My Apocalyptic Epiphany

But Jesus rebuked him, saying, 

“Be silent, and come out of him!” 

And the unclean spirit, 

convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, 

came out of him." 

(from Mark 1:21-28)

I understand “Apocalypse” to mean:

A. God destroying the powers of evil and raising the righteous to life in God’s kingdom.

B. an event involving destruction or damage on an awesome or catastrophic scale, such as 911

My struggle begins with a mini-apocalypse as Jesus’ identity is revealed with the heavens torn open, the Spirit driving Jesus into a desert, being tempted by Satan, accompanied by servant angels, and wild beasts.

This is a scene of gigantic spiritual threats.

From his desert experience, Jesus preaches the apocalyptic idea of God’s Kingdom which is the core of Mark’s gospel 1:15: “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”.

After preaching Jesus calls four fishermen who immediately leave their nets and follow him.

My apocalyptic struggle continues with Jesus’ exorcism in a synagogue where he commands and casts out a demon from a man.

This exorcism identifies Jesus’ purpose and power of destroying evil as the Holy one of God”.

My apocalyptic epiphany begins by asking what does this have to do with us as we face broken or demonic systems today?

A beginning epiphany, suggested by a biblical scholar, is to focus on steadfast resistance as we confront the demons around us in the light of Jesus divine authority.

A second epiphany is that by focusing on the cross and our discipleship, an apocalypse means naming the world’s pain and suffering along with its promise of correction.

A final epiphany is that Jesus is on his own steadfast way to the cross and that the exorcism in the Synagogue is for real people, spoken by Jesus.

Think about it: How does Jesus’ divine authority help us reflect on the nature of today’s broken or demonic systems (Mark 1:22, 27)

A Whale of a Tale

"When God saw what they did,

how they turned from their evil ways,

God changed his mind about the calamity

that he had said he would bring upon them;

and he did not do it."

(from Jonah 3:1-5,10)

Whale Watching trips are major attraction in Bar Harbor, ME.

Book a trip, go and watch for a whale spout or breach, return to port, and compare whale tale sightings.

I can't imagine any whale tales include being thrown overboard, swallowed, and spit out on the beach.

Jonah’s fish fable creates a fun Bible narrative for children.

Jonah’s fish fable is actually an adult moral tale designed to teach something about God, salvation and ourselves.

Imagine how you, like Jonah, would feel if you were told to “Go to Ninevah,” the capital of your occupying force known for its brutality, and say God will overthrow this sin city in 40 days.

Like Jonah you'd probably disobey God, get in a boat and go in the opposite direction.

This isn’t what God says to do, so Jonah ends up in a fish.

God saves him, tells him again to Go to Ninevah, and with zero enthusiasm, prophesies to Ninevah the wimpiest prophesy possible.

Ninevah’s repentance is overwhelming, practically earning Jonah a place in the evangelism hall of fame.

God forgives Ninevah, the worst sin city imaginable, because forgiveness is what God does.

Ninevah is saved from destruction.

Is Jonah happy about this mass repentance?

No, he’s angry because God does what God says God will do: be merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. (4:2)

What have we learned and been taught from this moral tale?

The moral of Jonah’s whale tale is: God is being God when salvation is a free gift of grace offered to save the worst of people.

Think about it: God gave Jonah and Nineveh a second chance. Who needs a second chance from you?

Understanding God's Call

Eli said to Samuel,

 “Go, lie down; and if the Lord calls you, you shall say,

 ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” 

So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 

Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, 

“Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, 

“Speak, for your servant is listening.”

 (from 1 Samuel 3:1-10)

What does it mean to be called by God?

Does God's call happen to just a few, or is it part of our Christian life?

1 Samuel is set in Israel’s early life which had known strong leaders like Moses and Joshua.

After these dynamic leaders, Israel divided into tribes at war with each other requiring a series of judges for these precarious times.

God needed someone to speak because, “The Word of the Lord was rare in those times” and “all the people did what was right in their own eyes”

God’s call begins with Hannah, who is barren, begging God for a child, and while praying, Eli, the priest, enters.

Eli tells Hannah that her prayer will be answered.

