Mark 9:42-50

“And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell, where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.” vss. 47-48

Occasionally in the gospel of Mark we find sayings of Jesus that seem to have no context and that have proven to be exceptionally difficult to understand. These series of verses advising the cutting off of limbs and the tearing out of eyes are in that category. We know that Jesus cannot be speaking literally, and he certainly isn’t advocating self-mutilation, though some readers have sadly done exactly that. Though we can’t know for sure, the words would seem to be a particularly vivid warning that sometimes disciples will need to make significant sacrifices, including some that could include painful decisions. We’ve seen that happen in the lives of others, and maybe even in our own. There could be times when the Spirit leads believers out of relationships, or maybe out of jobs they love. Walking in the way of truth and love will frequently involve making tough choices–and sometimes addictive habits will have to be left behind. Jesus isn’t saying we’ll be sent to hell if we don’t change–but the metaphor he used certainly works to get our attention. This is important stuff, and sometimes there are dire consequences for our stubborn refusal to stop walking away from the way of righteousness.

Thought for the Day: What has been my most painful decision?

Mark 9:38-41

“Whoever is not against us is for us. For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.”  vss. 40-41

Jesus wasn’t nearly so fussy about boundaries as his disciples seem to have been. John had gotten all bent out of shape because he had seen an outsider casting out demons in Jesus’ name. It was as though this interloper was infringing on their ministry! Jesus tells him to settle down–the work was being done, folks were being healed. What difference did it make who did it? It’s easy to get into that territorial mindset as the followers of Jesus. Congregations of different denominations become rivals and quickly begin competing with one another for members and ministry advantages. And when Mormons or Jehovah Witnesses move into town and start going door to door, resentments turn into anger. Pastors wonder what these interlopers are doing, and it isn’t long before classes are being held to warn “true believers” about the supposed heresies of the “sheep-stealers.” We waste so much energy in the church chasing heresies! We are quick to forget that we live in a broken world and that the mission of restoration and healing is massive. It could very well be that these non-mainstream believers can be our partners in bringing good news to the poor, and that they can reach the folks we’ve missed! And, praise God, many times they do!

Thought for the Day: Why do mainline Christians often resent Mormons?

James 5:16-20

“Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.” vs. 16

Because the world is good, and broken, the healing that comes with forgiveness will always be a central part of our life together. That’s why so many of our congregations will take time for confession of sins in each weekly worship service. It’s a moment, scarcely long enough, for believers to consider the brokenness of their lives, and then hear words of absolution. We might wish that living in Christ would eventually bring perfection to our lives, that we would one day be able to eliminate the brokenness and be the beautiful persons God has created us to be, but that’s not how life is–and we’re fools if we think otherwise. As long as we live we will be both good, and broken, and the sooner we figure this out, the better off we will be. It’s recognition of our brokenness that produces the deep humility that is one of the chief gifts of the Spirit. There’s just no room for arrogance among the people of God, and to deny our need for forgiveness is to deny the grace of God. Now it’s true that we might be uncomfortable doing as James suggests and confessing our sins to one another in a public ritual. That could be embarrassing! But sometimes we do know each other’s sins–and then there’s nothing better than to offer words of forgiveness, and hear prayers for healing.

Thought for the Day: Who knows my sins?

James 5:13-15

“Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord.” vs. 14

When we feel sick we will likely go to an Urgent Care Center or to an emergency room for treatment, and usually some sort of healing will follow, sometimes quickly, but often after a period of time. James presented his readers with another option. Since medical services were primitive or lacking, he suggested they call the elders of the church and receive the laying on of hands and be anointed with oil. It’s likely that, given an option, most of us would prefer the modern approach. But there are some who periodically still follow James’ suggestion. Some congregations in fact hold regular healing services that are probably similar to those James recommended. There are scripture readings and prayers with the laying on of hands and the anointing with oil, and for many the experience is powerful and effective. So, do they work? Skeptics would say, “Of course not!” But others are not so dismissive. Healing is a natural and mysterious process, and no one can say exactly how it works or why it doesn’t. But there’s no doubt that there is healing in touching–that’s why the best doctors touch their patients. And what we know for sure is that prayer is a powerful connective tool in any community, and prayers for the sick are always appropriate.

Thought for the Day: What would anointing with oil mean for me?

Psalm 19:7-14

“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple… But who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults.” vss. 7, 12

The psalmist loved the law and believed that its decrees and precepts were exactly the guide that was needed in this broken world. If people were obedient to all of its precepts life would be perfect, and humans could enjoy the bounty of creation and live together in harmony. He was right, of course, life is always better when everyone plays by the rules. The problem is that the law, while being very good, was also flawed, and could only expose sin, and was incapable of healing it. Humans are enormously complex, and, as the psalmist noted, are capable of hiding their faults even from themselves. And this is where the problem is. Even when on the outside things appear to be going very well, on the inside there can be a tangle of contradictory and embarrassing thoughts undermining our serenity. Our minds take us places that we never imagined going, and we’d die if those secret journeys ever became public knowledge. And here the law provides no help–all it can do is increase our feeling of guilt. And we don’t need more commandments. We need steadfast love and mercy and the restoration of our broken hearts. And that’s what we get in Jesus!

Thought for the Day: What are my hidden faults?

