Lord, Save Us!

 

Lord, Save Us! (Mark 11:1-11)

“Hosanna! God bless him who comes in the name of the Lord! God bless the coming kingdom of King David, our father!” (Mark 11:9-10)

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Well, that was exciting!

We came to Jerusalem today. But our entrance into the city wasn’t quiet, by any means. On our way into the city, Jesus had acquired a colt to ride. So he was sitting on the colt while we followed behind.

As people saw Jesus, they were filled with excitement. They crowded around us, some in front, and some behind. The crowd swelled as we went along. By the time we got to the city gates, we were in a sea of people. 

The people were giving Jesus the royal treatment. They were placing their cloaks on the road before him. They were waving branches in celebration. They shouted out, “Hosanna! (which means Lord, save us) Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”

It is pretty clear that the people have come to conclude that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah. The way they embraced him and honored him when we came into Jerusalem leaves no doubt in my mind that they were proclaiming him to be the Messiah. The way they used to words of the psalm – Lord, save us! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! – and applied those words to the promise that God made regarding King David, namely, that the Messiah would be a descendant of David made it clear that the people believe that Jesus is the fulfillment of that promise. 

The city was abuzz with excitement. If I could read everyone’s mind, I would guess that they were thinking that God has finally kept his promise to restore Israel as his people, that somehow Jesus was going to purge the land of the Roman scourge that had oppressed us and filled us with shame for so long, that righteousness and justice were finally going to rule the day, and that all the nations of the world would bow in humble adoration to our God, high and lifted up on the mountain.

The funny thing is, Jesus didn’t really say anything about all the excitement surrounding him. He just went to the temple, looked around, and then took us back to Bethany.

Today my walk with Jesus has left me with more questions than answers. I have no doubts about Jesus being the Messiah, but I wonder how it’s all going to work out. Jesus has never spoken about glory and power and military might. Instead, he has spoken of the necessary suffering and death of the Son of Man – not once, but three times in recent weeks. And whenever we have discussed his kingdom, Jesus has told us that whoever wants to be great must become servants, giving ourselves for the sake of others.

My mind also goes back to the psalm that the people were quoting when they said, “Lord, save us! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” I remember that the psalm is one that is sung when people are taking a sacrifice to the altar. I recall that immediately following the words spoken by the people for Jesus today, the psalm says, “Bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar” (Psalm 118:27, NKJV). But where was the sacrifice in the procession today? Where was the lamb?

At the end of the day, I have more questions than answers. Even in the aftermath of the excitement of the day, I am not able to rest. There is something disquieting in my spirit.

Lord Jesus, I know you are the Messiah, the Anointed One of God. Give clarity to my mind and my heart, especially in the days ahead, to comprehend what your kingdom really looks like and how you will truly rule in the hearts of all people. Amen.

Greatness in the Way of Jesus (Redux)

 

Greatness in the Way of Jesus (redux) – Mark 10:35-45

“We want to sit on the thrones next to yours in your Kingdom,” said James and John to Jesus, “one at your right and the other at your left.” (Mark 10:35-45)

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Ever since the moment when we realized that Jesus is the Messiah, I’ve noticed something different, especially among the twelve disciples. It seems like they are more interested in rank and privilege that come with being part of Jesus’ kingdom. Just a few days ago, they were arguing about who among them was the greatest, and Jesus rebuked them by telling them that greatness in his kingdom comes only with humble servanthood. I thought everyone came away with a new understanding of how we should pursue greatness; at least, I came away with a better sense of it.

And then this morning, James and John had the nerve to pull Jesus aside and ask Jesus to sit them on the thrones next to Jesus’ throne in his kingdom! When the rest of the disciples heard about this, they were livid with James and John. I suspect that their anger was more because James and John beat them to the punch in asking for the positions of privilege and power, than because James and John still didn’t understand about greatness in Jesus’ kingdom.

