Come Away With Me (Mark 6:30-34 Narrative)

The hot dust clung to disciples’ feet as they began to return this hot day, the dust of the trail following in their wake. They were tired and hot and sore and hungry, but they smiled when two by two the met one another as they approached the seaside. They could see down the hill a long way. Began to feel the breeze tempered by the great lake. They could see the mass of people clustered in a spot by the shore and knew that is where Jesus must be.

Weeks ago he had sent them off in pairs to preach the messaged of the kingdom. Now they returned. They began to gather around Jesus and tell their stories. Bartholomew and Matthew told of healings. Thomas and Judas spoke of the warmth of the hospitality they had received. James and Thaddeus told how people hungrily accepted the good news about The Kingdom. Phillip and Peter told how even the demons had to obey them and flea! The Kingdom of Heaven was advancing and the kingdom of darkness was retreating!

All this time John and Andrew sat silent and downcast. Jesus lifted his gaze to theirs and gave an encouraging nod to draw out from them the words that filled their souls. “The Baptizer is dead.” They had been disciples of John the Baptist. He had pointed Jesus out to them. On their travels they heard the news from some of the other followers of John. He had been beheaded by Herod.

This revelation brought the chatter to an end. All sat stunned and saddened, but they were not in silence. The crowd was always around them and in this time of quiet the disciples were drowned in their cries. People had been steadily interrupting their stories to receive a healing touch or a blessing from the Master. The cries of the sick and hungry had turned to celebration and rejoicing, but the noise continued. They heard a group reciting their evening prayers, singing the song of Ethan the Ezrahite:

89:1I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.
89:2I declare that your steadfast love is established forever; your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.
89:3You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to my servant David:
89:4‘I will establish your descendants forever, and build your throne for all generations.’”

There was a pause and the disciples knew that the singers had come to the unspoken word: “Selah”
They thought about the promise God had made to David to build for him a house. John the Baptist had been of that house as had Jesus. Where was the throne established for all generations? Where was the promise of God?

Their stunned silence gave way to anger and mourning. They were exhausted from travel and ministry; they were shocked and drained from the emotion of mourning. The crowd kept coming and going, with their needs and excitement and transformed lives. The disciples didn’t even get a chance to eat. They had reached the limits both physically and emotionally. They were too exhausted to sleep, and they didn’t even realize that was the case. Peter and James talked about going fishing to cure the hunger. They wanted to keep going not noticing the way the snapped at each other or how annoyed they were with the people who came to Jesus for healing. They were irritable, worn thin, and needy themselves, but unable to see it.
Again the Prayers of the near by worshippers reached their ears, continuing their psalm.

89:11The heavens are yours, the earth also is yours; the world and all that is in it—you have founded them.
89:12The north and the south—you created them; Tabor and Hermon joyously praise your name.
89:13You have a mighty arm; strong is your hand, high your right hand.
89:14Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.
89:15Happy are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O Lord, in the light of your countenance;
89:16they exult in your name all day long, and extol your righteousness.
89:17For you are the glory of their strength; by your favor our horn is exalted.

Jesus motioned for them to get up and in the gathering dark they moved closer to the seaside. The made their way past the worshippers praying:

89:34 I will not violate my covenant, or alter the word that went forth from my lips.
89:35 Once and for all I have sworn by my holiness; I will not lie to David.
89:36 His line shall continue forever, and his throne endure before me like the sun.
89:37 It shall be established forever like the moon, an enduring witness in the skies." Selah

Again Selah. And Jesus stood there in the silence lifting his face to the sea breeze, reveling in the Selah. Jesus knew what it was to have a renewing rhythm to life.

He was with the Father as the created the heavens and the earth. The Godhead fully participated in rest from the creative act. From the beginning God built the rhythm of night, Sabbath and jubilee right into creation for our sake. Jesus was famous for going off by himself to some lonely place to pray, his own rhythm of communing with the Father continued from ages past. Jesus paused and let the Selah be a clue to the disciples as to their need for rest and renewal.

How many times did he call them to be at peace? To have faith and trust that God was true to God’s word and would care for them even better than the sparrows and lilies? The silence reminded them.
Then he said to them the word that was for that moment for them the good news of the Gospel. Come away with me by yourselves to a lonely place and get some rest. They got in the boat and shoved off into the Sea of Galilee. They made for a deserted spot around the bend of the shoreline. As they did they all leaned back, some propped against the side of the boat, others leaning on the one beside them. Peter leisurely held the tiller and let the breeze carry them along.

Some of the crowd noticed the group of disciples quietly slip away with Jesus. The watched from the shoreline, keeping tabs on where the boat was headed. The word spread and when the boat made land there was a vast crowd, bigger than the night before. There were many people who needed healing. People who were broken and oppressed. People who need a touch of Christ.

The disciples stepped from the boat invigorated by having spent the night with Jesus on the water. They were ready to feel again, to have compassion on the souls so loved by God that surrounded them.

A mindmap of Ephesians 1:3-14

Revelation reading

An excerpt from Full Life Bible Commentary to the New Testament. Tim Jenny's comments on Revelation are some of my favorite.

Since God is eternal and unchanging (James 1 :16- 17), we should expect the same to be true of his Word (Matt. 5:18). His message to his church is faithful and dependable, not erratic or unstable. When we consider what this book said to its original audience, it steadies our interpretation, making it more balanced. Too often we twist Revelation, forcing it to answer questions about each new daily headline even if the book has nothing to say about it. We must learn to care more about what God wants to say than what we want to hear they are often very different! This attitude of submission pleases God and tunes our ears to his voice. 1.2.3. The Greeting (1:4c-5a). John's greeting begins with the traditional "grace and peace" familiar to any reader of the letters of Peter or Paul (e.g., 1 Cor. 1 :3.; 1 Thess. 1 : 1 ; 1 Peter 1 :2). Since the letters in the Bible are inspired by God, the greetings usually include the names of each member of the Godhead.

Their titles are modified in the light of the audience's plight. The title in Revelation emphasizes the Father's eternality, the Spirit's omnipresence, and the martyrdom of Jesus, the Son of God all of which foreshadow the main message of the book. The readers will have to remember them if they are to endure through the upcoming trials.

Revelation is from . . .

1.2.3.1. The Eternal God (1:4c). God the Father is the one "who is, and who was, and who is to come” (v.4; cf. v. 8). This is one of the most misquoted verses in the Bible. The order is not chronological, as one might expect (i.e., "was, is, and is to come"). It deliberately places the present before both the past and the future, emphasizing that God the Father is the God "who is." This title does two things. (1) It reminds us of God's covenant name in the O1d Testament.

