Gospel of Mark Series

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We’re nearing the end of our sermon series on the remarkable story of Jesus from the Gospel of Mark. From here on, we will see Jesus turn His attention toward the cross and toward suffering. Obviously, there must be another way to look at pain.

Well-known atheist/actor/comedian Stephen Fry was recently asked what he would say to God if
suddenly faced with the reality of His existence.

“Suppose it’s all true, and you walk up to the pearly gates, and you are confronted by God,” asked Byrne, host of The Meaning of Life. “What will Stephen Fry say to Him?”

“I’d say, ‘Bone cancer in children? What’s that about?’” answered the 57-year-old Brit. “How dare You? How dare You create a world to which there is such misery that is not our fault? It’s not right; it’s utterly, utterly evil. Why should I respect a capricious, mean-minded, stupid God who creates a world that is so full of injustice and pain?” Fry said. “That’s what I would say.”

There are just so many ways to respond to Fry. If there was never anything sour, how would we know to enjoy the sweet? If we never felt pain, how would we know what healing felt like? If we never went through difficulty, how would we know what it’s like to be delivered? If we never felt sadness, how would we know what joy was? If we had everything we ever wanted, how would we know to appreciate it?

Paul wrote to such attitudes as that of Fry. “But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’ Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?” (Romans 9:20-21) There is another way to look at pain.

A shark attack can be a dangerous thing, and in the instance on October 18, 1999, a shark attack in
New Zealand had one major difference: the shark was the victim. Beverly Marshall-Smith, 56, was fishing on the west coast of New Zealand's North Island when she noticed a "fish" chasing her lure. When the fish beached itself right in front of her, Marshall-Smith waded in with a piece of driftwood and began beating what turned out to be a 6-foot blue shark. She said, "I didn't realize it was a shark. I just went and grabbed it, my adrenaline was running, and I just made sure I kept away from his head. Every time he wrestled, I hit him." Wow, that’s one tough woman. How much do you want to bet she’s now wearing his teeth for a necklace?

Sometimes you never know when you might have to do battle with a shark. Beverly just kept hitting until she had it beat. Problems can come unexpectedly. In those moments, just keep swinging.

Peter tells us there is a very important reason we face adversity. Pain gives us the opportunity to prove our faith and rely on God.

“In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ...” (I Peter 1:6-7).

We need to be reminded at times that suffering and adversity has its place in our lives. No one enjoys facing pain; however, God uses it for our good. Trusting He knows what He is doing may give us the strength to see pain from another view.

Now, look again at the cross of Jesus. Did we gain from His pain? You better believe we did!

Current Sermon Series

Mar 1-Seeing Jesus for Who He Really Is! (Mk 8:27–9)
Mar 8-What Jesus Stands For! (Mk 10)
Mar 15-Jesus Enters Jerusalem (Mk 11:1–12:44)
Mar 22-Jesus Unveils the Future (Mk 13)
Mar 29-Jesus—Suffering King? (Mk 14:1–15:20)
Apr 5-Jesus Finishes His Work (Mk 15:21–16:20)

[Ron Otto, Lincoln Christian Church]

 

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