Category: Year B

Beware of Your Fear (Mark 13:1-8)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment

As he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!” Then Jesus asked him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.”

When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?” 

Then Jesus began to say to them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birth pangs. (New Revised Standard Version)

In my undergraduate college days, decades ago, springtime brought a regular staple of sidewalk preachers calling for people to repent, because the end of the world is imminent.

That was in the days of the Cold War; the specter of a nuclear holocaust was a real fear among many. The outdoor preachers got a serious hearing with some.

Although religious end times preaching gets little attention anymore, the idea of a cataclysmic apocalypse is still very much a part of the culture. Dystopian novels are widely read; and stockpiling for a zombie apocalypse is a real thing.

End of the world stuff is, at the least, interesting and/or fascinating to many; and, at the most, there are folks fully prepared for an apocalypse of the world to happen in their lifetime.

Christ’s disciples asked him a question. And Jesus went directly to talking apocalypse.

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus takes on demons and all sorts of other-worldly opposition. Christ is certainly presented by Mark as one who discerns there is much more going on – and will go on – in this world than what it may seem on the surface of things.

Jerusalem and Herod’s Temple, by James Tissot, c.1890

The disciples saw large and wonderful stones which were part of the temple. They marveled at what their physical eyes perceived. But Jesus saw further, into the future, and was not at all impressed; he saw a time of apocalypse. All of those stones in a heap. No one marveling over the temple.

Christ’s disciples wanted to know when such a time would happen. As was often the case with Jesus, he didn’t answer their question, at least not directly. He used it as an opportunity to teach about things to come.

The gist of Christ’s words to his disciples was to communicate that things are going to get worse than what they already are. The Roman occupation they were experiencing is nothing compared to what’s coming.

The apocalyptic language had been around in ancient Judea for a long time. There had been centuries of people talking about the world’s end.

Apocalyptic stuff is nothing new to contemporary folk, as well. Just mention the Book of Revelation and heads pop up, eyebrows raise, and imagination goes to seed.

We as biblical readers, however, need to observe that Jesus didn’t answer the question of his disciples. Which is perhaps something we must become more alert to.

Nobody knows when the end of the world will come. Not even Jesus. But that doesn’t seem to stop folks from asking anyway. Perhaps we need to ask a different question. Instead of asking “When will these things happen?” maybe we ought to ask, “What must I watch out for?”

The change of question orients us in a different way. Rather than end times speculation, we begin watching for things which are dangerous to humanity, things that bring upheaval to our world.

We start valuing awareness and observance, listening and contemplating. We learn to place our energies wisely into the things we believe truly matter in this life for the common good of all.

God is up to all sorts of kingdom business that is beyond our purview, and frankly, even beyond our ability to perceive or understand.

When we accept the exhortation of Jesus to “beware,” then we watch and look for things that are already here among us, and not get lost in a future we cannot predict. That type of future orientation only produces the kind of worry and anxiety that leads to fear.

And when fear takes root, it spawns the evils of hate and injustice. We become vulnerable to selfish incompetent leaders who make promises to take our fears away. We end up doing terrible acts against others, like imprisoning political opponents, denaturalizing and deporting citizens we don’t like, and creating fascist states that oppress others.

Fallen stones from the destruction of the Temple

But if we will wake up, hear the call of Jesus to beware, and awaken to our true commitment to the kingdom of God, we will then forsake fear-based tactics, and courageously help others in both body and soul.

It also means that, at times, we are off somewhere in centering and contemplative prayer, just like our Lord in the Garden of Gethsemane, knowing that the real source of power and authority is outside of us.

A true biblical view of the end times is about God working out divine purpose on behalf of all humanity. It isn’t about us and all of our fears and anxieties getting worked out in harmful ways.

The realization of a coming apocalypse must lead us toward faith and trust in the God who holds justice, righteousness, and mercy in good divine hands.

God has no limitations because of our questions. God will be God. God is who God is. Our task is to watch, remain faithful, and persevere until Christ returns to judge the living and the dead.

May it be so, to the glory of God.

The Parable of the Tenants (Mark 12:1-12)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
Parable of the Vineyard Workers, from Unknown Artist in the Middle Ages

Then he began to speak to them in parables. “A man planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a pit for the winepress, and built a watchtower; then he leased it to tenants and went away. 

When the season came, he sent a slave to the tenants to collect from them his share of the produce of the vineyard. But they seized him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 

And again he sent another slave to them; this one they beat over the head and insulted. Then he sent another, and that one they killed. And so it was with many others; some they beat, and others they killed. 

He had still one other, a beloved son. Finally he sent him to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But those tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ So they seized him, killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. 

