Maranatha

Mark 13:1-37

Every 20 years or so, people develop an intense interest in the end times. That happened in the 1970s, when The Late Great Planet Earth was the best-selling book in any genre. In the late 1990s, the Left Behind series also hit the charts.

Most interesting to me are those with a fascination for predicting specific events concerning the second coming of Christ. My favorite? A little book called 88 Reasons Why the Rapture Will Be in 1988.

Based on Mark 13--or any other scripture you want to throw in there--what can you say for sure about the end times? And what are you left to wonder about?

Can I Get a Receipt for That?

Mark 12:41-44

I suspect that Jesus took his position to watch the crowds giving money more for comic relief than to create a teaching opportunity--sort of like watching televangelists, always an entertaining sport.

It was a good teaching event though, and one of his pithiest. It's not what you give that shows the value of your gift. It's what you have left.

That's Rev. Wilson to You

Mark 12:35-40

I am old enough by now (48 at last count) to have seen a number of trends come and go within the church. When I was a kid, way back in the 1960s, humility was much in vogue. People eschewed titles of any kind, instead referring to one another as "brother" or"sister." The most highly respected person in the group, as everyone knew, was the one who wore the plainest clothing. You may disblieve me when I tell you that the absence of a wedding ring on a married pastor's finger was something like a badge of honor.

A few years later, in the 70s maybe, education was very much the thing. To be called "Rev." or "Pastor" didn't seem to convey quite enough authority. Those in the know sought additional letters to accompany thier name, and anyone not referred to as "Dr." so-and-so was perhaps not much to be reckoned with.

As our churches grew, long about the 80s, modifiers were added to the title of pastor. One was either a solo pastor, an asssistant pastor, an associate pastor, or a senior pastor. I recall the delight with which I first signed a letter as "senior pastor," having recently hired a college kid to staff the youth group.

It is with some mild amusement, therefore, that I now observe the trend away from titles of authority. We now have lead pastors and team leaders, but no Reverends, Doctors, or Senior Pastors. I recall seeing one fellow who chose the oxymoronic title of "Chief Servant Leader."

We still enjoy finding ways to show, with a subtle word or two, which of us is the greatest in God's Kingdom.

Easy to Say

Mark 12:28-34

Many people--bright, honest, well-meaning people--get so hung up on the practice of religion that they neglect the object of religion, namely, living in harmony with God and others.

It's easy enough to do.

Attending church is far easier than listening to God. Griping about church (the latest sign of "authentic faith") is far easier than forgiving others. Talking about faith is easier than trusting God. Reading the Bible is easier than doing what it says.

I think it's cool that this "teacher of the law," unlike so many of his brethren, had not allowed the study of religion to replace religion itself in his own life.

I have hopes, you see.

I Believe I Can Fly

Mark 12:18-27

These guys get the booby prize for world's dumbest question. It was like asking Jesus, "If God can do anything, can he make a rock so big he can't pick it up?"

Calculated to embarrass Jesus for holding a "naïve" view of the resurrection, it became another opportunity for Jesus to turn the tables.

Oddly, there are people who continue to labor under the misapprehnsion displayed here by the Sadduccees. You will find well-meaning Christian people, many of them teaching Sunday school, leading small groups, or preaching on Sunday who either:

• Do not believe that human beings will live again as real, knowable people, or
• Believe that life in heaven will be identical to life on earth, just better, or
• Believe that marriage is "forever" rather than "'till death do us part."

So here's the question: From where do you get your notion of what happens after death?

A. Popular Science and The New England Journal of Medicine?
B. Your own fantasy of an ideal life?
C. Scripture?
D. Somewhere else?

The Wall of Separation?

Mark 12:13-17

It was like asking "When are you going to bring the troops home from Iraq." Any answer you give is the wrong one.

If Jesus had said, "No, daggone it! Enough's enough. No taxes to Caesar!" he would have been cheered by the crowds--but likely would have been arrested for insurrection.

If he had said, "Well, you know, you gotta go along to get along. And besides, the Romans make the trains run on time," he would have been criticized by everyone (including "they") for complicity with a corrupt political system.

Jesus refused to use his platform to further a political debate. Here is the seed of Paul's teaching on the Christian political view (see Romans 13), which is that the state, while necessary for civil functions, is not God's agency for salvation. Therefore, it should not be resisted--and neither should it be embraced as a means of bringing spiritual change.

So, what do you think? I know that you're a person of integrity and aren't swayed by what people think. Does it matter whether we have a Christian president or not?"

A Few Questions

Mark 12:1-12

Why were the tenant farmers so selfish? Did they think they should keep everything for themselves?

Why did they escalate the situation? Did they think they could escape justice forever?

Why was the landowner so patient? Did he not realize the kind of people he was dealing with?

