MARK - My Words (The End)

 

As the clock ticked towards ‘tools down’, on Sabbath Eve, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a part of the ruling apparatchik, quickly went to Pilate and requested that he be allowed to dispose of Jesus body.  Pilate was surprised that Jesus had died so quickly.  Because of Joseph's status, he was allowed to take the body.

Joseph instructed the temple guard to place the body in a tomb he had prepared for himself.  The body was wrapped in linen, and place on a shelf in the cave.  Jesus’ friends Mary, and his mother, watched where the body had been place.

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At sun down on Saturday, when people were allowed to work again, some of the 'Marys' and Salome purchased burial spices to anoint Jesus’ body.  At day break the following day they raced down to the cemetery but were amazed to find the tomb was left open.  They entered the cave, and saw a young man dressed in bright white.  

“Don’t be alarmed” he said, "You are looking for Jesus who was executed a few days ago.  This is where his body lay, but he has been brought back to life.  Go and tell his friends.  Remember, he explained this would happen to you many times."

The three women fled out of that place trembling.  The didn’t know what to do.

This is an official ending to the book of Mark.  I love it.  It's so full of suspense.  Despite everything Jesus said and did, we all expected the order to follow - beginning, middle and end.  We have to accept endings.  the sooner we accept reality, the easier it is to live.  But Jesus never said this would be the end.  He was very clear that there was a point to all this madness, and that he would not be leaving us.

We know that these women did not do nothing, but if they had....well we might be signing off for good here.

MARK - My Words (24)

 

Jesus was lead out of the city carrying the gibbet he was to be strung up on.  But it was too heavy to carry, so the soldiers commandeered a passing foreigner called Simon to do this job. (Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, who you might know). 

Simon dragged the gibbet up to the rocky outcrop called ‘The Skull’.  The soldiers pinned Jesus body to a gibbet and propped it up so all could see.  Pilate insisted that a multilingual sign be put above Jesus head saying ‘King of the Jews’ The passers-by mocked and spat at Jesus. “You claimed you could save others, but you seem to have forgotten about yourself” they jeered.  The Jewish leaders scoffed saying, The creator’s chosen one?  Fat chance of that now.  You’re completely useless.”

At mid-day darkness fell across the planet.  It lasted until 3.00 pm.  Then Jesus called out “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabchthani?” Which translates as “Creator, why must you abandon me?”

Some people thought he was calling out to Elijah.  “He’s going mad”, some said.  “Wait, perhaps Elijah is coming to save him” said others.  The next cry was Jesus’ last, and the curtain in the temple ripped dramatically from top to bottom. 

A Roman officer who was there looked on in astonishment. “This man was ‘a god’," he exclaimed.

Some of Jesus’ friends were there, watching from a distance.  These were Mary of Magdalene, Mary (mother of James and Joseph) and Salome.  There were many other women there also who loved Jesus.

Jesus' death was to have cleared a problem out of the way.  Things could return to normal.  The Status Quo would be restored, the agitation returned to those in power, not the poor. 

The Roman's did not care who Simon was.  We don't know what he felt being forced by the occupying power to carry a gibbet up an ugly hill.  

This was no straightforward death however.  Weird things occurred.  Even the outsiders could sense that something significant had happened.

Jesus female friends were there.  They were distant from the mood of glee associated with the fall of a moral personality.  (He had it coming.)

These women stayed constant, and end the story for us tomorrow.

MARK - My Works (23)

 

Early on Friday morning the Jewish leaders made their plan.  Jesus was bound tightly so that he could not get away.  He was then taken to the regional ruler called Pilate. 

Pilate asked Jesus what he made of the charges against him.  “They say you are trying to be their leader.”  But Jesus did not defend himself, which surprised Pilate.

Pilate knew that at this time he usually released a rebel, as a 'peace offering' to the people.  He offered to release Jesus.  Pilate could see that the Jewish leaders were jealous of Jesus' power.

“Let me release Jesus, your so-called leader” goaded Pilate.  This provoked the people, who screamed that Jesus was to be executed.  “Release any idiot before Jesus” they commanded.  “Even Barabbas, the violent, murderous bully.”

