Category: Mark - Wittenberg Door Campus Ministry

Mark 8:27-35 - Lectionary for Confession of Peter

1/22/2021

1/22/21
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the historic one-year lectionary.

Peter's confession of Christ is recorded for us in Mark 8:30. Answering on behalf of the other disciples, he says that they believe Jesus is the Christ, not, like many others would say, a reincarnation of John the Baptist, Elijah, or an Old Testament prophet. Jesus is the Christ.

Mark's Gospel has been understood since the earliest times to be strongly influenced by the preaching of Peter, who had Mark as a companion. It's significant that Mark goes on immediately to refer to Jesus as "the Son of Man" in verse 31. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Mark is saying that Jesus is the one who represents Adam and all the human race. His role, then, which is a matter of necessity, is to suffer, be rejected, be killed, and rise on the third day. As a representative of you and of me, then, Jesus suffers, dies, and rises from the dead, just like Adam, as a representative of you and of me fell into sin, died, and remained dead.

The apostles understood that Jesus did all he did for them, for their benefit. This is extraordinary good news. Especially the part where he rises from the dead shows us that we will also rise from the dead to eternal life and blessedness with Jesus.

Knowing that Jesus is the Christ, then, rescues us from sin and death. It places us into God's kingdom as partakers of the resurrection. With Peter, we have no need for fear. We are persuaded that Jesus is no normal (or abnormal) prophet. He is the one who has taken our place and leads us to an eternal home.

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.

Mark 7:31-37 - Lectionary for Trinity 12

8/27/2020

8/27/20
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the historic one-year lectionary.

I have no idea how many times I’ve heard this. I lost count, pretty quickly. It’s the spiritual life and spiritual meaning that matters. Christianity is about faith, nothing to do with the body.

Sorry, that’s actually more closely related to Gnosticism than to Christianity. But we want to get practical, right? In Mark 7:31-37 it would leave the deaf man with a speech problem out to dry.

Jesus could certainly have communicated to the person somehow that he loves him and is his redeemer. Jesus could have gotten the idea across that he didn’t need to worry about earthly things and that if he believes on Jesus all will be well. And in reality, that is an accurate message.

Jesus doesn’t stop with that. He knows that the man’s body will be raised in the last day and will be a glorified body with no faults. But wouldn’t it be nice if he could hear the voices of his family and friends? What about being able to speak clearly and hear the answer? These are not matters of indifference to Jesus. He cares about the physical.

What else do we see? To those who look only to spiritual and symbolic means of healing, let’s notice that Jesus sticks his fingers in the man’s ears. In other instances of healing, Jesus lays his hands on people, anoints their eyes with mud, and probably does a few things I am forgetting at the moment. He uses physical means as he does his work.

Granted, the power is in the promise of God through Jesus, not in the physical means he uses to accompany it. But God is not afraid to have physical elements involved in his works of mercy and grace.

Jesus shows his love for this man, body and soul, and is willing to touch him and heal him. He hasn’t changed in that regard, but nowadays he uses other people’s hands to touch and serve people. He remains faithful.

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.

Mark 8:1-9 - Lectionary for Trinity 7

7/23/2020

7/23/20
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the historic one-year lectionary.

It’s easy to view Mark 8:1-9 from the perspective of the miraculous feeding of the multitude. About four thousand people (v. 9), all fed to the point of satisfaction, when before they ate there was concern that they wouldn’t make it back home before fainting from lack of food, and all of it happening starting with seven loaves and a few fish. Certainly, this is a powerful miracle.

However, I’d like us to look at the passage from a slightly different perspective. What were the people doing? Jesus had been going here and there, healing and teaching. We don’t really have information about the occasion or the overall context of this gathering. But it’s significant that the crowd, apparently this crowd, had been gathered for three days. We can only assume they were hearing Jesus’ teaching and that those who were sick were coming to him for healing.

Would this take a while? No doubt. I have had instances of working with a crowd of people, but the biggest one I have ever worked with in this way, praying for individuals, hearing problems and bringing biblical teaching to them in a public space, and trying to show care outside of a formal setting was much smaller, perhaps four hundred people, not four thousand. This is an enormous crowd of people, all with different needs. And the amazing thing is that they stick around. It’s entirely different from having a Bible study or conference in which there are set presentations and people come and go.

It probably isn’t late in the day. You don’t send a crowd of pedestrians away to go home when the day is already over. You send them home in the middle of the afternoon. But they can’t go home without eating something. They will pass out on the way. This indicates to us that they may have had some food on the first day, and maybe a little on the second day, but it is gone. They didn’t plan, maybe couldn’t plan, to be with Jesus as long as they were. If Jesus were to extend the gathering, it would result in hunger again, as well as loss of ability to care for any family at home. The crowd needs to eat and be sent away.

What’s amazing here is that the crowd stayed with Jesus as long as they did! Their food ran out, they had been hearing him, receiving healing, receiving strength. Jesus was caring for people. But when you’re hungry and thirsty you start thinking about going home. The second day you will almost certainly decide to go home. But this is a third day.

Jesus is giving the people words of life. They are eager to receive those words. They need to hear that God’s kingdom is with them, that God’s merciful reign is present in Jesus, and that he is able to care for them all the days of their life, into eternity.

In these last days, God has provided for his people. We can hear God’s Word over and over again through books, church services, studies in person and even online. We can receive the teaching of Jesus. But are we willing to stay with him? What if it were a whole day? Two? Into a third day?

