Tag: Mark 9

One Becomes Like the God One Worships

On By TimIn Psalm 115, WorshipLeave a comment

Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Your name give glory, for the sake of Your mercy, and for the sake of Your truth.

Psalm 115:1 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The opening of the psalm is a chorus of worship. The Lord is worthy of it just for His mercy and truth. These aren’t just attributes of God, but they are part of Who He is. You don’t think of God without thinking of Mercy or Truth among other immutable things.

Why should the nations say, “Where now is their God?” But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases.

Psalm 115:2–3 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It’s those mocking and scorning questions. They are designed to make one question God. As Christian, people may ask each of us this or similar at times.

Our answer, like the psalmist’s, God is in the heavens. We never have to wonder. He doesn’t leave. He doesn’t go on vacation. I would offer that the heavens include creation itself. It is in some way an immutable part of Him, meaning it cannot exist without Him.

There is another important point that is presupposed by the question. It asks, where?

God is in a place. The place is called the heavens. If we remember the creation account there are multiple heavens, including the expanse encompassing our planet. God is here, too.

For thus says the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place and also with him who is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble,
and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

Isaiah 57:15 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We have a clear answer to the question of where. God inhabits eternity. There’s not a place to go where (and when) He isn’t. Yet, He also says He dwells with the contrite and humble spirit.

We also have a hint to the things that He pleases to do. it’s to revive the spirit of the humble and the heart of the contrite ones He dwells with. That is who believes in Him. (To understand more, continue reading around that citation in Isaiah 15, it gives a glimpse into the character of God.)

Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.
They have mouths, but they cannot speak;
eyes, but they cannot see; they have ears, but they cannot hear; noses, but they cannot smell; they have hands, but they cannot feel; feet, but they cannot walk; neither can they speak with their throat.

Psalm 115:4–7 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The psalmist turns the mockery back to where it squarely belongs. Those that mock make for themselves their own gods. They give them the appearances of the attributes of a human (or even possibly an animal.) But those things cannot do what a living being can do.

Think of the juxtapositions in the text. One God inhabits eternity and dwells with others. Idols can only remain in one place at a time. The idols have no senses, or motor skills and cannot talk. But our God does.

Those who make them are like them; so is everyone who trusts in them.

Psalm 115:8 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The indictment from the psalmist is clear. One becomes like the God He worships. This is an important biblical principle that is plainly evident in our world. It’s not just limited to religion. Look around and see how that can be identified. I think you might be surprised and maybe shocked.

There is an application for us. As we examine ourselves against what we know of our God, are we like Him?

In this passage, God dwells with the contrite and humble to revive them. The psalmist also says our God has mercy and is truthful.

I’m not intending this to be condemning, a downer, or something that brings conviction. But if it does become a downer, I hope you see clearly the difference in the two other points. Each experience can lower our feelings, but discern what it is.

Condemnation always brings shame. It comes from the pit of hell.

Conviction is gentle and always comes with the prodding to do better. Being convicted by God means there is hope! We can change.

I encourage you to read the Bible, even the Old Testament. Ask God to show you Who He is, you will also learn about what He likes to do. Then set out to ask Him to change you from the inside to be more like Him. This is you to yield yourself to Him. Sometimes it is going to feel a bit awkward, or even like you don’t really mean it. There’s an answer for that, too.

A man brought his son to Jesus in desperation. This boy is terrorized by a foul entity. It endangers and even harms the boy. When brought to Jesus, the demon seizes the boy and makes him crash to the ground and foam at the mouth uncontrollably.

The father knows he can do nothing. He aches and fears for his boy. And brings his son to Jesus.

Jesus said, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
Immediately the father of the child cried out with tears, “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief!”

Mark 9:23–24 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is a poignant exchange. Jesus encourages the father to believe. The father wants to believe but knows there is some hesitation, or as I see it, like lip service. When we believe something with a bit of skepticism.

Jesus is okay with that. He healed that boy. (Read the encounter for yourself, it will bless you.)