Pilate saw that there was nothing else to be done.  This act of injustice was preferable to a violent mob riot, with potentially many deaths.

So he ordered Jesus to be heavily whipped, and sent for summary execution in the traditional manner.

The Soldiers played around with Jesus.  They dressed him as a ‘king’, with an expensive purple robe, and the made a crown from a twisted torn branch.  They marched before him, then one lashed out at Jesus.  “Who did that oh King?” they taunted.

"I am a man; I count nothing human foreign to me"  Terence, Roman Comic Playwright.

I find this a challenging quote.  (I assume 'man' means human.)  All the atrocities and objectionable obscenities can reside in my mind.  They enter all areas.  Time and again we see otherwise 'normal' people falling into Hell. Rape, murder, torture.  All societies are guilty across all time.

Do we think we can get away with it?  Some people try.  They push it to the back.  They live carrying heavy weights.  The victims, the perpetrators, often unobserved by the world.  

The Creator allowed these possibilities to exist.  Like creating a world surrounded by high cliff.  The cliffs exist.  It is our choice to keep away from them.

Jesus was brutalised like any prisoners today, except this one was played with by by the soldiers.  They couldn't resist dressing him up as a king.  After all, this was his crime.  Treason; pretending to be someone he had no right to be.  Except when he died, the Roman officer in charge remarked "Surely this man was from the Creator". 

Pilate released Barabbas.  We know that Barabbas represent me.  I am spared death, but it feels like it was a close thing.

MARK - My Words (22)

 

Meanwhile Peter was loitering in the shadows of the large house.  A security guard saw him and said, “I recognise you.  You know this man don’t you?” 

“Me? I’m new to these parts.  Case of mistaken identity”, Peter said with a stiff grin.

The security guard spoke with others there, and they looked round at Peter. 

Peter looked back- “Not me- I have no idea who this guy is.”

Another person challenged Peter.  “Hey you! You’ve even got his accent.  We are convinced, you are one of his followers. 

Peter lost his cool and swore.  “Bloody get off my case.  You are doing my head in.”

Then the first rays of the morning sun appeared.  A cockerel crowed, and the blood drained from Peter’s face.  He bent over and wept.

No half measures when you follow Jesus.  In fact it is the worst place to be, half in and half out.  But would you want to be 'in' when it is as terrifying and brutal as it was that day.  Would I stand by if my family members were being attacked?  Would I watch them drown if they fell into the sea?  Sometimes you have no choice.  Our heart dictates that we are in....in up to our necks.

Count me in.  I want to have the courage to stand up for Jesus.  There is no crime in that, and yet for some, it does lead to death.  But like Jesus, though who follow Jesus cling on to his word, "I will never leave you or forsake you."

MARK - My Words (21)

 

Jesus’ friend Judas, big grin on his face, appeared out of the dark with a large number of violent men, all heavily armed.  Judas called Jesus’ name and hugged him stiffly.  This was followed by a heap of men descending on Jesus and roughly pulling him to the ground.  In that moment, one of Jesus’ friends reacted on instinct.  He grabbed a knife and slashed wildly in the air, and the ear of a young man was slashed off. 

Jesus cried out “stop that! No need of violence.  What do you make me out to be?  Why didn’t you arrest me in daylight, it would have been easier? But all of this has been foretold, so I am ready.”

Then Jesus’ friends all disappeared into the dark.  One of them tried to follow at a distance.  He was seen and caught.  After a tussle he wriggled free from his clothes and ran off naked into the night. 

Jesus was taken to the house of a judge where an impromptu court was set up.  Jesus’ friend Peter had followed at a distance and was now loitering with others outside the great house.  The officers had found witnesses to charge Jesus with heinous crimes.  One man said “We heard him say that he would destroy the sacred places in Jerusalem and rebuild them in three day!”  But the witness accounts were all confused and farfetched.  Nothing could be called ‘serious’.  The judge approached Jesus asking “So what have you got to say for yourself?”

But Jesus was silent.  Then the Judge asked again, “Are you the one chosen by the creator to save Israel?” 

Jesus said ‘Yahweh’, (which means I am).  “And this person will return to a place of authority with the Creator.” 

