Pride and Power, Pain and Poverty

 I am guessing many of you have been following the events unfolding between Russia and Ukraine. The daily images of destruction compounded by the growing humanitarian crisis as many Ukranian people flee their homes and ultimately their homeland. There's the uncertainty of not knowing if they will ever be able to return to Ukraine or whether families will be reunited with their husbands, fathers, and sons who remained behind to fight in the war. Vladimir Putin appears to be motivated among other things by pride and power, while leaving the Ukrainian people in a state of poverty and pain. During my devotional time I was reading about a similar contrast in Mark chapter 10. Two stories are juxtaposed to each other. One story emphasizing power and pride, the other poverty and pain. Jesus' reaction to both situations demonstrates His feelings about these issues. 

A STARTLING REQUEST

In Mark 10:35-45, James and John, the sons of Zebedee make a request of Jesus. "Teacher," they said, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.".... "Let one of us sit at Your right and the other at Your left in Your glory." (Mark 10:35,37 NIV) The feeling one may experience is, "Are you kidding me?" The request comes across as selfish and flies in the face of Jesus' heart for humility and serving others. The brothers didn't appear to demonstrate any hesitancy in their request. They wanted to grab the opportunity and "strike while the iron was hot" with total disregard for the other ten disciples. It's the feeling one may get when you've been waiting in line for a long time for your turn and someone jumps the line or cuts in ahead of you. The text goes on to say, "When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John." (v.41 NIV) You think? I can imagine them thinking, "Thanks a lot my so-called "brothers." Jesus brings the Twelve together and quickly deflates the "pride and power" balloon as He emphasizes the attitude of servant-leadership. The ultimate example was to be illustrated by the Lord Himself as He tells them, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and give His life as a ransom for many." (v.45 NIV) The One who was worthy to be served instead became a servant for the sake of humanity. 

A HUMBLE PLEA

The next story, Mark 10:46-52, leads us into Jericho where a man named Bartimaeus was sitting by the roadside begging. The text tells us he was blind, so not only was he impoverished but in pain emotionally because of his loss of sight. The text does not tell us when or how he became blind so there is no sense of knowing how long he had been a beggar. However, in Jesus day, people who suffered from some kind of physical infirmity were often blamed as having sinned or experiencing the results of family sin similar to the story of the blind man whom Jesus healed in John chapter 9. The reaction to his calling out when he heard that Jesus was approaching indicated how rejected he was as a human being. We read, "Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" (Mark 10:48 NIV) The message from the crowd was clear, "Jesus doesn't have time to waste on the likes of you!" Bartimaeus had nothing to lose, so he kept on shouting. To the crowds surprise, Jesus stops and calls him over. Can you imagine what Bartimaeus may have been feeling? Someone noticed, someone cared, and it was Jesus Himself! Jesus asks the same question of Bartimaeus that He asked of James and John in Mark 10:36 when they brought their request to Him. "What do you want Me to do for you?" (v.51a NIV) Instead of pride or power, Bartimaeus' request was simple and humble, "Rabbi, I want to see." (v.51b NIV) Jesus honors his request that flows from a heart of faith and restores his sight. Bartimaeus, then follows Jesus along the road. The text doesn't indicate if Bartimaeus became a life long follower of Jesus but it's hard to turn back when your poverty and pain has been transformed into freedom and deliverance. 

GOD HAS THE FINAL WORD

I believe Jesus made it quite clear from these two stories that power and pride have no place in the kingdom of God. However, God is not unaware of situations where poverty and pain exists. So, as we continue to follow the events in Ukraine, it may appear that power and pride will seize the day. However, God remains Sovereign and He has the last word. In the Bible we're told, "Though the Lord is exalted, He looks kindly on the lowly; though lofty, He sees them from afar." (Psalm 138:6 NIV); "He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed." (Proverbs 3:34 NIV); "For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." (Matthew 23:12 NIV); and finally "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble." (James 4:6 NIV) Keep praying for God's intervention and peace to prevail in Ukraine!

Shalom,

Pastor Sheree

"United We Stand, Divided We Fall."

In 2007, a group called "The Brotherhood of Man" released an album called "Save Your Kisses For Me." One of the popular songs on the album was entitled, "United We Stand." The theme of the song focused on the love between a man and woman and their commitment to each other. The refrain goes "For united we stand, Divided we fall, And if our backs should ever be against the wall, We'll be together, together, you and I." How times have changed! The refrain of this song could have easily been a theme to describe the relationship of believers with each other. Sadly, the divisions that we are witnessing in the culture today have bled into the fabric of the body of Christ dividing rather than uniting believers. There are not only political divisions but unfortunately racial separation remains a reality in the church. The month of February has been designated as Black History month and I wonder how many non-black churches will be preaching a message at some point during the month on racial issues in the church and the need for racial reconciliation? I would encourage my white brothers and sisters to take note of the messages preached this month in your home churches. 