He revealed himself there as Yahweh (or Jehovah). That name means "I AM” in Hebrew (Ex. 3: 14). (2) His title foreshadows the real impotence of the "beast" (Rev. 17), which these early Christians found so threatening. Revelation describes this beast as "once was, now is not, and will come” (17:8, 11 ). These Christians thereby recognized that this beast was not an eternal, unchanging God, nor would he ever be a match for Yahweh, the God "who is."

1.2.3.2. The Holy Spirit (1:4d). The Spirit is described as the "seven spirits" or, better, the "sevenfold Spirit” in front of God's throne. He is later described as "seven lamps” (4:5), This image surely comes from a Jewish menorah, a seven-pronged lampstand with seven flames.

Its position in front of the throne reminds one of the interior of the tabernacle or temple.

There the menorah burned continually in front of the ark of the covenant, God's throne in the O1d Testament (Ex. 25:37., 37:23). It reminded the Israelites that God never slept or took a day off. He was always "on duty" and able to defend his people (Ps. 121 ; cf. 1 Kings l8:27).

In the same way, the flame that appeared on each believer on that first Pentecost after the resurrection was a visible symbol of the Spirit's presence (Acts 2).

It is surely no coincidence that there are seven flames one for each of the seven churches mentioned in Revelation. The point is that the presence of the Spirit continues to burn among them (l Cor. 3:16., 6:19). God has not forgotten them, nor is he removed from their suffering. John's vision of Christ walking among the lampstands (Rev. 1:12-13) will reinforce this message.

1.2.3.3. Jesus Christ (1:5a). Jesus has the most unusual set of titles. We would have expected "Messiah" or "Son of God " but the titles listed here reminding us of his earthly life.

Jesus was "the faithful witness"; he testified about God faithfully, even to the point of giving up his life. He was "the firstborn from the dead"; God raised him on the third day. Thus he is now "the ruler of the kings of the earth" (v.5)., he reigns supreme in heaven.

If we want to appreciate these titles, we have to remember that the first followers of Jesus were called followers of "the Way" (Acts 9:2; 19:9, 23;24:14,22;cf. John l4:4-6). The titles here describe "the Way" to eternal life in chronological order. First, we must live faithfully, testifying about God even if it means death. Then we will experience resurrection and glorification. This is the path all followers of Jesus must walk.

Unfortunately, many members of these early churches tried to take a shortcut. They wanted to skip the part about a life of faithful endurance, even death. and go immediately to the glorification stage. This change in their theology had been influenced by their booming economy: Asia Minor was experiencing unprecedented regional prosperity. They had been seduced by triumphalism (cf. 1 Cor. 4:8ff ). A theology somewhat akin to the con- temporary doctrine of "Kingdom Now" Some of them may even have believed they would never personally experience death (cf. 1 Thess. 4:13-18). Convinced that Jesus would return immediately and establish his kingdom, they were caught unaware when fierce persecution came from Rome.

The first step is the one those early believers did not want to take: death. “Faithful martyr” is a much better translation of the Greek phrase than “faithful witness," It not only means death to self ("self-denial"), but physical death for the sake of the gospel (“martyrdom"; see "Testify, Testimony, Witness" at 6:9). This translation also helps us to understand better why they would want to avoid death and go right to being "ruler[s] of the kings of the earth” (l:5). Martyrdom is usually painful. Who would not want to escape martyrdom if it could be avoided? Revelation is a call to Christian martyrdom.

With all its fantastic images, its most important message says exactly what Jesus did while he was still on earth: "Take up [your] cross and follow me” (Matt. 16:24., cf. Luke 9:23 ). Paul had to remind the Philippians of this truth too, with an early hymn recorded for us in Philippians 2:6-1 1: Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Therefore , my dear friends, as you have always obeyed not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

The cross of Christ has continued to challenge Christians down through the ages, Contemporary American Christians often forget that suffering was the present reality for most Christians in the biblical times, just as it is today. We would do well to remember that it is our own experience that is atypical. Let us never be seduced by the wealth surrounding us or those who connive for power and glory. We must humble ourselves and be obedient to God. The first step of "the Way” of Christ is still humility and self-denial. It is often accompanied by suffering, sometimes even by martyrdom. Power and glory, being a “ruler of the kings of the earth," will come after our death and resurrection (Matt. 20:2l-23:2 Tim. 2:12) just as it did for Jesus.

The great devotional writers of recent times knew this and wove it into their allegories of Christian life. Reading their writings will help remind us of this great truth (see, e.g., Hannah Haurnard's Hinds' Feet in High Places, or John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress) It will also help us to develop a healthy theology, one immune from changes in our economy.

1.2.4. The Liturgical Prayer (1:5b-6). At this point in a normal letter. we would expect a prayer. Considering the persecution of the seven churches, they probably expected to find a prayer for deliverance, the defeat of the enemies of the church, and the immediate return of Jesus Christ. John asked for none of these, tacitly implying that everything was as it should be.

Instead of asking for an easier situation, John prays that God will be glorified through it. His prayer also encourages the churches to be obedient. He reminds them of the past: Jesus loved them so much he sacrificed his life for them. He also reminds them of the future: They will be an eternal kingdom and a priest- hood for God, if they obey. This ancient promise to Israel (Ex. 19:6) had been recently extended to include the church (1 Peter 2:5,9., cf. Rev. 5:10).

The prayer here is more formal, more liturgical, than that of the other letters in the New Testament. This fits with the descriptions of the solemn "high church" rituals that will appear later in the book. John ends the prayer with the traditional “Amen,” though here it may also be a wordplay on one of the titles of Jesus (see "The Amen" at 3:14).

1.2.5. The Liturgical Prophecy (1:7). In a usual letter of the New Testament, the body directly followed the prayer. Here John includes two more liturgical elements: a prophecy (v. 7) and an exhortation (v. 8). These may well have represented elements in the order of service of these seven ancient churches. They too set the atmosphere for the book's upcoming rituals.

The prophecy of Jesus' coming is a blend of two Old Testament prophecies. One concerns the Son of Man's coming with the clouds (Dan. 7: 13., cf. Matt. 26:64., Mark l3:26., Luke 21: 27.,

Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thess. 4:17), the other predicts that people will mourn when they see the one they have pierced (Zech. 12:10., cf. John 19:34).

Revelation proclaims that Jesus is ("coming with the clouds" (v. 7). The association of God with clouds is ancient. A rainbow in the clouds is a reminder of the Noahic covenant (Gen. 9:13-16). God also displayed his presence among the Israelites in the desert by a cloud during the day (Ex. 13:21., see "The Shekinah Canopy" at 7:15). The Old Testament describes God as "rid[ing] on the clouds" (Ps. 68:4., cf. 104:3), clouds that are even more noticeable when he comes to judge on the Day of the Lord (Ezek. 30:3', Dan. 7: 13., Joel 2:2., Zeph. 1:15). Similarly, Jesus will return “with the clouds” on the Day of the Lord.