Numbers 11:16, 24-29

“So the Lord said to Moses, ‘Gather for me seventy of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them; bring them to the tent of meeting, and have them take their place there with you.’” vs. 16

When Moses had his meltdown and complained to the Lord about the burdens of leadership, Numbers reports that the Lord had a simple solution. Seventy elders from among the tribes were chosen to stand with Moses in his leadership role. To put it simply, the Lord told Moses, “It’s not all up to you.” That simple directive has become a foundational truth for the people of God, and it’s especially true in the Church. We are a community of faith, the Body of Christ, and individually members of it. Each of us have different callings that are derived from the gifts of the Spirit, but nobody carries the whole load. Of course the Body functions best when each person faithfully does their part, and falters when some bow out or imagine that their presence makes no difference. But when congregations are attentive to this rule of faith, wonderful ministry can take place. No one feels left out, the burdens of leadership are shared, and the gifts of all are identified and nurtured. Under that operating structure, no one is indispensable, and everyone is priceless, and the whole Body is blessed.

Thought for the Day: How do I feel when it’s all up to me?

Numbers 11:4-6, 10-15

“Where am I to get meat to give to all this people? For they come weeping to me and say, ‘Give us meat to eat!’ I am not able to carry all this people alone, for they are too heavy for me.” Numbers 11:13-14

According to this ancient Hebrew story, Moses had gotten fed up with the people in the wilderness because of their constant complaining. They were given a daily provision of manna, but they wanted more than that. They wanted to eat like they had in Egypt. They wanted meat! So Moses complains to the Lord–he’s tired of being the leader. In some ways, times have not changed. It’s still hard to be the leader. Oh, it can be fun during those moments when everything is going well and people are appreciative of those who are in charge. But when things start getting tough, look out! The first thing that people will do is blame the leader. And it doesn’t even make any difference if the problem is their fault. When things go bad folks aren’t interested in looking for possible causes. Instead they focus all of their anger and displeasure at the person they perceive to be in charge. It’s no wonder that leaders find it hard to endure. Moses was ready to die rather than continue in his thankless calling. During the stress of the COVID years hundreds of pastors resigned their positions. In a crisis being the leader is a thankless job.

Thought for the Day: How does my pastor handle the stress of leadership?

Mark 9:33-37

“He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, ‘Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.’” vs. 35

We can only imagine how disheartening it must have been for Jesus to pour out his heart to his disciples about the cost of discipleship, and then have them engage in a great debate about which of them was the greatest. They had completely missed the point of his teaching! The only thing he could do was to give them a visual image that they could never forget. After telling them that the highest calling is to be the servant of all, he takes a child in his arms and says, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name, welcomes me.” Jesus regularly reminded his followers that if they really wanted to know him, they should imitate the faith of children. There is something precious about the faith of a child, a kind of naive trust that is often lost in that period of angst and questioning that typifies adolescence. But then, for many of us there is a second chance. Having tested every kind of alternative belief, we go back to that childlike period, and simply believe. By that time we know there are probably no answers to our big questions, and God remains a mystery, but it feels good to humble ourselves and be a child again. And there in the arms of Jesus, we fold into our eternal destiny, and perhaps, learn how to serve!

Thought for the Day: How is my faith like that of a child?

Mark 9:30-32

“But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him.” vs. 32

Mark indicates that after the disciples had acknowledged that Jesus was the messiah, it became more difficult for them to understand his teachings. Evidently he was teaching them that the path of discipleship led through suffering and death, and did not provide them a direct route to triumph and glory. We can understand their difficulty. Even though we know the gospel story well it still remains difficult for us to deal with the suffering that is inextricably linked to the new life in Christ. In fact most people will do most anything to avoid suffering of any kind. As a result we not only have a drug crisis in our culture, but most folks are perplexed by the “dark night of the soul” that is so common to those who strive to walk in the way of Jesus. People like Mother Theresa know this well, and have discovered that the best way to deal with suffering and darkness is to embrace those moments of pain, and relish the opportunity it gives to have unity with Jesus. But it’s hard to understand those kinds of things, and the mysterious blessings of suffering will likely remain hidden for most. It’s good to know we’re not alone in our wondering, and that even Jesus’ disciples had difficulty figuring out the mystery of sacrificial suffering. And even if we don’t get it, there’ll still be plenty of blessings for the faithful.

Thought for the Day: What does it mean to embrace suffering in our lives?

James 4: 3, 7-8a

“You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures.” vs. 3

It’s obvious that James was familiar with his readers, knew their complaints, and had plenty of advice about how they should change their ways. His letter gives us a glimpse of what life must have been like in the first century and we can surmise that their struggles were similar to our own. There was division among them, and a lot of complaints. James thought that they were overly concerned about pleasure, and that their prayers for more goods were entirely out of order. Now it’s unlikely that the desire for more stuff is central to our prayers, but we certainly do have a strong yearning for pleasure in our futures, and most are very attentive to the health of their retirement plans. James implies that there are many things more important than spending our energy on pleasurable living. Among those things he would likely include gentleness, humility, and peace, and of course, learning to share what we get in life with those who have gotten short-changed. The trick is learning the balance between caring for our own pleasures and caring for the needs of others. Far too often we’re much more likely to look to our own pleasures first, and then to the needs of others. And that certainly wouldn’t have gotten James’ stamp of approval.

Thought for the Day: What difference do James’ opinions make to me?