Mark 1:21-28 A Reflection on the Lectionary with Some Personal Additions

Mark 1:21-28  “. . .he taught them as one who had authority . . .” (Verse 22, NIV)

As moderns we naturally ask when reading this passage if demons are real? That question about demons and exorcism is important, but it’s not the first question to ask. Guided by the account in Mark one we would do better to start as the text does with the question: whose teaching has authority? The people were amazed at Jesus before the exorcism. His clarity and his confidence set him apart from other teachers, and then they were further amazed at how far his authority extended. In astonishment they said, “He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” (Mark 1:27)

Reading further in the Gospel we find that the disciples are astounded that Jesus had authority over nature. When he calmed a storm they exclaimed, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” (Mark 4:41 NIV)  He healed the sick; he raised the dead; he walked on water; he miraculously fed a multitude with just a few small fish and a few loaves of bread. Jesus was a wonder worker, and his wonders revealed his authority in heaven and on earth. So Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matthew 28:18)

First century people did not question the reality of demon possession. However, they found the possibility that someone could possess authentic authority from God an amazing discovery. We want to start in the same place. We want to understand and acknowledge and yield to the authority of Jesus. Of first importance is to know him, be known by him and to be known as one who walks in his company.

It would be a serious spiritual error to become obsessed with demons and with exorcism. We do not want to make the mistake of Sceva who was an exorcist in Ephesus. He tried to used the name of Jesus to command impure spirits. The evil spirit responded, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” (Acts 19:15 NIV)

When Christ lives in us, and we are empowered by him, we may confront and send away impure spirits that possess the hearts, minds and bodies of our people. Evil is real. People become obsessed. The Gospel, faithfully shared can set them free because all authority in heaven and on earth belongs to Christ.

*******

Books. Island of the Lost, Shipwrecked at the Edge of the World. By Joan Druett. True story of two shipwrecks at different ends of the same island and how they survived. The comparisons between the two groups of survivors unknown to each other makes for a fascinating read and much self reflection.

Church. Click the following link for an inspirational report on the Christian witness in China.

A Lectionary Reflection on Mark 1:17 with Some Personal Additions

Mark 1:14-20 “ . . . I will send you out to fish for people.” (Verse 17, NIV)

This metaphor “to fish for people” when taken seriously can make us uneasy. Just as a fish does not want to be caught, so people do not want to be caught either. They certainly do not want to be consumed, even figuratively.

Another word picture used by Jesus works better for those who resist the metaphor of fishing. Jesus said that those who are well do not need a physician, and he explained that he had come not to call “the righteous but sinners.” (Mark 2:17) If you don’t want to be designated a sinner then Jesus accepts your freedom to say no to his call.

Still the fishing metaphor is there in Mark 1:17. In that picture the fish does not have the freedom to say no, and by implication those who fish for people do not expect people to want to be caught. 

One way to resolve the issue is to say that Jesus simply meant that he wanted the disciples to change vocation. Once they worked in fishing boats, but now they were being called to work with people, helping them to enter the kingdom of God through their preaching. That’s an easy solution, and easy solutions usually fail to be helpful. Worse, they avoid the truth.

Although the Gospel is good news we can expect people to resist it as vehemently as a hooked fish resists getting caught. What’s more we can expect, as Jesus taught, that many will oppose and even persecute those who persist in proclamation of the Gospel. They will make this opposition because they do not want to be caught. They do not want to be changed, and the Gospel demands change.  Just as the sick need healing so the sinner needs confession, repentance, forgiveness and the Lordship of Christ.

There are many good things that the church can do to help people. Most of those good things are well received. Ministry to the homeless and the hungry will be appreciated by the larger community. However, proclamation of the Gospel will meet resistance. To “fish for people” will be decried at a minimum and in some places it will receive deadly opposition. Yet, those who have been caught by the grace of God through proclamation of the Gospel will praise the Lord, and they will give thanks for the preacher who dared to face their opposition. 

*******

Books. The Parables of Kierkegaard, ed. Oden., 1978, p. 3. Here is an excerpt. “It happened that a fire broke out backstage in a theater. The clown came out to inform the public. They thought it was just a jest and applauded. He repeated his warning, they shouted even louder. So I think the world will come to an end amid general applause from all the wits, who believe that it is a joke.”

*******

Grandchildren. Fiona and Freddy are fictional characters who regularly appear in bed time stories that I tell Sweetie Pie and Mr. Happy. If the story gets a little scary at some point, then Sweetie Pie stops me and whispers in my ear, “What’s going to happen?” I assure her that it will be okay. She then allows me to continue though she has made clear that Fiona and Freddy stories can have no bears, snakes or stink bugs.

