Church. What is it? What is the goal? When is it good? When is it working? Where do I fit in?
I can’t escape Paul’s words about being the Body of Christ. Paul was a Jewish leader in the first century that was actually opposed to the followers of Jesus–opposed to the point of overseeing the murder of Stephen, a follower of Jesus. (Acts 7) Then he had a radical encounter with Jesus where he turned from being a persecutor of the church to being a church planter and prolific writer. (Check it out in Acts 9!) At this point in Paul’s life, we see the process of relationship with Jesus starting.
As we have been looking at over and over again in our walk through the book of Mark, relationship with Jesus is a process, not just information. Mark’s goal is to walk with the readers–us–in process, getting to know Jesus better.
So in Paul’s life–in his writings in the New Testament–we get a window into Paul in process. It is beautiful: while he is a work in progress, Paul is being trusted, empowered and effective–in spite of his being in process.
This is not unique to him. Welcome to the process!
So Paul saw this process and was in this process and saw how it all worked together as church. Paul processed the church in a picture of a body:
Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. (1 Corinthians 12:15,21-23)
All of us, all parts, are in process, not finished work. Our personal differences are our strength because they make us all whole. We are not excluded or unneeded because we are different, and others are not to be excluded or unneeded because they are different. We are ALL invited to the table of being the church. We are ALL better when we are all at the table of the church. This is a miracle. It’s beautiful; it is simple; it is radically complicated….
So–church. What is it? What is the goal? When is it good? When is it working? Where do I fit in?
Church is not just a Sunday together moment. It is that body picture being lived out, bringing intentionality to our relationships with the people in our local. This is discipleship, which is a bit of a loaded word.
There is a way to short circuit discipleship quickly: remove initiative, ownership, or responsibility from one or both sides… and it STOPS. Parts of the body need to take ownership in being parts of the body AND the body needs to take ownership in needing its parts. Another way of saying this is that the one discipling needs to take responsibility / ownership / initiative AND the one being discipled needs to take responsibility / ownership / initiative. When one or both sides don’t take that responsibility, ownership, and initiative, it will be broken.
So what is behind the absence of responsibility, ownership, initiative? Lots of things. And today as we come to Mark chapter 14, one of those things rises to the surface: cynicism.
Cynicism is defined as an inclination to believe that people are motivated purely by self-interest.
An inclination is a key part to that definition. Inclination: a natural tendency or urge.
So if I’m cynical, I tend to think people have purely self-interested motives for the things they do. And this option is very available to us.
Let me list some signs that a person may be cynical to the point of having a negative impact on his or her life.
- You consistently doubt the intentions of others and question their motives.
- You make sarcastic or biting comments about people or situations.
- You feel a sense of mistrust or skepticism towards institutions or authority figures.
- You have a general belief that society is corrupt or flawed.
- You frequently express negative views about the future and believe that things will not improve.
Let’s dialogue for a moment.
If a person checks all these boxes, how does it impact his or her life, relationship with others, others relationship with them?
Wow. Sounds like cynicism is a powerful thing. But cynicism as a lifestyle is rarely built without a rational foundation. Here is a list of some possible triggers for cynicism:
- Disillusionment: Experiencing disappointment or betrayal from people or institutions one trusted or admired can lead to cynicism.
- Prolonged exposure to negativity: Constant exposure to negative news, pessimistic attitudes, or critical people can gradually erode optimism and contribute to cynicism.
- Unmet expectations: When personal or professional expectations are not met, or when things don't go as planned, it can foster cynicism.
- Fear: Fear of vulnerability or getting hurt can lead some individuals to adopt a cynical attitude to protect themselves from emotional pain.
- Burnout: Chronic stress, work-related exhaustion, or feeling overwhelmed by responsibilities can trigger cynicism as a coping mechanism.
- Past experiences: Traumatic or negative experiences, especially those involving betrayal or deception, can cause people to become more cynical.
- Perceived lack of control: Feeling powerless in certain situations or believing that one's actions have little impact on outcomes can contribute to cynicism.
- Social comparison: Comparing oneself to others, particularly those who seem to be more successful or happier, can lead to feelings of resentment and cynicism.
- Lack of social support: Isolation or the absence of supportive relationships can create a sense of disillusionment and lead to cynicism.
- General mistrust: Individuals who have difficulty trusting others, possibly due to past experiences, might develop a cynical attitude as a way of shielding themselves from potential harm.
Cynicism is usually built on these triggers. And these triggers are valid and available. Remembering that cynicism is an inclination to believe that people are motivated purely by self-interest:
Do you resonate with any of these cynicism triggers?
Here are two more questions to jump right into:
What is the impact of cynicism directed at followers of Jesus and/or God?
What is the impact of cynicism coming from Jesus’ followers?
I want you to feel this. Realizing that cynicism has an impact that may not be helpful or healthy is not to push us away from being discerning.
Now, there is a big difference between cynicism and skepticism/discernment. Skepticism or discernment mean questioning and/or evaluating truth and validity.
Cynicism is heavy, but the answer is not to just turn off any skepticism, discernment, questioning, processing, struggle, or concerns. At the same time, it is important to acknowledge that cynicism can be an impenetrable barrier to being the Body of Christ.
The first half of Mark 14 brings the complexity of cynicism to the table and today, as we walk in Mark’s intention of knowing Jesus through process, we will bring cynicism to the table.
I love the words of Proverbs 3:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Trust–don’t lean on my own understanding. Just believe everything and don’t question anything, right? No. That trust is not a turning off of questioning, evaluating, discernment. Listen to these other verses:
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. (Ephesisans 5:6-10)
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. (James 1:5)
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1)
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ. (Philippians 1:9-10)
Don’t be deceived. Ask for wisdom. Test things. Discern.
What is the impact on life when a person turns off skepticism, discernment, and questioning?
How is skepticism/discernment/questioning essential to being part of the Body of Christ?
Now we turn to Mark 14:1-11. The Passover was two days away. The religious authorities were plotting how they would arrest Jesus secretly and kill Him–but not during the Passover festival, because the people were gathered in Jerusalem and they might riot.
Jesus was in Bethany, a suburb of Jerusalem. While He was eating with friends, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume and broke the jar and poured the perfume on Jesus.
Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly. (Mark 14:4-5)
There was a strong questioning of her actions–but not just that, a strong questioning of her motives.
“Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” (Mark 14:6-9)
Then the cynicism began to grow like a mushroom cloud sprawling from an explosion.
Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over. (Mark 14:10-11)
Judas. He has been with Jesus for years now, hearing, seeing, experiencing, living… and he is filled with a doubting of Jesus’ motives–with cynicism. I am going to invite you to make some assumptions:
Which cynicism triggers do you think Judas was dealing with?
Skepticism without trust is cynicism. Trust without skepticism is naiveté. The challenge is finding balance. Where do you find yourself between the two?
With all the things we have processed today–the impact and triggers of cynicism, the call to be discerning, and Judas’ cynicism–today we end with one more question:
What is key for you in finding balance in trust and skepticism?
Take It Deeper Questions
- Read Mark 14:1-11
- If you had a year’s wages to blow on friends, what would you do and why?
- How do you think you would react internally and externally to the woman’s actions?
- What do you think the woman’s motives were for doing this act?
- How can we match the woman’s intentions in order to cause Jesus to appreciate our actions?
- How are you challenged, focused, encouraged and/or confused by this text?
Bible Reading Plan
- Mark 14
- Matthew 26
- Luke 22
- John 12