The old old story we love to hear. This old story of good news was once as new as this word out of my mouth. We sit in this stark place of division and sin in the world knowing the answer and solution to it all. We see this as a difficult proposition but in truth we are standing on the shoulders of giants.
This phrase is most common in the scientific community, but I think applies well in all. The simplest version is of Newton and Einstein. Without one there is not the other. What they essentially did was improve our resolution of our world. Newton could figure out most things we needed to know. The orbit of mercury was the problem.
Imagine where we had traveled from a flat earth at the center of the universe to a people doing math and scratching their heads at the behavior of Mercury. It is complete fantasy if it were not so well grounded in science. Magical as anything in this universe. We would learn that we occupied a distant part of our galaxy. Now they say we are not so far out. Thing about science is change. What makes it so exciting.
How many generations of young men and women like me imagined Ben Franklin and his key flying on his kite in the thunder storm. I never really understood what he was doing as a child, but what I understood was that it was something new in this world as was this America.
Thing about religion there are no great mysteries. We also stand on the shoulders of giants. Too many to list it is actually more fruitful for you to think of all of those giants you stand on. In religion their may not be many new discoveries but there are hugs. These people we can remember who hugged us with their hearts because of where we were not who we were there. Today we have one of those scriptures to digest. In the room where it happened if you would. Jesus Preaches in Galilee
14 Now after John [the Baptist] was arrested and taken into custody, Jesus went to Galilee, preaching the good news of [the kingdom of] God, 15 and saying, “The [appointed period of] time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins, live your life in a way that proves repentance; seek God’s purpose for your life] and believe [with a deep, abiding trust] in the good news [regarding salvation].”
What strikes me here is our image of John the Baptist. With our modern celebrity culture we think of him as a big deal. These are the words that Mark chooses to just present us as we leave John whom we will hear later of his gruesome death.
I have this half of a thought, how people who study the Bible talk about these different types of literature and writing styles and actually in some ways never come to the idea that God would be the most complex writer. This bible we have almost a hodgepodge that is very easy to dismiss. Even worse it is easy to use small pieces to divide us. That second issue the more critical for us here today. Now just as well each small piece can be used to bring us together. Almost a conspiracy of good or bias in reality, There is more matter than antimatter thank God. It will be an exciting day when we figure that out. Scientifically we are pretty close actually.
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The matter-antimatter asymmetry problem they call it. In science half the battle is naming the problem. In the beginning was the word.As a kid it was almost like a relay race and John simply passed the baton. See I have never lived in a world that didn't have the good news. We know the lightning struck the dove descended on Jesus. The people there were witness a new world. We are in the first chapter of Mark and this is one of the first points he want to make. It was an explosion that day.
10 Immediately coming up out of the water, he (John) saw the heavens torn open, and the Spirit like a dove descending on Him (Jesus); 11 and a voice came out of heaven saying: “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased and delighted!”
We have this scene and what is more actual people there who bear witness. We are talking about their story this morning. Through generations uncounted. I have never known a world that didn't have an answer, nor have you, but imagine now that lightning to the world. In a real sense we have nothing to complain about. Imagine Abraham dude didn't worry about Mercury. He didn't have our luxuries and somehow they all made it down to the river Jordan. You know it is like when your drowning you have to survive some to be saved.
Been thinking a bit about my Dad this week going through some old videos, that was the thing about him he was gone so quick. Plus or minus When we've been there ten thousand years Bright, shining as the sun We've no less days to sing God's praise Than when we first begun. So Jesus begins his ministry in chapter one and Mark lays it out as clear as he can.
In the NIV:
“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
As if the woman at the well came running up to you. Repent and believe the good news! There is a solution for this world and a reconciliation with God available to all. Even when the church tried to sell to the highest bidder, yes they actually did that, new churches grew.
This is the heart of the replicability, that is the ability to replicate the ministry of Jesus. Just repent and believe the good news. As I outlined in our start no new mysteries in religion, but the second part of scripture today from Mark speaks to me about spirituality which is different but in relationship as even God and the Holy spirit are.
We continue in Mark
16 As Jesus was walking by the shore of the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon [Peter] and Simon’s brother, Andrew, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me [as My disciples, accepting Me as your Master and Teacher and walking the same path of life that I walk], and I will make you fishers of men.” 18 Immediately they left their nets and followed Him [becoming His disciples, believing and trusting in Him and following His example]. 19 Going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John, who were also in the boat mending and cleaning the nets. 20 Immediately Jesus called to them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired workers, and went away to follow Him [becoming His disciples, believing and trusting in Him and following His example].
