Stop the Madness!

Mark 4:35-41

After four parts of "Storytelling," it's clear Jesus had plenty of parable chats in Capernaum. And as we'd say in Texas, the boy was tuckered. Jesus tells his posse, "Let's go over to the other side." So they head out across the Sea of Galilee (size -- 13 miles by 7 miles).

Having seen the location when I toured Israel with Rabbi Brian Zimmerman in late 2004, it's surrounded by hills. With gorges on the west side, it allows the wind to ship across the lake. Somewhere I read the whipping wind could create waves to rise as high as 30 feet.

As they make their way across, that's when it gets crazy -- wind whipping, waves crashing, boat swamping, disciples hollering. All the while,… Jesus is asleep.

For real? It's like the end of the world has commenced, and the loudest, longest alarm clock can't even get a rise out of Jesus.

Verse 38 states it clearly -- "The disciples woke him." The Bible's version of "The Poseidon Adventure" or "Titanic" is happening, and before the ship goes down, they decide to wake the captain. "Don't you care if we drown?!?!?"

In the tumultuous storm (or in Greek, the word is "whirlwind"), Jesus rises and rebukes the howling wind and breaking waves. "Quiet!" "Be still!"

Did You Know…?

Jesus used similar words (in verse 38) earlier in MARK when addressing the possessed man in Mark 1:25.

The chaos of the elements stops at once. Nice movie moment, huh?

Make of the story what you want from a literal sense; however, there is much to glean in the telling.

The use of raging water, the use of horrific storms, the use of frightening waves,… it's mentioned quite a bit in Psalms: 69:1-2 and 14-15, 89:8-9, 93:3-4, 107:23-32. Cries are made to God to stop the madness, for calmness, for deliverance.

Who else has this type of power? "Like God at creation, [Jesus'] word controls unbridled power. Like God, he rescues a beleaguered people." [i] 

Another important part of the story is going to the other side. Why? Because "Jesus leaves a predominantly Jewish section of Galilee [on the west side] for the first time to go by sea to the eastern, predominantly Gentile coast." [ii] More to this as we journey into MARK, Chapter 5.

So what's the point of this story other than it's just a great imaginative moment to express power or control -- which is emphasized in verse 41? It's verse 40. To me, this is the most meaningful, impactful part in this section.

From the mouth of Jesus to the terrified disciples -- "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" After all the things that the followers (the disciples) have witnessed which Jesus has done, which Jesus has preached and shared, "You still have no faith?"

On the one hand, we could shake our heads at those lowly disciples and say, "Shame on you! Really? You didn't get it?!? You're just a bunch of cowards. You're just a bunch of weaklings. We'd be better than you."

On the other hand, we might identify with their weakness, their fear, their lack of faith. I do.

But boy, o' boy, it's easier to shake one's finger at the weaklings with a good dose of shame. Let's just skip the part of one finger pointing outward with three fingers pointing inward.

Recently, Rev. Kathy preached about how each of us are either dealing with a storm, have just left a storm, or approaching a storm. All of us are affected. Being out of work, struggling with finances, faced with a frightening medical diagnosis or on-going health situation, caught in relationship difficulties, dealing with abuse issues, losing loved ones,… the list grows long and even weary.

There are so many verses in the Bible to grasp hold of during times of trouble. Two verses that I like are Joshua 1:9 and Isaiah 12:2. And even one from the Lost Gospels -- "Faith is believing when common sense tells you not to." That's from "Miracle on 34th Street."

What Jesus is telling us, just like he was telling his disciples, is to place our trust in God where there is love, forgiveness, compassion and justice. It is here we are ultimately sustained in the midst of any and all storms.

I'll wrap up this post with a quote from Ben Stein that I like -- "Faith is not believing that God can. It is knowing that God will."

NEXT…

Hello, Gentiles; Hello, Legion; Hello, Pitchforks

---

[i] HarperCollins Bible Commentary, p. 908

[ii] Jewish Annotated New Testament, pp. 68-69

Storytelling -- Part 4

Mark 4:26-34

God’s kingdom. What comes to mind if you were asked to describe the kingdom of God?

Some say God’s kingdom exists here and now -- in the physical sense. Some think it’s revealed to us after we die. Others believe it lives within each person.

In this text, two parables focus on the kingdom of God with “seeds” as part of the telling.

Did You Know…?

“The growing seed” is only recorded in the Gospel of Mark.

In a recap, the seed is scattered in good soil; the seed grows and produces grain; once the grain is ripened, harvest comes.

Who makes the seed grow? The farmer? The farmer can only do so much (i.e. – water the seeds, fertilize the ground). Ultimately, it’s out of the farmer’s hands as to whether growth happens and grain is produced.

When reflecting on this parable, it reminds me of lawns and children.

·         If you have a grass lawn, after the grounds are mowed, the grass sprouts up needing to be cut soon thereafter. But who actually sees the miniscule growth occurring that over a week’s time makes you say, “I need to mow the lawn again”? By not paying rapt attention to the lawn, you really notice the difference after a few days have gone by.

