Walking with Jesus: 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Isaiah 50:5-9; James 2:14-18; Mark 8:27-35

Today’s question from Jesus is: “Who do people say that I am?” [Mark 8:27] Then He asks,  “But who do you say that I am?” [Mark 8:29] Rev. Billy Graham Jr. often said that his crusades had two purposes: to call those who don’t know Christ to follow Him, and to call those who do know Christ to make an even deeper commitment to Him. I enjoyed listening to his wisdom. He was an outstanding minister of Jesus’ Gospel of Love.

So often his preaching would follow this pattern:

Many people today claim to be a Christian. Do you claim to be a Christian? That’s an easy claim to make. ‘I’m a Christian because I grew up in church,’ some people say. Others say, ‘I’m a Christian because I was baptized as a child.’ Maybe you’ve heard people say, ‘I’m a Christian because my family are Christians — my grandmother and grandfather are Christians, and so are my mother and father. Why they even helped give our new pews at Church.’ But, then there’s you. You’re the one here tonight. Let’s think about you for a moment. What about YOU? Are YOU a Christian? Do you trust Jesus? Are you following Him? If so — that’s what you say about yourself — well, then, how many people know it? How many of your friends and co-workers, your family and neighbors, would look at you and say, ‘Why, yes, he’s a Christian?’ If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?

Although Dr. Graham used this narrative often, it is commonly attributed to an earlier Christian author, David Otis Fuller (1903-1988).

Today’s readings give examples of the kinds of evidence to which true followers of Christ give witness. Isaiah shares with us the third of four Servant Songs in which the Servant speaks for God, beginning by affirming His fidelity to God in the face of great belligerence. The Servant's strength is from God who sent him. He speaks for God knowing His words are from God and that those who oppose Him will come to accept God’s words. The Servant endures insults and beatings from those who oppose Him. Instead of trusting in God and the Servant, the people rely on their own devices. In the end they see where this leads them: The kingdom has collapsed and the people are taken away into exile. Why didn’t they listen? Why don’t we listen? Why do we not trust God? In the beginning of his work, Isaiah tells us that God characterizes the people as rebels who refuse to cooperate with God’s plan for them. They had abandon God but Isaiah continues to emphasize that God has not abandoned them. God is near, to help in any and all circumstances. Do I go to God for help? Does my pride prevent this?

James continues to explain what it means to be doers of the Word of God. Faith cannot be limited to hearing and believing this Word. This really is not faith at all because it doesn’t conform the individual to God’s plan, God’s values, God’s love for everyone. If I’m not actively  loving and helping those in need, how am I living  and demonstrating “You shall love your neighbor as yourself?” [James 2:8] How can I live my faith without demonstrating it? A popular poster by William J. Toms says it all: “Be careful how you live; you will be the only Bible some people ever read.”

The very heart of Mark’s gospel revolves around the three passion predictions Jesus makes: Mark 8:31-35; 9:30-37; 10:32-45. Jesus is telling the apostles what they don’t want to hear and actually refuse to accept: the fact that Jesus will die on them. The predictions have three points:  (a) the prediction by Jesus, (b) misunderstanding by the disciples, and (c) Jesus correcting a misconception while He unfolds the real meaning of discipleship. We focus on the first prediction today. Jesus teaches on what it means for Him to be the Messiah: He must suffer … be rejected … killed … and rise after three days. None of this fits the traditional concept of what the Messiah would be and do. Peter corrects Jesus and Jesus responds immediately and severely, angrily calling him Satan. “You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” [Mark 8:33] Jesus then reverses their expectation of discipleship: It’s not going to involve power, glory, influence, big positions and possessions. No, Jesus emphasizes denial, taking up one’s cross, and saving one’s life by losing it. A person saves their life by losing it for Jesus’ sake … by living the law of Love, and by living the Gospel of Good News of God’s love. It means not doing what I want but what Jesus wants. WWJD (“What Would Jesus Do”) was so popular a while ago … now it’s not in the forefront. of people's thoughts. It should be. A great reflection this week should be WDJW: What Does Jesus Want? Am I open to listening? If not, why not?

So I reflect on:

• Jesus’ response to Peter on thinking as God thinks and not as humans do brings up a deep reflection: How does Jesus want to transform my human understanding as well?
• While driving … we tense up when the fog is thick … when the wipers don’t work. So how does Jesus stretch us to let go when He says, “For whoever wishes to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for my sake will save it?” Am I stretchable enough to trust Jesus?
  

Sacred Space 2021 states:

“This crucial moment draws the first half of Mark’s Gospel to a close. Jesus is not a triumphant but a suffering Messiah. On a surface level, Peter gets Jesus’ identity right. But he is reprimanded for his earthbound vision: He seeks to bend Jesus’ words and ways to his own all too human thinking. He learns that compromise has no place in Jesus’ life.

“Lord, your question to the disciples echoes down the centuries, and I hear it addressed now to me. Strengthen the bonds between us. May our relationship influence my living. Keep me close behind You, as I pick up the crosses and burdens that come from being Your disciple.”