Ordinary Time Week 17

Psalm: Psalm 1 or Psalm 54
Old Testament: Proverbs 31:10-31
  or Wisdom of Solomon 1:16-2:1, 12-22
  or Jeremiah 11:18-20
Gospel: Mark 9:30-37
Epistle: James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a

The Calendar may say that fall starts tomorrow, but there is no hint of any autumn air in Southern California. It is hot! But, that doesn't prevent us from reading the Bible. I want to focus in on the Gospel reading this week. In Mark 9:31, we have the second of Jesus' predictions of his suffering and death; the other 2 are found in 8:31 and 10:33-34. These 3 chapters actually lead us up to the Triumphal Entry in Mark 11, so these Passion predictions provide the framework with which Jesus and his disciples enter Jerusalem. But the context of these 3 predictions is interesting; There is the first prediction followed by the transfiguration, the second prediction followed by his disciples trying to get Jesus to stop other people from casting out demons in Jesus' name, and finally the last prediction followed a few verses later by James and John asking to be on Jesus' left and right when he comes into his Kingdom. (An event they no doubt thought was soon since they were on their way to Jerusalem, the place where the Messiah would announce his Kingdom.) I think in each case the episode revolves around the issue of power.

In the first instance in chapter 8, which we read last week but did not discuss, Peter tries to rebuke Jesus and control the message Jesus is giving. He is acting like an early public relations manager here. But Jesus offers a counter-rebuke, calling Peter Satan and reminding Peter, and perhaps even himself, that God is in control. As I mentioned, this is then followed by the Transfiguration. In some sense, the Transfiguration is about authority and power also because in verse 7, the voice from heaven says, "This is My beloved Son, listen to him." In other words, Jesus is the one with the authority here.

We will return to the second prediction later since it is our actual passage for the week, but briefly, in in chapter 10, when Jesus predicts his suffering and death for the third time, his disciples are just as clueless as if this was his first time saying it. The disciples could be a case-study in missing the point. But again, the issue comes back to power. First James and John try to get Jesus to agree to do whatever they ask without telling him what they will ask. Does this ever work on an adult? Undoubtedly, this is a bit of a weird way to start a conversation. Well, as I said, James and John ask to be at Jesus' left and right hand when he comes in glory. The interesting thing is that Jesus doesn't rebuke them like he did Peter at this point; rather, he tells them they have no idea what they are asking. They have literally missed the point of Jesus' predictions! James and John are essentially asking to take the place of the 2 criminals that Jesus will be crucified with. After this conversation with James and John, Jesus calls all of the 12 disciples together and explains once again that in the Kingdom he is inaugurating, the first are last and the last first. There is a complete reversal of power!

Sandwiched between these two narratives is our reading from today. After Jesus predicts his death this second time, his disciples admit they are confused, but they are too afraid to ask Jesus what he is talking about. They probably should have done so, however, because as they are traveling to their next location, they argue about which of them is the greatest. The disciples are wrapped up in thinking that Jesus was going to be the Messiah they envisioned--a Warrior King, someone who would liberate Israel from the Romans. Who wouldn't want to be second in command in that revolution?!

Even after Jesus explains that that if they want to be first, they must become last and receive even the children, we still find them wrapped up in their own egos. They discover that some individuals are casting out demons and perhaps doing some other miracles in the name of Jesus. Their position as Jesus' "lieutenant" is being threatened. They might not be able to agree which of them was the greatest, but at least they only had to share power between 12 of them. We saw in the first prediction narrative that Peter was acting as Jesus' PR man. Now all 12 disciples are either 1. trying to protect Jesus image and message, almost like copyright lawyers, or 2. (and this is more likely) trying to protect their own power and place in Jesus' inner circle. Once again, Jesus has to rebuke his disciples and tell them to let the people speak and perform miracles. God is able to use them for his purposes also, even if they are not part of the 12 Disciples.

I have covered a lot of ground here today trying to deal with three separate passages. But the question for me is, "How much am I like the disciples in these stories? Am I trying to protect Jesus and his reputation? Am I trying to make sure that anyone who uses Jesus' name is "authorized?" Or am I on the other end of the spectrum and trying to protect myself? Do I want to keep access to God limited so that I, my local church, or my denomination have the inside track to Jesus? Or maybe I am like Peter in the first account and trying to dictate to Jesus what message he can deliver?"  "Better not go there Jesus, that's not PC, that will never fly in today's culture", I might say.

The good news is that Jesus is patient and he works with us as we move through this and find the true heart of Jesus. He continued to journey with his disciples despite them continually not getting it. And after his resurrection, he comes to them again and offers his grace and says, "Let me show you the way of Kingdom of God." He didn't abandon them, even when they abandoned him on the cross. Jesus was, and is, faithful to continue to work in the lives of those who follow him. So let us follow after Jesus this week and place him as the authority and power in our lives.

Grace and Peace.