Why did he risk his son? Could he possibly hope they would treat the son any better than they had treated the father?

If you know the answers to these questions, you know a lot about God.

And yourself.

Oh Yeah, Well . . .

Mark 12:27-33

Here's a very practical lesson from Jesus, one also taught by Solomon: "Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself" (Prov. 26:4).

In other words, don't argue with idiots.

Jesus' enemies constantly tried to bait him with trick questions, pointless arguments, and even riddles. He told them to go suck a lemon.

With whom are you tempted to argue over matters of faith?

Shh! I'm Trying to Worship Here

Mark 11:12-26

People who get in between God and others place themselves in a dicey spot.

That's what happened in Jesus' day. Merchants, money changers, and lawyers had made it almost impossible for your average guy to worship. Jesus wansn't having it.

Today, many people are pointing to the institution of the church as causing a similar problem. "Preachers," they warn, "and rules, and organizations, and denominations--these are the problem. If you want to worship, get out of the church.

Well it sounds nice.

But Jesus' problem was never with the Temple, nor with the ritual sacrifices and all their attendant regulations. The system was not the problem. People were.

Where is the ideal place for worship?

A. In church (as it is now).
B. In church (as you imagine it was in the first century).
C. In church (as you envision it could be in the future).
D. Outside the church (all by yourself).
E. Outside the church (gathered with a few friends who really "get it").
F. Somewhere else, namely _______________ .

Yo Jesus, Look Over Here

Mark 11:1-11

Here is Jesus' last big moment with the crowd. They love him here, the way they love a Super Bowl champion. When you win the big one, you're a hero, king of the world. But it only lasts one day. Or in this case, one week. Six days, actually.

I live in Indiana, which is one of the most-churches states in the nation. I'm writing this blog on a visit to Washington, which is the least-churched state. What about you where you live. Is Jesus popular there? And is that good or bad?

Are we better off when the general public likes Jesus but dosn't understand him, or when they understand him but dislike him?

Is it a good thing for Jesus to be popular?

Glad That's Over

Mark 10:46-52

Remember that the whole idea behind the Gospel of Mark is to answer this question: "Who is Jesus?"

Ironic, don't you think, that the blind man is among the first to see the answer. He calls Jesus "Son of David," which was about like hollering, "Yo! Messiah!"

I'm just happy that we're gaining some momentum again. The last couple of weeks have been all gloom and doom as Jesus predicted his death five—count 'em—five times!

Finally, Jesus is back on his game.

Ah, Jerusalem. This will be like the good old days in Galillee ... everybody happy, lots of cheering admirers, and miracles, miracles, miracles!

I can hardly wait.

A Modest Proposal

Mark 10:35-45

I don't know what's stupider, that James and John made this request or that the other 10 were indignant about it.

"Hey Jesus, could I be crucified along with you?"

"No fair! It's supposed to be my turn!"

They didn't understand the inversion of power implicit in Jesus' life and teaching, here made explicit—authority and value are inverted in the kingdom of Heaven.

Let's try it, just for one day. For the rest of the day, let's agree that we'll make no demands of other people and that we will prioritize our actions based on what others need rather than what advances our own interest. We will aspire to be servants rather than masters.

You're right. That's stupid. Let's forget the whole thing.

Two Tickets to Bora Bora, Please

Mark 10:32-35

There comes a point in every enterprise where you realize there is no turning back. Prior to that time, there is a sense of adventure and excitement. Beyond that point there is a sense of risk and foreboding.

This is when you sign the papers for the house.
Or when the airplane lifts off for a foreign country.
Or when you stand at the back of the church, ready to make your first step down the aisle.
This is the moment when your idyllic plans must be taken from the rack and worn like a glove for the rest of your life.

No wonder some who followed Jesus were astonished and others afraid.

Have you reached the point of no return in your relationship with Jesus? Have you chosen go all the way, with no hope of returning to your former way of life?

And do you know what that means?

Heaven in Heaven

Mark 10:17-31

I never thought I wanted to be rich, but it turns out that I do.

Maybe it's because I'm getting older. Things that used to seem like luxuries are now at least helpful if not necessary. My back aches when I mow the yard; it's be nice to pay somebody to do that for me. And I like nice things. Sharp clothes. Fine food. Heck, I can't live on hotdogs and LIFE cereal as I did at 22.

I need money. I like luxury. I want convenience.

And Jesus is right. These are the things that make it hard to see the true condition of your soul. Being rich is not a sin. It's an impediment to spirituality.

Here is the great failure of our generation--we have begun to think that large homes, nice cars, fine food, peace, security, and comfort here on earth is all there is to life.

If heaven on earth is what you want, that is what you will get. That's different, by the way, than going to the real heaven and avoiding the real hell.