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Peter & John — Mark 10:17-31

08 Oct
As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’” “Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!” This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God. In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked. Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.” Then Peter began to speak up. “We’ve given up everything to follow you,” he said. “Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life. But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.”
Mark 10:17-31
Dear God, there is something in our nature that wants to “inherit eternal life.” There are some revealing things in this passage about the disciples’ thinking about things. Perhaps they reveal something about our own thinking.
  • It seems like we are always worried about what is next as opposed to worrying about what’s now. Wouldn’t a better question for this young man to ask have been, “Good teacher, what must I do to be in complete relationship with God now?” Ironically, Jesus’ answer would probably have been the same. I saw a billboard yesterday on the Interstate that said, “When you die you WILL meet God.” Yes, that’s true, and that’s an interesting threat to give someone while they are driving at 75 mph. And maybe that works on some people. I would prefer to think about being at peace with the God of the universe now and then think about meeting you later.
  • The disciples were still in the mindset that everything is easier when you have plenty of money. Now for some things that is definitely true. I am the director of a nonprofit and I always joke that the board meetings are a lot easier when there is plenty of money. But the money only goes so far. My wife and I were talking the other day about a friend who has made plenty of money, but he just uses it to continue to buy toys, vacations, and comfort. The phrase we used (which I learned from a Sesame Street/Cookie Monster sketch when I was little) is that he is looking for “everlasting joy and happiness.” He won’t find it doing what he’s doing. The other thing I’ve learned about giving is that if we don’t do it when we have a little, it is likely that we won’t do it when we have more. It’s an attitude of sacrifice that is learned, and it can be hard for a person who has never done it to give at a significant level when they have more.
    Peter exhibits that insecure five-year-old that is inside all of us. Can’t you just hear a parent being critical of a child for not making their bed or cleaning up after themselves and their little brother comes in and says, “I made my bed this morning! I’m good, right?” That’s Peter here, and that insecure child is in all of us.
Father, help me to simply rest in you. I’m in the middle of an extended vacation and I don’t have much practice at this. I don’t feel like I do it very well. But I know that I want to get out of this time what you have for me. So please make me very present in this moment. Help me to rest. Help me to love my wife. Help me to receive love from her. And help me to not miss the opportunities that you put in front of me.
In Jesus’ name I pray,
Amen
 
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Posted by on October 8, 2018 in Mark, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Mark 10:13-16

07 Oct
One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.
Mark 10:13-16
Dear God, thinking about this story from the perspectives of the disciples (and presumably both Peter and John), I wonder how hard it was for them to do crowd control for Jesus. Were they used to scolding everyone who tried to encroach on Jesus’ space and time, or did they specifically see the children as insignificant? And what motivated the parents to bring their children? What was the result for which they were hoping?
What we often forget about children is that they are tomorrow’s adults. The seeds we plant into them now are what we will reap as a society for the next 50-70 years. The problem that you showed me 15 years ago is that there is a large chunk of our society’s children growing up traumatized and impacted by multigenerational poverty.
Our own town has a children crisis on a couple of levels. The most obvious one is that there is almost no childcare for young children birth to four. Parents trying to support themselves can’t find a safe place for their children. And then there are so many who are growing up in hellacious environments, carrying what they are learning into adulthood.
Father, help me to know what you would have me to do about this problem. You have given me specific experiences and sets of knowledge in this area. Show me what you want me to do with it and bless whatever the work is.
In Jesus’ name I pray,
Amen
 
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Posted by on October 7, 2018 in Mark, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Mark 9:30-37