Hannah gives birth presenting the child to the LORD, which is similar to baptism or the dedication of an infant

Samuel, is sleeping in the temple with the ark of the covenant when, three times hears a voice calling and each time goes to Eli.

Eli doesn’t get it right away but finally tells Samuel to say, “Speak, for your servant is listening”.

What does Samuel’s story tell us about God’s calling.

God speaks through people. 

We may miss God’s call because we think it’s coming from a person.

Perhaps when some says repeatedly, “Have you thought about feeding the hungry?” it’s God calling you to feed the hungry.

God speaks softly 

It took Samuel going to Eli three times before Eli realized what was happening showing us a call may be a quiet, slow awakening to that call.

God speaks for justice

God’s call often involves working to change broken human systems leading one down difficult paths.

 Think About It: How have you heard God's call? 

Jesus' Amazing Baptism

The beginning of the good news about 

Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.

(from Mark 1:1-11)

Alicia Vargas tells the story of picking up her six-year-old granddaughter from what she thought was her soccer game. She explained to me, “No, Nana, it wasn’t a game; we were only practicing skills, like kicking and running. Even soccer players have to practice the basics sometimes.”

Amazing.

True, isn’t it? Sometimes experienced disciples and church members have to go back to the beginning and review, practice the basics.

The basics begin for the Gospel of Mark when John the Baptizer appears in the wilderness, people confess their sins, and are baptized for repentance.

The basics continue as John the Baptizer says that while he baptizes in water, Jesus is coming and will baptize in water and the Holy Spirit.

The basics conclude with Jesus’ baptism as the heavens are torn, the Holy Spirit descending him as a dove, and God’s voice declares Jesus is the chosen, the beloved Son.

Amazing isn’t it.

Not only did everyone see this, but by reading Mark, we’re assured that Jesus, Spirit-filled and Spirit-led, accompanies us on our mission of continuing the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.

Amazing!

It’s hard to imagine a better way to begin this year than with the assurance that Jesus stands among us, leading us, through a coming, tumultus, year.

Jesus stands with us no matter how rough a personal trial becomes.

Think about it: Baptism candidates are asked if they will renounce the powers of evil, injustice, and oppression. What evil, injustice, or oppression do you think most needs to be renounced?

Jesus' Nativity Protest

"And suddenly there was with the angel

a multitude of the heavenly host,

praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,

and on earth peace among those whom he favors!

(from Luke 2:1-20)

Can you imagine Christmas without manger scenes, children's pageants, candlelight services, caroling, and gift giving?

Gift-giving, a pagan Winter Solstice ritual, evolved with Christianity, spread with the Three Wise Men, finally becoming Black Friday and last-minute shopping.

Luke intended the Nativity story to define Jesus as Savior by comparing the political and economic differences between Jesus and emperor Augustus, an aspect overlooked by Christmas celebrations.

Scholars point to these four verses: 

1. "Emperor Augustus decrees a registration." (Luke 2:1 NRSV).

This census counts people and properties for taxation and social control by making the rich richer and exploits the poor making them poorer.

By decree, Joseph and Mary leave Nazareth, go to Bethlehem registering their names and properties. 

Jesus’ manger birth is an act of solidarity with exploited poor against Agustus.

2. Angels bring good news for everyone. (Luke 2:10 NRSV).

“Good news” often meant the empire’s benefits like a military victory or end to war, profiting everyone.

Augustus’ birth, considered a god and priest with high office, is both political and religious.

Consequently, Jesus’ Nativity holds political and religious meaning.

 3. Jesus, the Savior, Messiah, and Lord, born in Bethlehem, stresses he is the new king (Luke 2:11 NRSV).

Augustus’ king-making policy is threatened, since he is considered a savior by ending civil war.

Jesus’ act of salvation is for everybody, unlike Augustus’ salvation for protecting the rich.

4. Angels declare Jesus will bring peace on earth! (Luke 2:14 NRSV) 

Jesus’ heavenly, non-violent peace includes everyone while Augustus’ violent peace favors elites while oppressing disadvantaged and marginalized people.

Today this systemic sin still exists as the economy benefits the rich while the poor experience the violence of access to good quality health care, education, and food.

Jesus' Good News continues as Christians today challenge the systematic sin preventing improvement for the disadvantaged.