What Matters

Journal: Mark 6:38-44

'They all ate and were satisfied.' (v 42)

What a scene it must have been.  Five thousand men, thousands more women and children, a hot sun, flustered disciples and a lot of grumbling stomachs.  In this miracle Jesus demonstrates that his compassion for the people extended to their physical welfare.  Jesus personified God's concern for the whole person, not some just some dis-connected, ethereal soul.

And when Jesus fed the people, they were satisfied.  The stomachs were full with more than enough, more than what was started with.  This is how it is with Jesus: he shows that we are loved by a 'more than enough' God.  His grace overflows into our lives.  His mercies are new every morning and his love is steadfast, sure and able to save.

Father, thank you that your love spills over into my life in countless ways.  Thank you that your grace is sufficient for me - that in You I have more than enough.

Journal: Mark 6:30-37

'So he began teaching them many things.' (v 34)

The crowds get bigger and bigger.  It's a circus really.  While Jesus seeks out the quiet and solitary places the people give him little rest.  Rather than showing anger or annoyance, Jesus looks at them with compassion, as he senses their desperate need for leadership.  What he does next is fascinating.

Jesus does not perform miracles - he teaches.  He leads the people into the Truth that he personifies.  For three years Jesus taught and taught and taught.  Many (most?) of these teachings remain with us in the four gospels.  Jesus was and is the Living Word of Truth.  Wisdom comes from immersing ourselves in the Truth that comes to us in Jesus.

Jesus' teaching was life-giving and life-changing.  His teaching was and is life.  I am a Minister of the Word.  Not my words, but His Word.  My words are empty vapor.  His Word is life and truth and meaning.  My words last barely past the moment I utter them.  His Word endures forever.

Father, thank you for the privilege of speaking your Word.  May I be faithful and true to it.  May your Word always do its work on me first.

Journal: Mark 6:14-29

"I want you to give right now the head of John and Baptist on a platter." (v 25)

John the Baptizer lived a hard life in the wilderness eating locusts and honey.  He knew deprivation and the curses of those who opposed him and his message of repentance - the religious and political establishment.  His message and ministry prepared the way for Jesus.  His message and his ministry led to his death.

As it was with John, so it has been down the ages since for those who have prepared the way for Jesus.  Martyrdom has been the cross many have born.  More often than not such martyrdom has resulted from the simple decision to refuse to bow to any other Lord except Jesus Christ.

When Jesus asks me to take up my cross and follow him, how literally am I prepared to accede to his command?  Am I willing to die for my faith as well as die to self?  If I am ever so challenged to make such a decision, will I turn in that moment to God to enable me to be 'strong and courageous', recognizing that even in that moment God is with me?

God, I am in awe of the millions who have been prepared to give up their breath in order to follow you.  May something of their commitment and courage be evidenced in my life I pray.

Let's Talk About Sex: Part Three

A message on marriage and sex.  Who would be bold enough to address such a topic, especially when their husband and kids were part of the congregation.  Melissa Lipsett does a great job finishing up out three-week series on this really important topic.  Listen in...Download lets_talk_about_sex_part_two.mp3

Jesus Uncensored: Prophet Without Honor

Familiarity breeds contempt, so the saying goes.  It seems this was true in the case of Jesus.  His hometown treated him with disdain.  We are prone to do the same.  Listen in as Russell Knight preaches from Mark 6:1-6...Download 01_track_01.mp3

Journal: Mark 6:7-13

'These were his instructions: "Take nothing for the journey except a staff - no bread, no bag, no money in your belts."' (v 8)

Jesus traveled light and he wanted the disciples to do the same.  So when he sends them out they are to go leaving behind any reliance on safety and security trusting that God will provide for them.  Of course they do not go empty-handed.  They go with the commission of Jesus ringing in their ears.  He is sending them.  It follows that he will be with them.

The disciples follow Jesus' instructions and they preach repentance, performed exorcisms and healed people.  Following Jesus they did what previously would have been through to be impossible.

Jesus sends me, just as he sent the disciples.  Too readily I go relying on my own ingenuity, resources and plans.  But Jesus wants me to go simply with his commission and a deep reliance on the Spirit to enable me to do all that he commands.  It is God working through me, not me working for God.

