BSFL Sunday School Commentary for the week of October 25, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 10:29AM The Hero Victorious Mark 15,16
Anyone with a sense of history is stirred by this photograph. United States Marines who had fought hard and watched many of their comrades die were finally able to raise our flag over the island and declare it secure after 36 days of fierce fighting. During that period of time, 6,825 Americans were killed, and 19,026 were wounded. Iwo Jima is considered to be one of the fiercest battles of World War II. Small wonder that 30% of all WWII Marine Medals of Honor were awarded to personnel who fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima.
When have you been faced with overwhelming odds? How did it feel? What did you do to surmount the obstacles before you and gain victory or success? Our text passages this week from Mark 15 & 16 highlight Jesus' trials, crucifixion, death, and resurrection. The complete story is not covered in depth, but the scenes we see record some of the darkest days of Jesus' life here on earth. The Son of God willingly allowed Himself to be falsely accused, slandered, abused, condemned, and put to death by the cruelest form of punishment imaginable. His mission to be the sacrifice for the sins of mankind was being carried out, and He stubbornly endured it all, for us. It was His finest hour. And He endured it all alone.
Jesus stood resolutely in the midst of His enemies, rarely speaking a word, and none in His own defense. All of His followers had fled. No one came to His defense. The sleepy disciples who could not even stay awake and pray with Him could not be expected to stand in His defense. The fickle mob that had escorted Him into Jerusalem only a week earlier were now crying out for His extermination. In fact, the only one present to watch Him die was a pagan Roman centurion. Jesus' death so affected the soldier that he was compelled to acknowledge Jesus as God's Son.
Have you ever stood alone in the face of opposition? Have you made a public stand for Christ, only to discover that no one else stood with you? How hard was it to stand alone? There are times when we are compelled to stand for Christ in the middle of open hostility. Other times, the decision to stand for Him and what is right is made and carried out in obscurity. Both are equally difficult. Peer pressure compels us to go along with everyone else and not make waves while our flesh compels us to choose comfort and self over sacrifice and Christ.
What can we do to be ready when called to take a stand for Christ? All this month we have studied important aspects of discipleship. We have learned that it is essential for us to put aside worldly distractions, prioritize our walk with Jesus, and practice spiritual disciplines that foster growth and strength in our faith. Only then will we be ready to stand and emerge victorious when trials come. The banquet comes later; now we are engaged in battle. We cannot become comfortable or lazy in the effort of spiritual growth and preparedness. It takes constant vigilance and diligence.
I rejoice in the end of our story today! Jesus endured and emerged victorious. His death brings new life to all those who believe. His resurrection assures us of God's acceptance of His sacrifice and guarantees our own victory over death. Our future is sure. It is in the present day where the battle rages. We will be called upon to stand for God's truth, to stand for biblical morality, to stand for Christ, and often to stand alone. We, like Jesus, can emerge victorious. We must be ready!
BSFL Sunday School Commentary for the week of November 8, 2009
Celebrate Your Trials James 1
What is your greatest difficulty at this time? What adversities are wearing you down? What do you need to trust Him with this week? How can we celebrate through our difficulties? When James wrote this to Jews who had been scattered because of persecution he probably had in mind difficulties caused by outward manifestations of our faith. Jewish Christians who openly professed Jesus as Lord and renounced Judaism were ostracized, thrown out of families, lost businesses, and forced to flee for their lives. In A.D. 49 Roman Emperor Claudius expelled all Jews from Rome because of the turmoil begotten by many openly following Christ and inspiring the ire of their countrymen.
However, these truths can be applied to any outward trial or inward test. As we endure trials by the power of the Holy Spirit and God's grace, we grow stronger, more patient, and lean more heavily on faith in God. James teaches us that this growth is a cause for joy. God uses testing, trials, and adversity to shape us into the image of Christ. Nothing occurs in our lives that hasn't crossed God's desk and received His stamp of approval. He either causes or allows every circumstance. We can rejoice that He holds our tomorrows, and equips us to handle anything He allows to come our way. Our God is so great, He can even use adversity to accomplish His purposes!
His heavenly, supernatural wisdom is available to us when we ask, so that we can endure trials. Real wisdom is the ability to make decisions based on knowledge God has revealed in scripture. Wisdom thus enables us to make decisions in line with God's purposes. It allows us to see all of life from God's point of view. Without God's wisdom we tend to respond to trials with worry, grief, bewilderment, disappointment, and despair. The wisdom of this world cannot possibly direct us into God's best; only God's wisdom can. and it is available for the asking! Without God's wisdom to give us perspective, we are filled with doubt and not faith.
Years ago my pastor was fond of saying "God can't be anything but good to us." It is against God's nature to act in any way that would harm His children. a lack of God's wisdom will cause us to doubt God's goodness in trials, and react with anger towards Him. Why is God doing this to me? Why does God allow so many to suffer? If God loved me, He would fix this! God allows us to be tested in order to develop Christian character, but never with evil intent. He is more concerned with our holiness than our happiness. While sin is the root cause of all suffering in our world, Jesus is God's answer to sin. One day God will achieve His (and ours) final victory over sin. Satan will be banished forever, and everything will be made new. We will exist with God in sinless perfection, with no more battles to fight and no more trials to endure. Those who endure trials by faith in this life will be rewarded in the next.
Until then, we must look to God for faith and power to endure hardship. The banquet comes later; now we are engaged in battle. However, do not lose heart. God is using every event of your life for His glory and your benefit. Rejoice!