John's use of "with the clouds" rather than "in the clouds” is unusual (only the Hebrew text of Dan. 7:13 has this expression). The prophecy may refer to the thunderclouds that preceded the fall rains in Israel. The high priests prayed for those rains; as they did for the resurrection of the dead, at the daily dawn drink offerings each year during the Feast of Tabernacles (John 7).

1.2.6. The Liturgical Exhortation (1:8).

The last liturgical element in the introduction is an exhortation. It emphasizes God's eternality, his presence, and his power. "Alpha is the first letter in the Greek alphabet, "Omega" the last. "The Alpha and the Omega” (1:8.,21:6.,22:13) is another way of saying that God is "the First and the Last” (l:l7-,22:13: cf. Isa. 44:6-,48:l2) or "the Beginning and the End" (Rev. 21:6.,22:13-, cf. Heb. 7:3'). Both of these latter phrases appear in the prophecies of Isaiah, where they describe God's uniqueness and his foreknowledge (see Isa. 44:6-8., 46:10): this is what the LORD says Israel's King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty: I am the first and I am the last', apart from me there is no God. Who then is like me? Let him proclaim it, Let him declare and lay out before me what has happened since I established my ancient people, and what is yet to come yes, let him foretell what will come. Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one " I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.

The titles remind the reader of Revelation that God has had everything planned, down to the smallest detail, for a long, long time. The Alpha and the Omega here refer to the Father, not the Son, as one can see by comparing the phrase in verse 8, "who is, and who was, and who is to come" with its twin in verse 4. The two phrases balance and enclose this epistolary introduction.

Stewardship series evaluation

Year B – Proper 22-28

This was a challenging series for the disciple we were continually faced with giving up our whole lives to enter the kingdom of God. Yesterday having finished this series, I felt glad it was over. I felt like the Holy Spirit was putting his finger on people’s hearts. In response to the conviction and challenge they were feeling relationships became strained between some of the members and their pastor. That’s why the pulpit is nothing to covet. If you can do anything else do it. If you are obedient to God and faithfully preach his word, there will come a time when you are not popular. Yet I rejoice if that strain in relationship means they were beginning to get it.

This was a great series for discipleship, but I could have done a better job on stewardship what the readings didn’t lend themselves to (or I didn’t figure out well enough) was doing practical how-to sermons showing not only the importance of stewardship but how to make it part of our lives. Perhaps the fall of another year would have a better sense for that. I’ll have to take a look. Once every three years wouldn’t be bad – if its there.

The Kingdom of God

The following is an excerpt from The Dvine Conspiracy.

The Presence of God in Action
Such a response, along with many others familiar from the Gospels, illustrates how Jesus' hearers understood the invitation to base their own lives on the rule of God “at hand" Of course they had no general understanding of what was involved, but they knew Jesus meant that he was acting with God and God with him, that God's rule was effectively present through him.
The familiar stories, traditions, and rituals of Israel enabled them to know the practical significance of this. They were stories and traditions of individual human beings whose lives were interlaced with God's action. Abraham, David, Elijah were well known to all. And the routinely practiced rituals of Israel were often occasions when God acted. Everyone knew that whoever trustingly put themselves in his hands, as this poor scandalous woman did, were in fact in the hands of God. And God's deeds bore out his words.
When he announced that the “governance” or rule of God had become available to human beings, he was primarily referring to what he could do for people, God acting with him. But he was also offering to communicate this same “rule of God” to others who would receive and learn it from him. He was himself the evidence for the truth of his announcement about the availability of God's kingdom, or governance, to ordinary human existence.
This explains why, as everyone saw, he did not teach "in the manner of the scribes” but instead “as having authority in his own right” (Matt. 7 :29) . Scribes, expert scholars, teach by citing others.
But Jesus was, in effect, saying, “Just watch me and see that what I say is true. See for yourself that the rule of God has come among ordinary human beings.”
“Already during Jesus' earthly activity," Hans Kung has pointed out, “the decision for or against the rule of God hung together with the decision for or against himself (italics mine). The presence of Jesus upon earth, both before and after his death and resurrection, means that God's rule is here now “In this sense," Kung continues, “the immediate expectation . . . [of the kingdom] . . . has been fulfilled.”
God's Rule Extended Onward Through Us
From the very beginning of his work, those who relied on him had, at his touch, entered the rule, or governance,of God and were receiving its gracious sufficiency Jesus was not just acting for God but also with God - a little like the way, in a crude metaphor, I act with my power steering, or it with me, when I turn the wheel of my car.
And this “governance” is projected onward through those who receive him. When we receive God's gift of life by relying on Christ, we find that God comes to act with us as we rely on him in our actions. That explains why Jesus said that the least in the kingdom of the heavens are greater than John the Baptist-not, of course, greater in themselves, but as a greater power works along with them, The “greater” is not inherent, a matter of our own substance, but relational So, C. S. Lewis writes, our faith is not a matter of our hearing what Christ said long ago and “trying to carry it out." Rather, “The real Son of God is at your side. He is beginning to turn you into the same kind of thing as Himself He is beginning, so to speak, to 'inject' His kind of life and thought. His Zoe [life], into you; beginning to turn the tin soldier into a live man. The part of you that does not like it is the part that is still tin."
Jesus' words and presence gave many of his hearers faith to see that when he acted God also acted, that the governance or “rule” of God came into play and thus was at hand They were aware of the invisible presence of God acting within the visible reality and action of Jesus, the carpenter rabbi.
Some years of reflection and further experience with Jesus and the kingdom enabled his people to describe him in lofty language as “the icon of the unseeable God” (Col. 1:15). Today we might say photo or snapshot instead of icon. He was the “exact picture” or “precise representation of God's substance” (Heb. 1: 3) . But that time was not yet. It was to still uncomprehending ears that Jesus said, “Those who have seen me have seen the Fathers."

