1 John 1:5-10 Penitence and Repentance

How many of you have ever had a spotlight shined directly on you? Was it a comfortable experience? In 1 John 1:5-10 God is described as light, and sometimes that light is very uncomfortable when it’s shined on us. God is infinitely holy, utterly righteous and morally pure. He shines his light on our sinful, human nature. Darkness, especially the darkness of our sinful, human nature, is the absence of light. When people stray from obedience to God and step into the darkness, they begin to act in ways that are not consistent with God’s character. They start to avoid light in every way possible.

When confronted with the truth, true believers will turn away from darkness to walk in the light. They walk back toward the truth of who God is, and into restored fellowship with him. That process is called repentance, and it is the process by which God forgives and cleanses through Christ’s blood.

In John’s day, as it is today, some people falsely thought that when a person becomes a Christian that person’s sinful nature is erased and he/she could achieve sinless perfection. This idea is false. To have no sin is to have no Saviour, which makes Christ’s birth, ministry, death, resurrection and ascension unnecessary. Because everyone sins, those who say that they have no sin reveal either their ignorance or pride, demonstrating that they belong to Christ. Knowing the gospel is not enough. People must also confess their sins and walk in the light.

Christians who do not regularly confess their sins weaken their relationship with God. It becomes distant and strained. These Christians do not admit their sin or their need of Jesus’ cleansing. If we want to have a relationship with God, we must stand before God in openness and light. This light shines on our own inadequacies and weaknesses. What the light reveals is too much for us to handle on our own, but God will help us through Jesus.

Walking in the light doesn’t mean that we are perfect people. It means that we know that we are sinners. We are not lost causes. If we are penitent-that is, if we genuinely repent of our sins-God will forgive us. When we recognize that we are sinners and that we need forgiveness, we will be restored to fellowship with God.  

Obedience to God is necessary. Those who habitually disobey God do not know God. The key to obedience is to have an intimate relationship with Jesus, one in which we live and move and are with him in every aspect of our lives.   Penitence is essential if we want to know God. God purifies us so we can serve him. Without the Holy Spirit, we can’t do what God wants us to do.

If we do not admit that we are sinners, we can’t be saved. All too often we claim our innocence in spite of obvious evidence to the contrary. Lying to ourselves is the main reason why our lives are messed up. It causes us to deceive ourselves, and deception causes us to sin. Sin cripples our ability to follow Jesus faithfully.  It is far better for us to confess our sins.  God wants us to recognize our sins so that the Holy Spirit can lead us to the Saviour who died and rose again for our sins. No matter how horrendous our sin is, God will forgive us when we genuinely repent.

We live in an age where nobody is guilty and everyone is innocent. On the surface that would mean that the world is a happy place, but that idea is wrong. Sin is real, and our hearts are full of sin. We can claim our innocence as long as we like, but the day will come where “I’m not responsible” won’t be accepted as an excuse.  

It is often hard for us to forgive ourselves, especially if we are high achievers. We are like the murderer who was condemned to life in prison. One day the guard came and opened the jail cell door. “You’re free to go. Someone else is taking your place,” said the guard. “How can this be? I’m still guilty!” said the prisoner. “Your debt has been paid. You are free to leave,” the guard said. The prisoner decided not to leave. “I can’t allow another to pay my debt,” he said. Because of his pride he chose to remain in bondage. Even though Jesus has taken their place and paid their sin debt, some people refuse to accept what he has done for them. They refuse to be penitent and repent of their sins.

Confession does for the soul what preparing the land does for a field. Before the farmer sows seeds, he removes rocks and stumps. He knows that seeds grow better when the land is prepared. Confession is the act of inviting God to walk the acreage of our hearts and clear our hearts of anything that hinders our relationship with him. Once he has done this, we can come before him with thankful hearts. Remember that just like a human parent, God doesn’t appreciate children who grumble and complain, especially since he sacrificed his Son for us.

