Tag: Mark

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Everything?

Posted on by William Douthwaite

Some “through the bible” thoughts from Mark 12.

And [Jesus] sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:41-44)

This woman gave “all she had to live on” (12:44). Really? Why?

I get it. Jesus’s point? Her offering was huge. It was everything she had. It was a ridiculous sacrifice. God doesn’t require this. He never asks for this. He doesn’t love her more because of her offering.

So what’s going on here? Who gives everything they have to God? Or to anyone else?

I might do that in a moment. I may have five bucks in my pocket. I’ll give that away. Does that count? It’s not everything I have. I’ve got more in the bank. I can always resupply my cash at the ATM.

At what point would giving everything be a virtue? What about your responsibilities to feeding your family, mortgage payments, credit card payments, insurance premiums, utility bills, taxes, pets, cell phone carrier, prescription medications, gas for the car, semi-annual air conditioner maintenance, doctor co-pays, haircuts, and Chick-fil-A?

God never asks for everything. He requires ten percent in the Old Testament. Sacrifices might have been one bull, one lamb, two pigeons, or some other prescribed offering. Something substantial, but never your whole portfolio.

This woman’s gift put the rich people’s contributions to shame. Fair enough. Is that what we aspire to, or is that simply a lesson in humility? Only one gave up everything, even his life for us. Jesus did that so we would be free from any obligations to God. How great is that?

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

This time he uses spit

Posted on by William Douthwaite

Some “through the bible” thoughts from Mark 7 and 8.

“And taking [a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment] aside from the crowd privately, Jesus put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue” (Mark 7:33).

“[Jesus] took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him…his sight was restored” (Mark 8:23-25).

So far in Mark’s gospel Jesus healed with his voice and his touch. Why does Jesus use his spit in these two healings?

Some commentators say that Jesus did miracles in a number of ways to avoid leaving any kind of formula for others to copy. Others write of diseased eyelids stuck together and dry tongues, loosened in part by saliva.

Or maybe Jesus turned the custom of spitting from an insult to a blessing. When arrested, Jesus would be spit on and mocked, but also turned that a blessing as taking our shame and guilt upon himself.

When do you spit? Infants spit out that first taste of pureed green beans. I spit out a bug that flies into my mouth. Toothpaste after brushing. Mouthwashing after rinsing. Whatever that junk was you coughed up. A little spit might get a small spot off your shirt. Ever get so angry you could spit? Lukewarm church members make God want to spit you out like old, warm coffee.

God created you with salivary glands so you’d have plenty of spit for digestion, dental hygiene, and talking. Fully human just like us, Jesus put his spit to good use, healing like no one ever has.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Why did Jesus let the demons go into the pigs?

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Pascal Debrunner on Unsplash

Some “through the bible” thoughts from Mark 5.

In the Gerasenes, Jesus encounters a man possessed by a legion of unclean spirits. The spirits beg Jesus to allow them to enter a herd of two thousand pigs. The possessed pigs rush down a steep hillside into the sea where they all drown (Mark 5:1-20).

Before you know it, the man is dressed and in his right mind. But here’s my question: Why did Jesus let the demons destroy the herd of pigs?

I did a little reading and came up with a few possibilities.

  • We’re definitely in a Gentile region. There’s no way you’d find a herd of pigs anywhere near Jewish town and villages. Pork was forbidden by Old Testament dietary laws. Jesus, a Jewish man, would have no problem getting rid of a herd of pigs, keeping with Jesus law and life.
  • Once the demons entered the pigs, we see exactly what they wanted to do to this man. Their objective was to destroy not simply possess him. The number showed the severity of this possession. Nevertheless, though outnumbered, Jesus has complete authority over the unclean spirits. They could only do what he allowed them to do. And he didn’t even break a sweat.
  • Spiritual freedom comes at a cost. Ultimately, Jesus will pay the price with his life on the cross to defeat Satan and all his minions. This day, though, the price was a couple thousand hogs.

In the end, the people were more afraid of the one who had authority over the demons than the possessed man who lived among the tombs, who could break any shackles and chains that bound him. They begged Jesus to leave. And Jesus did. But not until he commissioned the man to make sure everyone knew what Jesus had done for him.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Make me good soil

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Alicia Christin Gerald on Unsplash

“But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold” (Mark 4:20).

