Marysville Nazarene

Mark 12 tells the Parable of the Tenants--but it's not a lesson in dollars and cents. It's not even about Rome or the image of Caesar. It's about lordship. The image we bear reflects who (or what) we worship. May our lives reveal his majesty and mercy as we humbly walk in the way of Jesus and give God what belongs to Him.

Jesus as Messiah is clear to those of us reading the gospels, but for those participating in the story, there was still confusion. Jesus didn't arrive to bring them freedom from the temple of Rome like they'd hoped, but instead engaged in a "battle" that was far more personal. He lived out Micah's lament (Micah 7), proclaiming hope that comes from the Lord and calling each of us to be trees not just full of leaves, but trees that bear fruit.

The story of Bartimaeus in Mark 10 is the story of someone who finally "gets it," unlike the rich man or James and John. And while the disciples were quick to dismiss Bartimaeus, Jesus called to him, and Bartimaeus threw off his cloak--his only possession--and ran to Jesus. 

No matter where we are in our journey toward worshiping God (our ascent)--whether we're at the bottom in need of grace to begin the climb, halfway up and laboring to keep going, or at the gates of the Holy City--there is still more that God has for us. We are still climbing and God is still working in us as we confront the kings that vie for our hearts.

The story of the rich man in Mark 10 is not a story about money, but rather that of idolatry. Jesus put himself in direct competition with what the man loved most and made him choose--he could keep his "stuff" or he could follow Jesus. He couldn't do both. And the same is true for us today. When it comes to serving God, we need not ask ourselves "what do I need to do?" but rather "what am I missing?" What might be getting in the way of following the one and only king? Because whoever loves anything more than God... is lacking.

The Gospel is unbelievable! And yet our stories, proclamations, and testimonies express our belief. May we not be guilty of being called unbelieving--a faithless generation.

The pharisees relied on oral regulations to pretct people and their relationship with God. But over time, external things became their focus, and these traditions had blinded them to who God was and what He wanted. Corruption begins inside our hearts, not outside. The pharisees' hands were clean, but their heart had been defiled. Jesus wants holiness to be understood through mercy, grace, caring and compassion, deliverance and community. Let us not miss the invitation the way the pharisees did, and join Jesus in the mission of God. 

The disciples had just seen Jesus feed 5000 people, and yet they were still surprised to see Him walking on water. How many times do we react the same way today, when our expectations don't match what God is doing? Sometimes, while we're straining at the oars of life, He is trying to get us to understand who He really is. Doubt and wonder can't coexist... 

Faith matters. It is the lens through which we view wonder, drawing us closer to Christ and helping us not only see who Jesus is, but how much God loves us. 

Are the questions we ask in the midst of our spiritual storms the right ones? Like the disciples facing a storm in the boat, we might recognize the authority of Jesus, but fear and panic still lurk when we don't know who Jesus is.

In the Gospel of Mark, the author focuses on how Jesus was received and the reaction of the people. Jesus taught differently because He was different. He taught with authority because he was the authority! The world and the Law hadn't changed, but His heart, intent, and motive were different. When we drift from the truth, from His authority, the wonder fades.

After the Israelites passed through the waters, they were tempted and failed to live in obedience to God. But Jesus went into the wilderness for 40 days and lived in obedience and fidelity to the Father. The very tempations that Satan presented to Jesus attacked his sonship and his obedience, but Jesus proved to be the true Son of God--a sort of redo for the destiny of Israel. But, practically speaking, what does it look like to live a life of obedience to the Father? "Let me who you how it's done."

The Magi traveled with eagerness to worship Jesus, the newborn King of the Jews, though they had limited knowledge of who He was or why His birth had been foretold. These men of satus, position, and means were among the first to worship the Messiah... but no one followed them to Bethlehem. Why not?

Culturally, Christmas has come and gone, but for those who understand the history of the Church, Christmas is just beginning! The twelve days between Christmas Day and the Epiphany of the Magi (on January 6) are for us to revel in the wonder of the incarnation of Jesus--Emmanuel, God with us.

When we share the Messiah with others, there is power in that testimony because of the Christmas Story itself. WE are the reason for the season! The shephers recognized the angels had brought them good news of great joy: God is not dead, nor does He sleep.

When we consider Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus within the Christmas story, we know the least about Joseph--he only appears twice in the Bible and doesn't speak in either appearance. But Joseph was provided, by God, to shepherd and guide Jesus on His mission as Emmanuel--the Lamb of God sent to take away the sin of the world. Jesus is God's gift to the world. Joseph was God's gift to Jesus. Both were given with the all-encompassing love of our Heavenly Father.

Through the story of Mary's visit from the angel, we learn key ingredients to finding everlasting peace in our lives.

There are lot of situations in our world that make us feel hopeless at times, which causes us, like Zechariah (Luke 1:5-25), to pour out our hearts over and over to God just looking for a little bit of hope. We also struggle to keep silent--we've got lots of words and lots of outlets through which to say them. In this day and age, it's almost an expectation! But... what if God is inviting us to be quiet for a bit? Out of the silence, God speaks. And the word God speaks is Jesus. Emmanuel. God with us, embodying hope and bringing about redemption that’s available for all people.  May this Advent season be one where we slow down, remove some of the "noise" in our lives, and practice silence so that when we do speak, our words bring life, peace, and good will to men.  

Thanksgiving isn't just a Thursday in November. It's an attitude. And at the heart of thanksgiving is God. Jesus... grace... JOY! As the Church, we are called to distribute what we have been given and what He has blessed and multiplied. There is enough for ALL to have their fill.

Praying with passion isn't about words, or years in church, or even theological understanding. It's praying for God's glory--seeking His face before His hand. All prayer leads us to God. Hallowed be His name!