Faith Stretching Exercises
Commentary
It is the second week into the Lenten season. Fat Tuesday’s paczkis and beer celebrations are far into the rearview mirror now. Some grocery stores are already putting Easter candy onto their shelves in hopes of early sales before the actual holiday. However, Lent is the season to exercise our faith muscles. We never know when we will need them. A health, financial or natural weather disaster crisis can occur at any time of the year. Each of today’s texts is an exercise in stretching our faith muscles. Abraham is being called into a new covenant after the one made with Noah (Genesis 8-10). Paul describes who the true descendants of Abraham in Romans 4. Finally, Jesus delivers his first passion prediction in Mark 8. Each text challenges our faith in some manner. Lent is the season for believers to consider ways to grow in their faith.
Genesis 17:1-7; 15-16
This text is written by the priestly author. It is dated around the sixthcentury BCE with a very disciplined and symmetrical textual style. The audience is in exile without a land, temple, or monarch. However, God’s promises are deemed reliable since the promises made to Abraham, is the background for this text. The last covenant made with God was with Noah earlier in Genesis 8-10. This new covenant takes the form of a promise similar to the one made at creation (Genesis 1:28). Possibly this implies a new creation. One preaching path might be to consider which promises made in life lead to a new creation of sorts? For example, to do a certain set of physical therapy exercises after a knee or hip surgery points to a promise of a more active lifestyle afterward. Many churches ask youth to do fundraisers for the promise of a trip to a place they have not traveled to before.
Another observation is that this promise has the echo of a royal promise implying it is from God or God’s ruler, implying a Davidic link (2 Samuel 7). Who makes promises to us may indicate their track record of credibility. A person’s immediate job supervisor promises a pay raise if they put in extra effort at work. If the pay raise does not occur, the credibility of the supervisor is in question. On the other hand, if the corporate CEO makes a promise, who is located off site of the work area, does the worker take the risk of trusting such words? Whose promises do we trust, is another path to preach.
In the case of God in Genesis, this is the Creator who is eternal. So even in the afterlife, the promises remain valid, as this God is the Creator who creates life (also, as confessed in the church’s Apostles and Nicene Creed). Finally, what is the relation to the God who makes promises? In the case of Genesis, Abraham’s offspring will be God’s people. God makes promises not only to Abraham, but his offspring. Such a question might prompt Christians in many churches to wonder what promises has God made to our congregation? What does the covenant look like between God and our congregation on this day? As many churches struggle, some judicatory leaders often suggest the church’s mission is complete. It is tine to close the doors and move on. Could a group of local church leaders find hope or solace in such words?
This promise also offers an opportunity to belongs to a larger group. Abraham Maslow lists “belonging” as a basic need above survival and safety on his needs pyramid. Does the church fill the person’s needs to belong? Might being part of a more militant group of fighters in any militia movement fulfill such belonging needs more so than belonging to a religious or academic institution? As far back as Flavius Josephus’ book The Jewish War, many Jews opted to become part of the military Sicarii guerilla group than one of the Pharisees, Sadducee or scribal groups. Which group will stretch one’s faith muscles the most?
In churches today, the question of expectations from students in Catechism or Sunday school ministries to actually study and do homework beyond time spent in classroom remains a challenge. However, those who might be part of a military or militia group will have much more rigorous requirements of time and effort beyond immediate meeting times. What is a legitimate form of belonging to a group in terms of expectations? A school teacher or pastor could ruffle some feathers if they compared the requirements placed on students in school athletic programs to that of church learning ministries.
Circumcision was a sign of belonging to the covenant people. Could one use the metaphor of a circumcised heart to belong to the people of the church? What symbols of membership have meaning for people that also point to the God we worship? Simply wearing a cross on one’s person can be interpreted as a form of jewelry or a faith statement.
God calls Abraham to a radical faith and changes his name from Abrahm to Abraham. Is there a legitimate reason or time to change one’s name given at birth? The recurring question related to stretching faith muscles is, how far out on the limb are we willing to go to take risks? Who is promising us such risks are worth it? And finally, what symbols or signs do we still cherish that point us to a God of Scripture.