Jesus has the words of life. He is willing to provide them for us. He can provide for all our physical needs as well, but what he’s really there to do is to bring us reconciliation with God, forgiveness, life, and salvation. May we, like this crowd in Mark 8, be ready to hear from our Lord.

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.

Mark 16:1-8 - Lectionary for Easter Day

4/9/2020

4/9/20 Read the passage here.
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the historic one-year lectionary.

Mark’s Gospel is known for being abrupt, at least at times. Our passage this week fits that pattern. If you consult a study Bible you may see that many of the earliest manuscripts of Mark’s Gospel actually end at the end of verse eight. That’s about as abrupt an ending as you get, since it would leave us with a resurrected Lord and no mention of anything else. That’s one of the reasons many scholars think the longer ending of Mark is “the original.”

When the women arrived early in the morning on the first day of the week, they found that Jesus had arisen before they came to the tomb. What’s more, not only did the women find Jesus gone, but they were given a reminder that the Lord was not finished with his disciples, especially with Peter. The disciples would meet up with Jesus in Galilee, where he would give them some instructions.

Why did Mark report that the angel specifically said to tell Peter? Early Christian historians say that Mark worked alongside Peter in ministry, particularly in Rome, prior to Peter’s execution. This means Mark got much of his information used in the Gospel from Peter. It was important to Peter that Jesus would give a message that included Peter. Peter, after all, had denied Jesus three times while Jesus was on trial. Mark doesn’t tell us about the restoration of Peter, but John does, in the 21st chapter of John’s Gospel. Jesus visited specifically with Peter, speaking wth him about repentance and restoration. Despite Peter’s failure, Jesus had a work for him to do.

This should bring hope to all of us, as we have all failed Jesus in one way or another. Despite our failures, Jesus calls all his people to repentance and restoration, that we may serve the Lord with gladness. Our sin doesn’t throw us out. It calls us to repentance. And we know that repentance works specifically because the very same Jesus we see dying for us on a Friday, rises from the dead for us on a Sunday. He calls us to a new walk, in his peace, his forgiveness, and his rest, as he rose from the dead on the day of rest. We have rest from our sin and shame. He takes that away too.

It may seem an abrupt move. It is an abrupt move. In the midst of our sin and turmoil, Jesus has died for us, rose from the dead, and got about the business of forgiveness, even before the women could get to the tomb with their gifts. Before you and I can come to him with our gifts for him, he is already at work to restore us to the right relationship with God the Father. Thanks be to God.

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.

Mark 13:24-37 - Lectionary for Last Sunday of the Church Year, Series B

11/22/2018

11/22/18
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

Our Gospel passage this week turns our attention squarely to the last days, with the second coming of Christ. It is very sad that these passages have been ruined by so much of the popular preaching and writing that apparently passes for Christianity just now. Many authors have so twisted the Gospel predictions to use them to provoke fear and dread around the second coming, rather than the great anticipation which is given to us, this week, by Mark.

Anticipation? Really? But, as one person insisted on telling me repeatedly in a recent conversation, “It says to be alert!” It certainly does. Let’s take it from Jesus’ explanation in verses 33-37, then put the beginning of the passage in context.

Jesus speaks of a completely commonplace event. A man going away for a while makes sure his staff knows what to do and will be on duty. He especially reminds the guards to be alert. They do want to know him and be ready when he returns. The man presumably leaves, the people do what they are supposed to do, and they expect him to return. What happens when he returns? We don’t know. It’s safe to assume his household staff welcomes him and all is well. They are not all fired but they don’t expect to be made rulers or anything.

How would this apply to the Christians? Those who trust that Jesus has taken their sin are his redeemed people. He has already called them his friends and said they are heirs with him. Since he left, things have been pretty rough. There have been attacks from enemies. The world seems to be in a shambles, about like it was before the resurrection. These troubles, according to verses 29-30, are signs that the Lord and Master needs to come. What does he do? In verses 26-27 he comes back, like he said he would. Are his people still living as Christians? That’s what he told them to do. They recognize him and he gathers them together. They are already his friends and joint heirs of heaven. It won’t get better than that. But they can know Jesus is, in fact, gathering his people to bring them to their reward.

One of the jobs Jesus has given every Christian is that of telling others they, too, can be friends of Christ and heirs with him of the kingdom of heaven. These people who hear and believe are among those Jesus will gather.

So why is this passage used as bad news? Some will not believe. May the Lord have mercy on all people, calling them out of darkness, into his light, making them his forgiven friends as well.

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.

Mark 13:1-13 - Lectionary for Pentecost 26B

11/15/2018

11/15/18
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

Our Gospel this week moves us toward the end of the Church year. Jesus speaks of the trials that will be signs of the coming end. The signs he brings up are impressive. However, I fear we often neglect the chronology Jesus gives.

Notice in verses 6-8 Jesus is clear that the signs are only a beginning. They are early labor pains. Yes, the baby will be born, but the first few contractions rarely signal an immediate delivery.

We can expect to hear of false christs, wars, uprisings, earthquakes, and famines. They are all certainly signs that the world as we know it is coming apart. But we can also look honestly at history and know of a very long pattern of all these trials.

What should the disciples guard against? Arrest, torture, and trial await them. They will also be engaged in preaching the Gospel. They will have answers from the Holy Spirit when on trial. Again, all these things are recorded for us in the Book of Acts. They have already happened.

