Coffee With The Lord

Here’s one of those puzzling passages of Scripture… (and when you come across them it is best to take them at face value and just trust God with the details) – Mark 6:1-6

Let me set the scene… Jesus had come back to his “hometown” (Nazareth), where he was raised, where he played with friends, where he learned and plied a trade (carpentry) with His earthly “Dad,” where he studied Scripture in synagogue school.  His reputation as a powerful healer and teacher has gotten around.  It’s Sabbath, and the “home boy” has been invited to teach in the synagogue… big event! 

Wow, His teaching was powerful and profound!  And the stories of His healing power!  Where did He get all of this?  You would have thought He’d be the community celebrity – a hero!

But no… the Bible says, “They took offense at Him!”  They said, “How are such mighty works done by His hands?  Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon?  And are not His sisters here with us?”

Figure that!  And here’s the “kicker” … The powerful, profound teacher – the miracle worker – the Son of God, the Messiah, “Could do no mighty works there, except that he laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them… And He marveled because of their unbelief.”

There it is… Jesus, the Son of God – Messiah – Savior of the world, LIMITED by the unbelief and attitudes of those who heard Him – even those who were His “homefolks.”

I wonder how many times it has happened since then… God’s powerful healing, life-transforming, message and presence among “His people” limited by skepticism and unbelief! 

He must have been terribly disappointed!  But did He allow that to stop Him from ministry?  No!  Never!!

Next passage… “And He went about among the villages teaching.  And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave THEM authority over the unclean spirits! … So THEY WENT OUT and proclaimed that people should repent.  And THEY cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them!” (From Mark 6:6-13 ESV)

So this is what I jotted in the margin of my Bible this morning… “Never allow your disappointment in ministry to hinder the advancement of God’s Kingdom message and ministry!  Instead mobilize others to join you in sharing the Gospel and getting involved in ministry along with you!  Instead of being stifled by disappointments – move past them and enlist others in spreading the Gospel!”  That’s what Jesus did!

This I believe as a Christian… DEATH DOES NOT END IT ALL!!  As a Christian it is not birth > life > death (with a big period at the end).  It is instead birth > life (and somewhere in there NEW BIRTH > more life! Abundant life! > death > ETERNAL LIFE!  Death is NOT the end … it is simply the doorway into an incredible and eternal future with the Lord!!

Thought about all of that as I read these wonderful, inspired words of Apostle Paul telling us about our future and Christ followers (whether we are living or have died) when Jesus returns…

1 Corinthians 15:50–58 (NIV)

“Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed — in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.  For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.  When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.  Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”  The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Apostle Paul argued that all of that was incredible motivation for the following…

”Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain!”

As a Christian I have a wonderful confidence and hope (beyond the grave… past death)!  I want to live life full – giving myself to the Lord’s will and work!!  I want the sound of my efforts for Jesus to blend with the piercing sound of the “last trumpet”!!

I hate to admit it, but might as well… I’ve had to make David’s prayer in Psalm 51 my prayer more often than I’d like to acknowledge.   Covering up sin doesn’t help…  “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13 ESV)  Acknowledging my sin to God and asking Him to forgive me has been the only effective solution to deal with guilt that I’m aware of… (“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess (acknowledge) our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sin and purify us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1.8-9)

So here are David’s words from Psalm 51 that I read again this morning (words, I’ve had to make my own on more occasions than I’d like to admit).  …Word’s you might want to keep handy, if you’re at all like me …Words, that if you pray them sincerely from your heart, God has promised to honor and heed!!

^“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.  For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.  Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight… Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me… You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”  (From Psalm 51)