WITH

RE Verse reading–Mark 2:13-17 (day five)
We are studying religions for school in our house. Our curious and inquisitive middle schooler begins to ask “How?” and “Why?” is Christianity different from other religions. He is looking past mere facts and history. It’s the perfect season to address these concerns. This is a perfect passage to answer those questions. It’s the promise and character of God. He makes the first move. He sends a savior. He desires relationship and fellowship with humanity. So much so, that He named His Son Immanuel, God WITH Us. Here in Mark 2 we read the critics question, “Why does he eat WITH tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” Answer, It’s His nature. It is what is drastically different between Christianity and other religions. God desires to be involved and engaged in our lives. That is the hope and promise of Christmas. Merry Christmas!!! God WITH Us.

Recognition of My Need

RE Verse reading–Mark 2:13-17 (day four)
One of the themes of Mark is ‘Why did Jesus come?’  Mark 2:17 gives us a portion of Jesus’ mission…”I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Jesus came to call sinners.  Now let’s set the record straight…the Pharisees were not righteous, they only thought they were righteous.  Theirs was a self-righteousness.  The tax collectors and sinners knew they were not righteous.  A recognition of the need in our life for a Savior is required before coming to salvation.  It is a deception from Satan that we see our lives as righteous and do not acknowledge the need for forgiveness.  We have a tendency to compare our lives with the lives of others, and judge our righteousness against their standard.  God, though, uses the standard of His Son, Jesus.  We fall far short if we don’t use the correct standard.  Jesus readily came to those who recognized their need.  He was willing to forgive their sin.

Company

RE Verse reading–Mark 2:13-17 (Day Three)
“…for there were many who followed him.” The “many” in this case refers to tax collectors. The entire culture in which Jesus was raised steeped him in ethnic and nationalistic separateness and exclusivity. There were plenty of reasons for Jesus and Roman loyalists to keep their distance from each other. And yet, “there were many…” These fraternizers with the Empire would not have been many if they did not believe Jesus wanted to be around them. For Jesus not only to eat with socially shunned people, but actually to enjoy their company, was a slap in the face to those who longed to be free of Caesar’s dominion. And yet, a refusal to love people is a slap in the face to God. At the end of the day, Jesus knew whose kingdom mattered most.

Who are you inviting to Christmas Dinner?

RE Verse reading–Mark 2:13-17 (Day Two)
“I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Call to what? Was Jesus calling this room full of tax collectors to give up their careers and follow him? Likely not. It seems that Levi was the only one who received that invitation (14). Was he calling them to the great celebration dinner of the Messiah (I know it seems obscure, but some Jews thought the Messiah would throw a big party when he conquered the oppressive, foreign rulers)? Likely not. At this point in Mark’s story, Jesus’ identity as Messiah is still secret. So what did he call these “sinners” too? “Repent and believe” (1:15) was Jesus’ reoccurring theme. The message was no different that day. What was different was the audience–social deviants and outcasts not religious people “prepared” for the Messiah. “Good news of great joy” really is for “all people” (Luke 2:10)…even those people whom you’d never invite over for Christmas dinner.

Outsiders

RE Verse reading–Mark 2:13-17 (day one)
“While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and ‘sinners’ were eating with Him”  (vs 15)  The first Christmas must have been a strange collection of people.  Shepherds who smelled of sheep dung.  A teenage girl exhausted and filled with hope.   An older husband watching with concern.  It is a characteristic of Christ that will show up later in His life–inclusiveness.  We see it this week in Mark 2.  When Jesus gave Levi (a tax collector) the same call that He had given to Andrew and Peter (follow me),  He opened the door to every person.  Declaring clearly that ALL suffer from the same illness and, therefore, ALL need and benefit from the same treatment (ie. connection with God through faith/union with His Son)  From this time forward, outreach to outsiders (unlikely candidates for spiritual life) is a mark of true Christianity!  It is characteristic of Christ to include outsiders in His story.