I love to hear the story. I love to tell the story. What is hard is to feel the story. I think that is what often sends people down strange Christian paths. Often people want more from their spirituality than they are willing to give. My grandfather was more direct about this issue and said if you come with nothing to church you will get nothing. It is harsh, but not cruel. No real judgement involved. No proof to be had. Some understanding. As I understood him it is almost like a garden. You don't come to the garden and pray for food. You work the ground. If you are an intelligent creature you work with nature not against.
We live in this world they created. For good and bad. Science and Religion we have found so useful. Spirituality we need to cultivate. Remember Paul's message in 1 Corinthians 7:29-31
Amplified Bible
29 But I say this, believers: the time has been shortened, so that from now on even those who have wives should be as though they did not; 30 and those who weep, as though they did not weep; and those who rejoice, as though they did not rejoice; and those who buy, as though they did not possess [anything]; 31 and those who use the world [taking advantage of its opportunities], as though they did not make full use of it. For the outward form of this world [its present social and material nature] is passing away.
Ok so we have some wives here we find this confounding in many ways. Conventional interpretation says Paul may be referring to the appointed time of the return of Christ, or he may have been focusing on the briefness of human life, or both of these. There for me is our disconnect.
This old old story is new new for us. We are ethereal things. We stand or we would be standing where people have worshiped for 100s of years. The 2000 plus years we think about since Jesus. So many wrongs and so little solution. But every life is it's own solution in this grand equation of our God. We are like lightning. Thing about us we can hit the ground running we can share the good news with our children and our community and we will make them better. We will believe that we all fall short and in this way we are all equal. Not like it is a maybe here. We are all worse than worse as my best friend in Bosnia would say. He was talking about his home town but it might as well been his home planet.
The message for you today is threefold. There is a simple reason history is divided. It is the good news. On the river Jordan this lighting struck and was gone before they knew. My Lord says that is what had to happen. As John showed the way
6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair and had a [wide] leather band around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he was preaching, saying, “After me comes He who is mightier [more powerful, more noble] than I, and I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the straps of His sandals [even as His slave].
I do happen to be a big fan of evolution. I have never understood people who thought that was too hard for their God, but here we reach the basement level of spirituality. It is what you think and feel and interpret. It is also perhaps you don't care. Some people carry that spirituality proudly and stealthy in this world. Not mine to judge thankfully.
This last idea here is difficult to describe. What I want to say as we equate a lighting strike to a lifetime. I have never had that moment when I gave my life to my savior. Not something I hear much. I hear about these moments people are very proud of. Here is the problem I don't really have any issue, but people seldom talk about the other ways.
I think of these two cousins from our story. Quite a family. Good intentions our more powerful than you think. As I've never lived in a world without Good News I've never lived in a world where there was not a network of people praying for me. Even science takes some interest in the power of prayer. That giant and great hugger Judy Kitchen loved that article showing science teasing out the effects. Spiritually I stand on the shoulders of giants.
Now this world can be very dark and people go to very dark places and Jesus saves. I have been a very lucky person. My family had a different kind of wealth and they spent it freely.
So what is Mark saying what is Paul saying what is Jesus saying. I know there is a lesson of time here and I'm hoping you have some sense of it. Things can take a long time or they can not.
These apostles. This was the best they would do. They responded to the call without hesitation, not because they knew what to do. The rest of the gospels documents this well. They responded to the call without hesitation. That is why we celebrate them today.
As fishermen they made a net work. As followers of Jesus they made a network that still saves and raises children everyday. You know who else grew up in the synagogue. We will be looking at Mark a lot in this new b year of the church. As we take our lesson from what is there we also need to remember what is not. Remember you have never known a world without good news even on its darkest days. You are blessed. We have solution. We have God.
Let Us Pray.
Heavenly Father, Help us to see the wonder never ending that you are. Thank you for you patience with us as you raise and nurture your children. Thank you for saving those lost sheep you do. Help us, your well fed, welcome home each lost soul with the joy Jesus showed us with each interaction he had in his life. Lead us to bring your glory here today and forever through your son Jesus Christ. Amen
Benediction
"The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you" 2 Corinthians 13:14, (The Message)
Amen
Nottingham 1/24/2021