One church had a Lenten series on the theme of the cross. The pastor had a carpenter build a huge wooden cross and placed it on the floor between the front pews and upon the steps that lead to the altar. For forty days, this huge cross was an obstacle to get from the back of the church to the front pew and up to the altar.
Lest Christians get too comfortable in their views on Lent, in another church two clergy gave the youth choices for a weekend retreat. One was to sit in the church basement in the dark with only candle light and basic food items to eat (monastic motif). The other choice was a cross country ski trip up to a lodge with plenty of refreshments and pizza. Guess which group had the most students? [Source: Brueggemann, Walter, Interpretation, a Commentary for Teaching and Preaching: Genesis, Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 1982) Josephus, Flavius, The Jewish War, New York, NY: Penguin Books, 1981)].
Romans 4:13-25
One caveat while reading Paul’s letter regarding the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) and the laws is that he is writing through the lens of the Jesus crucifixion and resurrection event. With that said, Roman 4 continues the theme of having faith in God’s promises as did Abraham, even without circumcision. For Paul, Christ did what Abraham trusted God to do in Jesus’ act of death and resurrection. This echoes the work of the work of the Isaiah 53 servant poem. Paul’s view is that salvation does not come through the law, but faith in God’s promises.
This God is the object of hope who creates life where there was none before. God calls all of creation into existence. To grow in one’s faith is to trust in God’s promises, as Abraham did in his life, even with the test of placing Isaac on a sacrificial altar (Genesis 22).
A three-point sermon on the nature of faith might be appropriate for this text. First, faith is a precedence set by Abraham. Those who have faith in the Christ event are part of Abraham’s family. Second, faith is not an internal condition, but a lifestyle that does not waver in reliance on God’s promises. It is be empowered by what God has done in the past for creation. In this case, Sarah has a child at an elderly age. Third, the faith in Abraham’s God does provide life after death. The bottom line in all of Romans 4 is God is the active agent who creates life and brings the dead back to life. It is not obedience to works of the law (Mays, 1050).
Other themes include that the God of Abraham is that Lord of all nations. Paul later cites this reality in Galatians in the “there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise” (Galatians 3:28-29). Such an idea has two preaching path possibilities. First, to explore Abrahamic religions of: Judaism, Islam and Christianity is one way to build bridges in any urban or ethnic community which needs to come together for a common cause. Each can retain their membership in their respective religion, yet acknowledge the faith of Abraham as a common denominator in a person’s understanding of God.
Another preaching path which may be controversial in some denominations is that through this lens, gifts for ministry do not recognize male or female in churches. This touches the sensitive controversial topic of ordaining women in some conservative church circles. Some denominations also struggle with calling church leaders among persons of color and sexual orientation. In fact, it has divided many churches!
For Paul, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the supreme truth in which he reads the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible). Another preaching path might be this as a source of articles in the Apostles’ Creed. The second article of the creed goes into some detail beginning with, “I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord…” As a response to the critique of a church that preaches the Bible rather than the creeds, Romans 4 is a source to reply that the creeds are from the Bible.
To stretch faith muscles, the ongoing question Paul might pose is what promises do we trust and from whom? Is God’s track record in our lives a solid base in which to trust in promises that may or may not come into fruition in the immediate future? Are there simply too many homebodies in our congregations that will not dare to take the risks of faith which Abraham did with his wife Sarah in relocation into another community? As with the First Lesson, the recurring theme is where do we go out on a limb to take risks based on what we believe to be God’s promises? [Sources: Harrisville, Roy A., Augsburg Commentary on the New Testament: Romans, (Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress, 1980); Mays, James L., Editor, Harper Collins Bible Commentary, Revised, New York, NY: Harper One, 1988)].
Mark 8:31-38
This is first of three passion accounts in Mark’s gospel. One challenge of this text is how to make Mark 8:34 palatable for modern people digest or internalize in their Christian faith? That is, “He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, ‘If any want to follow, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and me.’” This call to discipleship has never attracted people who seek, money, fame, and power.
