Monthly Archives: August 2024

Gospel of Mark

Celebrity: Mark 6:53-56

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53 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. 54 As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. 55 They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. 56 And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.

Mark 6:53-56 (NIV)

30th August 2024, Horsham

Jesus and the Disciples have just crossed the Sea of Galilee arriving at Genasaret. This probably refers to the fertile strip of land on the west side of the Sea of Galilee to the south of Capernaum. In the preceding verses, Jesus has fed the 5,000 people and been involved in some very public healings. Not surprisingly, people – lots of people – are starting to notice Jesus. We have also seen Jesus walk on the water and calm some strong winds.

In the first chapters of Mark we saw Jesus becoming known around his home town of Capernaum as a celebrity healer. His preaching and dramatic miracles have attracted attention and led to a growing movement to see him anointed as King of Israel. I think Mark’s point in these verses is that everywhere Jesus went, towns, villages and countryside, he was quickly recognised and sought out by people, especially those with sick relatives and friends. People were bringing those in need to Jesus, and all who even touched him were healed.

Here’s a challenge. Do you recognise who Jesus is? Do you have that kind of enthusiasm to bring people in spiritual need today to Jesus?

As in our days, there was a good side to being a celebrity or influencer, but there was also a downside. Right now, in the west, the downside of fame can be loss of privacy and online trolling. For Jesus, the price of celebrity was the watchfulness and monitoring of the Jewish establishment and the Roman occupiers.

We are drawing close to a pivotal moment in the ministry of Jesus. We start to see that the path ahead is becoming increasingly dangerous, and will lead to the cross.

Richard Jackson, West Sussex: LifePictureUK

Gospel of Mark

Walking on Water: Mark 6:47-52

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Walking on the Water

47 Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. 48 He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, 50 because they all saw him and were terrified.

Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 51 Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, 52 for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.Do you notice that little phrase ‘Later that day..’? These are fast moving events and we need to look for the context.  The phrase isn’t there by accident. It’s all too easy to talk about the story of ‘walking on the water’ which is, let’s be honest, pretty extraordinary, whilst missing the point that it’s part of a much wider sequence of supernatural events. We see Jesus walking on water and we’re immediately distracted by the question, did he really do that and if he did, how did he do it?

‘This,’ says William Barclay, ‘is a story which is shrouded in mystery and defies explanation (i)’

We have seen that after first sending the disciples back across the Lake by boat and then dismissing the crowd of more than 5,000 people, Jesus went up alone on the mountainside to pray. We are starting to see the pattern that at times of crisis, Peter (who was the source for Mark’s Gospel) noticed that Jesus made time to be with God. It seems that in the early hours of the morning, Jesus looked out across the Lake from that mountainside and saw the disciples, who should  struggling to make headway against the wind. The direction and force of the wind was such that they could not use the sails, and so they had no choice but to row. Their oars were little more than wooden poles. With the wind against them, rowing was very hard work and progress was slow. Jesus sees their predicament and doesn’t ignore their struggle. He walks down the mountain and then, as only Jesus could, he walks straight out across the lake. It seems that his intention was to pass the disciples by (v8), but of course they see this apparition of a man walking on the sea and they are terrified. Jesus speaks to reassure them, then climbs into the boat. As if all of the above was not enough, the head wind immediately drops away. We can read that and compeletely miss that for the second time, Jesus calms a storm. (I want to point out that it is only in Matthew’s account that Peter tries to walk on the water).

Here’s the wider context. Jesus calmed the storm (Mark 4:35-41). Jesus fed 5000 men (plus perhaps the same number of women and children) (Mark 6:34-44). Each of these extraordinary miracles demonstrates Christ’s ability to override and control the laws of nature. He now once more defies our understanding of the natural laws by walking on the water, and at the same moment calm a storm. This is supernatural stuff. Even these men who have lived so closely with Jesus and been witness to so many awesome events, and have even performed miracles themselves, can’t get their head around this.

I know (because I’ve been reading the Gospels) that these twelve men, chosen to be Apostles, are in awe of Jesus, but in spite of their experience, they have still not grasped who Jesus really is. I’ve noticed that we are much the same. We can read this account and be so distracted by the ‘how did he do that’ that we overlook the obvious – this is Jesus. This is Immanuel – God with us. He is God – He can just do it!

