Tag Archives: Mark

Jesus is the Suffering Servant

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on November 15, 2015
Tags: , Mark   

Birth Pangs — Rev. David J. Schreffler

 

image

November 15, 2015
Sunday

Then Jesus began to say to them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birth pangs.” Mark 13:5 – 8

“Here is my paraphrase of what Jesus would say today, “Everyone needs to relax. Quite a few terrible things happen in life. I know it is scary, but you should see the opportunity to serve others. Don’t be led astray by leaders who offer easy and simplistic answer and blame other people for our problems. Pull together in the hard times, that is how you get through. I’ll be with you too, and I will show you the way. Things will get difficult, but stick together and remember what is important in life – to love one another.” I also want to say a few words about the context of the first readers of the Gospel. They read this episode after the Temple had been destroyed by Roman armies in 70 AD, just a generation after Jesus had said these words. I read the account by Josephus, the Jewish historian who was present at the destruction of the Temple and sack of Jerusalem. The Roman soldiers were so frustrated by the tenacious defenders of the Temple, that when they finally gained the upper hand, the troops went wild and killed everyone, raping and pillaging, much to the embarrassment of Titus, the commanding general. Josephus said Titus tried to restrain the slaughter and the burning of the Temple, but he was too late to stop the atrocity. The world was probably appalled, much like we were when we heard stories about “My Lai” coming out of the Vietnam War. When Titus was offered the traditional wreath of victory by the Roman Senate, he reportedly refused it and said, “There is no glory in destroying a people whose God has forsaken them”. I believe Mark’s Gospel was written right after this terrible atrocity, so it is no wonder that he has the sharpest contrast between Jesus and the Temple Priests. Mark is making clear that Christians had nothing to do the Jewish rebellion that lead to the destruction of the Temple. In fact, they were oppressed by the Temple aristocracy as well. Jesus warned them and see what they did to him. Mark is saying to Rome, “We aren’t them, so don’t kill us too.” Luke is writing later and is more circumspect. His message is to not lose heart or be lead astray during terrible times, for Jesus will guide you through. Don’t be impressed by wealth or grandeur because it does not last, but also don’t be overwhelmed by tragedy, because that will not last either.” (Blooming cactus website, November 12, 2012 “Not A Stone Left”, Mark 13:1-8)

There is a beginning to the birth pangs, but there will also be an end. There will be a beginning to wars and rumors of wars, and earthquakes, but they all eventually stop. Even if this text from the gospel of Mark was written soon after the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in 70 AD, they would have been living in a time where they were learning how to live in a post-Temple world. The destruction was over, the healing was ongoing, and they were still able to worship the living G*d. And Jesus would want us to find a way, just like those living in a post-Temple world, to find a way to get on with life, to get on with worshipping G*d, and to continue to show all people love, mercy and grace.

Our world has a lot of birth pangs – and the birth pangs we live with seem as if they will never end. But they will. It may not be in my lifetime, but we will one day see that love will win the day. There will come a day when the reign of Christ will project the love of G*d in all circumstances; because the love of G*d is patient, kind, not jealous, not arrogant, believes all things and hopes all things, and is the perfecter of all things.

Pastor Dave

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on October 11, 2015
Tags: , Mark   

Expect a Shower — Rev. David J. Schreffler

October 11, 2015
Sunday

“As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.’” He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.” 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.” When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.” Mark 10:17-22

“The rich man grieved because he could not part with his possessions. We also may struggle with an imagination dominated by a sense of scarcity and therefore have a hard time seeing the blessings of God all around us. While the move from a mentality of scarcity to one of abundance doesn’t happen overnight, we can start on that journey this Sunday. In particular, we can invite people to call to mind one particular blessing they’ve experienced in the week past and give thanks for it in a time of silent prayer. And we can send people out, charging them to take time each day at work or at home to name a blessing and give thanks in prayer. The God for whom nothing is impossible has showered each of us with blessings, and noticing and giving thanks for them can be a powerful way to live into God’s abundance.” (David Lose, Dear Working Preacher, Jesus, the Rich Man, and All of Us Lousy Stewards, Sunday, October 07, 2012)

Did you take a shower today? Did you pause in the shower to take time to let the water just roll off your back — to just bask in this blessing? The idea of being showered with G*d’s blessings is so appropriate because there is no better way to speak of these blessings. Have you ever been caught in a rain shower? I am sure you have — we all have at one time or another. There is no escaping the drops — there is no way to dodge your way through them — to avoid the majority of drops destined to hit you. When you find shelter do you thank G*d for providing this brief respite — for providing this shower? Probably not, because you are wet, and cold, and annoyed. We spend too much time in this life feeling annoyed with what we do not have, rather than thanking G*d for the blessings that have been showered upon us. Often I pray with those who are in the hospital or experiencing some kind of illness — and one of the prayers I pray is that the Holy Spirit washes over the one who is ill – that they feel immersed in the presence of the Spirit. Take time today to let the presence of G*d wash over you – to feel the blessings of G*d that are showered over all people – let it wash you anew in G*d’s blessings.

Pastor Dave