Made to Rule

What a "Kingdom” Is
To gain deeper understanding of our eternal kind of life in God's present kingdom, we must be sure to understand what a kingdom is.
Every last one of us has a "kingdom" – or a. "queendom,” or a "government” – a realm that is uniquely our own, where our choice determines what happens. Here is a truth that reaches into the deepest part of what it is to be a person.
Some may think it should not be so. John Calvin remarked rather balefully, “Everyone flatters himself and carries a kingdom in his breast.” He understood this to mean that “there is nobody who does not imagine that he is really better than the others." Perhaps this is so for human beings as they are. All too easily, at least, we presume to rule others-in opinion and word, if not in deed.
But it is nevertheless true that we are made to “have dominion” within an appropriate domain of reality. This is the core of the likeness or image of God in us and is the basis of the destiny for which we were formed. We are, all of us, never-ceasing spiritual beings with a unique eternal calling to count for good in God's great universe.
Our “kingdom” is simply the range of our effective will. Whatever we genuinely have the say over is in our kingdom. And our having the say over something is precisely what places it within our kingdom.
In creating human beings God made them to rule, to reign, to have dominion in a limited sphere. Only so can they be persons.
Any being that say over nothing is no person. We only have to imagine what that would be like to see that this is so. Such “persons” would not even be able to command their own body or their own thoughts. They would be reduced to completely passive observers who count for nothing, who make no difference.
The sense of having some degree of control over things is now recognized as a vital factor in both mental and physical health and can make the difference between life and death in those who are seriously ill. Anyone who has raised a child, or has even supervised the work of others, knows how important it is to let them do it - what- ever “it” may be-and to do so as soon as that is practically feasible.
Obviously, having a place of rule goes to the very heart of who we are, of our integrity strength, and competence.
By contrast, attacks on our personhood always take the form of diminishing what we can do or have say over, sometimes up to the point of forcing us to submit to what we abhor, in the familiar human order, slaves are at the other end of the spectrum from kings.
Their bodies and lives are at the disposal of another. Prisoners are, in most cases, several degrees above slaves. And, as the twentieth century has taught us, thought control is worst of all. It is the most heinous form of soul destruction, in which even our own thoughts are not really ours. It reaches most deeply into our substance.

Argument

We had a rather heated discussion at ministerial today. I never knew the widdow's mite could bring out such contention.

I guess it should have been expected. It really is a challenging thing. It was then and it is now. The giving up of everything is never comforatable. A cross isn't made to be.

The widdow's actions challenge us to our core. What is our responsibility, our duty, our responce to God's grace? What do we have to do? anything?

Fr. John said that commentators he read stressed that Jesus was pointing out the injustice of a system that failed widows. The widdow gave everything to a temple system that was supposed to take care of her. The fact that her everything was less than a penny shows how that system had been failing. (Some sources I've read say that was 1/100th of a day's wage.) Jesus was then pointing out a sad state of affairs rather than showing the widdow as an example.

Some of the guys were adamate that the widdow gave out of her faith, her love, her gratitude, her devotion, or what have you, not because she was expecting back.

I pointed out that the fact of a sad state of affairs in the temple system made all the more poigniant the widdows faith in God. And just like the widdow of Zaraphath in the Kings reading, God would take care of her with or with out the religious establishment.

But this idea of giving all was still hard to swollow. If it was so hard for us as pastors, how hard will it be for anyone else. Fred warned us about laying false guilt on good people who are honestly trying to make ends meet and be faithful to God.

I agreed, but also wanted to combat a scarcity mentality that our people sometimes get, where they trust in themselves and not God. I have found with a very meager salary that faithfulness in giving, even extravagant giving, always helps ends meet. God will take care of us.

But some of the guys took Fred's thoughts even further, how can God desire something so impossible as to give him everything. We would be perfect then.
I brought up Brother Lawrence and the Practice of the Presence. He says that is doesn't require changing what we do, but doing what we already do for the sake of God. My take, God doesn't want to be the biggest part of our lives, he wants to be all of our lives - integrated into the whole.

Glenn had a hard time with my thought, thinking I was putting the children I taught that to in Spiritual bondage of a works legalism. Ray too, thought Brother Lawrence didn't once mention Jesus, meaning Where is grace in this practice?

So often in the last few weeks in Mark we have been challenged by the cost of discipleship and the giving up of everything, be it status, riches, or begger's coat. This is hard for us, and rightly so. Admitedly the themes of Grace and our own actions in giving up all to follow are in tention. But it shouldn't surprise us that if we were to give up all, it could only happen by God's grace. We could not bring ourselves to do it on our own, or survive on our own after we did.

Monopoly Illustration

1) Widow And The Banker land on income tax.

Out of love: Who is playing

Grandmother and grandson

2) Flash back: The Widow Lost Her Property To The Banker

the grandson has hotels on everything and the grandmother has just lost her last property, Mediterranean ave.

Previous moves

Landed on Marvin gardens paid $1200 had to mortgage Mediterranean to pay rent.

Rolls 4 lands on community chest

Explain: Community chest advance to Go.

They play with the rule that the tax money goes in the middle like the Community chest - it is gained by those who recieve the mercy of free parking.

Advance to Go $200

Roll 4 and land on income tax

Out of her poverty

3) The Choice 10% Or $200

Assess your blessings

Thanks from the Heart or mouth

4) Who Wins?

Spare change or all of you?

Mercy doesn’t make sense

It doesn’t win the game, but it does win

If we give in proportion to the mercy shown to us by Jesus we are overwhelmed and no amount will do.

What will you give? What will you do with mercy? How will you show your thanks to Christ who is merciful? Now that you have landed on this space, your opportunity to give, what will you choose?

Lord of the law of love and the widow’s offering

A. Law of Love

‘Of all the commandments, which is the most important?

The voice came strong and with force over the buzz of the crowd as a teacher of the law should speak. The crowd had just played witness to a debate between some Sadducees and Jesus. They were loving it. The teacher of the law watched Jesus soundly trounce the men in the debate.’ He was pleased, and moved through the crowd to pose a question himself.

The temple was packed. The Passover was only two days away and visitors from all round were preparing to sacrifice and worship.

Jesus was on the steps of the Temple teaching. When he heard the question and saw the man coming towards him. His eyes narrowed and a slight smile started to force its way
across his face.

‘"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: `Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' <sup>31</sup> The second is this: `Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these."

His eyes never left the man who asked the question. He was searching his face for something. The man gazed back in thought almost trying to avoid Jesus’ eyes but incapable of it. Almost imperceptibly, the man’s face changed. Lit up with recognition.
The ah-ha moment.

‘"Well said, teacher," the man replied. "You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. ³³ To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."

Jesus’ face could not restrain it any more; the smile broke free and beamed at the man. The worn lines in his face gave away that he had become frustrated with teachers of the
law. They were so concerned with the way things look, with the sacrifices, the little things that the law demanded. But those worn lines danced in the presence of this teacher. He was one of the few that got it.

With almost a chuckle of pure joy Jesus said to the man, "You are not far from the kingdom of God."