The bell was rung on Pastor’s Chris’ clergy career a few months ago when a handful of angry parishioners called in the judicatory to complain about what is wrong with the pastor. The rest of the church council and judicatory wish to avoid conflict with group (with money!) so all agreed to early retire Pastor Chris by year’s end. Pastoral duties continue until then, and Pastor Chris is preparing the final lesson for the last catechism class for the year, and maybe Pastor Chris’s clergy career. It was like a punch in the gut that week for Chris. Pastor Chris is studying Mark’s gospel devotionally.
“How to make Mark 8:34 memorable,” was what Pastor Chris prayed about before planning the junior high catechism class. Pastor Chris decided to take the catechism class down the block in the neighborhood where the widow Miss Geraldine lives alone or resides. Bringing the communion kit, some extra wine and wafers and a handful of catechism books, the class walked up the ramp into Miss Geraldine’s kitchen. While with her walker, she slowly greeted the class and invited them to be seated around her kitchen table. The class took turns reading portions of the home communion service. They all took communion together around Miss Geraldine’s kitchen table.
Pastor Chris passed out catechism books to everybody and Miss Geraldine. Together they went through the pages of the catechism book. Miss Geraldine reminded the class that the God they affirm now—is with them when they lose their health, their mind is confused, eyesight is full of “floaters,” and most of their generation is resting in the graveyard or in an assisted living home. Miss Geraldine reminded the class that she too was once a catechism student like they are now. It is not a matter if, but when they too can no longer drive a car and rely on others for transportation. They too will need special walking podiatry shoes and a hearing aid. However, the body and blood of the Messiah Jesus Christ remains real for her now as it did in her childhood.
After an hour in Miss Geraldine’s kitchen, while walking back to the church, Pastor Chris told the class, “This is what I want you to remember about catechism and church.” Anybody can be your friend when you are healthy and able. However, the Christ who calls us to deny ourselves and take up the cross will never abandon us and points us to new life—even when we end up with a walker, hearing aid and can only eat soft food. Pastor Chris concluded this is a good way to end a catechism ministry with these young people, and possibly the clergy career.
In Mark’s gospel, Jesus’s messianic secret has been subject to much scholarly debate as to why he tells those whom he heals to remain silent. One attractive reason is that Jesus wanted people to identity the Messiah as he one who suffers alongside the people and invites them on a similar journey. Jesus Mission in Mark may be summarized in Mark 10:45, “For the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many.”
With this backdrop, Jesus’ passion in Mark 8 makes much more sense to those who already are
experiencing difficult times during Lent or any given time of the year. The faith exercise is to bring meaning to sacrifice, struggle and difficulties which seem to never end. Mark’s gospel assures such people that they indeed are living the faithful discipleship journey. Spiritual growth occurs in the crosses or dark times in people’s lives unlike Peter who frowned upon the idea of a suffering Messiah.
Peter was ready to confess Jesus as Messiah, but for reasons of possible glory and power. Peter might have believed he is on the ground floor of another economic or power empire in its early stages. Jesus redefines a Messiah as one who dies and is resurrected by God from the grave! In Mark and other synoptic gospels, Jesus’ resurrection is vindication that his view of the Messiah who serves and dies “he bore the sins of many,” like the suffering servant songs in Isaiah 53:12.
Despite many scholarly attempts to try to figure out whether Mark 16:8 is the final text of Mark’s gospel without a resurrection appearance, Mark records Jesus’ words as a resurrection does indeed occur. If Jesus’ words are believed elsewhere in Mark’s gospel, then it is reasonable to have faith that God does work in miraculous way to resurrect Jesus as Mark8:31 says, “…and after three days rise again.”