Jesus pulled them all together and spoke to them. “You know how the kings and great men of the earth lord it over the people, ruling them with a heavy hand and using their authority for their own advantage,” he said. “But that’s not the way it is in my kingdom. Whoever wants to be great among you must become your servant. I’ll say it again – Whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all. For even the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and togive his life as a ransom for many.”

I was a bit chapped at the disciples for their bickering about power and glory. But as I was thinking about this incident, I realize that I, too, need to hear Jesus’ words about being a servant. Part of me has had this sense that everything in Jesus’ kingdom would be smooth sailing, that I could finally take it easy, that maybe somehow I could attain to some position where people would tend to my needs.

If I want to be great (for who doesn’t aspire to some form of greatness?), I need to look to the greatest one of all in the kingdom – to Jesus himself. And Jesus’ greatness does not come from his throwing his weight around and bullying people with his authority. No, his greatness comes in the countless ways he gives himself for others. In some strange way, Jesus sees everyone as more important than himself. Jesus did not come so that others would serve his needs; no, he came so that he could serve the needs of others – of everyone.

I realize that there’s no “taking it easy” in Jesus’ kingdom. Nobody gets to sit on the throne and bark orders at everyone else. The way to the highest status in the kingdom is through humble service of others. That is the way of Jesus. And that is the way of everyone who wants to walk with Jesus.

Dear Jesus, please forgive me when I get caught up in the notions of greatness and prestige that the world tries to sell to me. As I walk with you, I pray that every day you will help me to reset my focus on the greatness to which I should truly aspire – to offer myself into the service of everyone whom you put in my path. Amen.

One More Thing

 

One More Thing (Mark 10:17-31)

“Do you have any idea how difficult it is for people who ‘have it all’ to enter God’s kingdom?”(Mark 10:23)

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We were about to get on our way again when a man came up to Jesus. If I were to judge him by his clothing, I would say he looked to be a man of means. “Teacher,” the man said with deep respect, “What must I do to receive eternal life?” Jesus answered the man by reciting a litany of commands from the Law of Moses. The man’s face lit up in a smile of relief. “Teacher, ever since I was a young boy, I have obeyed all of those commands.”

It was at this point that the conversation took a drastic turn. I saw Jesus look at the man with loving compassion in his eyes, and he said, “One more thing, my friend. Go and sell all of your belongings and give the money to the poor. Then you will have treasures in heaven. Come, follow me.” The man was crestfallen. His expression suddenly turned from one of keen hopefulness to painful disappointment. He slumped his shoulders, turned around, and walked away.

Jesus then looked at us and spoke. “Do you realize how difficult it is for people who ‘have it all’ to enter God’s kingdom?” Noticing how taken aback we were at his words, Jesus continued. “It’s easier for a camel to go through an eye of a needle than for a wealthy person to enter God’s kingdom.”

The conversation continued for a bit. Peter noted that all of us had given up everything in order to follow Jesus, to which Jesus replied that anybody who gives up home and family in order to follow him will be abundantly rewarded, in this life and in the life to come.

As I reflected on all this, it occurred to me that Jesus seemed to be saying is that there can’t be anything nor anybody that stirs greater loyalty from us than Jesus. People who “have it all,” who have great wealth, have come to depend on their wealth for their wellbeing. When the going gets tough, as the saying goes, they don’t need to turn to God; they just turn to their own resources to make it through. They have learned to be in control of their lives, and it is exceedingly difficult for them to hand over control to someone else – even to the Lord.

It made me think: If Jesus were to pose the same question to me that he posed to the wealthy young man, “What must I do to receive eternal life?,” I wonder what the “one more thing” would be that Jesus would demand of me? I certainly am not a person who “has it all,” but am I willing to give up what I do have in order to follow Jesus? Are there people or things that spark more loyalty in my heart than Jesus does? Is there anything or anyone I love more than Jesus?

I see this interaction between the wealthy man and Jesus as an invitation for me to look deeply into my own heart. Walking with Jesus means handing over to him the authority of everything in my life. Brutal honesty with myself will force me to acknowledge that I might still have some work to do in that department. I suspect the same might be said for everyone. It’s part of our nature to think we can be god of our own lives.