When does the end of the world come? All the signs mentioned by Jesus suggest it will be soon. But we don’t know the timing. Our attitude, then, should be one of readiness and expectation. But we may be waiting a while. The baby’s coming, but there’s no rushing or delaying the process.

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.

Mark 12:38-44 - Lectionary for Pentecost 25B

11/8/2018

11/8/18
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

Our Gospel for this week is from Mark 12:38-44. It would be very easy to skip directly to verse 41. After all, the last four verses are relatively easy to deal with. God honors the trust shown by giving even when we have limited means.

Does this idea tie directly to the earlier three verses? Maybe someone will put in a comment pointing me to a connection. There is a bridge with the idea of widows, but verse 40 speaks against taking from widows and verse 43 commends the idea of widows giving. I am inclined to say the paragraph break is a relatively large break and that Mark is telling us about something different.

So, in verses 38-40 Jesus warns against the scribes. They have clothing that signifies rank. They expect to be treated with honor. They take even the few resources held by elderly women. They speak just to be heard. My question is whether this is best applied to people today who are overtly religious. In some instances, it does apply. I think particularly of those who preach (and live) a “prosperity gospel.” Some have made themselves wealthy and expect to be treated as nobility because they view themselves as God’s messengers.

In contrast, I think the passage is sometimes wrongly applied. I’ who normally wear a clerical collar at work, have been accused of being like the scribes. And I do wear a long robe when conducting a church service. Sometimes people treat me with honor and dference. Sometimes not. Really, I just want the coffee I bought to be hot and fresh, and you could repay my courtesy with yours.

What I aim to say is that identifying these scribes is not as easy as it seems. One could make an argument that if Jesus were speaking to our community today he would speak of academic or political elites as he did of the scribes. You choose the discipline or the party. The figures may be those we should avoid. Some would want to be honored because of their alignment, and then would use that honor to silence or harm others.

If the shoe fits, beware of the person. If it fits you or me, lt’s take it off and use our positions, our honor, our “privilege,” for the good of our world.

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.

Mark 12:28-37 - Lectionary for Pentecost 24B

11/1/2018

11/1/18
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

If you are at all like I am, it’s very hard to look at a social media newsfeed without being bombarded by countless value statements, many of which play some sort of religion card. And these religious claims are almost uniformly based on the idea in the second important command. Love your neighbor.

The big debate, of course, is not whether or not we should love our neighbor. That’s part and parcel of Christianity. But what does that love for neighbor look like? Here’s where the conflict begins. It’s a conflict which causes many who are not Christians to question a Christian commitment to love of the neighbor. And it can even cause deep divisions within Christianity, as it may bring different groups of Christians into conflict. For instance, how do we love our would-be neighbor who wishes to immigrate? How about the neighbor who faces job insecurity and fears the addition of more available workers? What about our neighbor who is losing a fight with substance abuse? What about the neighbor dealing with sexual identity issues? What does love for the neighbor look like in those cases?

Many Christians find themselves either with no answer to these questions, or with difficulty finding a rhyme or reason to organize their responses. However, I would suggest it is more straightforward than we might first assume. In the two verses immediately preceding, we are reminded that there is one true God, the Lord of Israel. We are to love that Lord with all our beings.

How does this make for a straightforward response to the problem of loving our neighbor? First and foremost, by our love for the true God of the Bible we take on His values, His definition of justice, His concern for repentance and restoration. The greatest way we can love our neighbor is through helping him to love the Lord, to take on His values. This in turn helps those whose lives are broken by the condition of the world to find ways to compe, to ask help in pursuing godly character, and to work for the restoration of this world to a right relationship with God. That is what pulls our world together.

The answers are still difficult. In the end we have to balance more needs than we could possibly meet. We find that some people will lose their battles no matter what we do, just as some would win despite all odds. But over time, as we love and trust in God, we are able to make a difference in some poeple. Above all, we have opportunity to show God as the Lord of all. This doesn’t solve all the problems the way some would demand it. Our remain question to the detractors is whether they, too, will commit to loving and trusting the God of Israel with all their hearts, and loving their neighbors as themselves. Love of neighbor, to be real love, is predicated on love for the true God.

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.

Mark 10:46-52 - Lectionary for Pentecost 23B

10/25/2018

10/25/18
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

A biblical gathring can get noisy now and then. In Mark 10:46-52, a blind man in need of help created quite a stir. He had heard of Jsus. He knew what kind of things Jesus had been doing. And he knew there was precious little hope for someone like himself, who was both blind and poor.

The blind beggar began calling out for mercy, knowing Jesus was nearby. But let’s notice what else Bartimaeus knew. How did he call out to Jesus? He called him by name, then by a title. He called Jesus the “Son of David.” What does this mean?

The son of a person is assumed to have something in common with his ancestor. Like father, like son. But here Bartimaeus recognized Jesus as the “Son of David.” Not only did he recognize that Jesus was, in fact, in the direct royal line, he also knew that Jesus would be in a position to show mercy. He could rightly deliver royal gifts of the house of David. However, the royal line had been rearranged a little. Riches and authority were no longer part of the royal heritage. What gift could Bartimaeus ask for?

God’s mercy, a gift more precious than any earthly riches, would be a gift which this Son of David would have. Lord, have mercy.