The Judge was aghast.  This was the worst thing anyone could say to him.  To have the arrogance to say words that no sane person could say, let alone a spiritual leader. 

“This is a capital offence, and is worthy of death,” The judge pronounced.  The whole company of people rose up against Jesus, spitting at him, and reviling him.  He was beaten.  They kicked him saying “equivalent to the Creator, look at you.  You’re pathetic!”  Jesus was taken to a cell.

Sometimes people do brave things and then reflect, saying 'if I had known what would have happened...I might not have been so brave'.   Jesus knew what was to come, and that it would only get worse.  His friends were terrified.  This was a lost cause.  Jesus answered the question he was asked.  I have chosen those words 'I AM', the sacred name of God for the Jews  Megalomaniac? Deluded? or the truth?  The Judge was confronted with that. We also have to decide.  There is no compromise.  If Jesus did die on the cross, and come back to life, then life after death is a certainty.  If it is all a great myth, well we all might as well run off into the dark naked.

MARK - My Words (20)

 

Peter and Jesus spoke on the way (to the Mount of Olives).

Jesus explained, “As has been foretold, everyone will desert me, and I will be alone.  Remember Zechariah says, ‘The Shepherd will be struck down, and the sheep will scatter’."  

Peter frowned. “Look, whatever you say about the others, I am with you to the death.” 

Jesus replied, “that’s not how it is.  I know what is about to happen.  Before the sun rises and the cockerel greets the morning you will have told three people that you’ve never met me.” 

Peter was affronted.  “How can you say that.  That’s just not me.”

The other friends echoed Peter in a forest of denials.

In the dusk, they moved into the cool of the olive grove.  Jesus asked his friends to stay alert while he spent time with the Creator.  Peter, James and John joined Jesus.  Jesus became greatly distressed.  “I’m in despair” he groaned.  “I feel the pain that is about to come.  Please stay awake and comfort me.”

Jesus paced around calling out to the Creator “Is there any possibility of another way?  This is unbearable.  It’s too painful to swallow.  Think, can it be done some other way?  But I know you love me, and will have thought of everything, so I trust you.” 

Jesus found his friends oblivious to his suffering.  They had fallen asleep.  Waking them, Jesus plead for them to stay awake with him, and watch for approaching trouble.  Apologetically they tried, but in vain. Jesus could see that they were weak, and although they intended to be there for him, their bodies weren’t up to it.

Jesus continued to be restless with tormenting thoughts about what was happening. The friends continued to struggle to stay awake.  Then Jesus called out “Get up!  It’s time! The one to betray me has arrived.”

If only we could stay awake, and feel as Jesus does.  What would we see? Would we in fact be strong enough to endure it?  Jesus reassures us.  We will.  He pleads with us to 'Stay awake'. 

'The Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.'

The Creator was aware of this when we were first brought into existence.  It was known that we would not be successful; not the first time round at least.  But there are some who just 'fall asleep'.  Others do things that make us think that it would have been better if they had never been born.  

Yet from day one, when the dice was first spun, the plan was always to create a way out of this place.  There is a cliff.  It is close now.  But with Jesus we move away from the cliff, and the intense crashing sounds from the foot of the cliff falls silent.

MARK - My Works (19)

 

It was two days before the most significant celebration.  The leaders of the people were still discussing the best way to silence Jesus, and agreed the people would not like a distraction during their festival.

Jesus was staying in a village with Simon (the one who was healed of leprosy).  A woman entered the room they were in and poured extremely expensive perfume on Jesus’ hair.  His friends were indignant. “That perfume could have been sold and the money given to feed many poor people,” and they scolded the woman harshly.  But Jesus rebuked them saying, “Give her some peace, the problems the poor face will always be with us, but I will not.  She is preparing me for my death.  Listen to this, when people talk about this time in the future, they will remember what she has done, and honour her.”

Then Judas, one of Jesus’ friends, left the party, and went over to the Jewish leaders.  He agreed to lead them to Jesus at an opportune moment.  The leaders promised to reward Judas.  They had their solution.

