Mark 9: 2-32
Jesus allows a few of his disciples to share an intimate time on what has become known as the Mount of Transfiguration. Don’t we all want to build tents and plant permanently at those places where we have encountered God? Where would you plant yourself if you were able? Where have you felt closer to God than anywhere else?
Interestingly after this divine experience the same disciples seems hamstrung to actually translate the good news to the needy boy who was among those gathered at the foot of the mountain, awaiting Jesus return. They seemed powerless and Jesus accuses them of being an ‘unbelieving generation’ (vs 19). If being ‘unbelieving’ means not being able to appropriate the faith so as to affect change (i.e. the boys healing) then might not the contemporary church be accused of the same?
Sadly the testimony of many is the same as that of the boys father “I do believe; help my overcome my unbelief”. What would it take for you to be able to overcome your unbelief (read your lack of trust)? Do you think that the boy’s father’s trust changed as a result of the miracle? How long might the change have lasted? What would it take to effect a permanent change?
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Week 14
Mark 8: 22-9:1
The healing of the blind man from Bethsaida seems to indicate that Jesus sometimes needs a second try. Why didn’t he get it ‘right’ the first time? What if the man being healed had not said anything but had been content with half a healing? Are we prepared to stop when God seems only half done?
Peter’s answer to Jesus question, “Who do people say I am?” is an indication of his understanding of contemporary culture. How do people explain Jesus today? Is their understanding of Jesus any different that an accurate biblical understanding? Just who does the bible say Jesus is? Who you do say he is? This becomes the most central question in our life’s pilgrimage.
Verses 31 and following are very troubling verses. Peter, who moments earlier accurately confesses that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God, is now accused of attempting to thwart the actions of God by having his mind on the things of men (read this world). He is actually accused of being in league with Satan. Do you think he did this intentionally? How often, even though motivated by good intentions, do you think we might be hindering the work of God rather than enhancing it? Does this put us in league with the enemy as well?
The healing of the blind man from Bethsaida seems to indicate that Jesus sometimes needs a second try. Why didn’t he get it ‘right’ the first time? What if the man being healed had not said anything but had been content with half a healing? Are we prepared to stop when God seems only half done?
Peter’s answer to Jesus question, “Who do people say I am?” is an indication of his understanding of contemporary culture. How do people explain Jesus today? Is their understanding of Jesus any different that an accurate biblical understanding? Just who does the bible say Jesus is? Who you do say he is? This becomes the most central question in our life’s pilgrimage.
Verses 31 and following are very troubling verses. Peter, who moments earlier accurately confesses that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God, is now accused of attempting to thwart the actions of God by having his mind on the things of men (read this world). He is actually accused of being in league with Satan. Do you think he did this intentionally? How often, even though motivated by good intentions, do you think we might be hindering the work of God rather than enhancing it? Does this put us in league with the enemy as well?
Week 13
Mark 8:1-21
We read now of the second time that Jesus feeds a large crowd from the meager offering of a few (4000 mouths fed from 7 loaves very much reminiscent of the 5000 fed from 5 loaves and two fishes in chapter 6).
Central to both stories are the initial offering albeit small; the blessing by Jesus; the distribution by the disciples and the gathering of the leftovers. Equally central is the fact that all of the people ate and were satisfied!
Might the miracle have been hindered if any of the first three components (the offering, the blessing or the distribution) were omitted? What if God wants your offering and you withhold it because you think it is too small? What if he wants you to raise the offering and bless it? What if you are one called to help with the distribution. How can the crowds be fed if any of these were missing? Do we stand in the way of miracles by our hesitancy in participating with Christ?
The ‘yeast of the Pharisees’ was the teaching that prevented the real miracles of God from breaking through. How might the church be equally guilty of preventing Christ from manifesting his real presence because it might un-nerve the comfortable system in place?
We read now of the second time that Jesus feeds a large crowd from the meager offering of a few (4000 mouths fed from 7 loaves very much reminiscent of the 5000 fed from 5 loaves and two fishes in chapter 6).