We frequently pray the Lord would have mercy on us. After all, our efforts to gain what we thought would help may have already proven disappointing, even destructive. But if the merciful and all-wise Lord shows mercy it will surely be good.

In a surprising turn of events, Jesus asked the blind man what he wanted. The blind man confirmed his desire was to see. Jesus did this for him simply by his gracious command. The Son of David was still able to show mercy. He remains able to do so. We, like Bartimaeus, can call out. Lord, have mercy.

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.

Mark 10:23-31 - Lectionary for Pentecost 22B

10/18/2018

10/18/18
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

A bit of context may help us follow this week’s Gospel passage well. Mark has just told us of the encounter of a rich person and Jesus. The rich man wants to know how to inherit eternal life. Jesus eventually tells him to give up his riches and come with Jesus as a disciple.

In verse 23, Jesus reflects on the trouble caused by riches. It is hard for the wealthy to enter God’s kingdom. By his illustration of the camel and the needle, Jesus essentially says it is impossible. The disciples ask exactly the right question. Who can be saved (v. 26)? Jesus points out that it is only possible with God.

What is our hope? In verses 29-30 Jesus teaches that those who leave their security behind so as to follow Him will find they have all they need, including eternal life. Oh, they also receive persecutions. Christianity, we must remember, is no triumphalistic get-rich scheme. We may leave all and be excluded from any hope on earth. But we are received by the whole people of God as brothers and sisters, as fathers and mothers, as sons and daughters. There is a voluntary care for the saints in this life, no matter the hardships. Then in eternity we are assured of a life which will not pass away. As we lay down our lives, Jesus gives us all we need. Thanks be to God.

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.

Mark 10:17-22 - Lectionary for Pentecost 21B

10/11/2018

10/11/18
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

Good teacher, what must I do? The rich man came to Jesus to seek assurance. What is pleasing to God? How do I receive the eternal life so frequently described in Scripture?

Aside from the rather obvious failing in the ich man’s thinking, that we do something to gain an inheritance, Jesus gives us practical clarity. The man wants to know how to live. Jesus tells him, drawing the commands directly from God’s Law.

The man is aware of all these commands. He knows what God says. He also knows that his obedience has not been adequate. He does not have assurance of life. What can he do?

Jesus tells him to give up all that he has in order to follow Jesus. This cuts to the heart of many of our trouble.s It was not so much about money. That is not the problem. The problem with this rich man was the focus of his trust. He was saying, in effect, “I trust you, Jesus, to be the Lord of all. Therefore I am going to cling to my own ways of caring for myself so as to be certain of safety.” That won’t work! Jesus calls the man to nothing more or less than trust. What he trusted before must be taken out of the way.

When Jesus calls us to follow Him, he calls us to leave behind our own opinions of what is rustworthy. In exchange, we take up Jesus’ provision which will never fail. That’s what trust looks like.

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.

Mark 10:2-16 - Lectionary for Pentecost 20B

10/4/2018

10/4/18
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

Our Gospel passage this week reminds me of many of the encounters I have with people fairly regularly. A person will approach me wanting to ask a theological question. It’s difficult to deal with. After all, it might just be a legitimate question. Sometimes we don’t know until the conversation has continued for several steps.

So what about divorce? What did Moses say? And why? Let’s hit the “why” first. In the other cultures surrounding Israel, marriage was sometimes a brutal affair. If a man and woman married, it was not necessarily an exclusive arrangement. There was no guarantee that a husband would not take other wives, send away a displeasing wife, or even sell her or have her killed. The Mosaic command called for some element of fair treatment. There was documentation and the result was a divorce rather than enslavement or execution.

But with Moses’ affirmation of divorce, Jesus confirms the permission was because people have sinful hearts. Several Christian counselors whom I respect greatly have given the opinion that any marital conflict between two Christians who are repentant can be healed. Then again, that is if both wish to live as Christians, both recognize their sin, and both wish for reconciliation. If any element is missing, it is possible the marriage will be pulled apart.

The Christian view of marriage, then, as Jesus quotes from Genesis 2, is that it is entered into by a man and woman, that a new family is created, and the couple is unified in marriage. That’s the way God made it to work from the start. Except for the hardness of our hearts, that’s the way it still works.

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.

Mark 9:38-50 - Lectionary for Pentecost 19B

9/27/2018

9/27/18
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

Jesus cares about truth. He even introduces himself as the truth. We saw in James 5:1-20 how valuable it is to correct someone. So how do we deal with those times when we think Christianity is being distorted or misrepresented? In my work I often visit different congregations, including those in different church bodies. I admit that it is sometimes hard to keep a poker face. “Really? Did I just hear something which was recognized as heresy in the third century? I wonder if they really meant it??”

What did Jesus say to do with the person who was doing miracles in Jesus’ name but was not part of Jesus’ apostolic group? While Jesus does point out the need for truth and for guarding against error, he also recognizes that some of the people we find unlikely do what Jesus wants, at least sometimes. Allow it. Find chances to correct, but allow Jesus’ work to continue. At the same time, we guard against error. It is better to endure tremendous loss in the things of this world than to depart from the Christian faith. We trust that the Lord’s Word is sufficient clear.

Unity in Christ will lead us to peace with one another. This is yet another way Christians change the world.

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.

