What were your childhood dreams? What did you want to do when you "grew up?" I was reminded of this basic question while reading The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. Pausch recently died of pancreatic cancer before he reached 50 years of age. He reflected on these questions in his last lecture at Carnegie Mellon where he taught computer science. The more I thought about these the more I recalled about my own inner life as a child - what I thought about, what I dreamed about, what went through my mind at those formative times in my life. So, here goes...here are some of the childhood dreams I remember entertaining and what I thought I might want to do when I "grew up." What were yours?
1. I wanted to be President of the United States. I thought a lot about how I would get there. I loved history, especially presidential history even at a young elementary age and I concluded that a bunch of presidents were lawyers so I should be a lawyer.
2. I couldn't get all that excited about being a lawyer as a kid so I thought about being an historian since it was closer to what I loved but I didn't understand at age 9 what a historian would actually do (I did get to give tours of the US Capitol as a congressional intern during college, I think that qualifies)
3. I wanted to go to Disney World (I've gotten to visit there three times!)
4. Later as I got interested in sports I think the thought crossed my mind that I could be on TV talking about sports (here in Woodville I got to call a few games on radio!)
5. Preacher. I wanted to sit and talk and drink coffee with people all the time and talk about the church because I heard my favorite pastors do that at our dinner table with my parents. (That's how I'm spending my life now!)
What were your dreams? Do you still think about them? Which ones could you still accomplish?
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Knowing Jesus through Mark 15
At this stage in the Gospel, everything points to the cross. Here in chapter 15, we find Jesus "handed over" by the religious leaders to Pilate, the political authority. I would like to look at this chapter through the lens of the characters. Most chapters of course are filled with the actions of Jesus, his disciples and the masses. Often there is a named someone who has a personal interaction with Jesus. (note - Even though I am calling them characters, I'm not implying they were fictional as in a dramatic play)
Many of the characters we find here are new.
Chief priest, elders and scribes (professional interpreters of the Jewish law and repeatedly Jesus' opponents in Mark)
Pilate - Roman governor, ruling political authority who is portrayed by Mark as a reluctant participant in the trial and execution of Jesus (vs 14) Pilate served in his office from 26-36 AD.
Barrabas - in prison because of his apparent involvement in a rebel insurrection (vs 7) It's not clear which one Mark is referring to because they were many around this time but that detail doesn't seem relevant. He was a criminal who it seems is justifiably incarcerated (as opposed to Jesus).
The crowd - remember its Passover time so the city is full. Were some of the disciples in the crowd?
Soldiers - mock and humiliate Jesus by stripping his clothes, spitting on him and showing outright contempt. The "whole cohort" was a regiment of soldiers of about 200-600 troops. That might be an exaggeration. It doesn't seem like you would need that many for one prisoner but Mark seems to want us to understand the gravity of the situation.
Simon of Cyrene - "passer-by" to help Jesus carry the cross. No doubt journeying to Jerusalem for Passover. Cyrene is in present day Libya.
Bandits - no conversation is found here as in Luke's Gospel between Jesus and the others being crucified on eithe side of him. Again, I think the emphasis is his innocence with others guilt.
Others passing by while Jesus hangs from the cross - religious leaders again - mocking and humiliating Jesus
God - Jesus prays to his Father in the words of Psalm 22:1
Mary Magdalene, Mary mother of James, Salome - were present it seems along with other women who Mark notes, cared for and traveled with Jesus from Galilee. Although not one of 12 disciples, clearly these women were disciples in the broader sense, as we are. It's impossible to know if Mary mother of James is also Jesus' mother but could be.
Joseph of Aramithea - we don't know which council he was amember of but Mark indicates he was "waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God." He was a "respected member of the council" but Mark still notes that his approaching Pilate for Jesus' body was a "bold" action. He has Jesus entombed with dignity.
What do we learn about Jesus from this chapter?
Many of the characters we find here are new.
Chief priest, elders and scribes (professional interpreters of the Jewish law and repeatedly Jesus' opponents in Mark)
Pilate - Roman governor, ruling political authority who is portrayed by Mark as a reluctant participant in the trial and execution of Jesus (vs 14) Pilate served in his office from 26-36 AD.
Barrabas - in prison because of his apparent involvement in a rebel insurrection (vs 7) It's not clear which one Mark is referring to because they were many around this time but that detail doesn't seem relevant. He was a criminal who it seems is justifiably incarcerated (as opposed to Jesus).
