what is life?

A little background:

·    When the man comes up to Jesus, he compliments Jesus by calling him good, in the culture of the time, this meant Jesus should be return with a compliment.

·         prevailing theology was “wealth = blessing from God”, the idea that the wealthy would not be the first into the Kingdom is a radical change[i]

·    In Mark, the man is not described in the same way as Luke – where he is the rich young ruler. In Mark he is a property owner. I am told the word used for having possessions, means property rather than watches or jewellery or books.

·    In the commandments listed, which are the second half of the ten commandments that deal with how we live in community with each other, Jesus adds in an extra one – do not cheat. Is Jesus implying the man has exploited his workers?

Landowners had tenant farmers farm their land, with the landowner getting the excess over what the family needed, but as in other times in history, it is possible the landowner was demanding his portion first, even if that meant the tenant farmer could not feed his family.

The last week we read the section where Peter declares that Jesus is the Messiah, the Jesus says this is what will happen, I will be tortured and killed, and Peters says: no way, that isn’t how it is going to happen.

Then the story of Jesus up the mountain with Moses and Elijah and a voice form heaven saying: This is my son, listen to him!

Then some parts we didn’t hear read:

Jesus healing a boy with a spirit,

Jesus again says he will be killed;

then the first part of today’s reading –

the argument about who is greatest and the need to welcome children, then a question from the disciples over what to do about an exorcist that isn’t one of them
and a conversation about what to do if you are tempted to sin,
the teaching on divorce,
Jesus blessing the children,
then the story of the rich man.

I wonder if Jesus ever got angry and said to the disciples:

when will you get this!

There is not going to be a palace or a party at the end of this road.

I am the Messiah, but not like what you are looking for.

We are almost up to the entry into Jerusalem and Jesus can see the writing in the wall.

What to make of this reading?

Well, it isn’t saying being rich is good or bad.

But what is important is what we do with what we have.

The kingdom is not after we die, but what we live into here and now.

The Kingdom of God is not about who has the most possessions, land, money, toys, or anything else.

The kingdom of God is based on who generated the most love and reconciliation and forgiveness

It is about living into the Kingdom, seeing the divinity in each person.

We are near the beginning of Lent, a time when we consider our life with God and with others. A time when we review our lives and our priorities.

Verse 21[NRSV]: Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, ‘You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’  

Notice that Jesus loves the man, before the man decides what to do. The love of Jesus does not depend on your response to his call to come and follow. Jesus loves you!

Just as the other disciples were called to leave behind their nets and tax booths and everything else, so this man was called to leave everything he has. And we are also called to follow and be willing to leave behind anything and any relationship.

Jesus says: I love you

Then invites us into a deeper relationship with God and with those around us.

And in that relationship with God we are challenged to be agents of reconciliation, admitting our greed, hateful words and offensive behaviour.

None of us are perfect, and I don’t think Jesus expects perfection.

Love is the basis of Christianity;

the Love of God shown in Jesus

the love of Jesus shown in his living

the love that we show others because we know we are loved unconditionally.

How does the love of God for us

and the love of Christ in us

show in our lives?

Reflection time

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[i] https://www.pulpitfiction.com/narrative-notes/2-26

Follow, Risk, Live - The Way of Jesus

This morning’ passage comes from the middle/hinge part of the gospel it starts with two questions from Jesus to the disciples:

“What do people say about me?”

“who do you say I am?”

What do people say about Jesus today?

Anything?

Some say nothing

Some think he has some good teaching

In the Islamic faith Jesus is a prophet

I think what others might say about Jesus is an interesting question for us, but a more important question is who do you say Jesus is?

Who or what is Jesus for you?

·    judge

·    friend

·    healer

·    teacher

·    saviour

·    messiah

·    life giver

·    hope bearer

·    forgiveness

·    …..

We all have words for Jesus that we use when we pray and when we name Jesus for ourselves or others.

I am going to give you a moment now to think of a favourite word about Jesus.

[20 seconds]

Now I invite you to tell someone sitting near you.

………

After the who am I questions from Jesus, he tells the disciples he will die. This is what being the Messiah is, it isn’t getting a crown and an army or a palace, but injustice and death and rising to new life.

