God’s children and divorce

Posted on January 14, 2015 by David Nuottila

Mark 10_15Mark 10:1-16

On the surface, the text before us today has a strong message concerning divorce. Even in the first century, marriages failed due to infidelity or a host of other issues. The sad truth is, even when people love one another enough to marry, they don’t always love one another enough to stay married. In Jesus’ time, divorce was legal, just as it is today. Some would argue it was much simpler to divorce in the first century. All that was required was a letter of the wife’s dismissal written by her husband. Today, couples must file papers with the courts, pay expensive attorneys and wait a prerequisite amount of time before divorce becomes final. Yes, divorce is legal according to our laws, but in the eyes of God, divorce is yet further evidence of our need for a savior.

Amazingly, this passage of scripture is not about divorce. The Pharisees only reason for bringing it up was another attempt to trap Jesus with his own words. Instead of providing a text book answer to the question surrounding divorce, Jesus points out the sinful behavior of humanity and reinforces God’s design for marriage. It is here where the text takes a surprising turn.

As the disciples were seeking further explanation concerning divorce, people began bringing children to Jesus so that he might touch them. Even as the disciples objected and tried turning them away, they kept bringing the children to be touched and blessed. Throughout Mark’s gospel, being touched by Jesus meant being healed, restored, made whole. In the confrontation between the Pharisees and Jesus, we see the brokenness of humanity and the need for restoration. The children represent the weakest and most insignificant among us. They serve as representatives for all who seek God’s healing love, reconciliation and forgiveness.

People of God, we are the children. We are the ones coming to Jesus that we might be healed. We are the little ones who are always welcome in the arms of our savior and Lord, so that he might touch us, heal us, forgive us of our sins and restore us to wholeness of life. Jesus says, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them.” Bring those who face the hardship of sin, sickness, divorce and brokenness. In their weakness, I will bless them with strength. In their sorrow, I will give them consolation. In their repentance, I will bless them with God’s mercy and grace.

Lord Jesus, bless your children with the power of your love. Amen.

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Who is greatest?

Posted on January 13, 2015 by David Nuottila

Mark 9_35Mark 9:30-37

Look out of number one. First come, first served. I need my space. These are just a few attitudes so prevalent today. When it comes to heading out each day, society practically begs us to always consider “Me first.” Inward focus is the order of the day, thus we become stars of our own social media pages, updating our status and sharing an abundance of selfies. Not to be out done, even celebrity evangelists find ways to increase their fame by teaching us how to become a better you, because God wants us to live our best life now. The struggle for greatness, success, and social status seems to be at an all-time high. But as scripture teaches us, Jesus isn’t concerned with our greatness.

Conventional thinking leans towards self-preservation and sufficiency. Through his life, death and resurrection, Jesus turned conventional thinking upside down. To become great means one must become insignificant. To become first, one must be willing to be put last and instead, offer his or her life in service of others. Jesus taught and modeled this behavior throughout his earthly ministry. He was clear in his instructions, but even his disciples at times seemed to miss the point.

The debate concerning greatness among the twelve illustrates to us that competition, selfishness and jealousy have been always been problems. We see it in the history of Israel throughout the Old Testament, in arguments between the twelve and through two thousand years of church history. Even within the church today we experience abuse of power and authority. All of these only serve to get in the way of real mission and ministry.

Jesus says we are to put the needs of others before our own. As long as we discriminate between people, as long as we judge some more important than others, as long as we desire to be more important ourselves, we block out what God is calling us to do and be. Jesus came taking on the role of a suffering servant. He came to touch, to embrace, to heal, to forgive, to help, and to love, even when he knew it would take him to the cross.

Our prayer should not be such that we desire to become greater, more prosperous or influential. God is fully able and fully willing to give us what we need in life. For the purposes of his mission, God often works through the insignificant and humble to do great things. Understanding this, our prayer becomes much different.

Humble us, O Lord, that we might love and serve our neighbor. Make us your servants, fitting us for greatness in your kingdom. Amen.

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Listen to him

Posted on January 12, 2015 by David Nuottila

Mark 9_7Mark 9:2-10

How often do we hear the words of Jesus, yet fail to listen to him? How many times are we engaged in the struggles and pitfalls of earthly life, and forget that Jesus showed us the way? In reality, it happens all too often. As a pastor, I sometimes wonder if Christians really understand the words God spoke when he said, “This is my Son; listen to him.”

Recently, a colleague asked, “I wonder if the words from my mouth spoken on Sunday make any difference in people’s lives Monday through Saturday?” Truth be told, I often have this same thought. Do Christians listen and apply the words of Holy Scripture, or is the Bible simply viewed as an ancient voice that gives advice from time to time?