I’ve learned that, like the disciples and all the Saints of every generation, however much we might experience God’s grace, power and influence in our lives, he can still take us by surprise. The Holy Spirit can and does still act super-naturally. He is not constrained by natural laws. These verses are a great example from which we need to learn. He can always do more – much more – than we anticipate.

In this scene, the disciples were soaked through, exhausted and at the end of their tether. They must have been utterly demoralised. Jesus, in the most astonishing and unexpected way, provided them with all that they needed and more. That’s the way he works.

Lord – take us by surprise and give us the grace and humility to notice when you do!

20 God is able to do far more than we could ever ask for or imagine. He does everything by his power that is working in us.’ Ephesians 3:20

William Barclay, Daily Study Bible, Mark (Kindle Edition) Loc 3335

Richard Jackson, West Sussex: LifePictureUK

Gospel of Mark

Ambition, Temptation, and the Presence of God: Mark 6:45-46

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45 Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.

Mark 6:45-46

All was not well in Israel. People were living under occupation, and the Roman occupiers had a tight grip on society. Puppet kings were installed and taxes were a constant burden. Any visible dissent was met with crushing force. Herod Antipas, appointed by Rome, was ruling from his stronghold palace of Machaerus in modern day Jordan. Here, he imprisoned and later killed John the Baptist.

Israel was looking forward to the coming of a king who would lead a rebellion and restore Israel, expelling the army of occupation. This would match the cultural expectation even of the disciples. One of them is a man called Simon, also called the zealot. This helps to differentiate him from Simon Peter, but also suggests that he was, or at least had been, connected to the 1st Century ‘zealot’ movement, whose stated intention was to rid Israel of Roman rulers by force. We can start to see how the mustering and feeding of 5,000 men might look, especially to Simon and his friends, like an opportunity to take this dream forwards.

Jesus does three things. First, he removes the disciples from the situation, from place of potential temptation, sending them back across the Sea of Galilee. Second, he dismisses the crowd. Their dispersal reduces the risk of the crowd provoking Herod and his Roman masters by attempting rebellion. Third, at this moment of pressure and potential crisis, he retires to the mountainside to pray, and to seek the will of His Father in heaven..

What has all this to do with us?

Like you and me, the disciples were immersed in and influenced by their own culture. Like you and me, this leaves us open to temptations rooted in personal ambition. There were voices in the crowd calling for Jesus to be anointed as King (John 6:15). It’s highly likely that at least one of the disciples would have sided with the crowd. Jesus steers the disciples away from temptation. That might remind you of a familiar prayer which Jesus taught all his disciples, including you and me.

‘Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’ (Matthew 6:13)

John tells us that the crowd were ready to anoint Jesus as King. An army marches on it’s stomach, and here was a leader who has proved his ability to satisfy the hunger of 5,000 men. More than enough men with which to start an uprising. A great opportunity, one might think, to establish his place as Messiah. But this was not Christ’s plan, because it was not God’s plan. To be declared King at this point would have led to his immediate imprisonment and arrest by the Romans, and there was still work to be done. I’m not only impressed that he stepped away, but the way he steps away. There’s no confrontation. Before the matter gets out of hand, he deals with it. Jesus simply dismisses the crowd and walks away.

“All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” (Matthew 4:9)

.An army of 5,000 men would offer a great start to an uprising. defused the situation. and We are to learn from Jesus. We cannot ignore the magnitude of the moment. Jesus has just performed a powerful and very public miracle. He has managed a critical challenge which could have crushed his developing work and ministry. At this most difficult moment, Jesus seeks the undisturbed presence of God.

Jesus shows us how to respond to difficult times. Having dealt with the problem, he seeks the presence of God. He goes away from the distractions of the crowd and even the disciples to a solitary place, on the mountainside to pray. We need to find our own personal mountainside – the quiet place where we can be still before God, undisturbed by the noise of our world. The place where we can tell Him what is on our mind and seek His way forwards. It may be your own room, it might be your Church, it might be a hillside, the bench in your local park or even the local coffee shop.

 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.(Jeremiah 29:13)

Like those first disciples, we are called to step away from temptation and the powerful distraction of worldly ambition. Like Christ we are to seek God’s direction for the path we should take.