True Christianity is like a mirror. We reflect God’s glory to the world, but we also show the world its marred image, its defects and its attempts to hide the blemishes. That’s why we must constantly confess our sins to God and to others. Confession renews our fellowship with Christ and shows the world where our true identity is. Living repentant lives before others is the greatest witnessing tools that we as Christians have.

 Bibliography

1.      Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible, NKJV (Nashville, TN: Worthy Publishing, 2013)

2.      Palmer, E.F.  & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 35:1,2&3 John/Revelation (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1982)

3.      Stanley, C.F.: The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible, NKJV (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 2005)

4.      MacArthur, J.F. Jr.: The MacArthur Study Bible, NASB (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 2006)

5.      Lucado, M.: The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 2010)

6.      Pastor Ken Klaus, “Admission of Guilt.” Retrieved from www.lhm.org.

7.      Rick Warren, “Let Go of Your Self-Defeating Lives.” Retrieved from connect@newsletter.purposedriven.com

8.      Sharon Jaynes, “Replacing “Trying Harder” with “Loving More”.” Retrieved from www.girlfriendsingod.com

9.      Os Hillman, “Forgiving Ourselves.” Retrieved from Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com

10.  Dr. Neil Anderson, “Already Accepted.” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com

11.  Pastor Ken Klaus, “Just $200.” Retrieved from www.lhm.org

12.  Stephen Davey, “Confession, Cleansing and Conversion.” Retrieved from Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com

13.  Pastor Ken Klaus, “It’s Not My Fault.” Retrieved from www.lhm.org

14.  Pastor Ken Klaus, “Seeing Clearly.” Retrieved from www.lhm.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mark 1:9-15 Life in the Wilderness

How many of you like to read the articles in Reader’s Digest? Have you ever noticed that some of them are edited versions of articles that have been published elsewhere? Mark’s Gospel is similar to these articles because although his Gospel does include many of the same stories that are in the other three Gospels, Mark’s versions leave out many of the details that are included in the other Gospels. A good example is Mark’s version of Jesus’ temptations in the wilderness, which we heard from Mark 1:9-15 a few minutes ago. Mark’s version doesn’t include Jesus’ conversations with Satan.

Mark wanted believers to know that Jesus triumphed completely over the enemy-and they can triumph too when they are tempted. Mark 1:9-15 begins with the exhilaration of Jesus’ baptism and leads to his retreat into the wilderness where he was tempted by everything God opposes. Jesus went willingly into the wilderness, but the Spirit is pictured as moving him to battle Satan’s temptations. Jesus often went into the wilderness during his ministry. It is in the wilderness where we often meet God. We don’t choose to go to wilderness places such as times of trial, temptation and struggle. They happen to us. Even when the challenges are caused by our actions, we rarely seek out or even want such hardship. Even when we face life’s challenges, the Holy Spirit will make use of us.

All of us have wilderness experiences from time to time. These experiences often force us to confront the negative experiences of our lives. They force us to strip away our pride and worldly resources and come to God in faith. I know, because I’m currently going through a wilderness experience because of my mother’s health issues. It has been a difficult time for me. I’ve had to turn the situation over to God, but in doing so my faith has been challenged and strengthened. Jesus knows that unless we are liberated at the core like I was, we won’t live the life God wants us to lead. We have to get rid of the values, motives and attitudes of the world.  

Some people believe that if you follow God’s will, you will have a life of ease. Nothing could be further from the truth. The way of God often involves circumstances where we must trust in God and draw on his truth and strength. God tests us to help us grow, to show us that we have the faith and ability to stand up to the testing, that we will trust God in difficult times and to strengthen our faith and Christian character. At the same time, Satan has his own purpose-to turn us away from God and tempt us to sin. It is our responsibility not only to teach people the difference between right and wrong, but also to motivate them to want to do the right thing.

