Cause to Pause -- Part 1

MARK 10:1-12

I am a product of divorce. Some of you have no clue about this fact, but it's true. Divorce has greatly impacted my family down the line. But... that's something to expound upon later -- in Part 2.

The focus of this particular post, which is lengthy, will be how these 12 verses applied in first-century Judaism. And it will give you cause to pause.

Jesus and his disciples have now traveled back to the land of Herod Antipas where the Pharisees are ready to pounce. Their hope is to publicly discredit Jesus' ministry. With what? With one of the most volatile issues at the time: divorce. How? Entrap him to choose a side between two schools of rabbinical interpretation. Why? To then charge heresy against him so he might suffer the same fate as John the Baptist.

Before journeying further down the "divorce" trail, let's reflect on marriage. It's a hot topic these days, especially around church circles, but I'm not going to stir the pot with my views of same-sex marriage. Contact me if you wish to discuss the matter. What's imperative here in Part 1 is, which bears repeating, we're dealing with life in first-century Judaism.

Marriage. "To be joined." This literally means "to glue" and in Jesus' eyes that was super-glue. "One flesh" forms an indivisible union. Jesus goes back to the Garden of Eden. Fidelity to each other is God's original intent. "It was his belief in the very constitution of the universe that marriage is meant to be an absolute permanency and unity." [i]

Glued. Indivisible. Absolute. Permanency. God's original intent. Do those words give you pause?

There's a wonderful, moving story written by Rob Bell (another one of favorite religious authors) about marriage in the first century. It's long but well-worth sharing. It'll also give you pause.

"Generally a young woman would be married in her early teens, often at thirteen or fourteen. ...Her father would entertain offers from the fathers of young men who were interested in marrying her. If the fathers agreed on the terms of the marriage, there would be a celebration to honor the couple and announce their engagement.

At this celebration, the groom would offer the young girl a cup of wine to drink. But she doesn't have to drink it. She can reject the cup. She can say no to his offer of marriage. Even though everything has already been arranged, she can still say no. It's up to her.

...If she says yes, the groom gives a sort of prepared speech about their future together. Because if she takes the cup and drinks from it, that only means that they are engaged. They aren't married yet. Something still has to happen. Or to be more precise, something has to be built.

If she says yes, then the groom goes home and begins building an addition onto his family's home. This is where he and his bride will start their new family together. ...And here's the interesting part: he doesn't know when he's going to finish. Because he doesn't have the final say on whether it's ready. That's his father's decision. And so his father periodically inspects his work.

The father has considerations as well. If he has many sons, and they've all built additions, then his house is getting quite large. There are many rooms in it. This was called an insula, a large multifamily dwelling.

Back to the story. The future bride is at home, learning how to run a household. She also doesn't know when the work will be done, so she's preparing herself for a date that's coming, she just doesn't know when.

And then the day comes. The father inspects and tells the son that it's time. So the son gets his friends, and they set out for her house to get her. But how will he know what room is hers? He'll know because she has filled her lamp with oil each night and set it in the window, so that when he comes, he'll know which rooms is hers.

And so he goes to get her, and they gather their friends and family, and there's a giant procession back to his house, where the party starts. When she takes the glass of wine at their engagement party and drinks from it, the groom says to her: My father's house has plenty of room; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." [ii]

Sound familiar? Jesus says these words to his disciples later: John 14:2-4. Hmmmm. Jesus uses the wedding metaphor, which would've struck a heart chord with some of his disciples who would've said those words to their brides. This event -- a wedding -- is used to describe heaven. And we can choose to say "yes" or reject it. Powerful stuff!

So if marriage was made in heaven, who's opinion on earth matters more than God's? Because that's where Jesus is headed.

Also, it's important as we move forward,... women didn't have many rights, being clearly limited in the first century. They were treated more like property, similar to the buying and selling of land. [iii] With little more status than a slave, a woman was meant to have children and maintain the proper dietary laws at home. [iv] Yes, she could reject the offer of marriage, but consider the incredible, stressful pressures from family, community and culture.