Show love to the Lord your God by walking in his ways and holding tightly to him. Deuteronomy 11:22

Richard Jackson, West Sussex: LifePictureUK

Contemplative

Small Steps can be Life Changing. James 4:8

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Horsham: 21st August 2024

In your relationship with Jesus, small steps can be life changing.

When we think about changes in our life which might bring us closer to Jesus, we tend to think big.  Paul, after all, tells us to be ‘transformed’ (Romans 12:2), and that word suggests significant change. It is, says Paul, the transformation of your mind  which enables you to understand God’s will for you. The problem is that giant steps are serious and daunting. We think of people giving up their job and making huge personal sacrifices. Of course it’s awesome when people do that. I have been inspired by so many people who have made giant steps of faith!

I’m reminded that transformation is a process. It takes time. Children don’t learn to walk by taking giant steps. I’m reminded of the Chinese proverb that says every journey starts with one step. The most important steps we take in our relationship with God are most often the small ones. There’s always another step you can take.

The smallest changes you make to your lifestyle or behaviour may pass unnoticed by others, yet still be profoundly significant for you.

Every step closer to Jesus is important.
Every step closer to Jesus is transformational.
The smallest step closer to Jesus is a step on the path of transformation.
Small steps can be life changing.

James 4:8  ‘Come near to God and he will come near to you.’

Richard Jackson, West Sussex: LifePictureUK

Contemplative

You are a work in progress (Psalm 143:10)

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I’ve had a really busy few days. So busy that the contemplative evangelical side of my life has been squeezed to the sidelines. Let me be honest, there have been days when it hasn’t really happened. I’ve been tired. If I sit still for too long, I will fall asleep.

This morning I went to the opticians for my regular eye test. We started with some paperwork and conversation, and then I was introduced to the young lady who would do my eyesight test. She had a great manner. She seemed knowledgeable. She was thorough. The test took slightly longer than I had expected but hey – no problem.

At the end of the test she explained her results. My eyesight had slightly deteriorated, so my prescription had changed, but hey – no problem.

Then she said, ‘I just need to get my supervisor to check my findings.’ It was only then that I realised she was in training. She had dealt with me really well. I told her so. I wanted to encourage her. The supervisor came into the room and checked a couple of details with me and made some minor changes to my notes.

A little later, I went into one of my local coffee shops where I was welcomed by a lady wearing a tee shirt which was emblazoned with the words ‘trainee barista’. She gave great eye contact and she was appropriately friendly. There was a lady at her shoulder who was obviously training her, guiding her through the till and helping her make my drink. She produced a very good skinny latte (although there was no fancy shape in the milk foam). She was a little slow, but hey – no problem.

Both the optician and the barista were doing well. They both have stuff to learn. The optician had done a pretty good job, although I think that the supervisor noticed one or two areas which needed clarification. The barista did a good job, but in a few days, she’ll be presenting my caffe latte with a fern leaf motif in the milky foam. They both have stuff to learn.

And me. The contemplative evangelical who hasn’t been very contemplative at all for several days. As I sit here drinking my coffee I’ve been asking God what he was showing me through these two encounters. I pray quietly in my corner, enjoying the sounds of conversation and the tip-tapping of keyboards all around me. I am trying, after all, to get back to being a contemplative evangelical in a busy and fast moving world.

And that’s it. In that moment of quiet God reminded me of something really important, and really encouraging.

I sense a gentle voice pointing out one or two things which need to change so that I can follow Him better. I sense a gentle voice at my shoulder saying you’re doing ok, but remember to let me lead. You can’t do this on your own. We should be doing this together. Like the optician and the barista, you’re still learning. And by the way, you always will be.

I think he’s saying “I know the things you have done well and the things you should have done better. I know that you haven’t kept to your prayer schedule recently. I know that your time with me has been under pressure.” I sense that he is saying ‘Hey – no problem.’

Let’s move on.

‘Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Let your good spirit lead me on a level path.’ Psalm 143:10 (NRSV)

Richard Jackson, West Sussex: LifePictureUK

Gospel of Mark

Five loaves and two fishes: Mark 6:35-44

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Five loaves and two fishes..