Satan and much of human society want to make us do the wrong thing. Jesus was the son of God, but his earthly life was full of challenges that he had to endure. God sometimes uses the devil to test people. His purpose is to strengthen our faith, but Satan wants to destroy our faith. We will face the trials of life, but we can endure if we draw strength from Jesus. After all, Jesus’ faith was strengthened by his time in the wilderness.

When we turn away from God we find ourselves pursued and served by God in the person of Jesus. When we become his followers, his “no” becomes our rejection of evil. His “yes” becomes our battle cry of hope for God. With his victory over evil, Christ can now proclaim the coming of the Kingdom, because he can announce that which he possesses-namely, the kingdom.

After the temptation in the wilderness, Jesus started his mission of preaching the good news of salvation. Jesus announced the kingdom’s arrival by saying that it was time for the kingdom to come. It includes the good news of hope, peace, promise and eternal life. The kingdom is more than simply the rule of the Holy Spirit within us. The kingdom will ultimately include the restoration of all creation.

The wilderness can be a lonely place. Jesus was alone emotionally, environmentally and physically. It was a good time for Satan to make his move. He tested Jesus’ character, creativity and communion with God. Jesus was tempted to take care of his own needs first, but his  character included a reservoir of strength that he could draw on when he was tempted-the word of God. In the silence of the wilderness, God spoke to him.

We are often led into the wilderness just after moments of triumph in our lives, just like Jesus was led into the wilderness after his baptism. When we are in the wilderness, our character is also tested, especially when we are tempted. Do we let faith guide us, or do we give in to worldly pleasures? Do we draw on our faith? Do we let God speak to us?

When we are in the wilderness, we don’t know how long the journey will last or what is on the other side, but it is a time of preparation. Lent is a wilderness journey for us. We are invited to embark on a journey that will take us through a wilderness that will toughen our faith so that at the end of the journey when we are at the foot of the cross, we will be victorious.  

The arrival of the kingdom comes with a sense of urgency, and this sense of urgency is often portrayed in Mark’s Gospel. It is shown in the brevity of the stories he includes in the Gospel and in the stories he left out (such as the Incarnation). The arrival of the kingdom requires an urgent response. God controls the timing, not us. Every sermon that is preached or heard, and every witness we give must have an urgent tone. Our lives and God’s patience are short when it comes to accepting or rejecting Christ.

We must not place obstacles in the way of people who reach out in faith to Christ. For example, a follow-up study of people who made decisions for Christ at a Billy Graham crusade condemned people who wanted to keep the kingdom of God out of the reach of sinners. The report showed that the decisions were genuine, but only a few new believers became members of a church after their conversion. The churches had no plan for bringing someone else’s converts into the fellowship of faith.

The good news is decisive. The call to repent is decisive and urgent. People expect that preaching will lead to a call for a decision. Jesus calls on us to turn around and walk with God. It is a theme that is repeated again and again and again throughout the Bible. Repentance loosens our hold on the world and strengthens our hold on the good news. It calls on us to trust God.

Jesus preaches repentance, which requires a change of mind and heart. It is a full-time, ongoing commitment to change. We are to turn away from whatever distracts us from God and turn toward God. We will receive the help we need, because repentance won’t be easy.  

Sometimes people do not change. One reason is because change involves making a decision. Only by deciding to live a better life can we have lives that are truly happy and fulfilled. Another reason is because they don’t really want to change. They do not want to repent. They focus on the consequences. In other words, they don’t really hate what can be changed-they just hate the consequences when they are found out.

Jesus spent 40 days and 40 nights in the desert. The number 40 is often associated with intense spiritual experiences. Christ’s temptation in the wilderness was an intense spiritual experience for him. Our wilderness experiences can be intense spiritual experiences for us because they force us to draw closer to God in faith.

Jesus’ temptation was a foretaste of his entire ministry. It involved unending assaults from evil forces. He was sustained in the wilderness and he was sustained throughout his ministry. He did not replace evil earthly rulers or lift up the poor and oppressed. People still suffer today, but God is still with them and us.