On the first day of the festival, Jesus’ friends wonder what they would do.  Jesus knew.  He explained that they should walk into Jerusalem.  There they would notice a person carrying water.  Follow them into a house and find the owner.  There, ask to be directed to the upper room that had been prepared just for them.  And this is what they did.

In the evening Jesus and his friends gathered to begin the celebration.  As they settled down, Jesus announced that someone from within their group was going to hand him over to the authorities.  The friends were greatly troubled by this.  Jesus went on “It was foretold that the one who comes from the Creator to rescue the world would be treated like this.  They will be betrayed, and murdered.  What a terrible day for the betrayer.  It would have been better that they had never been born.”

As was the custom, Jesus took hold of the bread and divided it.  He said “This is like my body, being shared out to you as sustenance, essential food for life.”  As was the tradition he took up a glass of wine.  This time he thanked the Creator and added, “This wine symbolises my blood, which is poured out freely for your good.  Drink it, because you must share a part of this suffering to live.”

Then Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, the next time I eat and drink I will be in heaven.”

They then sang a tradition song of worship and went out in the evening breeze to the Mount of Olives.

A prophetic act.  Perfume on Jesus' head. How many prophecies do not involve words?  Better for a multi-lingual world?  Why not?  People don't seem to get it even when it is spelt out in words on one syllable.  

The cultural calendar clicks in, and Jesus and his friends prepare to celebrate an age-old tradition.  The meaning is perhaps lost in the midst of time. Suddenly today is the day that this ritual looks forward to!  Did we miss it?  Today is the day this sacred bread, the staple diet of the Roman world, takes on it's full meaning.  Yesterday it was in memory of how the people of Israel were rescued from oblivion through a radical intervention.  "Do this in memory of how we were once saved."  Today it reminds us that a second radical action took place, significant not only to the Israelites, but to the whole of humanity.  "Do this in memory of how we were once saved."  In the same way that we eat to live, we take Jesus' body into our earthy bodies to sustain 'life'. Just as we drink to stay alive, we drink the 'life blood' of Jesus in order to live.  Without it we die.  This what what the Creator said in Eden.  "If you eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, that day you will surely die."  God did not lie.  We did die, but we were also brought back to life.  

So one day we will eat and drink together in the new garden.  I hope that it will be a bit like the meal we shared in the Temple de Marais in Paris (real baguette and French wine.)

MARK - My Words (18)

 

One day, as Jesus and his friends were leaving the temple in Jerusalem, his friends remarked what an impressive structure it was.  ”I agree” noted Jesus, “but believe it or not, this edifice will be completely demolished.  Not one stone will be left touching another.”

Later they were sitting in the Mount of Olives, overlooking the Temple.  Peter, James, John and Andrew came to Jesus and seriously asked, “when will the destruction happen? Tell us more.”

“Look” replied Jesus, “many people will come pretending to have the Creator’s authority.  You will hear frequent portents of doom.  Stay calm.  The world will be consumed by war.  Earthquakes will wreak devastation.  Famines will lay counties waste.  These are the ‘birth pangs’ of a new creation.  At this time, the injuries to you my friends, will will be great.  You will be taken to false trials.  When that happens, speak the truth to them.  Your message will prevail, and it will never be quenched.  Remember, when you are arrested, don’t panic, because you are not alone.  You will know exactly what to say, and how to be.  The Spirit of the Creator is in you.”

“Families will tear themselves apart.  You will be hated solely because you love me.  The day will come when the Creator’s place will be taken by another.  (This relates to all who read this now!)

People will flee into the hills.  Those at home should not even bother to pack.  Don’t return even for a coat.  I worry for those about to give birth.  The terror ahead will make all in the past as nothing.  In fact without the Creator’s intervention, humanity could easily destroy itself completely. 

“Be cynical about anyone who professes to be a leader.  There will be people who seem to know what they are doing, and have great power, but this is only power to deceive.  Remember this warning!”

“As Isaiah foretold, in those days the sun will darken, and the moon give up it’s light.  Stars will fall from the sky.  And the certainties of the universe will be shaken.”

“Then the Creator will return, in the form of a person.  Messengers will be sent to the four corners of the globe to call on all who are chosen.”