What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others. Have you not read this scripture:

‘The stone that the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone;
this was the Lord’s doing,
    and it is amazing in our eyes’?”

When they realized that he had told this parable against them, they wanted to arrest him, but they feared the crowd. So they left him and went away. (New Revised Standard Version)

Parable of the Wicked Tenants, by Maarten Van Valckenborg (1535-1612)

Jesus was at the temple in Jerusalem. While there, the religious leaders confronted him over his supposed ministerial authority. Jesus, rather than become defensive, took the initiative by telling a parable.

The parable’s imagery comes directly from the second chapter of the prophet Isaiah in the Old Testament. It, too, was a parable concerning a vineyard. Isaiah leveled an accusation against the entire nation of Israel.

Jesus picked up the same imagery and directed his accusation against the people in front of him, the Jewish religious leaders. The connection between the parable of Isaiah and the parable of Jesus would not have been lost on those leaders.

In many ways, I can relate to the parable’s setting in the land. I grew up on a farm, and appreciate the deep connection of working the land and caring for it. I know something of owning land and having renters work it, since that it was my family did in my parent’s later years.

Anytime there is a relationship between owners, and renters or tenants or servants, it is an unequal relation. And whichever situation you relate to will affect your perspective of the parable.

If you understand what it means to be a landowner, with all of the rights and responsibilities of that ownership, and with the people who work that land, then you likely resonate with the landowner in Christ’s parable. You also will likely detest what the tenants in the parable do.

Perhaps you relate more to being a renter or a tenant. Having an understanding of what it means to rent from another, you may likely see the how the tenants in the parable think, and why they do what they do.

Having personal experiences on both sides of the owner/renter situation – for both good and bad – I can easily see how the violence in the parable could happen. I have my own stories of justice and injustice when it comes to each, the owners and the renters/tenants.

Much like today, ancient power dynamics were a fundamental part of life for many people. And those relations were, and are, fraught with all sorts of inequality.

Christ’s parable is a rather violent story. It’s not really bedtime reading. Notice that the owner has slaves, whom he sends to collect what is due him. Several of them are beaten and/or killed.

There is no backstory to the tenants situation. Yet, at the time of Christ’s ministry, there were many lower class folk who lost their land to unscrupulous owners, in a system of inequity. It’s possible that some of the men Jesus was talking to owned some land. And the religious leaders in the Gospels are rarely presented in a positive light.

Even today, there are violent struggles regarding land, especially in the Middle East. And the power dynamics and inequities are rife with injustice which is claiming to be justice. There are no easy answers to quelling the constant violence.

Feelings of hatred, anger, and fear are common. The desire to kill too often overcomes the desire for life. A group of people are outraged for being the brunt of murder, killing, and evil. Another group already feels neglected and have been the victims of unjust usury and death. They feel justified in their violence toward those they view as perpetrators.

Imagine how people on this earth, such as Palestinians, Israelis, Native Americans, and Ukrainians – just to name a few – feel about land. Land involves life, because the land has water, the potential for farming, trees, and a place to live. Thus, whoever controls land, in many ways, controls life. Agribusiness owns large chunks of land in the United States – and not the smaller family farms. Ah, but that is a topic for another time….

In Christ’s parable, everybody suffered in some way. Servants died. The landowner’s son died. The tenants were destroyed. Life was permanently altered for all involved.

Is that how any of us really want to live?

If we take a theological perspective, God owns everything. But we think we own the land and its resources. We believe we have the right to do whatever we want with it. And that is where the problem arises.

Until we truly hold to the notion that we humans are a society of equals, and that we are all subject to a God who owns everything, then we will continue to experience the effects of injustice, war, and death.

Can we, at least, change our minds? Yes, we can. And Christians are called to do just that:

Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. (Romans 12:2-3, NRSV)

The religious leaders of Christ’s day needed to change their minds about Jesus. Yet, no matter what they did, he would still become the cornerstone, if they rejected him as just one of the stones in the edifice of God’s kingdom.

Today, the parable is still meant to speak to people, to you and me. We have the chance to embrace the Prince of Peace, and walk in the way of peace, not violence. We still yet have the opportunity to be peacemakers, and live in a way that promotes human flourishing, and not human carnage.

If, like the parable of the prophet Isaiah, Christ’s parable is meant to speak to everyone, then it is most necessary that we heed the words of Jesus.

Almighty God our heavenly Father, guide the nations of the world into the way of justice and truth, and establish among them peace, which is the fruit of righteousness, so that they may become the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Filled with Divine Fullness (Colossians 2:6-15)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
Resurrection, by Oliver Pfaff

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

Watch out that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 

For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have come to fullness in him, who is the head of every ruler and authority. In him also you were circumcised with a spiritual circumcision, by the removal of the body of the flesh in the circumcision of Christ; when you were buried with him in baptism, you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. 