And Peter, being Peter, says – oh no, that isn’t how this works. Peter is looking the Messiah who will overthrow the Romans and not just Peter, that was the expectation of many at that time.

Peter says – oh no, that isn’t how this works.

Jesus says to him: “Satan, get away from me! You are thinking like everyone else and not like God.”

That phrase stood out to me: You are thinking like everyone else and not like God.

How often do we do that?

How often do we choose money, or our own safety over helping someone in need?

How often do we choose to stay quiet when we are called to speak out?

In what ways do we allow poverty and homelessness and injustice to continue because the remedy will impact us in ways that are uncomfortable.

……

Then the crowd and disciples hear how followers of Jesus need to realise it isn’t an easy way to live. Being a follower of Jesus means giving up your life for God.

What would you be prepared to give up?

Maybe the question is what will you not give up for God?

I encourage you to think this week about what it means for you to be a disciple of the one who was crucified. The way who gave everything. The one who calls us to follow and to live in obedience to him.

Next week as we meet together on the first Sunday in Lent, you will have the opportunity to consider your covenant with God.

After telling the disciples that he will be arrested and killed, Jesus takes Peter, James and John up the mountain with him. We have the story of Moses and Elijah and Jesus shining brightly and the voice from heaven, again. In chapter 1, as Jesus was coming out of the water after being baptised by John a voice form heaven said: “You are my own dear Son, and I am pleased with you.”

Here on the mountain a voice from heaven says: “This is my Son, and I love him. Listen to what he says!”

It is likely the first time was for Jesus, the second time for the disciples who were with him.

In this section, where Jesus is on the mountain there is lots of symbolism.

·     Firstly, they are on a mountain, so something amazing is likely to happen.

·    Then Moses and Elijah appear. Moses, the one who received the law from God and Elijah, one of the prophets. Moses and Elijah are themselves evoke “the law and the prophets,” the biblical name for the Hebrew Bible.

·    Both have experiences on mountains, Moses when the law was given to him for the people of Israel, and Elijah, when he heard the voice of God in the silence.

And amidst the symbols, Peter wants to build something. I get this. When I have had strong God experiences, I want to mark it somehow. Sometimes sitting there is so intense it is really difficult.

I wonder if it is also because we live in a world that values

doing/making/building more than

being/breathing/reflecting.

……..

The Gospel of Mark starts with who is Jesus, then looks at what it means to be the Messiah, then the final week of the life of Jesus.

The part of the reading this morning I find many people have trouble with is: If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross and follow me.

Carrying our cross is not about accepting abuse or suffering as if it is somehow a way to salvation. The first half of the Gospel of Mark has Jesus healing and freeing people.  This is not abuse or suffering for its own sake.

This is about being persecuted for following Jesus. This is not as common in Australia as it is in some places, and certainly the early followers of Jesus did risk their lives just by being a disciple.[i]

People at this time were defined by the people he belonged with, generally the family.[ii] I still hear today – what can you expect, she or he is from that family, the idea of being a chip of the old block. I have heard it said of people who are wealthy, or in prison, or who are shady in their business dealings, or known for their community mindedness.

Here Jesus is saying if you want to follow me, you risk rejection and isolation from family and friends. You risk people not accepting you. You give up defining yourself.

Amongst my parent’s friends I was known as Ross Banister’s daughter. Jesus asks will you give up being known as that to follow me. I did, and it wasn’t always easy being Patty, trying to follow Jesus instead of Ross Bannister’s daughter. Being Ross Bannister’s daughter opened doors at folk festivals and canoe gatherings and guaranteed a place for me at any of those social events. Being Patty, a follower of Jesus meant moving less and less in those circles, not because they did anything wrong, but because Jesus wanted me to be me.

Early in Mark’s gospel we heard Jesus say to the disciples: Come and Follow me. This morning we heard some of the reality of that following. The risk of persecution; being laughed at; being isolated or rejected; being killed; giving up our life, to be given life.

Who do you say Jesus is?

Can you remember the word from earlier that you told someone?

In what ways does that show in your life and words and choices and actions.