The recurring theme throughout Mark is Jesus openly lays out the expectations of discipleship throughout the gospel. There is no sugar coating them. Rejection, suffering, death, and new life afterwards are passion themes. Peter does not believe Jesus is telling the literal truth here, so questions Jesus’ words. Jesus in turn identifies Peter’s doubt with that of the Satanic path in life. Peter’s misunderstanding will foretell a future for he and all the disciples in Mark’s gospel. They all grow worse and worse in their understanding Jesus in his Messiah role. Finally, when they discover Jesus meant what he said and is crucified, all of them abandon Jesus. He dies alone (Mark 14:50-52).
For Christians who feel intensely lonely and isolated for any number of reasons, this is a preaching path related to Jesus’s passion. That is people who say they will never leave us—often do abandon us at the most critical time of hurt and attacks! This is part of the discipleship journey in Mark…all of your friends and family leave you to die alone.
An example is a man who use to be a musician for a polka band in the old country in the Pennsylvania hills, is now living in times of modern CD music, is abandoned in a nursing home by his family after they discover he has little to leave them in his last will and testament. He dies alone on a hard mattress with a light blanket over him. The nursing home staff discovers his dead body in the morning. Would any family member want this for their loved one when they present them as a child for baptism? This is the basic Mark’s gospel theme. Lent is an appropriate time to reflect on such possibilities (Maloney, 173-176).
Taking up the cross is not a sign or piety or holiness in that time. By today’s standards, Jesus calls Christians to be ready to wear an orange jumpsuit and shackles as they are loaded onto the Department of Corrections bus. This is not the Messiah figure Peter envisioned. In unstable times in any nation, including ours, are Christians prepared for this possible outcome in their lives? Resurrection hope is the promise believers can hang onto in any age (Mark 8:31).
Serving others and being true to our calling in life with a willingness to give back to the community, are all the piece of mind which is also part of the discipleship journey. This account is not intended to be masochistic in nature, but simply an invitation to live and die for a kingdom which transcends all generation’s wickedness and offers vindication in new life (Black, 197).
Another theme to explore is what it means to gain the whole world these days? Do all people want to be king of the mountain where they happen to live? In his book, When the Church Stops Working, Andrew Root dedicates chapter 2 to the pattern of anxious church leaders working harder at fundraising, trying to get the attendance numbers up and being the most successful church in the community in terms of building space and programs. He labels it, “A Killer Cocktail (Root, 19).” In Lent, what kind of world are we trying to gain, and at what cost?
C. Clifton Black has a very meaningful quote in his commentary, “Ultimately nothing in this world is worth exchanging for one’s very center, for the self that that is claimed by the gospel” (Mark 8:37, Black, 196). Faith stretching exercise may be needed not only the wintry months of Lent, but around any major holiday, summer months and unexpected intrusions into any family’s life and those of loved ones. [Black, C. Clifton, Abingdon New Testament Commentaries: Mark, (Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 2011); Boring, M. Eugene, The New Testament Library: Mark, Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2006); Moloney, Francis J., The Gospel of Mark: A Commentary, (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 2002); Root, Andrew and Blair D. Bertrand, When the Church Stops Working: A Future for Your Congregation beyond More Money, Programs and Innovation, (Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos, Division of Zondervan, 2023)].
Application
I once had a church councilman who sustained serious burn injuries and was hospitalized for years tell me, “Pastor, many people want to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die to get there.” This is one week to ask the question of what sorts of valleys, losses, mini deaths, and painful sacrifices are we in the church willing to experience for the promise of new life? Do we avoid such questions and keep our distance from people who experience losses of job, loved ones, health conditions and status in the community?
Are we really like Peter in that be say in the “back of our mind, Yes Jesus says this, but it probably won’t happen to us?” This might be the experience of in the news any given community who has suffered a natural disaster such as tornadoes, flooding, forest fires or droughts may already be experiencing death in the many forms. This is an opportunity to identify with such people by showing our presence in giving to relief organizations and supporting people who we know could use some assistance.
In my state (of Iowa) nobody every heard of a “derecho” (widespread wind storms with moving showers and thunderstorms) until it hit our state and disrupted the lives of our neighbors. Lent is a time to consider when we can identify with the losses of such people and help point them to new life as Jesus promises in this first passion prediction.
