Mark 10:32-52 Following Jesus

Mark 10:32-52 NIV
As Jesus leads his followers on their journey to Jerusalem, he tells them that he is going to be killed and after he is killed he will rise, three days later. I'm not sure if the disciples fully grasp the significance of this, because James and John ask to sit at his right and left hand in His glory. Do they realize that in order to see His full glory they are going to have to follow Him with their own deaths?

Following Jesus is not the "walk in the park" that many would assume. The disciples didn't quite "get it" and I wonder if, sometimes, maybe we don't "get it," either. Following Jesus, means a life of service to others; not a life of serving ourselves. It means a life of carrying the cross that others might hear, see and believe.

Blind Bartimaeus wanted to see. Jesus came along and gave him sight. Once, Bartimaeus could see, he picked himself up and followed Jesus along the road to Jerusalem, on the way to the cross.

May God grant that our eyes should be opened so that we might follow Jesus wherever He may lead us.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Mark 10:17-31 Costly

(Mark 10:17-31 NIV)


A wealthy man asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. He's kept all the commandments. He's been good. But, Jesus tells him he must sell everything. He must give up everything and follow him.

What does it cost to enter the kingdom of God? Well, for you and me to enter the Kingdom, it cost Jesus his earthly life. Then he says we must follow Him. We must follow him to the cross and through the grave. We must be willing to give up everything in this world. This not only upsets the wealthy man, but his disciples are a bit confused as well. They have given up everything to follow him, after all. Jesus comforts them with these words:

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life." (vs 29-30)

These words, at times, seem to be our only hope. They comfort us in times of persecution and when, indeed, we lose family and friends (as many of us have) for following the path that Jesus has set before us. It is a hard path. There are times when we wonder if it the cost is too great. But, then we remember what it cost Jesus so that we might receive the promised eternal life in the Kingdom of God, in His presence.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Mark 10:13-16 Let The Children Come

Mark 10:13-16

One of the practices that I have seen in many smaller congregations here in the Midwest is the practice of having a children's sermon at the beginning of the service and then "dismissing" them so that they can go to Sunday School. It is not too much different here at Zion. It is not a great practice; but, it happens. There are practical reasons that congregations do this. One reason being that we are located so remotely that if the Sunday School were at a separate time from Worship parents wouldn't know what to do with themselves while the children are in class (of course they wouldn't attend a Bible study; that's a silly thought you're thinking!) and in most cases the children would never be at worship if Sunday School were before or after worship. So, what we have opted to do for many years is start Sunday School classes 15 minutes before worship. They hear and discuss stories from the Bible during this time and so are hearing the Word through their teachers. Following my sermon, the children join us; actually, they join me at the altar rail, where they kneel. I do not do a children's sermon; rather, we talk for a few minutes about what they learned in Sunday School. They are not always too excited about answering questions; especially when they didn't pay attention. But, here comes the parts that they love being included in. They lead the appointed Creed with me (yes, most of them know it by heart at a very early age) and then they pray the prayers of the church. Each child (that can read) prays a petition or two. They then go out and share the peace of the LORD with the rest of the congregation prior to two of them receiving and bring the offering forward. And... now comes the main reason that we have the children coming up after the sermon instead of for a few minutes at the beginning of worship. It never made sense to me to begin communing children so young and then sending them to Sunday School during worship so that they don't receive the Lord's Supper again until Christmas Eve, Easter morning or when they are too old for the Sunday School classes we have to offer. The children come forward; some with their friends; some with their teacher; some with their parents for Holy Communion. They need to be able to come and receive the Sacrament. They need to be fed. Children who are not yet receiving the Sacrament (as well as adults who for whatever reason do not) come to the Table, as well. They come for the laying on of hands and a blessing.

A couple of years ago, we tried integrating the Sunday School youth even more into worship and it is working. On the last Sunday of every month, Sunday School is held at Worship (not in the basement classrooms). No, they don't have a lesson like they would normally. They are learning how to worship. They help lead worship. They read the lessons for the Sunday and they pray all of the prayers: Prayer of the Day, Prayers of the Church, Offering Prayer; they lead the Creed, and they collect the offering. Sometimes, they provide special music. On these last Sundays of the month, they all come to the Lord's Table first as a group. We are small and they are small so they all usually fit. Together, they receive the Lord in His Supper. Together, they receive His blessing.

This mixing of Sunday School and Worship is not an ideal situation; but, we have attempted to ensure that they feel fully included when they do come. One of my pet peeves over the years at more than a few congregations was the habit of including our youth in the life of the congregation is to have them rake the church yard. This is not what I nor what most children would consider welcoming. Let them come. Let them be blessed. Let them be a blessing to us all. They are gifted and most of all: They love Jesus.

Let the little children come and may God help us all to learn how better to include them in the life of the whole congregation.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Mark 10:1-12 Marriage/Divorce

Mark 10:1-12 NIV
Today we have a hard reading for today's society.

"He answered, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.” (Mark 10:11-12)

Divorce is a difficult thing. When God joins two people they truly become one flesh. Then because of the hardness of our hearts, we attempt to tear apart what God has joined together. In the case of a divorce we can succeed in distancing ourselves, but we will always be a part of that other person. Whether for the good or bad we cannot ever be separated completely.

Divorce is not God's will, according to Jesus. But, because of the hardness of our hearts, Moses wrote the law allowing divorce in order that there would not be even more hardship to either person. Divorce happens. Sometimes, it may even be necessary for the safety of everyone involved. But, in today's society, it happens all too often. It is routine. Families are separated. Children grieve and suffer. The divorcees grieve and suffer. "Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate." (Mark 10:9)

One way to avoid divorce and the hurt it causes would be to take marriage more seriously even prior to the wedding. Marriage is a life-long commitment. It is the joining together of two people by God. Marriage is not one big reception after the wedding. The marriage can be a lot of work. It takes real commitment and most absolutely the constant and continued help of God. I'm not really sure why so many think they should commit themselves to marriage without first committing themselves to trusting God to help them.

God's Peace - Pr. J