The Power to Rock the World

“You are hard to take!”  I was young when a well-seasoned colleague made the comment.  Several times I have been involved in an organization that makes a major transition from the old ways to the new ways.  I’d been called to push for change, to “rock their world”.  My fresh ideas were not always received enthusiastically.   As we become comfortable in a situation we want to hold on to the status quo.  Yet without change there is no growth, no life.

 Jesus’ disciples did not recognize that Jesus had the power to “rock their world.”  Mark 6: 45-52 reminds me it’s about God’s Power.  Jesus came to demonstrate in the tangible, everyday world, the incomparable power of God.    

When the disciples were presented with the dilemma of feeding lots of people in a remote setting they didn’t realize Jesus would give them the ability to remedy that situation.  They thought logistics and expense.  He showed them how to feed 5000 men with five loaves of bread and two fish and have leftovers. Use what you have and look to Heaven.  Apparently they were not open to think outside the box and seek a divine solution to an earthly problem.

After the Big Meal, Jesus sent the disciples in the boat to Bethsaida while He dismissed the crowd and went to the mountain to pray.  When evening came, He was alone on the land and the disciples were in the middle of the sea.  He saw them being battered as they rowed against the wind.  Very, very early in the morning, He came walking on the water intending to pass them by and to lead them through the wind and waves. 

The disciples thought He was a ghost and cried out in terror. Jesus spoke to them, “Have courage, It’s Me.  Don’t be afraid.”  Then He got in the boat with them and the wind stopped.

They were completely amazed because they did not understand about the loaves.  Instead their hearts were hardened.  In the Amplified Version it says they failed to consider or understand the teaching and miracle of the loaves and in fact their hearts had grown callous and dull and they had lost the power of understanding.  Jesus fed all those people not just to cure the hunger of 5000 men but to demonstrate God’s Power.

Jesus came to rescue us from more than we can comprehend.  He doesn’t just save us from danger and circumstance.  He saves us from an eternal life separated from God.  Jesus came to save us even when we become callous and dull toward God and choose not to acknowledge His power in the world in which we live.

It’s not really part of our DNA to be ready for great change. We resist newness thinking the same, well known, secure and comfortable are the best.  But Jesus knows us better than we know ourselves.  He is ready to calm the storm by going ahead of us taking the brunt of the wind and storm.   But He is equally ready to calm our fears by climbing in the “boat” of our scary circumstance to be with us.

I’m thankful Jesus “rocks” my world.  He offers newness and excitement, not routine and comfortable.  Jesus promises

            *          to go ahead of me to navigate the wind and waves and/or

            *          to climb into the “little boat” of my life to be with me in my moments of fear.

Jesus has The Power to “rock” my world.  He has authority over nature, numbers and unclean spirits.  Why should I be worried when change and newness enter my world?  Jesus is leading my life and will never leave me alone.

What was I thinking?

"If you create enough confusion you'll get in!" So I volunteered. I was a member of a 16 woman mission trip and we had a dilemma.   Our leader's visa didn't have the appropriate stamp to enter the next country.  The issue was discovered too late to resolve before we left for the tour. 

I approached the desk with a big smile on my face and 16 passports and visas in hand.  I politely handed him the stack and started to explain we were a group.  He shook his head and signaled we would have to go through one at a time.  I stepped back and waited.  He opened the first passport and mispronounced my name.  So I eagerly popped back to his window.

"Where are you coming from?"  My response was "Nairobi" - it was the latest plane change.  He shook his head and repeated the question.  "Oh before that?  We were in Frankfurt."  Again he shook his head and repeated the same question. "Oh before that?  Stockholm."

Then he realized he was asking the wrong question.  "Why are you coming?"  I launched into our story. "Oh, we're a group of women coming to visit the women in the Baptist churches and..."  He cut me off.  And waved me on.  He haltingly called the name on the next passport and then considered his  struggle with his limited English and my obvious lack of French.  He looked at me and handed me the stack of documents and waved us in. It worked!  We all were in!

I thought of my surprising bravery last week during Bible study when the question was asked, "When have you done something in the power of the Holy Spirit?"

The disciples faced a dilemma in Mark 6:35-44 so Jesus showed them how the power of the Spirit solved problems.

The disciples had been off on a ministry trip and had returned tired and hungry.  Jesus tried to take them across the lake for some rest but the large crowds followed them.  He had compassion on them and taught them until it was late in the day.