Mark 9:30-37 - Lectionary for Pentecost 18B

9/20/2018

9/20/18
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

Who is the greatest? Our world has recently been shaken by a series of revelations about powerful people within a Christian body using their power and authority for evil instead of for good. And it isn’t unusual to hear bits and pieces of history, especially when secularists are talking about the growth and movement of Christianity, to be phrased in terms of winners and losers, those who are more powerful taking advantage of those who are less powerful, and the mighty trampling the weak.

Make no mistake about it. The New Testament clearly portrays Jesus as the mighty creator, redeemer, and king, in whom resides all power in heaven and earth. But we are well instructed to see how, in Mark 9:30-37, Jesus seems to consider his power to be well used. When his disciples are wanting to decide who is the greatest of them all, Jesus exalts a little child, who has no particular power or wisdom. Do we want to be like Jesus? Then we will also care for the needs of those who can’t take care of themselves. We minister to the weak, the unknown, and the unknowing. When we have power, and some of us do have considerable power and authority, we use it for the good of those in need.

The priest or pastor has the training, the authority, and the responsibility to bring God’s Word to his flock. He has it in his power to heal or to hurt, to bind up or to loosen, to build or to destroy. How does he use that training, authority, and responsibility? He is to use it for the good of Christ’s kingdom, which cares about the least of these little children.

What if he’s using it for something else? What did Jesus do to his apostles who wanted to exalt themselves above others? Jesus brought them up short and reminded them what his true interest was. That’s what Jesus has given generation after generation of godly leaders in Christianity to do. I’ve seen that in action in my own church body. Time after time, when someone is falling into error and sin, his brother pastors, both those placed over him in positions of authority and those who simply know him and care for him, will come to him, confront him with his sin, and correct him. By God’s grace, the erring pastor is usually led to repentance, forgiveness, and restoration. God’s people are protected. At times, that doesn’t happen, and there are consequences, even going so far as removal from the pastoral ministry, removal from the church body, and civil prosecution. But by God’s grace, most of the time, the offense is small and the restoration is quick and full.

How will we care for the least of these? Let’s do it and seek to do it in a way that would be pleasing to Jesus, the one who cares for the least of us.

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.

Mark 9:14-29 - Lectionary for Pentecost 17B

9/13/2018

9/13/18
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

This week’s Gospel reading is from Mark chapter nine. I’d like to use it briefly to practice a skill which all Christians should have. Please bear with me. In the passage, a crowd has gathered around a father and boy. The boy’s father has described a problem, which he says is an evil spirit. The description of symptoms looks a lot like epileptic seizures. Jesus, by his command, appears to bring healing to the boy.

Now, enter on the scene the disputer of this age who says this was merely a medical condition. After a seizure the person seems normal. All Jesus’ words did was to provide a little time until the seizure passed, then the boy was fine. Jesus could get the credit for healing. It’s all made up. The talk of evil spirits was just a cultural expectation. Therefore, the disputer today says, Christianity is just a sham. The outcome would have been the same regardless.

Let’s unpack this a little bit. First, observe that the putative author of Mark’s Gospel was an eyewitness or a long-time companion of an eyewitness, Peter. Disciples hungry for power would more likely have invented a story in which they would be the heroes, not the sadly faithless people who missed the boat and couldn’t do any good for anyone. There really isn’t an element of self-preservation in this story. It has all the marks of a true confession.

Second, there were multiple witnesses around. Some of the witnesses were hostile witnesses, the scribes. If this were a made-up story, they would have to be persuaded as well or the story could not survive without serious questions being raised.

Third, the command of Jesus provoked a new attack. This isn’t how epilepsy works. It looks more like a fairly desperate attempt by a spiritual power to retain influence in the boy’s life. When under threat of expulsion, the symptoms worsen, so much so that the boy seems to have died. Once again, there are a number of witnesses. It isn’t the kind of thing you forget easily. If someone is trying to make it into something it isn’t, you are very likely to complain, but we have no evidence of disputes.

What’s the logical conclusion we come to? The report in Mark’s Gospel is a credible eyewitness report of something which really happened in the presence of hostile witnesses who agreed about what happened. The events show all the signs of being supernatural in origin. And we have Jesus’ word that it was through prayer that the boy was rescued from an evil spirit. The wisest interpretation is to assume that the events really happened as we are told in the text.

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.

Mark 7:31-37 - Lectionary for Pentecost 16B

9/6/2018

9/6/18
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

Our Gospel passage from Mark 7:31-37 shows Jesus acting in love for his neighbor. He does this by bringing healing through very earthly means. After bringing the deaf man away by himself he engages in some very tactile actions. He touches the man’s ears and his tongue. Here Jesus also spits, which people try to interpret in many different ways. What is he doing? So far, everything Jesus has done can be understood by the deaf man. And the deaf man can agree with Jesus’ actions. When the fingers go in his ears he agrees that he can’t hear. When the finger t ouches the tongue he agrees that he has trouble speaking. But what does Jesus do next? He makes a command to the man’s ears. “Be opened.” Of course, the man cannot hear this command. He isn’t trying to hear. After all, he is deaf.

Jesus does what is impossible for this man. He opens his ears and frees his speech by his command. It’s a command which the man can’t even receive. Yet Jesus’ word is powerful.

What does Jesus do in his people and in the world? By his gracious word of command he gives life by creating faith to hear him. By his mercy he places us in a world where sick people recover, where food and water are generally readily available, and where we normally get along with one another relatively well. By his love he raises up those who will proclaim God’s words of Law and Gospel, calling us to sorrow for our sin and toreceive forgiveness, life, and salvation by grace through faith. God in Christ is good to this world, even when we don’t wish to listen to him. He cares regardless. Just like he can heal the deaf man through a word of command, he can bring the spiritually dead to life by the Gospel.

