Wednesday Wake Up #35

Jesus Eats with Sinners

In my many travels (read this article) I came across an image with some text that seemed to be saying that Jesus would endorse/support sin because he ate with sinners. I may have gotten the message a bit mixed up (I doubt it though), but I do think and know that there are people who believe that because Jesus ate with sinners, that it must mean that he accepted their sinful ways as okay to live in and would encourage these sins to continue. I beg to differ and scripture would disagree with that too (that is what is most important). Jesus does not endorse sin. Many look at Jesus and forget why he came to earth and what his purpose was while he was here. I hope I can remind people today that Jesus would not encourage or endorse sinful behavior.

In Mark 2:13-17, Jesus had called Levi to follow him. Levi was a tax collector and they were known to take more taxes and save some for themselves. While eating with Levi and other tax collectors, the Pharisees got upset with Jesus for eating with tax collectors and sinners. Jesus told them that it is not the well, but the sick that needed doctors just as the sinners (the sick) are the ones who needed Jesus. Why would a sinner need Jesus? So that they can follow him. If you love Jesus and what he stood for then understand he was not just a good person, but a servant of God doing the Lord's will while loving the unloving and the sinners.

And remember that Jesus did not want you to sin. Remember the adulteress woman who the Pharisees brought to him to have her stoned according to the law (John 8:1-11)? After he made some markings in the sand, Jesus told the Pharisees whomever had not sinned could cast the first stone. The Pharisees one by one dropped their stones and walked away and could no longer condemn her. When there was no one left to condemn her, Jesus said he didn't condemn her either and that she should "go and sin no more." Jesus wants us to be united with God in Heaven and if we are accepting of God's grace and accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior then we get who Jesus is. For those that think that Jesus just accepted everyone and was okay with everything, they still have some reading to do.
 

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Acts 15: The Two Splits and Fusion Attempt

The Two Splits and Fusion Attempt 

There were men telling the brothers of the church that only those who are circumcised can be saved. That completely overwrites what Christ did on the cross and what Paul and Barnabas had been teaching. Paul and Barnabas tried to persuade them through debate. That didn't work so they went to go speak with the elders and other apostles about the matter but they could not come to an agreement. There were those who were circumcised as the Pharisees were, but were also Christians and still believed that circumcision led to salvation. They were split (Acts 15:1-5).

During these debates, Peter spoke on the issues setting the focus on faith and not the acts of keeping the laws of Moses. Then Paul and Barnabas spoke up on the miracles they have seen and had done through God's will. The assembly fell silent and eventually James spoke and suggested to write to the Gentiles who had turned to God. The letters were to encourage them to flee sexual immorality and to abstain from anything polluted by false idols. The letters were also to create unity in that which was divided; the church (Acts 15:6-35).

Paul and Barnabas had a disagreement. They both wanted to visit the places where they preached the word of God and check up on the people. Barnabas wanted to take Mark, but Paul did not want to because Mark had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia. This is where the disagreement ensued and they both went their separate ways with Paul taking Silas with him and Barnabas taking Mark (Acts 15:36-41).

It is okay when we disagree with one another. It is the manner in which we disagree. In other words, what did you say and how did you say it? Where was your heart? Did you listen to what they had to say? Did you ask for clarification when you were not sure of something? We don't always have to be right and in this disagreement between Paul and Barnabas those types of questions would need to be asked in hopes that the relationship remain in tact rather than split for good.

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Acts 12: Two Deaths and a Rescue

Two Deaths and a Rescue

King Herod was committing violent acts against members of the church including killing James (brother of John) with a sword. He saw that the Jews were happy about this and then went and arrested Peter as well. Herod is obviously not a man that was seeking God's will. (Acts 12:1-5).

The night before Herod was to have Peter killed, Peter was rescued by an angel of the Lord. The angel tapped him on the side, told him to get up and the chains came off. Peter got dressed and was led out by the angel. The gates to the city opened and the angel disappeared. Peter knew at that point that he was rescued by an angel of the Lord. Peter appeared to others and told them to be quiet about his rescue so that he would not be found. Then he went off to another place. When Herod found out that Peter was no longer in prison, he had the sentries (guards) killed (Acts 12:6-19).