A Time Of Unity, A Time Of Growth

The book of Acts describes a time when the church was closely knit together and united with one sole purpose of reflecting Christ to the world. This was demonstrated in their love for one another which Jesus stated in John 13:34-35 would be the hallmark and distinguishing characteristic of His followers. In Acts 2:42-47 following Peter's address after the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost we read, "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." (NIV) Did you notice how many times unifying words were used in that small verse? The words "they," "all," "together," and "everyone." The fruit of such unity was the growth of the church.

Ethic Division Is Not An Option

 Jesus was quite clear in His message to the disciples in Acts 1:8 that the gospel was not solely to be about people who shared common ethnic characteristics but it was to be taken far and wide to all nations. We see the message being reinforced that ethnic division was not an option in Acts 6; Acts 8; Acts 9; and Acts 10. We can't ignore the cultural context or the time period of the book of Acts. We do live in a Western culture in the 21st century. However, the hearts of the early disciples were in tune with the Holy Spirit and Jesus prayer in John 17:23 for the unity of His followers is not limited to a particular culture or time in history. The early church was not perfect and if you read through the book of Acts you will note the moments of tension and disagreement between Jesus' followers. Yet, the early church was able to spread the gospel message by focusing on their mission as commanded by the Lord to "make disciples" looking past ethnic differences.

The Challenge

Will the church in this century be able to recapture the unity of the early church? Are we committed to one another for the sake of Christ and the gospel? How can we expect the Lord to add to our numbers and experience growth if we can't even be on the same page? All churches whether Black or White, Asian or Latino need to consider how we can stand united lest we fall under the weight of division. John declares some powerful words in his epistle 1 John, "Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him." (1 John 3:15 NIV) Let us strive to follow the words of Paul in Ephesians 4:1-6, As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." (NIV)

Peace,

Pastor Sheree

Help My Unbelief!

 For many people, the summer of 2021 was very challenging. We all expected the pandemic would be in the rearview mirror by now and we would again resume "normal" living. However, the pandemic appears to be lingering beyond our expectations. Covid-19 has taken up a lot of time and energy in people's lives but the challenge becomes even greater when we experience unexpected situations. This has certainly been true for me this summer. My husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He has since undergone surgery and the prognosis is positive. However, the week before his surgery he was diagnosed with melanoma. Needless to say, this was an unexpected, unforeseen, and unwelcome situation. These circumstances have certainly challenged my faith. The struggle has taken its toll on me spiritually, physically, and emotionally. In my work as a mental health counselor, it has been difficult to encourage others while I am operating out of a place of personal discouragement. I am thankful for the many friends and family who have been praying for us. 

An Imperfect Faith

During this difficult season I am drawn to the story of the father in Mark chapter 9 whose son was possessed by an impure spirit. Prior to this encounter, Jesus' closest disciples had just witnessed the transfiguration and are now rejoining the others. In Jesus absence the father of the possessed boy had asked the other disciples to heal his son but they were unsuccessful. The father, quite distraught, brings his son to Jesus for healing. However, at this point the father's faith is on shaky ground. After explaining to Jesus the history of his son's dilemma the father says to Jesus, "But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us." (Mark 9:22b NIV) Jesus responds, "If You can? Everything is possible for one who believes." (Mark 9:23 NIV) The text goes on to tell us, "Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24 NIV) Jesus subsequently goes on to heal the boy. The father's statement appears to be a paradox. How can belief and unbelief exist at the same time? What the father is actually asking for is more faith or a deepening of his faith. He is acknowledging that as a human being his faith is not perfect. The father is in need of Jesus' help not only to physically heal his son but spiritually and emotionally strengthen him. I can relate to this man's struggle. As a pastor, I receive no special favor from God and I am not exempt from trials. Life is not easy and our faith is often tested when we have no control over circumstances that negatively impact us and the ones we love. However, Jesus did not walk away from this man or his son. Jesus did not tell the father that because of his spiritual struggle, his son could not be healed. 

A Perfect Lord

We need to remember that like this father our faith is not perfect but Jesus is. Even the apostles in Luke 17 made a similar request like the father of this boy, "The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" He (Jesus) replied, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you." (Luke 17:5-6 NIV) So, I can move forward even in the uncertainty of what the future holds for us. I can rest in the assurance that Jesus will never leave or forsake me. (Hebrews 13:5) He will not judge me for what I perceive as an inadequate amount of faith. One of the members in our church family stated that he recently listened online to one of his brother-in-law's sermons. The point that stood out to him is a good word for us all. His brother-in-law preached that in times of uncertainty, "We don't know how but we do know Who!" May the Lord bless, keep, and sustain you in whatever difficulties and challenges you are facing or will face in the days ahead.

Peace and Blessings,

Pastor Sheree