Tag Archives: Mark

Jesus is the Suffering Servant

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

“Is There Anybody Out There?” — Rev. David J. Schreffler

 

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September 4, 2015

“Then they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling and those who were buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves; and he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple.   He was teaching and saying, “Is it not written,
‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’?” Mark 11:15-17

“Prayers are not always — in the crude, factual sense of the word — “granted”. This is not because prayer is a weaker kind of causality, but because it is a stronger kind. When it “works” at all it works unlimited by space and time. That is why G*d has retained a discretionary power of granting or refusing it; except on that condition prayer would destroy us.” C.S. Lewis (1898 – 1963) G*d In the Dock “For All The Saints” volume II (p. 489)

Let it be said, Prayer is so hard. Period, end of statement. How easy is it for you to talk to yourself? Some are good at it, others think only crazy people talk to themselves. But, did you ever realize that prayer, from the outsiders point of view, is just you talking to yourself.

Has this ever happened to you: you are alone with someone in an elevator, and they say something like “Hey, how’s it going?” You do not know this person – never have seen them before – and, wondering why they are talking to you, you respond “I’m fine. How are you?” They look at you strangely, and turn their head to reveal they have one of those “blue tooth devices” in their ear for their phone, revealing that they are talking on the phone, not talking to you. There was a time, not so long ago, when you saw someone walking down the street talking to themselves you thought the person may need some “help”. Now, we just ignore them because most likely they are talking on a device.

Remember, when you pray you are not “talking to yourself” — you are talking to the ever present G*d. And you will find that your prayer life goes through periods of abundance, and periods of lacking. But, the more you pray, the more people may wonder what you are doing. It may give you the opportunity to talk to them about prayer….

Pastor Dave

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on September 3, 2015
Tags: , Mark   

The Division that Divides — Rev. David J. Schreffler

image      September 3, 2015

“Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.” Mark 11:8-11

“So Jesus came into Jerusalem. He came at once as an Intruder and a King. There were men along the streets who owed to Him the straightness of their limbs, the sight of their eyes, the clear, sane reason of their brains. They made the old streets ring with shouts of welcome. There were other men who He had disappointed and defeated. He had trampled on their traditions, contradicted their doctrines, spoiled their trade. With muttered curses they saw Him go by in His triumph. What a confusion! The city was divided against itself. But through it all Jesus…went on His way, claiming it all for His own. And so He claims our hearts.” Sermons For The Principal Festivals and Fasts Of The Church Year, 1895 Phillips Brooks (1835 – 1893) “For All The Saints” volume II (p. 478-479)

We must remember that, for as much as the triumphal entry for Jesus was a victory, of sorts, it was also a defeat for many. His triumphal entry into Jerusalem marks the beginning of the end of his earthly ministry. And, it also marks the beginning of more trouble for the Jews of Jerusalem, and the surrounding territories. It is the beginning of the great division: those “for” Jesus against those who are “against” him, and “hate” him; those “comforted” by Jesus against those “angered” by him; the women who followed and stayed by his side, and the men who followed him but abandoned and escaped into hiding; and finally the Temple Curtain, which was torn in two when he died on the cross.

And yet, Jesus rode through the town as the people divided themselves — some on one side of the street, some on the other — some on one side of the issue, some on the other. Nothing would stop Jesus on the way to the cross.

People still divide themselves when it comes to faith, Jesus, and the bible. Some say the bible is the “inerrant” word of G*d, others say it is the “inspired” word of G*d. Some say Jesus was the long expected Messiah, others say he was just a prophet and are awaiting the true Messiah. Some say faith is “being doers of the word”, others say faith means “we do not have to do anything to earn G*d’s grace”. My suggestion is we stop dividing ourselves and remember that Jesus rode into Jerusalem for all of the people — those who shouted “Hosanna” and those who shouted “Crucify Him”.

Pastor Dave