“Learn a lesson from nature.  When you see leaves and buds develop you know summer is on the way.  In the same way, see and read the signs.  There will be people here who will be present when these things come to pass.”

“The earth and heavens will come to an end, but the truth of this message is for all time.”

“Absolutely no one knows when these things will happen.  It is all in the hands of the Creator.”

“Stay alert! Be on your guard!”

“It’s like when a rich man leaves for a long journey.  He tells his staff to be ready for his return.  When he returns he wants his household to be receive him.  He wants to be greeted at the door.”

“No one wants to be caught on the hop when the great man returns!”

Throughout history, things that looked like they might be permanent have come to an end.  The massive stones of the beautiful temple.  But what about the Roman empire itself?  What are the permanent things in my life?  

Jesus is telling us to stay alert.  This is a state of living, rather than being in a state of permanent stress.  It's how schools should be as they wait for the next unannounced OSTED inspection.  

MARK - My Words (17)

 

Then some of the leading philosophers of the time came to ask Jesus a thorny question.

“What if a woman where to marry.  She has children but her husband dies.  She goes on to marry her brother-in-law, but he also dies.  She continues marrying her first husband’s brothers.  Lastly she dies.  The all meet in heaven.  Which man will be her husband?”

Jesus sighed and replied saying “You have missed the point altogether.  This life is a shadow of the next.  In heaven we will be like the angels, and not live as we do on this ‘mortal coil’. 

Recall; the Creator declared from the burning bush to Moses, ‘I am the Creator of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob’.  The Creator spoke of them as living, not dead.  You need to return to your studies.”

Jesus himself asked a tricky question.  “The religious leaders teach that the one to rescue us will be a child from the house of King David.  But in the record it says that King David spoke of the rescuer, saying:

‘Honoured Lord, Sit next to me, and I will humble your enemies.’  So I suggest that we should consider the ‘rescuer’ to be more than just a royal successor.”  The people were fascinated by these new ideas. 

“Be careful what you believe.  These grand teachers blow their own trumpet.  They make out that they’ve mastered the mysteries of the world.  They also get rich from exploiting the poor.  They are the ones who will be the most severely judged.”

Jesus noticed the people giving money to the temple authorities.  He saw a very poor widow put in two small coins.  He also saw rich people making massive donations.  He pulled his friends aside and noted,

“This widow is the one who is greatest in the eyes of the Creator.  She gives without thinking of herself, whereas the rich give only from their surplus, and the gift doesn’t affect them at all.”

It's fine to have a thorny discussion, but only if it is conducted in love.  These questions were designed to put Jesus on the ground.  'The women' should not marry her brothers wife under Jewish law.  Would she therefore go to heaven?  The nature of heaven is a mind boggling concept from the outset.  Jesus said they were going down a rabbit hole which he refused to follow.  Everyone could see he was right.

Jesus' own biblical challenge needs more study.  The way I read it is that over the years the religious leaders had interpreted the coming of 'the Messiah' to mean an inferior personage with a practical role.  Perhaps this is why the people thought the messiah might be a revolutionary.  Jesus is correcting this position to indicate that the Messiah is at least as great as David himself.  The people understood what he was saying.

It is very easy for Jesus' position to be reduced in our minds.  It's interesting that a google search for Jesus (in the UK) goes, Jesus College, Church of the Latter Day Saints, and finally Gabriel Jesus who plays for Arsenal.

I am also interested in Jesus' view of giving.  The old woman was giving her last pennies to the corrupt, wealthy religious system.  The act in itself was of little value materially, but the act spiritually was immense.  What do we do when our church wants to undertake a costly building project?

MARK - My Words (16)

 

In the presence of these people, Jesus told this story. 

“A man had a great estate.  He cared for it and protected it with fences.  He then leased it to tenant farmers who needed land.   At the appointed time the owner sent his agent to go and collect the rent that was due.  The tenants met the agent with derision and violence, sending him back empty handed.  Again the owner sent another representative to collect what was legally his by right.  But once more the envoy was insulted and beaten over the head and sent packing. 

Finally the man asked his only son to go to plead reason with these tenants.  Surely his own son would be treated with respect.  But the tenant farmers saw an opportunity.  “If we kill the son there will be no one to inherit the estate, and most likely it will be left to us”.  When the son arrived, they murdered him, and threw his body into a ditch.