Back-tracking now to verse 2... "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" asked the Pharisees of Jesus. How did he reply? With a direct question. "What did Moses command you?" Their response? Look carefully at their response. Jesus didn't ask what Moses allowed but what he commanded. "The Pharisees thought Jesus meant the commandment of concession, not the ideal state." [v] Jesus turns the tables on them and goes straight to Scripture; making it not a legal issue but one that's spiritual.

"The Mosaic law, as the Pharisees were forced to concede, nowhere commanded divorce. The passage in question, Deuteronomy 24:1-4, recognized the reality of divorce and sought to protect the wife's rights and reputation and also regulated remarriage." [vi]

Hillel and Shammai, who lived in the generation before Jesus, took opposing sides in interpreting this passage -- "...because he has found in her indecency in a matter."

"The School of Shammai interpreted the matter with utter strictness. A matter of indecency was adultery and adultery alone. Let a woman be as bad as Jezebel, unless she was guilty of adultery there could be no divorce.

The School of Hillel interpreted that crucial phrase as widely as possible. They said it could mean if the wife spoiled a dish of food, if she spun [using the spinning wheel] in the streets, if she talked to a strange man, if she spoke disrespectfully of her husband's relations in his hearing, if she was a brawling woman (who was defined as a woman whose voice could be heard in the next house). Rabbi Akiba even went the length of saying it meant if a man found a woman who was fairer in his eyes than his wife was." [vii]

Did You Know...?

"The only grounds on which a woman could claim a divorce were if her husband became a leper, if he engaged in a disgusting trade such as that of a tanner, if he ravished a virgin, or if he falsely accused her of prenuptial sin." [viii]

Such trivial events as interpreted by the School of Hillel made divorce "legitimate." A certificate of dismissal (or divorce) would serve as the wife's formal release from the marriage. It also affirmed her right to marry again.

Where was forgiveness in this mix? Where was maturity? Where was spiritual well-being? "The Pharisees mistook God's gracious provision in permitting divorce (under certain circumstances) for his ordaining of it." [ix] The Deuteronomy regulation was a concession because forgiveness was rare.

What did Jesus state? "What God has joined together, let no one separate." In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus' words are against divorce and remarriage. In Matthew 19:7-9, Jesus' words are still against remarriage but permit for divorce on one ground -- adultery.

Cause to pause. Especially for those who take the Bible literally, as black-and-white. 

So what would Jesus say to us today? We'll explore that and more in Part 2.

NEXT

What controversy?; Jesus stands by women; jaw-dropping stats; today versus then  

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[i] The Gospel of Mark, Barclay -- p. 240

[ii] Sex God, Rob Bell -- pp. 169-170

[iii] The Living Application Bible, p. 1755

[iv] Don't Know Much About the Bible, Kenneth C. Davis -- p. 384

[v] The Renaissance New Testament, Randolph O. Yeager -- p. 159

[vi] The MacArthur Study Bible -- p. 1481

[vii] The Gospel of Mark, Barclay -- p. 239

[viii] The Gospel of Mark, Barclay -- p. 238

[ix] The MacArthur Study Bible -- p. 1481

Salt is Good

MARK 9:49-50

Two verses, three statements,… and the common denominator is “salt.” Other than that it’s wide open for interpretation. In the opinion of many theologians, these quotes weren’t necessarily said by Jesus at this precise moment in the Gospel of Mark. Regardless, let’s move forward – one, two three – and delve into “salt.”

“For everyone will be salted with fire.”

“According to the Jewish law every sacrifice must be salted with salt before it was offered to God on the altar. That sacrificial salt was called the salt of the covenant.” [i] This ties into three Old Testament verses: Leviticus 2:13; Numbers 18:19; 2 Chronicles 13:5.

“Observant Jews sprinkle salt on bread before reciting the b’rakhah [blessing] over it. This follows from the rabbinic equating of the home dining table with the Temple altar.” [ii] This blessing is “Barukh attah, Adonai Eloheynu Melekh-ha’olam, haMotzi lechem min ha’aretz” (“Praised be you, Adonai our God, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.”) [iii]

So how is this verse “salted with fire” relatable for us today? Fire is the salt in order for our lives to be acceptable to God. …Come again?