Jesus calls us to follow,

to risk everything

to live.

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[i] https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=1383&fbclid=IwAR3mKICieVwMM5PQOxoeSh1zOft7QrFVgv1TuJ7w3RdYmBoPkXEwDkNmd3I

[ii] https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=1383&fbclid=IwAR3mKICieVwMM5PQOxoeSh1zOft7QrFVgv1TuJ7w3RdYmBoPkXEwDkNmd3I

Tradition. Law and Worship

Some background about the Pharisees and Sadducees:

The Torah is the first 5 books of the Old Testament.

The Sadducees taught that the written Torah was the only source of revelation or Law.

The Pharisees believed that the Law that God gave to Moses was twofold, consisting of the Written Law, the Torah, and the Oral Law—i.e., the teachings of the prophets and the oral traditions of the Jewish people.[i]

The Sadducees were the party of high priests, aristocratic families, and merchants—the wealthier elements of the population. They generally represented the conservative view within Judaism.

While the Pharisees, claimed the authority of piety and learning, the Sadducees claimed that of birth and social and economic position. During the long period of the two parties’ struggle—which lasted until the Romans’ destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD—the Sadducees dominated the Temple and its priesthood.[ii]

In the reading we heard this morning it is the Pharisees asking Jesus a question - why don’t your disciples wash their hands the right way, the traditional way.

Washing our hands is important in terms of physical hygiene, but here they are not talking about germs and dirt; but being unfit to worship God.

For the Pharisees the tradition was important. You wash your hands the correct way or you will not be suitable to worship God.

Jesus quotes Isaiah:

“All of you praise me with your words,

but you never really think about me.”

Some other translations are:

These people make a big show of saying the right thing,

    but their heart isn’t in it.

They act like they are worshiping me,

    but they don’t mean it. [Mark 7:6 The Message]

Their worship is nothing more than a charade! [TPT]

These people mouth all the right words,

        but their hearts aren’t in it.

     Their worship is just one big sham.[iii]

I think you get the idea.

To me the reading we heard this morning is not about handwashing or washing the cooking pans. It is about what makes us right with God.

Is it tradition?

Is it the Law of Moses in the first five books of the Old Testament?

Is it singing the right hymns or saying the right prayers?

Is it turning up to church on Sunday morning?

Or is it something else?

What is it that makes us suitable or not suitable to worship God?

If we are separated from God or not suitable to worship God because of what comes out of our hearts, rather then what we eat, what can we do to change that?

I am not sure washing our hearts the way we wash our hands is possible, or even if it would work.

This passage encourages us to explore some important questions–

1.   how important is tradition

2.   what is the Law and how do we interpret the Law in this day and place?

3.   how do we have good things come from within us?

Tradition: is it important? Some aspects of tradition will be important to different people. For example, the tradition here is to stand as the offering is brought forward, that doesn’t happen everywhere.  The idea behind it is that you are offering yourself as well as what is in the offering plate to God. Do you feel that when you stand?

In some churches the tradition is to stand for the Bible reading, in others you stand to pray, others kneel to pray.

I know from conversations that for some of you the tradition is that communion is served so that all eat and drink at the one time. For others the tradition is that you come forward to the communion rail. There are reasons for both, we just don’t a have large enough communion rail for everyone at the one time.

There are lots of traditions in churches, families, clubs and countries. Being a tradition doesn’t make something good or bad, but it helps to see what is behind the tradition.

For the Pharisees what made you unsuitable to worship God was not only sin,

but also not following tradition,

or working in a job where you handled dead bodies,

or one of many everyday situations people found themselves in.  

What about the Law of God: Do we only recognise the Torah, like the Sadducees, or are we like the Pharisees and recognise the Torah and the Prophets and the oral tradition?

Or is there something more to our relationship with God that neither the Sadducees nor Pharisees were aware of.  

We live in a different time, a post resurrection time.  For us as Christians our relationship with God is not defined by tradition or the Torah, but by the love of God shown in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

If you asked me to define the Law, I would say, love God, love neighbour and love each other.

I wonder what you think makes people unsuitable to worship God.

are there times when you feel like you are not able to worship God?

….