Herod was upset with the people of Tyre and Sidon and they sought for peace with Herod because they got their food from Herod's country. They needed him. The day that he gave an oration (speech) them, the people shouted "The voice of God and not of a man." Herod took pride in that. They were saying that Herod was like a god and was not like a man. Herod took all the credit and God struck him down. The word of God continued to spread and Barnabas and Saul came back from serving and brought back Mark (Acts 12:20-25). 

What I learned in this chapter is that a person seeking to do God's will (like Peter) can be rescued. Also, just because you are doing God's will does not mean evil people won't hate you and come after (like James). Lastly, I learned that evil men will be struck down by God as Herod was. 
 
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John 2:16- A House of Trade

A House of Trade

How often in the bible to do you see Jesus getting angry? The Pharisees tried to back him into corners, but never could. He was scoffed at and mocked. The ONLY time we ever read of Jesus's anger in the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) at the church toward those who turned the temple into a "den of thieves" or a house of trade as in John 2:16. That incident alone should be an example of righteous anger (breaking God's commandments) versus human anger over things like misunderstandings.
 

Jesus was not mad that the temple was selling a book or a Biblical aid or something. Jesus was upset that the focus was completely turned away from God. People who visited the temple during the Passover had to pay a temple tax (like paying to go to church) and money changers served as the one who could convert Roman coins into "acceptable" currency for the temple offerings and the temple tax. 

This is not the same as a tithe or offering. Even in today's times, if I use a foreign bill or coin as an offering or tithe, there shouldn't be anyone there who is working at the church as a foreign cash exchange. That business should be done at the appropriate time and place like at a bank, not during the time of worship to God. When we go to church, we are going to worship God. He is the focus, not the person we find attractive, not the person you want to rub elbows with for political or  personal gain. God's word and teaching is the focus.

References- Got Questions and Study Light- Dave Guzik (Section B:1a-d)

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Mark 9:35- Last of All, Servant of All

Last of All, Servant of All

I just finished reading through Mark 9 and then I decided to look up a couple of polls to see who people ranked as the greatest or most significant person in history (New Republic and Daily Mail UK). The answer may surprise you and then again, maybe it won't. I was thinking maybe someone who is super rich and wealthy like hip hop mogul a Jay-Z or a former president like George Washington. Well, I was wrong. In both of those polls and studies conducted, Jesus won. Jesus is seen as the greatest and most significant person of all time.

Jesus and the disciples were on their way to Capernum and when they had reached their location, Jesus asked them what they had been discussing on the way to Capernum. No one wanted to answer because they were discussing which of them were the greatest. Really?!?! That was on your mind? Well, that is my response, but that isn't the right response. Jesus informs them in verse 35 that if anyone is to be the greatest, he must be the least of all and the servant of all.

Think about that...the greatest must be the least of all and the servant of all. So, these words that were spoken over 2,000 years ago are still holding true. But, it isn't about doping things in order to get recognition, it is serving God by serving people, selflessly. Jesus did not die for our sins so that we could rank him #1 on the internet more than 2000 years later. He did that out of love. Now, I challenge you to show love to someone this week (aside from those you already are friends with).

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Mark 8:34-38- Deny Yourself

Deny Yourself

In reading through Mark 8, a few verses jumped out to me. But, there is one section that really strikes a chord with me. Jesus said many things through his time on earth, but we misconstrue, twist and manipulate what he said. Maybe we do it for personal gain or we do it because we are just confused.

In verses 31-32, Jesus foretells his death and resurrection, and then in verse 34, Jesus goes on to tell people that they must "deny themselves" and "take up their cross and follow" him. If you are to deny yourself, as Christ meant it, it means you are concerned with what God wants from you, not what man wants from you. Man's ways are flawed as they seek personal gain and self promotion (take a look at selfies and social media). If you are to deny yourself, you are not looking to fulfill your motives, you are looking to fulfill God's desires.

Taking up the cross was not an act that was applauded, it was a death sentence. You had to carry the very thing that was going to be used to kill you for your crimes. Jesus carried his cross but was not guilty of any crime. Are you willing to be mocked and ridiculed and falsely accused and persecuted and bullied for following Christ?

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Mark 7:21-23- From Within

The old way of thinking was that if a person did not wash their hands before eating, then what ever they touched and then ate would defile their soul. Jesus said that this is not true. It was not about how you washed your hand or what you ate that would defile you, it was about what was in your heart, mind and soul and what came out of your mouth.

