1/23/2016 Day 23 - Mark 15 - CrucifiedConnecting to the Larger StoryAfter sharing the Passover meal with his disciples, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples, led the authorities to the spot and betrayed Jesus into their hands. Jesus was taken to the council of religious authorities who found Jesus guilty of blasphemy against God. They turned him over to Pontius Pilate, the governor of Judea and enforcer of Roman law, to be interrogated. Important to Note1) Both the Jewish religious authorities and the Roman governor Pilate were complicit in the death sentence handed down to Jesus. Thus the guilt for his crucifixion rested not one group solely - the Jewish people or the Romans - but on all of them together. Having been condemned by the Jewish people and the Gentiles alike, Jesus' sacrifice was for all people. 2) Pilate gave the people the opportunity to release Jesus or the violent insurrectionist Barabbas. They choose to have Barabbas freed, indicating a preference for his mode of civil war against Rome. 3) After Jesus' death on the cross, Joseph of Arimathea went to ask for his body so that he could be properly buried. Joseph was a prominent member of the council, showing that not everyone - including the religious authorities - were against what Jesus had come to preach. Thoughts for Reflection1) Why do we prefer the thought of violent vengeance over the ways of the kingdom that Jesus represents?
2) Would we have had the courage to stand with Jesus as Joseph of Arimathea did? Connecting to the Larger StoryAs Jesus continued his ministry, the conflict with the religious authorities continued to escalate, and Jesus knew that his time was drawing to an end. Just before the Passover feast, he entered Jerusalem to the jubilation of many of the pilgrims on the road with him. He spent several days teaching and pointing out the corruption of the worship in the temple by the rich and powerful. The Passover arrived, the time when the people remembered God's delivering them from the land of Egypt. Important to Note1) As they shared in the Passover meal, Jesus told his disciples that he would not be with them much longer. He instructed them to continue in breaking bread and sharing the cup as a way of remembering him. 2) As they prepared for the meal, Jesus asked the disciples to allow him to wash their feet. This was highly unusual for someone in a position of power (a teacher to a disciple, for instance) to humble one's self by washing the feet of others. Through this, Jesus gave his disciples the example of serving one another even if they thought of others as beneath them. At the end of the meal, Jesus began to teach, to pray, and to give a new commandment to his disciples: to love one another as he loved them. Thoughts for Reflection1) What difference does it make that Jesus' last meal coincided with the Passover?
2) What does it mean to love as Jesus loves? Connecting to the Larger StoryAs Jesus went around teaching and healing, word about him spread far and wide. When people saw his power and recognized him as God's Messiah he told them to tell no one else. People knew he was special, and many began to speculate about what role he was to play in God's plan. Was he the prophet Elijah returning to make way for the day of the Lord, was he John the Baptist come back from the grave after being executed by Herod, or was he some other prophet? Important to Note1) When asked who he, rather than the crowds, thought Jesus was, Peter names Jesus as the Messiah. Immediately Jesus began to touch about what that meant. The Messiah is not a triumphant, glorious ruler who will drive the Romans away but rather someone who will suffer greatly for the sake of the people he loves. To follow the Messiah is not about honor or protection from harm but to be willing to lay down one's life as the suffering Messiah does. 2) Jesus's true identity is confirmed for his closest followers as he is transfigured before them and they see a vision of Moses and Elijah with him on the mountain top. Peter suggests they stay there because of how amazed he is by this moment. Instead, God confirms Jesus as the Son and they return down the mountain to life as before. Thoughts for Reflection1) Is it surprising that what makes the Messiah special is that he is willing to suffer for others?
2) What is it like to return to regular life after a moment of spiritual high? 1/20/2016 Day 20 - Luke 15 - FoundConnecting to the Larger StoryIn addition to teaching in the synagogues and performing miracles of healing and signs, Jesus also taught his disciples privately and crowds along the way. His teachings often focused on how the people were called to live fully into the kingdom of God and what that kingdom is like. Important to Note 1) The religious leaders were upset that Jesus so often associated with tax collectors, sinners, and other people they looked down upon. In their minds, a true teacher and follower of God would not hang around with such a bad crowd but would instead shun them for the more upstanding members of society. On this occasion, Jesus told three stories called parables to illustrate why he explain why he did what he did and to convict these religious leaders of their own misguided notions. In each of these stories, someone finds something or someone who was lost and rejoices. The point that Jesus made with these stories is that God sent him to find those who have lost their way. Where the religious leaders see a scandal of one of their own associating so closely with sinners, God rejoices at those who repent and now have hope because of Jesus. 2) It is in conflicts like this one with the religious leaders that Jesus found himself at odds with the powers that were. The leaders recognized in the stories that he told that they are being named as the jealous older brother who does not celebrate the younger brother's return. Many of them were infuriated by his remarks, and some were worried about how the common people may revolt under his leadership. In time, they began to look for ways to stop him. It should be noted that not all of the Pharisees and religious leaders were opposed to Jesus. For instance, in John 3, we hear of the Pharisee Nicodemus who came to learn more from Jesus and continued to follow him. Thoughts for Reflection1) How do stories help us see things we otherwise might not see?
2) How do Jesus' teachings challenge us? |
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February 2016
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