The cup

RE Verse reading–Mark 1:19-20, 3:13-17, 10:35-45 (day seven)
“You don’t know what you are asking,” said Jesus.  “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”  (10:38)  Jesus was very patient with James and John.  With us as well.  Even when we make imperfect and naive requests, He responds with helpful instruction.  How many times does a child have to be taught before she learns an important lesson?  The Lord’s challenge to them (us) has to do with suffering that must be endured.  His image is “the cup”.  Normally it was a symbol of blessing (“my cup overflows”)  Jesus, however, took this familiar symbol and filled it with additional meaning.  For Him, it stood for suffering.  “If possible, let this cup pass from me.”  (Matthew 26:39)  Whenever we pray, we must take into account that an answer from God may require us to drink from a cup of suffering and stuggle.  Are we prepared?

Future faith

RE Verse reading–Mark 1:19-20, 3:13-17, 10:35- 45 (day six)
“They replied , ‘Let one of us sit at your right hand and the other at your left IN YOUR GLORY.’ ” (10:37)  If the Mayan calendar is correct the end of the world is just days away.  Yep!  January 21, 2012.  It is all over.  If you are interested in a second opinion on this important subject, I recommend the Bible.  At least James and John got this part right.  Their concept of the future was glory, the glory of Christ.  Pretty amazing considering the difficult days that Jesus and His disciples were facing.  Jesus had recently predicted His death to be followed by His resurrection.  Whatever else you think of James and John for their self-centeredness, their strong faith regarding the future was admirable.  They believed Jesus and saw clearly that the coming days were in His hands.  Let’s see. . .the pessimism of the Mayan calendar or the promises of God?  I know where my heart is.  You?

What’s going on inside there?

“RE Verse reading–Mark 1:19-20, 3:13-17, 10:35-45 (day five)
I saw this quote on a friend’s Facebook page this week. “The biggest danger to every human being is located inside of them, not outside of them.” After reading Mark 10:35-45, I left with 2 observations: First, we are SO capable of either steering or being steered off the path of righteousness that it is scary. Qualities that are often applauded and admired (zeal, ambition, and dedication) can lead us away from the will and favor of God. Second, Jesus has NO problem pointing out the weaknesses and sin in the lives of His disciples. I see at work the frailty and depravity of mankind while at the same moment, I observe the firm and fair rebuke of a loving Lord. I am encouraged that sin (my sin) does not intimidate or hinder Jesus’ desire and capacity to challenge and confront my wickedness (whatever its motivation). My heart is both humbled and grateful this morning.

The Word of God

RE Verse reading–Mark 1:19-20, 3:13-17, 10:35-45 (day four)
Jesus was obedient.  Verse 1:10 says, following His obedience, immediately the Spirit of God descended on Him.  It was a spiritual landmark in His life.  Then…there is that word again…’immediately’…immediately Jesus is tested against His commitment to God.  Have you ever experienced that?  You make a significant, life-changing commitment to God…promising to be obedient in a particular area of your life…and immediately you are tested in that commitment.  Satan comes and seeks to steal away your faith commitment.  Jesus gives us the proper way to deal with the temptation…use the Word of God.  Hebrews 4:12 says “the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword…” Satan’s tactics and temptations are the same for you and me, just as they were for Jesus.  Satan is the great deceiver and he knows exactly where your point of weakness lies.  The only offense against his schemes is the Word of God.  Follow the lead of the Savior!

Greatness

RE Verse reading–Mark 19-20; 3:13-17; 10:35-45 (Day Three)
“Whoever wants to become great among you must become your servant…”  Does Jesus redefine the path to greatness?  No.  He redefines greatness.  Servanthood is greatness.  That’s not some Orwellian oxymoron.  Jesus well knew that serving people means you must get close enough to them to do unto them what you would have others do unto you.  Such a way of life trains your heart to love people.  Jesus has in mind building a community of disciples pursuing such greatness.  That’s the only kind of community—and the only kind of greatness—that will last for eternity.  In order to love, serve someone.  In order to serve someone, learn what Jesus means when he speaks of greatness.