And when you were dead in trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive together with him, when he forgave us all our trespasses, erasing the record that stood against us with its legal demands. He set this aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in it. (New Revised Standard Version)

On the television gameshow “Let’s Make a Deal,” selected members of the studio audience are offered something of value, and then given a choice of whether to keep it or exchange it for a different item.

The game’s drama is that the other item is hidden from the person until that choice is made. The participant does not know if the alternative item is of equal or greater value; or an item purposely chosen to be of little or no value.

The “deal” with Christianity is that Christians already have something of significant value. But they often lose it by going after something they aren’t even sure they actually want, or not.

Followers of Jesus have been given a valuable gift. And the Apostle Paul’s exhortation to the Church at Colossae was to go ahead and keep going with the prize you already possess.

Believers in Jesus have received him. Therefore, the believer is not to trade the words and ways of Jesus, and the redemption secured in Christ, for something else.

Instead, the Christian is to do their best to live into those words and ways, right now in daily life. Christians are invited to explore the vast spiritual resources of their gifted redemption.

Having been redeemed by the Cross of Christ, believers are deeply rooted in Jesus. They are on a firm foundation of faith. Christians possess a faith full of hope and love.

So then, believers are encouraged by the Apostle Paul to take everything they have been taught, and everything they have received, and run with it.

It doesn’t matter what is behind another door, or what is on the other side of the curtain; grab ahold of what you possess in Jesus Christ. Stop considering a better way to live, and start living the life that’s been given to you.

Allow gratitude and thanksgiving to arise within you, and to come forth out of you. Quit looking how much greener the grass is on the other side of the fence. That pasture isn’t really greener; and there is not really a better way.

Many people have become disillusioned with institutional religion. They’ve had it with church. So, some of them end up throwing out the baby with the bath water, entertaining all sorts of ideas and approaches other than the grace-filled Christianity they once received.

Unfortunately, there are plenty of spiritual charlatans who seek to bedazzle people with fine sounding words. But it’s all nothing but a bunch of pseudo-intellectual philosophical babble.

Yet, because the messenger appears confident and makes grand pronouncements, they let themselves be captured, and go with it. And there are others who become enamored with endless theological talk, that has neither any real effect on one’s daily life, nor eternal life.

The Apostle was warning the Colossian believers about getting lost in the myriad traditions and superstitions that have an absence of Christ in the middle of them.

The way of Jesus has Christ directly and purposefully at the core of one’s life. Anything less is to make a deal and see what is behind another door.

The way of Jesus has very little to do with a particular theological tradition about the end times, or a certain literal interpretive stance, or a liturgical or non-liturgical approach to the Christian life.

Everything of God is right, just, and good. And according to Christianity, it comes through the person and work of Jesus, through Christ’s words and ways as expressed in the New Testament Gospels.

It seems to me that the Apostle Paul would be aghast today at how many supposed Christian believers worship him and his epistles! Instead of giving their full adoration to Christ.

The last word doesn’t come from Paul, but from Jesus. Keep in mind that Paul worshiped Christ, and did not point people to himself as the be-all-end-all of any philosophical approach.

Jesus the Dancer, by Jyoti Sahi

Everything the Christian needs is within the fullness of Jesus Christ.

All things are empty without Christ, including the vast universe. The power and authority of Christ extends over all things and all people everywhere. Paul was insistent on this in all of the churches he established.

Thus, Christians must enter into the fullness of their Lord Jesus.

You can spend a lifetime, even an eternity after death, trying to figure out how God works, but you will never get to the end of it. God’s arm has that long of a reach. The fullness of Jesus is that big and filling. The strength of the Spirit is that powerful.

The heart and center of Christianity has nothing to do with circumcision, modes of baptism, keeping long lists of laws, or maintaining multiple spiritual practices. Because the Christian is already in, and already united with Christ.

This is why Paul prayed for believers to explore and realize what they already have in Christ, so that, with the eyes of their heart enlightened, they may perceive what is the hope to which God has called them, the riches of God’s glorious inheritance among the saints, and the immeasurable greatness of divine power for those who believe. (Ephesians 1:18-19)

The Christian has been spiritually raised from the dead, just as Christ was physically raised from death to life. And believers will also be physically raised, as Jesus was, if they have the spiritual eyes to see it.

Think of all those times in the past when you were stuck, and living a dead-end existence. Remember how God made you alive in Christ. All of your guilt and shame forgiven. All the stuff that kept you down and out, all that kept you from God, was nailed to the Cross of Christ.