The disciples came to Him and reminded Him that they were in a remote place late in the day.  They suggested He dismiss the  people to go to the surrounding villages and get something to eat.

Jesus said "You give them something to eat." They explained the expense of providing that much bread and asked if they really should spend that much. So He showed them.

Jesus asked how many loaves of bread they had?  They did an inventory and found 5  loaves and 2 fish.  Then He directed the people to sit in groups of 50 and 100 on the green grass.

Jesus took the bread and fish, looked to heaven, gave thanks and broke the loaves.  He gave it to the disciples to distribute among the people.  All 5000 men ate and were satisfied.  There were 12 baskets full of leftovers.

I look back to my experience over thirty years ago and ask "What was I thinking?"  For some reason I was willing to take on this task.  I was one of the youngest members of the group. I'm shy, non-confrontational and I'm not always a quick thinker.   But that one day I was emboldened with the idea that I could do it.

I was not the one who got  us in that day.  The Spirit was the real problem solver.  We were on a mission.  We thought we were on a trip to learn about other Christians but we learned so much more about the circumstances of the believers, the obstacles of politics and life, of how God loves and moves among other people.  God was going to change my life and thinking on this trip and the missing stamp on the leader's visa was not going to prevent it.

The disciples surveyed the situation and listed the obstacles.  How like our world today when money or the lack of it tops the list of obstacles to our appointed mission?

Jesus gave the disciples a simple example to follow in the future: gather information and look to heaven.  He gave thanks for the miracle before it was apparent.  The disciples obeyed His instruction and started to distribute the provisions that they logically thought to be inadequate.

When faced with an obstacle, gather information, look to Heaven, obey the Spirit and get ready to be amazed and abundantly blessed!

Daily Report

“How was your day?”  I ask my husband each day when I get home from work and after I’ve calmed excited dogs!  It has become a habit.  Usually we brief each other on the day’s activities and news.  Then we move on to discuss “What’s for dinner?”

The apostles did a similar briefing with Jesus when they came back from a ministry trip.  Mark 6:30-34 inspired me to Report, Rest, Remember and Return.

I envision the apostles on a “ministry high” -- excited to tell Jesus all about the incredible changes they witnessed in the lives of ordinary people.  They reported all they had done and taught.  Do I report in to Jesus  and tell Him about the incredible people in the world in which I live?  Do I have anything exciting to report to Jesus?

The apostles were so busy and excited that they hadn’t had a chance to eat.  So Jesus said “Come with me to a quiet place and get some rest.”  It’s a good idea to get refreshed and rest up when we’ve done what Jesus has called each of us.  Have I done enough on behalf of Jesus to even need to rest up?

I might think that since I’ve accomplished a particular task as Jesus has called, that I’m done, finished or “off duty.”  Yet the final verses of this set of verses reminds me to remember that God is always at work so there are always people who need His touch through my ministry. 
Jesus had compassion on the people who ran along the shore to meet up with Jesus as His boat landed.  He saw them as lost sheep without a shepherd.  So He taught them.  Jesus demonstrated compassion that was always available to those in need.  I have benefited from Jesus’ compassion.  Do I remember the compassion I received and pass it on to those around me?  God is never “off duty” so what makes me think I can go “off duty” from participating in God’s work?  When the opportunity to join God’s work, am I ready to return to work with God?


I think Jesus asks me how my day was everyday too.  I will resolve to start the day ready to have something to report at the end of the day.

A Herdman Lesson

"They picked out the right villain-that must mean something." I had the tradition of reading The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson each Christmas season.   I've missed a few years but verses 14-29 in chapter 6 of the Gospel of Mark reminded of this line. (It's on page 50 of my copy.)

The church's Christmas pageant had been overrun by the Herdman kids, a pack of mean, ornery siblings from the "wrong side of town."  The church people struggled with their behavior but were taught many lessons by the Herdman's perspectives.

The Herdmans had never heard the story of Jesus' birth and they  were astonished by the facts of the story.  They wanted to get Mary and the baby out of that barn.  They wanted to know who would be playing the part of Herod because they were going to beat him up.  The mother who directed the pageant recognized that the Christmas story was having an impact on the Herdmans.  They picked out Herod as the villain of the drama.

