Today we are continuing our conversation through the book of Mark. Mark has been walking us, the readers, through the process of knowing Jesus.
Knowing is NOT the accumulation of facts and figures. Knowing is so much more complicated than that. Knowing is process. Knowing doesn’t end. It comes with questions, experiences, perspectives, understandings and misunderstandings, growth, adjustments, emotions, commitment… And it’s all in process. Knowing is never done or perfect. It isn’t stationary or passive. Knowing is hard work.
And in our process of going through Mark, we are now approaching the end of the book, where Mark, in his effort to focus us on process and the truth that the process is not ever done–not ever done–ends with an unresolved plot.
Spoiler alert: Jesus dies on the cross and is placed in the tomb for three days. And then the tomb is empty. Some followers of Jesus approach the tomb. A young man dressed in white (presumably an angel) tells them not to worry because Jesus is risen again. And the people leave, trembling, bewildered and afraid. Done.
Wait–that isn’t an ending! Where is the clean resolve, the happily ever after? What is going on here? That isn’t an ending!
Exactly.
Process. Welcome to process.
Life in relationship with Jesus–with anyone–is a process, and process is never done. Rarely if ever are all the loose ends tied up like in a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie.
Today, in the second half of Mark 14, Jesus is arrested.
In this moment there are some groups and individuals that rise to the surface of Mark’s narrative. Wouldn't it be nice if, as the story winds up, the people that stand out would stand out as heroes, experts, victors?
Well… it doesn’t go that way. Peter, James, and John as a group; the religious authorities; Peter as an individual–they all fall short in being the heroes in the story.
If you wanted me to tell you the simple answer to what we are looking at today it would be, Jesus is the hero. But that simple insight doesn’t nudge us. That declaration is nice, but maybe it doesn't change us. Process changes us–and process is hard work.
We need to process, so here we go. Today we are going to start by processing the idea or reality of being good enough.
Feel me pointing at you, judging you, evaluating you. Feel the heaviness of that. Are you good enough? To be the parent or the spouse or the friend. To be the employee or the boss or the volunteer. Are you good enough to be you?
Tony Robbins, a “motivational speaker” who has made millions in inspiring people to be their best, said you can be good enough by facing your fears, being accountable, refocusing on your goals, and creating a personalized plan. Thanks, Tony–now I don’t ever have to wonder if I’m good enough.
Wait. Those suggestions are nice enough, but they don’t eliminate something–that feeling that I may not be good enough. Let’s talk about this.
What causes someone like you to ask the question: Am I good enough?
Everyone loves a trick. And there are some tricks to feeling that you are good enough. Hugo from trackinghappiness.com has these seven tricks to feeling that I am good enough: Know that your mind can trick you. Talk to yourself as though you were your own child. Remember your strengths. Leave the past behind. Let go of perfection. Don't compare yourself to others. Be grateful.
Thanks for the tricks… but what if it is more than a feeling? What if it is more than a trick can overcome?
How does a person overcome inadequacy (not being good enough)?
Mark has been walking us through a process of knowing Jesus. And in this process, I see a potential outcome–I have seen it in myself and in others: we might feel like we are perpetually not quite good enough to have relationship with Jesus.
Where does the common thought that a person is never quite good enough to have a relationship with God come from?
I feel like there is a common formula that comes into focus:
- need to be good enough + never quite good enough = what kind of relationship with God
- need to be good enough + never quite good enough + grace = what kind of relationship with God
How are these formulas similar? How are they different? What complexities do these formulas bring to the surface?
They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”
Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”
Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.
Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
[Peter, James, and John were not good enough. Was this the end of their process?]
Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. The men seized Jesus and arrested him. Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
“Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” Then everyone deserted him and fled.
A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.
[Peter took responsibility onto his own shoulders–and we see in the other gospels that Jesus told him to put away his sword. He was not enough. Was this the end of his process?]
They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together. Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.
The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree. Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.’” Yet even then their testimony did not agree.
Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” They all condemned him as worthy of death. Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him.
[The religious authorities were missing it all. They completely missed it. Was this the end of their process?]
While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said. But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway.
When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” Again he denied it. After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.”
Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept. (Mark 14:32-72)
[Peter denied knowing Jesus. He obviously was not enough. But was this the end of his process?]
There are 101-level questions we could ask, like who are the main characters of this text? What did Peter, James, and John do wrong? What was the final straw with the religious authorities? How many times did Peter deny knowing Jesus?
Well, we are not going to have a 101 question! Remember our conversations on not being good enough:
What is God’s response to shortcoming?
Mark has been walking us in process of knowing Jesus. And in that process, you and I will not come to a point of being good enough to have relationship with God. But that is not the end of process!
The miracle is Jesus–grace through Jesus. Right relationship because of grace. Undeserved, unearned, perfect grace. So a final conversation:
What does it tell you about Jesus’ relationship with us and our relationship with Him that our shortcomings are not the end of process?
Take It Deeper Questions
- Read Mark 14:32-72.
- What is a common scenario when you are the judge? When you are judged?
- What are some of the challenges to processing who Jesus was?
- What are some of the challenges of processing who Jesus is?
- Why is grace an essential part of a relationship with God?
- Why is it so easy to feel that grace is not sufficient to allow for personal relationship with God?
- How are you challenged, focused, encouraged, and/or confused by this text?
Bible Reading Plan
- Mark 14
- Matthew 26
- Luke 22
- John 18