Today is a good day to make decisions about our lives and how we are going to live them.  Lent is a time for us to think things over, to reconsider, and to be more aware of our limitations, our mortality and our need for God and the transforming grace he offers us through Jesus. Even as we look at our own broken, sin-filled lives, we can take comfort in the knowledge that Jesus has preceded us in this journey. Jesus came into our dark, sin-filled world in order to be joined to our brokenness and redeem it. When we find ourselves in the wilderness of disease, loneliness, joblessness, depression or any other things that challenge us, Jesus has been there before. He meets us in our wilderness to bear our burdens with us and for us.

Lent is a time for us to loosen our grip on the ways of the world and draw nearer to God’s grace. It is a time for us as Christians to take a journey through the wilderness to the cross. We can’t avoid this journey, but we can take comfort in the knowledge that God will bring us through it to the other side. God will not deliver us from the suffering we will endure during the journey, but with his help we will be transformed by it. God will show us how to make our divine lives spring to fuller life. We’ll have to change our vision of the world, but God will help us get rid of our old worldly lives.

Bibliography

1.      Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible, NKJV (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013)

2.      Preaching Magazine, Nov./Dec. 2014 (Nashville, TN: Salem Publishing; pp. 80-81)

3.      McKenna, D.L. & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 25: Mark (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1982)

4.      Pastor Ken Klaus, “Leave Behind the Past.” Retrieved from www.lhm.org

5.      Jude Siciliano, O.P., “First Impressions, 1^st Sunday of Lent, (B).” Retrieved from www.preacherexchange.org

6.      Sarah Henrich, “Commentary on Mark 1:9-15.” Retrieved from www.workingpreacher.org

7.      Exegesis for Mark 1:9-15. Retrieved from www.lectionary.org

8.      David Lose, “Beginnings and Endings.” Retrieved from www.workingpreacher.org.

9.      Brian F. Stoffregen, “De Jevu All Over Again?” retrieved from www.crossmarks.com/brian/mark1x9.htm

10.  The Rev. Christopher Henry, “Where to Begin?” Retrieved from www.day1.org

11.  Lectionary Notes, Volume XXVI, Number 2 (St. Paul, MN: Luther Seminary, pp. 23-30)

12.  Margaret Manning Shull, “Through Wilderness.” Retrieved from slice@sliceofinfinity.org

 

 

Mark 9:2-9 Transformation

Have you ever had an experience that was so powerful that it changed your life? I have-that’s why I’m able to stand before you today and preach the good news. Jesus had several powerful experiences, including his Transfiguration, which we heard about in Mark 9:2-9.

Transfiguration is a believer’s spiritual transformation into the image of Christ. Mark’s version of the transfiguration story offers a glimpse of Jesus’ divine nature and his radiant, divine glory. He radiates light from the inside. In the future kingdom, Jesus’ glory will not be veiled. It will shine like a thousand sons. No one will be able to mistake it.

Moses represented the Old Testament law, Elijah represented the prophets. Together they represented the Old Covenant. In Old Testament scenes where God revealed himself, human audiences were often at a loss for words. Peter was also at a loss for words, so he said the first thing that came to his mind. Mark argued that Peter spoke out of great fear. He was scared by what he saw.

Holy moments can do that to us. Words can bring healing, and the right words at the right time can bear holiness, light and life, but words said quickly and too easily can distract us and allow us to avoid whatever it is we might feel in the words that were not said. In cases like this we have the ingredients we need for Christ’s glory to be seen and transfigure the time. Then we can see Christ’s glory in our ordinary time. As long as we continue to do ordinary things, Christ will be present. As long as birth, deaths, hope, despair, courage, fear and faith are with us, Christ will be with us.

