iteninerant preacher with camel's hair for clothing and some odd ideas about personal hygiene, might someday be viewed as more important than him.  He would've laughed at the thought, so he was careless with John's life.

  May we never be careless with our words to the extent that they might harm another.  May we recognize that each person has eternal importance and value to God.  Each person you talk to is precious and beloved enough by God for Jesus Christ to die on a cross for that person.  Ponder that as you speak, as you write, and may it change the way we treat one another, that we may handle each other with care and grace.

Mark 6:14-20

Mark 6:14-20 

English Standard Version 

  What's the path of least resistance?  Water follows it -- which is why it can be so hard to keep out of your house, because any little crack or opening, and water will seep into it.  It exploits any weakness.  We often follow the path of least resistance in our own life, opting for what is easy, even when we know the harder path will lead us to the place we want to be.  We can easily end up in a rut and stay in it.

  John the Baptist took the harder path.  He had an easier one available -- he didn't have to speak openly to Herod about his situation.  He could've let it lie and opted for an easier route.  But for John, he chose what was faithful, even at great risk to himself -- he knew it might cost him his life to oppose Herod, but he followed what was right over what was easy.

  Hopefully, doing what is right won't cost us our lives.  But God calls us to discipleship, and calls us to love God more than our own lives, and if we're willing to commit everything, we'll discover a wealth greater than we can imagine, a wealth worth giving up everything for.  John had a vision of this.  How can we have the same passion?

Mark 6:7-13

Mark 6:7-13

English Standard Version 

  Life has any number of challenges.  You can probably think of some new ones you encountered just this week.  Sometimes, things go wrong that we didn't even know could go wrong!  I feel that way a lot of times when I talk to my doctor -- I'm learning about parts of the body that I didn't know about because something isn't working right.  Uncertainty seems to be the rule some days.

  Into this world, where all sorts of things can and do go wrong, Jesus sends the disciples, two by two.  He doesn't send them out on their own.  Think of the things they'll face, these newly converted disciples who are learning as they go.  They have so much to learn about the faith, but they'll learn together.  They have someone to talk with, someone to bounce questions and ideas off.  They have a companion.  Like Adam in the garden and Moses in leadership, they're not alone.

  May we develop and seek companionship as we grow in faith, so that we have people to ask big questions, so that we have someone to confess our fears and our shortcomings, and so that we have someone to celebrate with.  

Mark 6:1-6

Mark 6:1-6 

English Standard Version 

  The medium is the message, right?  It's fascinating to me that no one seems to debate the wisdom with which Jesus teaches -- they simply can't fathom that such wisdom would come from Jesus.  They're offended that someone like him could teach someone like them.  They have a certainty about where they stand and where others stand, and they're unwilling to consider things outside of their expectations.

  It's easy to see the flaws when Mark presents them so clearly in the Gospel.  It's much harder to see them in our own lives -- we fall into routines and patterns and develop blinders to things outside of our expectations.  It takes work to look outside of our expectations, to listen for the voice of God coming from all corners, and to consider the merits of things while ignoring the medium through which it comes.  May we truly listen for what God has to say to us, and may the Holy Spirit open the eyes of our hearts to follow God's leading.

Mark 5:35-43

Mark 5:35-43 

English Standard Version 

  Jesus responds differently in so many situations.  When Lazarus dies, Jesus rages and weeps at the reality of death.  Here, when this girl has died, he tells them that she is merely asleep.  Both cases look the same to me, but he speaks differently.  It's so hard to make blanket rules out of the ways Jesus reacts -- all we can do is come, humbly, ready to receive, ready to be led.  He has crafted a path forward for each of us, called us uniquely, and loves us dearly.  May that be enough for us to look him in the eyes and believe when he tells us, in the darkest valleys with the deepest shadows of our lives, to not fear, only believe.

Mark 5:25-34

Mark 5:25-34 

English Standard Version 

  Physical pain is so debilitating.  This woman had dealt with it for 12 years, spending all she had, and yet she continued to grow worse.  What does it take to hold onto hope in such a situation?  At some point in all of our lives, we reach the realization that only Jesus can truly heal us.  Even at her moment of healing, she was invisible to the disciples and to others around her -- only she and Jesus knew what had truly happened.  

  May we each seek Jesus, with all of our hearts, and an awareness of how empty the healing the world offers truly is.  May we find his healing, and hear his words of comfort in the depths of our souls, that we may be well, be healed, and go in peace.

Mark 5:21-24

Mark 5:21-24 

English Standard Version 

  It feels like our culture is fairly stratified now -- we mostly see people from the same realm with the same tastes.  When I think about going from work to soccer practice to church, it's mostly with people who aren't that different than I am.  I was thinking about this the other day at the zoo -- which is a true melting pot, one of the few in our city.  

  Jesus' ministry cut across all the dividers in the world.  He went from healing demon-possessed people to going to attend to the child of one of the rulers of the synagogue.  It didn't matter what your background or lifestyle was, be it a fisherman or a tax collector -- Jesus came to you, and he focused on your needs.  

  I hope the Christian church can be a place where all are welcome, and where all are heard, and all are loved.  And I hope that we seek out places where we can mix with people not like us, that the Holy Spirit may teach us to love and honor one another, to listen to one another, and to care for one another.

Mark 5:14-20

Mark 5:14-20 

English Standard Version 

  When I was 15, I thought I knew everything I wanted out of life.  Then I grew up and matured and understood so many more things, and at 22, I really knew everything I wanted out of life.  You'll never guess what happened later...  I still think about Garth Brooks' old song Unanswered Prayers.  There's so many things in my life that I thought I wanted, only to discover later that there was something better in store.

  The demon possessed man has been healed by Jesus, and he begs Jesus to be able to follow him.  It's fascinating to contrast him to others who come to Jesus reluctantly and are sent away by Jesus -- which should teach us that Jesus never comes to us with blanket guidelines about how to act in every situation, but rather knows us intimately and with nuance and challenges us each differently based on our own life circumstances.  

  It's curious, but Jesus doesn't let the man accompany him on his journeys, but instead sends him back to his home to testify to God's work in his life.  It's not what the man expected, but that's the next step in his walk of faith.  It's not what he would have expected, but that's where Jesus calls him at that point in time.

  God has a call for you, and it may not be what you expect.  It may not be what imagine.  But that's where God needs you.  It's not the same for everyone.  One person's ministry looks very different than another's.  God knows us uniquely and calls us individually to love and serve in our own unique way.

Mark 5:6-13

Mark 5:6-13 

English Standard Version 

  The unclean spirits had spent years trying to destroy this man.  When Jesus intervened, they sought to destroy this herd of pigs.  That is their nature and their desire -- to destroy.

  They'll do the same things to us -- our addictions and sins want to destroy us.  They start small, and they work to claim larger and larger parts of our lives.  For the longest time, they'll be subtle, and we may not notice until they've claimed significant acreage in our lives and time.  I have some weeds like that in the backyard -- I don't pay attention for a few weeks, and suddenly they've taken over a ton of space, and it's far more work to be rid of them at that point than it would have been if I had noticed them when they were smaller.  But I was busy and distracted, and I didn't think they'd be a big problem.  I was wrong.  

  May we turn to Jesus early and often.  May we listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit as it speaks through prayer and the voices of trusted friends.  Let us watch out for small sins and temptations and addictions, for they'll never seek to stay small.