Central to both stories are the initial offering albeit small; the blessing by Jesus; the distribution by the disciples and the gathering of the leftovers. Equally central is the fact that all of the people ate and were satisfied!
Might the miracle have been hindered if any of the first three components (the offering, the blessing or the distribution) were omitted? What if God wants your offering and you withhold it because you think it is too small? What if he wants you to raise the offering and bless it? What if you are one called to help with the distribution. How can the crowds be fed if any of these were missing? Do we stand in the way of miracles by our hesitancy in participating with Christ?
The ‘yeast of the Pharisees’ was the teaching that prevented the real miracles of God from breaking through. How might the church be equally guilty of preventing Christ from manifesting his real presence because it might un-nerve the comfortable system in place?
Week 12
Mark 7:24-37
As you begin, note particularly the phrase “He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret” When God is at work word gets out. Equally, when he seems silent, or when religion trumps the dynamic relationship with God that we are invited to engage in, it is silent and we find ourselves needed to ‘make a noise’ or fuss about getting the word out.
In the healing of the woman’s daughter, it seems that it was her persistence that helped motivate Jesus to action. Do there seem like times when ‘prayer with fasting (much persistence’ seems to be more than less the case? Might it be that our persistence is actually evidence of our seriousness? If this is the case, what does that say about the times when we fail in our faithful prayer?
Verse 37 indicates that the crowds were ‘overwhelmed’ with amazement when Jesus healed the deaf mute but they were the very people who brought the man to Jesus in the first place. Why do you think that we seem to have enough faith to come to Jesus but are shocked when he actually manifests his power in our lives?
As you begin, note particularly the phrase “He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret” When God is at work word gets out. Equally, when he seems silent, or when religion trumps the dynamic relationship with God that we are invited to engage in, it is silent and we find ourselves needed to ‘make a noise’ or fuss about getting the word out.
In the healing of the woman’s daughter, it seems that it was her persistence that helped motivate Jesus to action. Do there seem like times when ‘prayer with fasting (much persistence’ seems to be more than less the case? Might it be that our persistence is actually evidence of our seriousness? If this is the case, what does that say about the times when we fail in our faithful prayer?
Verse 37 indicates that the crowds were ‘overwhelmed’ with amazement when Jesus healed the deaf mute but they were the very people who brought the man to Jesus in the first place. Why do you think that we seem to have enough faith to come to Jesus but are shocked when he actually manifests his power in our lives?
Friday, January 25, 2008
Week 11
Mark 7:1-23
Jesus knows how to speak into our hypocrisy and he doesn’t hesitate to do it!
The Pharisees were being accused of letting ‘go of the commands of God and … holding on to the traditions of men’ (vs 8)
Think carefully about your own faith pilgrimage and try to distinguish the times (places or doctrines) that you might be clinging to as vital to the authentic belief and when in fact it may be simply a cultural interpretation or a generational understanding which has little resemblance to the actual instruction of God. Is the contemporary church ever guilty of ‘nullifying the word of God’ by its own traditions that have been handed down?
Are there times when this is actually an excuse for doing something new and different? Are the truths of God being compromised by new cultural interpretations or ‘scholarship’? How do we distinguish between the two?
Jesus knows how to speak into our hypocrisy and he doesn’t hesitate to do it!
The Pharisees were being accused of letting ‘go of the commands of God and … holding on to the traditions of men’ (vs 8)
Think carefully about your own faith pilgrimage and try to distinguish the times (places or doctrines) that you might be clinging to as vital to the authentic belief and when in fact it may be simply a cultural interpretation or a generational understanding which has little resemblance to the actual instruction of God. Is the contemporary church ever guilty of ‘nullifying the word of God’ by its own traditions that have been handed down?
Are there times when this is actually an excuse for doing something new and different? Are the truths of God being compromised by new cultural interpretations or ‘scholarship’? How do we distinguish between the two?