And in the same way, when you come to God skeptical of your own motivations, He understands. He can even change those motivations if you let Him.

I challenge you to get to know Him. Let Him change you. You will never regret it.

Jesus on the Reality of Hell

On By TimIn Hell, Mark 091 Comment

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched, where
‘their worm does not die,
and the fire is not quenched.’
And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched,where
‘their worm does not die,
and the fire is not quenched.’
And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the fire of hell, where
‘their worm does not die,
and the fire is not quenched.’

Mark 9:42–48 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is a rather unsettling subject. It certainly isn’t without much controversy. You are going to meet people who profess to be Christian but will allude to Hell not being real, or at least temporary. They will almost always offer a parroted phrase similar to love wins.

Here, Jesus is speaking in a rather matter-of-fact fashion. He is speaking about hell and saying you don’t want to go there. He speaks in a veiled fashion of sin. The thing that causes us to go to perdition. Sin is a satisfaction of our own desires without concern for others.

In this passage, Jesus cites a phrase from the prophet Isaiah. Factually, it is the closing idea to the entire writings of that prophet.

And they shall go forth and look on the corpses of the men who have transgressed against Me. For their worm shall not die, nor shall their fire be quenched. And they shall be an abhorrence to all flesh.

Isaiah 66:24 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Now, understanding what is happening in Isaiah, the ‘they’ in the text are the human inhabitants of the new heavens and earth. These come to worship in the presence of God on every new moon. Part of that worship is going to involve a forever witness of the costs of sin.

Perdition is forever. That flame won’t stop. That is what is apparent in Isaiah. Three times Jesus quotes Isaiah. Three times He says this is forever. It’s not purgatory. People aren’t going to pay indulgences or have masses in their names to be free of this. It’s important to understand the gravity of this. It’s said three times for a reason.

This is the third time I am coming to you. “In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.”

2 Corinthians 13:1 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Paul cites Deuteronomy 19:15. It’s really real. And you don’t want to end up there forever. This is what Jesus is trying to communicate. This next verse will serve as a transition from reality to application.

Everyone will be salted with fire, and every sacrifice will be salted with salt.

Mark 9:49 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

There is some disagreement as to what these closing statements of Jesus mean. This first statement is enigmatic. I am no scholar, but I think the statement is transitional, moving from a dark reality to a hopeful application.

Everyone will be salted with fire. Think of the preservative nature of salt. Fire becomes that salty preservative. Fire is judgment, but here it also preserves. This is a short statement that the judgment of sin is preserved eternally.

There is a connecting and transitional thought. And every sacrifice will be salted with salt. Given the nature of what Jesus taught before, it included graphic removal of offending body parts. These are sacrifices one makes. We cut out of ourselves those things that offend God. In so doing, those sacrifices are salted… Preserved.

It’s the juxtaposition of two ideas, both preserved by salt. Because salt is good.

“Salt is good. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.”

Mark 9:50 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

In other words, our own constant self-introspection and sanctification ensures saltiness. Having salt in ourselves is to be self-controlled. What better way to have peace with others than to esteem the needs of others before our own, and to seek to fulfill the needs of others sacrificing our own.

When we offend, there is no amount of apology or repentance that can heal the hurt of the offense. The one offended will always experience some pain as a reminder. The offender will also have some reminder of the pain given to another… Even if amended. That pain acts as a preservative of the sacrifice.

Think of it like actually removing your hand to keep from offending God. The pain of the offense is far greater than the pain of amputating and living without the hand. Even though you will be reminded constantly of its absence, that sacrifice is salted.

If we as Christians neglect these basic things in our relationships with God and with others, the salt loses its saltiness and becomes mundane.

Have salt in yourselves. Remember the offense you’ve caused and the pain they inflict in others not as self-flagellation. Yes, be constantly remorseful. In the same way, remember the pain others’ offenses have caused you. Not to be angry or self-pitiful, but knowing you hold no grudge.