Every time I read or hear Jesus’s parable of the sower (or the soils, as some call it), I stop to pray, “Lord, let me be good soil!” I know that on any given day, I could be like the path, the rocky ground, or all be overwhelmed by thorns.

Sometimes I’m not paying attention. In one ear and out the other. Other times it just doesn’t sink in. I can’t figure out how it applies. Still other times I’ve got a million things on my mind, and there doesn’t seem to be much room for spiritual truths. Or, I’m all ears, and I learn something new and useful.

I’d rather be the last on that list. Jesus promises, “Pay attention to what you hear…For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away” (4:24,25). Some of that is on me. If I get rid of distractions, I can, of course, focus much better. But I can always ask God for help, too. I can ask for knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. I can ask to learn something new. I can pray that he would direct my steps according to his word. I can ask that I would be good soil!

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Are you out of your mind?

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio: https://www.pexels.com

Some “through the bible” thoughts from Mark 3.

And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, “He is out of his mind.” (Mark 3:21)

Jesus couldn’t openly enter a town. He had to stay on the outskirts, because too many people were coming to be healed (Mark 1:45). He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him when the crowds were crushing in on him (3:9). Jesus and the disciples were so busy they didn’t have time to eat. Which is why his family thought he was out of his mind.

On any given day I wonder if someone is crazy or out of their mind. When the un-helmeted motorcyclist zooms past me on the highway, weaving in and out of traffic, I yell, “You guys are idiots!” I hear how much some people are asking for their houses and conclude, “You’re crazy if you think you’ll get that much.” When I caught my 80-year-old neighbor up on his roof, I asked, “Are you out of your mind?” (He had been banned from climbing ladders years ago.)

Of course, I’m sure some wonder the same thing about me. Driving youth home from a Christian rock event at 3 am, then getting up to preach the next day. Teaching middle school classes. Delivering Angel Tree presents to home in the housing projects. “Is he out of his mind?”

But Jesus? Out of his mind? I suppose one could say that. Especially when he tells us to love our enemies, pray for those who persecute us, and forgive each other. Really, Jesus? Maybe your family was right.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Through the roof

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Elina Volkova: https://www.pexels.com

Some more “through the bible” thoughts from Mark 2.

“When Jesus saw their faith…” (Mark 2:5).

There is so much going on as Jesus preaches to a crowd crammed into his house in Capernaum. Four men carry a paralyzed man to Jesus, but can’t even get in the door. They take him up on the roof, open up a hole, and let him down to where Jesus is. “And when Jesus saw their faith…” he responds with spiritual and physical healing. The man walks away forgiven!

I’ve heard it said that faith is personal, but it is never private. What does faith look like on the outside? Faithful church attendance? Helping to feed or clothe someone who needs the basics? Going on a mission trip to share the gospel? Financially supporting Christian ministry? Yes to all of the above.

The faith of these five men looks like confidence, persistence, and creativity. No crowd, roof, or disability was going to keep their friend from Jesus. Their efforts reflect Paul’s words, “I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38,39).

Sometimes it seems like those we love are so far away from God. If we could just get them to Jesus, they would get it. But maybe you’re not the one who will do it. Maybe it will be a friend or coworker who will bring them. Pray that the right one will come along who will get them through the roof to Jesus!

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

A sermon interrupted

Posted on by William Douthwaite
From Gospelimages.com

Some “through the bible” thoughts from Mark 2.

A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. (Mark 2:2-4)

This unusual sermon interruption brought back memories of some of my interrupted sermons.