Jesus, as you send me, may I go only with your commission and a deep reliance on your Spirit.  Thank you for equipping me to serve.

Let's Talk About Sex: Part Two

Liz Giovas preached a ripper message on sex and dating.  Biblical, memorable, direct and funny - you should really listen to it.  Except, aargh, it was not recorded!  Our tech guys at church do an amazing job, bit unfortunately last Sunday night the CD recorder was not on.  So you will have to just ask Liz for the advice and insight you need.  I'm sure she is only too willing to offer it!

Journal: Mark 6:1-6

'And they took offense at him.' (v 3b)

Jesus was not welcomed home as the local boy made good.  Rather, he was treated with arms folded with suspicion, snide whispers and in the end, contempt.  When his hometown saw Jesus they could only see the carpenter's son - the kid who had run up and down their dusty streets who still had family, ordinary people like them, living amongst them.  Why was Jesus so special?  What set him apart?

Their eyes blinkered by their envy and prejudice disabled not only them, it also hampered Jesus' ability to work amongst them.  Their lack of faith smothered the possibility of Jesus performing the type of miracles that had been the hallmark of his ministry.  In performing miracles, Jesus seems to work with people's openness to God in unleashing the extraordinary.  There is no such openness in his hometown.

Familiarity breeds contempt, so the saying goes.  I wonder sometimes whether we become so familiar with the gospel, the radical Good News that comes to us in Jesus, that we treat it with benign disdain.  The good news is really Good News when it becomes part of who we are - when it does its radical work on our heart and soul.  Only then, as our we are being continuously renewed by the Spirit of God will God's action become more and more apparent to us.

Lord, shake any vestiges of contemptible familiarity out of me when it comes to your gospel.  May I always welcome you into the home of my heart as an honored guest - more than that - my Lord. 

Journal: Mark 5:35-43

'Jesus told the synagogue ruler, "Don't be afraid; just believe."' (v36)

Desperate times call for desperate measures.  Jairus was a ruler in the synagogue - a man of wisdom and great honor in his community.  To humble himself in this way was counter-cultural, shameful even.  Coming to a Rabbi (Jesus) who was suspect at best in the eyes of the religious authorities was costly to his reputation, perhaps even his position and livelihood in the long run.  But out of desperation he came.

Jesus words to Jairus sound like those some dodgy and slick 'faith-healer' might use.  Just believe - isn't this what Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland et al might say?  After the offering announcement of course. Belief that trusts.  Belief that acts on that trust.  This is the belief that Jesus required and still needs. Belief that sets aside pride in order to completely surrender to the sovereignty of God we experience in Jesus the Christ.

Father, help me to yield all of my life to you, including position and pride, in order that might more fully live with you.

Journal: Mark 5:21-34

'He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you.  Go in peace and be freed from your suffering."' (v34)

I believe God can heal.  I've seen God heal.  I've hear the testimony of many others who have been healed.  I passionately believe that God still heals people.  But I don't understand why it is that some are healed and others are not.  I struggle with it - really struggle.

Is faith the key?  Jesus' words seem to suggest that it is a key.  But, for me at least, it is not the key.  Healing takes place when people step out of their comfort zone and admit their need of God's intervention in their life.  The gospels are full of stories like this.  But still people come to God with faithful expectation pleading with God for healing and restoration and....nothing happens.  All they and we are left with are the empty questions beginning with that forlorn word, 'Why..?'

Faith is a key, but it not the key.  It is not the key that unlocks the box and effectively allows us to control God.  'I have faith, therefore God will heal me.'  Jesus taught us to pray your kingdom come, your will be done.  In the end God alone is sovereign.  God's ways are so much higher than ours.  He is not a genie in a bottle that we rub when we need him.  He is the God of the universe.

My relationship with Jesus has provided me with many answers to liefs big questions.  But it is also a relationship that leads me to ask bigger and bigger questions.  Nothing is the same again when seen through the eyes of discipleship.

Lord, answer my questions and questions my answers.  Help me to love you with not only my heart, but also my mind.