Our response? Believe that Jesus can really work in us, just as He did in the deaf man. He is faithful.

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.

Mark 7:14-23 - Lectionary for Pentecost 15B

8/30/2018

8/30/18
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

I occasionally have conversations with people who are of the opinion that Christians need to keep the Jewish dietary laws, or at least that keeping these laws is good, maybe because God prescribed them for health benefits. Our Gospel reading pushes us in a very different direction, though. Here, in Mark 7:14-23, Jesus observes that what goes in does come out. It is not a matter of taking in particular foods but a matter of what comes out.

At first glance we might see this as a move to overthrow the dietary law. In verse 20 it is stated outright. And we may well ask the purpose of the Jewish dietary law. Jesus says that all the Old Testament points to him. This is true, though difficult to see in its particulars, of the Jewish dietary law. The people of God are to be distinct from the rest of the world, including in what they eat. Most specifically, they are not to eat meat with its blood, as they await the time Jesus gives His body and blood. But they also avoid some of the most common things used for pagan sacrifices. Worship is for God alone.

Now Jesus takes that away, not because it is difficult, but because he has fulfilled it. He essentially calls us all out as defiled lawbreakers. Evil comes from us. The evil inside us defiles us. What are we to do?

Jesus does not make it plain in this passage of Mark. But elsewhere we are told to have God’s Word dwelling in us. What comes out then? What happens when the Holy Spirit is overflowing? We find that Jesus is cleansing us from evil and speaking through us for His good purposes. We find we are defiled so we ask his forgiveness. Have no fear! Jesus is faithful to forgive. And that’s what it’s about, not food. Jesus is the one who proclaims his people clean, and so they are. His work to heal and forgive extends as far as his words of purification go. This is the good news of Mark 7:14-23.

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.

Mark 7:1-13 - Lectionary for Pentecost 14B

8/23/2018

8/23/18
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

Our Gospel passage for this week brings up a challenge which has existed throughout the history of Christianity. Here Jesus and the Pharisees clash over tradition. This is not an unusual clash. To this day, many Christians with good motives complain that all traditions should beremoved from the life of the Christian, arguing from this passage of Scripture.

There’s a deep flaw in the discussion. Here it is. Jesus didn’t say to get rid of all traditions. He said that Scripture is not bound by our man-made traditions. Jesus asserted many things which could be rightly considered traditions. Think of the way he assembled with others for Scripture and set prayers on the Sabbath. Consider the fact that he would stand for reading and sit for teaching, a tradition in the synagogue but certainly not prescribed by God. Jesus has nothing against tradition. He even taught his disciples some new traditions which they were to perpetuate!

What is the point, then? It is that God’s Word is what should establish our tradition. Our practice is to be based on God’s revealed will, not on our own ideas. And if we are going to say that God’s Word is foundational to all our traditions, we need to be willing to change the tradition if and when we find that they conflict with Scripture.

For many years I was involved in a Christian tradition which rejected traditional practices. We objected to historic Christian liturgy. We always wanted to find something new. This point of view rejects the idea that God’s people have had faithful witnesses in every age. It seeks to recreate everything from the ground up. This is also not right. Jesus uses tradition. And when something is right, it is right, even if you have done it before.

May we have grace to find the traditions which spring from Scripture and to use them to nurture faith in Christians.

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.

Mark 6:45-56 - Lectionary for Pentecost 10B

7/26/2018

7/26/18
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

In Mark 6:52 the disciples in the boat were amazed at Jesus’ work because they had not understood what he did with the loaves when he fed the multitude. Is that confusing? What does the multiplication of bread have to do with Jesus’ walking on water, calming a storm, and joining his disciples in the boat?

Jesus was able to pull piece after piece of bread off of five loaves of bread, until he had fed thousands of people and they had twelve baskets of leftovers to pick up. How is this possible? He not only fed people without the supply being diminished, but it was more than replenished! In the same way, Jesus was able to walk across the water in the middle of the night to come to his disciples, despite the distance, the depth, the dangerous waves, or the dreadful wind. Jesus is not bound by the difficulty of the task. He is bound by his compassion for those in need. His disciples were going to die. Left out in the fields, the crowd he fed would also have died eventually. Jesus doesn’t allow death to hinder his compassion. He was able to walk on the water.

Jesus could multiply the bread and the fish because he is greater than natural forces. He commands it to be so and it is. This is exactly the way he calmed the storm. He who created the heavens and earth by his gracious command is also able to sustain it and order it. A little localized storm is no more work for Jesus than doing the little bit of food preparation he did. Actually, the storm was less work than the food preparation. Have you ever pulled five thousand plus servings of food apart with your hands? I can easily imagine his hands and arms being very tired. It was a lot of work. In comparison, he spoke to the wind and it obeyed him. It didn’t even take much talking. Jesus is greater than natural forces.

Jesus cared about his disciples. He had compassion on them. He saw them struggling. The wind was contrary, they were tired after being up all day and most of the night, and He had compassion on those disciples, just as he had compassion on the people who had run to hear him. The disciples in their boat were like sheep without a shepherd. They needed their master, Jesus. He joined with them in the boat.