35 By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. 36 Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”
37 But he answered, “You give them something to eat.”
They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages[a]! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?”
38 “How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.”
When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.”
39 Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. 41 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. 42 They all ate and were satisfied, 43 and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. 44 The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.

Mark 6:35-44

Horsham: 1st August 2024

With the exception of the resurrection itself, the feeding of the five thousand is arguably the most dramatic and mysterious miracle associated with the life of Jesus. It appears in all four gospels in remarkably similar form, and that fact of itself speaks to the importance of this event. We need to give special attention to this one! We are told specifically that these people have no food. It is late, and they are hungry. This miracle involves Jesus taking five small flatbread loaves and two small fishes, provided (John tells us) by a boy in the crowd, and creating a sufficient quantity of bread and fish to fully satisfy 5,000 hungry men (Matthew speaks of women and children whose presence will have significantly increased that number), with twelve baskets of food left over.

Our familiarity with this story can easily breed contempt, and it’s really important that we don’t under estimate this size of this miracle. For this story to be true, we need to make the step of faith and accept that Jesus, in the power and authority of Almighty God, actually created food which did not pre-exist. Bread that had never been baked by human hands. Fish which had never been in the water. Five loaves and two fishes feed 5000 people? For men, this is impossible. But of course for God, all things are possible!

I want to take a moment to focus on the extraordinary contrast building at this point in the Gospel between the very understandable world view of the disciples and the eternal perspective of Jesus.

‘The wonderful thing about this story is that all through it runs an implicit contrast between the attitude of Jesus and the attitude of the disciples.’(i) 

If we take this story out of its context we can overlook the fact that only a few days earlier, the disciples had seen and experienced the extraordinary power of God flowing through them as, sent out in pairs by Jesus, they visited the villages and towns of Galilee, healing the sick and casting out demons. Their teaching had been effective and miracles had been happening at their hands. They must have been buzzing! Yet now, a few hours after their return to Jesus, faced with a much larger challenge, their default is to look for the ‘human’ solution. Mark has already shown us several times the lack of faith amongst these young men contrasted with the confidence, power and authority of Jesus. Yet hot on the heels of their roller coaster experiences, they struggle to apply what they have learned to this new challenge.

There’s something really important here for us. I’ve come to believe that there are many people in our congregations (perhaps you are one of them) who have, in some way, experienced God and the power of His Holy Spirit, yet living life as if they have forgotten that buzz of excitement. When faced with temptation or with the challenges of life they completely overlook His grace and set off in search of the human solution.

I’m interested that it is the disciples who see the problem. These people are hungry and need food. Without food, many will grow faint on their journey home. Yet it is Jesus, filled with compassion for the crowd, who sees the moment. He sees the potential of the situation and the people, and he seizes the opportunity for the Kingdom of God to break through.

‘To them, the crowds were a problem, perhaps even a nuisance. But to Jesus, they were as sheep without a shepherd.’ (ii)

The disciples offer the human solution in this moment of crisis – send them away (it’s not a problem which we can solve – let them feed themselves). Jesus offers the divine solution – you give them something to eat. The human response – Do you seriously want us to spend a year’s wages buying food to feed this many people?  The divine response – ‘Show me what resource you have.’ The human perspective – this isn’t going to feed one adult, let alone 5,000. The divine perspective – the breaking and blessing and then the sharing of the bread and the fish.

It’s difficult to grasp the enormity of what happens on that hillside close to Lake Galilee, but let’s grab the simple lesson. Like the disciples, we might feel overwhelmed with the enormity of the task God has given us. We may feel that we have so little to offer in terms of our resources and abilities. That can push us to look for our own solutions to the problems we’re facing. In the hands of Jesus, those gifts and resources are multiplied exponentially. In the hands of Jesus, that which to us seems so little, can have eternal consequences.

The first step is not to measure our resources, but to determine God’s will and trust him to meet the need.’ (iii)

No matter our experience of Jesus, if we practice His presence and walk in his ways, he is able to take the little we might think we have to offer and to use it, to use us, to do so much more than we expect or deserve.

(i) Tom Wright, Gospel of Mark, Kindle Edition (Loc 5298)
(ii) Warren Wiersbe, ‘Be Diligent’ p80
(iii) Wiersbe, ibid, p80

Richard Jackson, West Sussex: LifePictureUK