Lectionary Reflection with Personal Additions

John 1:43-51 (NIV)  “You will see greater things . . .” (v. 50)

Nathanael questioned in strong terms the idea that the messiah would come from Nazareth; his skepticism was understandable since Bethlehem was the prophesied home of the coming messiah. However, Nathanael, being from Cana, revealed the bias of one small town resident toward another when he exclaimed, “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” (v. 46) When Nathanael met Jesus and was told that he had been seen while sitting under a fig tree, Nathanael completely changed his mind. Although any thoughtful skeptic could imagine ways that Jesus may have known about Nathanael and the fig tree, Nathanael was convinced by this simple observation that Jesus was, indeed, the messiah.

There is a saying (often attributed to Chesterton) that the problem with belief is not that people will refuse to believe, but that people will believe anything. After Nathanael’s reversal Jesus seems to have a smile in his voice when he remarks, “Do you believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree?” Jesus assured him that greater things were yet to be experienced, and by implication, needed to be experienced.

Scripture study, theology, attention to reason and tradition are important for examining our beliefs. We are blessed when we have pastors and teachers and parents and friends who will challenge our too easy beliefs. The danger exists of getting caught up in popular trends, like a cultural tsunami, that will carry us along in beliefs that are too easy and when tested by Scripture and theology found to be wrong. What's more: even those beliefs that are right--such as the profession of Nathanael--can fail us if we do not examine them and find support for them in Scripture, personal experience, and church teaching.

A belief that comes too easily or a belief that comes upon a shaky premise or a surprising coincidence alone may be a belief that is just as easily lost as gained. Jesus called his disciples to take a cross, to self-denial, to sacrifice. They needed a belief that would triumph when challenged by unrelenting opposition. They needed the witness of the resurrection from the dead, and that witness produced faith through the Spirit that made them believers against all argument, deprivation and persecution.

*******

TV Some folks have made the decision not to watch Television. I applaud such resolve. I’m not there yet; however, in 2015 I am trying to limit TV watching, and I’m trying to be more selective. I’ve discovered a show from Italy (It has sub-titles for those of us who don’t speak Italian) called Don Matteo. The plot revolves around a Catholic priest with an impressive insight to human nature. He helps the carabinieri (police) station in solving crimes. Don Matteo always gives spiritual guidance to the victims and perpetrators of crime. Often, he helps them find redemption. On occasion the Gospel is presented as clearly as I’ve ever heard it presented in a sermon. All the while the TV show is filled with comedy and suspense. The series is syndicated in the United States by MHz networks. If, like me, you’re still watching TV you’ll find this series worth your time.

Lectionary Reflection with Some Personal Additions

Mark 1:9, “At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.”

Jesus was baptized. In this simple, passive, humble, religious ritual Jesus embraced his humanity. Last week’s lectionary passage, John 1:18, emphasized his divinity, “the one and only Son, who is himself God.” Now, in Mark’s description we see the Son humbling himself before John the Baptist who has called the people to repent. Jesus took his place along side those people and along side all of us who come in search of God. 

Imagine Jesus standing in line. With all the others he walks down to John and allows himself to be baptized. Fritz Eichenberg made a wood cut for the cover of the Catholic Worker newspaper that pictured Jesus standing in a bread line. Wherever we are standing in need of any kind Jesus is there in his humanity with us. Not only in baptism but in loneliness, in sickness, in fear, in every need and finally in death itself Jesus took his place in line with us.

He came to us to lead us from death to life. The lost sheep is taken back to the flock; the woman caught in adultery goes to sin no more; the hungry are fed, and the sick are healed. Jesus came to us in his humanity that in our repentance we may turn from sin and sorrow and need. We may turn and follow Jesus to forgiveness and fulfillment. In our profession of faith through baptism we are raised with Christ from death to life.

*****

Grandchildren. I didn’t get a photo, but one poignant memory from Christmas will remain with me. Sweetie Pie was chosen to be Mary in her school program. Near the end of all the singing she grew tired and leaned against Joseph to rest and she put her thumb in her mouth.   

Books. Judy gave me three mystery novels by UVa Economics professor Ken Elzinga. The books are written under the pseudonym Marshall Jevons. Elzinga is well known in the academic world as an economist, and his sleuth solves mysteries through economic principles. Elzinga is, also, known in the faith community of Charlottesville as a committed Christian. I like mysteries, and I admire Ken Elzinga.

Music. New to me and much to my liking: Samson Trinh and the Upper East Side Big Band.