Jesus is exactly the kind of Lord who has compasssion on a crowd of strangers and feeds them. He is exactly the kind of Lord who cares about the life and well being of his disciples. He is exactly the kind of Lord who cares for all who trust him. Do we doubt? It is because we also don’t understand about the loaves.

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.

Mark 6:30-44 - Lectionary for Pentecost 9B

7/19/2018

7/19/18
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

Mark 6:34 speaks of Jesus’ reaction to the crowds which were pursuing him. He saw they were like sheep without a shepherd. He had compassion on them. Jesus had already shown himself to be a healer, a teacher, a preacher. This attracted crowds. But we notice here that the crowds figured out where Jesus would appear and they ran ahead to meet him there. He was not being called upon to heal the sick or raise the dead at this time. Sick and dead people don’t run ahead faster than perfectly healthy disciples. These are crowds with some other objective. They want to be taught. They want to be prayed for.

I realize that many pastors and teachers would love to be in this very position. It isn’t unusual for me to hear from pastors who are basically commisterating. “Why is it so hard to get people to come to confirmation class? Why won’t they do the studies of Scripture I advise them to do? Why is the Bible class nearly empty? Why is it that football games take priority over receiving the Word of Life on Sunday?”

Honestly, if people in our community really got a handle on what the Church is passing out, the doors of the church building would be broken down right away. Why is that? If we realized our hopeless condition before God, if we realized that we were desperately in need of forgiveness, if we understood that it is through Word and Sacrament that we are nourished for eternity and equipped for every trial in this life, we would be exactly the kind of people who would run ahead and arrive before Jesus and his disciples! The pastor would go to the church building before the posted service time, find the door knocked down and the pews and aisles full of people eagerly waiting to hear what Jesus does.

Where do we see this? Or do we at all? I have seen this attitude among people in nursing homes and hospitals. “We are so happy that you came. You have God’s Word. You cared enough to bring Word and Sacrament to us. We could not endure without it.” Yes, in those very words. Others have seen that eagerness for God’s Word among people in difficult and even seemingly desperate settings. We can think of people in poverty and need for whom death may be looming. They have no hope of remaining in the body for long, but they look to be nourished with eternal hope. We can think of the photos taken of busy chaplains in World War II at the invasion of Normandy. In the midst of death and destruction, many soldiers, if they saw a chaplain, would come for confession and communion. Eternal hope.

Jesus is moved by compassion. He sees us. He brings us His Word and all his other gifts as well. It’s worth running ahead of everyone else.

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.

Mark 6:14-29 - Lectionary for Pentecost 8B

7/12/2018

7/12/18
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

Our Gospel reading for this week is found in Mark chapter 6, beginning at verse 14. Immediately before, Jesus had sent out his disciples to preach, teach, and heal.

King Herod heard of the miracles. He wanted to explain them somehow. The most likely explanation he can come up with is a resurrection. If, for instance, Jesus were a prophet who had been raised from the dead, maybe he could do these miracles. Herod decided he must be a resurrected John the Baptist.

This idea gives Mark an excuse to tell the story of the way John had been killed. We notice that Herod didn’t want to have John killed. However, because John had been speaking out against Herod’s sin, he couldn’t simply release John.

In a moment of passion, at a birthday party, Herod promised to do whatever his neice/stepdaughter asked. She demanded the execution of John. Herod really had no choice but to comply.

John never rose from the dead, though he will in the last day. But Jesus still had God’s power working in Him. He had no need for anyone else’s resurrection. Jesus alone makes a valid claim to be the resurrection and the life. We can take the risk of trusting Jesus and the power of His resurrection. He acts as the power of God. It’s really no risk at all.

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.

Mark 6:1-13 - Lectionary for Pentecost 7B

7/5/2018

7/5/18
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

In Mark chapter six we find Jesus running into a brick wall. He is not able to do miracles in his home town. We may well ask why not. The people didn’t believe him. They rejected him, saying that he was merely a guy they knew, taking him for granted, assuming that there was nothing special about him. They despised his authority, his ability, and his claims to divinity.

Yes, Jesus is able to do miracles regardless of our attitude toward him. But when he is rejected and despised, his miraculous grace is not delivered effectively to his opponents. It is as if he says, “Fine! You wish to reject my love, mercy, and grace so as to work out salvation on your own terms? I will leave you to it. Go ahead and deal with sin and death as well as you can.” This is, after all, why not all are saved even though Jesus is the savior of the world.

What’s really surprising in this passage, though, is that Jesus sends out some of his disciples and gives them the power to do the same kind of healing works that he would do. In their dependence on Jesus, they are also able to heal and cast out demons. Jesus’ power even works through his followers who believe. And we might question their belief as well. They seem genuinely surprised that they are able to do what Jesus sent them to do.

The principle in operation here is simply trusting Jesus enough to take him at his word. He says he is the savior. He speaks the truth. We expect that he will do what he has said, and he does it. Thanks be to God.

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.

Mark 5:21-43 - Lectionary for Pentecost 6B

6/28/2018

6/28/18
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

In Mark 5:21-43 we are in the habit of noticing how Mark tells of the healing of a woman in between parts of his story about Jesus raising the synagogue leader’s daughter from the dead. We use this situation to observe how Jesus can accomplish several things at once.