Peter was amazed by what he saw. He did not want to leave. That’s why he offered to build the three shelters. God had to bring Peter back to reality by telling the disciples to listen to Jesus. You can’t really blame Peter for wanting to stay on the mountaintop. All of us have had mountaintop experiences that we did not want to see come to an end. These experiences could be anything from the birth of a child or grandchild, our wedding or any other life-changing event. They provide stability and assurance that our world is intelligible, orderly and has value, if only for a short time. The problem is that we can’t stay on the mountaintop. The past can never be preserved, and we as faithful people must live in the present. We have to come down and get back to the mundane reality of everyday life. It is in everyday life where we have to do the work God has given us to do.  

There was an expectation among the Israelites that Elijah would appear just before God sent the Messiah and restored the reign of the Lord in Israel. Moses promised the people before he died that God would send a prophet like him at a time in the future. That moment happened during the transfiguration, and the disciples were scared as they saw Jesus for who he really was. Their physical sight gave them the gift of spiritual reality, and it was too much for them. Something very powerful and life-changing was happening before their eyes.

Jesus’ glorification is like dessert that is served as part of a meal. It has to come at the end.  Jesus glorification needs to come after his suffering and death. If we start with the desserts, we may never get to salvation events. If we focus our attention only on the desserts, we will find a lot of people who are pretending to be Christians, not really believing in or serving Jesus, not really willing to deny themselves and carry their crosses, but seeking an escape from their problems.

The cloud confirmed that Jesus’ transfiguration was a re-enactment of the Covenant given to Moses on Mount Sinai in Exodus 24. Moses and Elijah conveyed the law, but Jesus was the law. Peter would remember this event years later because it revealed to the disciples that Jesus is the son of God. This experience is not meant to diminish the importance of the law and the prophets. They work together and with the revelation of Jesus as the son of God. Moses and Elijah were important, but they are not as important as Jesus.  

Jesus sought help from the scriptures for understanding his life and mission. He knew how to listen to them and how to interpret them in relation to what they said. For him they were not merely sources in the present. They spoke of God as our creator, sustainer and redeemer, the loving giver of bread and forgiveness and protection from evil; the one who calls us into relationships of love to him, our neighbours and ourselves.

At the transfiguration, Jesus had a visionary moment in his life where he knew that his life had a meaning. There are times when we can have the same type of moments in our lives. We might not be able to pinpoint the exact time of that moment, but we know that our lives have a meaning and a goal. We know that God has a purpose in our lives, a destiny in this world, and we have surrendered ourselves to a purpose that is larger than us. This vision allows us to see beyond any obstacles.

When Jesus came to earth, he did not give up his deity. He shrouded his glory and laid aside the privileges of his deity. Why? So that he could serve us and save us. He modeled what it was like to be a servant. We are to follow his example. If he could lay aside his divine privileges, then we can lay aside our own needs to put the needs of others first.

Jesus told his disciples not to reveal what they had seen until after his resurrection. They would not be able to understand what had happened during his transfiguration until after his death and resurrection. They might have even tried to bring on the kingdom prematurely themselves. When Jesus was transfigured, the disciples saw the glory of Christ as God’s son. Christ’s death and resurrection put his transfiguration in its proper context. Jesus and his disciples will endure  suffering and death, but their final destination will be glory. This story offers hope. Jesus struggle doesn’t diminish the confidence of his promises, including the promise of a future with him. He promises to be with us during the difficult times in our lives. 

Anyone who rejects the Messiah rejects God because God sent the Messiah. Peter, James and John saw Jesus’ glory and his greatness over Moses and Elijah. They also hear God authenticate Jesus as his son. Jesus alone will walk the path of suffering for our redemption. This knowledge was reserved for Peter, James and John. They needed to prepare for Christ’s death and resurrection. They were overwhelmed by the prophecies of Christ’s suffering, and they needed to see what Christ meant by his power and glory if they wanted to break the world’s hold over their lives. They could not endure the cross or hate the shame that awaited them as well unless they shared Christ’s vision of joy. They saw the glory of his sinlessness, his sonship and his suffering. They learned that every word Jesus spoke carried the glory of the truth of the Gospel.