Your soul cannot be ruined by the food you eat. That belief was not from God, that belief came from man (see Mark 7:2-5). Jesus pointed out that the Pharisees were holding on man's laws more than God's. We do need to obey laws that are on earth, but ultimately God's law is more important. God's law gets overtaken for the beliefs that elders put in place.

Jesus made it very clear that the evil thoughts we have come from within. The sexual immorality we have comes from within. The theft, murder and adultery we commit comes from within. All things wicked that man expresses outwardly, starts inwardly. Remember that God's will and ways are far more important than man's.

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Mark 6:7-13- Shake off the Dust

Shake off the Dust

In Mark 6:7-13, we read about Jesus sending out the twelve apostles/disciples. In verse 8, Jesus charged/commanded them to only take one tunic (garment of clothing) and and sandals. They were not to take any bags or bread or any money in their belts. In my reading from Dave Guzik, he states that the rule/law was that Jewish rabbis were not to have the appearance of doing any other business in the temple. So, when Jesus sent out the twelve (2 by 2) they also were not have the appearance that they are doing any other business than spreading the word of Christ. Not having those items also put them in position to have more faith in God that He would provide for them while He did their work. If a preacher/pastor doesn't have have faith in God, then how can they teach others to have that faith?

A second point that I found interesting was the command in verse 11 to "shake off the dust" if any place would not have them or receive their message. The practice of this comes from Jewish people shaking off dust as they would travel through Gentile/non-jewish cities. it was seen as a way to not want to take anything from a city that was not Jewish. Do you see the connection? If a person or place does not receive the word of Christ then do not take that mentality or way of thinking with you in any way shape or form. That includes anything as small as dust. It is not your job as a pastor/preacher or follower of Christ to convince people to receive Jesus. You can share the faith, but you do not have to argue with them until you are blue in the face or until they accept Jesus. You deliver the message. They choose to receive it or reject it. Jesus did not need to argue and neither do you.

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Mark 5- The Healing Power of Jesus

The Healing Power of Jesus

The power of Jesus is amazing. That is an understatement, but still paints you a picture of what power Jesus has. In Mark 5:2-13, Jesus was met by a man with an unclean spirit, the man was demon possessed. The man could no longer be subdued by chains and restraints because he kept breaking them. Jesus asked the unclean spirit what its name was and it referred to it self as "Legion, for we are many" due to there being many unclean spirits in this man's body. Jesus healed the man by sending the demons into a heard of pigs that ended up drowning in the sea. News traveled of this healing and when people came to see they saw Jesus sitting there with the man and he was clothed and in his right mind.

In Mark 5:21-34, another healing took place because of the faith of the women in need. She had a discharge of blood for years. It would not stop. She had seen many doctors and had spent all she had to fix the problem, but it persisted. When Jesus was walking through a crowd of people she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well." She had faith that if she even just touched Jesus, he could heal her. When she did just touch a piece of his garment, he knew that someone had done it because her perceived that power had gone from him. He asked who touched him and she admitted it, with fear. He acknowledged her faith saying that it was that faith that made her well.

 Overall, the point of these instances of healing is to show that Jesus has the ability to make a bleak situation better. He has that power. in the woman's case it was her faith that made her well. Not her faith in herself, but her faith in Jesus. In the man's case it was Jesus coming in and seeing the need and meeting it. How does that relate to us? For those people that we encounter, we can be healing agents or we can be a hindrance. We can help unite them with Christ and aide in the healing. We can pray for people. We can do whatever we can that represents God's will for that person. What will you do with Jesus?

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Mark 4:21-25- A Lamp Under a Basket

A Lamp Under a Basket

Think about that. Think about how you need light to see. Light is essential in our lives. We can't walk around in physical darkness. We would stub our toes on everything from corners on walls and the edges of our beds (obviously these things have happened to me). We can't drive in darkness. When it starts hitting 7:30pm or 8pm currently, we start turning on those car headlights so that others can see us and we don't crash. We turn on our lights so we can and so others can see. Do you see where this is going?

The Word of God is the light in our life. We can either utilize that light so that we can see where we are going or we can essentially put the light under basket and make it irrelevant in our lives.

In Mark 4:21-25, Jesus uses the idea of putting a lamp under a basket to illustrate his point. Lamps are used to be put up on top of something so it can be fully utilized. I read a great comparison to this light as if the light were a cure for a disease. If you had the cure for a disease, you would not keep it to yourself, you would share that cure and help heal others.