And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions. So Jesus helped them out. If they had finally caught on that he actually counted them as lawbreakers, that his teaching was more strict than theirs because he demanded the whole heart, then perhaps they were ready for this riddle

1. Jesus is Lord-Love the Lord your God

‘‘How is it that the teachers of the law say that the Christ is the son of David? ³⁶ David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared:

The Lord said to my Lord:

Sit at my right hand

until I put your enemies

under your feet.’’

David himself calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son

The crowd was tickled by the riddle but the even more they enjoyed the look on the scribes faces.

You’ve probably been there too. I know I have. These teachers of the law have been doing it for so long they could do it with out thinking. How ‘bout you, do you ever realize, maybe getting ready for church when everything is rushed and pressured realize
that the Lord your God isn’t real.

The teachers of the law knew all about the scriptures.’ The Lord would be in the line of David—a king. The missed that it was so much more than just a descendant to the throne,
it was David’s Lord, and Jesus had just claimed to be him, standing in front of
them, real, in the flesh, and greater than David.

That might get my attention. But so often I find myself living with the crust of reality. Just the outside, doing the right things, and I find that for a while any way I wasn’t
even thinking that God was real. I may have known it but my heart didn’t
realize it.’ Have you been there?

All of this shock and amazement was all over their faces. They started puffing them selves up and going about their business, getting ready to go into the temple.

2. Not loving the Lord-Scribes’ Pretence

Jesus sighed, and sat down on a stoop along the stairway. Watching the group of scribes making their way into the temple he said, "Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted in the marketplaces, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most
severely."

2’. Not loving neighbor-scribes devouring the widows

Jesus’ eyes fixed again on the young teacher of the law who earlier had declared that the
intensity of Love in a mans heart toward God and neighbor was more important than the sacrifices going on in the temple.’ The man’s was standing on the second step looking out into the courtyard. His face had a tortured look.

Jesus followed the man’s gaze. Down in the courtyard there was an older teacher harassing an elderly woman.

‘‘I handled your husbands estate well, madam, the scribe said with feigned courtesy and a gruff voice. ‘Please give me what I am due!’

The younger man’s face twisted as he watched. He glanced at Jesus, with despair in his eyes. The law of Love did not rule in Jerusalem, not toward God, and certainly not toward fellow man. He quickly looked away and walked away quickly and sadly. Brushing between the teacher and the poor widow as he went.

The interruption caught the older teacher off guard and he soon turned, embarrassed, and walked into the temple.

He came to the trumpet shaped treasury box and put in a large satchel of coins and a few bags of carefully measured mint, dill and cumin. A perfect tithe.

1’. The widow’s mite-Love your neighbor as yourself.

Jesus watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.

The old teacher of the law watched her and was about to approach her.’ Not only because she owed him money, but because two copper coins couldn’t be a tithe. A man could make 100 times that in a day. She should be ashamed.’ This ornate temple couldn’t be
supported, and all the priests in side by just a couple coppers.

But just then Jesus spoke up

‘"I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the
treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of
her poverty, put in everything--all she had to live on."

Where is your heart today? I have to ask that question myself. This poor widow had a heart brimming with love.’ It poured out of her, a kind of devout abandon. She gladly
gave everything she had.

The Old Teacher of the law’s eyes narrowed and searched Jesus’ face. What a radical teacher this was.’ He didn’t even acknowledge all the tithe of wealthy, he didn’t get
excited about a tithe he was excited about a woman who loved God enough to give
everything.

Jesus followed the woman into the temple with his eyes. His smile brimmed with pride. He--the king of everything, Lord of all the riches in the universe was most pleased by a
gift of change. A gift of complete surrender.

Is he your lord today?’ Does your heart overflow with love for people around the word? How bout for God? Is he even real in your heart today?

This is how we live the life of love.

A’. Life of Love

Seeking Truth

Jesus is here! I’ve been hearing about him. Every time I hear of him, my heart is stirred. The same way when in my studies and work as a scribe the commands of God stir my heart!

Now he is here in Jerusalem! I wonder if he knows where he comes? This is the center of Worship of God! Has he learned his law? His Moses? His David? His Solomon? Does he know what God says?

If he does I wonder if he knows what God wants from him. I wish I knew what God wanted of me. I spend everyday studying God’s commands, how he wants me to act, but in that I still seek the truth of what purpose God has for my life. I know I will go ask him. But I’ll have to go think up the best question ever!
(Exit)

The teacher of the law thought and thought about what question he should ask. He looked through the book of the law.

(Flip through the book)
Should I ask him, “Teacher is it right to wear a poly-cotton blend?” No, No, he’ll know the law says it is an abomination in the sight of God to wear mixed fabrics. What will that prove?

Should I ask him, “Teacher, is it ok to work on the Sabbath? Or how burnt does toast have to be to divorce your wife? No those guys over there asked that last week! Jesus sure had a good answer for them too!

Should I ask him if Adam and Eve had Belly buttons? No, No, I’ve got It!
(Run along wall)
Teacher, Teacher! Teacher, I have a question for you!

Yes…?
Jesus answered the young scribe looking deep into his soul.
What is your question?

Which of commandment is the greatest?

Jesus smiled.

(Excitedly)
A wonderful answer, Teacher! So lucid and accurate—That God is one and there is no other. And loving him with all passion and intelligence and energy, and loving others as well as you love yourself. Why that is better than all offerings and sacrifices put together.

You’re almost there! Right on the boarder of God’s kingdom
The young scribe felt his heart leap. His inward desire to seek God was validated by this Jesus. He knew Jesus was a true teacher, because the Spirit of God bore witness with in him, and his heart raced. He had to continue to seek the kingdom of God. He left with a great excitement and purpose in his life.
(Exit)

Seeking Vision

Seeking Vision

• Date preached: 22-Oct-06, Sebewaing


• RCL Proper 25 B


• Text: Mark 10:46-52


• Subject: What gives people the ability to see the truth about Jesus?


• Complement: Faith gives people the vision to see and follow Jesus.


• Exegetical Idea: The disciples didn't see what Jesus was about but blind Bartimaeus did. Even though Mark's community could not see Jesus with their eyes, they could with their faith.


• Homiletic Idea: Putting our faith in Jesus means receiving vision to follow him down the road of discipleship.


• Purpose: Hearers will be presented ministry vision and challenged to follow.


• Type: Deductive, Expository

I. See Jesus For Who He Is

1. Blind Bartimaeus saw Jesus for who he is

• Son of David –

• Messiah


• King of kings and Lord of lords


• Savior who could have mercy on him


• Power in his hands


• Divine power

2. Are we blind like the Disciples?

• Hush—don’t upset what’s going on


• Jesus is to busy with the members


• Don’t stick out


• Seem flaky


• Seem annoying


• Don’t disrupt our decorum with your neediness


• Continually getting it wrong


• He surely won’t die!