Peter had a problem with this. His confusion was the reason why he offered to build the three shelters. Peter was scared, and most of us would probably also be scared if Jesus had taken us up to the mountaintop. God had to reassure them by telling them to believe Jesus. He reassures us today by telling us the same message-believe Jesus. He makes our lives simpler. He helps us avoid mistakes. He helps us to inherit a heavenly treasure. He helps us experience joy. The only way we can experience this is to study his world. We can listed to CDs and great preachers and read books, but they can’t take the place of reading the Bible.

Mark’s Gospel is all about the cross and suffering along with the glory of Jesus. The vision of Christ in his glory in the transfiguration is an encouragement both to Mark’s audience and to us. Only after Christ’s death and resurrection can we understand that the Jesus at the transfiguration is the same Jesus who was crucified---and that’s the beginning of a wonderful story. Mark’s version of the transfiguration is a transition from the season of Epiphany with its emphasis on the power and presence of the good news of salvation through Jesus to Lent, with its emphasis on Jesus’ journey to suffering and the cross. 

The transfiguration had several purposes:

1.      To see God’s kingdom coming into power.

2.      To connect and contrast Jesus with the law and the prophets.

3.      To point to Jesus as the one whom the prophets expected.

4.      To connect Jesus with “mountaintop experiences” at down times.

5.      To show Jesus as a divine being.

6.      To show Jesus’ coming martyrdom.

7.      To show the disciples their blindness.

8.      To allow the disciples to hear God’s declaration that Jesus is his son.

9.      To usher in a new commandment from God-that is, to listen to Jesus.

10.  To remind us that there is a time for us to speak and a time for us to listen.

We want an encounter with God, but we often fear him at the same time because we are afraid of being changed or transformed. Standing in God’s presence gives rise to a feeling of reverence that is similar to fear. We are small in the face of God’s ministry. The God who struck fear in the heart of Peter is the same God who heals the sick, frees the oppressed and forgives sinners.

We are called on to create an environment in which God’s glory can be revealed and celebrated, and in which our understanding and experience of Jesus can be deepened. We have to get people to see that the only God that is important in their lives cares deeply for them and for us and allows his Son to take our place of punishment that we know we deserve, to die for us and rise again to give us life.

What keeps God from getting through to us? Are we so certain that we know the end of the story? Are we so busy that no one can get through to us-not even God? Stories like the story of the Transfiguration bring us closer to God and draw us farther away from the world. We need to figure out how to listen for God’s voice among the noise of our worldly lives. We need to listen as Jesus tells us to get back to reality and do the work he has given us to do. Only then can we move forward in our Christian lives.

Bibliography

1.      Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible, NKJV (Brentwood, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 2013)

2.      ESV Study Bible. Part of Wordsearch 10 Bible software package.

3.      McKenna, D.L. & Ogilvie, L.J. : The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 25: Mark (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1982)

4.      MacArthur, J.F. Jr.: The MacArthur Study Bible, NASB (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 2006)

5.      Exegesis for Mark 9:2-9. Retrieved from www.sermonwriter.com

6.      Ron Buford, “Divine Interaction.” Retrieved from dailydevotional@ucc.org

7.      Sarah Henrich, “Commentary for Mark 9:2-9.” Retrieved from www.workingpreacher.,org

8.      David Lose, “He Came Down.” Retrieved from www.workingpreacher.org

9.      James Boyce, “Commentary on Mark 9:2-9.” Retrieved from www.workingpreacher.org

10.  The Rev. Brian Cole, “Day-to-Day Glory.” Retrieved from www.day1.org

11.  Walter Harms, “If I Could Only.” Retrieved from http://www.predigten.uni-goettingen.de/archive~81060226-5e.html

12.  The Rev. Edward Markquart, “Visions on a Mountaintop.” Retrieved from www.sermonsfromseattle.com

13.  The Rev. Edward Markquart, “Mountains, Valleys and Plains.” Retrieved from www.sermonsfromseattle.com.

14.  Greg Laurie, “Our Example to Follow.” Retrieved from www.harvest.org

15.  John van de Laar, “Brainstorming for Worship: Transfiguration”. Retrieved from http://sacradise.com/blog/?p=1746

16.  Pastor Dave Risendal, “The Transfiguration of our Lord, Year B (2/15/1015). Retrieved from donotreply@wordpress.com

 

