Mark 11:1-11 - Hosanna! Lord, Save Us!

Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” 

- Mark 11:9–10 (NIV11)

Hosanna! Lord Save Us! Save us from the Romans, Save us from the Samaritans. Save us from the godless gentiles. Save us from those who have invaded our homesteads and taken the land what is rightfully ours. Come and be the triumphant warrior-king David for us. Take back your earthy kingdom. Reclaim the Judah of old, and Israel as well while you're at it. Jesus, if you are the anointed one of God, then save us and bless us. Be our valiant Messiah, God's anointed King.

Prayer:
Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy. Forgive us our shortsightedness. Open our eyes to see the Messiah Jesus who sets aside his sword and kingly armour in order to valiantly bear his cross to save us and reveal his kingdom that in not of this world. Amen

Mark 10:13-16 - Jesus Loves the Worthless Children

People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 

- Mark 10:14–15 (NIV11)

What was it about these children that led Jesus to proclaim that "the kingdom of God belongs to such as these"? Was it their innocence, their purity, their simplicity of faith? Let me suggest that it was none of the above. Anyone who has ever spent a day with a toddler will attest to the fact that they are neither innocent nor pure. They are able to disobey, lie, deceive, bully others, steal cookies and toys, and throw temper tantrums. As the psalmist reminds us, "Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me" (Psalm 51:1). And as for simplicity of faith, surely Jesus is not telling us that ignorance and blind compliance in matters of faith is a virtue. 

So what made these kids so special? The answer is revealed to us in an earlier passage from Mark 9:35-37, where Jesus picks up a child and tells his disciples: “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all. ... Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.” The parallel account in Luke reads, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.” (Luke 9:48)

You see, these children were lifted up as an example for us, not because they or purer, more innocent, or more genuine in their faith, but rather because they were the least among them; they were "the very last".  In Jesus' day, children had no status until they became old enough to be useful. They were worthless in the eyes of society without rights or entitlements; they could be bought, sold, enslaved or married off by parents to honour debts owed and financial arrangements made.

What Jesus is saying is not, that we must come to God in innocence and simplicity of faith but rather as worthless children who have nothing to offer. Unless we set aside everything, including our perceived worth in the eyes of the world, and are willing to be "servants of all," we will not enter the kingdom of God.

Prayer:
Loving God, we confess that we all too often forget the extent to which we were broken and lost before you claimed us as your own. We confess that we deceive ourselves into believing that we are good and worthy people acceptable to you because of what we have done for you. Forgive us our arrogance. Humble us anew that we might enter into your presence as little children, once worthless yet now precious in your sight through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Mark 9:38-41 - The Cup of Water Test

“Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”
“Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us. Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward." 

- Mark 9:38–41 (NIV11)

There is a special "reward" from God reserved for those who treat the disciples of Jesus well - those willing to offer them a cup of water, an act of kindness, a word of encouragement, an offer of solidarity. Regardless of their age, nationality, culture, religious affiliation, sexual orientation or political leanings, those who seek to build bridges and offer table fellowship to a follower of Jesus Christ are worthy of a Christian's respect and God's blessing.

While we may spend a great deal of time trying to isolate ourselves from those who don't believe as we do, Jesus seems to suggest that our potential circle of friends is far larger than we might have first imagined, for Jesus reminds us that "whoever is not against us is for us." (Mark 9:40)

Prayer:
Gracious God, open our eyes to recognize the many acts of kindness directed to us by others. Thank you for those who know us to be Christians and yet willingly offer us their hospitality and respect. Amen.

Mark 9:30-32 - Unasked Questions

[Jesus] said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it." 

- Mark 9:31–32 (NIV11)

This was not the first time Jesus had announced to his disciples the implications of this final journey to Jerusalem. Just before his transfiguration he had told them he would have to be rejected, die and rise again on the third day (Mark 8:31-33). On that first occassion Peter had tried to rebuke Jesus for his pessimistic diatribe. On this second occasion, the disciples just kept silent.  They didn't understand what he meant but they were afraid to ask.  How many questions do you have, for and about God, running around in your head? Questions you're afraid to ask lest people think less of you or question your faith. One of the difficulties with a faith that is too stringently defined and enforced through detailed creeds and statements of faith is that it can create an environment where asking tough questions is discouraged. Why ask the tough questions if you are only allowed to come to one acceptable conclusion? Such an environment tends to shun questions and praises blind acceptance; It leaves us afraid to ask and keeps us in silent ignorance.

Twice Jesus had tried to prepare his disciples for what lay ahead in Jerusalem and twice they hadn't understood what he was saying, yet they stayed silent and asked no questions for they "were afraid to ask him about it."

Prayer:
O Gracious God, give to us courage to ask our questions no matter how difficult they may seem.  Teach us the courage of Peter to speak, that we may learn and grow in faith. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Mark 9:14-29 - When Doubt Gets in the Way

Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” 

“From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” 

- Mark 9:21–24 (NIV11)

It's not always easy to believe. I'm not talking about believing in Jesus Christ as our Saviour, or believing that he died and rose for our sins. Rather, I mean believing that Jesus, as our Lord, can be trusted to pursue God's will for our lives even if we can't understand the whys and hows of it all. In other words, it can be hard to believe and have faith in the midst of doubt. After all, how can one believe (have faith) and yet doubt at the same time?

Well, let me suggest that "doubt" is not the opposite of "faith" but rather the opposite of "certainty". Faith runs the gamut between doubt and certainty. While we perceive our faith as strong when we have high confidence in what we believe, a faith sustained only by certainty will not survive the painful trials and tribulations of life. It is a faith akin to the seed which is planted on rocky ground,  yet dies away in times of trouble and persecution for it has no roots to sustain it (Mark 4:16-17).

There are times in our lives when, overwhelmed with doubt but deeply longing to trust in God, we cry out "I believe; help me overcome my unbelief?" This is not the sign of a lack of faith but rather a rooted, maturing faith learning to trust in God even when doubt seeks to uproot us.

Prayer:
O merciful God, we confess that we feel disheartened at times. We confess that doubt overwhelms us. Forgive us and help us to overcome our unbelief which hinders our ability to trust in you fully as Lord of our lives through Jesus Christ. Amen.