Dec. 21, 2010
Jesus turned around and looked at his disciples, then reprimanded Peter. “Get away from me, Satan!” he said. “You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s”. Mark 8:33
I find this interaction fascinating. Jesus has just asked his disciples who people are saying he is. They reply, Elijah, John and Baptist, or some other prophets. He then draws the circle tighter – “But who do you say I am?” Peter jumps up as the disciple’s self-appointed spokesman: “You are the Messiah”. I wonder if he really knew what he was saying. Did this simple fisherman grasp the significance of Jesus being the fulfillment of thousands of years and hundreds of different prophecies concerning Jesus? Did Peter finally get it, after one more miracle, one more teaching, one more question? Or was Peter just spouting some answer, hoping to impress his Rabbi teacher?
We will probably never know, but what we do know is that his answer opened the door for Jesus to begin preparing the disciples for his death and departure. The next verses, and in the next two chapters, Jesus repeats his prediction of his demise. This doesn’t set well with the recently congratulated and commended spokesman Peter; so he takes Jesus aside and begins to reprimand him for making such outlandish statements!
Can you imagine this? It is so typical Peter – hot or cold – no in between with him. He is commended by Jesus for his brilliant answer; then in the next instant puts his arm around Jesus and tells him – “No master – you’ve got this all wrong – you’re not going to be killed – you’re going to establish your kingdom – and us boys are going to help you!” How rude. How stupid – and Jesus follows up his commendation with a condemnation while calling him “Satan”. Peter’s just named him Messiah, and Jesus just names him a Devil. Wow!
I wonder how many times I’ve “taken on” the Master for something He has said that doesn’t sit so well with me. I know there have been times I’ve just as brashly challenged Jesus and his ways, means, teachings, even actions. I just can’t go all the way where he wants me (us) to go. I put my arm around his shoulder, and try to straighten him out! How stupid. How often has he condemned and called me Satan? Obviously we often see things, interpret things, understand things, perceive things “merely from a human perspective”, and seldom do we see them from God’s view! As I look at this beautiful world that you have set before me today dear God – help me to see all that I encounter from your perspective, your point of view, your will – not mine…how silly…how profound.

Dec. 20, 2010
Then Jesus placed his hands on the man’s eyes again, and his eyes were opened. His eyes were completely restored, and he could see everything clearly . Mark 8:25
Interesting story of a blind man being brought to Jesus. Jesus takes him outside the village in order to heal him. I wonder why? Why did Jesus not heal him in front of the gathered crowd or the skeptical Pharisees who were at this time demanding a “proof” miracle? This might qualify. Nope, Jesus takes him alone, outside the village, spits on the man’s eyes, lays his hand on him, and asks “can you see anything now?” The man responds – “yes, I see people, but I can’t see them very clearly. They look like trees walking around.” Then Jesus goes for round two.
An interesting experience of healing. I don’t think Jesus always heals us instantly – and I’m not sure why. I suppose it has to do with wanting to teach us something more important or something with a deeper meaning. I have been witness to very few miracles in my life, but I’ve seen God heal some people instantly, I’ve seen God heal some folks gradually – using medicine, and doctors and even hospitals. And I’ve also seen God heal ultimately – through a person’s death. I don’t understand much of what’s I’ve seen or read of such miracles – I’m just a believer that God is still in the healing business – no matter how they come…or not!
God, my prayer today is that you’ll not allow me to settle for the miracles that leave me seeing like trees walking around, but that you’ll inspire me to press on for the second blessing – the second healing – the subsequent touch that leaves me and others completely restored and seeing everything clearly! I promise I won’t tell anyone!

Dec. 8th, 2010
When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had arrived, they came and started to argue with him. Testing him, they demanded that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority. When he heard this, he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why do these people keep demanding a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth; I will not give this generation any such sign.” So he got back into the boat and left them, and he crossed to the other side of the lake. Mark 8:11-13
Where were these stupid Pharisees when Jesus was just feeding the 4000, or the 5000, or while he was healing many people in the chapter immediately prior? My hunch is they were standing on the sidelines taking it all in. My hunch is this demand for a new miracle had more to do with their “test” than proving his authority. It had to do with proving his authority to them! I suspect they were saying: “Yea, maybe you can fool these gullible masses – but it will take a real miracle to convince us super-intelligent, super-spiritual Pharisees!” That’s what I see at play here.
His response to them is preceded with this deep sigh from within His spirit. I know that sigh. I know that disappointment with people for whom you have worked and labored, who still don’t seem to get it. I am acquainted with that deep sigh of disbelief, that after all you’ve done…some people still don’t get it…some people still demand that you give them something more…some people want their ‘personal’ miracle to ‘prove’ just exactly who they think and want you to be! And I know that sigh is especially agonizing because it comes most often from those who should be most able to “get it” (the super religious/spiritual) who often are standing on the sidelines, criticizing, judging, demanding their personal miracle. I wonder today; what if Jesus had struck one of them dead cold on the spot – then raised him from the dead – would that be enough of a miracle to convince them? I doubt it.
Sometimes it seems that no matter what good we do, no matter how hard we work, no matter the investments we make, no matter even the results we produce…there will always be someone who sucks the sigh from your soul by demanding something more, something different, some more proof, some new test to pass. I’m glad Jesus said “screw it – I’m done trying to convince you!” “You either get it or not – I’m moving on”.
Lord, help me move on today in the knowledge that as long as I’m doing my best to be faithful to You and my calling – you will be happy. Help me realize and even take some assurance that you are not unfamiliar with the deep sighing from my soul today. Help me find in you a compatriot who has been there – done that- and survived! I grow tired of the pettiness that too often for too many, passes as faithfulness…in their minds at least. I want to please you. AMEN