So tell me, if you were the estate owner, what would you now do?  Naturally, you would seek revenge and destroy those wicked tenants. 

Look - the foundation stone that the builders thought was substandard has now become the cornerstone of the world.  This is how the Creator operates, and it’s extraordinary.”

The temple authorities understood exactly what Jesus mean by this story; that Jesus was condemning them for their actions.  They wanted to kill him instantly, but were scared of the crowd’s reaction, so let him go.

Cleaver wicked minds worked quickly together to create a trap. 

“Teacher”, said one, “I know you always speak the truth in fear the Creator.  Tell us, is it right that we must pay taxes to the invader?”

Jesus knew where this was going with this straightaway.  He called out “have you got one of those Roman coins with you?  Show it to me.  Whose picture and title do you find stamped there?”

“Why, that’s Caesar”, the man replied.  “So this coin belongs to Caesar”, said Jesus. “Pay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and pay the Creator what is due to the Creator.”

The answer stunned them all into silence.

'If the cap fits, then wear it'.  I too can see this stuff about me as mine, when I am but a tenant.  Who is my inheritance for?  Who does it belong to?  It's not the stuff that Jesus is talking about.  It's the meaning and purpose of my life that's key.  Everything flows from that.  So we do have to live with the Invader (Mammon).  It's name is on everything, and we service it's selfish motivations.  But our heart belongs to our  Creator.  Our inheritance comes from a loving parent.

MARK - My Words (15)

 

The next day Jesus returned to the Temple.  He was disgusted by the commercial racketeering and profiteering of the poor and gullible people.  Jesus challenged the greedy opportunists saying

 “As predicted of old, even the special places when the Creator is honoured are not respected.  You have made it a den of thieves.”  

And with that he began ransacking their shops and the traders made a quick exit.  The leaders of the temple heard about this and began to plot how Jesus might be eliminated.

That evening the friends returned to their base in the countryside.  They passed the fruitless fig tree and were surprised to see it had withered away from the roots up.  Peter pointed it out to Jesus.  “Your words did that”, he said.

“Look” replied Jesus, “When you are in the will of the Creator you will say ‘let this mountain be lifted up and thrown into the sea’, and it will happen.  Be in sync with the Creator, first making sure your hearts are pure.  Make sure you do not hold a grudge against anyone.  In forgiving others you will be free.”

The following day Jesus and his friends walked into the city again to visit the temple.  The authorities saw him coming and aggressively challenged him.  “What do you think you are doing?  What right have you to create this chaos?” 

Jesus replied.  “Remember John.  My authority comes from the same source as his.” 

The authorities were flummoxed because the people respected John and understood that his authority as coming directly from heaven. 

“We’re not sure where John got his authority”, they retorted. 

“And that will be my reply too” answered Jesus.

Yesterday I heard someone talk about how they faced injustice in the workplace.  I asked "what about the by-standers?  The other team members who watched what was going on?  Jesus takes action where others may have wanted to, but were scared.  I also learnt about a group called www.rebelsatwork.com . Challenge and conflict can be a healthy and necessary part of human interaction, so long as no one is harmed.  Jesus knew that he was going to be killed, and his interactions with his friends and others become more intense.

The authorities 'play chess' with Jesus.  'Checkmate!  No, they had forgotten this move.  "Decide where John got his authority from first, then come to me."  

MARK- - My Words (14)

 

Jesus and his friends rested in the hills just outside Jerusalem.  Jesus asked two of them to go ahead into a village and find a young horse that had never been ridden.  If anyone was to challenge them, they were to say that the ‘Master’ needed it.  They did this, and permission was granted.

Jesus’ friend prepared the young horse for Jesus to ride, and they set off into the city. 

As Jesus approached, the people spontaneously began to acknowledge him, and cheered.  They cut palm tree branches and laid thy in the way before him.  Crowds gathered and called out in worship of the creator, “Hosanna, Praise the Creator!  Bless you, ancestor of King David, bless you, the one sent to save us from oblivion.”

Jesus proceeded to the Temple where he took part in the Passover worship.  Then they returned to the villages. 