As individuals, families and congregations struggle with the many challenges in life, we tend to look for the “fix” or the “remedy” for our troubles. As reality sets sin, we begin looking at bank accounts and bottom lines. All too often we get caught up listening to the voice of struggle, and we forget God is still speaking. We need to hear God’s voice and listen to his Son.

Jesus teaches us to pray, to love others, to forgive and refrain from judging, to give generously and to serve the neediest among us without holding back. In all of this, Jesus teaches us that God is not distant; he is close to his people. God’s love is real; it’s not some imaginary force bringing momentary respite from worry. Prayer is our means to grow in relationship with God; it’s not just a gratuitous gesture before a meal or to open meetings. Holy Scripture speaks God’s Word and its teaching is foundational for all aspects of human life.

So how do we know if our worship, sermons and Bible studies make a difference? Well, if you don’t know where to find the teaching of Jesus, you’re not reading enough. If you’re consumed by worry about issues in daily life, you’re not praying enough. If your offering to the church seems burdensome, or is given without thought, you’re not giving enough. If you grumble about the homeless and the poor begging along the roadside, you’re not loving enough. Listening to Jesus and understanding his teaching, we learn that as we “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” A nice place to start would be looking up this verse.

Prayer : Speak, O Lord, for your servant is listening. Amen.

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Who is Jesus?

Posted on January 11, 2015 by David Nuottila

Mark 8_29Mark 8:27-38

Who do you say Jesus is? If you took a piece of paper and a pencil to write down an answer, what would you write? Most certainly, many would write down the word Messiah. Others would write the word Savior on their paper. A few might write Lord and some might write Lamb of God. There are many other attributes for Jesus that could be written, but what do all these things mean? When asked by a non-believer, can Christians fully define who Jesus is?

In our text for today, Jesus asks, “Who do the people say I am?” The disciples respond with several persons, but none are correct. Then Jesus asks, “Who do you say I am?” Peter declares he is the Christ, the Son of God. Following Peter’s confession, Jesus explains more concerning the Son of Man. He must be handed over and suffer. He must be put to death then rise again. And any who would follow him must deny themselves and follow his example of love and service toward neighbor. That’s the answer to yet one more question; “Who do you say you are?”

Saved by the innocent blood of Christ and claimed by God in baptism, you are a precious child of God. You are one whose sins are forgiven. You are one who has received the promise of eternal life. The way we proclaim Jesus as the risen Christ is through the love we are called to show our neighbor and by the deeds we perform addressing the needs of those whom God has placed within our midst.

Who is Jesus? He is the Christ, God incarnate. He is the one whom, as the Apostle Paul said, “God made to be sin, he who had no sin.” This Jesus bought and redeemed us, not with silver or gold, but with his own precious blood. Through him only are God’s people saved.

Understanding this, the question remains, people of God, “Who do you say that YOU are?” The answer cannot simply be written on a slip of paper. The answer to this question can only be revealed as we give thanks to God for his grace through Christ Jesus, and serve the God we cannot see by loving and serving the neighbor we can see.

Gracious God, lead us by the example of your Son, that we may be reflections of his love. In Christ we pray. Amen.

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Having enough faith

Posted on January 10, 2015 by David Nuottila

Mark 7_28Mark 7:24-30

Do you have enough faith? Do you have enough faith to pray even when it seems God is not listening? It is not always easy to maintain faithfulness, especially when it seems God is silent to our pleas for help. Just as the Psalmist wrote; “O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest…” (Psalm 22:2) many feel they experience silence from God. On the night he was handed over, Jesus himself prayed that the cup of suffering might be removed from him, yet he remained faithful. The fact remains that Jesus’ crucifixion was God’s greatest silence.

We have all experienced this silence of God. We pray for something and the opposite seems to happen. We pray for healing yet still suffer. We pray for companionship yet we remain lonely. This is where faith enters. Having faith means understanding and believing that Christ was, is and always will be Emmanuel, God with us. Even as we do not understand God’s ways, through faith we are enabled to believe that God’s mercy endures. Even as we don’t always seem to get what we want, the Holy Spirit leads us through faith to realize God gives us what we need.

In our text, the Syrophoenician woman pleads for her daughter’s healing; she believes the crumbs from the Master’s table have the power to save. It is all she needs. Even as we plead, “Lord have mercy” Christ reaches out and fills our empty hands with this same bread from heaven. Christ is our only source for forgiveness of our sin and the promise of eternal life. Through faith in him we are saved.

Do you have enough faith? What do you think? Do you believe that God’s blessings are for you even if you are an outsider? Having enough faith is not hoping we will get what we want; it is knowing Jesus is Lord. Having enough faith is believing that no matter what chaos threatens us, we are not alone in a storm. Having enough faith means knowing Christ is our Lord and our God, and through him only is the way to eternal life.

O Lord God, keep us in faith. Amen.

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