04 Oct
Leaving that region, they traveled through Galilee. Jesus didn’t want anyone to know he was there, for he wanted to spend more time with his disciples and teach them. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. He will be killed, but three days later he will rise from the dead.” They didn’t understand what he was saying, however, and they were afraid to ask him what he meant. After they arrived at Capernaum and settled in a house, Jesus asked his disciples, “What were you discussing out on the road?” But they didn’t answer, because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve disciples over to him, and said, “Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.” Then he put a little child among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me but also my Father who sent me.”
Mark 9:30-37
Dear God, I wonder what that conversation on the road was like. I would love to have overheard it. It’s easiest for us to sit here 2,000 years later and judge them for their arrogance and hubris because we know what their path held. We know that all of them (including Judas) would die ugly deaths except for John. We know the hardships and persecutions. We know that there will be no earthly glory for them in their lifetimes. They were such fools!
At least, that’s what we think with our perfect hindsight vision. But are we any different? This series that I am doing is about Peter and John and how they compared and contrasted with each other, but in this case they were probably on the same page. I am certain that Christians today are on the same page, and I am no exception. I want to be important. I want to have influence. I’m not looking for people to judge and rule over, but I do want people to hold me in high regard. My arrogance pushes me towards wanting to be a person of influence.
At the end of the day, if I really stop and think about it, the reason I want this influence and respect is because I want to ensure my earthly comfort. In the disciples’ case I think they wanted to feel ruling power and know that they would have fewer earthly struggles (the opposite turned out to be true). In my case, I want to use my personality to provide for my wife and me so that we will have as few of struggles as possible. My altruism is even tinged and tainted by my selfishness. I think the same is true of many of us if we think about it. We want to be great in your kingdom, and we want that greatness to pay off in some way while we are here on earth.
Father, Jesus didn’t say in this passage the I have to become like a little child (he says that in other places). No, in this case, he says that I must welcome the little child. In welcoming a little child, I am giving myself for someone who has nothing to offer that will change my physical station in life. As I read this passage this morning, I don’t think this passage is as much about specifically welcoming children as much as it is about welcoming and loving those who have nothing to offer you in return in terms of prestige and power. Loving these types of people in such a completely selfless way is how we welcome you into our hearts.
In Jesus’ name I pray,
Amen
 
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Posted by on October 4, 2018 in Mark, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Mark 6:45-52

27 Sep

Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and head across the lake to Bethsaida, while he sent the people home. After telling everyone good-bye, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Late that night, the disciples were in their boat in the middle of the lake, and Jesus was alone on land. He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. He intended to go past them, but when they saw him walking on the water, they cried out in terror, thinking he was a ghost. They were all terrified when they saw him. But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage! I am here!” Then he climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped. They were totally amazed, for they still didn’t understand the significance of the miracle of the loaves. Their hearts were too hard to take it in.

Mark 6:45-52

Dear God, it’s this last sentence that stopped me here today. It gives us some insight not into Jesus, but into what it was like to be with him through this experience. From the story right before this about the feeding miracle, we learned they were tired. Now, even though they went out in pairs and did all of these miraculous things, their fatigue was hardening them.

This is a fascinating time for me because I’m as tired at work as I’ve ever been. I have two more days to go before my vacation starts, but I can see how my responses to people are a little different over the last couple of days than they normally are. Examples:

  • I snapped at a volunteer Tuesday afternoon in a manner that I never would have otherwise.
  • I had an office manager from a medical specialist to who our clinic sends referrals call to complain about the behavior of a patient. This patient had offended me earlier in the week, so I called the patient and tersely laid down the law in a way I normally don’t.
  • I have a colleague who can sometimes be abrasive who came at me with some unwelcome suggestions, and I didn’t handle them or her nearly as well as I should have.
  • I had to be blunt with a dear, honorable, well-intentioned man who is doing something that needed to be stopped. I think I handled that as well as I could, but I still know I wasn’t at my best in my interactions with him.

And these are just the examples I’m aware of. I’m sure my heart has hardened in many way I cannot see. In fact, I had an employee come and ask if I was mad at them because of something I had said and the way I said it. So yeah, my heart is hard.

Father, I have two more days ahead of me that require the best out of me, and the only way for me to deliver it is to let go. I’ve got to stop trying to get all of the work ahead of me done in my power, but trust that you, working through me, will accomplish your will. I’m sorry for my fussiness. Please forgive my failure to rest in you and for trying to hit the finish line with my own strength. Help me to do better today.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 27, 2018 in Mark, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Matthew 26:31-35

13 Sep

On the way, Jesus told them, “Tonight all of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say, ‘God will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I have been raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.” Peter declared, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you.” Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” “No!” Peter insisted. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the other disciples vowed the same.

