The Messianic Secret & Great Expectations
“Jesus then asked [his disciples], ‘And you—what are you saying about me? Who am I? Peter gave the answer: ‘You are the Christ, the Messiah.’ Jesus then warned them to keep it quiet, not to breathe a word of it to anyone. He then began explaining things to them: ‘It is necessary that the Son of Man proceed to an ordeal of suffering, be tried and found guilty by the elders … be killed, and after three days rise up alive.’ He said this simply and clearly so they couldn’t miss it. But Peter grabbed him in protest. Turning and seeing his disciples wavering, wondering what to believe, Jesus confronted Peter. ‘Peter, get out of my way! Satan, get lost! You have no idea how God works.’” (Mark 8:27b-33; The Message)
At the beginning of St. Mark’s gospel, Jesus casts out demons and heals the sick (v.34, 43-44). But then he says: “Don’t tell anyone about this.” In Mark, Chapter 3, Jesus heals many who are struggling with disease … Again he says, “Don’t tell anyone about this.” Further, in St. Mark’s gospel, Chapter 5, Jesus raises a little girl from the dead. And then in Chapter 8, just before our gospel reading for this coming weekend (see above quote), Jesus gives sight to a blind man. And yet AGAIN, he strictly charges the people: “Don’t tell anyone.”
George Winston
Why not? You’ve got to be kidding?! The long-awaited Messiah is here! I mean, you want to shout it from the roof tops. Cuz you’re as “high” as you’re gonna get! Right? So, it’s like OK to inhale; but don’t exhale?! Earlier this week during one of our Bible Studies at First Lutheran, this same question was asked: “Why in the world did Jesus say, ‘Don’t tell anyone about these things?’” (Biblical scholars refer to this classic question in St. Mark’s gospel as “The Messianic Secret.” Cf. J. Marcus; Mark I:525-527.)
So, why do you suppose this was? Think about it … Why didn’t Jesus want those who were healed or his disciples to holler-it-for-all-the-world-to-hear? … Stay tuned as I’ll be sharing a story from a time when I met the world famous pianist, George Winston at a concert, listen to his piece, “Thanksgiving” … and, well … many of my great expectations were turned upside down. I’ll weave this story together with our gospel text for this weekend at worship. Read Mark 8:27-38. And then bring your questions/expectations as to how Jesus reveals God’s love and salvation to the world, and yes, FOR YOU.
See you at worship.
j.r. christopherson
Senior Pastor
The Heart of the Matter
And the Pharisees and the scribes asked [Jesus], “Why do your disciples not live
according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with their hands defiled?”
And [Jesus] said to [the Pharisees and scribes who were conspiring to destroy him
with their hardness of heart] (Mark 3:5-6)… “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites,
as it is written, ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrine the precepts of men.’” [Isaiah. 29:13] … And again Jesus called the people to him, and said to them, ‘Hear me, all of you, and understand: there is nothing outside a man which by going into him can defile him; but the things which come out of a man are what defile him.’” (Mark 7:6-8, 14-15; RSV. Emphasis added)
Let us pray:
O God, we’re scrubbing our hands like crazy, and we still can’t get all the dirt off! And look, look at this mess … we’ve scrubbed so hard our hands are starting to bleed! … What a hopeless effort … And where is all this blood coming from? … Yes, we must admit, if we look deep- down and are honest with ourselves and you: we need some open heart surgery. No, not just a by-pass. We’ve tried that one and found ourselves to all be dishonest like the scribes and Pharisees, and even the disciples, like Judas. And no, not just an angioplasty. We’ve tried that one too, and found the balloons of even our best, puffed-up efforts to quickly go flat. And no, it’s not just a matter of exercise and diet. Been there, done that too – the cholesterol of sin is just too thick for any earthly medicine – whether it’s eating more Cheerios or even popping a Crestor tab each day.
And so it is, O God … and so it is … that we come to you again this day with our old hardened hearts, in prayer and thanksgiving at your communion table, leaning into your promise of an ever present love of enfolding forgiveness and hope – signed and sealed by Christ’s cross. Yes, in the spirit of your Psalmist: ‘Create in us a clean heart, O God and renew in us a right spirit’ (Psalm 51:10) – making us to be your cardiac kids … whose hearts beat for the sake of your kingdom come, in the needs of our neighbor, and throughout your creation.” AMEN
May God bless your labor and your Sabbath rest, this Labor Day Weekend.
I’ll see you at the table.
John Christopherson
Senior Pastor
Filled By God - Alex Clark, Guest Preacher
Alex Clark gives us some insight for weekend worship. Alex is a recent graduate of the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago and returns to First Lutheran, his home congregation, this weekend to preach in our services Saturday at 5 p.m. and Sunday at 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. He will also be ordained on Sunday at 2 pm in the First Lutheran sanctuary. All are invited to attend! Guests are encouraged to wear red.