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Week 10
Mark 6:45-56
It seems that Jesus is still quite motivated by his followers need for rest. In spite of the urgent demands of ministry getting apart is vital to emotional, spiritual and physical well being. Are you balancing these three?
While in the boat seeking refreshment, the disciples encounter a storm that rises in the middle of the night. Their fear is exacerbated by the fact that they Jesus presence is understood as a ghost rather than an offer of assistance. How often does Jesus come to us but we ‘miss’ him thinking that he is actually something other than who he is? Might this be because he comes to us in ways that are in conflict with what we like to believe? (people just don’t walk on water do they?)
It is unreasonable to think that Jesus was actually going to pass them by (although he did need to be invited to participate in their situation).
The disciples were filled with fear. The opposite of fear is love. (“perfect love casts out all fear” wrote John (1Jn 4:18). In this case the divine lover presented himself directly in the midst of their fear. Does he still do this today? Identify at all with these disciples… in your own boat, headed toward your life’s goals and then… ghosts…interruptions. Might these actually be Jesus getting your attention?
It seems that Jesus is still quite motivated by his followers need for rest. In spite of the urgent demands of ministry getting apart is vital to emotional, spiritual and physical well being. Are you balancing these three?
While in the boat seeking refreshment, the disciples encounter a storm that rises in the middle of the night. Their fear is exacerbated by the fact that they Jesus presence is understood as a ghost rather than an offer of assistance. How often does Jesus come to us but we ‘miss’ him thinking that he is actually something other than who he is? Might this be because he comes to us in ways that are in conflict with what we like to believe? (people just don’t walk on water do they?)
It is unreasonable to think that Jesus was actually going to pass them by (although he did need to be invited to participate in their situation).
The disciples were filled with fear. The opposite of fear is love. (“perfect love casts out all fear” wrote John (1Jn 4:18). In this case the divine lover presented himself directly in the midst of their fear. Does he still do this today? Identify at all with these disciples… in your own boat, headed toward your life’s goals and then… ghosts…interruptions. Might these actually be Jesus getting your attention?
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Week 9 (sorry for the delay getting this up)
Mark 6:30-44
How very often we get so caught up is ‘doing’ that we don’t seem to make the time to get away to those ‘solitary’ places to get rest. The problem with stopping to rest is that we then have to learn to actually live with ourselves. Our culture wraps identity with ‘doing’ rather than ‘being’. Jesus wants us to learn to be with Him and then do gospel ministry. Which is actually most rewarding for you… doing or being?
Verse 34 gives us one of the best glimpses of Jesus heart revealed anywhere in scripture. Have you considered for one moment that God’s ultimate goal for you includes making your heart one with his? Do you really want to begin to see folks the way he does? What will this mean to your lifestyle?
Jesus miracle of the giant picnic lunch seems dependent upon the active participation of the person who donated the loaves (5) and fishes (2) as well as the disciples who needed to begin the distribution. Does God still need active participants to do miracles? Do you think that we witness so few because there may be too few who are willing to cooperate with Him?
How might he be calling you to partner with him?
How very often we get so caught up is ‘doing’ that we don’t seem to make the time to get away to those ‘solitary’ places to get rest. The problem with stopping to rest is that we then have to learn to actually live with ourselves. Our culture wraps identity with ‘doing’ rather than ‘being’. Jesus wants us to learn to be with Him and then do gospel ministry. Which is actually most rewarding for you… doing or being?
Verse 34 gives us one of the best glimpses of Jesus heart revealed anywhere in scripture. Have you considered for one moment that God’s ultimate goal for you includes making your heart one with his? Do you really want to begin to see folks the way he does? What will this mean to your lifestyle?
Jesus miracle of the giant picnic lunch seems dependent upon the active participation of the person who donated the loaves (5) and fishes (2) as well as the disciples who needed to begin the distribution. Does God still need active participants to do miracles? Do you think that we witness so few because there may be too few who are willing to cooperate with Him?
How might he be calling you to partner with him?
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