In the morning, the friends went to gather figs for breakfast.  They saw a healthy tree, but it had no fruit.  Jesus’ friends heard him say “you’re of no use to anyone.”  This was confusing because it was not the season for the fruit.

Here are two stories about timing.  Both are full of symbolism; both quite strange.

A cynic would say that the writer of Mar, who knew their Jewish bible well, could pulled the treads of the past to weaving into and strengthen the authority of this stroy.  But some of these pictures are very subtle, and even confusing.  Just as after viewing a film for the first time, on the second occasion you become a wise soothsayer of the plot to come, so Jesus is able to predict all the twists and turns of his current situation.  The events lead up to the exclamation of the Creators authority over all things, so that 'even the very stones' would have to rise up and declare it.  

What about the poor old fig tree?  What did it do wrong?  We live with the one who knows exactly what is happening, and what the next twist will be.  The fig tree was just plodding along, oblivious to these momentous events, and therefore was not ready to play it's part.  I want to be living close to Jesus so that I will see, and am ready.

MARK - My Words (13)

 

Peter reminded Jesus how much they had sacrificed to follow him.  “Yes” replied Jesus, “and you have made a wise investment, for you will benefit a hundred times over, and get a heap of persecution to top it off!  You live not just for now, but also for the future.  The most significant people are the least you see around you, and those that seem the least, will be the greatest.” 

As they approached Jerusalem, Jesus sped up and went on ahead.  The others were filled with fear, and held back.  Jesus explained to his friends what was to happen.  “We are now going into Jerusalem.  The chosen one will be betrayed and handed over to those who hate him.  He will be mocked, denigrated, and abused.  Finally he will be executed, but death will only last for three days.  His life will be restored.” 

The brothers James and John ask Jesus if he could fix it for them to have a special role in the next life.  Jesus was dismayed.  They still didn’t seem to have a clue.  “How are you going to be able to cope with the suffering I am about to go through?  Indeed, you will suffer too.” 

“We can do it”, James and John replied, “trust us.” 

“You’re correct”, Jesus acknowledge, “you will be tested and succeed, but, rewards are not part of the plan.  See what the Creator has in store.” 

The other friends caught the gist of this conversation and were indignant with James and John. 

Jesus called them together.  “Look”, he said, “the leaders we see enjoy lording it over their subjects, and using their power.  For us it’s different.  If you seek to be great you must be the servant of others.  You must count no task beneath you.  For even the Creator's chosen one has come as a servant, and will ultimately sacrifice his life for the good of all.”

They continued through the town of Jericho.  Bartimaeus, and blind man, heard Jesus approaching and call out to him.  The people about him told him to ‘shut up’, but this made him call all the more. 

When Jesus heard his name, he invited Bartimaeus to join him.  The crowd called to Bartimaeus saying “your luck's in, he wants you to come to him.” 

Jesus ask, “what to you want from me?” 

“Teacher, I want to be able to see” he replied. 

“You have believed and now you see” said Jesus, and Bartimaeus could see, and followed Jesus down the road.

Is Jesus talking to his friends also here?  "You believe, and now you see." Be like Bartimaeus.  Keep it simple.  

But it's really not simple. What Peter says to Jesus reminds me of the burglar who repents and returns millions of stolen cash.  "I could have had a comfortable life on a desert island...but I chose you."  Jesus is unimpressed.

Everything about us is geared towards the 'understood' motivators in life, security, comfort and pleasure.  What Jesus offers does not ignore this, but it also does not privilege it.   Whatever is put first directs the travel of what comes behind.  

First, be like one of the least.  And follow Jesus down the road.

MARK - My Words (12)

 As Jesus moved on, people came from the surrounding area.  Jesus spoke with the people.  Some who came wanted to trap Jesus and put him in a compromising position.

“What’s you view on divorce?” they asked.  “And what does our law say, according to Moses?” replied Jesus.  “Moses allows divorce, if there is a clear written explanation” they replied.  “Yes” said Jesus, “and this was a compromise, for when two people marry, they become one person, and what the Creator puts together, no one must split apart.”