So, now that you have the Word of God in your hands and as easy to find, what will you do with it?

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Mark 3:4 and 3:35- God's Will Above All

God's Will Above All

Here we are on the Sabbath and the Pharisees are trying to hold the law over Jesus and show him what he is doing is wrong according to the law. Jesus, as always, was far more focused on not what the law was, but what would be pleasing to God. A man with a withered hand had come into the synagogue on the Sabbath. The Pharisees looked at Jesus to see if he would break the Sabbath by doing "work." Jesus asked them if it was lawful to good or harm, save a life or kill on the Sabbath. No one had an answer and Jesus took the man's hand and healed him.

It was not about how man saw it, but how God will see it.

Later, in Mark 31-35, Jesus explains to us, that our relation to one another is not based in genes and DNA, but in relation to the will of God. Jesus was told that his mother and brothers were outside. He looked around at the people in front of him and referred to them as his mother, sisters and brothers as long as they were doing the will of God. One could speculate he said that because he knew that there were followers that did not think he was in his right mind (verse 20-21). People thought that Jesus was possessed by a demon. 

Jesus was so focused on doing the will of God, that it made no matter what people said about him or to him. the will of God was primary. And doing that will of God is what keeps us in relation to Jesus.

 
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Mark 2:21-22- Are You Ready?

New Wine in Old Wine Skins

I like this section of Mark 2 of the text because it seems to really call out people who say they are ready for something new, but they have not discarded of the old. Remember when I mentioned the other day the part about praying for more money but still having the same old ways? Well, the same idea can apply here too.

Jesus was being questioned about why his disciple's didn't fast. They could not fast as he was still with them and they could fast once he was gone as John the Baptist's disciples fasted after he was dead. It is not that Jesus was against fasting but there was an appropriate time to do it. From there Jesus goes in to explain how old wine skins cannot be used for new wine. New wine, while fermenting would burst an old wine skin. The new cannot be poured until the old, it must go into the new.

How does that relate to my previous example of money? If you are going to continue to do the same things you have been doing then why would God bless that? The new (more money) would end up depleted if new ways (saving, investing, cutting spending, shopping for less wants) are not implemented. How does that relate to Jesus? You want Jesus to bless you but you have not committed to him. You keep wondering why things are not what you want them to be...because IT ISN'T ABOUT YOUR WANTS! If you are not ready for the new then you may as well keep the old because that is all you are prepared for. Be ready for what God wants in you..

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Mark 1- Fulfilling the Prophecy

Fulfilling the Prophecy 

Mark 1 gives us a condensed version of several chapters in the book of Matthew and other gospels as well. While the Book of Mark is known to not give any credit to a specific author, it is credited to be written by Mark the Evangelist who was a close associate of the Apostle (disciple) Peter. You remember Peter? Peter was one of Jesus' disciples and is the same one that denied he knew Jesus (three time before the rooster crows).

In reading through this chapter a couple of things jumped out to me that I wanted to point out.

First, for some this is silly and not needed to be pointed out, but for others this is their first time seeing and understanding this. The arrival of Jesus and details of his life were written before he was ever born...like YEARS before he was ever born. In verses 2-3 it is pointed out that the prophecy of Jesus is unfolding. The words in Mark are quoted from Isaiah 40 to point out that the prophecy is being fulfilled. This was not some random guy who did cool stuff, but God in the flesh sent to unite us with God by being sacrificed for our sins (even the ones we don't think are a big deal)

In Mark 1:40-45 Jesus shows his heart to a leper and heals him. I saw in the NIV the word used to describe how Jesus saw the leper was indignant- NIV. Indignant means showing anger for perceived unfair treatment. Also, the NLT describes his heart as being full of compassion- NLT. A third version (English Standard Version) is Jesus having pity- ESV on the leper. The point is, how is your heart when you see injustices in the world? The sick? The poor? The wrongfully imprisoned? The homeless? Jesus did not look at the leper and tell him what he did wrong in life that led to leprosy, but he healed him. He saw the need and he met it.

It is time for us to see the needs and meet them. Orphans. Battered women. Children's Hospitals. Homeless. Convalescent homes. Can you pick something to meet a need? Now is the time.

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