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The Trouble with Jesus
by Constance Hastings
Promise Fulfilled
Oct 23, 2021
The Trouble with Jesus is his words challenge our perspectives on things like money and how God would have it used for others.
Thank you and bless all those who sent in their thoughts on this passage from Mark 10:17-31. I brought this message on October 10 at Isle of Faith UMC . If you'd like to hear it, the video is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiChoSJU5nc&t=2714 (I start speaking around 42 minutes into the service, but if you skip the praise music, you'll miss a good thing.) Or you can email me (constance.hastings@constancehastings.com ) and I'll send you the sermon as a document.
Again, blessings to all who responded and especially to Pastor Will Clark for this opportunity to speak and share God's word.
The Trouble with Jesus is he doesn’t want to fight as much as he wants to lead in Love.
What do you want me to do for you?
One’s answer reveals the beggar in one’s soul.
Jesus, if you don’t mind, we’d like to talk with you about what you just said and ask a favor.
Sure guys, what’s on your minds.?
About your plans, when it all comes about, if the two of us could be seated next to you, one of your right and the other on your left?
(long pause…)
You have no idea what you’re asking....
True Story: A husband told his wife he was going the next day to possibly buy a Corvette. (Disclaimer: this did not happen in my house…) She read to him these words of Jesus:
“Go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.”
“Now, how do you think you’ll get to heaven if you buy a Corvette?” she challenged him.
After a short pause, he smiled, and said, “Fast!”
The Trouble with Jesus: He doesn’t speak from a legalistic mindset. He speaks with the loving mind of God.
In some ways, Jesus, your radical messages are just what we need. You just said that welcoming children is just like welcoming you. Nice image there. But this time, it’s like you’re pushing radicalization, sending your followers off the deep end. Cutting off one’s hands or feet, gouging out the eye so you’re good enough to get access to your Dad’s Kingdom? Calling people to self-mutilation isn’t going to garner many likes on your page with this kind of talk.
Jesus, oh Son of Man, you gotta lay off this. If you want to get your message out there and have everybody behind you, you have to play to what they want. All this talk about dying and staying in last place is going to destroy you. But no, you just keep repeating it over and over again. Take some good advice even those sorry followers of yours seem to realize. The only thing that needs to raise from the dead is your rhetoric.
Don’t you dare criticize him for what he said. Honestly, you’re no different than he when it comes down to it. You claim you believe in God, but when push comes to shove, rubber meets the road, and truth be known, like Peter, you’d rather God follow you than follow Jesus.
Stories of people bringing the sick to Jesus are not out of the ordinary. Even now, heaven probably shakes constantly with petitions for people to be healed. Give them some credit here. While prayers may come with sobs for God to reverse what could be the worst possible outcome, the proverbial faith of a mustard seed is the foundation of their cries. The heart knows or at least wants to believe that God can heal. The fear is, will God make this miracle or not? Still, we ask.
The Trouble with Jesus: His words stab in every living soul. Like open heart surgery, he exposed them and us.