The crowd - remember its Passover time so the city is full. Were some of the disciples in the crowd?
Soldiers - mock and humiliate Jesus by stripping his clothes, spitting on him and showing outright contempt. The "whole cohort" was a regiment of soldiers of about 200-600 troops. That might be an exaggeration. It doesn't seem like you would need that many for one prisoner but Mark seems to want us to understand the gravity of the situation.
Simon of Cyrene - "passer-by" to help Jesus carry the cross. No doubt journeying to Jerusalem for Passover. Cyrene is in present day Libya.
Bandits - no conversation is found here as in Luke's Gospel between Jesus and the others being crucified on eithe side of him. Again, I think the emphasis is his innocence with others guilt.
Others passing by while Jesus hangs from the cross - religious leaders again - mocking and humiliating Jesus
God - Jesus prays to his Father in the words of Psalm 22:1
Mary Magdalene, Mary mother of James, Salome - were present it seems along with other women who Mark notes, cared for and traveled with Jesus from Galilee. Although not one of 12 disciples, clearly these women were disciples in the broader sense, as we are. It's impossible to know if Mary mother of James is also Jesus' mother but could be.
Joseph of Aramithea - we don't know which council he was amember of but Mark indicates he was "waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God." He was a "respected member of the council" but Mark still notes that his approaching Pilate for Jesus' body was a "bold" action. He has Jesus entombed with dignity.
What do we learn about Jesus from this chapter?
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Knowing Jesus through Mark 13
It is first important to note with this chapter the probable composition period of Mark's Gospel - mid to late 60's AD.
Therefore what Jesus and his disciples discuss here is to be read in light of the probable cultural context of the 60's AD which I will briefly describe here.
- During the 60's AD, Christians experienced evil and harsh persecutions by the Roman empire, most notably led by the Emperor Nero. Christians were beaten, tortured, and executed. One Roman historian's comments seem to summarize the mindset - Christians are "notoriously depraved" and "are holding on to a deadly superstition."
- The Jews begin an active revolt against the Roman occupiers in 67 AD which lasts until 70AD at which time the temple in Jerusalem is destroyed. It is never rebuilt.
- The Jews are revolting against the Romans, they also turn inward and fight viciously among themselves.
- Jesus warns about the disciples reacting hastily at first (vs.7-8) about all that will happen (Mark here is recalling the words of Jesus that are prophesying what he is currently experiencing in the late 60's AD).
- Jesus soon tells his disciples that at the right time they should leave Jerusalem (vs14-16)
- This passage often invites discussion about the "second coming" of Jesus (see opening comments).
Therefore what Jesus and his disciples discuss here is to be read in light of the probable cultural context of the 60's AD which I will briefly describe here.
- During the 60's AD, Christians experienced evil and harsh persecutions by the Roman empire, most notably led by the Emperor Nero. Christians were beaten, tortured, and executed. One Roman historian's comments seem to summarize the mindset - Christians are "notoriously depraved" and "are holding on to a deadly superstition."
- The Jews begin an active revolt against the Roman occupiers in 67 AD which lasts until 70AD at which time the temple in Jerusalem is destroyed. It is never rebuilt.
- The Jews are revolting against the Romans, they also turn inward and fight viciously among themselves.
- Jesus warns about the disciples reacting hastily at first (vs.7-8) about all that will happen (Mark here is recalling the words of Jesus that are prophesying what he is currently experiencing in the late 60's AD).
- Jesus soon tells his disciples that at the right time they should leave Jerusalem (vs14-16)
- This passage often invites discussion about the "second coming" of Jesus (see opening comments).
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Updated Mark Schedule
Derrick Noble preached with passion and insight on Mark chapters 9-12 during our Revival. It was good to have a fresh voice and varied approach to our study focus. We are now in the "home stretch" of our study. Here is the remaining schedule:
This Sunday morning, October 5th - Mark 13
This Sunday evening - Mark 14
Sunday morning, October 12th - Mark 15
Sunday evening - Mark 16
The series will conclude on October 12th. Check back in on this blog in the next 24 hours and you'll find brief sketches of chapters 13 and 14 to give you a preview of this Sunday.
This Sunday morning, October 5th - Mark 13
This Sunday evening - Mark 14
Sunday morning, October 12th - Mark 15
Sunday evening - Mark 16
The series will conclude on October 12th. Check back in on this blog in the next 24 hours and you'll find brief sketches of chapters 13 and 14 to give you a preview of this Sunday.
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