Think of it this way. Gold, which is a precious metal, is purified by fire. The process includes plunging it into the heart of a fire until it no longer resembles what it once looked like. Its final shape will be formed by the goldsmith.

What we go through in our lives each day strengthens us, and in a way, sends us through the fire – to ultimately purify us. We are not the same as we were after going through the fire.

Another way to look at this is… fire destroys. Consider the forest which has been decimated by fire. It has undergone hardship as the fire consumes everything in its path. Nevertheless, the power of fire actually leads to regrowth. “The heat from burning trees pops open the cones on those trees, releasing seeds that have been waiting to get loose for years. Millions of those seeds are dumped on the forest floor,… they germinate, pop through the soil and start growing into little seedlings.” [iv]

Each of us will face varying levels of trials and persecution. As Patrick * said, “Everyone will be tempted; we’ll all go through the fire; we’ll each be tested.” Through the experience of “fire,” we place ourselves before God as an offering, a sacrifice. By doing so, being salted with fire, we are purified and experience new growth.

“Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it?”

Salt is flavorful and adds to the enjoyment of food. It’s also a preservative. “Salt was an essential item in first-century Palestine in a hot climate, without refrigeration; salt was the practical means of preserving food.” [v]

As a child, I remember my grandfather rubbing a mixture of salt and other ingredients over meat. The process was called “dry curing” – a means of preserving. He would then hang the meat in the smoke house behind his home. But if the meat had not been “dry cured” with the mixture of salt, it would’ve been corrupted.

The world, in which Jesus and his followers spread the Good News, was corrupt. As then as now, the world needs this “salt” which is good; yet, if the follower of Christ has lost their flavor, what will the world be seasoned with? Something to reflect upon.

“Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”

“The ancients declared that there was nothing in the world purer than salt because it came from the two purest things, the sun and the sea. The very glistening whiteness of salt was a picture of purity.” [vi]

Let us be purified by the light and Spirit of Christ. Let us be purified from that which disconnects and separates us from God. Let us be refreshed by the clear, clean water as we are reshaped. Let us salt the earth with the love of Christ and the message of the Good News.

By having salt in ourselves, let us live with one another in peace. As Leah * said to the study group, “We’re all in this together.”

NEXT

A sticky-wicket called “Divorce”

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[i] The Gospel of Mark, Barclay – p. 234

[ii] Jewish Annotated New Testament – p. 94

[iii] B’rakhah – www.seraia.com

[iv] “Rising from the ashes” – Science Buzz

[v] The MacArthur Study Bible – p. 1481

[vi] The Gospel of Mark, Barclay – p. 236

* Member of the Study Group

Stumbling Blocks

MARK 9:42-48

Literal versus figurative use of words.

·         “Little ones”

·         “Better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck,…”

·         “If your hand (foot) (eye) causes you to stumble, cut (tear) it off,…”

·         “It is better for you to enter life maimed (lame) (with one eye) than… to be thrown into hell.”

·         Hell – “where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.”

Using “little ones” with a child in his arms or nearby (9:36-37), Jesus again refers to one who has lower status among people like servants, beggars, the disabled, foreigners, women,… “Don’t discourage anyone from the message of Good News! It is for all to hear. No matter whom they are, where they come from, their position in the world, we must lift them up and embrace them; help them along this journey.”

“Don’t put (or be) a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me.” Why? Because they may be childlike or new to the faith along this walk that we are all taking together. Furthermore, why should we take advantage of anyone?

Patrick * added a wrinkle for thought mentioning the Prosperity Gospel preached by some high-profile evangelists. “Watered-down Christianity can be a stumbling block for many.” In regard to the message Jesus conveys, where does such a gospel of “prosperity” lead us? It’s a reward system, and when someone feels they haven’t been appropriately rewarded, they could feel betrayed and used; lesser than; discouraged.

“To discourage or tempt my children, to place a stumbling block before them, you’d be better off having a millstone around your neck…”

As Norma * stated to the study group, it’s ironic Jesus used the millstone as an example. It was a tool of life as a stone used for grinding grain – that which feeds us, and gives us strength. But it was also a tool of death.

