Mark 9:30-37. I still remember the first time I heard the line “You’re not the boss of me” coming from my daughter’s mouth. Most of us are really not all that interested in anyone else being our boss; I know I chafe at bosses. The disciples are following Jesus along and we discover their conversation has revolved around who’s going to be the boss (after Jesus of course). Whoever will be first will be last? What’s Jesus talking about because I’ve always heard that whoever is first wins! I’ve been watching football a bit recently (maybe more than a bit) and you never see the team that loses or is in last place celebrating that; in fact, lose a couple of games and people want somebody’s head on a platter (usually the coach’s). Jesus wants us to model a whole other way of living, one that runs counter to everything we are taught and see in our everyday lives. How can we come to terms with this teaching? How can this be what we are supposed to do? Does he just mean last in “religious settings?” Those are the questions pressing on me as I begin conversing with the Bible this week.
Daily Archives: November 20, 2007
Do you believe?
This past Sunday’s message was about those times when it is not our own faith that carries us through–it’s something greater. As we prepare for Thanksgiving it is important to remember those who may be in a difficult place. We don’t have to look far to see people going through difficult things and yet it can be so easy for us to miss the opportunities to reach out to them. Maybe we are the ones just hanging on by a thread. In such times, our faith may be challenged and all we have left in us may be this prayer, “I believe, help my unbelief.” It is one thing to believe Jesus is our savior, it is another to believe and trust with all our hearts that he will save us. In my first message at Saint James I talked about how Jesus wants our hearts and the many ways and times in which Jesus’ saving power comes. I hope that you will take some time away from holiday business and examine your heart, renew your hope, and look to Jesus to save you from whatever you need saving from–be it big or small–nothing is too great or small for Jesus. Do you believe? I hope so, but I hope you know that God is big enough to handle our unbelief too. Peace to your life, Erika.
2007 November 18- How Much Faith Is Enough?
This week we looked at Mark 9:14-24 where a man seeks out Jesus to heal his son. Jesus speaks of the need for faith and the man’s honest response, “I believe; help my unbelief.” That response is adequate and Jesus heals his son. The video clip I used was from Leap of Faith. Due to technical difficulties we did not get the introductory remarks (roughly 3-5 minutes) of the message and so begin with the introduction to video clip. Sorry about that… still worth a listen.
