Tag Archives: Mark

Jesus is the Suffering Servant

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on September 27, 2015
Tags: Ecumenism, Mark   

Turf Wars — Rev. David J. Schreffler

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September 27, 2015
Sunday

“John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, “Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.” Mark 9:38-41

“…Judging people by whether or not they are ‘one of us’ thwarts God’s reign of justice, generosity and joy. The disciples missed the power and victory of God’s liberating presence in the man casting out demons. Their assumption that only those ‘following us’ could cast out demons blinded them to God’s presence in another. Rather than being grateful that demons were cast out, they were upset that the healing was done through someone outside their group.
“God has a history of acting decisively in and through outsiders. The Hebrew slaves were delivered through the leadership of Moses, a ‘murderer.’ Cyrus, the king of Persia, was referred to as ‘God’s Anointed’ (Messiah) even though he did not acknowledge Yahweh as God. [Jesus]

Confining God’s presence and power to one’s own group is a distortion of the gospel of God’s universal love. How often this gospel is negated by division among those who claim allegiance to it! As one person said, ‘Why would I want to be a Christian? You Christians seem more concerned about protecting your own privileges and proving you are right than doing something about the injustice and suffering in the world.’” Radical Gratitude. Weekly reflections on responding to God’s abundant grace, Sept. 25, 2006 – Vol 1, Issue 33, Northwest United Methodist Foundation

We all, at one time or another, have been guilty of the “because they are not with us, we should assume they are against us” thinking when it comes to some activity in our lives. We like to form groups, and we like to protect those groups from outsiders who might “infect our group in some way, manner, or form”. As the Reformation took shape in the 16th century, it was clear early on that people were going to divide themselves into factions who believed they were more faithful to the Gospel. And the funny truth of the matter is that the things that divided them were usually not about scripture, but about “right practice”. As the devotion mentioned above so eloquently states, “God has a history of acting decisively in and through outsiders.” One good example of this is the story of Joseph. He was always an outsider (once his brothers sold him into slavery) and yet G*d used him to have a profound impact on the known world.

Let us work together to avoid dividing ourselves into “like camps” and instead become a people who truly believe that “Confining God’s presence and power to one’s own group is a distortion of the gospel of God’s universal love.” Maybe, just maybe we might have a chance of doing great things working together, rather than mediocre things while we protect our own turf. G*d doesn’t need anymore turf wars — G*d needs more people working together to defeat evil.

Pastor Dave

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on September 20, 2015
Tags: Mark   

Questions Are So Important — Rev. David J. Schreffler

 

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September 20, 2015
Sunday

“Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.” Mark 9:33-37

“What’s harder to overlook is that they are too afraid to ask any questions. Part of this, of course, may be Mark’s characteristic focus on the faults and failings of the disciples. But, then again, are we all that different? I know far too many Christians who are also often afraid to ask questions. Sometimes it’s because they believe they should already know the answer and they don’t want to look dumb. Sometimes it’s because our people are nervous that their question isn’t “okay,” that maybe there is something wrong with their question or, indeed, with questions in general.

Why is that? I have a hunch that, as a culture, we tend to equate intelligence with knowing things. I understand that to some degree. Smart people seem to know a lot of stuff. But what if we could also imagine that intelligence is measured not simply by what you know, but also by how eager you are to learn more. That is, it’s at the edges of what we know that there is the greatest chance to grow in understanding. Which is why questions are so important. Questions are not the mark of a lack of intelligence but of a curious and lively mind.” David Lose (Dear Working Preacher) The Value of a Good Question, September 16, 2012

One of the more curious observations I have made in my ten years of being a parish pastor is the inability of many people to ask questions about scripture, about faith, and about things that confuse them as they struggle to live out their faith. This has often confounded me. I have been trained (mostly from my Seminary Education) in the manner of asking many questions while teaching a bible study lesson. And so I may begin a bible study session by asking questions (rhetorical and not) — and then returning to them — and asking more questions throughout. So often when I ask these questions, I am presented with silence. Or, when I ask if there are any questions, I am again presented with silence. I know there are things that people either do not understand, or issues where people do not agree with me, and yet those remain unasked, and unstated.

As David Lose states, “Questions are so important.” Questions help us to grow in understanding, and help us to clarify that which confuses. Don’t be afraid to ask the questions, especially the really difficult ones. I guarantee you there are others who are in need of the same answers.

Pastor Dave