Category: Bible Study

West Side Story: A SOAP Study on Mark 5

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Written 11/1/2016; revised 4/28/2024

So yesterday I’m reading Mark 5 and it hits me: Why does Jesus tell the once demon-possessed man to go home to his people and tell them how much the Lord has done for him (v. 19), but gives strict orders to the sleeping girl’s family not to let anyone know about her miraculous healing (v. 43)?

At first glance, Jesus seems inconsistent. Why tell one party one thing and contradict it with another?

I mean…yeah, Jesus was always yielded to the Father following the Spirit’s lead. Fair enough. Still, I can’t help but dive a little deeper. As always, let’s grab a shovel and dig in.

Scripture/Observations

In Mark 5:1, we find Jesus, fresh off of calming a tempest (4:35-41), crossing the lake to Garasenes, a country region lying on the east side of the Sea of Galilee. Upon arrival, a demon-possessed man decked with torn chains coming out from the tombs approaches Jesus (Spooky, right? Talk about the ultimate Halloween Bible read). Once within range, the demon reveals itself as Legion (“for we are many” – v. 9) and begs to be cast into swine. From there, Jesus grants the request and inspires the man to proclaim the good news of what He had done John 4 style.

Now, check out v. 21: “When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around Him while He was by the lake.”

Like similar encounters, we see life flocking to Jesus upon arrival, perhaps more causal than coincidence given the west side was more populated, not to mention Jesus’ reputation had established momentum. Yet, it’s here I want to pause to highlight a key contrast.

When Jesus arrives at Gerasenes, how many people come to him? At least one that we know of, right? How about the flip side? If you said ‘large crowd’, you’d be correct. Granted, the population difference may seem like a subtle detail; however, when we stack it against proceeding context, we see its connection to part of the answer.

That answer, you ask?

I’ll get to that shortly. For now, we must understand the correlation between Jesus’ intimacy with the Father and how this enabled Him to know the best way to unleash the truth. In the case of Mark 5, Jesus, having already revealed His nature on the west side, knew the best way for the good news to spread at Gerasesnes was for the ex-possessed man to ‘go tell it on the mountain’. After all, what occurred at the Decapolis post-healing centered, in part, on Jesus’ identity being made known to the masses.

Yet, as I teased earlier, the truth of Jesus’ identity was already spreading on the west side. Therefore,  it’s fair to say Jesus’ cross-country trek was just as much about manifesting love through power as it was confirming the truth of who He was (see v. 25-34).

Quick side note: I find it amusing how ‘crowd’ is mentioned not once, not twice, but five times between v. 21-31. If in fact the author intended the reader to grasp the chaotic backdrop, mission accomplished. The point here, I submit, is less about Jesus having to endure uncomfortable circumstances than it is Him loving in spite of them. Imagine having zero personal space, teaching to the culprits responsible, and being interrupted mid-sermon setting commotions between people crying and wailing loudly (v. 27). I’d probably lose my mind and grey my hair all at once!

But not Jesus. Instead, look at how unruffled he is, first in v. 36 when he says, ‘Don’t be afraid; just believe’ in response to the disciples telling Jairus’ people, ‘Why bother the teacher anymore?’ and second in v. 39 when he says, ‘The child is not dead but asleep’ after the entire house thought Jairus’ daughter was dead.

Seriously, it’s like Jesus is calming a second storm here. 

Now, for most, the story ends here, but the truth is Jesus had one more thing to say before peacing out, which in my paraphrasing, goes something like ‘Shhh! What happens here, stays here.’

But again, why would Jesus demand this? Well, go back to v. 36: ‘Don’t be afraid; just believe.’

Throughout this whole chapter, we’ve seen three miracles, three transfers of power; however, this doesn’t mean Jesus was on the ‘power play’. Rather, Jesus was on a mission to inspire belief in people’s hearts. Accordingly, we can assume what mattered most to Jesus more than signs, more than miracles was the truth of His Word.

In this context, Jesus knew if He allowed the news to break in synagogue central, it would lead to a major distraction. Remember there was enough pandemonium leading up to Jesus’ encounter with the little girl. Any more attention would likely have caused an uproar and reduce Jesus to the role of ringmaster. How fascinating it is to see how timely silence was sometimes part of Jesus’ strategy to further the Gospel!

Bottom line: While Jesus was Spirit led in all He said and did, He also discerned the theology of the land and time He was in as He constantly yielded to the Father.  As a result, Jesus was able to reach more people through love and teach them with the truth and power of his Word.

