Friday, March 4, 2011

Let the Children Come to Me

Today we read one of the most beloved passages of the New Testament. Jesus, in the midst of his busy ministry of preaching and teaching, is suddenly surrounded by children. His disciples are annoyed and rebuke those who are bringing the children to Jesus, but Jesus lovingly invites the children into his presence and announces that the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. The disciples are then exhorted to receive the kingdom of God like a child.

At times, we are so caught up in the beauty of a particular biblical passage that we miss the profound implications the passage brings to bear on our lives. For so many people, their childhood was not a happy time, but rather a time of aloneness and uncertainty. Consequently, it is often difficult for these individuals to openly and freely receive the kingdom of God like a child, because they never truly experienced the joy and abandonment of being a child.

It is important that we make a distinction between childlike and childish characteristics. We are called to embrace and cultivate a childlike faith and attitude toward life and particularly our relationship with God. We are also called to put away childish ways and to mature into the full stature of Christ. In his First Letter to the Corinthians, Paul writes, "when I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put away childish ways" (1 Corinthians 13:11). Paul is speaking about old behaviors and patterns, such as selfishness and lack of responsibility, that are "put away" as we grown and mature both physically and spiritually.

Jesus calls us to receive the kingdom of God like a child. Meditate on the following list of childlike characteristics. Identity areas of healing and future personal growth:
  • Emotionally open
  • Loving
  • Quick to forgive
  • Trusting
  • Imaginative
  • Spontaneous
  • Creative
  • Playful
  • Inquisitive
  • Unaffected
  • Free
  • Willing to try new things

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Are we there yet?

Journey through the Wilderness

Accounting for Numbers

As we approach the end of the Book of Numbers, I thought it might be helpful to offer a summary of the major themes of the book (since I didn't provide an introduction before we started Numbers). The Book of Numbers was given its name in reference to the numbering of the Israelites in the wilderness of Sinai and on the plains of Moab.The content of the Book of Numbers must be understood within the larger narrative framework of the Pentateuch (the first 5 books of the bible).

First, there are several parallels between Numbers and Exodus. For example, the stories recounting the manna from heaven and the water from the rock are found in both Number and Exodus. Also, the theme of the people complaining and grumbling against Moses is found in both books (some things never change!).

However, the Book of Numbers moves the story of Israel forward by focusing on the "promised land," the land that had been promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The people of Israel are preparing to enter and conquer the land, but due to their disobedience, the entry into the promised land has been delayed. After leaving Mount Sinai, the Israelites make their way through the Sinai wilderness led by the fire of God's presence. They actually reach the southern border of the land and send spies to investigate (chapter 13). The spies return and report that there are Nephilim (giants) in the land and the Israelites, due to their fear and lack of faith, rebell against God and threaten to return to Egypt. In a climatic and dramatic exchange, Moses intercedes on behalf of the people and pleads for mercy and forgiveness. God responds by pardoning the people of Israel, but not without judgment - the Israelites will remain in the Sinai wilderness forty years (chapter 14).

The remainder of the book recounts the forty years of "wandering" in the wilderness. Ultimately, at the conclusion of Numbers, the people of Israel arrive at the eastern border of the promised land, marked by the Jordon River. The season of "wandering" is characterized by continual struggle between the Israelites and their leaders (Moses and Aaron) as well as between the Israelites and the Lord. However, in the midst of struggle and disobedience, God remains faithful to his covenant with the people of Israel. Repeatedly, the Lord says to the Israelites, "You shall be my people, and I will be your God." We see God's faithfulness manifested in his continual presence among his people, especially in the midst of crisis or a time of need.

So, as we near the end of the Book of Numbers, let us reflect on these two major themes: 1) the preparation of the Israelites to enter and possess the promised land and 2) the strenthening of the covenant relationship between God and his people.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

The Messianic Secret

One of the distinguishing characteristics of the gospel of Mark is what scholars call "the messianic secret," which refers to Jesus' seeming reluctance to disclose his identity. Over and over again Jesus tells his disciples to "tell no one about him." In today's reading, Peter dramatically identifies Jesus as the Messiah and then Jesus strictly orders them to tell one about the truth of his identity. Why would Jesus as the Messiah not want to disclose his identity? Isn't the whole point that the gospel is to be shared and proclaimed?

Many scholars agree that the best way to understand the "messianic secret" is as a literary device. Remember, we are reading Mark's version of the gospel narrative; therefore, we must pay attention to the way that Mark tells the story of Jesus.

Mark very clearly announces the identity of Jesus as the beginning of his gospel (Mark 1:1 - "The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ" - Christ means "Messiah"). So, the reader of the gospel knows the true identity of Jesus from the very beginning. Also, the inhabitants of the spiritual realm know the identity of Jesus; the demons repeatedly identify Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God. Finally, at the baptism of Jesus and the Transfiguration, God himself identifies Jesus as his son. So, the identity of Jesus is not a secret to the reader of Mark's gospel.

However, within the narrative of his gospel, Mark uses the reluntance of Jesus to fully disclose his identity to highlight the connection between Jesus' identity as the Messiah and his death on the cross. (Remember, the idea of a crucified messiah was radical in the first century.) Throughout Mark's gospel, Jesus is relunctant to disclose his identity UNTIL the fourteenth chapter, which describes the interogation of Jesus by the Jewish High Council. Jesus is asked by the high priest, "Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed?" To which Jesus replies, "I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven" (14:62). After this pronouncement by Jesus, the high priest tears his clothes and condemns Jesus to death. Mark uses the literary motif of secrecy to emphasize this climatic moment when Jesus himself finally discloses publicly what the reader has known all along - He is the Messiah, the Son of God!

So, as you continue to read through Mark's gospel, remember that the entire narrative is moving toward a climax, the death of Jesus on the cross and his glorious resurrection, which both confirm his identity as the Messiah, God's Son.