Alternate Application
As Jesus rebukes Peter in “Get behind me Satan!”—why would Satan not want Jesus to live out the passion prediction? Is this another case in Mark’s gospel where even Satan knows exactly who Jesus is and how he poses a threat to Satan’s powers in the air (but not the disciples)? One could do a word study on Satan on this Sunday and how Satan disrupts the faith journey during Lent.
Genesis 17:1-7; 15-16
This text is written by the priestly author. It is dated around the sixthcentury BCE with a very disciplined and symmetrical textual style. The audience is in exile without a land, temple, or monarch. However, God’s promises are deemed reliable since the promises made to Abraham, is the background for this text. The last covenant made with God was with Noah earlier in Genesis 8-10. This new covenant takes the form of a promise similar to the one made at creation (Genesis 1:28). Possibly this implies a new creation. One preaching path might be to consider which promises made in life lead to a new creation of sorts? For example, to do a certain set of physical therapy exercises after a knee or hip surgery points to a promise of a more active lifestyle afterward. Many churches ask youth to do fundraisers for the promise of a trip to a place they have not traveled to before.
Another observation is that this promise has the echo of a royal promise implying it is from God or God’s ruler, implying a Davidic link (2 Samuel 7). Who makes promises to us may indicate their track record of credibility. A person’s immediate job supervisor promises a pay raise if they put in extra effort at work. If the pay raise does not occur, the credibility of the supervisor is in question. On the other hand, if the corporate CEO makes a promise, who is located off site of the work area, does the worker take the risk of trusting such words? Whose promises do we trust, is another path to preach.
In the case of God in Genesis, this is the Creator who is eternal. So even in the afterlife, the promises remain valid, as this God is the Creator who creates life (also, as confessed in the church’s Apostles and Nicene Creed). Finally, what is the relation to the God who makes promises? In the case of Genesis, Abraham’s offspring will be God’s people. God makes promises not only to Abraham, but his offspring. Such a question might prompt Christians in many churches to wonder what promises has God made to our congregation? What does the covenant look like between God and our congregation on this day? As many churches struggle, some judicatory leaders often suggest the church’s mission is complete. It is tine to close the doors and move on. Could a group of local church leaders find hope or solace in such words?
This promise also offers an opportunity to belongs to a larger group. Abraham Maslow lists “belonging” as a basic need above survival and safety on his needs pyramid. Does the church fill the person’s needs to belong? Might being part of a more militant group of fighters in any militia movement fulfill such belonging needs more so than belonging to a religious or academic institution? As far back as Flavius Josephus’ book The Jewish War, many Jews opted to become part of the military Sicarii guerilla group than one of the Pharisees, Sadducee or scribal groups. Which group will stretch one’s faith muscles the most?
In churches today, the question of expectations from students in Catechism or Sunday school ministries to actually study and do homework beyond time spent in classroom remains a challenge. However, those who might be part of a military or militia group will have much more rigorous requirements of time and effort beyond immediate meeting times. What is a legitimate form of belonging to a group in terms of expectations? A school teacher or pastor could ruffle some feathers if they compared the requirements placed on students in school athletic programs to that of church learning ministries.
Circumcision was a sign of belonging to the covenant people. Could one use the metaphor of a circumcised heart to belong to the people of the church? What symbols of membership have meaning for people that also point to the God we worship? Simply wearing a cross on one’s person can be interpreted as a form of jewelry or a faith statement.
God calls Abraham to a radical faith and changes his name from Abrahm to Abraham. Is there a legitimate reason or time to change one’s name given at birth? The recurring question related to stretching faith muscles is, how far out on the limb are we willing to go to take risks? Who is promising us such risks are worth it? And finally, what symbols or signs do we still cherish that point us to a God of Scripture.
One church had a Lenten series on the theme of the cross. The pastor had a carpenter build a huge wooden cross and placed it on the floor between the front pews and upon the steps that lead to the altar. For forty days, this huge cross was an obstacle to get from the back of the church to the front pew and up to the altar.