·         How many times have we mentioned something along the lines of “I can’t believe how much you’ve sprouted up” to a child or teen-ager? Or hear a parent remark to their adult children saying, “You’ll always be my little boy / girl” or “I remember you when you were this big”? The years fly by and we acknowledge growth has occurred.

There is only so much however we can do to make growth happen. As stated in the parable in verse 27, “he does not know how.” Those five words can actually be applied to many of the parables. They involve “miraculous appearance and inexplicable growth as a metaphor for the kingdom.” [i]

Verse 29 with the harvest has finality to it. Some might relate it to judgment – as in the final days “because the harvest has come.” I prefer to think of it more in terms of God’s love working in the heart or in the mind of an individual. Over time, which can be short (as in days) or long (as in years or even a lifetime), the seed which was planted grows and reaches that point when it’s ready to change one’s life and even the lives of others in positive, meaningful ways.

As for the second “seed” parable, the kingdom of God is described as a mustard seed. 2,000 years ago, those in Palestine would clearly understand what this seed was, and that it was for all intent and purposes “the smallest of all seeds on earth.” Within the parable, Jesus was sharing something relatable.

Yet why would Jesus compare a scrubby shrub that typically grew only a few feet high to the kingdom of God? Wouldn’t you think he would’ve made it sound more magnificent? More appealing? More inspiring?

If you read Ezekiel 17:22-23 and Daniel 4:20-22, great trees were used to describe powerful empires. For those living in biblical times, cedars would be recognized as the great trees (as mentioned in Ezekiel). For those living today in Northeast Texas, pine trees would be a good example. For me, I think about the awesome redwood trees in Northern California that I saw with my parents when we walked through the vast forest.

So why a scrubby shrub?

Everything has a beginning. Even though it’s small, Jesus wants us to not underestimate its greatness. But how often have we dismissed something just because of its size? Or its look? Or its…?

Gene Murray from the study group reminded us of an apt Bible verse – from Psalm 118:22 – “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” (NIV) Just like Jesus.

From something tiny, miraculous growth can occur – like the mustard seed which “has been known to grow as large as 15 feet high and have the properties of a tree, such as having branches large enough for birds to nest in.” [ii]

As for me… in the variety of beliefs about the kingdom of God, I believe it being in the here and now. It’s like an invasive bush that grows within you whether you see it or even notice it at first. Then later you suddenly realize, “Wow, how did that happen?” That’s when great, marvelous, amazing things come into play.

He does not know how.

And I’m okay with that. 

NEXT...

Sit down, you're rocking the boat; fear versus faith

---

[i] Jewish Annotated New Testament, p. 68

[ii] MacArthur Study Bible, p. 1467

Storytelling -- Part 3

Mark 4:21-25

Mark 4:21-25

Above are two links to the text in this blog post – one from the New International Version and the other from The Message. I’ve included both versions, because verse 25 tends to make one tilt their head – as it relates to the NIV (well, at least my head tilted). Yet, it’s important since it ties in verse 24.

While I'm continuing with the "Storytelling" series, if I were to give this particular post another title, I think it would be THE TRUTH.

What does "the truth" mean? Can the truth be hidden and remain unseen forever? Is the truth meant to actually be seen or heard? How dangerous can the truth be?

Run from it, put a lid on it, blast it from kingdom come,… the truth is the truth and it will eventually come to light. Keep it a secret for as long as you can, but ultimately it's going to be revealed.

In my personal worldview, no one can keep a secret from God. How about the first book of the Bible for an example with the story of Adam and Eve? Their first instinct is to hide (the truth) after doing something wrong. Doesn't the same hold true for us?

Relating what I'm writing to a lamp on a stand in these verses…

When I was in Israel in late 2004, I bought a couple of antiquities – one was an Early Bronze juglet for oil and the other was a Helenistic lamp. Now these items are from a longgggg time ago -- the juglet from estimated 3100 BC - 2800 and the lamp from 350BC - 280 BC. The lamp is pictured below, and its actual size is small, as in about three-quarters the size of my hand (in length).

Do you see the spout on the clay lamp bowl? It was made to hold a wick. The bowl would contain a few ounces of oil serving as fuel (the oil being kept in the juglet).

It gives one perspective, as yet again in the parable Jesus is providing his listeners something in which they can relate. Everyone has a lamp at their home -- so they can see.

For me… I think Jesus is giving the crowd a foretaste of what's to come if they accept the truth of his ministry. In a way, he's saying, "Don't hold back on the good news. Be open with it, live it, share it." But… not everyone is going to accept it. The good news (the truth being shared by Jesus) is dangerous -- especially to those in power.

So Jesus is telling us to let our light shine. Which is the tie-in to verses 24 and 25.

In considering these verses, the onus is placed on each of us to act first. For example, to learn, we must study. The more we study, the more knowledge we gain. To love, we must love first. To have friends, we must be friendly first.

That's why, "With the measure you use, it will be measured to you -- and even more."

