It’s not working.

Have you noticed of the ‘out of order’ sign? No, really, have you ever noticed what it says? Out of Order. I glanced at one and forgot about it. But, the Lord brought my attention back to the sign. Something is out of order and needs attention. Out of Order. If something is out of order, does it mean there is a benefit to being in the right order? Because in my mind, when something is out of order—it’s not working.When something is in order—it is working.

Jesus Challenged their Priorities.

Jesus makes a public appearance in Mark 3 in front of synagogue leaders and people. Religious leaders and people who practiced a high level of piety were often appointed to positions of authority in local synagogues—because they demonstrated the Law. Few people challenged the authority of the Law, so the local religious leaders often became synonymous with the power and authority of the Law. Jesus often publicly challenged religious leaders with their power and their authority. Religious leaders discussed certain things in secret meetings and then religious leaders followed up with a kind of ‘Gang Up on Jesus’ plan. Jesus taught or challenged people to think and respond publicly. Imagine the meetings after the meetings for the religious leaders who were always conniving. “Did you hear what Jesus said??” "Did you see what the people did??” “Why does Jesus answer with a question??” “By what authority is Jesus doing these miracles??” 

No one likes to be embarrassed. No one wants to be revealed as a hypocrite. No one wants to be humiliated in front of their peers—let alone in front of the people they lead. Jesus’ savvy style of leadership always inspires me. I’ve wanted to respond like Jesus in my leadership style, too. But, when someone has their own agenda or a group secretly meets to discuss a plan and then comes to me with questions, I think of the Jesus-type of thing to say or do twenty minutes afterwards. Sometimes the religious leaders were convicted when they had interactions with Jesus. Other times the religious leaders were angered and looked for a way to get rid of Jesus. I’ve always been astounded at the response of people who wanted to kill Jesus, aren’t you?

Another time he went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. (Mark 3:1) Notice that a man with a special situation is involved. The man had a public deformity—I wonder sometimes how many of the men present had private deformities. Clearly, the man could not be part of the religious elite nor become any kind of religious leader. A public deformity was often considered something that made a man ‘unclean.’ The man with the shriveled hand was separated from the very thing that could heal him, restore him and make him whole. The synagogue leaders made sure of that. Oh, wait, What? Hold on. Something doesn’t sound right—seems out of order.

Have you ever wondered what made Jesus mad? 

Jesus questioned the effectiveness of their belief—the very religion the synagogue leaders professed and protected. Do you remember what Jesus did when he arrived in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday? (Mark 11) What was the purpose of the Temple, local synagogue or religion itself? Had the first-century religious leaders and people been confused or even deceived about the role of the Temple and synagogue? What was the role of religion? Did religion replace the relationship with God? By the time of Jesus, the whole system had become corrupted which is why the call of John the Baptist in the Wilderness had stirred up and challenged people to straighten out their lives and get their priorities straight. Jesus asked the question:”Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or kill? But they remained silent. He looked at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts…(Mark 3:4-5)

People are hurting, suffering and lost.

How stubborn have we become? I wonder if the twenty-first century church is struggling because something is 'out of order.’ Perhaps we can use Jesus’ own words from Isaiah 61 to begin and measure our effectiveness not only as a church—but as individuals: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19) Start there—share the gospel of Jesus Christ with one other person. Proclaim freedom to someone who’s living in a prison of abuse, addiction or an affair. Talk with someone about the limitation of perspectives and broaden your own in the process. Sin is a reality for each of us whether it is public or private—but Jesus sees sin as sin and separation from God. Has your relationship with Jesus Christ made an impact in you, your family, your church or community? If so, how?

We welcome a new friend to worship with us Sunday. There are many people hurting, suffering and lost. She may be able to help us answer the question Jesus asked and continues to ask of all of us. Is it possible there has been something ‘out of order’ for you? John Wesley once claimed that there was no holiness but social holiness—meaning Christians need to socialize and incentivize one another to do the works of Jesus Christ when ever and where ever we can…was JW onto something? Some people still think JW had things in proper order.

Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or kill? But they remained silent. He looked at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts…(Mark 3:4-5)

Pastor Jen