Epiphany 5

Epiphany 5 JESUS’ AGENDA 2/2 & 5/06

When Jesus left the waters of the Jordan River after his baptism, before his hair was completely dry, the Spirit of God drove him from the river to announce the reign of God through word and deed. He had the encounter with Satan in the wilderness, accomplishing what we daily fail to accomplish---he resisted the temptations to be God and, by God, remained obedient to God. Then, Jesus invited disciples to follow him, inspiring them by casting out demons and healing the sick, and teaching them with authority. Mark writes his account with near-breathless efficiency, that we might actually, centuries later, sense the speed with which Jesus’ ministry begins and moves!

Turning back to Mark 1:21, Jesus and his first four followers had earlier attended the synagogue. The action recorded in today’s Gospel begins on the Sabbath…the day for rest and worshipful reflection. But now, as Mark records in 1:29 , “That evening, after sunset, the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed.” With the sun setting and the Sabbath concluding, a new work-week has begun!

The story proceeds with Jesus arising early the next morning to find what Mark calls “a solitary place, where he prayed.” (1:35) Mark’s mention of the earliness of the hour might well indicate that Jesus’ belief that he would be more restored through prayer than through sleep. (A discipline warranting the personal consideration of all who cite Sunday as “their only day to sleep in!”.) The early hour also enables Jesus to get out of the house/town unseen by the still-sleeping crowds. He successfully reaches a place of quiet prayer, but not for long, as “Simon and his companions pursued him.” (1:36 RSV) These men were thrilled to have such an authoritative teacher and healer in their town. The fact that Jesus had initially chosen a few of the “locals” to be his disciples seemed to indicate that Jesus would make the city of Capernaum his “home base.” Mark captures this in 2:1, as we read: “When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home.” But, this is not what Jesus has in mind. When the “pursuers” tell Jesus: “Everyone is looking for you” Jesus replies: “Let us go somewhere else.” (1:38) No matter the claim the people of Capernaum…or Clark County…think they have on Jesus and his powerful deeds, Jesus has another agenda.

Jesus, through prayer, seeks clarity regarding who he is and what his Father God has sent him to be. What Jesus sees, few in Mark’s Gospel see and, perhaps, few see even today. In chapter 3 Jesus’ family considers him “deluded” and come to take him home. In chapter 8 Jesus asks his disciples: “What are people saying about me?” followed by the direct question: “Who do you say that I am?” Jesus, then, reveals what will occur in the city of Jerusalem, but this conflicts with what Peter prefers. Peter attempts to silence Jesus and is called “Satan” for his mis-directed agenda. In chapter 14, it is an unknown woman---bringing costly ointment and, without saying a word, pouring it upon Jesus’ head---who seems clear regarding Jesus’ identity and mission. It is the Roman centurion in chapter 15: 39---looking upon the now lifeless, bloody corpse of a carpenter nailed upon a cross---who understands who Jesus is. Seemingly to no one, yet to everyone forever, the soldier whispers: “Truly, this man was the Son of God.” Jesus told the demons in today’s text to be silent, “for they knew perfectly well who he was.” (1:34 JB) Jesus departed Capernaum because the people possessed an agenda that conflicted with his. Their agenda was to make Jesus popular. Jesus’ agenda is to save all humanity from sin, death, and the devil! They wanted to make people like Jesus. Jesus’ sought to help people know and show God’s love. They wanted Jesus to make people healthy. Jesus’ came to make people whole. The disciples wanted to bring people to Capernaum. Jesus’ sought to bring people to God!

J.B. Phillips writes: “We can never have too big a conception of God. The more scientific knowledge advances, the greater becomes our idea of God’s vast and complicated wisdom. Yet, unless we are to remain befogged and bewildered and give up all hope of ever knowing God as a Person, we have to accept His own planned focusing of Himself in a human being, Jesus Christ.” (Your God Is Too Small)

Jesus’ agenda was to win the loyalty of a few who would honestly respond to the new way of living he taught and showed them in life and in death. These few followers would be the pioneers of the new agenda---the new covenant---the first ranks to advance against the massed ignorance, selfishness, evil, and apathy of the human race. These first followers would, through God’s Holy Spirit, become the Christian Church…the body of which we are members. God’s wisdom seems foolish to us, as our wisdom seems foolish to God. May our prayer be that God helps us to understand and accept His agenda…help us to fulfill His agenda…and, when we don’t fully understand it, may God give us sufficient faith to accept His will over our own. Amen.