Lest Christians get too comfortable in their views on Lent, in another church two clergy gave the youth choices for a weekend retreat. One was to sit in the church basement in the dark with only candle light and basic food items to eat (monastic motif). The other choice was a cross country ski trip up to a lodge with plenty of refreshments and pizza. Guess which group had the most students? [Source: Brueggemann, Walter, Interpretation, a Commentary for Teaching and Preaching: Genesis, Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 1982) Josephus, Flavius, The Jewish War, New York, NY: Penguin Books, 1981)].
Romans 4:13-25
One caveat while reading Paul’s letter regarding the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) and the laws is that he is writing through the lens of the Jesus crucifixion and resurrection event. With that said, Roman 4 continues the theme of having faith in God’s promises as did Abraham, even without circumcision. For Paul, Christ did what Abraham trusted God to do in Jesus’ act of death and resurrection. This echoes the work of the work of the Isaiah 53 servant poem. Paul’s view is that salvation does not come through the law, but faith in God’s promises.
This God is the object of hope who creates life where there was none before. God calls all of creation into existence. To grow in one’s faith is to trust in God’s promises, as Abraham did in his life, even with the test of placing Isaac on a sacrificial altar (Genesis 22).
A three-point sermon on the nature of faith might be appropriate for this text. First, faith is a precedence set by Abraham. Those who have faith in the Christ event are part of Abraham’s family. Second, faith is not an internal condition, but a lifestyle that does not waver in reliance on God’s promises. It is be empowered by what God has done in the past for creation. In this case, Sarah has a child at an elderly age. Third, the faith in Abraham’s God does provide life after death. The bottom line in all of Romans 4 is God is the active agent who creates life and brings the dead back to life. It is not obedience to works of the law (Mays, 1050).
Other themes include that the God of Abraham is that Lord of all nations. Paul later cites this reality in Galatians in the “there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise” (Galatians 3:28-29). Such an idea has two preaching path possibilities. First, to explore Abrahamic religions of: Judaism, Islam and Christianity is one way to build bridges in any urban or ethnic community which needs to come together for a common cause. Each can retain their membership in their respective religion, yet acknowledge the faith of Abraham as a common denominator in a person’s understanding of God.
Another preaching path which may be controversial in some denominations is that through this lens, gifts for ministry do not recognize male or female in churches. This touches the sensitive controversial topic of ordaining women in some conservative church circles. Some denominations also struggle with calling church leaders among persons of color and sexual orientation. In fact, it has divided many churches!
For Paul, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the supreme truth in which he reads the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible). Another preaching path might be this as a source of articles in the Apostles’ Creed. The second article of the creed goes into some detail beginning with, “I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord…” As a response to the critique of a church that preaches the Bible rather than the creeds, Romans 4 is a source to reply that the creeds are from the Bible.
To stretch faith muscles, the ongoing question Paul might pose is what promises do we trust and from whom? Is God’s track record in our lives a solid base in which to trust in promises that may or may not come into fruition in the immediate future? Are there simply too many homebodies in our congregations that will not dare to take the risks of faith which Abraham did with his wife Sarah in relocation into another community? As with the First Lesson, the recurring theme is where do we go out on a limb to take risks based on what we believe to be God’s promises? [Sources: Harrisville, Roy A., Augsburg Commentary on the New Testament: Romans, (Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress, 1980); Mays, James L., Editor, Harper Collins Bible Commentary, Revised, New York, NY: Harper One, 1988)].
Mark 8:31-38
This is first of three passion accounts in Mark’s gospel. One challenge of this text is how to make Mark 8:34 palatable for modern people digest or internalize in their Christian faith? That is, “He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, ‘If any want to follow, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and me.’” This call to discipleship has never attracted people who seek, money, fame, and power.
The bell was rung on Pastor’s Chris’ clergy career a few months ago when a handful of angry parishioners called in the judicatory to complain about what is wrong with the pastor. The rest of the church council and judicatory wish to avoid conflict with group (with money!) so all agreed to early retire Pastor Chris by year’s end. Pastoral duties continue until then, and Pastor Chris is preparing the final lesson for the last catechism class for the year, and maybe Pastor Chris’s clergy career. It was like a punch in the gut that week for Chris. Pastor Chris is studying Mark’s gospel devotionally.