• We will sit at his right and left hands


• We will be rewarded but no longer suffer

II. Get Up! He Is Calling You.

1. Bartimaeus threw everything aside to come to Jesus

• Throws aside his cloak and alms


• All that was important to him, his lively hood, his whole life


• Jesus was more important


• Trusting that he would no longer need those tools to beg


• Comes to Jesus seeking vision


• My rabbi!


• His deepest longing


• I would see


• Can you imagine how long he had wished for that?


• Could no longer resist, I would see you!


• Are we ready to jump up and beg Jesus for vision?


• Vision means seeing what the road will bring


• The suffering way - sacrifice


• The disciplined way - Work


• Vision means seeing thins as they truly are


• Seeing ourselves in our need


• Seeing others in their need


• Seeing Jesus as he is!

III. Receive Your Sight And Follow Him On The Way

• Your faith has saved you


• Recovered his sight


• Physical need was met


• healing


• And followed him on the road – restored wholly


• Spiritual healing - salvation


• Decided to follow him


• Are we whole and wholly following him?


• Restored sight and transformed life


• See glimpses of what is truly important, the supernatural?


• Life completely turned around for a bigger vision?


• Casting aside everything for a new vision


• Throw away your beggars coat


• Your fears


• Your resisting


• See through the eyes of Jesus


• Dream his dreams


• See people as he sees them


• See yourself as he sees you


• Follow him!

The Road to Greatness.

· Date Preached: 6 April 2003, McCook AM
· Text: Mark 9:30-37, 42, 10:13-16, 32-52
· Subject: Why does the messiah have to suffer?
· Complement: The one who is willing to put the interests of the lowest ahead of his own interests, even in suffering is the greatest in the kingdom.
· Exegetical Idea: The messiah must suffer because the kingdom of God values sacrifice for those of the lowest status as greatest.
· Homiletical Idea: Because Jesus lived and died to serve so we must serve each other.
· Purpose: The hearer should see that as the body of Christ, we must be involved with one another in discipleship and service.
· Type: Narrative

The words rang—echoing in our shocked minds.

“The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him and after three days he will rise.”

It was as if we were knocked off balance. When our shock faded it allowed us to see and the world slowly came to motion again, and the sound again began to return to our ears, as if it had been on a journey down a long road. I turned to John and we exchanged questioning looks.

“This must be another parable, but I don’t even want to guess at the meaning.”

The others expressed their wonder in hurried hushed voices.

“Who is going to die? It’s the Romans; they will kill man, all of Israel if we do nothing! Is that when he will be king? Surely he is not going to die, he couldn’t die, he…

On they went. We didn’t understand what Jesus said half the time, or at least when we tried to interpret it we all had a different version and we never quite got it right. One thing we knew, we had found something good. Something revolutionary. We put all of our hopes in this man attaching our lives and future to him. There were times we were frightened of him too. Who is this man? He could heal the sick, cast out demons even the wind would be silent and the sea lay down trembling at the sound of his voice.

None of us dared ask him what he was talking about. We didn’t understand him, but we loved him. If he were talking about dying, leaving us, our hopes and lives left in the balance—no I won’t think of it. Who would meet our needs? Jesus took care of us with frightening power and ability. We’d make ourselves believe anything to get around what he seemed to be saying. What if our darkest suspicions were true—that he meant that he would die?

Kings are meant to rule not to die!

Soon the group grew silent. We walked trudging down the road. All our hopes and aspirations came into focus again. The words Jesus had just spoken had shaken them, and to the man each of us was trying to regain the security we once held inside ourselves.

John turned to me, “James, what do you think you and I will do when Jesus is king?”

John, you know Jesus has his eye on us. There isn’t a place that he doesn’t take you, Peter and me. We’ll certainly not be forgotten. Jesus will put us on his cabinet or even have us reign with him like we’ve talked about.

“That will be nice James, I just wanted to hear it again. Who do you think will be the greatest in his kingdom? Peter?”

This was a game we loved to play. Soon some others were slowing down to put in their nominations and explain their reasons. It was a spirited contest. The reasons were sometimes sarcastic, and the ribbing would be great road fun.

John and I were brothers, Peter and Andrew were brothers and our partners in the fishing industry. Before we left everything…. We got on pretty well traveling together. We didn’t quite get guys like Matthew or Judas, they were banker types. We all pretty much looked out for ourselves, oh yes we were all together in our cause and in our decision to leave everything to go after Jesus, but we all had our eyes on some great job in the kingdom.

We had our little groups you see. The whole entourage was huge. We gravitated towards others like us. There were the 72, and of course the 12, we stuck together based on how much we saw Jesus. Even within the 12 though there were people who rubbed you the wrong way. We were little groups of brothers, or friends or fisherman. It was almost as if we were on the same road by coincidence. We were so assured of our own strength, needing no help.

Is it just a Galilee thing? Or do you have factions and inner rings in your congregation as well? What is your journey like together? Are you like we were, concerned about what you get out of the service, or are you serving one another? Imagine if you will, our ragamuffin band trudging together, jostling one another hot and dusty, sometimes with tempers growing short. Is that your experience together? Are you on the same road by coincidence, or are you guiding one another down the road?

By this time our game was really getting heated— angry hushed voices, glares and an unseen tussle ended the game. We never let Jesus hear us; we walked slower and let him get ahead with a few others.

Somehow we figured that he wouldn’t be interested in the game—or more to the point we would be embarrassed if he knew we were expecting positions in his kingdom that he may not be intending to give us. We were about to find out how much he was interested.

Once we made it to Peter’s house in Capernaum, Jesus asked,

“What were you arguing about on the road?”

A silence choked us. We were ashamed children caught breaking a window. Sitting down Jesus broke our awkward stalemate calling us around him.

“If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and servant of all.”

He cut to the heart of our argument. He knew exactly what we were discussing. I could feel embarrassment creeping up my neck with hot pins. But his eyes met blank stares; we did not comprehend what he meant.

He went on to dramatize the point. He took a child and stood him among us. As he spoke, he put his arms around the child and hugged him.

If anyone receives one of these little children in my name he receives me. If you make it your business to adopt someone who has no status and serve him—serve him like a king, you will be great in my kingdom. Yes he will receive me and the one who sent me.

He went on…

And if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin. (Here he pointed not to the child but to us.) it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck.

We who were concerned with being the greatest, were almost insulted to be compared with children. Looking back though how tender, that he being God, Messiah and King would call us his children.

