The Gospel is Central

Since re-reading Tim Keller’s “Center Church” and reflecting on the Gospel of Mark where Jesus feeds the multitudes for the second time, I have been contemplating what happened:

“In those days, when again a great crowd had gathered, and they had nothing to eat, he called his disciples to him and said to them, “I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And if I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way. And some of them have come from far away.” And his disciples answered him, “How can one feed these people with bread here in this desolate place?” And he asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven.” And he directed the crowd to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves, and having given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and they set them before the crowd. And they had a few small fish. And having blessed them, he said that these also should be set before them. And they ate and were satisfied. And they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. And there were about four thousand people. And he sent them away. And immediately he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the district of Dalmanutha. The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” And he left them, got into the boat again, and went to the other side.” (Mark 8:1–13, ESV)

According to James Edwards (The Gospel According to Mark), many scholars think Mark 8:1-9 is a doublet.  They think Mark repeated the same incident in different language. But if you compare it to the feeding of five thousand in Mark 6:30-44 there are several striking differences Edwards point out.  The season is different.  The crowd, Jesus’ approach, and the setting among other things are also different.  It is not uncommon for people of faith to have to have a “do over”.   We are taught a lesson as similar circumstance arises and we don’t put to work what Jesus has already taught us.  It seems that is the point that Mark makes as he includes the text. 

               We experience the same tension.  Jesus works wonders.  That is what makes us people of faith.  But the greatest miracle is the gospel He embodied and proclaimed.  How long, how many times do we need to hear the gospel preached until Jesus walks through our cities?  You see Mark is showing us that it took many times of hearing and seeing Jesus work before the disciples got it.  What was it they got?  That Jesus is God with us.  When we are in a storm, when we are praying for the sick, and when we face homelessness and hunger; Jesus is God with us.  So I asked myself, “What does it takes to walk with Jesus through the streets of Redding with the compassion of Jesus?” The word of God must indwell me so that Jesus is my constant resource.  Emmanuel God is with us.  His heart that is broken and compassionate toward all those I pass on the streets.

… Then because Jesus is compassionate toward the hungry, I learn to be open to join in bringing the good news to the streets.  Jesus is challenging disciples to hear and understand His Word that makes us fruitful in the harvest out there. We are to be gripped by the gospel.  The fact that Christ saves us through his message proclaimed so that the Word contained in the Scriptures and Jesus himself the Word joined with the Spirit brings Jesus to life  so that are believers his life renews us. Christ is embodied as we hear, believe and become fruitful.  The Word of God is not just to be believed for its truth, it is to be lived into until its life flows in us up to eternal life. 

               Jesus sees the homeless lining the streets of Redding and living in the woods around North State. He has compassion for the mother with her baby walking the tracks near the train station having just slept on the streets.  What is her story? 

               People tell us to preach the gospel at all times and if necessary use words.  This much used misquoted statement is really not very helpful. The gospel is a message to be proclaimed.  The gospel is lost if it is removed from the message and becomes something we do.  The saving power of the gospel ends up being moralism.  Giving food to the homeless without introducing them to the person who can save them and change their lives is not helpful – it does not end the cycle of poverty and dependence.  It is only at the Cross that a new life is born.

               We have a message of God’s salvation and we have compassion that results from the gospel to share.  The gospel message flows out and into us so that we might live a life for others. For those three days, the people were with Jesus hanging upon the words he spoke.  Words Jesus speaks have the power to change life.  Mark tells us so from the start: “And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.”” (Mark 1:38, ESV) He came for one reason to proclaim the Good News so that his kingdom gospel would reign and create new people, new communities and new cultures.  Preach the gospel and remember Jesus is with us to share his compassion. 

               The gospel became incarnate more than once in Jesus Christ.  The gospel message by the Spirit comes to live in the Church.  When Christ lives in us, then the Church moves out with that message “gospel - good news” upon our lips and his compassion flowing forth to care for the hungry. The old fashioned gospel of his death, resurrection and saving grace received by faith in Christ alone leads to the advancement of the kingdom. God saves sinners and Jesus cares about our cities.