“How to make Mark 8:34 memorable,” was what Pastor Chris prayed about before planning the junior high catechism class. Pastor Chris decided to take the catechism class down the block in the neighborhood where the widow Miss Geraldine lives alone or resides. Bringing the communion kit, some extra wine and wafers and a handful of catechism books, the class walked up the ramp into Miss Geraldine’s kitchen. While with her walker, she slowly greeted the class and invited them to be seated around her kitchen table. The class took turns reading portions of the home communion service. They all took communion together around Miss Geraldine’s kitchen table.
Pastor Chris passed out catechism books to everybody and Miss Geraldine. Together they went through the pages of the catechism book. Miss Geraldine reminded the class that the God they affirm now—is with them when they lose their health, their mind is confused, eyesight is full of “floaters,” and most of their generation is resting in the graveyard or in an assisted living home. Miss Geraldine reminded the class that she too was once a catechism student like they are now. It is not a matter if, but when they too can no longer drive a car and rely on others for transportation. They too will need special walking podiatry shoes and a hearing aid. However, the body and blood of the Messiah Jesus Christ remains real for her now as it did in her childhood.
After an hour in Miss Geraldine’s kitchen, while walking back to the church, Pastor Chris told the class, “This is what I want you to remember about catechism and church.” Anybody can be your friend when you are healthy and able. However, the Christ who calls us to deny ourselves and take up the cross will never abandon us and points us to new life—even when we end up with a walker, hearing aid and can only eat soft food. Pastor Chris concluded this is a good way to end a catechism ministry with these young people, and possibly the clergy career.
In Mark’s gospel, Jesus’s messianic secret has been subject to much scholarly debate as to why he tells those whom he heals to remain silent. One attractive reason is that Jesus wanted people to identity the Messiah as he one who suffers alongside the people and invites them on a similar journey. Jesus Mission in Mark may be summarized in Mark 10:45, “For the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many.”
With this backdrop, Jesus’ passion in Mark 8 makes much more sense to those who already are
experiencing difficult times during Lent or any given time of the year. The faith exercise is to bring meaning to sacrifice, struggle and difficulties which seem to never end. Mark’s gospel assures such people that they indeed are living the faithful discipleship journey. Spiritual growth occurs in the crosses or dark times in people’s lives unlike Peter who frowned upon the idea of a suffering Messiah.
Peter was ready to confess Jesus as Messiah, but for reasons of possible glory and power. Peter might have believed he is on the ground floor of another economic or power empire in its early stages. Jesus redefines a Messiah as one who dies and is resurrected by God from the grave! In Mark and other synoptic gospels, Jesus’ resurrection is vindication that his view of the Messiah who serves and dies “he bore the sins of many,” like the suffering servant songs in Isaiah 53:12.
Despite many scholarly attempts to try to figure out whether Mark 16:8 is the final text of Mark’s gospel without a resurrection appearance, Mark records Jesus’ words as a resurrection does indeed occur. If Jesus’ words are believed elsewhere in Mark’s gospel, then it is reasonable to have faith that God does work in miraculous way to resurrect Jesus as Mark8:31 says, “…and after three days rise again.”
The recurring theme throughout Mark is Jesus openly lays out the expectations of discipleship throughout the gospel. There is no sugar coating them. Rejection, suffering, death, and new life afterwards are passion themes. Peter does not believe Jesus is telling the literal truth here, so questions Jesus’ words. Jesus in turn identifies Peter’s doubt with that of the Satanic path in life. Peter’s misunderstanding will foretell a future for he and all the disciples in Mark’s gospel. They all grow worse and worse in their understanding Jesus in his Messiah role. Finally, when they discover Jesus meant what he said and is crucified, all of them abandon Jesus. He dies alone (Mark 14:50-52).