Then there's verse 25. In the NIV, it seems to come across (to me) a bit harsh -- as if the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.

Hence my inclusion of The Message which puts it another way -- "Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity. Stinginess impoverishes."

Isn't that THE TRUTH? Have you ever experienced this?

For me, I can relate to it this way. Every mission trip / project in which I've participated, I return home juiced -- my heart filled to the brim with love, thankfulness and blessings. All I do is give of myself for a few days so the lives of others may be better. In turn, I receive so much more than I could ever imagine -- from the people whose homes and lives have been rebuilt as well as from those who have contributed to sending me forth (financially or by other means) and are supporting me (with love and prayer). By my act of giving, others give. The act of generosity begets generosity.

In combining the two verses (24 and 25),…

We must act but never be satisfied, because whatever we're satisfied with will quickly slip away. Like with our health, the only way we can get stronger or healthier is to make important changes (i.e. -- exercising, change of diet, being active). Like with a skill, the only way we can keep ahead is to learn more techniques, be involved, try new things. Otherwise… we'll be left behind.

Another way to look at it is… as we discussed in the study group… consider the things we possess (literally, figuratively). Are they merely for our pleasure, our use, for me, me, me, me? Or are they to be shared and enjoyed by others? To impact lives in positive and meaningful ways?

Whatever the truth may be for us at this time, what are we being called to do? I agree with Jesus. We are being called to shine our light and to give so the world might truly be impacted in amazing ways.

NEXT…

This life we live; everything has a beginning

Storytelling – Part 2

Mark 4:10-20

How does it feel to be part of the select group? Or the “in” crowd? Pretty good, huh? Maybe it makes us feel important, maybe like we've made it to the top – that 1% versus the 99%. Unlike cliques and closed-off inner circles though (including those groups which state they aren’t closed-off), is that what Jesus wanted? For his mission and message to stop at a certain point with only those chosen to be in-the-know?

While it seems the answer to those last questions might be obvious, I also know some people who strongly believe if you had your chance and didn’t accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then "Oh, well." Or also along the lines of “How could they not know about Jesus with everything Christians do in the world?” Or "If God didn’t deem you worthy enough to be a Christian, then tough luck" – as though God made the choice from the very outset of our being (which some will whip out a Biblical verse for proof).

How often are we (as humans) gung-ho about winning someone to our side and when that particular person just doesn’t understand or doesn’t readily jump on board, our frustration and disappointment rears its ugly head? There may even be discord and bitter words exchanged.

Jesus’ point in quoting Isaiah in verse 12 of this passage isn’t to make a judgment. I don't believe he's angry, irritated, bitter or exasperated. I think Jesus is actually arming his own disciples with important information, because they'll eventually take the mantle and spread the word -- to everyone.

As Norma pointed out during the study, it’s a process of thinking. Jesus doesn’t want to provide us with the ready answer(s). He wants us to exercise our brains – to think it through – in addition to whatever we’re feeling.

On a roll, Norma continued, “Jesus had faith in the community to critically think about what he was saying. While they may have worked with their hands, he believed they could also work with their minds.”

Isn't that what excellent teachers do? They nudge you to insight, wanting you to make the discovery, the truth – instead of force feeding it to you or just giving you the answer. How long does that typically stick with you?

If Jesus was on a mission to speak to those who “got it,” then he would’ve been one-and-done. One story and gone. Yet he persisted in his teaching, in his outreach.

Continuing… have you ever reached out to someone just mentioning "God", and the look you received was eyes rolling upward or a shake of the head? Did you make a judgment at that moment in time to say to yourself, “They don’t get it” or “I just don’t understand why they aren’t on the God Train” or something along those lines?

I make a mental note to do my best to remember that where I am in my journey is definitely not where others are. That’s not a judgment. That’s a reality. I can’t force what I’ve learned and/or experienced through the years as a Christian on to someone who hasn’t been to church, or has been hurt by the church, or is taking baby steps as someone of faith, or has been raised differently, or….

What I must do is be open and accepting. The person on the other side might be ready for what I have to say. They might not.

What I must do is exhibit patience. The person on the other side might want to learn more. They might not.

Yet,… like Jesus, I have to continue to live and tell the story. That’s my call – to show-and-tell.

Jesus does a recap in this passage, and while I won’t review the story in its entirety, I do want to mention this parable’s uplifting message.

When throwing the seeds (the message), some lands here, there and yon. There is certainly intent of wanting the seeds to be planted in soil that is open for growth and will accept it. But at the end of the day, just because some of the seeds didn’t take root, does that mean the mission was a failure?

Jesus’ point is… nothing is wasted. Nothing. The labor of the farmer achieves results. Look at the harvest. It’s beyond our imagination as that one seed grew one-hundred fold. 1 to 100.

The farmer returns to do their work again, and again, and again.  With willingness and hope… with faith.

For our own growth, if we listen and receive (by being open), if we really take it into our minds, what's next? To put it into action. By doing so, others can be inspired and grow as well.

Tell the Story. Live out the Story.

NEXT…

Part 3 or… the Truth