awareness

A quick thought as I continue to work through Mark and Jesus’ call to the Gospel:

The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath… (2:27)

I’ve been consumed by this small prepositional phrase as it pretty much dictates the whole dialogue about why Jesus is upset with the Pharisees for their stubborn position(s) concerning the Law through Mark 3. We often preach in this section that the point is more on how legalism is wrong (which it is) and that we need to try new things given shifts in our context.  I would totally agree but that’s not the entire point of Mark 2-3. Jesus isn’t mad about traditions. He actually practices them (Matt. 5:17-25). What irritates Jesus aren’t old forms but insensitive leaders that demand them to the point that they actually cause people to struggle. They’re dangerous leaders because personal convictions are held even at the expense of people’s physical and spiritual well-being. In fact his whole point comes down to this one question: “‘Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?’ They remained silent.”(3:4).

crazy faith

Something in Mark 2 made me pause and think about the importance of community:

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

I’m always moved by how the paralytic has people close enough to him who will carry and lower him through a roof to Jesus. I’m not sure if they’re friends. Maybe they’re family members. Could just be people with compassionate hearts. To me it’s a picture of passionate community; that uncanny desire of finding ways of breaking impossible barriers in a person’s life in order to bring them nearer to Jesus.

Seems to me part of the cost in following Jesus isn’t always wrapped in trusting God to forgive our junk as much as it is believing that God can do the same in other people. You see it’s not “his faith” that captivates Jesus’ heart. It’s “their faith” which is the basis for why Jesus doesn’t mind that they’ve just busted through his roof.

why church planting?

A quick rant…

Here’s what someone recently said to me about my dream to plant several churches in the  area: “Why would you break apart churches to do this?” In other words, stay together. Don’t send people from churches because that makes them smaller and hurts them from a resource stand point. My next question was a bit upfront, “Why not plant churches to make other churches smaller so that more can multiply and reach those that aren’t being reached relationally with the Gospel?” In fact, I stared at the dude and said, “Do you think smaller churches are a waste of time?”

You see, I love small church. I grew up in one. I’ve always served in them. I love the fact that nothing works. I work hard at making stuff that’s super old look good. I like that there’s a grind to churches that are underfunded or forgotten by their denominations. Everything feels raw. It’s all unplugged. Live. Flexible. Changing. Nomadic. And sometimes you get a few talented people together to serve in them and they have a worship sense that kicks donkey…

baptism

I’ve seen a lot of baptisms. I’m always speechless afterward. A few years ago I watched my dad get baptized and I was an absolute mess. Cried like a baby. Like communion, the obedient act of baptism always moves me to tears. It’s just so worshipful. And last weekend proved to be no different for me. I had the honor of witnessing parents baptize their kids at Hagg Lake. 11 in total openly declared their love for Christ as well as their desire to express publicly to us that they belonged to Jesus. I was moved to tears; overwhelmed by immeasurable joy. Every single time I watched a body rise from the water I kept thinking about God’s voice descending from heaven at Jesus baptism: “This is my son whom I am well pleased.”  So moving…