17.      Lectionary Homiletics, Feb./March 2015 (St. Paul, MN: Luther Seminary, pp 16-22)

Mark 1:29-39 Solitude and Prayer Help Us to Do God’s Work

A Baptist minister and his wife decided to get a new dog. Ever mindful of the congregation, they knew the dog must also be a Baptist. They visited kennel after kennel and explained their needs. Finally they found a kennel whose owner assured them he had just the dog they wanted.

The owner brought the dog to meet the couple. “Fetch the Bible,” he commanded. The dog went to the bookshelf, found the Bible and brought it to the owner.

“Now find Psalm 23,” the owner commanded. The dog dropped the Bible to the floor, leafed through it, found the correct passage, and pointed io it with his paw.

The couple were impressed and bought the dog.

That evening a group of church members came to visit. The minister and his wife began to show off the dog, having him locate several Bible verses. The visitors were very impressed.

One man asked, “Can he do regular tricks, too?” “I haven’t tried yet,” the minister replied.

He pointed his finger at the dog. “HEEL!” the minister commanded. The dog immediately jumped on a chair, placed one paw on the minister's forehead and began to howl.

The minister looked at his wife in shock and said, “Good Lord! He’s Pentecostal!  

Have you ever been so busy that you’ve had to go to a quiet place to be alone for a little while? Jesus certainly was. He was always busy teaching, preaching and healing. He was always followed by a crowd of people, including the disciples. He was always busy, but he always had time for solitude and prayer. In the reading from Mark 1:29-39, Jesus had a successful day of casting out demons and healing the sick. He ran the risk of exhausting his energy. It’s no wonder, therefore, that he had to be alone and pray.

We do have busy lives. We have enough things to do in our lives-work, home, rest, maybe the odd movie. Jesus was probably the busiest man in history, but he always found time to pray. If he, as busy as he was, could find time to pray, so can we.

In prayer, Jesus allows God to do for him what he did for Peter’s mother-in-law. The reason why Jesus healed people was to proclaim God’s love in human affairs. In order to do this, he had to be in constant fellowship with God through prayer. God had a firm grasp on Jesus and would never let go. Jesus always made time for prayer, and we need to make time for prayer too. Prayer fills our spiritual gas tank. Prayer gives us the energy we need to do God’s work in our world. Prayer refreshes us. Prayer allows God to use his love to warm our hearts and ease our suffering. Jesus knew that prayer could help us get through life. He knew that prayer would give us life. He knew that prayer changes us for the better. Prayer becomes a lifestyle. We must never become too busy to pray. We are special to God, and he loves us so much that we wants regular time with us.

Prayer involves order and discipline. It will stand the test at work. It is decisive for the day. If we neglect prayer, it will cause wasted time that we are ashamed of, temptations, weakness, lack of discipline and discouragement. Prayer will allow our time to be ordered and well-scheduled.  

Jesus went to pray in a place that was spiritually similar to a desert wilderness. He was free from distractions so that he could find strength from the God he came to serve. Jesus regularly prayed in a solitary place before his day began so he could commune with his Father and prepare himself for the challenges he would face. Even when our plans are laid out for us, we need to take time to listen to God’s will for our lives.