  • My sermons usually began about twenty minutes into the worship service. When someone walked in after I started preaching, I couldn’t help but wonder, “Really? Twenty-five minutes late?”
  • Some sermons were interrupted by the arrival of EMTs to care for a worshiper who passed out during the sermon. In those cases, I would stop and lead the congregation in prayer, resuming my sermon once they had left for the emergency room.
  • A malfunctioning fire alarm panel would punctuate my preaching with a series of beeps. It was both annoying and amusing to see folks scrambling around trying to silence the alert.
  • Except for a few Covid-19 Sundays when I was alone in the sanctuary preaching to a video camera, I could count on hearing sneezing, coughing, nose blowing, and candy being unwrapped.
  • My favorite interruption was one I engineered. When my wife was in Haiti providing medical care after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, I had her call me during the sermon so she could report on her experience. That was the only time my phone rang during a sermon.
  • Before online giving, some folks wrote out their offering checks during the sermon. They tried to be quiet, but I could hear them slowly and carefully tearing the check out of the checkbook.
  • On a stormy day, I often had to compete with rumbling thunder and the sound of a downpour on the sanctuary’s metal roof.
  • Babies liked to make their presence known. I love babies and I love babies in worship. Bring it, little one. I’ve got a lot of volume in reserve.

The sound of people tearing a hole in the roof interrupted Jesus’s preaching. The paralyzed man from above encountered the son of God who came from above. Jesus forgives the man and heals his condition, as powerful a message as his preaching that day.

According to my WordPress statistics, this is my 2,000th blog post! I published my first post October 23, 2008.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Are you ready for this?

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Anyzoy studio on Unsplash

Some “through the bible” thoughts from Mark 1.

“Prepare the way of the Lord” (Mark 1:3).

I have painted my share of inside and outside walls over the years. I can attest to the fact that preparation is at least half of the job.

Let’s say my task is to paint the front bedroom of my home, which measures 12 foot square. I first need to get all the furniture out of the way, and everything off the walls. That includes the curtains, blinds, and hardware that goes along. Next, I have to fill in all those holes in the wall were nails used to be. After they are filled, I sand the spot smooth and spray the area with wall texture.

What’s next? I tape off the baseboards and spread out the drop cloths. Once that’s done, I wipe off the walls and let them dry. I’ll be cutting in all the trim next, so I make sure that I have the right brush along with a few rags. Oh, and of course, I spread out my drop cloths. Because guess what? I’m a little sloppy when I paint. When I’ve got enough paint, rollers and covers, I’m ready to get to work.

Bottom line? I spend much more time preparing to paint a room than I do for the Lord’s arrival.

I hear “Jesus is coming!” from every angle. Songs and sermons say it’s going to happen any minute. History tells me our predictions will be wrong. Scripture says, “Be ready!”

So how do I get ready for a certain event that will happen at a completely unknown moment in time?

I study to get ready for a test. I run lots of miles to get ready to run a marathon. I clean every nook and cranny of my home when we’re expecting guests. I put all my ingredients in small bowls before I begin cooking. I practice my part over and over again before the concert.

What do I do in preparation for the Lord’s arrival?

Most of the time, I do nothing. I pray for his activity, and then I’m surprised when he shows up. I’m shocked when he heals, reconciles enemies, overwhelms demons, and gives new life. Rather than being prepared, I’m surprised by his powerful presence.

Prepare to be surprised. Prepare for the unexpected.

Prepare for grace.

Posted in Grace, Ministry

It takes time

Posted on by William Douthwaite

It takes time. In my morning devotions I just began the gospel of Mark. Before this I was in Luke. What a contrast. While Luke takes his time getting through the birth of Christ and extensive teaching, Mark moves things along very quickly. In just three quick chapters of Mark, Jesus has attracted not only crowds of followers, but also plenty of opposition and they are already plotting to kill Jesus. After three chapters in Luke, Jesus is just getting warmed up for his public ministry.

In many ways, I think we come at the church and ministry from Mark’s perspective. We expect things to happen quickly. Whatever ideas, projects, and programs we implement, we look for quick results. This may not be true everywhere, but in my experience, it takes quite a while to see things develop in the church. In our own congregation it has taken many years to move from talking about missions to actually going and doing mission work. It’s taken many years to develop some of our music programs, community involvement, and teachers for classes.

So I’ve learned that you can’t force these things to happen. You can’t rush them. And all those months when it seemed like absolutely nothing was happening, something was happening. God was working to prepare his people for ministry. Note to self: when it seems like not much is happening, relax. There’s actually a whole lot going on.