I realize that, walking with Jesus, I will always be confronted with some kind of “one more thing” I have to relinquish. My prayer is that I will have the strength of will to let go of all the “one more things,” because walking with Jesus has become so important for me, and that is the one thing I do not want to lose.

Dear Jesus, every day something or someone clamors for my loyalty. I pray that I will have the courage and the strength of will to let go of everything that hinders my walk with you. As difficult as it may be, I ask you to point out to me every time there is “one more thing” I have to let go of so I walk with you freely. I pray for the courage to stay the course with you. Amen.

Childlike Simplicity

 

Childlike Simplicity (Mark 10:13-16)

“Unless you accept God’s kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you’ll never get in.” (Mark 10:15)

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Not long after Jesus told us about how to be great in his kingdom – to be the servant of all, and to show holy hospitality to the weak and vulnerable ones, like children – we were sitting in the town square, and people brought their children to Jesus so he could bless them. But the disciples thought Jesus had more important things to do than to bless little children, so they shooed the children away. Jesus would have none of this attitude from his disciples. With an expression of anger on his face and in his voice he told his disciples, “Let the little children come to me! Don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as they.” Then Jesus turned and told all of us who were nearby, “Take this to heart: Unless you accept God’s kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you will never get in.”

That encounter taught me at least two things about what it means to walk with Jesus. First, I was reminded of how quickly we forget and fail to take to heart the ways of Jesus. I mean, in a matter of a couple of days the disciples had forgotten what Jesus said about welcoming children. One day Jesus was telling us to be gracious toward those who are dependent on others for their wellbeing, and the next day, literally, some are doing the exact opposite thing. It made me realize that it takes great intentionality to put Jesus’ words into action. Walking with Jesus is more than just hearing and understanding him; it is working diligently to change our hearts and our ways, putting into practice everything he teaches us.

The second thing this encounter with the children impressed on my heart is that Jesus requires all who walk with him to do so with childlike simplicity. It makes me think of the wide-eyed awe and wonder that children have when they encounter new things. And for the youngest toddlers, everything is new, so they embrace it all with excitement and wholeheartedly. A child so innocently trusts his parents. It is so natural for a little one to reach up and hold her mother’s hand when walking along the streets. A child’s instinct when encountering danger is to run into her father’s arms. Children, in their innocence, embrace strangers, and they don’t categorize others as “unclean,” or “righteous.” In the eyes and minds of a little child, everyone is worthy of their love.

Unless we are like little children, Jesus said, we won’t enter his kingdom. I hear his words as an invitation for me to be like a child again – to shed the cynicism I have learned over the years, to cast off my tendency to complicate issues with nuanced questions, to re-learn how to trust those I love. Oh, how I would love to stop relying on my own schemes and designs for my life, and instead embrace Jesus with simplicity and with childlike awe and wonder and unquestioning obedience.

Oh, to learn to walk like a child again, stumbling my way into Jesus’ open arms!

Dear Jesus, I have made my faith more complicated than it needs to be. Help me to walk with you in the same innocent simplicity as that of a child. Amen.

Don't Stumble

Don’t Stumble. (Mark 9:42-50)

“If anyone should cause one of these little ones to lose faith in me, it would be better for that person to have a large millstone tied around the neck and be thrown into the sea.” (Mark 9:42)

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That same night when Jesus had the little child stand in our midst so that Jesus could help us understand the meaning of greatness in his kingdom, he also pointed to that same child and said, “If anyone should cause one of these little ones to lose faith in me, it would be better for that person to have a large millstone tied around the neck and be thrown into the sea.” Then Jesus went on to tell us that if our hand causes us to sin, or to lose faith, then we should cut it off. Same for foot or eye – if one of them causes us to sin or lose faith, then off with it! Jesus’ reasoning was that it is better to go to heaven maimed than to have all of our limbs and both eyes intact but in the fires of hell.