The malevolent forces of this world have been stripped of their power, and can be seen as the sham they actually are.

The Christian is delivered from sin, death, and hell. There is, therefore, no need for the believer to trade what they already have for whatever the heck is behind door number two.

It will not be nearly as valuable nor practical – not even close.

Being grounded in the person and work of Christ is where it’s at, my friend.

Watch out that nobody comes along and tries to sway you from Jesus. Don’t make any deals. You and I have Jesus. He is all we need.

Lord Jesus, you are worthy of our adoration, affection, and allegiance. Because of you, we don’t have to guess what God is like; there is no need to create our own image of God. Everything we need to know about God is revealed in and through you. Along with the Father and the Spirit, you have always existed in perfect relationship and unimaginable wonder.

Blessed Holy Trinity, the God whom I serve, may your divine dance of Father, Son, and Spirit pulsate within me, and flow out of me in a trust that you are enough. Then I will know that I, too, am enough as I avoid the false philosophies and promises of this world.

Almighty God, you fill the center of my being, so that I can let You be You, and so, be content and at peace, despite the alternative voices that chatter constantly around me. May your will be done, today and every day, to the glory of Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

Build Spiritual Wealth (1 Timothy 6:11-21)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment

But you, man of God, flee from all this [love of money] and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 

In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 

Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith.

Grace be with you all. (New International Version)

Whether we like it, or not, every one of us is a slave. I don’t mean slavery in the sense of nineteenth century antebellum black chattel slavery; but a slave in the vein of being a bondservant – one who is bound to a particular master by choice, and not by coercion.

Jesus put the matter this way:

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Matthew 6:24, NIV)

Both Jesus and Paul had the assumption that we are all in service to something or someone, without exception. So, the question then becomes, “Who is your master?”

Becoming a bondservant to Master Mammon will cause a person to place their ultimate hopes and dreams in wealth and possessing financial resources. However, money will possess them, and not the other way around. Their relationships will suffer, wither, and become disconnected.

Conversely, being a bondservant to the Lord Jesus will lead a person to place their ultimate hope in God. Possessing a godly life, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness will be their way of life. They will give themselves to a spirit of generosity and the pursuit of good deeds. These servants of God will take hold of eternal life, and find themselves possessed by it.

The Apostle Paul, in writing one of his final letters on this earth, reminded his young protégé Timothy to teach his congregation the importance of being bonded in service to the right master, to build spiritual wealth in heaven, and not just financial wealth here on this earth.

The letter of Paul to Timothy is given as a relational gift, reminding the young pastor of the many things taught to him in the apprenticed relationship they enjoyed together. In this sense, it was a personal letter, designed to recall the importance of keeping tethered to Christ their Lord.

Through written language, Paul came alongside Timothy and spoke to him, saying to never become intimidated by riches or rich persons. Financial wealth is merely superficial, and holds no credit or influence in the kingdom of God.

God is far richer, and infinitely more powerful than anyone or anything in this world, Paul insisted. So, keep serving God alone; continue being bonded and united to Christ, which Paul knew was not an easy thing to do.

In a world of looking out for number one, survival of the fittest, and hyper-capitalistic economies, many succumb to the allure of trusting in Master Mammon. Instead, stay focused on the Lord Jesus, his words and his ways, and on living an exemplary life.

What is more, Paul exhorted Timothy to command those who are rich in this world to become rich in good deeds. It is possible to be wealthy and be a bondservant of Christ; yet, it is not at all easy to do so.

Which is why the rich person needs continual encouragement, exhortation, and accountability, in order to remain bound to what is most important. Such persons need the command to put their hope continually in God, and not in money or bit-coins; in Christ, and not in building a strong financial portfolio that will keep one swimming in plenty of financial resources.

Again, none of this teaching of the Apostle means that having an array of financial capital is somehow wrong or ungodly. Rather, it means that we must be quite intentional and careful to build our equity in the kingdom of God, and use our worldly wealth for good and just purposes that reflect a righteous life—a life of wonder, faith, love, steadiness, and kindness.

Guard the precious treasure given to you, that is, the great spiritual riches entrusted to you. Allow the overwhelming grace of God in Jesus Christ to keep you faithful and loving in this greedy and feckless world.

The Lord Jesus taught us in his Sermon on the Mount:

“Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.” (Matthew 6:19-21, MSG)

Lord of our lives, teach us how to use our money and our possessions. Deliver us from stinginess and wasteful extravagance; inspire our giving with the spirit of true generosity. Help us always to remember your generous love for us, that we may be wise and faithful stewards of the good gifts you have given us. Amen.