In this context, Jesus was making a dramatic point with “a stone so large it took a donkey to turn it” [i] as “a means of execution both in Rome and in Palestine.” [ii] Those being punished in such a manner would be tethered to the millstone…

“…and thrown into the sea.”

Continuing with the dramatic – “If your hand (foot) (eye) causes you to stumble, cut (tear) it off (out),…”

Did Jesus really mean for us to cut off our limbs if they get in the way to God? Uh,… no. Yet Jesus is emphasizing the seriousness of that which causes us to be “separated from that to which we belong. Our lives are [then] estranged from God.” [iii]

You might find it more meaningful to substitute words in verses 43-47. For example, substitute “job” for “hand”; “relationship” for “foot”; “habit” for “eye.” These, too, can cause a “disconnect” with God.

It reminds me years ago when I worked as an auditor for the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. We would audit restaurants and bars that sold alcohol to verify taxes were accurately paid. In about 50% of my audits, establishments would owe money.

There came a day when the owner of a chain of prominent strip clubs, of which there were four locations in Houston, approached me and offered a job – to give financial oversight of his organization. I remember him saying, “I’m better off hiring you so my company is better run. Plus every time you audit me, I owe the state a load of cash.”

The money being offered was double my salary at the TABC. Plus the owner promised travel to his other clubs in Chicago and New York, beautiful women, fun times,…. Oh, the temptation, especially at the age of 25! There was such inner turmoil in weighing financial security, luxury, the high-life versus just scraping by. Ultimately, the decision was made in being separated from that to which I belong. The temptation was huge, but my connection to God was greater. I declined his offer.

Then there’s Hell – where the “worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.”

Here are the facts about Hell or Gehenna – a ravine south of Jerusalem – known as the Valley of Hinnom. It was “a garbage dump where fires constantly burned, furnishing a graphic symbol of eternal torment.” [iv] How did it get into such a state? Let’s go back to around 732 BC and the reign of King Ahaz of Judah.

At the age of 20 years old, Ahaz ruled for 16 years in Jerusalem. During his reign, Ahaz did plenty of stumbling. As it was written, “he did not do what was right in the sight of the Lord.” He “made molded images for the Baals [idols].” Taking it a wayward step further, in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, Ahaz “burned his children in the fire” [v] -- as a sacrificial offering. “The site of rites condemned in Jeremiah 7:31 became the term for hell.” [vi]

NOTE – For more about Ahaz, read 2 Kings 16, and then see what his son Hezekiah did after his father’s death “to do what was right in the sight of the Lord” – 2 Kings 18:1-8.

As for the Valley of Hinnom, it “had been declared so unclean and had been so desecrated, it was set apart as the place where the refuse of Jerusalem was burned. The consequence was that it was a foul, unclean place, where loathsome worms bred on the refuse, and which smoked and smouldered at all times like some vast incinerator.” [vii] The worm and unquenchable fire are referenced in Isaiah 66:24.

Also, the use of “worm” indicates “internal” and the use of “fire” indicates “external.” It is all consuming – “in” and “out.”

All of this – the millstone, the cutting off of body parts, hell – was using an extreme to make the most important of points. If anything stands in the way between you and God, it must go. This may be the hardest decision we’ve ever had to make, but to know true happiness and peace, we must act accordingly. We must step out in faith and away from that which discourages us, that which blocks our way. It’s a choice between “life” and “death.”

I choose life… with God.

NEXT

It’s all about Salt: a preservative and a blessing

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[i] The MacArthur Study Bible – p. 1425

[ii] The Gospel of Mark, Barclay – p. 229

[iii] The Heart of Christianity, Borg – p. 167

[iv] The MacArthur Study Bible – p. 1480

[v] 2 Chronicles 28:1-3 (NRSV)

[vi] The Jewish Annotated New Testament – p. 80

[vii] The Gospel of Mark, Barclay – pp. 231, 232

* Member of the Study Group

Stamp of Approval

MARK 9:38-41

And then there was an Exorcist….

I’m not referring to one of my all-time favorite films – The Exorcist – but as previously posted in the MARK blog, back in the day (over two thousand years ago), numerous individuals known as healers and exorcists went about the land to “cast out demons.”