Herod was indeed the villain in another portion of scripture.  As I am reading through Mark, pondering Jesus' travels, miracles and teaching, I am struck by the dramatic interlude recounting the circumstances of John the Baptist's death.

King Herod had married his brother's wife, Herodias.  John had pointed out the illegality of the marriage.   Herodias nursed a grudged against John and plotted for a way to kill John.  Her opportunity came at Herod's birthday party.  He gave a banquet for his high officials, military commanders and leading men of Galilee.  Herodias' daughter danced at  the party.  It must have been quite the dance because Herod promised her anything short of half his kingdom. The daughter slipped out to ask her mother what to request.  "The head of John the Baptist right now on a platter!"  Herod wouldn't embarrass himself in front of his prominent guests so he gave the order for John's execution

.

I jotted several lessons from this episode:

            The weak let circumstances control their actions.

            Pride gets us in trouble.

            Sin is enticing and leads to drama and more sin.

            Sin traps us in a web of poor choices.

            Sin is not private.  It will adversely affect others.

            Who is the real enemy?  The messenger of "right choice" or the conniving temptress?

In today's world we need villains to blame because we don't want  to accept responsibility for our own actions.   Too often we blame the messenger of right choices.  If those crazy Herdmans can find the real villain than I should be able to identify the real villain in the dramas of my life. (Too often it is pride.)  My sin does not just affect me but those around me will experience the consequences of my poor choices.  My pride cannot guide my choices. 

Who is the right villain?

            The villain is not the one who is convicting me to choose wisely. 

            The villain is the one who is enticing me to sin which will lead to more sin.

Shake it off

I'm a bit like one of my favorite TV characters who survives life with a personally created numbered set of rules.  My rules are not numbered or written down yet I have several that those closest to me might use as an epitaph on my headstone!

Mark 6: 7-13 reminded of my rule to "Travel light.  Pack only what you can carry."  When I was young and traveled I had a huge suitcase with multiple outfits, each with appropriate shoes, a travel iron and plenty of items I might need.  Now I rarely check a bag at the airport and can live out of my carry-on for almost a week.

Jesus sent The Twelve out to deal with evil spirits.  He told them to only take a staff, no bread, bag or money.  He told them to wear sandals but not an extra tunic.  When they enter a house, stay until they leave town.  If any place will not welcome and listen, then shake the dust off their feet when they leave as a testimony.  The Twelve preached repentance, drove out demons and anointed sick people with oil to heal them.

Jesus told The Twelve to travel without baggage and to not pick up baggage along the way.  I was convicted with the emotional baggage I sometimes collect when people don't welcome or listen to me.  Too often I am reluctant to follow Jesus' instructions because of past experience (my emotional baggage). 

These verses remind me that 

Jesus has the authority, not me.  

Jesus provides, not me.  

Jesus recognizes my success, not others.

These verses remind me to "shake off" past experiences (my emotional baggage) which  may cause me to avoid following Jesus' instructions and/or cause me to miss blessings.

Just yesterday morning I had the most pleasant surprise that had been waiting for me for over a year but "my baggage" kept  me from enjoying it.  I have resolved to finish quilt tops I've pieced yet not quilted and finished.  Piecing the back fabric is one of my least favorite steps in the process so I often procrastinate.  I had a quilt top I just love.  I had purchased backing fabric I just love for a great price, yet it stayed wrapped in the package because of my "baggage."

Acting on  my 2016 resolution I unwrapped the fabric and to my delight found the fabric did not need to be pieced.  I quietly cheered (it was 5 am and others in the house were still sleeping)! I could have enjoyed this quilt a year earlier if I'd "shaken off" my dread.

Today I am reminded that my baggage of past experiences can hinder my enjoyment of life as well as accomplishing the mission Jesus has set for me.  I am reminded to travel through life light and only carry what I really need.

Bye Bye 2015 Hello 2016

I was stumped!  The Christmas "to-do" list had me occupied and it had been days since I'd written.  I had decided it was time to get back to the habit.  Yet the verses in Mark 6:1-6 were tasking my brain.

Jesus   went to His hometown and taught in the synagogue.  The people were amazed at His wisdom.  Then they realized He was the carpenter and they knew His siblings.  So they took offense at His teaching.

Jesus' reply was "only in His hometown, among His relatives and in His own home is a prophet without honor."  He only performed a few healings of sick people.  Jesus was amazed at their  lack of faith.

