Pentecost 17, 2009
Mark 8:27-35
“Why?”
Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Things were going well for the Disciples. Many people were following Jesus and spreading word of the miracles Jesus performed all around. Thousands would gather to hear him speak. Hundreds came to touch Him. Many were healed from blindness, deafness, dumbness, demon possession, and other physical ailments. Jesus even raised people from the dead. “People were overwhelmed with amazement. "He has done everything well," they said. "He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak” (Mark
“Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, "Who do people say I am?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ." Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him” (Mark
Even with all the crowds that followed Jesus; the crowds that worshiped Him and flocked to hear, see, and touch him…things weren’t all that great. Yes, Jesus was popular with the people but the Pharisees and Sadducees couldn’t stand Him. And while popular the people still didn’t get who Jesus really was. The people agreed that Jesus was special…maybe even Elijah or one of the prophets…but very few knew Jesus to be the Christ. The Disciples did know who Jesus was but they too didn’t always get it right.
“He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.” (Mark 8:31-32)
Peter and the Disciples knew Jesus was the Christ…but they didn’t want a Christ that would die hanging on a tree. They wanted a Jesus that would be popular with all the people. A Jesus that would stand up to the Pharisees and the Sadducees. A Jesus that would stand up against the tyranny and oppression of
When Jesus revealed to His disciples His impending suffering, death, and resurrection, Peter rebelled. Like Peter, we often prefer a theology of glory. We like to think that God will shower us with blessing upon blessing of prosperity. There are many that think that the strong their faith the better their life will be in this world. Many think that Christians don’t or shouldn’t suffer…at least not if they truly believe. Like Peter we want a popular Jesus; a Jesus that gives us all our wants; a Jesus that doesn’t let us suffer.
The problem is that we are sinful people living in a sinful world surrounded by sinners. “What comes out of a man is what makes him 'unclean.' For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man 'unclean.” (Mark 7:20-22) Truly this is what we are confessing when we said this morning “I, a poor, miserable sinner, confess unto Thee all my sins and iniquities with which I have ever offended Thee and justly deserved Thy temporal and eternal punishment.” Or when we confess that we “are by nature sinful and unclean.”
Christians suffer. You and I suffer. The entire world suffers because of man’s [our own] sinfulness. A week ago everything seemed to be “normal” in our communities. Children were outside riding bikes, playing catch, and visiting with friends. Parent’s were fixing dinner, watching the game on TV, and enjoying the cool fall weather. Many were outside working on equipment preparing for harvest. But then tragedy shattered all of this. Five members of the Gee family were brutally murdered. Lives have been shattered. Children no longer play outside by themselves; parents spend sleepless nights worried over the safety of their family; many sleeping with guns just in case. Questions continue to plague us… Why did this happen? Why would God allow this? Why can’t we have a Jesus like the one the Disciples wanted…a Jesus that will make everything great for us followers; a Jesus that will lead here and now…a Jesus of earthly greatness and power.
“When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. "Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” (Mark 13:7-8, 12-13)
Where is God during all of this suffering? Where was God during the tragedy in Beason? Where is God as helicopters and canine units sweep through our neighborhoods? Where is God when our marriages are crumbling, our friendships are breaking, our families are failing? Where is God when we need Him most? The nails ripped through His flesh. He hung on the cross praying for our forgiveness. He yelled “Eloi Eloi Lama Sabactani” “My God My God why have You forsaken Me?” Do we still ask where was God? God the Father was with His Son. Jesus said, “It is finished,” gave His last breath and died. His body went limp. Where was God? God was there at the cross, no doubt mourning the death of His INNOCENT Son. God raised Christ from the dead and forgave us all of our sins. Where is God?…The answer is always the same. God is with us! God is always with His people.
God doesn’t promise the Christian a life free from any trouble, hardship, or suffering. God does tell us that many will suffer for believing in Jesus. Many will be persecuted for His sake and the sake of the Gospel. God tells us that sin will run rampant in this world and all the world will suffer…until the last day.
My brothers and sisters in Christ we do not mourn like the world mourns and we do not hope like the world hopes. We know that our Savior lives and that we will join Him. Our hope is in Christ. Our hope is in a God that died for us and rose again. Our hope is in Jesus. “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28) Have no fear for your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Our hope is in Christ. Our hope is in heaven. Our hope is certain. Amen.
Now may the peace of God which passes all human understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. Amen.
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