For Christians who feel intensely lonely and isolated for any number of reasons, this is a preaching path related to Jesus’s passion. That is people who say they will never leave us—often do abandon us at the most critical time of hurt and attacks! This is part of the discipleship journey in Mark…all of your friends and family leave you to die alone.
An example is a man who use to be a musician for a polka band in the old country in the Pennsylvania hills, is now living in times of modern CD music, is abandoned in a nursing home by his family after they discover he has little to leave them in his last will and testament. He dies alone on a hard mattress with a light blanket over him. The nursing home staff discovers his dead body in the morning. Would any family member want this for their loved one when they present them as a child for baptism? This is the basic Mark’s gospel theme. Lent is an appropriate time to reflect on such possibilities (Maloney, 173-176).
Taking up the cross is not a sign or piety or holiness in that time. By today’s standards, Jesus calls Christians to be ready to wear an orange jumpsuit and shackles as they are loaded onto the Department of Corrections bus. This is not the Messiah figure Peter envisioned. In unstable times in any nation, including ours, are Christians prepared for this possible outcome in their lives? Resurrection hope is the promise believers can hang onto in any age (Mark 8:31).
Serving others and being true to our calling in life with a willingness to give back to the community, are all the piece of mind which is also part of the discipleship journey. This account is not intended to be masochistic in nature, but simply an invitation to live and die for a kingdom which transcends all generation’s wickedness and offers vindication in new life (Black, 197).
Another theme to explore is what it means to gain the whole world these days? Do all people want to be king of the mountain where they happen to live? In his book, When the Church Stops Working, Andrew Root dedicates chapter 2 to the pattern of anxious church leaders working harder at fundraising, trying to get the attendance numbers up and being the most successful church in the community in terms of building space and programs. He labels it, “A Killer Cocktail (Root, 19).” In Lent, what kind of world are we trying to gain, and at what cost?
C. Clifton Black has a very meaningful quote in his commentary, “Ultimately nothing in this world is worth exchanging for one’s very center, for the self that that is claimed by the gospel” (Mark 8:37, Black, 196). Faith stretching exercise may be needed not only the wintry months of Lent, but around any major holiday, summer months and unexpected intrusions into any family’s life and those of loved ones. [Black, C. Clifton, Abingdon New Testament Commentaries: Mark, (Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 2011); Boring, M. Eugene, The New Testament Library: Mark, Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2006); Moloney, Francis J., The Gospel of Mark: A Commentary, (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 2002); Root, Andrew and Blair D. Bertrand, When the Church Stops Working: A Future for Your Congregation beyond More Money, Programs and Innovation, (Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos, Division of Zondervan, 2023)].
Application
I once had a church councilman who sustained serious burn injuries and was hospitalized for years tell me, “Pastor, many people want to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die to get there.” This is one week to ask the question of what sorts of valleys, losses, mini deaths, and painful sacrifices are we in the church willing to experience for the promise of new life? Do we avoid such questions and keep our distance from people who experience losses of job, loved ones, health conditions and status in the community?
Are we really like Peter in that be say in the “back of our mind, Yes Jesus says this, but it probably won’t happen to us?” This might be the experience of in the news any given community who has suffered a natural disaster such as tornadoes, flooding, forest fires or droughts may already be experiencing death in the many forms. This is an opportunity to identify with such people by showing our presence in giving to relief organizations and supporting people who we know could use some assistance.
In my state (of Iowa) nobody every heard of a “derecho” (widespread wind storms with moving showers and thunderstorms) until it hit our state and disrupted the lives of our neighbors. Lent is a time to consider when we can identify with the losses of such people and help point them to new life as Jesus promises in this first passion prediction.
Alternate Application
As Jesus rebukes Peter in “Get behind me Satan!”—why would Satan not want Jesus to live out the passion prediction? Is this another case in Mark’s gospel where even Satan knows exactly who Jesus is and how he poses a threat to Satan’s powers in the air (but not the disciples)? One could do a word study on Satan on this Sunday and how Satan disrupts the faith journey during Lent.