Release the offense, whether perpetrator or victim. Have peace with one another.

That’s salt.

It Was Unexpected

On By TimIn Jesus, Matthew 17, Resurrection1 Comment

As they came down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.”

Matthew 17:9 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Jesus says this to a select small group of His disciples. It was spoken after they had all been up a mountain. It is an event known as the transfiguration. Jesus’ appearance changed, and Moses and Elijah made appearances there, too.

The disciples present wanted to make places for them all to stay. But a voice from heaven startled them and the disciples fell on their faces. As Jesus beckons them to rise, they find Moses and Elijah were gone.

When I encounter the passages where Jesus talks about His resurrection, I am always wanting to be attentive to the responses of those around Him. It goes back to an Easter sermon I had the privilege to hear years ago. The resurrection was unexpected.

Even here the reaction of the disciples as recorded is rather stunning, if not embarrassing. Well, in the sense of the essential pivotal importance Paul places on that one event. Look at how it transpires with this group.

His disciples asked Him, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”

Matthew 17:10 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Jesus just said He was going to rise from the dead. The three present, Peter, James and John act like they didn’t hear. They ask about Elijah. In one of the harmonized texts, we get a little more information.

As they came down the mountain, He warned them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. They kept that statement to themselves, questioning each other what the rising from the dead meant.

Mark 9:9–10 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

They did at least hear.

Jesus follows the question with a short lesson on how John the Baptist fulfilled that role.

Jesus answered, “Elijah truly does first come and will restore all things. But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not know him, but did to him whatever they pleased. Likewise, the Son of Man will also suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that He was speaking to them of John the Baptist.

Matthew 17:11–13 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

In the short answer, there are important things for us here. These things can be applied today.

We’ve been privy to a long line of prophets in Israel. Every single one suffered at the hands of others that had some authority whether rightfully or not (read that as usurped or stolen.) The ones in-charge did to John as they pleased, as had happened to those before him.

Jesus used this opportunity to yet again prepare them for what is to come. He was going to submit Himself to others so they do whatever they pleased to Him. If you’re thinking I am telling you that is how you should act… I’m not, the text is. It is giving us an example to follow.

Our three disciples didn’t even let on that they heard Jesus was going to die.

In the text, what follows is a brief encounter with a man and his child. The child has a demon. Jesus heals the child when the disciples could not. It becomes an opportunity for Jesus to teach on how powerful faith is.

This takes us to another mention of the resurrection.

While they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him, and He will be raised on the third day.” And they were extremely sorrowful.

Matthew 17:22–23 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

They obviously heard about Him dying and that shortly in time. That saddened them.

But the part that says He will be raised on the third day doesn’t even provoke the slightest curiosity as recorded here. Turning to Mark’s account, there is a little more information.

For He was teaching His disciples, saying, “The Son of Man will be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him. After He is killed, He will rise the third day.” But they did not understand the teaching and were afraid to ask Him.

Mark 9:31–32 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

That gives us a huge apologetic. Many of the skeptics of Christianity might offer an objection of a few goat-herders making up a new religion to replace or succeed Judaism. It is sometimes spoken of as a quest for wealth, fame, or notoriety. Many of those skeptics would also deny the resurrection, stating the idea was made-up, too.

If that were true, why would the disciples use texts that embarrassed them?

I mean, really! Jesus said, twice I am going to become alive after I die. There’s no surprise. There’s no shock. There’s no response that acknowledges the idea. No question as to how.

In fact, we know the accounts of the behavior after the resurrection show clearly it wasn’t expected. They really had no clue. And it’s astoundingly evident in the text.

To reinforce the facts presented, there was a small discussion about these events. When asked what they were discussing, it wasn’t about the resurrection at all.

He came to Capernaum. And being in the house, He asked them, “What was it that you disputed among yourselves on the way?” But they kept silent, for on the way they had disputed among themselves who was the greatest.

Mark 9:33–34 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)