Application/Prayer

Cover photo creds: JW Org

Grow ⬆️ Up: A Call for Us in 2024 (Part 1)

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After a disappointing 2023, I’ve been pondering pathways for maturation in recent weeks. Often, when we come off a down year, we take inventory of what went wrong and why; however, let’s be honest: How frequently do we integrate prayer and counsel into the pathways we set?

In my case, 2023 was a story of transition and survival, a season in which healing, stability, and community struggled to gain traction. On several occasions, Lys and I were compelled to question things that shouldn’t have happened, the silence we experienced from some of our social spheres atop the list.¹

To add insult to injury, life in last year’s office space wasn’t any better. Having arguably been moved to the wrong team to start the year, I found myself in an occupational Pandora’s Box, stuck on an island yet trapped within a cubical greenhouse – the air free for some but borderline toxic for others.² Consequently, I fell out of certain rhythms of health and behavior that in a typical year would have been evident.

Now, to be fair, a mulligan makes sense given how Lys and I were rung through the ringer in 2021 and 2022. Still, as one beat up from those years, I shouldn’t have matched any time I sensed an attitude shift or withdrawal, writing off some as casualties of what I couldn’t control. Oh, if I could go back, I would and hand on shoulder, remind that Cam to shun the numbness. I guess that’s why they say hindsight is a blessing and a curse to feel everything so deeply.

Yet, despite these dissatisfactions, I’ve been hungry to convert brokenness into something good, something healthy, something authentic. After all, that’s the magic of a new year and why I’ve been stirred to fast regarding the year ahead. ‘Cause truth is: I don’t want to come anywhere near who and where I was last year. Perhaps some of you can relate having been pressed without precedence in recent years?

Either way, as I finalize this internal audit, I celebrate the changes being made but also understand receiving fresh grace and compassion can be arduous without a game-plan, especially without daily forgiveness and surrender.

Which brings me to why I’m writing this. During the past few days, a phrase has been activating in my spirit, like a banner of the heart being raised to the rafters. Chances are you’ve heard these words, albeit in negative connotations as standard for most. Unburying the lead, these words I present are not only a motto for the year but something we should all aspire to each day we live and breathe. 

What I’m saying is… 

As Matthew 5:48 says, “You’re kingdom [agents, ambassadors representing God’s ministry of reconciliation]. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.” (MSG)

But Cam, how do we get there? How do we connect the dots between our ‘loved by God’ identity and the discouragement we feel chained to? 

First, you must return to the Father heart of God:

“I’m not writing all this as a neighborhood scold to shame you. I’m writing as a father to you, my children. I love you and want you to grow up well, not spoiled. There are a lot of people around who can’t wait to tell you what you’ve done wrong, but there aren’t many fathers willing to take the time and effort to help you grow up. It was as Jesus helped me proclaim God’s Message to you that I became your father. I’m not, you know, asking you to do anything I’m not already doing myself.” ~ 1 Corinthians 4:14-16 (MSG)

After marinating in the Father’s warmth, embrace His intent for you to discover His love and how it can help you redirect or mature in specific ways, each according to His likeness:

“God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love. ~ Ephesians 4:14-16 (MSG)

Next, detach (or distance yourself) from unhealthy people and situations weighing your faith down:

“Don’t tolerate people who try to run your life, ordering you to bow and scrape. They’re completely out of touch with the source of life, Christ, who puts us together in one piece, whose very breath and blood flow through us. He is the Head and we are the body. We can grow up healthy in God only as he nourishes us.” ~ Colossians 2:18-19 (MSG)

Replace childlike impulses with childlike faith, innocence, even curiosity in the ways of the Spirit:

“So come on, let’s leave the preschool fingerpainting exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art. Grow up in Christ. The basic foundational truths are in place: turning your back on “salvation by self-help” and turning in trust toward God; baptismal instructions; laying on of hands; resurrection of the dead; eternal judgment. God helping us, we’ll stay true to all that. But there’s so much more. Let’s get on with it!” ~ Hebrews 6:1-3 (MSG)

Finally, clean house! Once you’ve repented of your shortcomings, renounced any agreements with the enemy, and prayed God’s highest to cover your soul hurts, declare thanksgiving to God, over your family, and for Him to anoint the stepping stones on which you’re called to walk.