Matthew 26:31-35

Dear God, I can appreciate Peter’s sentiment here. I want to believe the best about myself. I want to see myself as brave. In a world of church and school shootings, I’ve sat next to my wife in church and imagined what I would do if there was a shooter. I have to tell you, in my mind, I often come off as very brave, although it usually involves me dying in the process. But is that really what I would do.

I think I remember when I was growing up hearing people commonly say, “I’m willing to die for our freedoms.” But 9-11 changed that. When we all started to feel vulnerable of a mass scale we decided that it was okay to sacrifice some of our freedoms so that the government could do more to protect us. We gave them some of our privacy and in exchange we received some pretty good protections.

As for John and the other disciples, I wonder how many of them were ready to leave immediately. Hearing Jesus talk like this must have been difficult. It’s hard to be a coward while another one in your group is exhibiting so much bravery. But I’m sure at least a couple of them were saying, “Oh yeah, me too!” but inside they were thinking, “I think I have to go to the bathroom. I wonder if anyone will miss me if I don’t come back for awhile.

Father, there are a few lessons for me in this. One is of humility. I am not as strong as I think or hope I am. The other is leadership. Peters declarations, albeit hubristic, led those who were afraid to at least say the right thing. It was positive peer pressure. Well, I have that opportunity every day, not only in my work, but in my other relationships as well. So I guess my prayer is that you make me a humble and wise leader. And do it all for your glory.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 13, 2018 in Matthew, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Matthew 26:6-10,14-15

12 Sep

Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over his head. The disciples were indignant when they saw this. “What a waste!” they said. “It could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.” But Jesus, aware of this, replied, “Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to me? Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests and asked, “How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?” And they gave him thirty pieces of silver.

Matthew 26:6-10,14-15

Dear God, here’s something I don’t think I had ever linked. I don’t think I had ever wondered whether there was a connection between Simon the Leper and the woman with the perfume. Was Simon her friend? Is her gratitude for what Jesus did for Simon what drove her to do what she did? It’s never mentioned, but it’s an interesting, albeit vague, detail.

From there, I wonder how much of what the “disciples” were thinking and saying was shared by all or just a few. Did Peter and/or John agree? And then at the end, we know what Judas did. How many other disciples left this encounter angry and I satisfied?

I guess the final question is, how do I feel about this woman doing it and Jesus’ response? How often do I criticize how others worship you? Perhaps it is being critical of their style of worship. Perhaps I don’t like how they give their money. Maybe I’m just insecure about how my worship measures up or judgmental about how they aren’t as good as me.

Father, help me to look for and see the best in others. Help me to see those who love you and worship you along with them. Help me to learn from them. Help us to build your community so that others will be drawn to you.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 12, 2018 in Matthew, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Matthew 24:1-3

11 Sep

As Jesus was leaving the Temple grounds, his disciples pointed out to him the various Temple buildings. But he responded, “Do you see all these buildings? I tell you the truth, they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!” Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world? ”

Matthew 24:1-3

Dead God, I’d love to know more specifically who was talking when “the disciples” ask Jesus questions. It seems Matthew likes to tell us when it’s Peter speaking, but other than that we rarely get an insight into who is speaking. So I’ll just assume that, for the purposes of looking at Peter and John, that they were both thinking what “the disciples” were thinking in this story.

I’ve been in places before where I’ve told the person I’m with, “Wow, look at that building (or mountain, or valley, etc.).” I’ve been impressed with what I’m seeing. In this case, it seems that Jesus was trying to keep them dialed in and focused for this week. It’s almost as if to say, “Hey guys, we’re not here this week to take in the sites. We have work to do. I have work to do.” It’s like the coach of a small football team that takes his team to a big stadium to play. He’s trying to keep a team focused on the game and not let them get distracted by the beauty that, at the end of the day, doesn’t matter to how the team will perform.

Father, help me to keep my eye on the ball and stay focused. There is a lot of stuff going on. In fact, today is a huge day at work. I ask for your blessing upon this day. Make this work for your glory. And help me to see what’s important and what isn’t.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 11, 2018 in Matthew, Peter and John

 

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Emails to God – Matthew’s Wrap-Up (Matthew 28:16-20)

25 May

16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Dear God, this ending seems so abrupt, especially considering some of the details we get in the other Gospels. Was Matthew just trying to get this story wrapped up? Also, it is interesting that in verse 17 it says that “some doubted.” What did they doubt? What did they see while they were there? For such a long book that gives us such great details (including all of the genealogy stuff at the beginning) it seems that this ending just doesn’t make sense.