When his disciples found him, they told him that people were looking for him. Mark’s mention of the whole city suggests a crowd large enough that everyone in Capernaum knew what Jesus had done. The disciples thought that Jesus would build his popularity by attending to the people he had already attracted. Because Jesus knew that his primary purpose was to preach the good news of salvation, he could ignore the expectations of others and concentrate on his mission. He wanted people to hear the word of God and not see his miracles. He knew that his mission was preaching and teaching instead of healing, and he knew that there were more people who had to hear his message. That’s why he moved on instead of staying in Capernaum.

Jesus set a good example for us to follow. He wants us to grow as Christians. If we stop growing, churches become paralyzed and the body of Christ becomes infected with our frustration. Jesus chose risk over security. He did not know how people in other towns would react to his message, but he pressed on because of his mission.

We have the same mission. We are called on to witness to other people. We have to fulfill the Great Commission. That does not necessarily mean that we have to preach in other churches like I do. We can fulfill our mission by sharing our faith with our friends and neighbours. 

Jesus’ healing of Peter’s mother-in-law was typical of all of his earthly miracles. It was tender, personal, low key, matter-of-fact, and without fanfare that other healers often sought. When Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law, he made it possible for her to help others and to serve them with dignity. He does the same thing for us so we can serve others in the same way.

When Jesus heals, he also gives new life. Those who receive this new life become willing and able to serve others. When one receives, one usually wants to share. The best ministers among us do their work with a sense of joy that comes from their experiences of Jesus “raising them up.” I’m speaking from personal experience. Jesus has raised me up from the valleys I’ve had to walk through recently. I have a sense of great joy when I do my work as a minister to all of you. The new life Jesus gives us gives us the power to see the needs of others and respond with energy and enthusiasm.

Jesus does not need the endorsement from the forces of evil. His teachings and deeds would prove that he was the son of God. When Jesus casts out demons, it shows that God’s kingdom is advancing and is driving back Satan’s power over our lives.

We need to be motivated by what God calls us to do and not by what other people expect us to do. We have to do God’s will even if it doesn’t please people. God’s message is not in sync with the rest of the world. The way the world works isn’t how God works in teaching, healing and dismissing the evil in our hearts and minds. That does not mean that we must abandon the world. We need a certain amount of power, money, community and enjoyment, but none of these can take the place of God.

Jesus knows what it’s like not to be able to please people. He could not heal and help everyone. He consoled himself with the knowledge that he would do what he could do for the people he met. We have to remember this. We can’t please everyone, but we must remember that if we help the people we can help, God will be pleased. God favours service, not power. Christ blesses us when we take on the role of a servant.

When we are ready to be healed, we are ready to let Jesus come into the place that is wounded and help us. Jesus didn’t seek out the sick. They came to him. Jesus frees us from what binds us so we can offer our lives in service to others. We are drawn to what God asks us to do, and we can go about it with a deep sense of purpose.

 Bibliography

 

1.      Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible, NKJV (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing, 2013)

2.      ESV Study Bible. Part of Wordsearch 10 Bible software package.

3.      Jude Siciliano, O.P., “First Impressions, 5^th Sunday (B).” Retrieved from www.preacherexchange.org

4.      Sharon Jaynes, “Avoiding Burnout, Part 2.” Retrieved from www.girlfriendsingod.com

5.      William L. Self, “Jesus and Prayer: Programming the God Machine.” Retrieved from www.preaching.com

6.      Jim Burns, “Too Busy to Pray.” Retrieved from www.homeword.com

7.      Berni Dymet, “Jesus Prayer.” Retrieved from Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com

8.      Pastor Bob Coy, “People Pleasers?” Retrieved from www.actsweb.org

9.      Exegesis for Mark 1:29-39. Retrieved from www.lectionary.org

10.  John Shearman’s Lectionary Resource, Year B, Fifth Sunday after Epiphany. Retrieved from www.lectionary.seemslikegod.org

11.  The Rev. Danae Ashley, “Is There Healing Without Curing?” Retrieved from www.episcopaldigitalnetwork.com

12.  Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “40 Day Journey with Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Day 3.” Retrieved from biblegateway@e.biblegateway.com