One of my favourite hymns is ‘Come as you are’,

the idea of God wanting us to be in relationship with God,

to sit with God no matter what is happening or has happened.

“Come as you are that’s how I want you.

 Come as you are, feel quite at home.

….

Nothing can change the love that I bear you.

All will be well, just come as you are.”

Our relationship with God is not about hand washing, or even bible reading, though both are helpful things to do.

Our relationship with God is based on God and God’s love rather than anything we do.

That doesn’t mean our words and actions do not have consequences.

What is it that makes us suitable to worship God?

What keeps our actions and words suitable for God – hearts that are full of God.

We could look at Micah 6:8

The LORD God has told us

what is right

    and what he demands:

“See that justice is done,

let mercy be your first concern,

    and humbly obey your God.”

or Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi while he was in prison:

Philippians 4:8

Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise.

Contemporary English Version (CEV) Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society

What makes us fit to worship God -it is not our hygiene or our dress style or our address.

God cleanses us from the evil that comes from within us - evil thoughts, vulgar deeds, stealing, greed, meanness, deceit, pride, foolishness and more.

What makes us fit to worship God is God.

God’s love and grace

The love of God shown in the life and death and resurrection of Jesus

The grace of God shown to each of us in forgiveness.

Gospel Reflection

Lord,
let our hearts not be
far from you.

Help us reach out to our neighbour,
even when we are busy or tired.
Let us tear down walls
when we’d
rather
let them stand.

Stretch us, please.

Whether we are
visiting a prisoner,

offering a smile,

feeding the hungry,
be within us so that whatever we do,
we do with your love.

Let the world know we are your disciples
not because our hands are clean,
but because they are soiled
with the mark of your
people.

~ written by Anne Osdieck, and posted on Saint Louis University’s The Center for Liturgy web site. http://liturgy.slu.edu/

We take some time to listen to spirit.

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[i] https://www.britannica.com/topic/Pharisee

[ii] https://www.britannica.com/topic/Sadducee

[iii] http://laughingbird.net/ScriptureParaphrases.html

What a story!

What a story!

Looking at this passage this week I felt like this was a series of stories like a string of beads; each one different, but all combined to be something amazing.

A quick run through of the five parts:

Part 1:

Jesus has been travelling around Galilee and goes back to Nazareth;
where he is son of, brother of ….
these people watched him grow up,
and they take offense at this upstart who speaks of a new way of living.

Have you ever been in that place –

where people see you as

the awkward teen,

the frazzled young parent,

the learner driver.

Sometimes it is hard to grow out of the box we are placed in by others.

The people in Nazareth think they know who Jesus is,

they don’t notice all that he is,

and all he has to offer them.

And he is unable to display the power he has in other places.

Part 2:

The sending out of the disciples

Jesus says:

Take my power with you

Pack light

Accept hospitality

Don’t stay where you are not wanted.

The disciples have been with Jesus for a while, they have seen him heal and cast out demons, and now it is their turn.

“The apostles returned from their mission and gathered around Jesus and told him everything they had done and taught.”

Just like coming home from an adventure and wanting to tell people what has happened.

Part 3:

Herod heard about Jesus and what he was doing. People wondered who Jesus was?

Elijah

Another prophet

John the Baptist

Which brings us to Part 4:

a looking back

Herod and Herodias and John the Baptist.

This is where this passage gets really ugly.

Herod is concerned about how popular John is,

that could lead to unrest, so

Herod puts John in prison,

And hopes that will keep him out of the way.

Herodias is furious. She wants this ‘holy’ man out of the way.

Herod is hosting a lavish party

And the daughter of Herodias is dancing for his friends

Remember Esther approaching the king looking to secure her people’s lives?

Some of the same words are used in this passage.

This time it ends with the death of John the Baptist.

Part 5:

There are people everywhere, Jesus takes the disciples away for rest;

And the people follow.

Jesus is filled with compassion and teaches them

And then the question about dinner for a crowd.

The rest of the chapter tells of everyone being fed

the disciples get in a boat crossing the lake – again.

Jesus going up the mountain to pray

Jesus sees the disciples struggling as the wind gets stronger

He walks to them on the water

They are terrified

He tells them who he is, the wind calms down, they get safely to shore.