Look around you. What do you see next to you? Strangers? An empty seat? Or children that you can serve. Even if you’re an actual child and the child of God next to you is a grown up do you see someone you can serve? Or if you’re sitting with your own child, do you see someone who needs your services to guide them? What needs are here in this place that you can meet? Friends…

I can’t think of how many times I wished I had grasped what he was talking about. Looking back, how unimportant our arguments were on the road.

As the road took us through Judea, people started bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them. Maybe because he called us children, we forgot that he had said “Whoever welcomes one of theses little children in my name welcomes me.” We were on the road. We were getting closer to Jerusalem. We had bigger thoughts in our heads. Thoughts of kingdoms and political position.

“John,” I said, “Go tell Jesus that Peter and I will keep him free from being bothered.”

Jesus was not as pleased as I thought he’d be. In fact he was pretty upset.

“Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them.”

I felt embarrassed, I felt like I had never in my whole life understood anything, never done anything right and good, until this moment when I saw the deep disappointment in Jesus’ eyes. At that moment I saw my place clearly, I was humbled. Jesus with one look both destroyed me, and rebuilt me.

When John and I were kids, there was a bully named Matthew that was my friend only when he needed something from me. He taught me that a friend is someone that you can use to get something you want, and that if you weren’t part of our group you were nobody. Often, because of him I wasn’t very nice to John because he wasn’t part of our group, he was just a younger tag along. But that day, in Jesus’ eyes I saw what it meant to include people and not to use them, and just like John, deep in those eyes I also found a friend that sticks even closer than a brother.

That was the way he was, to be around him was to grow, to be healed, to have every need met. At that moment he saw my need and met it. He humbled me. At last I realized that it was good to be like a child. Not exclusive. Not petty and cruel, but accepting. I saw myself now and for the rest of my life like a child, but I was still blind! How quickly I would miss it again.

The closer we got to Jerusalem… he kept repeating what was to happen. We… we continued to be concerned about who was the greatest.

“We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said, “and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later He will rise.”

Even after saying that, John and I asked to rule with him in his kingdom.

“Teacher,” I said, “we want you to do for us what ever we ask.” Like little children we played the game.

“What do you want me to do for you?” He asked with a chuckle.

“Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”

His face suddenly became serious and sullen.

“You don’t know what you’re asking. Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with.”

We knew the way he was talking there would be trouble ahead, but we would go anywhere with him, even if we died trying. John’s voice spoke with resolve when he answered, “We can.”

Jesus said “you will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they were prepared for.”

We went a way a little embarrassed, and when the others found out what we had asked, the were upset. Peter and Andrew just thought it was funny, Judas made some cutting remarks about our intentions and commitment to the cause.

Then Jesus called us all together. “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, who ever wants to become great must be your servant, and who ever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

As we were leaving Jericho for Jerusalem, Jesus healed a blind man who was along the road. Right there on the side of the road, a man who had never seen saw. Right there on the side of the road a man saw Jesus for the first time.

On the Road!

If only we knew where that road was taking us. If only we knew who was on that dusty path with us—who it was leading us all the way to Jerusalem.

It was we who were blind, we had never seen Jesus for who he was, only what we wanted him to be. Never had we seen how deeply he provided for each of our needs, or what he saw we could become as a community. He was so determined, we were so blind.

Why couldn’t we see it!?

This dirt worn pat was leading Jesus to an execution.

So many times we asked why. I found the answer back on the road when he took up the child.

Up on the cross he was the picture of greatness. There was no greater in this kingdom than its king bludgeoned and bloody, restrained and powerless.

He had the interests of his children, servants, even the enemies of his kingdom ahead of his own. He provided for them with his own life, the only way to open our eyes to his kingdom.

That day our eyes were open—our blindness was healed. We disciples had a long journey, and along the road we argued and looked out for our own needs. At the end of this journey was an upper room. Now we served each other. With out Jesus there to meet our every need, we found his spirit working through us to meet each others needs. This new journey we began together. This new road is the road of love and service.

Goodness

The rich young man calls Jesus "Good Teacher". Many of the church Fathers point out that in this designation the young man mis-identified Jesus, that he was merely good. I don't know that Jesus rebuffed him, as they say. He asks why do you call me good? Jesus later invites this man to follow him, so I like to think of his response in the way he treats a disciple. Who do you think I am? He is prodding the man's faith. Only God is good, do you sense the truth in what you are saying?

He goes on to the goodness of the commandments. The goodness of obeying the law reflects the One goodness. Or better yet is God's Goodness. I've been trying hard to understand this statment of ultimate goodness in non-platonic thougth. The goodness of God is whole and one, the goodness of men isn't simply a shadow of the real good like plato says but in mystic union with God's Goodness. Jesus draws out from the man his sense of need. In his questioning he reveals how being good by the law does not satisfy the longing. The goodness of the law are made complete in Jesus.

Jesus then invites the man to reject something good for something better. Riches were seen as a sign of God's blessing. Indeed every perfect gift comes from above. It is right to recognize that our belongings are ours only because God has given them. We are to hold them lightly as stewards. The young man is challenged to give up those manifold blessings to follow him. Holding on to even the blessings of God makes the blessings a burden when they weigh us down from the path of discipleship.

Releasing our blessings, aspirations, and even God given dreams, alows us the freedom of the eternal life.

To remember

• The young man was sincere – he knelt before Jesus as one in need of healing


• The young man wasn’t prideful – although he had kept the precepts of the law there was a sense of lack.  He knew he needed something to inherit eternal life.


• Jesus wanted the young man to follow him on the difficult path of discipleship – leading to a cross.


• He had invited his disciples to leave everything and take up a cross


• What he was calling him to was already hard, but the added burden of all that he had to leave made it harder.


• It wasn’t the act of giving up everything that would cause the man to inherit eternal life, but the grace of following.


• The disciples would receive all that they gave up back in hundredfold with persecutions.

Quotes

A question about divorce

It is perhaps the contrast between the concessions allowed by the Law and its basic rigorous demand that led Mark to place this incident in a context concerned with the demands of discipleship: those who follow Jesus are those whose aim is to do the will of God, not to look for concessions….

Jesus blesses the Children

Mark’s inclusion of the story at this point has been seen as topical, a narrative about children following naturally after one on marriage and divorce. For him, however, its importance is more likely to lie in the sayings about the Kingdom in vv. 14 and 15: once again, he has used a story which is linked to his basic theme of the meaning of discipleship.

The story is a reminder that the Kingdom is given to those who are content to receive it as a gift without laying claim to it, and a warning to those in the community who claim the right to exercise authority over others.