What we frequently ignore is the overall setting. Jesus has arrived at the shore of the Sea of Galilee with his disciples. He’s surrounded by people who are hungry for his teaching about the kingdom of God. Mark tells us several times in short order that it’s a large crowd. The people are pressing toward him, crowding him, following him.

Any normal human being who wants to gain a following is going to do one and only one thing in this setting. He will give the crowd what they want. He will preach and teach, maybe heal a few people in the crowd, and he will make sure everyone knows what he is doing. That’s the way we gather followers. That’s the way people make a name for themselves. That’s the path to fame and fortune.

Jesus does quite the opposite. He is told of the daughter’s condition. He leaves the crowd. When they get to the house, the crowd is shut out. Even the friends and family who have gathered to mourn are closed out. With the girl lying dead on the bed, and accompanied by her parents and Peter, James and John, Jesus raises the girl from the dead. There are only seven people in the room.

The New Testament doesn’t describe a Christ who is begging for attention. It describes a Christ who cares for individuals, who gives his life for them. It describes a Christ who has given his life for you and for me. It tells of a way of salvation that passes through death and into resurrection, not the way an earthly ruler would choose to go. Jesus is no earthly ruler. He’s the divine Lord of all, who cares even about the little girl at her home, away from the crowd. He’s the Lord who lavishes his care on all who believe. He’s much more than a guy with a Messiah complex. He is the true Messiah, the anointed deliverer.

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.

Mark 4:35-41 - Lectionary for Pentecost 5B

6/21/2018

6/21/18
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

Jesus’ actions, as reported in the Gospels, are sometimes very intimidating. The Evangelists are apparently persuaded that Jesus is, in fact, divine. He certainly acts upon that assumption. This account, which we should be reminded was written during the time period when there were still living eyewitnesses of the resurrection of Christ, and was apparently written by a companion of one of the people in the boat with Jesus, is no different.

I’d like us to notice quickly that Jesus, after working very hard, was tired. He was tired enough to be asleep in a boat, pitching on the water, probably with a bit of commotion as the fishermen guiding the boat were becoming fearful for their lives. This was no pleasure cruise. The fishermen were familiar with boats and with these waters. They knew when to be afraid they would drown.

It’s amazing how we sanitize Jesus and let him take a little nap because he isn’t good at rowing. On the contrary, he is bone tired and sleeping because he is exhausted. He is familiar with hardship. No matter how hard we work, and many times we work hard, we are no more exhausted than he. He knows our weakness.

When the apostles awaken Jesus, they awaken him with an accusation. They think he doesn’t care for them and that he is letting them go to their deaths! Nobody has ever awakened me in the middle of the night by asking me why I don’t care and am trying to bring on his death for him. I’m not sure how I would react to that. I would probably smack the person as an idiot and then grumble over losing some sleep.

That isn’t what Jesus does. What does he do? He goes and acts like God. He doesn’t smack the wind and the waves. That won’t do anything. He rebukes them. This is a very divine thing to do. But the one who created all things by his word (Genesis 1) is also able to govern them that way. When you or I go outside and tell the weather to change it is utterly unresponsive. But when Jesus tells the wind and waves they don’t have permission to kill his disciples just yet, they obey. In retrospect, this is consistent with the idea I opened with. Jesus seems to act like he thinks he is God. And all creation responds as if he’s right.

One last idea and I’ll quit. Jesus doesn’t let his disciples off the hook. They were accusing him of sending them to their death. He is the one who said, in verse 35, they should go across the lake. That’s exactly what he intended. And if Jesus plans to cross the lake, they will get across the lake. Jesus points out to his disciples that he will make sure they get to the destination. They are, after all, with him. They may not understand how he’s going to do it. They haven’t foreseen all the obstacles on the route. But he’s going to finish what he started. Again, this is consistent with the Jesus pattern that we see throughout the Bible. When he says he will do something, he always does it, even if it’s something impossible for us. He’s the ultimate credible witness.

The disciples are rebuked for their lack of faith. What happens then? He doesn’t fire them. He doesn’t toss them out of the boat, take the boat himself, and leave them behind. He doesn’t distance himself from them in any way. He has corrected them and they are corrected. There’s restoration.

How have we failed God? Not in any way that will prevent forgiveness and restoration. God’s mercy doesn’t give us a free pass to complain about him. But it does mean that whenever we are conscious of our sin and failure He will bring forgiveness. He’s able to do that also. He said so.

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.

Mark 4:26-34 - Lectionary for Pentecost 4B

6/14/2018

6/14/18
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

Like many Americans of my age, I enjoy a little gardening. The scenario in Mark 4:26 and following makes some sense to me. I prepare the space and plant some things. The seeds don’t seem like much of anything. And, especially if it’s a little cold, we go through some time wondering if anything will come of it. However, there’s really not much to be done about it. We sleep, rise, work, rest, repeat. Some days or even weeks later, God provides an increase. We care for the garden as well as we reasonably can. Yet, ultimately we are unable to bring life where the conditions won’t sustain it.

Jesus describes the Kingdom of Heaven this way. We plant God’s Word in our hearts, in the lives of those around us, anywhere we can. The world is the field. We pray and hope for the best. By His mercy and grace, God takes His Word and makes it grow. We don’t know how. Our labor is used by God but it is according to His will, not ours. Our fear, our anxiety, our sleepless nights - these make no increase. Only God brings the increase. We can rest in faith, knowing that God will do His will, and that His will is good. May He bring a great increase.

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.