When they get out of the boat, another crowd of people looking for healing.

What a story! And that is just one chapter!

What to take away from all this.

·         Some people will see you as a five-year-old or a thirty-year-old and not the person you are today.

·         Ministry is dangerous, both John and Jesus died for teaching about a new way of living; and living it out.

·         The people with power in the current system won’t thank you for challenging the status quo. Leaders, especially those who are insecure will do anything to stay in power and can be often easily manipulated.

And there is plenty more in this passage that resonates with life today.

I will focus for a moment on the section where Jesus calls and sends the disciples.

There is much good advice in here

If you are a leader, share authority

When you travel, pack light

Rely on hospitality and stay in the same place – don’t go looking for better quarters or fancier food.

All this happens in the midst of rejection and business.

Jesus knew what it was like to be rejected, “In between calling the 12 and sending the 12, Jesus is rejected by his family, legal experts, foreign people across the lake, and his hometown.” ^[i]

I know for many of you your energy levels are depleted through poor health or an overwhelming sense of responsibility.

One thing that comes through passage for me is about relationships.

relationship with Jesus and each other.

Jesus didn’t send the disciples out alone, they went with another disciple, they stayed with people who offered hospitality

they went with the authority of Jesus.

If Jesus said to me go and cast out demons, I am not sure what I would do.

But Jesus hasn’t asked me to do that, or maybe I should say not yet 😊

Jesus asks each of us to be faithful to our call,

to bear witness to the love and grace of God.

That could be through teaching school

or being an accountant

or delivering parcels

or cutting hair

or packing lunches

or flying to the moon ……..

Jesus calls us to follow and sends us out to be in mission

I think this passage reminds us that Christianity is not a series of rituals and prayers

Christianity is a lived faith, a way of living and that means participating in God’s re-creation of the world.

I know many of you will tell me that why you can’t be part of bringing about of the kingdom of God.

But ‘what if you are exactly what is needed in a situation’ [ii]

it may be that God has given you the gift that will help someone feel welcome or included or safe or forgiven.

When we each use the gifts we have, for the kingdom of God, amazing things can happen- remember the disciples were fishermen and a tax collector and a zealot, and they turned into healers and teachers.

What might we do with God when we all work together with Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit?

Also remember that when we upset the tyrants of the world

when we march for justice

picket for fair wages

hold our political leaders to account

they probably won’t thank us for it.

The Uniting Church, along with most churches in Australia continues to call on the Federal Government

to act on climate change

to treat refugees and asylum seekers with dignity

the Uniting Church is part of a group calling on the State Government to treat drug addiction as a medical and social issue rather than a criminal issue.

The Uniting Church speaks on issues of justice, recognising the inherent dignity of each person.

Throughout the Gospel of Mark we see power being challenged, used and abused.

This morning we read of

the abuse of power by Herod and

the healing power of Jesus.

We saw places where the people could not see past the problem.

But when we work with God in bringing about a kingdom of grace and justice, we also know that the answer may not be the one defined for us.

Jesus almost always gives a different way:

a new way of living

another kind of power

one that is not focussed on our own status or pride.

I see it happen on Friday morning. People come to playgroup with their children, or grandchildren. They feel welcome, and in turn welcome others. One grandmother stayed and helped in the kitchen for two years after her grandchild had gone to school.

I see it in the relief in the faces of parents when someone listens to their concerns

I see it when one of the volunteers sews on a button or mends a hem or sews a strap back onto a favourite dress.

I see glimpses of the kingdom of God each Friday morning as people are welcomed

hospitality is offered

comfort and prayer provided

hope given

a smile and a cuppa can mean so much when life feels like a continual struggle.

There is a lot in this story, a story of

relationships

mission

power

life and

death.

It is a story not unlike our own

Where do we see glimpses of the growing of the kingdom of God?

Where do we participate the growing of the kingdom of God?

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[i] https://www.pulpitfiction.com/narrative-notes/2-23

[ii] https://bibleworm.podbean.com/e/episode-024-mark-61-29-jesus-sends-out-the-twelve/