…The Kingdom belongs to them [children] because they have nothing on which they base a claim, but are content to receive the Kingdom as a gift; their attitude is akin to what Paul describes as ‘faith’, which humbly receives God’s grace. This is why children are said to show the appropriate attitude—not because they are presumed to be innocent or without sin.

By linking Jesus’ words about entering the Kingdom with his action in blessing the children, Mark reminds us that to come to Jesus is to be confronted by the claims and benefits of the Kingdom; his blessing is a symbol of the joy which the Kingdom brings.

Foster on the disciplines

Picture a long, narrow ridge with a sheer drop-off on either side. The chasm to the right is the way of moral bankruptcy through human strivings for righteousness. Historically this have been called the heresy of moralism. The chasm to the left is moral bankruptcy through the absence of human strivings. This has been called the heresy of antinomianism. On the ridge there is a path, the Disciplines of spiritual life. This path leads to the inner transformation and healing for which we seek. Me must never veer off to the right or the left, but stay on the path. The path is fraught with severe difficulties, but also with incredible joys. As we travel on this path, the blessing of God will come upon us and reconstruct us into the image of Jesus Christ. We must always remember that the path does not produce the change; it only places us where the change can occur. This is the path of disciplined grace.

Effective prayer and the God who provides

Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.

Elijah was a human being like us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain and the earth yielded its harvest.

We have a God who answers prayer! History bears it out. If we ask, in Jesus name, in his heart, we will receive it! Health for our bodies, salvation for our souls, wisdom, knowledge and strength all from his almighty hand! Added to James’ example of Elijah, we have Esther who’s own prayers and fasting before God are summed up in her request to the king.

“If I have won your favor, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me -- that is my petition -- and the lives of my people -- that is my request.”

The psalmist declares, “If it had not been the LORD who was on our side -- let Israel now say -- if it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when our enemies attacked us, then they would have swallowed us up alive.” But the Lord was on their side, and is on their side and mine! And yours! Let us rejoice with the psalmist, “Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as prey to their teeth. We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.”

And with James declare, “Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise.”

The Israelites in the desert complained of not having meat to eat. God provides them not with the meat of animals, but with the Spirit of Prophesy anointing the elders to prophesy and meet a deeper need.

The Psalmist declares, “The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the LORD are sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eyes;”

Jesus response to others casting out demons in his name is like that of Moses, “Would that all God’s people were prophets.” Jesus said “For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.”

God provides for the deep needs, Jesus commends us to the providing of even the simple needs, a drink of water, a word of encouragement, or a deed of power to the increasing of the faith of his children. (Woe to those who cause them to stumble!)

Wisdom of the whole

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy.

Proverbs sings the virtues of a wife of ancient times who understood the wisdom from above. The psalmist sings of those who follow heavenly wisdom,

“Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; but their delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law they meditate day and night. They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper.”

Like the virtuous wife, James challenges those who think themselves wise to show it with their lives. It is by following earthly wisdom and the lusts of the flesh that we find strife and conflict.

Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from? Do they not come from your cravings that are at war within you? You want something and do not have it; so you commit murder. And you covet something and cannot obtain it; so you engage in disputes and conflicts. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures.

---

The psalmist sings with the suffering messiah. “For the insolent have risen against me, the ruthless seek my life; they do not set God before them. Selah” Jeremiah identifies with the fate of Christ, “… I was like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter. And I did not know it was against me that they devised schemes, saying, "Let us destroy the tree with its fruit, let us cut him off from the land of the living, so that his name will no longer be remembered!"”

Jesus again predicts his suffering and in response we hear another argument of who will be greatest. Jesus is giving the example again and again. He will die, his whole body given, even for those who are nailing it to the cross. “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all”

Messianic Example

We of the wisdom of God, of the Messiah, should accept the grace of God that instructs our whole being. Our whole life changed by his power. Isaiah said of the Messiah, “The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens-- wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught.”

The palmist sings of the kind of suffering the messiah would endure as Jesus prophesies he will go through. With an example of whole being offered to God, how can we do less?

Of wisdom and tongue

Wisdom cries out in the street; in the squares she raises her voice.
At the busiest corner she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:

"How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?
How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?

Give heed to my reproof; I will pour out my thoughts to you;
I will make my words known to you.

Wisdom is abundant for those who will see it. Madame Day holds classes every morning, Professor Night lectures each evening. Their silent voices sing of God’s wisdom in creation. The revelation of God is spectacular for those who have eyes to see it.

The Psalmist says, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.” James says that the mouth is the last stronghold to yield to the wisdom of God. Such a small member but the one that can control it is perfect. Yet James tells us that doing just that is a matter of our worship.

“With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so.”

Virtues of Rich and Poor

This week we have three proverbs offered to us about the rich and the poor.

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.

The rich and the poor have this in common: the LORD is the maker of them all.

Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of anger will fail.

Those who are generous are blessed, for they share their bread with the poor.

Do not rob the poor because they are poor, or crush the afflicted at the gate;

for the LORD pleads their cause and despoils of life those who despoil them.

The psalmist declares that it is he who trusts the Lord who abide forever unshakeable.

James warns us that we should not favor the rich, honoring them and cowing to them for their continued tithe, attendance and patronage. “Is it not the rich who oppress you? Is it not they who drag you into court? Is it not they who blaspheme the excellent name that was invoked over you?” How many a church treasurer has become the church dictator? How many a power-player leverages their bedraggled minister by threatening to withdraw? Isn’t it the respectable that more often show themselves least worthy of respect?

Instead of taking the respectable as favorites, James challenges us to favor the down-and-out. Not a very practical way to run a ministry, I know. Yet, James makes it a matter of faith. If we had a faith-full heart, it would bubble out with action. We would not say to them, "Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill," and yet not supply their bodily needs. No we would do… compelled by faith—compelled by heart, driven to act, meeting the needs. We don’t show partiality, meet the needs of the rich and poor a like.

Faith without works is dead. In verse 26 James says it again, “The very moment you separate body and spirit, you end up with a corpse. Separate faith and works and you get the same thing: a corpse.”

God as doer

Over and against James do we see Jesus showing favoritism to the Chosen people over the Syro-Phoenician woman? Is it a matter of election? As the psalmist says, “The LORD will reign forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations.” God is in charge, he chooses.

But Jesus chooses to heal. The psalmist also says

“Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD their God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets the prisoners free; the LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous.”

And this Almighty God of the Election also told Isaiah,

“Say to those who are of a fearful heart, "Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you." Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped…”

The voice of the Lord rolls down through prophesies of the ages declaring I will heal. The voice rolls off the tongue of the God’s own Anointed in response to the Woman, and flows in his saliva as he touches the tongue of the deaf man. His stopped up ears hear the voice. Ephphatha!