Later Jesus explained further to his friends the significance of marriage, that fidelity in marriage was very important. 

One day some parents brought their children to Jesus to ask him to bless them.  Jesus’ friends felt this was too much.  Jesus was exhausted.  But Jesus noticed and told them off.  “I must be with these children because the kingdom of the Creator is designed for them.  Anyone who will not come as one of these children will never life to the full.”  And Jesus took the children in his arms and blessed them.

Traveling on to Jerusalem Jesus met a wealthy man who ran up to him asking “Good teacher, what must I do to earn eternal life?  “Interesting you call me good, for only the Creator is good”, replied Jesus.  “What do you know already?  Do you know the ten commandments?” 

“Well” said the man, “I have always obeyed the law.  I’ve not stolen, cheated, or wronged anyone.”  Yes, said Jesus, and all this is good.  But there is one more thing.  Go and sell all your excess goods and support the poor.”  At this the man’s face fell, for he was a very rich man. 

Jesus remarked to his friends, “See what a challenge it is of the rich to receive the Creator’s treasure.  In fact, it is easier for an alcoholic to give up the booze than for a rich person to follow me.”

Jesus’ friends were astonished.  “What hope is there for anyone?” They asked.  Jesus looked at them intently. “Humanly speaking this is impossible, but for the Creator, nothing is impossible.”

This passage reminded me of an event our church put on in a predominantly Hindu believing area.  It involved free food.  I bumped into a social work colleague and we got talking.  He assumed I was nothing to do with the church event, and told me that he had organised a group of young people from the area to cause a disruption by starting a food fight.  He was waiting for the others to arrive, but they never came.

Our lives are beset with paradox.  Should Christians (even Asian Christians) be having an event in this area?  What about the politics of marriage?  I read Jesus here re-emphasising the principle of goodness.  If we genuinely put others needs at the forefront (which does not mean neglecting our own needs) we create a stable bridge.  

But is this possible or realistic?  Anything is possible for the Creator.  Let's keep believing.

MARK - My Words (11)

 

Jesus travelled with his friends to a rural spot by the lake of Galilee.  He was keen just to have time with them.  He tried to explain about the momentous events that were just around the corner.  “The Creator’s chosen one will be handed over to his enemies, executed, by then, and after three days, be restored to life.  Jesus’ friends could not make head nor tail of this!

They arrived in Capernaum and settled in a house.  Jesus asked his friends what they had been arguing about on the way there.  They did not want to say, because they had been arguing which of them was the greatest.  The Jesus looked them in the eye and said, “whoever wants to be the greatest must first be a servant of all.”  He asked a child who was there to join them.  “Anyone who welcomes this child is also welcoming me, and the one who sent me.”

John questioned Jesus.  “We saw someone asking for healing and he used your name.  We told him to stop what he was doing as he had no right.” 

“No” said Jesus“, If the intention is true and honest, then the act is right.”  Anyone who offers you just a cup of water will be rewarded because they are doing what is right. 

“But if anyone by their actions causes a little one to suffer or go astray, then is would be better for them to tie a millstone round their neck and jump into the sea. 

If your hand causes you to harm another, get rid of it! Cut it off!  If your foot causes you to stumble, be done with it! Throw it away!  If your eye causes you to enter into evil, gouge it out.  It is better to come to your creator without these things than to never come because you are far away.”

“Everyone is tested and their true nature will be revealed.  If salt, or sugar loses its flavour, get rid of it, it’s of no value.  We need sweetness and preservatives around us all the time, so that we live together in peace.”

For most people, understanding what Jesus was explaining would be befuddling.  I sympathies with his friends.  It's all too extraordinary.  from time to time people do say fantastical things and we say "no, surely not." 

Jesus message is counter-cultural, which makes it extremely difficult to believe.  We largely live in the mainstream and don't even notice how this seeps into our daily existence.  

Jesus says that we come as 'children', not warlords.  Our power is love, simplicity and acceptance, not war, dominance and discrimination.  Jesus says goodness is the judge of whether it's from the Creator.  I like the use of violent metaphor to emphasis the significance of love.  

Whatever you are given, whether it be 'salt' or 'sugar', go and share it around.  It's needed out there.