Reflexion, A Spiritual Community

We’ve come to the last chapter in Mark’s gospel And to the enigma at the end of the book - that’s because the story ends at Mark 16, verse 8 • you say, “Chuck! My Bible still has more verses” ◦ “Yes, I know, but read the fine print” • the most ancient manuscripts that we have in our possession end at verse 8 ◦ scholars tell us the quality of the Greek writing changes at verse 9 ◦ the evidence supp...

This story is about Christ the Victim becoming Christ the Victor I’m going to jump right into my meditations on this chapter My meditation: “I want Mark to use his remarkable storytelling skills to enhance the details of what is depicted here. I want him to enable us to visualize it and hear every sound. It would benefit us to begin to fathom what Jesus suffered and to feel the utter hopelessness...

 My first thought is that this is Jesus these religious leaders want to eliminate. He has done only good; he has opened windows to the kingdom of God; he has advocated for spiritual and humanitarian reforms; and he has healed countless people. My second thought is the devious approach the religious teams use to eliminate him. There is something about injustice that disturbs me so intensely it keep...

 The temple plays an important role in Jesus’ story The one clear accusation brought against him at his trial was, “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands’” (Mk. 14:58). - but they weren’t certain what that even meant Yet even about this their testimony did not agree (Mk. 14:59) • I tend to think, if someth...

For the last few chapters, tension has been growing The religious establishment has taken notice of Jesus – in this chapter, the conflict leads to a public showdown • this began at end of chapter 11 with priests, scribes, and elders By what authority are you doing these thing or who gave you this authority to do them? (Mk. 11:28) ◦ so the ‘And’ at beginning of chapter 12 is a continuation of that...

The chapter begins with Jesus’ dramatic entrance into Jerusalem But first, he gives instructions to two disciples regarding the colt he was going to ride - imagine this: the disciples go find the colt and begin untying it, • wouldn’t the bystanders assume they were stealing it ◦ so Jesus instructed them to say,

When Nicodemus visited Jesus, his first words were, Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God Nicodemus was correct -- Jesus is a teacher - Mark tells us teaching people Jesus' “custom” – his usual response when people showed up • that is what we witness as we watch Jesus move through this chapter • Jesus never ran out of things to say ◦ and every word he spoke was enlightenment - o...

There are at least two ways to read the Bible We can dive into it head-first or we can enter with our heart – of course it’s important to think about what we’re reading • but it’s also important to feel what we read ◦ to be responsive to the content of the text and how it affects us • I study Scriptures with my head and meditate with my heart – my meditations are mostly private • they consist of w...

We are at the center of Mark’s gospel, heart of his message – the hub of the wheel In chapter 8 Mark pulls everything together  - Jesus Christ appeared in the world on a mission • he came to introduce people to the kingdom of God • but making them aware of God’s presence and kingdom proved to be extremely difficult ◦ it is not easy for us to awaken to God’s Spirit - this chapter reveals the tensio...

I have been blessed with a number of extraordinary friends One of them was incredibly creative - he could hardly complete a project, because he was constantly distracted by new idea • sometimes I would call him when feeling depressed • his creativity was so inspiring, it changed my outlook - he agreed to fill-in for me as a guest speaker • it took him awhile to come up with a title for his talk, b...

Years ago, a woman who worked at the church experienced an emotional or psychological breakdown – her therapist recommended a clinic for in-patient care • when she was allowed visitors, her family asked me to go see her • right away I noticed she looked different – lighter, like a weight had been lifted ◦ she was definitely in a better frame of mind ◦ brighter, positive and hopeful – she explained...

Every year, one line from the Easter story comes to mind I decided that I would talk about that line today - the women came early in the morning, • and they found the tomb, but they did not find Jesus • however, two men met them, dressed in dazzling apparel ◦ I don’t know about their "apparel," but that sounds like "Project Runway" to me ◦ the only other time Luke uses the word...

I have enjoyed this story ever since I was a child When spending the night with cousins or friends, - we would sit in the dark and tell ghost stories • it surprised me to find one of the spookiest of ghost stories in Mark's gospel ◦ and this one is true – it really happened ◦ Mark turns flashlight into his face and tells "The Legend of Legion" • “It all began on the other side of th...

I’ve enjoyed the privilege of walking the shores of the Galilee "sea" Sometimes in the early morning, other times in the afternoon, and some evenings as well - so once, when reading this chapter, I put myself there • Jesus could be seen walking those shores frequently ◦ that’s what he was doing when he called his first disciples (Mk. 1:16-20) • in the previous chapter, people found him t...

If you haven’t noticed, There’s a pattern that many sermons and Christian books follow – the preacher or author begin with a problem: • what Christians or churches are doing wrong – or not doing • then in the sermon or book they set out to solve the problem ◦ for instance, what we’re supposed to do and how to do it right – every week people hear their preacher begin by pointing out their shortcomi...

Last week a friend asked me “What Bible book to read to get to know Jesus–the person?” – my immediate answer was Mark’s gospel • that’s the book where I meet Jesus – and feel that I’m drawn close to him ◦ this is my experience, even though Mark is most condensed of the four Gospels • in fact, he tends to downplay some of the exciting episodes ◦ for instance, Jesus’ temptation (Mk. 1:12-13) – blink...

 Growing up, our family vacation was Christian summer camp  We would drive through deserts of California and Arizona to Williams - we traveled without air-conditioning and with games that grew old fast • three of us older children were crammed in the back seat and fought a lot defending our invisible walls • children can make that kind of eight hour journey miserable - imagine the agitation of tha...

This is an odd story.  Not only for the strange miracle that God sets up, - but also because it seems unnecessary in the context of the larger narrative • the people of Israel were disappointed and discouraged ◦ their situation was primed for discontent and insurrection • four rebellions had been staged and subdued: ◦ Moses’ sister and brother (ch. 12) ◦ the whole nation turned from God at the bor...

Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his words. And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone’s opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus, aware of their...

Jim Calhoun We live in an anxious age. I think I begin most of my talks with this observation. But we need to remind ourselves that today has its own flavor. That today isn’t just like yesterday. We haven’t been here before. We continue to observe a decline in civility, of decency. We continue to observe increasing aggression in words, in deeds. On the road, at the market, between friends and acqu...

Intro: I wasn’t going to mention anything about depression today Everyone goes through stuff – and we just have to ride it out - I feel like the poet who in Psalm 13 asks God, How long, O LORD, Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul  and have sorrow in my heart all the day? (Ps. 13:1-2)

You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax co...