God is Where We See Him
Commentary
The three lessons for today share a common theme of declaring that God can be encountered in numerous places in our lives. Contrary to the wishes of many, he is discovered not in the places that support their dreams of power, but in places where humility, sacrifice, suffering, rejection take place. Some imagine that they find him in wise words and great speeches; but then they take another look and cannot justify what they see, in what appears to be a human being. So they hold him at arm's length and he cannot come into their lives. Others look for him in great miracles. Anybody can wake a girl from sleep. But it would take someone special to raise one from the dead. Surely that something special is not here.
Many of us go looking for God in the midst of life. We begin our search in places of majesty, power, position, importance. And who is to deny that occasionally he does show himself in the temples, as in Isaiah 6, or in the fiery cloud and pillar? But more often the Bible speaks of the still, small voice; footsteps in a garden.
While many are scanning the skies, looking for God to step out on the balcony of heaven and reveal himself, the truth is that he is generally encountered in all the ordinary places of our lives. Remember those lives from Browning's "Aurora Leigh"?
Earth's crammed with heaven.
And every common bush afire with God:
But only he who sees, takes off his shoes;
The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries.
OUTLINE I
Christianity's Great Paradox
2 Corinthians 12:1-10
Introduction: Do some background work on Paul's letters to the Corinthians. I know that some resist the idea that there are parts of four letters put together here; but it can be instructive to trace down the suggested parts and see how they do make new suggestions regarding the way Paul dealt with problems at Corinth. As much authority as he had, he was reluctant to use it. Paul knew what most of us know: that when we throw our weight around we usually arouse the opposition rather than winning it. It is clear that here he speaks from a pastor's heart and seeks to win over his opposition through a sense of humility rather than pride.
A. However. Paul does make it clear that if he did want to resort to pride and position he could justifiably do it. That is real humility: to not have to be humble and to be humble anyway. There are those who go around all the time projecting a humble attitude and spirit and taking great pride in it, when it is really all they have to project.
B. Power Is Made Perfect in Weakness. There is the paradox. Most are certain that God is on the side of power and might. Listen to the certainty with which they speak, as they assume that his legions are joined to their guns. Then take a look at history and see what remains. Look up Shelley's great poem titled "Ozymandias" for a first-class lesson on this subject.
Conclusion: Many like to dwell on the power and might of God. They imagine themselves to be made in such an image of God, and therefore feel justified in using such power and maintaining it to be in conjunction with his. Remind the congregation of the "put-upon God" we meet in the Scriptures. This is the God disobeyed in Eden, mumbled at in the wilderness, ignored when he spoke through his prophets, crucified when he came to dwell with men. And yet, this is the one who persists, lasts, and in every case is the final victor. For some theological consideration on the matter, find a little treasure titled, The Will of God, written by Leslie Weatherhead.
OUTLINE II
Questions for the Reader
Mark 6:1-6
Introduction: I suggest that you get very personal with this one. Every preacher has some memory of the first time he came back to his own home church to preach. In the crowd were all those who remember you for a number of things, some great and some not so great. In all likelihood many are skeptical. At least you imagined it so. Embellish. Use your imagination. Talk about lumps in the throat and sweaty palms and dry lips. Jesus must have had all that, too.
A. How Wonderful. There are always those who are amazed at the sophistication of the new preacher. Newly turned out in clerical garb, bright-eyed, given to a great new vocabulary, looking more mature than is real. "Just listen to the wonderful things he has to say." But then it dawns on them. This is Joe and Mary's boy.
B. Where Did He Get All This? Read the questions. Take a look at Mark's Gospel and you will find that, again and again, such questions are being asked. And why not? If Mark was written at A.D. 66-70, this was a vital question. Many were suffering for his name and sake. Everybody had to answer the questions for themselves. Is this the Messiah?
Conclusion: Mark still drives us to ask the questions. Each of us has to ask and to answer. How we answer shapes our lives and how we respond to life.
OUTLINE III
A Story Overblown
Mark 5:21-24a, 35-43
Introduction: I see no reason why imagination cannot be applied to this story and considerable time be spent in filling in the blanks. After all, this is a rather human story and people never tire of hearing them again and again. Take your time. Wring as much as you can from each line. Paint in the pain and pathos and make the suffering real. And then, let all see that the only calm person here is Jesus.
A. Your Daughter Is Dead! Why bother any further? Surely these advisors must have seen Jesus as a healer and a man of some considerable power. But it is clear that they do not regard him as Messiah. These advisors do not accept the resurrection. No doubt they are Sadducees come to take the grieving father home.
B. She Is Only Sleeping. There are those who wish to insist that Jesus was just reassuring Jairus, and that she really was dead. The point of this story is not that Jesus raised the little girl from the dead. The point is to reveal that there were those ready to pay him a great compliment, but not to accept him as Lord.
Conclusion: How many are there in your conregation who see Jesus as the great teacher, the great ethicist, a healer, a wise man, a prophet, and yet are not ready to accept him as Messiah? Such persons find that their suspicions are justified, since he can never do anything for them. They do not let him. For them, he remains less than he truly is.