It's no coincidence that  these verses have stumped my thoughts on the last day of the year as I ponder the next year.  I am still enough of a legalistic that I refuse to skip any verses as I blog my way through the Gospel of Mark.  So, I have decided to let these verses frame my resolutions for 2016.

My vision statement for the coming year:

·         Wonder, not worldly. I don't want worldly doubts to cause me to miss God's work.  When the circumstances or the delivery method of God's grace and gifts appear common or familiar I resolve to acknowledge them as blessings.  If I've learned nothing else from our annual binge of Hallmark Channel "sappy" Christmas shows,  I do recognize the recurring theme that I have to pay attention to see the wonder.  It's there, I'm just not paying attention.

·         Fresh, not complacent. I want Jesus to be amazed at my faith, not the lack of it.  The statement in verse six is a sad verse.  Jesus shaking His head in disappointment at their blatant refusal to believe just because of their familiarity with Him.  I must resolve to keep my familiarity with Jesus, fresh and not complacent.

·         Resolve and See.   I will see God's miracles as His divine intervention in my ordinary life, not as just healing a few sick people.  I was troubled that Jesus could not perform miracles.  Couldn't He or wouldn't He?  It seems to me that Jesus, the Son of God,  God Incarnate, could do anything.  So perhaps He wouldn't to accentuate their lack of faith.  I think those few sick people who came to Jesus felt He had performed a miracle in their life.  God is at work all the time, all around me.  I'm the one not acknowledging His work. Again, I want to pay attention so I don't miss seeing a miracle because of my lack of faith.

I'm think I'm ready to close out on 2015 and look forward to 2016.  Happy New Year!

Two "Simple" Instructions

"Your daughter is dead."  It is a parent's worst nightmare.  A synagogue ruler named Jairus heard those words delivered in a crowd by some insensitive men.

Jairus' story is told by Mark in chapter 5 verses 21 through 43.  Jairus had approached Jesus in a large crowd. He fell at His feet and pleaded for Jesus to come to his house and heal his dying daughter.  She was 12 years old. 

Jairus was desperate.  He must have been full of hope for her future.  Yet, he knew he would probably lose his little girl.  He knew she was dying.  

He ignored the theological discussions that he must have heard.  Jesus wasn't popular with the religious leaders.  But his little girl had no other options.  So he begged Jesus for help.

Jairus had a glimmer of hope.  Jesus agreed to go with him.  Yet a woman interrupted the journey to his daughter.  She distracted Jesus.  While He was speaking with her, some men came and told him he was bothering the teacher.  The child was dead. His hope was shattered! 

Jesus directed His attention to Jairus and gave him clear instructions:  1.  Don't be afraid and 2.  Just believe.

In the face of the desperate news in our daily lives we need to follow these same two instructions.

1.  Don't be afraid.  Reject  the world's view of events.  The men at the house didn't believe in Jesus' power and authority.  They called him merely a teacher.  Jairus had believed that Jesus could do anything, even snatch his little girl from certain death.  Likewise, in this uncertain world which delivers  lots of bad news, we should not be afraid because we know God can and will do amazing works.  Why?  He is sovereign.  He is all-powerful.  And He has prepared an eternal home for us.

2.  Just believe.  Jesus didn't tell Jairus what was about to happen.  He didn't share His plan with Jairus.  He gave Jairus simple instructions to follow in a crisis.  Jesus ignored what those men believed about Him and their interpretation of the situation.  He knew they thought He was only a teacher.  He saw the crowd of mourners laugh at Him when He said the child was merely sleeping.  He took just His three disciples and just the girl's parents and in a private moment, touched the little girl and healed her.  Why?  He is loving and compassionate.

The men who delivered the bad news suggested that Jesus was bothered by Jairus' need.  This miracle reminds me that God cares about each one of my fears and needs.  I am never a bother when I approach Him for reassurance and deliverance.

To face the world today I must:

1. Don't be afraid.  God loves me, personally and intimately.  He alone will meet me, every time, and deal with my crisis.  Fear is the world's suggested response.  Faith in God is what I need to choose.

2.  Just believe.  God is bigger than any situation or circumstance I face. 

When the world gives me circumstances beyond my ability to handle, I have a choice, fear or believe in God, the almighty, the all powerful, the all knowing, the loving and the compassionate.

Two "simple" instructions to face the day.