“Make a clean sweep of malice and pretense, envy, and hurtful talk. You’ve had a taste of God. Now, like infants…drink deep of God’s pure kindness. Then you’ll grow up mature and whole in God.” ~ 1 Peter 2:1-3 (MSG)

Final disclaimer: While this list is a mere guide and doesn’t represent all the steps you need to take to correct course, I encourage you to seek the Lord to discern how He wants you to facilitate the fireplaces of your hearts in 2024. Ask yourself: “What agreements and unholy packs need to be broken off? What dead weights do I need to cut ties with? What pursuits do I need to put on the backburner, at least for a short time? In what ways should I reprioritize my time, energy, and investments? In what ways do I need to make right with my neighbor? Is there any clear peace or lack thereof in any category of life? Do I sense any open doors or change in direction? If so, who is leading me? More importantly, what or who is the source of my fire? And if I’m not burning, what is getting in the way?

While the answers will vary, understand even in your weakness and weakest, He is strength and strongest. Somehow, someway, you will feel the sweet release of reset and recalibration; however, be advised you can’t get there without effort, intentionality, and reposturing.

During my next post, I will share some additional insight on how to level up at work with these paradigm filters applied. Until then, you got this! Go forth and go get ‘em…in Jesus’ name.

Selah.

Graphic creds: Vecteezy; sermon by Ian Gilchrist (preached at One Church Home on 1/7/24)

Footnotes

  1. Note: I can’t speak for everyone, but I imagine some of you who’ve lost a loved one can relate to the social leprosy incurred after-the-fact. More on this subject later, though in the meantime, dear church, as far as it be with you, please be the church unconditionally.
  2. Friends, if you taste rejection concerning who you’re called to be, what you bring to the table, etc., do not clap the dust off your sandals prematurely. Rather, stay consistent to team expectations, honor authorities and colleagues, and keep both hands on the plow until you’ve reached the finish line. Again, more on ideal exit strategy once full stock has been taken.

Marketplace Ministry Origins: A SOAP Study on Mark 6

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If you’re a longtime follower, you know it’s been a while since my last vocational post. Thus, I figured for today we’d travel back in time to 2016 when I first started to explore Jesus’ cleansing of the temple (Luke 19:45-48). To guide our discussion, I’ll once again we taking a SOAP Bible study approach to help us synchronize revelation. 

Get ready, set…

Scripture: “When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore. And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized him and ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.” 

Observations: Taking a bird’s eye view at Mark 6, we soon realize there’s much going on in this passage. While author ‘Q’ is renowned for his truncated style, this doesn’t undermine the literal and figurative ground covered in this chapter.  

After Jesus’ rejection at Nazareth, we note he is intentionally mobile starting in v. 7 where we find a Great Commission preview in the sending out of the 12 disciples. Verses later, we find a surprisingly long account of John the Baptist’s death (No offense, John, I think your 16 verses could have been cut in half and we would have been fine) followed by the feeding of the 5,000 and walking on water accounts (v. 30-52). Honestly, it’s almost like author ‘Q’ is creating this Gospel popery, an EP of Jesus’ greatest hits for future generations to share.  For most, the chapter concludes in v. 52 once Jesus has calmed the storm; however, in terms of time lapse, there’s still over half the book to go. 

Enter v. 53, where we find Jesus passing over into Gennesaret* and setting the stage for one of the most overlooked segments in Scripture (I.e. v. 54-56). To best understand the significance of this excerpt, we must first take note of the setting. Having crossed the Sea of Galilee from Bethsaida, we find our Ocean’s 13 crew in an exhausted state, more from past pitstops than the 9.8 km sail. Upon porting, we note the crowd instantly recognized him, which may be a subtle detail to some but bears emphasis when we zoom out.

For before Jesus’ presence could be seen, it was often first felt.  

Even when oral tradition and word of mouth were the only vehicles, the awareness of Christ’s authority kept increasing. Just imagine if social media existed 2,000 years ago. Jesus would have needed 12 bodyguards in addition to the 12 disciples!  

Either way, with corporate cognizance ignited, the hustle put into rounding the sick and afflicted makes sense. After all, the Isaiah 53 prophecies were compelled to verify in light of the Messiah. No wonder there was such an initial reaction considering the anticipation was manifesting off the heels of past divinations.

