Week 17

Psalm: Psalm 1

Old Testament: Jeremiah 11:18-20
Gospel : Mark 9:30-37
Epistle : James 3:13-4:8

Last week we focused on the power of words and we missed an important aspect in Jesus’ life and the Gospel of Mark.  In last week’s readings was the first of Jesus’ predictions of his death and this week is the second.  We have to imagine that Jesus was at the height of his power.  Large crowds were following him to hear him speak and to watch his miracles.  Our passage in chapter 9 begins with Jesus secretly withdrawing from the people to speak privately with his disciples.  Jesus tells his disciples he will be killed, noticed not just die, but be killed by humanity.  But after three days, he says, he will rise again.  Of course the disciples have no idea what he means and they are afraid to ask him.  It’s both a surprise and not that the disciples are afraid to ask Jesus what he means.  One the one hand the disciples, especially Peter, can’t seem to keep their mouth shuts and so often fail to understand Jesus.  At Jesus first prediction Peter rebukes him and is in turn called Satan by Jesus.  Immediately after this, the disciples argue over who is the greatest.  So we shouldn’t be surprised if the disciples speak up and ask Jesus a question.  However, as I just said, the last time Jesus predicted his death and Peter spoke up he was called Satan, so maybe he is finally learning to listen and not speak-up.

Let me point out one more thing from Mark.  We all know Jesus’ teaching about the first being last, and the last being first, but we skip over the last sentence.  Jesus says whoever welcomes him, actually welcomes the one who sent him.  I believe this is the only example in Mark of the language of Jesus being “sent.”  Mark doesn’t say by whom, and I just wonder if the disciples were confused by this language.  In John this language is common, but I wanted to point it out here as an example of how the Gospels both relate and how each one also speaks in a different manner.

If you have the chance to read James this week the emphasis is on coveting.  Coveting leads to all sorts of problems: quarrels, jealousy, murder, idolatry, and pride.  But what is interesting is that James doesn’t call this coveting, he calls it adultery.  It is not just that the people coveted something, but they actually commit a second sin by leaving God to bind themselves to the world.  In the most basic sense they committed adultery against God.  As Jesus says, we can’t serve two masters (Matt 6:24) and James reiterates this point.

Well, today is going to be a short one since its already late thanks to homework I had to do this weekend.  I hope we all have a good week and serve God faithfully.

Grace and Peace