Of course, the big thing that all evangelicals quote from this is verse 19. It’s an important thing for all of us to remember that we are to be about making disciples of Jesus. For all that Matthew lacks in his wrap up, he and Mark are the only ones who talk about the disciples being charged with preaching the Gospel. In fact, it is interesting to go and look at each Gospel to see how they end. Each one is certainly unique.

Father, help me to be a person who is about, above all else, making disciples. I feel like I fail often in that way. In fact, now that I think about it, I had an opportunity yesterday with a friend that I missed. He is suffering a bit, and we had lunch together. Hmm. Somehow, I didn’t even think to bring you up. How awful is that? Please forgive me and make me more sensitive to the still, small voice that you are speaking to me at any given time.

 
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Posted by on May 25, 2012 in Matthew

 

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Emails to God – Venial and Mortal Sins (Matthew 26:47-56)

03 May

47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” 49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.

50 Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”

Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. 51 With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

52 “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”

55 In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. 56 But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

Dear God, I looked up several translations and all of them used the word “friend” in verse 50, so I assume that that is a good word for whatever the original text reads—“friend”. It would have been one thing if Jesus had said, “Do what you came for, Judas.” He could have called him any other name, frankly, but “friend” would had to have made a huge impact on Judas as Jesus said the word. I can only imagine the pain in Jesus’ eyes and voice when he said it. I can only imagine how Judas must have felt at that moment.

I heard a story yesterday about a politician who committed a little sin (Catholics would call it a venial sin), but then as things began to unravel he ended up committing some major sins, including lying to the FBI during their investigation and getting others to lie for him (we’ll call this the mortal sin). When it was all over he spent a year in federal prison.

My problem with dilineating between the two types of sin and not saying they are of equal offense to you is that the little sin that we justify to ourselves can, and will, often lead to the much larger sin, and, before we know it, things are out of control. Jesus addressed this in the sermon on the mount. He addressed it by saying that the lustful eye is as good as committing adultery. He said that hate is as equal to murder. Allowing the little sin into our heart will simply give the sin a place to grow. In Judas’ case, he allowed his frustration with Jesus to grow into a hatred for Jesus. Then his hatred combined with his greed and he ended up selling his allegiance and betraying the God of the universe who had called him “friend”.

Father, help me to live a pure life. The last week or so I have been walking around with this little check in my spirit, and I can’t figure out where it is coming from. I keep examining my life to see if there is something I am doing, or not doing, that is bothering my conscience. I can’t think of what it is, but there is something there. Please reveal whatever is haunting me to my conscious self so that I might deal with it, repent of it, if necessary, and move on in a right relationship with you. I don’t want to allow anything to grow in me that isn’t of you.

 
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Posted by on May 3, 2012 in Matthew

 

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Emails to God – When God was Afraid (Matthew 26:36-46)

01 May

36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

Dear God, thank you that Jesus was fully human. Thank you that, through his earthly life, you understand fear. You understand the sorrow of a suffering parent. You understand being on the receiving end of injustice. You understand being let down by your friends in your own time of need. You understand betrayal when you are vulnerable. Without the sacrifice of Jesus spending 33 years on earth and then being killed in such a terrible way, then we would have a God who doesn’t really know us. You could sympathize, but could you empathize.

I know that Jesus’ death and resurrection was essential to salvation (especially for Gentiles like me), but what made it the perfect plan was that you brought yourself into the world, not to condemn it, but to save it. You came to tell people like me that it is okay. You love me. You support me. You understand me in a way that only an empathetic creator can.

Father, this is a hard scene to read. It is hard to see Jesus afraid. It is hard to see him reluctant and scared. But then I’m sure it is hard for you to see us afraid. I know that a piece of you hurts when we suffer. I know that I hurt the worst for my own children when they experience a pain in their childhood that I experienced in mine, so I am sure the same is true for you. Thank you again for coming down to my level and experiencing all of this. It could have played out differently to accomplish your goals, but your plan’s perfection included your ability to empathize with me.

 
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Posted by on May 1, 2012 in Matthew

 

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