Nov. 24th, 2010
Jesus told the crowd not to tell anyone, but the more he told them not to, the more they spread the news. They were completely amazed and said again and again, “everything he does is wonderful. He even makes the deaf to hear and gives speech to those who cannot speak.” Mark 7:36-37
What an amazing testimony – “everything he does is wonderful”… that would change in a few months, but for now at least the crowds are overwhelmed with Jesus and his miracle working power.
We could get sidetracked on some of the interesting details of this story like why did Jesus take this guy away from the crowd to do him a miracle? Why did Jesus use spit on his fingers to touch the man’s tongue – that seems a bit unsanitary? Why did Jesus tell the crowd not to tell anyone about what he was doing – like they didn’t already know? These are some of the questions that arose as I read this morning.
But I can’t get away from their testimony – “everything he does is wonderful” – really? Yes, I have to believe so. Even things that don’t make sense to me, even things that initially seem harmful to me, even things I can’t understand or accept – are all wonderful? I wonder if the guy with spit on his tongue thought so? Yes, I have to believe so. I have to believe that whatever Jesus is doing in my life and in our world is really wonderful. Though it may not seem like it at the time – if we put ourselves in a position to determine what is good and what is not – well, I’m afraid we are in for a heap of trouble. I don’t have to blindly believe everything is fine – I just have to believe that Jesus knows better than me what he is doing in my life and in our world! I don’t always have the ability to figure out God’s grander purpose – but I do have the ability to always believe that everything Jesus does is wonderful! And to that end I will choose to live my life today. I’m glad Jesus has touched my heart, mind, soul and tongue – even with spit or mud! I’m grateful God has saved me. I’m glad I don’t have to figure out all the details – I’m glad my job is just to trust. Lord make me equal to the that task today – and thank you that everything you do is wonderful! AMEN

Nov. 23rd, 2010
Since she was a Gentile, born in Syrian Phoenicia, Jesus told her, “First I should feed the children – my own family, the Jews. It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.” She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even the dogs under the table are allowed to eat the scraps from the children’s plates.” Mark 7:26-28
This is one of my favorite NT stories. An innocent Gentile woman asks Jesus to heal her possessed daughter. She does so from a humbled position of worship; she fell at his feet …yet she is rebuffed by her redeemer who in essence calls her a dog. She might have sulked away, mumbling obscenities about an insensitive savior; but instead turns his rebuff into a gentle and remarkable rebuke! Yes, she calls him Lord, which is significant; but the real genius is her reminder that the dogs are getting the scraps the “children” (Jews) are carelessly dropping or throwing (intentionally) under the table.
This interaction changes Jesus’ ministry. Prior to this encounter he has been primarily focused on ministering to the Jews, reaching the Jews, saving the Jews. When he is brought face to face with the reality that they are not getting it, they are rejecting instead of receiving the “bread” He is bringing them…He begins to include, even focus on the Gentiles, along with the Jews. The constant squabbling with the hard headed and hearted Pharisees has numbed him to the fact that “dogs” at the fringe are already accepting and receiving His good news, and His new life!
This simple encounter changes Jesus’ life…and the woman’s daughter is delivered too. We could get lost trying to figure out how an “all-knowing” Savior might have missed this detail, but rather I’d like to think, believe, act today like this humble woman. Recognizing that my sin and faithlessness often keep me under the table if not on the fringes of life; will I still accept what Jesus has to deliver to me? Am I willing to humble myself on my face at his feet, and insist that He give me what I need? Am I willing even to confront the Savior with things I may not understand or even believe to be true, in order to secure what others I love really need? Can I stand before Jesus, and accept whatever He thinks or says of me…and still insist that my intentions are pure, my hope is unmoved, my mind is made up, my resolve is unshaken…I will get from Jesus what I need to live – even if it kills me! What a brave woman! Help me be half as brave.