Were they necessarily successful in doing so? No. Were they using God’s name in this act? Maybe in stating so publicly but not truthfully. They were paying lip service to God and conning people. Call them charlatans – preying on the weak and needy – using superstitions, potions and all sorts of tricks of the trade.

However, we have a notable instance when one of the disciples (John who witnessed the transfiguration; probably designated by the group to speak up; wore his emotions on his sleeve) spoke against an exorcist using Jesus’ name when going about his business. “Because he’s not following us!” “What are his motives?!?” was an underlying concern.

While this man who cast out demons had not received an official “JC Stamp of Approval,” he was sincerely acting in the name of Jesus. Why else would Jesus have replied, “Don’t stop him”?

Jesus responds to John’s religious fervor of “our way or the highway” with “It’s not your way. While this man doesn’t literally follow us, we shouldn’t cast him out. Why demonize him?” As the NRSV states in verse 40, “Whoever is not against us is for us.”

How often though does it happen when a person doesn’t believe exactly like we do, yet makes a positive difference in the world, is shamed or ostracized or given the “DOA Stamp of Disapproval”? Have we written off individuals because they weren’t one of us – whatever “us” means?

Being “Christian” doesn’t mean we get it right. Consider the heinous actions over the centuries with unnecessary bloodshed done “in the name of Christ.” Consider what occurs in our daily lives – personal, communal, local, national, global. All “in the name of Christ.” Would those actions receive the “JC Stamp of Approval”?

In the study group, I shared our experience as a congregation as it relates to Westboro Baptist Church. There is a huge theological / philosophical difference between us. Nevertheless for all of the hatred spewed by WBC at Hollywood UMC, it didn’t stop our senior pastor, Rev Kathy, from telling us to pray for WBC. Recently, when two grand-daughters of Rev Phelps left the WBC and were ostracized for doing so by that congregation, we welcomed those young ladies with open arms – worshipping and spending time together here at HUMC. Jesus was in that moment. “Whoever is not against us is for us.”

With verse 41, the emotion within the study group discussion heightened.

“Anyone by just giving you a cup of water in my name is on our side. Count on it that God will notice.” – The Message

“Whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.” – New Revised Standard Version

Sometimes we feel we have to do great things, amazing things, crazy good things so that God will notice, so that anyone will notice. The greater the deed, God will approve and put us in the front of the heavenly line! …Not so.

Who tells us we must do great things? Friends? Family? Supervisors? Clergy? Teachers? Ourselves? …??? God doesn’t.

What are we asked to do? It can be something as simple as giving a cup of water to someone. That in itself may seem like the easiest act in the world; even so, it has much significance for the one who thirsts, who is in need.

Using an example for those with children,…. Who isn’t tired after a long day of work? Who wouldn’t love to have a few moments of quiet and not be disturbed? Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have some peace, to block out the world? Just walk away? Ah, but what about the child?

When I was young, I know my dad was dead-tired by day’s end – having worked at the ranch (660 acres with 300 cattle) as well as giving oversight to the Bogata Housing Authority as its Executive Director. Nevertheless he made a point to spend time with me when he came home. I well-remember throwing a baseball to him on many of those days: me pitching and him catching. Those moments together made for a fantastic lifetime memory.

30 minutes. 30 minutes can make all the difference in a child’s life. Spending time with them. The choice is “life” over “death,” to “connect” instead of “disconnect,” to “care” instead of “discourage.” It’s a simple thing really. 30 minutes out of one’s day. Simple yet powerful.

Another example was shared by Bev * -- a moving story that touched our hearts regarding her family as they prepare for a loved one’s last days. The word “gives” stuck out to Bev as she explained this current situation. A gift of self-less “giving” – even the simplest of things (saying “I love you,” providing a ride, buying some groceries, running errands, holding someone’s hand) – has a ripple effect of appreciation, and it’s also an offering to God.

As Marc * put it, this verse is an illustration of service. We can listen to the Gospel all day long but at some point, we have to move forward into action. Otherwise it’s just words. Fruit that just dies on the vine.

Let’s be more than words. 

NEXT

Cut off what?!?

* Member of the study group