Whoa! That was harsh!

I stayed awake that night, trying to make sense of what Jesus said. Obviously, Jesus wasn’t being literal. He didn’t really want us to engage in self-amputations. Jesus was making a point (and what a point he made!). Jesus wants us to take very seriously anything that threatens our faith and especially the faith of innocent young people. We need to stop bad influences quickly, before they can get a foothold and cause us to stop walking with Jesus. I recall the words that God spoke to Cain early in the first book of Moses: “If you do not do well, sin is lurking at the door; its desire is for you, but you must master it.” And I also remember how it turned out for Cain when he failed to heed God’s instruction.

In my walk with Jesus, it is critical that I beware of anything that might cause me to turn away, because before I know it, I can lose sight of Jesus altogether. I have to take seriously anything that threatens my walk with Jesus.

I also have to take very seriously anything I say or do that may threaten anyone else’s walk with Jesus. I realize that others are watching me as I walk with Jesus. What I do and what I say matters. As someone who walks with Jesus, the things I do and the things I say are supposed to bear witness to who Jesus is and the impact that Jesus makes on my life. If I say something that is out of character with the character of Jesus, then it may make some say to themselves, “Why would I want to follow Jesus, if that’s the way Jesus’ followers behave.” God forbid that I act in such a way that my actions and words tarnish and stain Jesus’ reputation in the eyes of those who are watching me.

God forbid that any of us act in ways that our actions and words tarnish and stain Jesus’ reputation in the eyes of those who are watching us.

In my walk with Jesus, I need to be aware of things that may make me stumble off of his path. Even the smallest thing that causes me or someone else to stray from Jesus is something I have to take seriously. Very seriously.

Dear Jesus, the path on which I walk with you is the path of life. Help me, every day, to be faithful to you in my walk – in everything I do, everything I say, even everything I think. I know that even the smallest thing that I do can have tremendous consequences and threaten my walk with you. Even more, I know that my failure to represent you faithfully in the way I live can cause others to turn away from you. Help me, I pray, to stay the course with you, not just for my sake, but for the sake of everyone for whom my life bears witness to you. Amen.

Greatness in the Way of Jesus

 

Greatness in the Way of Jesus (Mark 9:33-37)

“So you want first place? Then take the last place. Be the servant of all.” (Mark 9:35)

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We have a lot of time on our hands while we’re walking with Jesus, plenty of time to think about the things Jesus says and does. On our way to Capernaum, we were talking among ourselves, while Jesus walked ahead of us. The subject of which among us was most important and greatest came up. Peter, James, and John all thought they must be most important because Jesus took them with him up to the mountain where they encountered Moses and Elijah, and where they heard the voice of God. John boasted, “Well, I’m the one Jesus loves most, so obviously I’m the greatest.” Peter said, “Oh yeah? Well Jesus told me that I was the rock on which he would build is church, whatever that means. So I must be the greatest.” It went on and on, other disciples putting their own names forward as the greatest. 

Looking back, it wasn’t our best moment.

Well, Jesus must have heard that we were having a lively discussion, so when we got settled in Capernaum for the night he looked at us and asked us, “What were you arguing about while we were on the road?” His question was met with silence. Nobody wanted to admit that we were arguing about who among us is the greatest. We didn’t answer him.

In a tone that was a mixture of chiding and concern, Jesus said, “Anyone who wants to be greatest must put themselves last. They must be servants of all.” Then he looked at one of the little children who lived in the house where we were gathered, and he asked the child to stand. “You see this little child? Whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name is welcoming me; and not only are they welcoming me, but they are also welcoming God, who sent me.”

End of lesson.

Later that evening I was thinking about what Jesus said (After all, hadn’t the voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him”?). Everyone wants to be considered great. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. I think it’s in our nature to crave importance, to want to rise to the top. And yet, greatness for those who walk with Jesus isn’t a matter of rising to the top, but to sink to the bottom.