Contrasting the comps of this passage, I can appreciate the conclusion in Matthew’s account: 

“…and implored him that they might only touch the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.” (v. 36) 

A safe and sound finale, it’s no surprise author ‘Q’ takes a similar approach lacing the climax and resolution with one swoop; however, while he maintains the same canon, we’re gifted a slight wrinkle in v. 56. See if you can find it…

“...And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.” 

Pause. Did you catch that? Where did they lay the sick again? The marketplace, you say?

Indeed, from city to country, the social fulcrum was corporate Israel! 

Ya’ll, that is crazy and completely mind-boggling. Just think if that were to happen today, how much culture shock this would cause on social and vocational levels. As much as the church would be expected to help in these situations, would it yield some responsibilities to non-religious epicenters?

While the answer there is a blog for another day, when we consider the ending of Mark 6, we must understand the temple and outer peripheries where marketplace extended were social hotspots. In fact, if you analyze the places Jesus roamed during His ministry, the temple/marketplace tandem topped the chart! As we transition into potential applications, one must wonder what today’s “marketplace” looks like…

Application: Outside the sanctuary, where would Jesus be hanging out if he came back today? Bars, clubs, cafes, and transport hubs come to mind. Per your comment adds below, I’m sure there are many others. Regardless, I can’t help but marvel knowing the workplace was at one point in history the nerve center for where Jesus did ‘business’. Put another way…

The brunt of Jesus’ labor occurred not in the synagogue, but in the highest concentrations of people and their transactions.  

This speaks to me on several fronts. For starters, the modern tendency is to endure work, be it a basic necessity or worse, a necessary evil, on route to finding Jesus anywhere else. We may reference Christ a few times throughout the day, mostly internal. But for the most part, we’re pressing through the office part of our day to get to the good stuff.

However, in Jesus’ time, the black and white lines of today didn’t apply as He constantly referenced the Father within His itinerary. In past posts, I’ve talked about the intentionality of Christ and how it manifests administratively, to planning, leadership development, and time management among other criteria. Interestingly, when you layer Mark 6 with Matthew 14 and Luke 9, we find the Spirit-yielding logistics of Jesus’ mission as the backbone of His greatest works. As much as we tout the miraculously, we must also acknowledge the leadership of His lordship from delegation to per diem.

Secondly, Jesus never advised His disciples outside of what He’d already established as best practice. Whatever He asked the disciples to do, He had already done and was doing alongside them. Could one argue Jesus was the great middle-manager in history? Absolutely. However, unlike some we may know in real life, Jesus did not direct apart from His directive. To that which Jesus was on mission, so were His disciples on co-mission. And the encouragement for us is two-fold:  

  1. Just as Jesus established the marketplace as a place of freedom where teachings and miracles occurred, so, too, did He empower His disciples to do the same in rural areas. 
  2. Just as Jesus intended the marketplace to serve as an apostolic arm, so, too, must we embrace this corporate call in current times.  

Granted, I understand how thousands of years have made certain external factors a case of apples and oranges. Still, I can only imagine what could happen if more marketplace ministers today served as compassionate conduits of Christ’s desire to heal, as ambassadors reconciling others through the ministry of prayer and availability! Whatever changes in our midst starts from within and I implore you, my friends, to not segregate the sacred from secular at work but live your faith transparently. Do not literally hide God’s Word in your heart in so masking the evidence of sanctification. Rather, love on purpose so others may find your company as an extension of safety to where requests are exchanged and prayer has more runway.

I’m telling you, even a few mindful tweaks can have deep, far-reaching impact. Follow the Gospel model set forth by Jesus and His Spirit will awaken you as you yield and abide. 

Prayer:

Footnotes

*The name Gennesaret is associated with the area mentioned in two NT references (Matthew 14:22; Mark 6:45). After feeding the 5,000, Jesus’ disciples crossed over the Sea of Galilee to Bethsaida (6:45), then crossed back again (6:53) and came to land at Gennesaret. Sometimes, however, the name is not restricted to the district, for Luke speaks of the lake of Gennesaret (Luke 5:1), referring to the Sea of Galilee 

Graphic creds: Tenor

Sovereignty in Suffering: Why God Heals and Sometimes Doesn’t

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Why does God heal some people and not others?

I’m combing through the archives, realizing I haven’t touched this question yet, at least head on. And I suppose part of my hesitancy is due to many answers rightfully citing God’s sovereignty, but in a borderline cringe-worthy way, if that makes sense, when you know the answer is correct but by incomplete, even insensitive means.

