Opening sentence. God’s grace is sufficient for us; God’s power is made perfect in weakness. If we boast, let us boast in the Lord. 2 Corinthians 12:9; 10:17
Collect. Remove, O Father, the veil from our eyes, and grant us the light of the Spirit; that we may learn to recognise your glory in the humiliation of your Son, and experience in the weakness of our own human nature the surpassing power of his resurrection. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Reading. 2 Corinthians 12:2-10. As we read this passage it is both an exciting revelation and also a humbling challenge. Although Paul does not name himself he is certainly talking about his own personal experience.
Paul is not embarrassed because he has had a vision but because he has to share that vision in order to defend himself before the Corinthians. The Corinthians owed their knowledge of Jesus and his salvation above all through the efforts and sacrifices of Paul and his closest companions. He is embarrassed that they have so quickly moved on from the gospel that he had preached to them, a gospel whose power would have been clear for this gifted group of Christians. They had seen the effects of the gospel through changed lives to say nothing of signs and wonders. However to emphase that Paul does not place himself above them, he reminds them of what he calls a thorn which was a messenger from Satan. We do not know what this impediment was but it seems to have been some physical ailment. The message from Satan was a constant reminder to Paul that he lived in a broken world in which evil still played a part. From Paul’s perspective God did not do it but allowed it, yet with God’s grace he was able to continue his work of ministry. God is always in charge. Paul accepted all that happened and like Job took the view “Shall we receive the good at the hand of God, and not receive the bad?” (Job 2:10). Because of his weakness and the reminder that Satan was not finally vanquished, Paul was even more able to rely on the power of God to accomplish his calling.
Due to the presence of the “super-apostles” who had said that Paul’s misfortunes were due to his lack of godly power Paul is once again defending himself and reminding them that it is what God has achieved that should command their attention. Paul does not care about his trials and misfortunes, what he cares about is that the message of Jesus Christ continues to be proclaimed and that they put their trust in him alone and not in teachers who give out a different message; a message that takes their eyes off the Lord.
It is that message which reaches down to us today. So often we focus on what we do and equally on what we don’t do. Paul is urging us like the Corinthians to understand that due to our brokenness we are only able to achieve godly things through the power and presence of God. Total reliance on Jesus Christ is easy to say but difficult to do. Often the message in our minds is “try harder”. Paul’s message is trust God in all the circumstances of life; in the good times when things seem to be going well, and also in the tough times when even life itself seems to have fallen apart. Remember Paul’s words “When I am weak, then I am strong”! “Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him; do not fret over those who prosper in their way, over those who carry out evil devices”. Psalm 37:7.
Prayer. Lord God, Great Creator, there is nothing that we can do to help you for you are sovereign and above all. Help us, gracious Lord, to trust you in all circumstances and so to serve you well. Give us the wisdom that hears your voice and then obeys. In your mercy grant that we may keep our faith and trust in you alone and so fulfil the plan and purpose that you have for the whole of our lives. We come to you only in the name of Jesus the Christ, through your forgiving love; we honour and praise your name. Amen
Reading. Mark 6:1-13. Jesus had come back to the place where he had lived for much of his life. It was the place where he had grown up and then worked as a carpenter alongside those to whom he was speaking. Then as now Jesus was always known as “Jesus of Nazareth”. However once he started his ministry he had set up his place of residence in Capernaum. There and in the surrounding region according to Mark Jesus attracted great crowds and enjoyed immense popularity. News of this success must have been known in Nazareth as it was only 40 miles away. Perhaps it was because of this reputation and all that they had heard that he was invited back to teach in the local synagogue.
Mark does not tell us what Jesus taught though Luke tells is that he used the text from Isaiah, “The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God;” (Isaiah 61:1f)
It was the great prophecy of God’s voice announcing the year of Jubilee. This was the time when slaves were released, debts were wiped out and lands were returned to their originally allotted owners.(Numbers 26:55) It was to herald a great time of peace and celebration, with no one in want in the whole of society. It was a key prophecy that continued to give hope to the whole nation. The knowledge and wisdom that he showed as he explained his text seems to have offended them. They could not hear the truth of his message, all they could see and hear was from a man they knew as a carpenter. Here now was a man they had known who now was different from them, perhaps better than them and therefore “they took offence at him”. Their pride and prejudice blocked them from recognizing the change and the truth; there was no acceptance of his teaching. The message of Jesus that had encouraged and changed so many people in Galilee made little impact in his hometown. Though they knew of the healings and miracles they refused to understand who he was and the truth of what he taught. Jesus left his hometown amazed at their lack of faith in God.
Mark records how Jesus left Nazareth where the people had failed to recognise his authority and then recalls that Jesus gave authority to his disciples to go out and minister to people. Unbelief held the people of Nazareth back from the miracles and healings of Jesus and yet Mark immediately records the power of Jesus to give authority to his disciples to teach and heal and exorcise those who believed. Mark is emphasising that the residents of Nazareth had failed to grasp the great opportunity the presence of Jesus gave to them.
Writing as he did a generation after the death of Jesus, Mark’s message is that familiarity with Jesus can sometimes blind us to his power and majesty. The people of his hometown knew of what he had achieved but failed to grasp the truth of his message. It is not enough to know what Jesus has done; the key is to believe in who he is. It is beyond question that Jesus was an historical figure. As Christians we need to do more than understand his humanness, we need also to believe that he was and is the Son of God. Since it was God’s Son who lived and died on our behalf we have a relationship with God as his adopted children. It is that belief which is essential and on that basis we trust in Jesus for salvation.
Prayer. Lord Jesus Christ, you laid aside your majesty and became one with us. You lived our life and died our death that we might live eternally as your forgiven people. O Lord, grant that we may never lose the awe and wonder of that magnificent ministry given on our behalf. May our love and gratitude overflow into faithful obedience and service. Grant that our lives by your grace, will continually honour your name, the name which is above all other names. This we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen
Lord Jesus, you were rich yet for our sakes you became poor, and you have promised in your holy gospel that what-ever is done to the least of your children, you will account it as being done to you. So give us grace we humbly pray, to be ever willing and ready to minister, as you enable us, to the needs of others and to extend the blessing of your kingdom over the whole world; to your praise and glory. You who are God be blessed for ever more. (From St Augustine)
Collect. Jesus, friend and Lord, we limit you by our notions; help us to go wherever your Spirit leads, knowing that your power alone keeps us on the road of faith now and for ever. Amen.
ericjkirkham.com 