Tag Archives: Mark

Jesus is the Suffering Servant

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on September 9, 2015
Tags: Mark,   

Prayer of Anguish — Rev. David J. Schreffler

 

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September 9, 2015

And Jesus said to them, “You will all become deserters; for it is written,
‘I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep will be scattered.’
But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter said to him, “Even though all become deserters, I will not.” Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, this day, this very night, before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.” But he said vehemently, “Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And all of them said the same. And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. He said, “Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.” He came and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake one hour? Keep awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Mark 14:27-31, 35-38

“It is clear from many of His sayings that Our Lord had long foreseen His death. Does not every movement in the Passion write large some common element in the sufferings of our race? First, the prayer of anguish; not granted. Then He turns to His friends. They are asleep–as ours, or we, are so often, or busy, or away, or preoccupied. Then He faces the Church; the very Church that He brought into existence. It condemns Him.” C.S. Lewis (1898 – 1963) Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer, “For All The Saints” volume II (p. 805, 806)

The prayer of anguish is a prayer we all have prayed, at least one time in our lives. I find it funny that most people, when confronted with a life or death situation, find themselves praying to G*d — even if prayer is not a part of their daily existence. The old saying goes “There are no atheists in fox holes”. When our lives are flashing in front of our eyes, prayers are being muttered from our lips — as if almost instinctual. Wouldn’t it be great if prayer became more of daily routine and less of a “my G*d I might die today” response. Have you prayed today?

Pastor Dave

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on September 7, 2015
Tags: Mark,   

Hold Nothing Back — Rev. David J. Schreffler

 

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September 7, 2015

“While he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment of nard, and she broke open the jar and poured the ointment on his head. But some were there who said to one another in anger, “Why was the ointment wasted in this way? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her. But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has performed a good service for me. For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish; but you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for its burial. Truly I tell you wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.”
Mark 14:3-9

“During the years that the Lord Jesus was on earth a large number of events took place. Among them there were only two that we are especially told to remember. First, we are to remember the Lord’s Table. And second, we are to remember the action of the woman in the home of Simon the leper…

Of all the events that have occurred throughout the world all through the centuries the vast majority are not worth remembering. Yet wherever the gospel is preached we shall remember this woman. …if we are to be remembered in a way that endures there is only one way to do it. We must for the Lord’s sake break the alabaster jar. And we must offer ourselves entirely to G*d.” A sermon “Mary Breaks An Alabaster Jar” John Sung (1902 – 1944) “For All The Saints” volume II (p. 794)

If we want to pour something out entirely, there is no quicker way to do it than to break the item open entirely. If you have a bottle of anything, to pop open the top means you can pour it out, but in a controlled fashion. But, if you break it open, it will pour out, and there is no stopping the flow. In the same way, we want to give of ourselves to G*d, but usually only in a “controlled” fashion. We pour out a little here, and a little there, thinking we are giving in a manner that many will “see our good works that glorify our Father in heaven”. (Matthew 5:16)

This is not why Mary is remembered — at least according to John Sung — and I agree. Mary did not just pour out a small amount over Jesus’ head, she shattered it (not over Jesus’ head) but shattered it in a manner that she could then pour it all on Jesus. She held nothing back, and because the ointment was so expensive, her deed is doubly blessed — she gave an expensive gift — she held nothing back.

When we give ourselves to G*d, we are giving an expensive gift — because each person is priceless. Dare we give G*d only a little here, and a little there? Or, should be break ourselves open and pour ourselves out to G*d? It is our decision….

Pastor Dave