Those who desire to be very important people in the kingdom where Jesus reigns as Messiah must adopt the attitude of a servant, and must be willing to welcome and serve even those who cannot give us something in return for our service. 

Something else Jesus said struck me. He said that to welcome someone like a vulnerable little child who can do nothing on his or her own but must depend on others to be responsible for his or her wellbeing – well, that’s the same as welcoming Jesus himself. Not only that, but if we’re welcoming Jesus, we’re also welcoming God, who sent Jesus into the world.

Greatness in Jesus’ world consists of humble service, gracious hospitality, tending to those who are most vulnerable and dependent on the goodness and generosity of others. Greatness in Jesus’ world, I have come to realize more and more as I walk with Jesus, is achieved in the way I see Jesus in others and then embrace them as I would embrace Jesus himself.

I want to be great in Jesus’ kingdom. I’m not ashamed to say that I want to be great. 

Dear Jesus, nurture within me a spirit of humility, that I may become a servant for everyone I encounter this day. Amen.

Listen to Jesus

 

Listen to Jesus (Mark 9:1-13)

“...a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my Son. Listen to him.’” (Mark 9:7)

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A few days after Jesus totally confused us by telling us that the Son of Man would suffer and be killed, and that any who would follow him must lose their lives in order to find real life, Jesus took three of his disciples – Peter, James, and John – up to a mountain. I didn’t get to see what happened on the mountain, but the three who did witness it told of something pretty amazing. 

Evidently, while they were on the mountain, Jesus’ appearance suddenly changed. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became brilliantly white. As if that wasn’t amazing enough, out of nowhere Moses and Elijah appeared, standing with Jesus and talking with him! Peter, James, and John were awestruck. Peter said something about building three booths – one each for Moses, Elijah, and Jesus. 

Then a cloud covered all of them, and Peter, James, and John heard a voice coming from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son. Listen to him.”

Then, as quickly as it started, it was over. Moses and Elijah were gone. It was just Jesus and his three disciples once again. Jesus told them not to say anything about what they had seen until after the Son of Man has risen from death.

So, obviously Peter, James and John told us about what they had seen. Nobody has been able to keep quiet about anything regarding Jesus.

I replayed the account in my mind over and over. Moses and Elijah, the two great figures of Israel that represent God’s Law and the prophets – their appearance couldn’t be coincidental. Peter obviously recognized that when he suggested that he build three booths to honor the occasion. Peter rightfully put Jesus right up there with Moses and Elijah.

But there’s more to it than that, I think. Jesus is more than simply a peer of Moses and Elijah. Maybe that’s why the voice from the cloud – clearly, the voice of God – spoke and singled out Jesus: “This is my Son. Listen to him.” The more I think about it, the more I begin to realize that everything in God’s Law and the Prophets regarding Messiah and God’s plan for God’s kingdom were pointing to Jesus. He is the One of whom Moses had spoken when he said another would come after him. He is the One through whom all the messianic visions of the new heaven and new earth would come to pass.

In my mind, the affirmation of God’s voice – This is my Son, listen to him – confirms the fact that Jesus is not equal with Moses and Elijah, rather, he supersedes them. It’s not as if I don’t need to pay attention to God Law and the Prophets, though; it’s just that if I really want to understand them in all their fulness, I need to listen to Jesus.

I also realize that God’s affirmation of Jesus comes to all of us at just the right time. I mean, Jesus has been saying some really hard and bewildering things, like predicting his death, telling us that the way to life is to lose our lives and carry our cross every day. The fact that God says of Jesus, “listen to him,” encourages me to stick with Jesus, because Jesus is the One who will reveal all of God’s truth to me.

In my walk with Jesus, sometimes the only clarity I get is that I have to trust him. I think that’s what it means to listen to him – to trust him. Even when things are confusing. Especially when things are confusing.

Dear Jesus, I am so glad to know that I don’t have to wonder about where to turn for truth, because you are truth incarnate. Help me, I pray, to hear your voice among the myriad of voices that clamor for my attention and loyalty, and to listen to you. Amen.