Pass the Salt, Please

My initial problem preaching this text was deciding if it should be four sermons or one.  I decided that, although there would be benefit in taking a  closer look at each of the topics raised individually, looking at them all together would make better sense of Jesus' final words in this context.  Jesus said, "Salt is good. . . .  Have salt in yourselves and be at peace with one another"  (Mark 9:50). 

I don't normally use acrostics in my preaching but thought it might be a useful way to pull everything together in the text.  At lunch there was a family from church eating in a booth not far away from my party.  One of the teenage boys came over to talk with us.  They had tried to remember the four points of the acrostic but had missed the "A".  If two teenage boys could remember 3 of the 4 I consider that sermon a success! 

For those who are wondering the acrostic is for the word SALT:

Serve (even those considered least - Mark 9:33-37)
Accept (Christians who are different than you [or don't be judgmental] - Mark 9:38-41)
Love (the weak and new believers - Mark 9:42)
Tenacious Self-Denial

No one who heard the sermon will forget the "T" since it doesn't really fit.  Odd isn't' it, that when something seems like it doesn't really belong it is never forgotten.  Come to think of it . . . that's exactly what it means for us to be salt.  We stand out because we don't really fit in this world as it is.   But I love the last verse and how it envisions the kingdom that will soon cover the earth, "Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another."  The peaceable kingdom - that's where we all belong!

The Disciples' Most Embarrassing Moment

I want formulas; the Lord wants faith.  I want the world to work in such a way that if I do the right things the right consequences are automatic.  The Lord wants me to trust him to provide all that I need to accomplish his will in this world.  I want guarantees of painlessness, absence of suffering and constant happiness.  God wants me to accept his promises by faith even if my time here involves suffering and a cross. I wonder why God won't answer my prayers.  God wonders why I don't utilize prayer as a means of getting to know him better.

I want my faith to grow stronger so I confess my confusion, my selfishness, my pride and arrogance.  I confess that I no longer want to be in charge of my life; instead I want God to use me for his purposes regardless of who gets credit or glory.  I'm having trouble believing that God could do anything with such a pitiful excuse for faith but I hold my little mustard seed-sized faith up to him and say, "I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief."  God say, "Alright!  Now we're getting somewhere."

The End?  No, this is the Beginning!

Preview of Coming Attractions

How appropriate that after Jesus dropped the bombshell of his upcoming suffering and death on the disciples the inner circle (Peter, James, and John) was given a preview of Jesus' Glorious Appearing!  After Jesus sought to destroy the short-sighted dreams of the Twelve, they are more disillusioned than ever.  Even coming down from the Mountain of Transfiguration they have a discussion among themselves about "what 'rising from the dead' meant" (Mark 9:10).

Jesus has already explained that "rising from the dead" meant that first the Messiah would have to suffer, be rejected and die on the cross.  Self-denial in order to do the Father's will dominates the center section of Mark's Gospel.  Indeed, it must dominate the center section of our lives if we are to be included among those who truly follow Jesus.

But what exactly does it mean for our lives today?  I love the mountain top experiences but must realize that Jesus never stayed on the mountain.  His work was in the valley.  More specifically, in the words of the Psalmist, his work was in the valley of the shadow of death.  Am I willing to follow him on that road?

Some of my favorite passages describe the return of Jesus to his earth.  At that time will the renewal of all things.  It will indeed be a Glorious Appearing when Heaven and Earth are united eternally.  Let the image of the risen and glorified Christ fill your heart as you follow the self-denying, crucified Christ as he teaches us how to live today.

The Second Touch

I often walk away from sermons wondering what might resonate in people's hearts from the lesson.  Different things stick with different people.  For myself, it is the phrase "deny self".  What does it mean for me to "deny self" this week?

There are some things I need to do this week that I don't particularly want to do.  They involve people and my participation might help in some tangible ways.  Is sacrificing my own desires and doing what is best for others an example of denying self? 

I can serve others for the purpose of self-interest or self-advancement.  It's tempting for me to think, at times, that when I do some small act of kindness that God is fortunate to have me on his side.  It's easy for me to glory in my self-sacrificial service! 

Tomorrow I will participate once again in the weekly reading of the Gospel of Mark.  I will watch Jesus as he again demonstrates unbelievable power and demonstrates that he is indeed the Son of God.  I will then watch again as he lays that aside and is abused, rejected and brutally murdered.  He willingly gave himself for others.  How can I claim to be his follower if I am unwilling to do the same? 

Resurrection is the final note of triumph in the Gospel of Mark; but the emphasis of the book lies in the cross.  Resurrection is when God takes our self-emptying, self-denying lives and ushers in the kingdom of God.  We don't make it happen, we are simply the empty vessels God chooses to use.  This week, I want to continue to ask myself, "what does it mean for me to deny self"?