To those who have lost loved ones, the world not only needs to know the answer but how you specifically arrived there. As a former math undergrad, I can’t help but want to show my work. Even if I’m slightly off, a transparent step-by-step can be revealing for the better.

Without further ado, let’s dive in…

As teased above, the general issue I have in tackling this topic is the popular phrasing of the question, ‘Why God allows suffering…or bad things to happen’. A simple Google search is testament to many people not wanting the accountability that comes with free will as those loved by God yet born into sin. Before we can break down God’s sovereignty into what God allows versus doesn’t allow, one must know who God is.

For the purposes of this post, we’re going to establish God as more than enough, as the Rock whose work is perfect and ways are just – a “God of faithfulness and without iniquity” (Deuteronomy 32:4) whose steadfast love and faithfulness goes before Him (Psalm 89:14).

As such, if we want to believe in God, then we must accept absolute good as only possible through perfect love (I.e. The Trinity) which God not only possesses but fully embodies. Conversely, we must accept this reality isn’t possible within our self-centered bias and without a reliance on a higher authority. In essence, if we want to broach this question, we must assess our relationship to the supreme governance we’re taking into question. Remember relativism in a vacuum isn’t the problem; it’s the fact many have inverted relativism and absolutism with self being the standard setter, in turn, replacing faith with entitlement. Give me someone who doesn’t under the existence of suffering and I’ll show you one who doesn’t understand faith, hope, the divine and our relationship to it, etc.

But enough of the theological and philosophical mumbo-jumbo. I know most of you reading this understand all this. I’m just sayin’ if we want to address this inquiry, we must start with who God is…every time. Even if our inventory is nothing more than a refresher, the infinite layers of God’s greatness are worth pondering.

Back to the initial question: Why does God show His hand and seems to withhold it in some situations?

While there is truly an element of mystery within our quest to understand, the short and skinny is in Scripture. If we fuse a string from Paul’s letters, we find the God who works all things AND holds them together, intends all things for our good. Why should a man not complain about the consequences of sin? Why does God not always intervene to quench chaos, crisis, and calamity? That answer is in one word…His Word!

The way I think of it: The Creator of all things is always creating ways for people to find Him which includes the testimony of those who cling to Jesus. As for walking on the paths God sets, this requires responsibility and full reliance. Without them, one cannot find God within the grand scheme unfolding, let alone how He can redeem the effects of fallenness for His glory.

For Lys and I, while we’re decent people whose hearts are often in the right place, at the end of the day, we aren’t detached from the ultimate consequence of sin, which is death. Still…

  • By way of the Cross, we know our eternal home, security, and perspective regarding our freedom.
  • By way of restoration, we know healing and recovery.
  • By way of sanctification, we know suffering has a place as we discover God and mature into His likeness.

Accordingly, we believe the same God who gave us free will to choose Him is the same God who elects to choose how His power will manifest, even if the display isn’t synonymous with our initial expectation. Now, I know this statement can be frustrating for some. It’s certainly not my heart to dilute this discussion into a binary equation.

That said, the truth always bears repeating:

Just as God is infinite, so are the ways His power and grace can evince within His sovereignty.

Since God is perpetual love which covers everything from His omniscience to our purpose, we have every reason to trust that His perfect will…will…be done, not only when we’re tested, but especially so.

Put another way, God being mighty to save does not imply He will always save in accordance with our immediate best interest. Rather, the attribute speaks to God’s relentless pursuit of our hearts as One who saved and still saves today. At any given point, God is sowing within the tapestry of where our responsibility (to pray, abide, trust, etc.) and His sovereignty collide. And while it’s human to crave the majestic aspect here wonder working power is imminent, the origin is first and foremost internal. In this way, whether God allows an external match or withholds it, the result can go beyond us into tomorrow, the next and next door, and so forth.

In closing, I lift a victorious fist. Glory to God the road isn’t smooth sailing and compels us to come together amidst our discomfort. Glory to God the Scriptures can come alive as we depend on the Father the same Jesus modeled for us. And glory to God hope and compassion can spring to the forefront as we demonstrate truth to a decaying world.

Remember the earth is God’s footstool and it comes with daily prompts to look up and know He’s in control even our lives seem out of it.

‘Tis why we often say you got this and keep going. Even when the days are dark, He’ll keep the light on one way or another.

#Selah #noregrets …

Graphic creds: Desiring God